Compound toggle link retention mechanism
AssigneeIrwin Industrial Tool Company
InventorsWilliam D. Peperkorn, Thomas O. Miller, Brian L. Rahe, Robert L. Rhynalds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick release and toggle locking mechanism for a conventional pliers-type, toggle-locking hand tool comprises a compound toggle link. The mechanism includes a compound link pivotally connected to a movable handle and a toggle link. Retention means is provided for restricting pivotal movement of the compound link relative to the movable handle.
Claims14
A locking pliers comprising:
- a body having a fixed handle and a fixed jaw;
- a movable jaw coupled with said body;
- a movable handle coupled with said movable jaw, said movable handle pivotally linked to a toggle locking mechanism to lock the jaws in a closed position, said toggle locking mechanism comprising a compound link pivotally connected to said movable handle and to a toggle link;
- and
- retention means for restricting pivotal movement of said compound link relative to said movable handle.
An improved pliers-type, toggle-locking hand tool of the type comprising a body, a movable jaw pivotally connected with said body, a movable handle pivotally connected with said movable jaw and defining an elongated channel therein, a compound link pivotally connected to said movable handle, and a toggle link connected to said body, wherein the improvement comprises:
- an elongated lever end portion defined on said compound link;
- and
- a restricting structure extending at least partially across said channel to restrict the pivotal movement of a portion of said compound link outside of said channel of said movable handle.
A pliers-type, toggle-locking, hand tool comprising:
- a fixed handle with adjusting means at one end and a fixed jaw member at the other end;
- a movable jaw pivotably mounted at a first pivot point on the fixed handle, the movable jaw being adapted to cooperate with the fixed jaw to hold a workpiece;
- a movable handle pivotably connected at a second pivot point to the movable jaw, said movable handle cooperating with the fixed handle in opening and closing the jaws, said movable handle defining an elongated channel;
- a compound link having first and second ends, said compound link pivotably mounted at said first end and by means of a third pivot point to the movable handle, said third pivot point positioned away from said second pivot point, at least a portion of said second end being positioned substantially within said channel;
- a toggle member having third and fourth ends, said toggle member pivotably mounted to the compound link at said third end by means of a fourth pivot point and engaged with said adjusting means of the fixed handle at said fourth end;
- and
- retention means mounted to said movable handle to prevent the pivoting of said second end of said compound link substantially out of said channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.