GB2352674A - Automatic locking pliers - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of pliers comprises an automatic locking mechanism in which wedges 6,7 are movable back and forth within handle 1 in response to actuation of a handle 4. When the handle 4 is actuated, the wedges 6,7 are moved backwards via lever 5 to form a tight fit into the body of handle 1 to lock the pliers (see figure 2). Adjustment means, preferably in the form of a threaded bolt 8, is provided to allow an operator to set the strength of grip exerted by the pliers. A flat plate 9 is preferably located between the two wedges 6,7 in order to reduce friction.

Description

2352674 AUTOMATIC ADJ USTING LOCKING PLIERS This invention relates to an

automatic adjusting locking pliers.

Locking pliers are widely used for holding one or more items in a rigid position. They comprise of, a body, two jaws, a handle, a release lever, and a bolt located at the rear of the pliers. This bolt is used to adjust the position of the lower jaw to fit the thickness of the item or items tobeheld. The lower jaw therefore has to be readjusted whenever there is a change with the item(s) to be held from one thickness to another. This adjustment can be time consuming as several attempts are sometimes necessary to achieve the required setting.

This invention allows the operator to change from one thickness of material to another without the need to re adjust thejaw setting, as the pliers will automatically detect and compensates for any variations.

A specific explanation of the invention will now be described by the way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1: shows the automatic adjusting components and their relative operation, (load free).

Figure 2: shows the position of the automatic adjusting components whilst under load.

AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING LOCKING PLIERS Referring to the drawing fig. 1, it can be seen that the pliers comprises of several parts, with parts 5 to I I being those that provides the automatic adjusting.

Automatic adjusting is achieved by removing the preset bolt from the conventional pliers and replacing it with items 6,7, and 9. Items 6 and 7 are wedge shaped, with 6 being link to lever 5, and 7 attached to 5 by item 11. Items 6 & 7 will move along the body I in direct relation to the position of the lower jaw 3, this movement is conveyed via items 4 & 5, with the jaws open and no pressure on lever 4 the wedge 6 is pulled forward along the body 1 and is therefore free of tension. The wider the jaws open, the further forward the wedges 6 & 7 will travel.

Fig.2. When a load is placed between the jaws of the pliers and pressure is applied to the handle 4, items 6 and 7 are then forced backwards by 5 along the body 1 to form a wedge, which then provides the locking action. The amount of movement by 6 and 7 being in direct relation to the size of the load placed between the jaws The operator may need to alter the pressure of grip so that soft or hard items can be held, or that a more secure grip can be applied, this is achieved with bolt 8 which can be manually turned, thus moving the wedge 7 along the body I in either direction to give the required pressure.

Item I I is provided to hold the bolt 8 securely to lever 5, as 7 which is attached to 8 must move in direct relation to lower jaw 3, via lever 5.

Item 9 which is a flat plate is provided to allow 6 and 7 to move freely, and independently ofeachother. Item 10 is a spring which pulls the lower jaw 3 open under load free condition.

"CLiN.IMS" AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING LOCKING PLfERS 1. The automatic ad usting locking pliers contains two jaws, a handle, a body which j incorporates means for containing the automatic mechanism, the body being adapted to enable the mechanism in the form of wedges to move backwards and forwards. An adjustment is provided on the body to allow the operator to change the strength, or pressure of grip.

2. The automatic adjusting locking pliers as claimed in claim 1, wherein guide means are provided on the body to incorporate wedges which form the basis of the automatic operation.

3. The automatic ad usting locking pliers as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein a j guide plate is provided on the body to aid the wedge operation and to assist the smooth operation of the wedges.

4. The automatic ad usting locking pliers as claimed in claim I or claim 2, will provide 1i an attachment on the body wherein a threaded bolt will be attached to facilitate jaw pressure adjustments.

5. The automatic adjusting locking pliers as claimed in any preceding claim will provide linkages for the wedges, wherein the wedges can be pushed backwards and forewords, along the body.

6. The automatic adjusting locking pliers substantially as described herein with reference to figures I and 2, of the accompanying drawings.