Reversible direction wire twisting pliers

Abstract

A reversible wire twisting plier tool is provided, which includes a pair of plier arms each having a jaw portion and a handle portion and which are pivotally interconnected and movable between an open position and a closed position. Plier rotating means are mounted on one of the handles. The rotating means includes a sleeve and a double spiral shank having a left hand groove and a right hand groove, axially slidably mounted within the sleeve. First and second gears are disposed within the sleeve, one gear being slidably engaged in one of said grooves and the other being slidably engaged in the other groove. A gear actuator is provided which is movable between a first actuated position wherein the actuator engages the first gear and a second actuated position wherein the actuator engages the second gear to selectively impart a clockwise or counterclockwise motion to the shaft depending upon which gear means is engaged. A slider is mounted on the sleeve and connected to the gear actuator. The slider is axially movable between first and second slider positions corresponding to the first and second actuated positions of the gear actuator. Means are also provided to releasably latch the pliers in the closed position and automatically release the pliers from the closed position upon squeezing thereof. Also preferably visible indicia are provided to display the relative rotational direction selected.