A device for gripping an object, comprising: a main body having a first and a second endplate ; a baseplate extending between the first endplate and the second endplate ; at least one guide rail extending between the first endplate and the second endplate ; a first jaw and a second jaw , each receiving said at least one guide rail ; 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 ; a baseplate extending between the first endplate and the second endplate ; at least one guide rail extending between the first endplate and the second endplate ; a first jaw and a second jaw , each receiving said at least one guide rail ; 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 . <EOS>