| CPC B25B 7/14 (2013.01) [B25B 7/12 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
|
1. A hand tool comprising:
a handle assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle, each of the first and second handles having a proximal end and a distal end;
a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaw assembly being operably coupled to the proximal end of the first and second handles;
a clamping assembly configured to enable the first and second jaws to be locked at a selected distance from each other in a locked position; and
an adjustment assembly configured to enable the selected distance to be modified,
wherein the adjustment assembly is disposed between the first and second handles,
wherein the clamping assembly comprises a cam lock disposed at the proximal end of the second handle, and a camming surface disposed at a distal end of an adjuster configured to extend from the first handle toward the proximal end of the second handle,
wherein a periphery of the cam lock defines an arcuate surface having respective different distances from a first pivot link connecting the second jaw to the second handle and defining a pivot point about which the second jaw and second handle pivot relative to each other,
wherein a balance point is defined along the arcuate surface, the balance point defining a largest distance from an axis of the first pivot link along the arcuate surface,
wherein the camming surface engages a first portion of the cam lock on a first side of the balance point, the first portion being disposed a first radial distance from the axis of the first pivot link when the handle assembly is in an opened position,
wherein the camming surface engages a second portion of the cam lock on a second side of the balance point, the second portion being disposed a second radial distance from the axis of the first pivot link when the handle assembly is in a closed position, and
wherein the first radial distance is less than the second radial distance.
|