Patent ID: 7793570

Claim:
A clamping tool operatively configured to be used as pliers comprising: a. a first jaw comprising a first clamping face and a first extension; b. a second jaw comprising a second clamping face and a second extension, wherein the second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw at a jaw assembly pivot; c. a first handle pivotably attached to the first extension at a first handle pivot; d. a second handle pivotably attached to the second extension at a second handle pivot the first and second jaw extending forward of the jaw assembly pivot and the first and second handles extending rearward of the jaw assembly pivot; e. a tension member having a locking mode where the tension member is pivotably coupled to the first handle at a first tension attachment location, and attached to the second handle at a second tension attachment location wherein the tension member is configured to exert clamping force between the first jaw and the second jaw when the tension member is in tension by activation of a locking member placing tension between the first tension attachment location and the second tension attachment location; f. the clamping tool being structurally orientated to have a pliers mode where the first and second handles reposition the first and second jaws about the jaw assembly pivot and the first and second handles operate to adjust the first and second jaws so as to allow the first and second jaws to reposition from a closed position to an open position; g. whereby when in the locking mode the second handle having a locked and unlocked position and when in the locking mode: i. the second handle is in the locked position when the second handle is rotated about the second handle pivot in closer proximity to the first handle, ii. the second handle being in the unlocked position when the second handle is position away from the first handle, iii. the second handle being repositionable between the locked position and the unlocked position during which the first and second jaws do not substantially rotate about the jaw assembly pivot, iv. the second handle putting a maximum tension upon the tension member to and from the locked and unlocked positions when the first tension attachment location, the second handle pivot, and the second tension attachment location are in alignment, and v. wherein when the second handle member is in the locked position the distance between the first tension attachment location and the second-attachment location is greater than the distance between the first tension attachment location and the second attachment location when the handle is in the unlocked position.