Patent ID: 6450555
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B25B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A clamping tool having a latch mechanism, the latch mechanism comprising:a latch bar movably pinned to the tool, said latch bar having a notch adjacent one end for receiving a latch post carried by the tool so that when the latch post is received in the notch, the latch bar prevents the clamping tool from opening; a spring member for urging the notch in the direction of the latch post as the clamping tool is closed, so that the notch of the latch bar engages the latch post an operating member, said spring member contacting the operating member and the latch bar as the clamping tool is operated, thereby causing the spring member to urge the end of the latch bar adjacent to the notch in the direction of the latch post; and an eccentric operating knob movably coupled to the clamping tool for selectively keeping the clamping tool in one of an unlocked mode and a locked mode.