Alligator Wrench/Pliers

[shopdweller]

I came upon this tool and have been unable to find another even remotely similar. Does anyone have a clue who made this and is there a record of a patent? There are 2 patent dates stamped on the inside of the handle; Oct. 26, 19?? and May 16, 19??. Unfortunately the year is unreadable.

Thanks for any help!

[Papaw]

Looks like another set of "pulling" pliers. For wire or cable.

[shopdweller]

Can't be that, the jaws don't close. There is only about 1/4" movement

[Papaw]

Does that oval shaped piece move? Maybe it slips out of the way? Doesn't seem right for the pliers to have that much opening and not close at least to near all the way closed.
Google Image search revealed nothing.

[shopdweller]

Thats the way they are designed, to just have a little adjustment. Like a version of an adjustable alligator wrench. Thats what makes them unique. Heres a pic of the other side.
Thanks for the replies...

[Papaw]

Here is one that is close- And the inventor said this model was a nutcracker!

The object of. this invention is to provide a pivoted jaw tool having a new mechanical movement for obtaining a great advantage in leverage, which movement will be very simple and positive in its action thus rendering the tool applicable for various uses such, for instance, as a nut cracker, pincers, wrench, punch, and shears or other cutting tools.

The invention furthermore consists in a pivoted jaw tool comprising a jaw and its handle fixed relative to each other and a 20 second jaw and handle movable relative to =each other, the movable handle being pivoted to the fixed handle.

In the accompanying drawings the tool is shown as a nut cracker.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=938334&id=45174



I found only 43 patents listed on Oct 26, 19?? . And also 43 on May 16, 19??, and none of them were pliers or alligator wrenches.

[shopdweller]

Wow! I'm very impressed and grateful for your efforts.

So now we have 2 complete patent dates; Oct. 26, 1909 and May 16, 1911 and the inventor Mr. George H. Powell has emerged from the shadows.

Looks like the second patent is for the concave jaw design which will work work perfectly on those chestnuts.... if I ever get around to roasting them...

This is a great forum and you are a genius!

Thank You!!
Bruce

[shopdweller]

The other Patent

[Papaw]

No genius here, just diligent in searching. I have an affinity for alligator wrenches and was intrigued.

[turnnut]

note;  if you want to pull up the patent for the newer designed plier # 41385

you will have to put it in as D41385  as it was patented as a new design for his existing pliers.
I think it was around 1911

without the D,   you will come up with something in the 1800's

Frank

[mvwcnews]

Russ Allen has both patents in DATAMP;  the notes in those DATAMP entries cross-reference each other with "clickable links."

[Chillylulu]

It really was a nutcracker!

Wow

Chilly

[J.Musgrove]

I would've agreed with papaw never thought those would be for nutcracking nice looking pliers