Jaw grip force adjustment system for offset and 90 degree pulling heads

Abstract

The invention provides a pulling head, a jaw gripping assembly, and an adjustment assembly. The pulling head has a frame having first and second ends with the first end being configured to receive a stem of a fastener therein. The jaw gripping assembly is generally positioned within the frame. The adjustment assembly is operatively associated with at least one of the frame and the jaw gripping assembly. Manipulation of the adjustment assembly in a first manner moves the jaw gripping assembly closer to the first end of the frame in order to minimize an amount of jaw grip force generated by the jaw gripping assembly, while manipulation of the adjustment assembly in a second manner moves the jaw gripping assembly distal to the first end of the frame in order to maximize an amount of jaw grip force generated by the jaw gripping assembly.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination comprising:
 a pulling head having a frame having first and second ends and a jaw gripping assembly which is generally positioned within said frame; said first end of said frame being configured to receive a stem of a fastener therein; and   an adjustment assembly which is operatively associated with at least one of said frame and said jaw gripping assembly, said adjustment assembly being configured to be manipulated in a first manner in order to move said jaw gripping assembly closer to said first end of said frame in order to minimize an amount of jaw grip force generated by said jaw gripping assembly, said adjustment assembly being configured to be manipulated in a second manner in order to move said jaw gripping assembly distal to said first end of said frame in order to maximize an amount of jaw grip force generated by said jaw gripping assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A method of adjusting a jaw gripping force of a pulling head, said method comprising:
 a) providing a power tool having a piston and a head;   b) providing a pulling head having a frame having first and second ends and a jaw gripping assembly which is generally positioned within said frame; said first end of said frame being configured to receive a stem of a fastener therein, said piston of said power tool being operatively associated with said jaw gripping assembly of said pulling head; and   c) providing an adjustment assembly which is operatively associated with at least one of said frame and said jaw gripping assembly;   d) manipulating said adjustment assembly in a first manner to move said jaw gripping assembly closer to said first end of said frame in order to minimize an amount of jaw grip force generated by said jaw gripping assembly; and   e) manipulating said adjustment assembly in a second manner to move said jaw gripping assembly distal to said first end of said frame in order to maximize an amount of jaw grip force generated by said jaw gripping assembly.