Abstract:
An extension tool is provided for operating handwheels, such as those found on locomotive handbrakes. The tool includes a spinning handle and a tool body. The handle freely rotates about a longitudinal axis and provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing him or her to quickly and easily turn a handwheel. The tool body includes two or more jaws that clamp to the handwheel. The tool body additionally includes a screw mechanism for selectively tightening or releasing the jaws, in order to respectively attach or detach the tool from the handwheel as desired. Preferably, the screw mechanism further includes a drawbar that extends through an interior of the handle, and is adapted to move longitudinally to rotate the jaws. The drawbar is moved by rotating a threaded drawbar nut at an end of the tool.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to handheld extension tools, and more particularly to extension tools for operating a hand wheel associated with a handbrake used on a railroad locomotive. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of tools used in the railroad industry by locomotive engineers to aid in the application release of locomotive engine vertical handwheel handbrakes. The operation of locomotive handbrakes is, in principle, the same as the handbrakes used on railroad cars. Application of the brakes means to set the handbrake to a “stop” position in which the locomotive will not move accidentally. Release of the brake means to set the handbrake to an “off” position in which the locomotive can be safely moved. 
     Locomotive handbrakes are placed on locomotives to be used in addition to the locomotive air brakes to keep the locomotives from moving while not in use, should the locomotive air brakes fail or be accidentally released by mistake. Handbrakes on locomotives are always left in the applied position when not being used. 
     One brake application release tool is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,880, filed on Feb. 11, 2011. The tool is used for the application release of handbrakes on railroad freight and passenger cars. Where railroad car handbrakes are mounted on either the end or side of the car, the handbrakes on locomotive engines are typically mounted on the side of the locomotive engine compartment. The handbrake is operated from the locomotive walkway that extends the length of the engine compartment, from the rear of the locomotive to the locomotive cab. The handbrake is located so that the engineer or worker operates the brake at about waist or chest level relative to the handbrake wheel. 
     The handbrakes in both railroad cars and locomotives include a handbrake chain that tightens as the handbrake is applied by rotating the handbrake wheel. The biggest difference between handbrakes on railroad cars and handbrakes on locomotives is the amount of free slack in the handbrake chain. On railroad car handbrakes, this free slack is eliminated by about 2 to 4 revolutions of the wheel. However, in locomotive handbrakes, free slack is about 20 to 25 complete revolutions of the wheel. The handbrake must also be released completely when not in use, which requires reversing the process of setting the handbrake entirely. That is, turning the handwheel all the way until there is slack in the chain and the brake is fully released. 
     To begin the process of applying or releasing a locomotive handbrake, a railroad worker stands on the compartment walkway and grasps the handwheel with one or two hands. The worker then turns the handle in the clockwise direction to apply the brake, or in the counterclockwise direction to release the brake. This process may require the worker to re-grasp the wheel two to three times to complete one revolution of the handbrake wheel. Some operators may place two or three fingers at the junction of the handwheel inside rim and spoke, and rotate the handwheel continuously until all free slack is removed. Then, the worker grasps the handwheel at the highest point with one or both hands and fully applies the handbrake. 
     By trying to spin the handwheel with two or three fingers, an unsafe condition is created if the handwheel should suddenly stop and lock up. Some wheels offer continuous resistance to free spinning, and require too much force to utilize this method. This situation could also result in serious injury to the railroad worker&#39;s fingers. Therefore, a need exists for safe and effective tools for any railroad worker to remove the free slack in a handbrake chain. 
     Most new locomotives purchased by railroads around the time of filing, and those purchased in the prior decade, contain computers that monitor all aspects of the locomotive. These computers have sensors that trip an alarm should the handbrake not be completely released and someone tries to move the locomotive. Consequently, the handbrake handwheel must be rotated in the counterclockwise direction until it stops, and must be left in that position, in order for the locomotive computer to not trip the handbrake set alarm. 
     Should the locomotive handbrake handwheels have a permanently mounted handgrip on the handwheel, the handgrip would create a tripping or impact hazard, because it would be sticking out into the walking path of the railroad employee. Even if the handgrip were made to fold out of the way of the walking path, the handgrip could still become a tripping hazard due to bad maintenance or being accidentally left unfolded. The tripping hazard of a permanently mounted handgrip is increased by the fact that a high percentage of the times these walkways are traversed, they are done so at night and while the train is moving. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An extension tool is provided for enabling locomotive engineers and other railroad workers to easily remove the extreme amount of slack present in locomotives with vertical handwheel handbrakes. The tool comprises a spinning handle and a tool body connected to the handle for attaching to a handbrake wheel. The tool body has a tool body structure, a face that is constructed to sit against the handwheel, and jaws that clamp against the wheel. The jaws can be quickly opened or closed with an interior screw mechanism inside the tool body. 
     One goal of the present invention is to provide a tool that is both quickly attachable to and detachable from the vertical handbrake handwheel. This tool provides a secure method of turning the handbrake handwheel to safely and easily remove the extreme amount of slack in the chain. 
     Preferably, the tool comprises an elongated handle that freely rotates about a longitudinal axis. The freely rotating handle provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing the user to quickly and easily turn a handwheel. The tool also comprises a tool body, which further comprises two or more jaws that clamp to the handwheel. The tool body additionally comprises a screw mechanism for selectively tightening or releasing the jaws, in order to respectively attach or detach the tool from the handwheel as desired. 
     Preferably, the interior screw mechanism comprises a drawbar that extends through an interior of the handle, and is adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in order to selectively tighten or release the jaws. The screw mechanism may also comprise a threaded drawbar nut that interacts with a threaded portion of the drawbar to move the drawbar longitudinally, in order to tighten or release the jaws. In such embodiments, the tool may further comprise a compression spring that pushes against the drawbar, biasing the jaws into a certain position. The drawbar may further include a drawbar head that interacts with a drawbar head notch on each of the jaws, causing the jaws to undergo angular displacement with respect to the tool body. 
     In operation, a user attaches the tool to a wheel by fitting the jaws to the wheel, preferably at a spoke junction as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , and rotating the drawbar nut to close the jaws around the wheel. The user can then turn the wheel easily while still applying substantial force because the tool handle grip spins on the handle. 
     A preferred embodiment of the tool includes a tool head body design so a face of the tool head fits flat against the outer junction between the handwheel rim and a spoke of the handwheel. Through the center of the tool head body there is a longitudinal hole centered around a longitudinal axis, preferably the full length of the tool head. Within the hole is a drawbar threaded on one end, and on the other end, provided with a double tapered, semi-rounded drawbar head larger than the diameter of the drawbar shaft. The drawbar is adapted to move along the longitudinal hole in order to selectively tighten or release the jaws. The tool head face has three slots at given angles, each slot constructed to receive a respective tool jaw. The three jaws are formed to bear against the inner and outer junction surfaces of the outer handwheel rim and one spoke of the wheel. A threaded drawbar nut is provided that interacts with the drawbar to longitudinally move the drawbar within the tool head in two directions, in order to tighten or release the jaws as desired by the operator. 
     Because of the way most handwheels are constructed, the three jaws are preferably rotationally asymmetric about the longitudinal axis in order to best accommodate the handwheel. However, some versions of the invention may have three jaws placed in rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis. Other preferred versions of the invention use two jaws instead of three. 
     On preferred versions of the invention having three jaws, the jaws bear against the inner surface of the junction of the outer handwheel rim and one of the handwheel spokes. The jaws transmit multidirectional force to the handwheel rim. This is possible because, as the drawbar is tightened, each of the jaws pivots on a respective jaw attachment screw, causing the handwheel-spoke junction to be centered between the three jaws, and further causing the handwheel to be pulled toward the face of the tool head. This multidirectional force allows the tool to remain steady and in place while the handwheel is turned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is an end cutaway view of the tool attached to a handwheel in a typical operational position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the tool from tool body face. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cutaway line view of the tool body through the centerline, showing the tool attached to a first type of handwheel. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cutaway line view of the tool body through the centerline, showing the tool attached to a different type of handwheel. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the drawbar and the set screw shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the friction washer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4C  is a side view of the drawbar nut shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4D  is a side view of the jaw shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tool attached to a handwheel. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section view of a tool according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a tool according to one embodiment. The depicted tool  100  includes a handle  106  attached to a tool body, the main part of the tool body being the tool body structure  104 . A cutout area is shown in tool body structure  104  in order to depict the inner parts of the tool head, but this is only for illustrative purposes and the preferred embodiment has a solid circular shape with the cutout area filled in. 
     This tool  100  is employed to provide a handle extension to the existing locomotive handbrake wheel. It serves as a useful tool to help remove the extreme amount of slack in handbrake chain. However, this tool is not a leverage increasing device, as one of the inventor&#39;s prior applications is directed to. The tool also provides improved safety by allowing a safe and secure hand placement option that will prevent injuries to employees&#39; fingers while rotating the handbrake wheel. When the tool is attached to a handbrake handwheel (as shown in  FIG. 5 , for example), a rotating force is applied as the tool jaws  103  are tightened in place, which force positions the tool correctly along the wheel rim. Further, once tightened in place, the clamping force is applied to the handwheel in at least two directions due to the clamping pressure between the three jaws. A squeezing force is applied between tool body structure  104  and the jaws  103 . 
     Although the depicted tool  100  is machined from aluminum, any suitable material may be used in accordance with the present invention. Such materials may include steel or other metals, rubber, wood, or plastic. For example, jaws  103  are preferably machined from a round piece of aluminum about 2.75″×6.25″ long, but other suitable materials may be used as further described below. 
     The depicted tool body includes three jaws  103  connected to the tool body structure  104 . The jaws  103  grasp the handbrake wheel when the tool is in use. The jaws  103  are attached to the tool body structure  104  by the jaw mounting screws  114 . Each jaw  103  moves inside a jaw slot  113 , as depicted. Jaws  103  are adapted to undergo angular displacement with respect to tool body structure  104  in order to apply or release the tool  100 . Tool  100  has a tool body face  102  that, when applied to a handwheel, rests against the outside of the handwheel, and by its large diameter of approximately 2¾ inches, it provides a stable connection to operate the handwheel. In this embodiment, the tool  100  is configured to be applied at the junction of the outside handwheel rim and one spoke of the handwheel. 
     The tool body structure  104  has a ⅜ inch hole drilled through its center, and centered about a longitudinal axis  117  ( FIG. 6 ). A drawbar  107  functions through this hole to move the jaws  103  back and forth. Drawbar  107  has a drawbar head  101  and a threaded drawbar end  116  ( FIG. 6 ). In addition, drawbar  107  is attached to a compression spring  105  positioned to press against the drawbar head  101  in a manner to return the jaws  103  to the position shown in  FIG. 1  when the tool  100  is not being used. That is, the jaws  103  spring open when not being used. The spring  105  is located behind the drawbar head  101 , and inside a drawbar compression spring counter bore  112  ( FIG. 6 ). Further details of the handle area construction including the drawbar  107  are also shown in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 6 . On the lower, threaded end of the drawbar  107  is a drawbar nut  110 . The drawbar nut  110 , which rotated clockwise, pulls the drawbar head  101  against the drawbar compression spring  105 , and thus causes the jaws  103  to rotate into a closed position. The drawbar nut  110  also operates to return the jaws  103  to the open position when it is turned counterclockwise. A drawbar nut antifriction washer  109 , located between tool body structure  104  and drawbar nut  110 , is provided to keep the drawbar nut  110  from eroding the end of the tool body structure  104 . 
     Tool  100  further includes a rotating handle  106  that surrounds an elongated portion of drawbar  107 , and an elongated portion of tool body structure  104  ( FIG. 6 ). Rotating handle  106  freely rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the tool  100 . The freely rotating handle  106  thus provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing him or her to quickly and easily turn a handwheel, as may be best understood with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a view of a tool  200  in a typical operational position, attached to a handwheel  210 . Tool  200  is structurally and operationally similar to tool  100 . A first jaw  201 , corresponding to one of jaws  103  in  FIG. 1 , is positioned on the outside portion  204  of a rim of the handwheel  210 . A second jaw  202  and third jaw  203 , corresponding to a second and third of jaws  103  in  FIG. 1 , are positioned at the junction of an inside portion  205  of a rim of handwheel  210 , and a spoke of handwheel  210 . A centerline  208  through the rim and the spoke is provided to show the location of the second jaw  202  and third jaw  203  in relation to the first jaw  201 . This relationship is shown as a set of angles  206 ,  211 ,  212 , and  213 . Angle  206  is the angular distance between the first jaw  201  and the second jaw  202 , and angle  213  is the angular distance between the first jaw  201  and the third jaw  203 . Preferably, angles  206  and  213  each measure 130°. Angles  211  and  212  are the angular distance of the centerline  208  from the second jaw  202  and the third jaw  203 , respectively. Preferably, angles  211  and  212  each measure 50°. Dimension  207  depicts the largest diameter of the tool body, about 2¾ inches. 
     Because  FIG. 2  is an end view of tool  200 , it may be understood that longitudinal axis  117  is perpendicular to, and intersects, both the plane of the drawing and centerline  208 . Thus, the jaws  201 - 203  are arranged around the longitudinal axis  117 , so that each of the jaws  201 - 203  is equidistant from the axis  117 . As the jaws  201 - 203  are tightened or released, the jaws  201 - 203  experience angular displacement with respect to the tool body structure  104 , causing the tip of each of jaws  201 - 203  to move closer to or further away from the longitudinal axis  117 . 
     Also, it should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the three jaws  201 - 203  are rotationally asymmetric around the longitudinal axis  117 . Specifically, instead of each of jaws  201 - 203  being located 120 degrees from each other, first jaw  201  is located 130 degrees from each of jaws  202  and  203 , and jaws  202  and  203  are located 100 degrees apart from each other. This asymmetric arrangement of jaws  201 - 203  better accommodates the rim and spoke dimensions of a typical handwheel than would a precisely symmetric arrangement. 
       FIG. 2B  shows the tool  FIG. 2A , from a perspective at the end of the tool body face  102 . From this perspective, it may be more clearly seen that second jaw  202  and third jaw  203  are respectively separated from the centerline by an angle  211  and angle  212 , which is shown as 50° in the drawing.  FIG. 2B  also shows the jaw mounting screw  114  within a mounting screwhead counterbore  209 .  FIG. 2B  additionally shows an end view of a drawbar head counterbore  115 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts the relationships among the tool body structure  104 , the second jaw  202 , the drawbar head  101  of drawbar  107 , and a handwheel  210  when the tool is in an “applied” position. The outer rim of handwheel  210  is against the tool body face, and the second jaw  202  is touching the back side of the outer rim of handwheel  210 . Angle  303  depicts the amount of rotation of the jaw  202  within its respective jaw slot  113  (indicated by a dashed line) when in the applied position. The amount of angle  303  varies among applications because not all handwheels are the same; however, angle  303  is typically around 10° to 20°. 
     As force is applied to the drawbar  107  via the drawbar nut  110  (not shown in this figure), the drawbar head  101  begins to move toward the drawbar spring counter bore  112 . This movement applies pressure to the compression spring  105 . Further, this movement causes contact between a number of jaw drawbar head contact surfaces  306  and a drawbar head rounded taper  305 , each jaw drawbar head contact surface  306  associated with a respective one of jaws  201 - 203 . The contact between jaw drawbar head contact surfaces  306  and rounded taper  305  causes jaws  201 - 203  to move angularly toward the handwheel  210 . As each of the three jaws  201 - 203  contact the handwheel  210 , multidirectional pressure is applied to the handwheel  210  as designated by force arrows  308 . The three jaws  201 - 203  pull towards each other and pull the handwheel down toward the tool body face. When jaws  201 - 203  are fully tightened, the tool  200  is substantially perpendicular to the outer rim of the handwheel  210 . This connection provides a sturdy device for rotating the handwheel  210 . Arrow  307  in  FIG. 3A  indicates the location of the locomotive body in relation to the tool  200  while the tool  200  is being used. 
     The depicted handwheel  210  shows one type of handwheel shape used on locomotives. The shape is designated the elongated-C wheel. On this type of wheel, the open side of the “C” faces away from the locomotive body. 
       FIG. 3B  is a similar view to that in  FIG. 3A , showing the tool attached to a different type of handwheel. The depicted handwheel  311  in  FIG. 3A  has a wheel rim including a “C” shape, but has the open side of the “C” facing toward the locomotive body. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  are side views of several of the parts in  FIG. 1 , shown in isolation.  FIG. 4A  depicts the round drawbar  107  and set screw  108 . Also shown is the drawbar head  101 , the drawbar head rounded taper  305 , the drawbar recess  111  and threaded end  116 . 
       FIG. 4B  is a part view of drawbar nut antifriction washer  109 . Preferably, drawbar nut antifriction washer  109  is round, although other washer shapes are possible. Drawbar nut antifriction washer  109  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, rubber, or plastic. 
       FIG. 4C  is a part view of round drawbar nut  110 . Drawbar nut  110  contains a threaded inner surface  401 . In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded inner surface  401  is threaded with an Acme (trapezoidal) thread pattern, although other thread patterns may be used. The threaded inner surface  401  is constructed to accommodate the threaded end  116  of drawbar  107 , so that when drawbar nut  110  is rotated, it causes drawbar  107  to move along longitudinal axis  117 . 
       FIG. 4D  is a part view of a jaw  103 . As previously noted with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each jaw  103  comprises a jaw drawbar head contact surface  306 , which contacts drawbar head rounded taper  305 . Drawbar head rounded taper  305  and jaw drawbar head contact surfaces  306  are contoured in a complementary fashion so that when drawbar  107  moves, the jaw contact surfaces  306  can slide extensively along drawbar head  101 . As a result, jaws  103  are provided with a greater range of angular motion maximum range of angular motion than they would have if drawbar head rounded taper  305  did not exist. In addition, each jaw  103  comprises a spring clearance relief  402 , a handwheel contacting surface  403 , and a mounting screw hole  404 . Spring clearance relief  402  is constructed so that when tool  200  is in the fully released position, the jaw  103  does not contact or interfere with the movement of compression spring  105 . The handwheel contacting surface  403  may be contoured to match the shape of a typical handwheel, so that when tool  200  is applied, the jaws  103  will maintain a more secure grip on the handwheel. The mounting screw hole  404  is constructed to accommodate jaw mounting screw  114 , so that jaw  103  can be attached to tool body structure  104 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a three-dimensional view of tool  200  attached to handwheel  210 . To place the tool into the “attached” position, a user has rotated drawbar nut  110  until each of the jaws  103  is applying pressure to the back side of handwheel  210 . As a result, jaws  103  maintain a secure grip on handwheel  210 , and the tool extends substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by handwheel  210 . 
     After the tool has been attached to handwheel  210 , the user then rotates handwheel  210  by grasping the rotating handle  106 , and turning the handwheel in a circular motion until the locomotive handbrake is set or released, as desired. As the wheel turns, the handle  106  freely rotates around its longitudinal axis  117  ( FIG. 6 ), allowing a user to apply substantial torque to handwheel  210  without having to stop to adjust his grip. Thus, the handle  106  helps make the process of rotating the handwheel  210  safer, quicker, and easier. When the user is done rotating the handwheel  210 , the user can easily remove tool  200  by rotating drawbar nut  110  in the opposite direction until each of the jaws  103  no longer contacts handwheel  210 . 
     The tool head body, jaws, and drawbar may be made of various materials, and different materials may be used to construct a single tool  100 . For example, one version includes a tool head body, jaws, and drawbar that are made with CNC machining out of aluminum round rods and flat stock. The jaw mounting screws and anti-friction washer in this version are constructed of steel. The drawbar nut, in this embodiment is made from nylon, which is used due to the problem in soft materials, like aluminum, gauling when both the threaded end of the drawbar and drawbar nut are made out of aluminum. This can cause the drawbar nut to seize to the threads of the drawbar, thereby causing both components premature wear or damage. In mass production, the tool components can also be cast out of aluminum or aluminum type material that is easily cast, and will withstand the pressures required. 
     Another suitable material is injection molded plastic of different suitably strong plastic compounds that are known in the art. In mass production, injection molded plastic may provide cost advantages and still meet the mechanical strength required for the tool  100 . 
     Besides injection molded plastic, many other suitable materials are available in both rods and flat material stock in all sizes needed to make the parts described herein. For example, probably the most widely known materials are ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These materials are widely available, and can be both molded and machined to size. 
     Another material widely available is nylon, which is used to construct the drawbar nut in some preferred embodiments. This material is available in both broad and flat stock in all needed sizes. It is easily CNC machined and may be used for the tool body, jaws, drawbar nut, and grip. Another material similar to nylon is Nylatron. It is widely available in all sizes and machineable, and can also be used for any of the tool body, jaws, drawbar nut, and grip. 
     Yet another material is Acetal, or polyoxymethylene plastic, which is also known by the leading brand name of Delrin. This material is extremely tough, and is commonly used in wheels for industrial class casters which carry extremely heavy loads. It is available in all suitable sizes and machineable to construct all of the parts listed above. 
     One of the toughest materials that may be used to produce very high quality and durable tools as described herein is UHMW, or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. This material is machineable similar to the other plastics and available in all suitable sizes. This material is an excellent choice for all component parts, and a really good choice especially for constructing the jaws. 
     As listed above, these materials are but just a few of the available materials that may be used in constructing the devices described. Any material, or combination of materials for different parts, with suitable strength and rigidity to apply the force needed to turn the wheel may be used. A common railroad test for the force needed to finish setting the handbrake is 125 pound weight applied to the outer radius of the wheel as rotational force. While this force may vary as handbrake technologies vary, and a suitable margin of strength such as doubling or tripling this force may be required for some applications, this general guideline provides the testing methodology that may be used to select suitable materials. One preferred combination uses steel for the parts described above as employing steel, uses aluminum for the jaws, and uses plastics for the handle and tool body structure. Another variation uses steel for the spring and pins and plastic for the remaining parts. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section view of a tool  300  according to another embodiment. This tool is constructed with only two jaws  103 , and has different preferred dimensions to the operating head than the three jaw version, but is otherwise structurally similar with the same parts as the tool  100  of  FIG. 1 . The depicted tool  300  includes a handle  106  attached to a tool body, the main part of the tool body being the tool body structure  104 . A rotating force is therefore applied as the tool is tightened. Further, once tightened in place, the clamping force is applied in at least two directions due to the clamping pressure between the two jaws, and the jaws and tool body face. 
     The tool body has two jaws  103  connected to the tool body structure. The jaws  103  grasp the wheel when the tool is in use. The jaws  103  are attached to the tool body structure  104  by the jaw mounting screws  114 . Each jaw  103  moves inside a jaw slot  113 , as depicted. Jaws  103  are adapted to undergo angular displacement with respect to tool body structure  104  in order to apply or release the tool  300 . 
     The tool has a tool body face  102  that rests against the outside of the handwheel, and by its smaller diameter of approximately 2 inches, it provides a stable connection to operate the handwheel. Generally, the two jaw version with its smaller diameter head allows for a smaller, slimmer tool that is easier to carry from engine to engine in railroad operations. The tool is applied at any suitable location along the outside hand wheel rim, either between spokes or near a spoke. It is noted that the depicted two jaw version may therefore be applied at wheel locations where a three jaw version may not be applied in some handwheel designs. 
     The tool body structure  104  has a ⅜ inch hole drilled through its center, and centered about a longitudinal axis  117 . A drawbar  107  functions through this hole to move the jaws  103  back and forth. Drawbar  107  has a drawbar head  101  and a threaded drawbar end  116 . In addition, drawbar  107  is attached to a compression spring  105  positioned to press against the drawbar head  101  in a manner to return the jaws  103  to the position shown in  FIG. 1  when the tool  300  is not being used. That is, the jaws  103  spring open when not being used. The spring  105  is located behind the drawbar head  101 , and inside a drawbar compression spring counter bore  112 . There is also a drawbar recess  111  about 1 inch long toward a threaded end  116  of the drawbar  107 . A set screw  108  is threaded through the tool body. Set screw  108  contacts a side of drawbar recess  111  to limit the longitudinal displacement of drawbar  107 . Also depicted is a drawbar head counter bore  115 , which provides space for the drawbar head  101  to operate. 
     On the threaded end  116  of the drawbar  107  is a drawbar nut  110 . The drawbar nut  110 , which rotated clockwise, pulls the drawbar head  101  against the drawbar compression spring  105 , and thus causes the jaws  103  to rotate into a closed position. The drawbar nut  110  also operates to return the jaws  103  to the open position when it is turned counterclockwise. A drawbar nut antifriction washer  109 , located between tool body structure  104  and drawbar nut  110 , is provided to keep the drawbar nut  110  from eroding the end of the tool body structure  104 . 
     Tool  300  further includes a rotating handle  106  that surrounds an elongated portion of drawbar  107 , and an elongated portion of tool body structure  104 . Rotating handle  106  freely rotates about longitudinal axis  117 . The freely rotating handle  106  thus provides a user with a spinning grip, allowing him or her to quickly and easily turn a handwheel, as may be best understood with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     As used herein, whether in the above description or the following claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, that is, to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, shall be considered exclusionary transitional phrases, as set forth, with respect to claims, in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (Eighth Edition, August 2001 as revised October 2005), Section 2111.03. 
     The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims.