Grip-it chain (not strap) wrench

[tool_scrounge]

I suspect this came out of my Dad's garage. It is a Grip-it C-8 chain wrench. Looking at the patents, it was invented by Jonathan L Laird Jr. of Pennsylvania. His first chain wrench patent (3,288,001) was in 1966. This wrench is described in his 1977 patent (4,138,901). In the same year he also patented a strap wrench (4,145,938 - now corrected).
Laird died in 1989. Presuming he was born around the same date of his wife 1925, he passed on at age 64.

When wrench body is 8" long and the ~2" diameter jar is about it's max capacity. It seems to work well and have a nice hand feel.

I see that there was a 12" version called the C-12 as shown in the photo below.

Klein still sells strap wrenches with the "Grip-it" name. Klein trademarked the "grip-in" name in 1978. Attached is a photo of one of those wrenches. It has the same handle profile of the chain wrenches. So I have to presume it is Laird's design and all of them were produced by Klein.

Does anyone know any further history on the "grip-it" wrench and its inventor?

 

[four.cycle]

Grip-It / Grip-It / patent 3288001 Nov 29 1966 & 4138910 Feb 13 1979 Johathan L. Laird Jr. of Parkesburg, PA / chain wrench /

On the second patent (4138910) Laird references an earlier patent (1860012 May 24 1932 L.T. Carpenter)

patent 4145398 was issued to one Ludolf Plass of Germany for a process by which bauxite is processed. Check the number again please.

No idea what (if any) relationship may have existed between Laird and Klein. The correct patent number or date might help.

I've sent an inquiry out. May be a while before we hear back - holidays and all.

BK
Tm 180402 Jonathan L. Laird Jr. Parkesburg PA Jul 31 1978 "Grip-It" chain wrench

 

[tool_scrounge]

Sorry, the correct patent number is

US 4145938 issued Mar. 27, 1979​

I'll correct it above.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Interesting that Klein let the "Grip-it" trademark for strap and chain wrenches lapsed October 2021

GRIP-IT Trademark - Registration Number 1133007 - Serial Number 73180402 :: Justia Trademarks

CHAIN AND STRAP WRENCHES

trademarks.justia.com

 

[Zrxrunner]

I know thats about the time our klein tools distribution center closed down in town here. Wondering if there were a few things like this they might have been pinching pennys dropping?

 

[woody 73]

OP thank you very much for your write-up very interesting, good job.

 

[four.cycle]

Grip-It / Grip-It Corp., Box 130, 3612 Old Philadelphia Pike, ***********, PA 17534 / patent 3288001 Nov 29 1966 & 4138910 Feb 13 1979 & 4145938 Mar 27 1979 Johathan L. Laird Jr. of Parkesburg, PA / chain wrench, strap wrench / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/grip-it-chain-not-strap-wrench.491172/ /


July 1979 Popular Mechanics Grip-It Chain Wrench ad

Thanks Stan!