Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bonneyman on October 16, 2013, 03:58:36 PM

Title: Age of these Vise-Grips?
Post by: bonneyman on October 16, 2013, 03:58:36 PM

Didn't have one of this style, so, for $3, I bought both pieces.
Then noticed the patent number forged into the jaw. Was issued in 1953, but I doubt these pliers are that old. But they can't be very new, as the newer ones I have don't have  the patent number on the jaws. Anyone care to guess the age of this plier?

Title: Re: Age of these Vise-Grips?
Post by: HeelSpur on October 16, 2013, 05:21:10 PM

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=2641149&typeCode=0

Title: Re: Age of these Vise-Grips?
Post by: mvwcnews on October 16, 2013, 06:38:33 PM

After 1957, when Petersen Mfg. added the "lock release" to the Vise-Grip product line.  Once that was done, the classic Vise-Grip lines from Petersen Mfg. DeWitt, Nebr.  remained pretty static while the 2nd generation of the Petersen family ran the operation.
Regards, Stan Schulz, editor Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter. 

Title: Re: Age of these Vise-Grips?
Post by: rusty on October 16, 2013, 07:42:01 PM

In theory, companies aren't supposed to print "patented" on something after the patent expires , which would be in 1970.
However, it did happen...often...
 

Title: Re: Age of these Vise-Grips?
Post by: bonneyman on October 18, 2013, 12:16:21 PM

Quote from: mvwcnews on October 16, 2013, 06:38:33 PM

After 1957, when Petersen Mfg. added the "lock release" to the Vise-Grip product line.  Once that was done, the classic Vise-Grip lines from Petersen Mfg. DeWitt, Nebr.  remained pretty static while the 2nd generation of the Petersen family ran the operation.
Regards, Stan Schulz, editor Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter.

Great info. Thanks, Stan!