Combined Pliers, Clamp and Wrench

This invention is a multipurpose tool which performs the functions of pliers, wrenches and chain clamps.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing the tool in the open position,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the jaws closed,

FIG. 3 shows the tool using the chain for clamping, the clamp being in a loose position, and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the clamp tightened.

The tool has a frame 1 with a jaw 2 at one end and a handle 3 at the other end. Adjacent the jaw 2 is a reciprocable jaw 4 slidably mounted in the frame 1 and urged to the open or retracted position by a spring 5. The jaw 4 is moved toward and away from the jaw 2 by a handle 6 pivoted at 7 to the jaw 4 and pivoted at 8 to a toggle link 9 extending between the pivot 8 and an adjustable abutment 10 at the upper end of a screw 11 threaded into the lower end of the handle 3. As the handle 6 is squeezed toward the handle 3, the toggle link 9 is moved slightly past the dead center position in which a stop portion 12 on the toggle link engages the inner end 13 of a release lever 14 pivoted on the handle 6. The separation of the jaws 2 and 4 in the closed position is determined by the adjustment of the screw 11.

FIG. 2 shows the jaws 2 and 4 almost touching, a position suitable for clamping thin sheets of metal. By screwing the screw 11 outward, the jaws 2 and 4 can be further separated, a condition suitable for gripping thicker material, or for gripping a nut or bolt head. The clamping pressure is easily released by squeezing the outer end 16 of the release lever 14. Clamping pressure is applied to pivot 7 by the toggle and also by contact of point 7a on the handle with the lower end of jaw 4 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the outer end of the lever 19 projecting above the jaw 2. The lever 19 can be slidably mounted to allow it to be retracted or pushed back into the frame 1 if the protrusion is objectionable.

When the tool is used for clamping by means of the jaws 2 and 4, a chain 17 having one end pinned to the member 1 at 18 may be removed if it is in the way. When the chain is to be used for clamping, the movable jaw 4 is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 3 where a lever 19 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. In the FIG. 3 position, where the chain 17 is draped over a pipe 20 which is to be clamped against a serrated surface 21 on the member 1, the inner end 22 of the lever 19 projects over the jaw 4 and the outer end of the lever extends between two of the chain links. In this position, the chain is only finger tight over the pipe. As the hand grips 3 and 6 are squeezed, the toggle 7, 8, 9 forces the jaw 4 upward, causing the lever 19 to pivot in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 23 and to thereby tighten the chain against the pipe. The pipe may also come into contact with the corner 24 of the jaw 4. By means of the toggle action, the chain can be pulled sufficiently tightly against the surface 21 so that slippage of the pipe relative to the chain is prevented. This allows the tool to be used as a pipe wrench or pipe clamp. The chain would also be satisfactory for clamping other bodies. Damage to surface finish by contact with the serrations can be prevented by the usual expedients.

When the chain is to be used as a clamp, the screw 11 will be adjusted to that the toggle 7, 8, 9 always goes over center in the clamping position. When the tool is to be used as a pipe wrench, the screw may be adjusted so that the toggle is stopped short of dead center and the force multiplication of the toggle is utilized to grip the pipe for turning and the release of the grip releases the gripping pressure because the toggle has not moved past dead center.