SELF-ADJUSTING PLIERS

摘要

A self-adjusting pliers (20) is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw (24) and a lower jaw (78). The pliers (20) includes an upper arm (22) having the upper jaw (24) and a lower arm (50), with the lower jaw (78) linked to the lower arm (50) but not integral with the lower arm (50). A control arm (58) has a first end (60) and a second end. The first end (60) of the control arm (58) has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm (22) adjacent to an end of the upper arm (22) remote from the upper jaw (24), and the second end of the control arm (58) has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm (50) at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm (50). An upper control arm pivot pin (62) provides the pivotable connection between the first end (60) of the control arm (58) and the upper arm (22), and a spring (68) biases the control arm (58) so as to resist rotation of the control arm (58) about the upper control arm pivot pin (62). A support (38) extends downwardly from the upper arm (22) toward the lower arm (50) and has a guide (40, 222) thereon. The lower jaw (78) slidably engages the guide (40, 222) such that the lower jaw (78) is constrained to follow the guide (40, 222) when the lower arm (50) is pivoted about the upper control arm pivot pin (62).