Patent ID: 7035519

Claim:
A connector insertion and removal tool comprising: first and second jaws adapted to pivot in a tool housing and extending from a front of the tool housing, said first and second jaws having gripping arms and cam arms; a first jaw pivot area disposed between said gripping arm and said cam arm of said first jaw; a second jaw pivot area disposed between said gripping arm and said cam arm of said second jaw; a trigger adapted to slide within said tool housing, said trigger being adapted for linear movement from a start position toward an end position away from said first and second jaws to effect gripping of a connector between first and second gripping tips respectively located on said gripping arms of said first and second jaws; a jaw closure cam activated by movement of said trigger and sliding against said cam arms of said jaws to effect pivoting of said jaws around said jaw pivot areas and thereby to effect movement of said gripping arms of said first and second jaws toward each other upon movement of said and tigger; and a ratchet mechanism maintaining a gripping force on said connector when movement of said trigger is stopped between said start position and said end position.