Adjustable gripping tool

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• wherein the first element includes a pair of elements disposed on opposing sides of the second element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one guide extending from the fist opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one gripping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening, each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one guide extending from the first opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one gripping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• wherein the aim portion of the gripping elements further includes a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the body portion such that the gripping elements are substantially U-shaped;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening, each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular, movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one guide extending from the first opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one gripping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening, each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide;
• wherein the gripping elements performing one function may be replaced with gripping elements performing a different function.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one guide extending from the first opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one griping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening, each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide;
• wherein the gripping elements score and cut.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one de extending from the first opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one gripping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide;
• wherein movement of the at least one gripping element is linear.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement which generates movement of at least one gripping element;
• the first element including a gripping portion configured to engage the workpiece including a first opening, at least one guide extending from the first opening and the at least one gripping element;
• each at least one gripping element including a body portion adapted for engaging the workpiece, an arm portion configured to engage one of said at least one guide and a force transfer element contiguous with the arm portion;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a second opening concentric with the first opening and at least one slot disposed adjacent the second opening, each said at least one slot having a first section configured to engage the force transfer element of one said at least one gripping element, such that movement of the second element with respect to the first element actuates each at least one first section to contact and move each respective force transfer element thereby actuating each said at least one gripping element along respective said at least one guide;
• wherein movement of the at least one gripping element in curvilinear.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a plurality of slots, each of the slots including a first section and a second section wherein the first and second sections each define divergent paths;
• the first element including a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping elements, each gripping element having a force transfer element contiguous therewith, and at least one aligning element, where one of the aligning elements if disposed between a pair of gripping elements;
• wherein one of the force transfer elements engages one first section and one of the aligning elements engages one second section such that movement of the second element relative to the first element results in the first sections contacting each of the aligning elements to actuate the gripping elements and the second sections contacting the aligning elements to maintain orientation of first element with respect to second element.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a plurality of slots, each of the slots including a first section and a second section wherein the first and second sections each define divergent paths;
• the first element including a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping elements, each gripping element having force transfer element contiguous therewith, and at least one aligning element, where one of the aligning elements if disposed between a pair of gripping elements;
• wherein the gripping elements performing one function may be replaced with gripping elements performing a different function;
• wherein one of the force transfer elements engages one first section and one of the aligning elements engages one second section such that movement of the second element relative to the first element results in the first sections contacting each of the aligning elements to actuate the gripping elements and the second sections contacting the aligning elements to maintain orientation of first element with respect to second element.

An adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart work thereto, the tool comprising:

• a first element and a second element connected for relative angular movement;
• the second element including an actuation portion having a plurality of slots, each of the slots including a first section and a second section wherein the first and second sections each define divergent paths;
• the first element including a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping elements, each gripping element having a force transfer element contiguous therewith, and at least one aligning element, where one of the aligning elements if disposed between a pair of gripping elements;
• wherein the gripping element can score and cut;
• wherein one of the force transfer elements engages one first section and one of the aligning elements engages one second section such that movement of the second element relative to the first element results in the first sections contacting each of the aligning elements to actuate the gripping elements and the second sections contacting the aligning elements to maintain orientation of first element with respect to second element.