EP1944129B1 - Multiple grip clamp with fine adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

The pliers have transversely retaining and retained branches with respective jaws, where one branch has a slot with gripping units e.g. crest (66) and trough (70). The gripping units are arranged such that a pinion (38) of an articulation joint is moved axially beyond an axial position from another position following an axis of the slot to a third axial position between the engaging units. The pinion of the joint is moved around an axis (Z-Z) for arranging the gripping units at equal distances in the former position along the axis of the slot to adjust a position of the pinion in the slot.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-tap plunger, extending in a general plane, of the type described in the preamble of claim 1.

It is known, in the field of hand tools, to use multi-threaded pliers for adjusting the opening of the jaws by axial thrust of a hinge joint, from a first axial position. to a second axial position and then by relative translation of the branches relative to each other.

In the EP-A-528 252 , the interpassing branch of the gripped gripper comprises a hinge joint comprising two symmetrical toothed profiles complementary to the profiled flanks of a light whose axis is arranged substantially longitudinally on the branch between the gripper manifold.

The use of this manifold pliers, however, does not allow a precise adjustment of the opening of the jaws. In addition, this gripper does not allow ergonomic adjustment of the spacing of the handles according to the size of the hand of the user.

According to one aspect, the invention aims to design an interconnect pliers that can be adjusted accurately at the spacing of the handles and / or jaws. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a multiple-socket pliers, of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

Other features are described in claims 2 to 13.

According to another aspect, the purpose of the invention is to reduce the shear stresses of the hinge joint. This problem is solved by the fact that, in a multiple-socket pliers of the type indicated above, the second engagement means comprise two series of opposing teeth and offset relative to each other by a half-step p , and are adapted to rotate 180 ° in said third axial position.

Thus, the light has profiled flanks asymmetrical with respect to the axis of light and whose spacing is constant.

According to another aspect, the invention aims to facilitate the assembly of the branch between the longitudinal opening of the branch branch.

This problem is solved by the fact that, in an interconnect pliers of the type indicated above, the branch entered has a thickness almost constant over most of its length and up to its end opposite to its jaw.

More particularly, it is intended to apply at least one flange to increase the thickness of the handle portion. Thus, at least one flange is applied to the handle of the branch branch, in particular two flanges, the or each flange being applied to one side of the handle of the branch between.

• la Figure 1 représente une vue en perspective éclatée de la pince multiprise entrepassée selon l'invention,
• la Figure 2A représente une vue de face de la pince de la Figure 1 montrant une position d'écartement des poignées réduit,
• la Figure 2B est une vue analogue à la Figure 2A montrant un écartement des poignées augmenté,
• les Figures 3A et 3B représentent une vue de face à échelle agrandie des régions intermédiaires d'articulation respectivement de la pince multiprise des Figures 2A et 2B,
• les Figures 4A et 4B représentent une vue en coupe respectivement suivant les lignes IVA-IVA et IVB-IVB des pinces multiprises des Figures 2A et 2B,
• les Figures 5A et 5B représentent les étapes de réglage précis de la pince multiprise de la Figure 1,
• la Figure 6 représente une vue de dessus à échelle agrandie du pignon du joint d'articulation de la pince multiprise entrepassée de la Figure 1.

The invention will now be described, without limitation, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the Figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of the multiple power strip pliers according to the invention,
• the Figure 2A represents a front view of the forceps of the Figure 1 showing a reduced position of the handles,
• the Figure 2B is a view similar to the Figure 2A showing increased grip spacing,
• the Figures 3A and 3B represent a front view on an enlarged scale of the intermediate regions of articulation respectively of the multi-socket clip of Figures 2A and 2B ,
• the Figures 4A and 4B represent a cross-sectional view respectively along lines IVA-IVA and IVB-IVB of the multi-tap pliers Figures 2A and 2B ,
• the Figures 5A and 5B represent the precise adjustment steps of the power strip clamp of the Figure 1 ,
• the Figure 6 is an enlarged view from above of the pinion of the articulation joint of the power strip plunger Figure 1 .

The tool of Figure 1 is a multi-tap pliers 10 extending in a general plane. It is of interchangeable type, and comprises an interfering branch 12 which comprises a first jaw 14, a first intermediate hinge region 16 and a first handle 18. The interfering branch 12 has a longitudinal opening 20 disposed in the first hinge region 16. The clamp 10 also comprises a branch 22 which includes a second jaw 24, a second intermediate hinge region 26 and a second handle 28. The second hinge region 26 is rotatably and selectively translated in translationally through the longitudinal opening 20 of the first hinge region 16.

In the example shown in Figure 1 , the branch branch 22 includes a proximal portion 27 of handle 28 reduced in length. The interfaced branch 22 has an almost constant thickness over most of its length, that is to say from the second jaw 24 and up to the end of the proximal portion 27 of handle 28, which allows the passage of the branch 22 interpassed in the longitudinal opening 20 of the branch 12 interpassante, the thickness of the second intermediate region of articulation 26 of the branch 22 being calibrated, with the game, compared to the width of the longitudinal opening 20. During assembly of the clamp 10, the proximal portion 27 of handle 28 is introduced through the opening 20, two respective flanges 29A and 29B are reported and secured to this proximal portion 27 of handle 28 by known means such as welding or riveting to form the first handle 28. This arrangement reduces the play in the joint region of each of the branches, and improves the perception, by the user, precise guidance of the branches of the clamp between them.

An elongated slot 30 extends along the longitudinal axis of the second intermediate hinge region 26. It is provided with two longitudinal profiled flanks 32 and 34, substantially parallel.

The clamp 10 further comprises a hinge joint 36 extending along an axis ZZ perpendicular to the general plane of the clamp. The seal 36 articulates the branch 12 between the branch and the branch 22. It has a body or pinion 38, extended in a first direction by a pin 39 projecting ( Figures 4A and 4B ), and, in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the pin 39, by a hollow shaft 40. The protruding pin 39 and the hollow shaft 40 are circular center sections 41 carried by the axis ZZ (FIG. ), and they came from material with the pinion 38. A washer 42, also circular, is secured to the pinion 38 by force fitting or bouterollage on the pin 39 projecting.

In a variant not shown, the pinion 38 and the washer 42 are made in one piece, for example by MIM metal injection molding.

The washer 42 has notches 43 external improving the grip capacity. The pin 39, the hollow shaft 40 and the washer 42 are coaxial, and of revolution about the Z-Z axis.

A recess 44 is disposed externally on a first partition 16A ( Figures 4A and 4B ) which delimits laterally the longitudinal opening 20 of the intermediate region 16 of the interplanar branch 12. A bore 45 ( Figures 4A and 4B ) is provided, opposite the recess 44, through the second partition 16B ( Figures 4A and 4B ) at the opening 20. The recess 44 and the bore 45 are circular and coaxial sections. The bore 45 is of complementary shape to the washer 42 with the game close and receives it in guiding rotation and translation. The recess 44 receives in support the enlarged end turn of a conical coil spring 46. The opposite end turn of reduced diameter of the spring 46 is supported on the inner face 48 ( Figures 4A and 4B ) a support member 47 in the form of a cap. A pin 49 extends from the inner face 48 of the cap 47, and is integral with the hollow shaft 40 of the hinge joint 36 by resilient engagement or force depression.

The interfering branch 12 pivots around the hinge joint 36. The pinion 38 cooperates, by shape adjustment, with the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the slot 30 of the intermediate hinge region 26 of the branch 22.

Sheaths 50 and 52 respectively cover the first handle 18 and the second handle 28.

The Figures 2A and 2B respectively represent the multi-tap pliers 10 in two different configurations in which, although the spacing of the first jaw 14 and the second jaw 24 is similar, that is to say, in the configurations shown, zero spacing free ends jaws 14 and 24, the spacing of the first handle 18 and the second handle 28 is, in turn, substantially different.

Thus, the spacing X between the handles 18 and 28, taken at mid-height of the sheaths 50 and 52, is about 50 mm in the clamp configuration 10 shown in FIG. Figure 2A , and the spacing X 'between the handles 18 and 28, taken under the same conditions, is about 58 mm in the clamp configuration 10 shown in FIG. Figure 2B . These spacings are measured for a clamp 10 with a total length of about 250 mm.

For this, the pinion 38, which cooperates with the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the slot 30, is arranged axially in the latter in two different positioning configurations along the longitudinal axis of the slot 30. These are shown in FIGS. Figures 3A and 3B , in which the upper branch 12 is shown in phantom lines for clarity of the drawings.

The elongated lumen 30 is defined on the one hand by the longitudinal profiled flanks 32 and 34 and, on the other hand, by an end surface 60 disposed on the side of the handles 18 and 28 and by an end surface 62 arranged on the side of the jaws 14 and 24.

On the Figures 3A and 3B , the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the light 30 each have a waveform pitch p , alternating valleys and vertices of constant dimensions. The profiled flank 32 is disposed on the side of the jaws 14 and 24 of the clamp 10 and thus alternately comprises valleys 64 and tops 66. Similarly, the profiled flank 34, disposed on the side of the handles 18 and 28, alternately vertices 68 and valleys 70 of the same dimensions as the valleys 64 and vertices 66 of the profiled flank 32. It should be noted that the pitch p of the wave is constant and identical on the profiled flanks 32 and 34. It should be noted also that peaks and valleys have rounded shapes. The arrangement of the valleys 64 and the peaks 66 of the profiled flank 32 and that of the peaks 68 and valleys 70 of the profiled flank 34 are such that a valley 64 of the profiled flank 32 is opposite an apex 68 of the profiled flank 34. Similarly, a peak 66 of the profiled flank 32 is opposite a valley 70 of the profiled flank 34.

Thus, the light 30 does not present, as in the state of the art, two symmetrical profiled flanks comprising, between them, alternately narrowing and enlargement. On the contrary, the profiled flanks 32 and 34 are offset by a half-step p along the axis of the light 30, so that they have a constant spacing between the valleys and the vertices all along this light; which contributes to improving the shear strength of the organs of the articulation regions of the clamp.

As shown on the Figure 6 the body or pinion 38 also extends along an axis YY perpendicular to the axis ZZ. YY axis coincides with the axis of the light (30) elongate branch 22 when the body or pinion 38 is mounted in the slot 30. The body or pinion 38 is delimited by a first end face 80 arcuate shape, centered on the point 41 and whose radius is equal to that of the washer 42. It is delimited, opposite the first end face 80, by a second end face 82 of arcuate shape , centered on the point 41 and radius equal to that of the washer 42. The center 41 of the end faces 80 and 82 is shifted laterally by a distance d relative to the axis YY of the pinion 38, and the rope of the end face 82 is smaller than that of the end face 80.

The end face 82 of the pinion 38 is of complementary shape to those of the end faces 60 and 62 of the slot 30.

The pinion 38 is also delimited by two planar flat surfaces 84 and 86 extending on either side of the hollow shaft 40. The flat faces 84 and 86 are parallel, and distant from a dimension slightly smaller than that between the vertices of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the lumen 30. The flat face 84, long, connects the end faces 80 and 82. The flat face 86, shorter than the face 84, is connected to the end face 80 and extends about two-thirds towards the end face 82. It is connected to an oblique face 87A turned towards the axis YY of the pinion 38, itself connected to a face 87B substantially parallel to the face 86. The face 87B is connected to the end face 82. The pinion 38 and has an asymmetrical contour as a keying device during assembly of the clamp.

It should be noted that the hollow shaft 40 is not arranged symmetrically with respect to the planar faces 84 and 86. It has an offset D, equal to 2 d, about 0.5 mm from the surface 84 connecting directly the end surfaces 80 and 82, the interest of which will be described later. The outer surface of the hollow shaft 40 diametrically opposite the face 84, is in alignment with the flat surface 86.

The pinion 38 further comprises, on each of the planar flat faces 84 and 86, a series of valleys and vertices in the waveform complementary to that of the valleys and vertices of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the slot 30.

The planar flat face 84 has, over more than two thirds of the height of the face, facing the center 41 of the hollow shaft 40, a vertex 88, followed, in the direction of the arcuate end face 82, a valley 90 whose bottom is disposed in the plane of the face 84, which valley is followed, in the direction of the offset end face 82 arcuate, a second apex 92 which connects to the face of end 82.

The flat face 86, opposite to the previous face 84, has, over more than two thirds of the height of the face, facing the center 41 of the hollow shaft 40, a valley. 94 whose bottom is arranged in the plane of the surface in flat 86. In the direction of the end face 82, the valley 94 is followed by an apex 96 connected itself to the oblique surface 87A. In the direction of the curved end surface 80, the valley 94 is extended by a peak 98, said vertex connecting to the flat face 86.

Thus, two series of valleys and vertices are arranged on either side of the hollow shaft 40 and arranged so that the vertex 88 disposed on the long face 84 is facing a valley 94 disposed on the face 86 Similarly, the valley 90, disposed on the long face 84, is opposite the top 96 disposed on the short face 86, the top 92 of the long face 84 is disposed substantially facing the oblique face 87A, and the top 98 of the short face 86 is disposed facing the connection area of the vertex 88 of the long face 84 thereto.

In the Figure 3A , the orientation of the pinion 38 is such that the short face 86 is turned towards the jaws 14 and 24, while the long face 84 is turned towards the handles 18 and 28. In this configuration, the end face 80 of the pinion 38 is at a distance from the end face 62 of the light 30 positioned on the side of the jaws 14 and 24. The pinion 38 is blocked, along the longitudinal axis of the light 30, in a position preceding the extreme position of the side jaws 14 and 24. The hollow shaft 40 is then offset on the side of the jaws 14 and 24 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light 30.

On the Figure 3B , the orientation of the pinion 38 is reversed: the long face 84 is turned towards the jaws 14 and 24, while the short face 86 is turned towards the handles 18 and 28. In this configuration, the end face 82 of the pinion 38 is in shape adjustment with the end face 62 of the light 30 positioned on the side of the jaws 14 and 24. This arrangement allows the pinion 38 to access, along the longitudinal axis of the slot 30, the axial position the hollow shaft 40 is then shifted to the side of the handles 18 and 28 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the slot 30.

It follows that, on the Figure 3A , the intermediate hinge region 16 of the upper branch 12 tends to approach the handle 28 of the branch 22, while in the Figure 3B , the intermediate region articulation 16 of the upper branch 12 tends to move away from the handle 28 of the branch 22.

Taking into account the offset of the series of peaks and valleys present on both the profiled flanks 32 and 34 and on the flat faces 84 and 86 of the pinion 38, the latter is displaceable in the axial direction of the light 30. a fraction of p p , in particular, in the example shown, a half-pitch p , to the end face 62 disposed on the side of the jaws 14 and 24. It is thus advantageous to obtain, constant dimension at the jaws 14 and 24, a variable spacing at the handles 18 and 28. In the same way as above, at constant spacing of the handles 18 and 28, it is advantageous to be able to adjust, at a fraction of step p , the spacing between the jaws 14 and 24.

It should be noted that the lateral offset D of the hollow shaft 40 with respect to the long guide surface 84, as well as the offset d = D / 2 with respect to the axis 41, make it possible to align substantially in the same direction. plan the free ends of the jaws 14 and 24 during the 180 ° rotation of the pinion 38.

This arrangement is advantageous for improving the grip of objects at the end of jaws, and this regardless of the configuration of the clamp.

As represented in Figures 4A and 4B , the recess 44 is obtained from a flange 71 projecting from the partition 16A of the intermediate hinge region 16. The recess 44 is in the form of a bore comprising a circular lateral surface 73 and a bottom 74 on which rests the spring 46. A light 75 is arranged in the bottom 74 to receive the hollow shaft 40 with the game close and to guide it in rotation and in translation along the axis ZZ.

In the Figure 4A , the top 66 of the profiled flank 32 is engaged with the valley 94 of the short flat face 86 of the pinion 38. Diametrically opposite to the hollow shaft 40, the top 88 of the long flat face 84 of the pinion 38 is engaged with a valley 70 of the profiled flank 34 of the light 30.

In the Figure 4B , the same vertex 88 of the long flat face 84 of the pinion 38 is in engagement with a valley 64 of the profiled flank 32 of the light 30. Diametrically opposed with respect to the hollow shaft 40, the valley 94 of the short flat face 86 of the pinion 38 is engaged with a peak 68 of the profiled flank 34 of the light 30.

Will now be described the steps for successively passing the pinion 38 of its configuration shown in FIG. Figure 4A to the configuration shown in the Figure 4B .

In its configuration represented in Figure 4A , the pinion 38 and the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the slot 30 are mutually engaged, the pinion 38 occupying a first axial position, perpendicular to the general plane of the clamp, in which the cap 47 is projecting out of the recess 44. By pressing the cap 47 according to the arrow F shown in Figure 5A , and tending to push the cap 47 about halfway up into the recess 44, the user shifts the pinion 38 so that the engagement means of the pinion 38 and those of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the light 30 disengage mutually. The pinion 38 then occupies a second axial position, perpendicular to the general plane of the clamp, represented on the Figure 5A . The engagement means of the pinion 38 are opposite the bore 45 made in the partition 16B of the intermediate hinge region 16 of the interplanar branch 12. It should be noted that the translation guidance is obtained from a on the other hand, by the cooperation of the outer surface of the hollow shaft 40 and the inner surface of the lumen 75 and, on the other hand, by the outer surfaces of the washer 42 and the arcuate end faces 80 and 82 of the pinion 38 with the inner surface of the bore 45.

In this second axial position of the pinion 38, perpendicular to the general plane of the clamp, the height complement of the flat faces 84 and 86, free of vertices and valleys, makes it possible to guide in translation the pinion 38 in the axial direction of the light Between the vertices of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the light 30.

Continuing the thrust force on the cap 47 according to the arrow F shown in FIG. Figure 5B , the user substantially positions the cap 47 in abutment on the bottom 74 of the recess 44, compressing as much as possible the conical spring 46 between the same bottom 74 and the inner face 48 of the cap 47.

In this new axial position, perpendicular to the general plane of the clamp, the arcuate end faces 80 and 82 of the pinion 38 are arranged facing the inner surface of the bore 45. The user, while maintaining the pressure tending to abut the cap 47 in the bottom 74 of the recess 44, manipulates the washer 42 secured to the pinion 38 so as to rotate the pinion 38 by a half turn relative to the axis ZZ. In the Figure 5B , the rotation is in progress, and represents about 90 °, the curved end faces 80, 82 of the pinion 38 serving to guide rotation in the bore 45.

Once the rotation of 180 ° with respect to the ZZ axis is performed, the user releases the pressure on the cap 47, which tends to bring the engagement means of the pinion 38 closer to those of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the light 30. The user then manually executes an offset of half a step p , tending to align the engagement means of the pinion 38 and those of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the light 30. By releasing completely the pressure on the cap 47 , the user mutually engages, by shape adjustment, the engagement means of the pinion 38 and those of the profiled flanks 32 and 34 of the slot 30.

Thus, the number of adjustment positions of the pinion 38 along the longitudinal axis of the light 30, is doubled compared to a conventional clamp, since from an initial adjustment position of the pinion 38, there is a position of adjustment to a half-step p on either side of the initial position by simple 180 ° rotation of the pinion along the axis ZZ.

As represented in Figures 2A and 2B , in order to facilitate the identification of the orientation of the pinion 38 to the user, a marking 110 such as an arrow oriented radially outwardly, is affixed to the outer face of the cap 47 in a visible manner. The marker mark 110 allows the angular positioning of the cap 47 with respect to the ZZ axis. Differentiated markings 112 and 114 are arranged diametrically opposite the circular recess 44. The first differentiated marking 112, such as a hand, is affixed, on the side of the handle 18 and visibly, to the outer face of the partition. 16A of the intermediate region of articulation 16 of the interpenetrating branch 12. A second differentiated marking of smaller dimension that the first marking, such as a hand, is affixed, on the same outer face of the partition 16A, on the side of the jaw 14 of the interplanar gripper 12. Thus, it is easy for the user to position the pinion 38 in one of the configurations leading to a greater or lesser spacing of the handles 18 and 28 of the clamp.

The foregoing description has been made in the context of the adjustment of the spacing of the handles of a multi-threaded gripper, with constant spacing at the jaws of the same clamp. It is obvious that the device described above is suitable for adjusting the spacing of the jaws of a clamp at constant spacing at the handles of the same clamp. This facilitates the repetitive use of the tool.

Such a pliers manifold allows tightening, at the jaws, screwed fastener head heads, both metric dimensions than dimensions in inches.

The foregoing description has been made in connection with an adjustment of the position of the pinion 38 into the lumen 30 to a half-pitch p around through a 180 ° rotation of the pinion 38. The device described is therefore to adjust the position of the pinion 38 in the lumen 30 to a fraction of the pitch p , through a rotation of a 360 ° fraction of the pinion 38, the fractions being equal.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to precisely adjust the spacing of the handles of a clamp and / or the spacing of the jaws of the same clamp.

Claims (13)

1. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers (10) which extends in a general plane, of the type comprising:

   a transversely retaining arm (12) which comprises a first jaw (14), a first intermediate articulation region (16) and

   a first handle (18), which transversely retaining arm (12) has a longitudinal slot (20) in the first articulation region (16);

   a transversely retained arm (22) which comprises a second jaw (24), a second intermediate articulation region (26) and

   a second handle (28), the second articulation region (26) being received, so as to be movable in rotation and

   selectively in translation, through the longitudinal slot (20) of the first articulation region (16); and

   an articulation joint (36) which is provided in order to articulate the transversely retaining arm (12) and the transversely retained arm (22),

   one of the arms comprising an elongate opening (30) along an axis in the general plane of the set of pliers, which opening is provided with two longitudinal sides (32, 34) comprising first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) having a pitch (p),

   the joint (36) being arranged on the other arm and

   comprising a member (38) having second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) which are capable of cooperating, by means of shape adjustment, with the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70), which member (38) extends along an axis

   (Z-Z) which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the opening (30),

   the member (38) of the joint (36) being movable axially in accordance with the axis (Z-Z) thereof at least between a first axial position and a second axial position, the first axial position bringing the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) and second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) into engagement and thereby blocking any relative translation movement between the transversely retaining arm (12) and the transversely retained arm (22), and the second position corresponding to the mutual disengagement of the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) and second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) and thereby allowing relative translation movement between the transversely retaining arm (12), and the transversely retained arm (22),

   characterised in that the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) and second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) are arranged in such a manner that, starting from a first engagement position in accordance with the axis of the opening (30) between the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) and second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98), the member (38) of the joint (36) is axially movable beyond the second axial position as far as a third axial position, and can then be moved in rotation about the axis (Z-Z) thereof in order to bring the first and second engagement means into engagement in a second engagement position in accordance with the axis of the opening (30) allowing, owing to distances which are equal to a predetermined fraction of the pitch (p), the position of the member (38) in the opening (30) to be adjusted.
2. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) comprise, on each of the two longitudinal sides (32, 34) of the opening (30), a series of successive peaks (66, 68) which are separated by troughs (64, 70), the series being identical and longitudinally displaced relative to each other in such a manner that a peak (66, 68) of one series faces a trough (64, 70) of the other series, and in that the second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) comprise at least two series of teeth (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) having a profile which complements that of the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70), the second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) being capable of carrying out a rotation relative to the axis (Z-Z) of the member (38) of the joint (36), once the first engagement means (64, 66, 68, 70) and the second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) have been mutually disengaged, and of moving back into mutual engagement after that rotation.
3. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second engagement means (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) comprise two series of teeth (88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) which are opposite and displaced relative to each other by a half-pitch (p) and are capable of carrying out a rotation through 180° in the third axial position.
4. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transversely retaining arm (12) comprises a partition (16A, 16B) at one side and the other of the longitudinal slot (20), in one of which partitions there is arranged an opening (75) which is intended to guide the articulation joint (36), and in that the transversely retained arm (22) comprises the elongate opening (30).
5. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the successive peaks and troughs are of identical shape and size and are provided in accordance with a constant pitch (p).
6. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the articulation joint comprises a member (47) which is intended to support a thrust effort, in particular a cover.
7. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to claim 6, characterised in that the thrust member (47) comprises a reference marking (110) for the angular position thereof.
8. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the partition (16A) of the transversely retaining arm (12) comprising a receiving recess (44) which is adjacent to the thrust member comprises a plurality of differentiated markings (112, 114), in particular two markings which are diametrically opposite with respect to the articulation joint.
9. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that, by the member (38) of the articulation joint (36) being rotated, the reference marking of the thrust member (47) faces one of the markings of the transversely retaining arm (12).
10. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the articulation joint (36) comprises gripping notches (43) which are provided opposite the thrust member (47).
11. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the transversely retained arm (22) has a quasi-constant thickness over the majority of the length thereof and as far as the end opposite the jaw (24) thereof.
12. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one end-plate (29A, 29B) is applied to the handle (28) of the transversely retained arm (22), in particular two end-plates, the or each end-plate being applied to a side of the handle (28) of the transversely retained arm (22).
13. Transversely retained multiple-grip set of pliers according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the articulation joint (36) further comprises a shaft (40) which extends along the axis (Z-Z) of the member (38) of the joint, relative to which shaft the transversely retaining arm (12) pivots, with the shaft being laterally displaced by (d) relative to the axis of the elongate opening (30).

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