Patent ID: 7726217

Claim:
A locking pliers comprising: a fixed assembly including a first jaw; a movable jaw supported on the fixed assembly for rotational motion relative thereto; a lever pivotably connected to the fixed assembly, said lever movable between an open position and a locked clamping position; and a linkage connected to said lever for locking the lever relative to the fixed assembly in the clamping position, said linkage being connected to a non-adjustable portion of said fixed assembly at a fixed pivot and said linkage comprising: a plurality of links comprising a first link, a second link and a third link, each of said links having at least two pivots and said first link being directly connected to said non-adjustable portion of said fixed assembly, wherein two of said plurality of links are connected together at a preset angle, and a moveable member for varying the preset angle of the two of said plurality of links when said lever is in the open position to vary the clamping force generated by the pliers, said moveable member mounted to said second link and asserting force against said first link.