Patent ID: 8065939

Claim:
A method for operating a rescue tool comprising: (a) providing a rescue tool comprising; a first member comprising a proximate end and a distal end, and a proximately disposed first handle and a distally disposed first jaw; a second member comprising a proximate end and a distal end, and a proximately disposed second handle and a distally disposed second jaw; means for pivotably connecting the members comprising a pivot axis, and being disposed between the handles and jaws so that the handles pivotably move the jaws from a first operable position to a second operable position; said jaws comprise surfaces adjacent the means for pivotably connecting the members; wherein said first operable position the jaws and handles are fully closed and in said second operable position the jaws and handles are fully opened; said jaws and handles having respective torque bearing surfaces in contacting engagement in the second operable position only; said first handle comprises a wedge having an elongate edge, and said first handle further comprises a grip portion extending around the handle adjacent the wedge; said second handle comprises a hook disposed at the proximate end, said second handle further comprises a generally sinusoid surface in combination with the hook for operably engaging differently sized fire hose couplings; (b) gripping the jaws surfaces adjacent the means for pivotably connecting the members in the first operable position and exerting a leverage force downwardly to effect an upward leverage force on the wedge edge; and (c) gripping the first handle grip portion in the second operable position and exerting a leverage force through the contactingly engaged force bearing surfaces to the generally sinusoidal surface and hook to exert an increased leverage force for uncoupling a seized fire hose coupling.