Rapid jaw adjustment for tools and the like

A locking hand tool, comprising:

• a fixed handle with front and rear portions, a fixed jaw connected to said front portion and a receiving part located at said rear portion;
• a movable jaw pivotally connected to said front portion of said fixed handle for cooperation with said fixed jaw, and a movable handle connected to said movable jaw;
• toggle means defined by at least one toggle member having first and second ends, said first end of said toggle member being pivotally secured to said movable handle,
• adjusting means for adjusting the position of said movable jaw relative to said stationary jaw, and adjusting means comprising a threaded opening positioned within said receiving part of said fixed handle, and a screw member having a first end configured for hand rotation thereof and a second end in pressing contact with said second end of said toggle member, said screw member having a plurality of permanent multiple first individual threads with the same diameter and pitch throughout the entire length thereof;
• said threaded opening having a plurality of permanent multiple second individual threads with the same diameter and pitch throughout the entire length thereof;
• said plurality of first and second individual threads being of the same type and having identical pitches;
• said plurality of said second threads being engaged with said plurality of first threads of said screw member,
• whereby a substantially increased rate of advancement of said screw member in an axial direction resulting from rotational engagement of said plurality of first threads of the screw member with said plurality of second threads of said threaded opening, and from the action of said adjusting means and said toggle member on said movable handle and movable jaw produces a substantial increase in the rate of adjustment of said movable jaw relative to said stationary jaw.