A device for gripping an object, comprising: a main body having a first and a second endplate (12A, 12B); a baseplate extending between the first endplate and the second endplate; at least one guide rail (28A, 28B) extending between the first endplate and the second endplate; a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving said at least one guide rail (28A, 28B); a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly, respectively attached to the baseplate; and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly, said chain loop including: a first chain length and a second chain length, and a first link and a second link attaching the first chain length and the second chain length; the device further comprising two tensioning mechanisms on opposite ends of the device, each tensioning mechanism including a tensioner that creates tension in the chain loop when it is inserted through the appropriate holes in the endplate and baseplate, and is then subsequently threaded into a hole of each pulley assembly; wherein the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly are respectively movably attached to the baseplate, so that movement normal to the jaw travel is prevented, and each of said first link and said second link including at least one dowel pin, the chain loop being attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of said first link and said second link. a main body having a first and a second endplate (12A, 12B); a baseplate extending between the first endplate and the second endplate; at least one guide rail (28A, 28B) extending between the first endplate and the second endplate; a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving said at least one guide rail (28A, 28B); a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly, respectively attached to the baseplate; and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly, said chain loop including: a first chain length and a second chain length, and a first link and a second link attaching the first chain length and the second chain length; the device further comprising two tensioning mechanisms on opposite ends of the device, each tensioning mechanism including a tensioner that creates tension in the chain loop when it is inserted through the appropriate holes in the endplate and baseplate, and is then subsequently threaded into a hole of each pulley assembly; wherein the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly are respectively movably attached to the baseplate, so that movement normal to the jaw travel is prevented, and each of said first link and said second link including at least one dowel pin, the chain loop being attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of said first link and said second link. a first chain length and a second chain length, and a first link and a second link attaching the first chain length and the second chain length; the device further comprising two tensioning mechanisms on opposite ends of the device, each tensioning mechanism including a tensioner that creates tension in the chain loop when it is inserted through the appropriate holes in the endplate and baseplate, and is then subsequently threaded into a hole of each pulley assembly; wherein the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly are respectively movably attached to the baseplate, so that movement normal to the jaw travel is prevented, and each of said first link and said second link including at least one dowel pin, the chain loop being attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of said first link and said second link.