The present invention relates generally to toggle action hand tools, and more specifically to an adjustable length locking bar clamp with a locking pliers type, toggle action clamping mechanism.
Locking pliers type hand tools with toggle action clamping mechanisms are generally known as locking pliers or vice clamps. These conventional tools usually include a fixed handle having a fixed jaw extending from one end of the fixed handle, a movable handle, and a toggling linkage arrangement interconnecting the fixed handle and the movable handle. The toggling arrangement typically includes a movable jaw extending from the toggling linkage arrangement in such a way that when the locking pliers are toggled from a first open position to a second toggled position the movable jaw is moved toward the fixed jaw.
Since the original development of the locking pliers a wide variety of jaw arrangements have been developed for all types of applications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,254 describes a locking hand tool including locking pliers in which a user adjustable jaw and a movable jaw are moved toward one another in a direction generally perpendicular to the handles of the locking pliers when the locking pliers are toggled into the locked or toggled position. This arrangement provides an adjustable clamp in which the locking pliers extend perpendicular to the direction of clamping action. Although this a useful arrangement in some situations, there are many situations in which the generally perpendicular location of the locking pliers interferes with the work being performed. The present invention discloses a toggle action quick release bar clamp having a specific jaw arrangement for toggle action locking pliers which provides a bar clamp with a clamping action direction that is along the longitudinal axis of the locking pliers handle or parallel with the handle.