Patent ID: 8286954

Claim:
A locking pliers comprising: a first stationary jaw carrier comprising a first jaw at one end; a second stationary jaw carrier comprising a second jaw at one end; a bent first handle engaged with the other end of the first stationary jaw carrier; a bent second handle joined the first handle at a spring-actuated pivot joint and engaged with the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier; a self-adjusting locking unit disposed between the first and second handles and comprising a spring-actuated release lever; a first locking assembly comprising a first slide bar having one end fixedly secured to the other end of the first stationary jaw carrier and the other end inserting into a portion of the first handle between the pivot joint and the other end of the first stationary jaw carrier, and a spring-actuated first release lever member lockingly put on the first slide bar; and a second locking assembly comprising a second slide bar having one end fixedly secured to the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier and the other end inserting into the portion of the first handle between the pivot joint and the other end of the first stationary jaw carrier, and a spring-actuated second release lever member lockingly put on the second slide bar, the portion of the first handle between the pivot joint and the other end of the first stationary jaw carrier being partially engaged with inner surfaces of a portion of the second handle between the pivot joint and the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier, wherein in an inoperative position, the self-adjusting locking unit is locked, the first and second jaws are engaged, and both the first and second slide bars are locked by the first and second release lever members respectively; and wherein in response to pressing the release lever to unlock the self-adjusting locking unit, the first and second handles are pushed apart and the first and second jaws separated by a distance; wherein in response to pressing the first release lever member to unlock the first locking assembly, the first slide bar is adapted to pull away from the first handle to further separate the first jaw from the second jaw; and wherein in response to pressing the second release lever member to unlock the second locking assembly, the second slide bar is adapted to pull away from the second handle to further separate the second jaw from the first jaw.