Tools – Tool jaw – Handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-08-28
Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Tool jaw
Handle
C081S367000, C081S177200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279433
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to locking pliers, and in particular to an improved locking pliers that is well-suited to apply large torques to a workpiece locked in the pliers.
Various types of locking pliers are well-known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,351,585, 5,456,144 and 4,709,601, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Such locking pliers include an over-center toggle linkage that operates when closed to lock a movable jaw in an adjustable position with respect to a fixed jaw. Once the over-center toggle linkage has been closed, the locking pliers remains locked onto a workpiece, even if the user releases the pliers completely.
The locking pliers shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,585 includes large capacity jaws and is well-suited for use in plumbing and other applications where large torques are applied to the clamped workpiece. In such applications, it would on occasion be advantageous if the locking pliers provided a larger torque arm. However, if the locking pliers shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,585 were simply enlarged in scale, the enlarged pliers would be excessively heavy and awkward to use for many applications.
The present inventor is aware that pipes on occasion have been secured to the body of a locking pliers in order to provide an extended body. Such pipes are commonly known as cheater bars in other applications. Pipes of this type provide the disadvantage that they fit around the adjustment screw and that they are separate pieces. It is therefore not possible to adjust the closed position of the movable jaw with the adjustment screw when a pipe of the type described above is positioned on the body of the locking pliers.
Thus, a need presently exists for an improved locking pliers that overcomes the disadvantages discussed above.
BRIEF SUMMARY
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described below are locking pliers having an over-center locking mechanism, a lever, and a body that forms an extended grip. This grip extends substantially beyond the outermost end of the lever, and the grip is configured such that the adjustment screw of the over-center locking mechanism is readily accessible. Preferably, the grip is covered with a resilient cushioning element to improve the ergonomics of the grip.
Because the elongated body extends beyond the lever, the lever does not obstruct access to the handle. A user can clamp the locking pliers on the workpiece in the conventional manner of a small locking pliers and then place one or both hands on the grip to apply large torques to the workpiece.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of introduction, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 483461 (1892-09-01), Litel
patent: 2377612 (1945-06-01), Clark
patent: 3672245 (1972-06-01), Hoffman
patent: 4519278 (1985-05-01), Heldt
patent: 4709601 (1987-12-01), Petersen
patent: 5253557 (1993-10-01), Dolak
patent: 5351585 (1994-10-01), Leseberg et al.
patent: 5456144 (1995-10-01), Dahl et al.
patent: 5595100 (1997-01-01), Sollo
patent: 5735353 (1998-04-01), Undin
patent: 5758729 (1998-06-01), Undin
American Tool Companies, Inc.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Meislin D. S.
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