Adjustable clamping and spreading bar clamp or bench vice

An adjustable bar clamp for clamping or spreading a workpiece comprising:

• a bar having at a first end thereof a first jaw member rigidly mounted thereon, a second jaw member slidably mounted on said bar for selectively adjustable positioning along said bar,
• a first ratchet means mounted on said bar and cooperating with said second jaw member, said first ratchet means operatively disposed for ratcheting movement of said second jaw member in a first direction along said bar,
• a second ratchet means mounted on said bar and cooperating with said second jaw member, said second ratchet means operatively oppositely disposed relative to said first ratchet means for ratcheting movement of said second jaw member in a second direction opposite said first direction,
• selectively engagable first and second ratchet release member for, in a first position, selectively disengaging said first and second ratchet means from ratcheting engagement to one-way directional engagement with said bar and in a second position for engaging and biasing said first or second ratchet means into ratcheting engagement with said bar for said ratcheting movement of said second jaw member in said first or second directions respectively,
• a ratchet lever pivotally mounted to said second jaw member and cooperating therewith, for selective operation of, said first and second ratchet means when engaged with said bar by said ratchet release members.