Gripping tool

1. A gripping tool comprising:

a pair of handles;

a resilient element integrally formed with and connecting the pair of handles; and

an opening defined on at least one of the pair of handles or the resilient element, the opening adapted to receive a pin to be gripped, the pin defining a longitudinal axis;

wherein one of the handles of the pair of handles comprises a jaw formed in an end of one of the handles of the pair of handles adjacent the resilient element, the jaw comprising a recess shaped to receive the pin closely, the jaw being adapted to engage a head of the pin and grip the pin against at least one of the other handle of the pair of handles or the resilient member and provide a gripping force between the jaw and the resilient element in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin.

2. The gripping tool of claim 1 wherein at least one of the jaw or a portion of the other handle of the pair of handles are shaped to engage a particular formation on the pin.

3. A method of gripping an article having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

providing a tool having a pair of handles integrally formed with and connected by a resilient element, the pair of handles each defining respective jaws;

locating a portion of the article through a recess defining a mouth on at least one of the handles or the resilient element, wherein locating a portion of the article includes locating a head of a nail through the recess; and

actuating at least one of the pair of handles whereby the portion of the article is forced by one of the jaws into one of the mouth or the other handle in a secure position and a gripping force is applied between one of the jaws and the mouth in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. A gripping tool comprising:

a pair of handles defining a pair of gripping portions on respective first ends and a pair of jaws on respective second ends;

a resilient element integrally formed with and connecting the pair of handles proximate the respective pair of jaws; and

a recess defining a mouth on at least one of the pair of handles or the resilient element, the recess adapted to receive an article to be gripped;

wherein the tool is adapted to selectively retain a first article in a first position and a second article in a second position, said tool applying a gripping force in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first article between one of jaws of the pair of jaws and the mouth in the first position and a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second article between the pair of jaws in the second position.

5. The gripping tool of claim 4 wherein the recess is defined through the resilient element and one of the handles.

6. The gripping tool of claim 5 wherein one of the jaws defines a groove for accepting the other of the jaws in the first and second position.

7. The gripping tool of claim 6 wherein the recess defines a bottom portion wider than the mouth and wherein a head of the first article is adapted to pass through the bottom portion of the recess.

8. A method of gripping an article having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

providing a tool having a pair of handles integrally formed with, and connected by a resilient element, the pair of handles each defining respective jaws;

locating a shaft of a drill through a recess defining a mouth on at least one of the handles or the resilient element; and

actuating at least one of the pair of handles whereby the shaft of the drill is forced by one of the jaws into one of the mouth or the other handle in a secure position and a gripping force is applied between one of the jaws and the mouth in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

9. A gripping tool comprising:

a pair of handles;

a resilient element integrally formed with and connecting the pair of handles; and

an opening defined on at least one of the pair of handles or the resilient element, the opening adapted to receive a drill to be gripped, the drill defining a longitudinal axis;

wherein one of the handles of the pair of handles comprises a jaw formed in an end of one of the handles of the pair of handles adjacent the resilient element, the jaw comprising a recess shaped to receive the drill closely, wherein the jaw and a portion of the other handle of the pair of handles are adapted to grip a shaft of the drill therebetween creating a gripping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill.

10. The gripping tool of claim 9 wherein at least one of the jaw or a portion of the other handle of the pair of handles are shaped to engage a particular formation on the drill.

11. A method of gripping an article having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

providing a tool having a pair of handles integrally formed with and connected by a resilient element, the pair of handles each defining respective jaws;

locating a portion of the article through a recess defining a mouth on at least one of the handles or the resilient element, wherein locating a portion of the article includes locating a shaft of a drill through the recess; and

actuating at least one of the pair of handles whereby the portion of the article is forced by one of the jaws into one of the mouth or the other handle in a secure position and a gripping force is applied between one of the jaws and the mouth in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein actuating at least one of the pair of handles includes applying a gripping force between the one of the jaws and the other handle, the gripping force being applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill.