Adjustable ratchet pliers

An adjustable ratchet pliers comprising in combination:

• a first jaw member including a handle and a jaw portion said first jaw member having an elongated slot formed therein with a plurality of notches formed in at least one elongated side of said elongated slot;
• a second jaw member including a handle and a jaw portion, said second jaw member being pivotally coupled to said first jaw member;
• slide track means formed along the sides of said elongated slot in said first jaw member, said slide track means including a sunken area located outwardly and along at least two elongated sides of said elongated slot in said first jaw member;
• slide means for sliding said second jaw member relative to said first jaw member, said slide means having a shaft and a sliding member, said shaft being connected to said second jaw member and extended through said elongated slot in said first jaw means, said slide member being attached to said shaft and slidably positioned on said slide track, and said sliding member being a flat member having a width greater than said elongated slot, substantially equal to the width of said sunken area and sliding in said slide track means sunken area adjacent said elongated slot in said first jaw member thereby laterally positioning said shaft in said slot regardless of the longitudinal position therein;
• locking means pivotally mounted on said slide means shaft relative to said sliding member and extending into said elongated slot for engaging said notches therein, said sliding member thereby also laterally positioning the pivotal axis of said locking means, biasing means including means engaging said locking means and pivotally biasing said locking means about said pivotal axis relative to said sliding member into engaging position within at least one of said notches;
• releasing means for rapidly releasing said locking means from a notched position, said releasing means including a means on said locking means engagable for rotating said locking means relative to said slide member against the bias of said biasing means out of engagement with said notches for permitting said slide member to slide on the sunken area of said track means thereby permitting said second jaw to be slid relative to said first jaw for moving said jaws to open position, said locking means and notches being shaped to permit said jaws to be slid into closed position when said locking means is in a notched position engaging said notches.