a gripping apparatus for gripping elongated workpieces comprises a housing , carrying two pivotable gripping jaws which are movable between opened and closed positions , as well as a guiding body , in which the housing is displaceably supported . a rod having a control element which is located between both gripping jaws and is displaceable between a position retracted into the gripping jaws and so as to spread them apart , and an opposite position , where the gripping jaws are converged . the control element engages the housing and , during a further movement in the retraction direction moves the housing .