US2592803A

US2592803A - Release and adjusting means for vise-type wrenches

Info

Publication number: US2592803A
Application number: US26020A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacob G Heim
Original assignee: CALPAT CORP
Current assignee: CALPAT Corp
Priority date: 1948-05-10
Filing date: 1948-05-10
Publication date: 1952-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1969-04-15

Description

J. G. HElM RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPE WRENCI-IES- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 10, 1948 /NL/NTO/?. (JACOB 6. HE/M 5) HIS BTTORNEKS. HARE/5, K/EcH, FOSTER & HARP/6 Jr April 15, 1952 I J, 5,. 2,592,803

RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPE WRENCHES Filed May 10, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 6/ 63 I 64 X 63 v /5 Q5 16 66 L/HCOB 6. HE/M BY HIS ATTORNE KS.

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPE WRENCHES Jacob G. Helm, San Gabriel, Calif., assignor to The Calpat Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 10, 1948, Serial No. 26,020

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a wrench of the type commonly known as a visewrench wherein one of a pair of jaws is adjusted into contact with an object positioned between said jaw and the other jaw and the one jaw locked in a closed position to securely and firmly grip the object until the one jaw is released.

It is very easy with wrenches of this type to over-adjust the movable jaw of the wrench so that when the jaw is once looked against an object it is very difiicult to release it therefrom and it frequently requires a much greater expenditure of energy to release the movable jaw of such a wrench from the object than was necessary to originally clamp it thereupon.

The over-adjustment of wrenches of this type frequently results in the destruction of objects clamped thereby and this tendency is particularly evident in the case of objects formed from readily deformable materials such as copper and brass. In many instances, where the object is not destroyed by the excessive clamping action of the jaws of prior art wrenches, the surface of the object is so abraded and marred by the clamping action of the jaws of the wrench that it becomes necessary to refinish the object or to discard it.

Further, prior art wrenches of this type have depended upon an outward movement of the handle associated with the movable jaw to release said jaw. Thus, when wrenches constructed in accordance with the prior art are utilized in confined quarters, the great application of force necessitated to release the movable jaw from an object clamped thereby frequently results in the user of the wrench sustaining minor injuries because of sudden andsharp contact with surrounding areas upon the release of the jaw from the object.

Since the release of the movable jaw in prior art wrenches necessitates the outward movement of one of the handles of the wrench in relationship to the other, the user of the wrench is compelled to use both hands when releasing the wrench from an object clamped thereby. Thus, since both hands of the user of the wrench are engaged in releasing the wrench from an object it is necessary to permit the object to fall from between the jaws of the wrench when so released.

A wrench of the vise-wrench type embodying the improvements which constitute the subject matter of my present invention eliminates to a great degree the above-outlined difliculties encountered in prior art wrenches. In vise-wrenches constructed in accordance with my invention 2 7 there is provided supplementary adjusting means which permit the degree of clamping force exerted upon an object by the movable jaw of the wrench to be previously determined so that a moderate clamping action may be selected to be utilized upon objects which might be damaged by a greater application of force. Therefore, the destruction caused by the utilization of prior art wrenches upon objects formed from readily deformed or abraded materials may be avoided.

Vise-wrenches constructed in accordancewith my present invention may be opened with one hand since there is provided in'the wrench movable jaw release means which can be actuated by the fingers of one hand. Therefore, the release of the wrench from anobject in confined quarters is facilitated since it is no longer necessary to insert both hands'into a confined space and attempt to move the handles of the wrench outwardly in relation to each other to secure the release of the wrench from an object.

It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide a vise-wrench which has embodied therein means adapted to permit the control of the force applied by the wrench to the surface 'of an object which is secured between the jaws of the wrench. j

Another object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrench having embodied therein adjusting means adapted to permit the selective control of the amount of force applied by the jaws of the wrench to an object secured therebetween which is so positioned that it can be readily manipulated by the fingers of the user of the wrench'inthe process of clamping the wrench upon an object.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrench having embodied therein adjusting means provided with a graduated surface adapted to be contacted by a cooperating element embodied in already existing wrenches which will permit the force with which the jaws of the wrench are clamped upon an object to be accurately controlled.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrench which has embodied therein release means adapted to facilitate the release of the jaws of the wrench from an object clamped therein by the utilization of only one hand of the user. 7 v

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be evident from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. i; is. a vertical, partly elevational. partly 3 Sectional view of a vise-wrench constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, partly elevational, partly sectional view showing a vise-wrench constructed in accordance with my invention looked upon an object;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on broken line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on broken line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the position which the release means incorporated in a wrench constructed in accordance with my invention assumes when it is moved into the release position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, partly sectional, partly elevational view showing a vise-wrench .havin'g embodied therein another embodiment of my movable jaw release means;

Fig. '7 is a vertical, partly sectional, partly elevational view showing the release means of Fig. 6 in the release position;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the release means shown in elevation in Fig. '7, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of the release means.

My invention can be readily applied to a type of wrench now in wide use and which was in public use "prior to my conception of the inven-'- tion herein. The words "stationary and "movable" are used herein merely for identification and for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which one portion of a vise-wrench constructed in accordance with my invention acts in relationship to another portion. As a matter of fact,

the whole wrench is readily movable.

The words upper, lower, upwardly.

"downwardly and other words denoting positions are used herein merely for convenience in description and denote the position of parts in the drawing. In actual use, of course, the wrench may be moved into any position with relation to the user or to the center of the earth which is desired by the user of the wrench. The vise-wrench, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, consists of a relatively stationary handle H formed from sheet metal bent into a channel section and having a stationary jaw i2 welded or otherwise fixed to the upper end thereof. The stationary handle ll extends downwardly and has a threaded socket l4 secured in the lower end thereof in which an adjusting bolt or screw i5 is threadedly engaged. The screw l5 has a knurled head [6 by which the screw can be readily turned by the fingers of the user.

A first pivot pin l3 passes through the stationary handle II and has disposed thereupon a movable jaw mounting plate 2!, preferably formed from a casting or forging, which bears a movable jaw 22 at its upper end which is adapted to be moved upon the movable member 2| to 'c'ooperate'with the stationary jaw 12 in clamping an object l8. A generally triangular extension '23 formed integrally with the jaw mounting plate 2| and being thin enough in cross section to extend into the channel in the stationary handle I l permits engagement of the jaw mounting plate 2| :by the first pivot pin IS. The jaw mounting plate 2| is thus enabled to pivot around the center of the first pivot pin 13 which passesthrough the lower inner corner of the triangular extension 23.

A second pivot pin 2a pajssesthrough the lower,

outer corner of the generally triangular extension 23 of the plate 2|. A tension spring 25 is hooked 4 at its upper end in a hole 26 in the generally triangular extension 23 of the plate 2| and at its lower end to a projection 21 on the handle H which extends downwardly into the channel of the stationary handle ll.

Pivoted on the second pivot pin 213 is a locking handle 3! which is formed of sheet metal into a channel section, the upper end of the locking handle 3i being bifurcated to extend upon each side of the generally triangular extension 23 and to engage the pivot pin 24. A third pivot pin 32 extends through the locking handle 3| and engages the upper .end of a toggle link 33. The lower end of the toggle link 33 is pivoted on a fourth pivot pin 35 which passes through a pivot block 36 to which the lower end of the toggle link 33 is secured through the medium of the pivot pin 35. The toggle link 33 has integrally formed thereupon in the upper end thereof adjacent to its engagement by the third pivot pin 32, a lug 3? which projects into the confines of the channel formed by the locking handle 3|.

Located in "the end of the stationary handle I l and interposed between it and the pivot block 35 is a movable release means 41 which constitutes a portion of my invention. Release means M is designed, to permit the release'of the movable jaw 22 from the object 18 after the movable jaw 22 has been locked upon the object is. As was explained above, it is necessary in prior art wrenches of this type to release the movable jaw 22 by moving the locking handle 3| away from the relatively stationary handle I l. Thus the release of the movable jaw from an object requires the use of two hands, which is frequently not practicable.

The present release means M permits the release of the movable jaw 22 from an object l8 by the use of one hand only. The release means 5|, in its preferred embodiment, includes the pivot block 36 which has an elongated circular shank 42 of reduced dimensions projectin downwardly into a bore 43 formed within the end'of the adjusting screw 15 and which permits the pivot block 35 to be accurately'positioned in relation to the longitudinal axis of the adjusting screw 15 inaddition to serving another function described below. The under side of the pivot block 36 has formed therein a plurality of recesses or depressions 44 which are adapted to be engaged by a plurality of protuberances or balls '45 secured in a rotatable lever 56 which is adapted to rotate aboutand upon the elongated, circular shank 42 of the pivot block 38. The rotatable lever 46 is generally of L-shaped configuration and "a right-angle portion 41 of the lever 46, equivalent to the inverted base of the L, is adapt ed to receive the balls or protuberances 45 and to cause the rotation of the balls or protuberances 45 about the'elongated shank 32 of the pivot block 35 to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the protuberances or balls 45 with the recesses or depressions 44. Thede'pend- "ing leg of the lever 45 forms a finger grip 48 which facilitates the rotation of the lever 56 by the thumb of the user of the wrench.

The combination of the lever 46 bearingfthe balls or protuberances 45 with the pivot block 36 having a plurality of depressions or recesses M formed in the under side thereof serves when the depressions and 'balls are out of registry to dis pose, the under side of the pivot block in spaced relationship to the upper surface of the portion s1 of the lever 46 at a distance equal to the height of the balls or protuberances 45 above said surface, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The depth of the recesses or depressions 44 is such that when the balls or protuberances '45 are brought into registry therewith the under side of the pivot block 36 will contact the surface'of the portion 41 of the lever 46, as best shown in Fi 5. The distance between the under side of the pivot block 36 and the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46 is so calculated, in the application of my invention to wrenches of the vise-wrench type, that the rotation of the lever 46 to bring the balls or protuberances 45 into registry with the recesses or depressions '44 and the under side of the pivot block 36 into contact with the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46, will permit the end of the toggle link '33 to move a. sufficient distance downward to cause the center of the third pivot pin 32 'to pass to the left of a line A-A, extending between the centers of pivot pin 24 and pivot pin 35 to break the tog le lock and release the movable jaw 2 from the object I8.

Of course, other means of attaining the same release movement are readily conceivable, such as providing the under side of the pivot block 36 and the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46 with cooperative cam surfaces, as shown in Fig. 9. The portion 41 of the lever 46 is provided with two upstruck cams 16 adapted to cooperate with cam grooves or slots 1| formed in the under side of the pivot block 36.

The locking handle 3| has formed therein an elongated slot 5| which 'is adapted to permit'the longitudinal movement along the handle of an adjusting means 52 adapted to control the force applied by the movable jaw 22 to the object'l8. The adjusting means 52 consists of a finger plate 53 mounted on the outside of the locking handle 3| in the slot 5| which has attached thereto, as by means of a rivet 54 or a similar fastener, a graduated block 55 disposed within the confines of the channel of the locking handle 3| and, in the particular embodiment ofthe invention under discussion, being graduated by the .provision of a plurality of

steps

56, 51, and 56'. Each of the

steps

56, 51 and 58 is adapted to be contacted by the lug 31 formed integrally upon the toggle link 33.

When a wrench embodying the improvements which constitute the subject matter of the present invention is to be clamped upon an object l8, the object I8 is placed between the non-movable jaw 12 and the movable jaw 22 of the wrench. If

the object I8 is formed from soft material or has a highly finished surface which is apt to be damaged by excessive pressure applied through the movable jaw 22, the adjusting means 52 is so shifted in the slot 5| in the handle 3| that the step 51 of the adjusting means 52, which provides for a moderate application of force by the movable jaw 22, is brought into position to be contacted by the lug 31 of the toggle link 33. When the adjusting means 52 has been shifted into the proper position, the locking handl 3| is compressed to bring the step 51 into contact with the lug 31 and the adjusting screw I5 is rotated through the medium of the knurled knob I6 until it can be no longer turned. When the locking handle 3| cannot be further compressed and the adjusting screw l5 can no longer be rotated, the

adjusting means 52 is shifted downwardly in the slot 5| and the step 56 is brought into position to be'contacted by the lug 31 formed upon the toggle link 33. The handle of the wrench is then compressed toward the stationary handle H and the jaw 22 is driven into locking engagement upon the object I8. "Should the object l8 be of a more sturdy nature or should its surfac be relatively rough and of a kind not to be affected by locking action of the movable jaw 22, or should it be necessary to apply extreme clamping force to .the object "3 through the medium of the jaw 22, the adjusting means 52 is shifted upwardly to present the step 58 to contact with the lug 31 formed upon the toggle link 33. The locking handle-3| is then compressed toward the stationary handle H and the step 58 thus brought into contact with the lug 31 formed'upon the toggle link 33. The adjusting screw I5 is then rotated until it can be no longer turned, which indicates that the movable jaw 221s adjusted against the object |8 so that the maximum clamping force will be exerted upon the object |8 by the jaw 22. The adjusting means 52 is then slid downwardly in the slot 5| to permit the lug 31 to be brought into contact with the step 56 of the adjusting means 52. The locking handle 3| is then compressed toward the stationary handle II and the step 56 is brought into contact with the lug 31, driving the pivot pin 32 to the right beyond dead center and locking the movable jaw- 22 against the object l8 with great force. The adjusting means provided in the wrench by my invention permits the force which is exerted by the movable jaw 22 upon the object 18 to be accurately gauged and prevents the possibility of injury to the object l8 by the movable jaw 22 due to excessive force applied thereto.

When the'movable jaw 22 is clamped upon an object 16 by the inward movement of the looking handle 3| toward the stationary handle I], a

the wrench will remain upon the object |8 until it is unclamped therefrom. In a wrench which embodies the release means 4| of my present invention it is only necessary to rotate the lever 46 in order to release the movable jaw 22 of the wrench from the object I8. When the adjusting screw I5 is rotated in the threaded block H at the lower end of the stationary handle II, the movement of the screw I5 is communicated to the movable, jaw 22 through the intermediary of the portion 41, of the lever 46 and th protuberances or balls 45 associated therewith and in contact with the under side of the pivot block 36, whose movement, in turn, is transmitted to the toggle link 33, into the locking handle 3|, into the movable member 2| and thence into the-movable jaw 22.

It is thus seen that the release means 4| is carried forward by the upward movement of the adjusting {screw I5. When the release means 4| is in the non-release position, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the protuberances or balls 45 in the portion 41 of the lever 46 are so positioned that they do not register with the depressions or recesses 44 provided in the under side of the pivot block 36. Thus the under side of the pivot block 36 is spaced from the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46. This space between the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46 and the under side of the pivot block 36 is substantially equal to the distance which the protuberances or balls mounted in the portion 41 of the lever 46 project above the upper surface thereof.

When the movable jaw 22 has been clamped, as described above, against the surface of an object l8 and when it is desired to releasethe movable jaw 22 from the surface of said object, the finger grip portion 48 of the lever 46 is rotated by. the fingers of the user ofthewrench assacos and the portion 41'

of'the lever

46,15 thus con comitantly rotated about the circular, reduced shank portion 42 of the pivotblock 36. The rotary movement of the lever 46 and its associated portion 41 carries the protuberances or balls 45 into registry with the recesses or depressions 44 formed in the under side of the pivot block 36. The under side of the pivot block 36 is thus permitted to move into contact with the upper surface of the portion n of the lever '46. This movement of the pivot block 36 toward the portion 41 of the lever 46 is sufficient to permit the center of the pivot pin 32 to be moved a sufficient distance to the left of the line AA to break the lock which holds the movable jaw 22 against the surface of the object Ill. The distance between the under side of theplvot block 36 and the upper surface of the section 41 of the lever as is care-' fully calculated so that the rotation of the .protuberances or balls d into registry with the recesses or depressions i l, or the cams I l into registry with the slots 1 1, provided in the under side of the pivot block 35 will always permit the toggle lock to be broken and the center of the pivot pin 32 to move a sufficient distance to break the toggle lock and release the movable jaw 22 from the surface of the object 18.

I thus provide, in the present embodiment of my invention, adjusting means adapted to permit the amount of force'with which the movable jaw of'a vise-type wrench is applied to the surface of an object to be controlled to meet the characteristics of the object upon which the movable jaw 22 is to be clamped and I thus avoid injury to delicate or frangible objects and also the needless over-adjustment of the wrench. In addition, I also provide instantaneous release means for the movable jaw of the wrench which can be readily manipulated by one hand of the user and thus facilitatethe release of the wrench from an object upon which it is clamped.

Although the adjustment means 52 has been described above as embodying a graduated block with the graduations consisting of a series of

steps

56, 51 and 53, it is readily conceivable that the block 55 of the adjustment means 52 could be provided with an inclined surface which would readily serve in the same manner as the stepped block described above It is my broad concept to provide adjustment means which will control the extent to which the toggle link 3! can advance the movable jaw 22 against the surface of an object i8 by controlling the outward movement of the toggle link 33 through the contact of the lug 31 with the under side of the graduated block 55 embodied in the adjustment means 52.

There is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and '8 another embodiment of the release means which constitutes a portion of my present invention. The release means 6i includes an annular collar or sleeve 62 which is adapted to be fitted about the end of the stationary handle H in' the region of the adjusting screw it and to be retained thereupon by forced ht of the collar 62 upon the end of the stationary member H or in any similar manner.

The mounting sleeve or collar 62 has integrally formed therewith a straight mounting portion 63 upon which is adapted to be pivotally secured through the medium of a pivot pin 64, a release lever 65. The release lever 65 includes athumb or finger-grip portion 56 and a cam portion 6? which is adapted to contact the inside of the end of the locking handle 3| of the wrench.

. When a wrench embodying the release means t! is in the locked position, vas "best" shown .in

Fig. 6, the cam portion 61- of-the release lever 55 is rotated toward the stationary handle H by the inward movement of the end of the locking handle 3| during the process of locking the wrench upon an object. When it is desired to release the wrench from an object upon which it is clamped, the finger grip portion 66 of the release lever 65 is grasped, as best shown in-Fig. 7, and drawn in the direction of the stationary handle ll, causing the cam portion 61 of the release lever 65 to, be rotated upon the pivot pin 6 into operative contact with the inside of the locking handle 31 to drive the locking handle 3i away from the stationary handle Ii, thus causing the release of the wrench from the object upon, which it is clamped. vThe provision of this embodiment of my release means permits the ready unlocking of a wrench of the visewrench type from an object upon which it is clamped by the utilization of one hand alone.

Although I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that certain parts and elements thereof may be replaced by other parts and elements having the same function and method of operation, and therefore I do not intend to be limited to the specific construction shown but desire to be afforded the 'full scope of the following claims,

I claim as my invention:

, 1. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movable jaw mountedupon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jaw mounting plate which is pivotallymounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship withsaid non-movable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jaw in relationship to said non-movable jawya second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate and spaced. from said first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through the medium of said third pivot pin and atits other end to said adjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted .to limit the inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: adjusting means mounted upon said locking handle adapted :to cooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control the amount of adjustment of said movable jaw; and release means interposed between the adjusting means in said stationary handle and the adjacent end of said toggle link adapted to release said movable jaw from an object after said movable jaw has been clamped upon said object.

'2'. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with anon-movable jaw mounted upon one endthereof a movable jaw secured to a Jaw mounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate'the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with said non-movable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jaw in relationship to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said firstpivot pin; raz locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said .second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing ward said stationary handle, the combination.

with the aforesaid elements of: longitudinally shiftable adjusting means positioned in an elongated slot formed in said locking handle adapted to cooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control the amount of movement permitted to said toggle link; and cam means interposed between the adjusting means in said stationary handle and the adjacent end of saidtoggle link adapted to release said movable jaw from an object after said movable law has been clamped upon said object.

3. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movable jaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jaw mounting plate Which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with said non-movable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jaw in relationship to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through the medium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limit the inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: longitudinally shiftable adjusting means carried on said looking handle whose inner face is graduated and adapted to be contacted by said lug upon said toggle link to control the amount of adjustment of said movable jaw by said locking handle; and release means interposed between the adjusting means in said stationary handle and the adjacent end of said toggle link.

4. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movable jaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jaw mounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with said non-movable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable j aw in relationship to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through the medium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limit the inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of:- longitudinally shiftable adjusting means carried by said looking handle whose-inner face is graduated to selectively contact said lug formed upon said toggle link to control the amount of movement of said locking handle in relationship to said stationary handle; and rotatable release means interposed between the adjusting means in said stationary handle and the adjacent end of said tog:- gle link.

5. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movable jaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jaw mounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a.

first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with said nonmovable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jaw in relation to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the ends there of; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through the medium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limit the inward 'movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of longitudinally shiftable adjusting means carried by said locking handle adapted to cooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control the inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle; and toggle link release means interposed between said adjusting means in said stationary handle and said toggle link, said release means includ ing a pivot block to which one end of said toggle link is connected, an end of said pivot block being adapted for cooperation with a rotatable cam member interposed between said pivot block and said adjusting means in said stationary handle.

6. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movable jaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jaw mounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with said non movable jaw, adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jaw in relation to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through the medium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjusting means; said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limit the inward movement of said locking handle toward said Stationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: adjusting means mounted upon said locking handle adapted to cooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control the amount of movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle; and release means interposed between said adjusting means in said stationary handle and said toggle link, said release means including a pivot block to which one end of said toggle link is connected, and end of said pivot block having a plurality of depressions formed therein adapted to cooperate-with a rotatable cam member carrying a plurality of protuberances adapted to register with said depressions in said pivot block and interposed between said pivot block and said adjusting means in said stationary handle.

JACOB G. HEIMi 12 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Palmer Feb. 3, 1914 Petersen May 21, 1940 Ward et al Oct. 14, 1947 Peterson et a1 Nov. 23, 1948 Ball Feb. 22, 1949 Kash Nov. 29, 1949