CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to pliers, and more specifically to of the so called “plier wrench” type wherein the jaws of the pliers are translated relative to each other by actuation of the plier handles between an open position wherein a workpiece can be received between the jaws and a gripping position wherein a workpiece is gripped between the jaws, and further wherein relative position between the jaws can be adjusted to accommodate a wide variation in the sizes of workpieces on which the plier wrench will be used. Many such plier wrenches are known and have proven suitable for their intended purpose, but there is always a continuing desire to improve such tools. For example, there is a continuing desire to make such tools more versatile. As another example, there is a continuing desire to increase the efficiency with which components of such tools can be removed for replacement, repair, and/or maintenance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, an adjustable plier wrench includes a first jaw having a first surface to engage a workpiece, a second jaw having a second surface to engage a workpiece, a first handle having the first jaw fixed thereon, and a second handle. The first and second handles are operably engaged to translate relative to each other between a plurality of relative positions and to pivot relative to each other at each of the plurality of relative positions. The second handle is operably engaged with the second jaw to translate the second jaw relative to the first jaw as the first and second handles are translated to each of the plurality of relative positions. The second handle is operably engaged with the second jaw to translate the second jaw relative to the first jaw between an open position where a workpiece can be received between the surfaces of the jaws and a gripping position where a workpiece is gripped by the surfaces of the jaws in response to the first and second handles being pivoted relative to each other as each of the plurality of relative positions. The second jaw is configured to be manually disengaged from and reengaged to the remainder of the wrench without any disassemble of the remainder of the wrench with the first and second handles translated to a predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions and pivoted relative to each other to a jaw release position.

As one feature, the second jaw has a third surface to engage a workpiece, the second jaw surface and the third jaw surface face in opposite directions, and the second jaw can be selectively mounted on the remainder of the wrench in a first mounted orientation where the second jaw surface faces the first jaw surface to grip a workpiece therebetween or a second mounted orientation where the third jaw surface faces the first jaw surface to grip a workpiece therebetween.

In one feature, the second surface is a planar, smooth surface and the third surface is an arcuate or angled surface having teeth or knurls formed thereon.

According to one feature, the first jaw and the first handle are a single unitary part.

In a further feature, the unitary part has a linear slot formed therein, the second handle is pivot mounted to a carriage, and the carriage is mounted in the slot to translate the first and second handles relative to each other between each of the plurality of relative positions.

As one feature, the slot and the carriage include teeth that are selectively engageable with each other to retain the handles in each of the plurality of relative positions except for the predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions, and the slot has an end portion that is free of any of the teeth, and the first and second handles are positioned in the predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions when the carriage is located in the end portion of the slot.

According to one feature, the unitary part has a linear groove extending parallel to the linear slot, and the second jaw has a linear rib received in the linear groove for guided translation relative to the unitary part.

In a further feature, the unitary part has another linear groove extending parallel to the linear slot, the linear grooves are located on opposite sides of the unitary part, the second jaw has another linear rib received in the another linear groove for guided translation relative to the unitary part, and the second jaw has a pair of spaced side walls with one of the linear ribs fixed on one of the side walls and the other of the linear ribs fixed on the other of the side walls.

As one feature, the second handle and the second jaw have mating cam surfaces to transfer force from the second handle to the second jaw as the first and second handles are pivoted between the open and the gripping positions.

In a further feature, the first jaw has a concave recess defined by one of the mating cam surfaces and the first handle has a convex protrusion defined by the other of the mating cam surfaces.

In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, an adjustable plier wrench includes a first jaw having a first surface to engage a workpiece, and second jaw having a second surface to engage a workpiece and a third surface to engage a workpiece. The second jaw surface and the third jaw surface face in opposite directions. The wrench further includes a first handle fixed to the first jaw and a second handle, with the first and second handles being operably engaged to translate relative to each other between a plurality of relative positions and to pivot relative to each other at each of the plurality of relative positions. The second handle is operably engaged with the second jaw to translate the second jaw relative to the first jaw as the first and second handles are translated to each of the plurality of relative positions. The second handle is operably engaged with the second jaw to translate the second jaw relative to the first jaw between an open position where a workpiece can be received between the surfaces of the jaws and a gripping position where a workpiece is gripped by the surfaces of the jaws in response to the first and second handles being pivoted relative to each other as each of the plurality of relative positions. The second jaw can be selectively mounted on the remainder of the wrench in a first mounted orientation where the second jaw surface faces the first jaw surface to grip a workpiece therebetween or a second mounted orientation where the third jaw surface faces the first jaw surface to grip a workpiece therebetween.

According to one feature, the wrench further includes a guide structure fixed to the first jaw and the first handle intermediate the first jaw and the first handle, and the second jaw is configured to be manually disengaged from and reengaged to the remainder of the wrench without any disassemble of the remainder of the wrench with the first and second handles translated to a predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions and pivoted relative to each other to a jaw release position.

As one feature, the guide structure has a linear slot formed therein, the second handle is pivot mounted to a carriage, and the carriage is mounted in the slot to translate the first and second handles relative to each other between each of the plurality of relative positions.

In one feature, the slot and the carriage include teeth that are selectively engageable with each other to retain the handles in each of the plurality of relative positions except for the predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions. The slot has an end portion that is free of any of the teeth, and the first and second handles are positioned in the predetermined one of the plurality of relative positions when the carriage is located in the end portion of the slot.

According to one feature, the guide structure has a linear groove extending parallel to the linear slot, and the second jaw has a linear rib received in the linear groove for guided translation relative to the guide structure.

As a further feature, the guide structure has another linear groove extending parallel to the linear slot, the linear grooves are located on opposite sides of the guide structure, the second jaw has another linear rib received in the another linear groove for guided translation relative to the guide structure, and the second jaw has a pair of spaced side walls with one of the linear ribs fixed on one of the side walls and the other of the linear ribs fixed on the other of the side walls.

In one feature, the second handle and the second jaw have mating cam surfaces to transfer force from the second handle to the second jaw as the first and second handles are pivoted between the open and the gripping positions.

In a further feature, the first jaw has a concave recess defined by one of the mating cam surfaces and the first handle has a convex protrusion defined by the other of the mating cam surfaces.

According to one feature, the second surface is a planar, smooth surface and the third surface is an arcuate or angled surface having teeth or knurls formed thereon.

As one feature, the first jaw, the guide structure, and the first handle are a single unitary part.

