1) American invention 
Locking pliers, Mole grips (Mole wrench) or Vise-Grips are pliers that can be locked into position, using an over-center action. One side of the handle includes a bolt that is used to adjust the spacing of the jaws, the other side of the handle (especially in larger models) often includes a lever to push the two sides of the handles apart to unloc...
Pliers that clamp firmly onto objects in the way that a vise does. Locking pliers, also known as vise-grip pliers, have a knob at the end of one of the handles which controls the width and tension of the jaws. A simple procedure is used to operate the pliers. The jaws are placed on the object to b...
[n] - pliers that can be locked in place
noun pliers that can be locked in place
pliers whose jaws are connected at a sliding pivot, permitting them to be temporarily locked in a fixed position for ease in grasping and turning nuts. See illus. under