US2565144A - Can opener - Google Patents

Description

R. E. M LEAN Aug. 21, 1951 CAN OPENER Filed Feb. 13, 1946 INVE NTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R NEY R. E. M LEAN Aug. 21, 1951 CAN OPENER Filed Feb. 13, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOF Robert E. M Lean ATTORNEY R. E. M LEAN Aug. 21, 1951 CAN OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 INVENTOR Robert E. ll Lean BY v ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1951 R. E. M LEAN 2,565,144

CAN OPENER Filed Feb. 13, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Robefi E. M' L ean ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1951 CAN OPENER Robert E. McLean, Fort Benning, Ga., assignor to John C. Hockery, Kansas City, Mo., as trustee Application February 13, 1946, Serial No. 647,309

15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class of cutlery and pertains particularly to devices for cutting or removing the tops from cans, the present invention being directed especially to can opening devices having a rotary operating handle.

An object of the invention is to provide a can opening device having a single operating handle with means associated therewith whereby a predetermined degree of operation of the single handle will effect the relative movement of a can top penetrating cutter and a driving wheel for the puncturing of the can top and continued movement of the operating handle will then effect turning of the wheel and of the can relative to the cutter, and an especial feature of this novel mechanism residing in improved means for yieldingly maintaining pressure against the can rim whereby to keep such rim and the can driving wheel constantly in the correct driving engagement.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character stated, novel resilient or yieldable means by which it is possible to employ the device to open cans with beads or rims of varying heights and also to assure positive traction for the can driving wheel with the rim of the can and the rotation of such can driving wheel and consequent movement of the can relative to the cutter, with a minimum of effort.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a can opening device of the character stated, a novel thrust means which is initially put into action after placing the can in proper operating position with relation to the cutter, which is of improved condensed construction and which makes possible the puncturing of the end of a can with a minimum of efiort.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character stated, novel escapement mechanisms which provide for the elevation of the thrust means or thrust mecha nisms to prop-er operating position when the single operating handle is rotated in a clockwise di rection a predetermined extent and the release of the thrust mechanisms when the said single operating handle has been rotated to a predetermined extent in a clockwise direction, and for the reengagement of the single operating handle with the thrust mechanisms when such operating handle is rotated counter-clockwise to effect the reverse movement or operation of the thrust mechanism and the release of the can from the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a single handle operated can opening device of relatively simple construction which is economical to manufacture, simple and easy to operate and durable.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the right hand or operating crank side of a can opener constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, portions being broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation of the opener shown in Figure 1.

Figure *3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the left or can side of the opener structure shown in the preceding figures.

Figure 5 is a view in top plan of the opener shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the right or crank side of another embodiment showing a fixed holding handle and a thumb and finger type of operating crank.

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of the left or can side of the opener shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view in top plan of the opener shown in Figures 6 and '7.

Figure 9 is a detail view partly in section, illustrating a slight modification of the thrust means illustrated in section in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a view in top plan of a modification of the knife head which may be employed in the several forms of the invention in substitution for the heads illustrated in connection with such forms.

Figure 11 is a view in front elevation of the head construction shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 illustrates a modified form of the esoapement cam.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line I3-I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view in elevation of the right or crank side of still another embodiment of the opener structure.

Figure 15 is a view in front elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 14.

Figures 16 and 1'7 are respectively top plan and left side elevation views of another form of rest for engagement by the top edge of the can.

Figure 18 is a view in elevation of the left or can side of still another embodiment of the opener illustrating a hand actuated thrust means operated independently of the crank.

Figure 19 is a partial section taken substantially on the line 9-4 3 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 illustrates an embodiment of my opener as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,466,117, dated April 5, 1949, in connection with which the modified head construction shown in the present application in Figures 10 and 11 may be conveniently employed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and especially to the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the numeral it generally designates the body plate of the illustrated can opener, the upper end portion of which plate is angularly disposed as indicated at H and is attached to the correspondingly angled terminal or forward end portion l2 of a supporting bracket arm 12. Such a bracket arm may be mounted in any convenient manner upon a suitable supporting structure and since the manner of mounting the bracket arm forms no part of the present invention no illustration of such mounting is shown.

The plate It is provided on its longitudinal or vertical center, with the elliptical opening it,

such opening being below the angled upper end i l as shown in Figure 3.

Enclosing the lower portion of the body plate I9 is the yoke generally designated I 5, which comprises the right and left side plates l5 and ll respectively and the relatively narrow web I8 which connects the rear portions of these plates together, this web being spaced a substantial dis tance from the back edge of the body plate It? as shown in Figure 1. As is also shown in this figure the top edge of the right side plate it of the yoke curves downwardly and rearwardly toward the top of the web portion is and the opposite or left hand plate I? is similarly formed, the forward part of this top edge, which is designated l9, having a particular function, as hereinafter described, to limit the oscillation of the yoke in one direction and also its movement vertically or longitudinally of the body plate.

Extending through and secured to the two plates It and ll and through the elliptical opening 14 of the body plate is a bearing sleeve 28 which has a flanged head 2! at the end adjacent to the plate ii. The other end of this bearing sleeve extends a substantial distance to the right i beyond the yoke plate It, as illustrated, whereas the head flange 2i bears against the left hand side of the plate ll.

Extending through the bearing sleeve 28 is a crank shaft 22 which carries upon the end adjacent to the bearing sleeve head 2!, the toothed can rim engaging driving wheel 23 while the opposite end is extended beyond the right hand end of the bearing and has fixed thereto one end of a crank arm 2 This crank arm has attached to its lower end, as shown in Figure 2, the knob or handle 25 to be grasped in the hand for the rotation of the crank and, therefore, of the shaft and wheel 22 and 23, respectively.

The yoke plate ll has formed integrally with the lower edge from its forward end through the major portion of the length of such edge, a cam flange which is generally designated 26. This flange has a straight rear end portion 21 which merges with the upwardly and forwardly curving 1 front end portion 28 which is nearer to the horizontal plane of the driving wheel axis than the portion 2? but the portion 2? lies directly beneath the center of the driving wheel as shown in Figure This flange 26 extends straight laterally to the left of the device and in addition to functioning as a cam, in the manner hereinafter described, it also functions, through its contact with the side of a can applied to the opener, to provide a rest for the can and to maintain the can in the proper working position.

Upon the outer or right hand side of the yoke plate It is positioned the escapement trigger generally designated 23. This trigger comprises a substantially triangular plate which is pivotally coupled with the yoke adjacent to the rear end thereof, by the pivot pin or rivet 33 to extend upwardly and forwardly. The Wider end of the eccentric trigger plate 29 is adjacent to the front of the opener and this is provided with the arcuate slot 3| which is struck from the pivotal center of the rivet 3E? and which ha the bearing sleeve 29 and shaft 22 extended therethrough as shown in Figure 3.

Below the slot 3! and at the forward end of the trigger plate is pivotally mounted, upon the pivot rivet 32, the trigger roller 33 v crank 24 has secured thereto, to extend inwardly from its inner side toward the escape- "nent trigger 23, the rivet stud 34 which is coupling of the crank with the yoke, through he escapement trigger whereby to bring about the clockwise rotation of the yoke.

Adjacent to the forward edge of the body plate it there is secured to the right hand side of the body plate, the inclined trigger cam 35, wit; the top surface of which the lower forward corner of the escapement trigger plate 29 is designed to engage, to be lifted by the cam or oscillated on the axis of the rivet 39.

Upon the side of the body plate It adjacent to which the yoke plate I? is located, there is mounted upon the pivot pin or rivet 36, the cam thrust roller 3?. This roller and pivot are located upon the longitudinal center of the body plate or, in other words, upon the same center as the can driving wheel 23 and the roller is adapted to be engaged by the camming flange 23 when the yoke is turned on the axis of the shaft 22, whereby to effect the raising and lowering of the yoke and of the can driving wheel 23.

Connected with the angled upper portion H of the body plate, upon the left side of the opener, or upon the side of the opener adjacent to the can driving wheel 23, is a cutter head which is generally designatedtt. This head includes a box-like frame which is preferably formed from a single piece of material of a width substantially the same as the width of the angled portion II and shaped to provide the outer side 39, the r llel end portions ii), and the inner side teral portions 45 which are in end abutting relation and are positioned against the lower side of the portion H of the body plate. These terminal portions ll of the knife head frame, the top portion Ii of the body plate and the end of the arm i3 are all riveted together by two rivets, one only of which is shown in Figure 2 and designated 32. The central part of the po tion 39 of the head frame is pressed inwardly as indicated at 43 to bring such portion into parallel relation with the part H of the body plat as best seen in Figure 3. This central,

inpressed portion 43 is extended downwardly slightly as best seen in Figure 4 and is provided with an opening 44, which is aligned transversely of the head with openings 45 which pass through the angled portion of the body plate and through the bracket 13. r

The adjacent ends of the portions 4! of the head frame are cut away from the top of the frame to a point below the openingsfid as indicated at 45 and best seen in Figure 3, thus providing a space between the ends of the frame portions 4l' through which may be extended the pivot bolt 41, the head portion 48 of which bolt lies in the opening 44 while the opposite end portion, which is reduced and screw threaded as indicated at 49, projects beyond the back of the bracket arm 13.

As shown in Figure 3 the inner side of the head 48 of the pivot bolt lies within the frame beyond the inner side of the portion 43 and there is rotatably mounted upon the pivot bolt the disc knife or cutter 56 which bears against the inner side of the bolt head 43 and which is provided upon its opposite side with the hub which functions to keep the knife in position against the bolt head.

Upon the outer or right side of the bracket arm l3 there is positioned the arcuate leaf spring 52 which is provided with a suitable threaded aperture for the extension therethrough of the bolt end 49 and threaded upon this end of the bolt is the lock nut 53 which bears against the spring. This spring functions, as will be readily seen, to maintain the bolt 4'! in a predetermined position but yields under the application of thrust against the knife 50 to allow the knife to move away from the can rim engaging and driving wheel 23 where such movement is desirable as, for example, when a thick seam in a can wall is passing between the knife and the driving wheel.

In order to prevent turning movement of the spring 52- there is formed at one end of the spring, the tongue extension 54 and this is engaged in a notch 55 formed in the end of the bracket arm l3, as shown in Figure 1.

At each end of the frame the end portion 40 carries a can rest member which is generally designated 56. Each of these can rests is in the form of a substantially U-shaped yoke which comprises the inner and outer legs 51 and 58 respectively, and the connecting foot portion 59'. Each of the can rest yokes receives between its legs the frame portion 40 as shown in Figure 5 and'a pivot and suspension pin 59 passes through the upper ends of the two legs and through the vertically disposed elliptical slot 60 formed in the adjacent frame portion 40 whereby in addition to slight swinging movement the can rest yoke is permitted limited up and down movement. As will be readily apparent from a study ofFigure 5, the inner leg 51 of each yoke is of slightly less width than the outer leg and the left edge of such inner leg abuts the inner side of the portion 39 of the frame and thus limits the swinging movement outwardly of the yoke.

The lower edge of each frame portion 40 has formed therein the recess GI and disposed in this recess and resting upon the foot portion 59 of the yoke, is a bow spring 62 which is normally under slight tension so as to constantly force the can rest downwardly.

In the use of the embodiment of the present invention as just described, the yoke ['5 will normally be in the extreme counter-clockwise position as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 4,

in which position the opener will be readyfor the reception of a can and the yoke will be malntained in such position through the operation of the crank 24 inasmuch as the rivet stud 34 will be forward of the roller 33. If, however, the parts are not in the stated position, the operating crank 24 may be rotated counterclockwise from the position in which the crank is shown in Figure 1, until such oscillated position of the yoke as shown in dotted outline in Figure 4, is attained.

The can is then placed with its end against the cutter wheel or rotary knife 50 and while it is held in approximately a vertical position the operating crank or handle 24 is turned clockwise. Since, at this time, the rivet 32 will have its axial center below a straight line extended across the axes of the rivet 3i and the stud 34, and the upper end of the elliptical opening 3| of the escapement trigger 29 will be bearing upon the bearing sleeve 28, the yoke l5 will be caused to oscillate with the operating crank or handle 24. However, when the forward and lower corner of the escapement trigger engages the upper surface of the cam 35 and is forced upwardly to a predetermined position, that is, approximately the position in which the parts are illustrated in Figure 1, the axis of the rivet 32 will then be above the extended straight line across the axes of the rivet 33 and the rivet stud 3d. The roller 33 then rolls upwardly over the rivet stud 34 so that the stud passes under the roller andv the roller then drops back with the escapement trigger, to the position in which it is shown in Figure 1 and the yoke will not be rotated further clockwise.

The crank 24 may then be rotated continuously clockwise until the end of the can is out out.

During the clockwise oscillation of the yoke IS, the can driving wheel 23 forces the can upwardly, causing the cutter wheel or knife 56 to puncture the end of the can and clamping the bead or rim of the can between the can driving wheel 23 and the can rest members 56, against the tension of the springs 62. The can will then be maintained against tilting in the device and the can flange will have sufficient downward thrust exerted thereon by the can rest members 56 to assure the traction of can driving wheel 23 with the under side of the flange of the can.

During the stated oscillation of the yoke l5 the cam flange 26 at the lower part of the plate I! of the yoke will ride on the roller 31, elevating the yoke to approximately the position illustrated in full lines in Figures 2 and 4.

After the end has been cut from the can, the crank 24 is turned counter-clockwise until the yoke is in the extreme counter-clockwise position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 thereby returning the parts to the stated starting position.

During such counter-clockwise turning of the crank the axis of the rivet stud 34 will be above the extended straight line across the axes of the rivet 30 and the rivet 32. Accordingly, as the crank is turned counter-clockwise the yoke l5 will be turned also and during such turning movement of the yoke the arcuate or cammed upper edge I9 of the plate I! will be in contact with the overlying under edges of the portion 4| of the head frame, causing the can driving wheel 23 to be moved to its lowest position and releasing the can from the device.

The contour of the curved upper edge of the plate I! of the yoke is such that the yoke fits snugly is between the roller 31 and the lower edge surfaces of the parts H of the frame when the yoke is in any position.

It will be noted upon reference to Figures 3 and 4 that the cam roller 37 is provided with a flange 3?. Friction between the yoke I 5 and the body plate 10 is minimized during the puncturing operation of the can end, by positioning this flange 3'! in vertical alignment with the can driving wheel 23.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the body plate is generally designated l The bottom end of this body plate I0 is formed to provide the upwardly opening receptacle 63 upon the left or can side of the device by extending a portion of the body plate, reduced in width, as indicated at 64 and then turning a part of this extended portion laterally to form the bottom 65 and finally turning the terminal portion of the extension upwardly to form the left side part 66. Inturned side pieces 61, forming integral parts of the extension are located between the upturned portion 66 and the body thus closing the receptacle on all sides except the top.

The numeral l generally designates the yoke which substantially corresponds in design with the yoke I5 in that it comprises the right and left side plates l 6' and I1 and the inter-connecting web portion I8.

The two plates of the yoke carry the bearing sleeve 29 through which is extended the shaft 22 which carries the can driving wheel 23. The body plate H), of course, has an elliptical slot l4v formed therein through which the bearing sleeve and shaft pass thus permitting the up and down movement of these parts during the turning or oscillation of the yoke.

The body plate 10 is straight at its upper end and it has fixed thereto, by the rivets 42, one end of a handle 68. This handle extends across the top of the body plate in the same position as the bracket arm l3 but is designed to be held in the hand instead of being attached to a mounting bracket.

Because of the fact that this second embodiment of the opener is designed to be held in the hand while being used, ther is employed, instead of the crank 24, the thumb and finger crank handle designated 69 and having the form of a long plate which is engaged in the slotted right hand end of the shaft 22 and secured thereto by the rivet 10. At each end of this crank handle, the edge thereof nearest to the body plate, has extending therefrom toward the body plate, an ear ll for co-action with the escapement trigger which is generally designated 29'.

The escapement trigger 29' is in the form of a long plate, one end of which is pivotally coupled by the rivet 30 to the outer side of the yoke plate 16 adjacent to the back end thereof. At its other end this escapement trigger plate has the elliptical opening 3| formed therethrough, through which extends the bearing sleeve and shaft 22. The long axis of this opening 3! is struck from the center of the rivet so that the escapement trigger plate is free to oscillate on the rivet 30' within the limits of the opening Adjacent to its forward end and at the lower edge, the escapement trigger plate 29' has the downward extension 12 and at its lower end this extension has the laterally projecting trip lug 13 with which the ears H are designed to couple during certain periods in the operation of the device.

Adjacent to the lower end and forward edge of the body plate, there is fixed to the right hand side thereof the trigger cam 35 onto the inclined top surface of which the lower end of the extension 12 rides during certain periods in the operation of the opener.

The top edge IQ of the yoke plate 11' functions as a cam to work against the under or bot tom edge of the handle 68 beneath which it lies as shown in Figures '7 and 8.

The lower edge of the plate H is provided with a recess 74 and a portion l5 of the lower edge of the plate ll is turned up, upon the outer side of the plate and partially covers the recess 14 as shown in Figure '7. This portion 15 has a pivot opening formed therein in which is pivotally engaged the right angularly extended journal T! which forms the terminal of a toggle link it. This toggle link at its upper end lies within the recess 74 while its opposite end extends downwardly into the receptacle 63 where it engages in a recess '19 formed in the top of a thrust block 89. This block, as shown in Figure 7, is contained within the receptacle 63 and one side of the recess is is straight or formed verti cally while the opposite side, which is remote from th forward edge of the yoke plate H, is inclined or sloped. Thus when the yoke is rocked to assume substantially the same position as the yoke I5 is shown in broken lines in Figure l, where the can driving wheel 23 will be lowered, one side of the toggle link will engage the forward edge of the recess 14 while the opposit side of the toggle link will engage the inclined side of the recess 19.

The numeral 8! generally designates the knife head frame Which is of similar construction to the frame forming a part of the head 31-3 with the exception that the outer side 82 of the frame is provided with the parallel inset portion 82 which is in close proximity to the side of the can driving wheel 23' and has fixed between its inner side and the can driving wheel, by means of the screws 83, the can head puncturing and cutting knife 84. As shown in Figure '7 the cutting edge of this knife depends below the lower side of the frame 55 and is adapted to penetrate the head of the can when the latter is raised by the driving wheel 23 to the position in which it is shown in this figure.

The frame 8i includes the end portions and the inturned inner side terminal portions 86 which are secured by the rivets 42' to the left hand side of the handle 68.

Each of the end portions 35 has suspended therefrom a can rest yoke 56' which is of the same design or construction as the yoke 56 and each of these yokes is suspended like the yoke 56, by a pin 59 which engages in a vertical elliptical slot, not shown, corresponding to the slot 60 shown in Figure 2.

Each of these yokes 55 is normally pressed down by a spring 62 of the same design and functioning in the same manner as the spring 62.

It is believed that the operation of the structure illustrated in Figures 6, '7 and 8 will be readily apparent as such operation is substantially the same as the operation of the opener shown in Figure 1.

If the yoke I5 is not in the extreme counterclockwise position it may be brought to this position, so that the device may be applied to a can, by turning the crank 69 counter-clockwise which action will bring one of the gears H into engagement with the lug 13 thus turning the yoke counter-clockwise and allowing the shaft 22, the

sleeve 20 and can driving wheel 23' to lower away from the knife 8 1. This action will likewise oscillate the thrust link 18 from the vertical position in which it is shown in Figure 7 to an inclined positionwhere it will be directed from the bottom of the recess 19 toward the rear of the device.

After application of the device to the can so that the can rim bead is engaged upon the top edge of the wheel 23, clockwise turning movement is given to the yoke 15' by turning the crank 69 in a clockwise direction. This action brings one of the ears H into engagement with the lug 13 thereby forcing the yoke I to oscillate and be raised by the swinging of the thrust link 18 to V vertical position. The lower forward corner of the trip plate will, during this action, ride up on the cam 35 and thus raise the lug 13 so as to cause it to escape from engagement with the crank ear H, thus releasing the crank for continued clockwise rotation. .-Figure 9 illustrates a slightly modified thrust means which is of a resilient nature and is designed for use in an opener where the yoke- like can'rests 56 and 55 are not employed. This modified construction includes the use of a leaf spring of bowed or corrugated form as indicated at 86, disposed in the bottom of the receptacle 63 beneath the thrust block 89. The other parts of the construction are the same as shown in Figure '7, the numeral 13 designating the thrust link which bears against the thrust block 80' when the yoke is oscillated in a clockwise direction for the purpose of lifting the can driving wheel 23' relative to the knife.

Figures and 11 are top and end views, re-

spectively, of the upperend portion of an opener constructed with an L-shaped can rest which is generally designated 81. This rest comprises the vertical portion 88 and the horizontal portion 89 and the vertical portion of this rest is secured between the handle 90-and the two end or terminal portions ll of the modified knife supporting head frame 8|. 1

- The horizontal portion 89 of the can rest has an opening 9| therethrough through which the cutter 92 extends. The inner portion 93 of the cutter supporting frame has holes 94 there- ,through through which may be extended the countersunk-rivets 42" by means of which the :i

handle, modified can. rest, head frame and body plate ll! are secured together.

This L-shaped can rest as shown in Figures 10 and 11 is used only when use is made of the resilient thrust block supporting means 85 at the lower end of the .body plate, as shown in Figure 9, or when the cutter is formed sufliciently blunt to provide the necessary traction between the can driving wheel and the under edge of the can flange with which it engages and the can flange is not compressed between the can driving wheel and a can rest.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a modified cam construction of a resilient character. In these figures the numeral 95 designates the lower portion of a body plate which may represent the body plate of any of the different forms of the device here illustrated. This pivoted resilient cam comprises the relatively long plate member which vis generally designated 95' and which adjacent to one end, has the outwardly offset portion 96 through which extends the pivot screw 81. This screwis threaded in the body plate and pivotally maintains the cam in position thereon.

The cam member 95' is disposed at an oblique angle across the longitudinal center of the body plate and, at its upper end, has the'inturned movement limiting tongue 98 which engages in a slot 99 formed in the body plate. By the engagement of this tongue 95 with the ends of the slot as, the oscillatory movement of the cam plate is limited. I

Formed integral with the cam plate at the lower edge thereof and above the oifset portion is the laterally extending cam flange use with which is adapted to engage the lower forward corner of the oscillatable trigger member l0! which is here illustrated as being of'the same design as the trigger member 29. U V

A U-shaped spring [62, of relatively light tension, is inserted between the body 94 and the offset 96 of the cam plate. This spring has one end turned inwardly for engagement in a suitable aperture, not shown, in the body 95, while the other end of the spring is turned outwardly and engaged as at l 33, in an aperture in the cam plate. .As indicatedthe spring I52 passesaround the pivot screw 9'? and the bias of thespring is such as to urge the pivoted cam plate to oscillate clockwise on the pivot screw 91. v

When this pivoted cam is made use of, the tension of the spring H32 will not overcome the friction between the operating handla not shown, but which is coupled with the shaft I94, and the out-turned portion or lug N5 of the escapement trigger it i, during clockwise rotation of the operating handle and the operating handle can be turned clockwise only until the yoke, here designated tilt? and corresponding to the yokes l5 and previously described, arrives at the extreme clockwise position. The pivoted cam will be oscillated counter-clockwise against the relatively light tension of the spring tilt, during such rotation of the operating handle. However, when the operating handle is rotated counter-clockwise sufficiently to free the connection between the handle and the out-turned portion or lug Hi5 of the escapement trigger, the spring I82 will oscillate the pivoted cam 28 to approximately the position illustrated in Figure 12 and the pivoted cam will simultaneously oscillate the escapement trigger it! to approximately the position illustrated in Figure 12, which corresponds to the position of the yoke and escapement trigger illustrated in Figure 6. The operating handle may then be rotated clockwise continuously until the end of the can is out out and subsequent counter-clockwise rotation of the operating handle will oscillate the yoke to extreme counterclockwise position. 7 a

Figures 14 and 15 are right side and front views, respectively, of an alternateconstruction of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive.

The principal differences in this alternate construction are that the roller 33a. is pivoted to the operating arm or crank Z ta and the cooperating stud or pin 35a is secured to the escapement trigger tiia.

11 to the inner ear 5'! of the individual units 56. At each end of the plate I! is the outer ear I I0 which corresponds to the ear -8 of the units 56 and the adjacent ears I09 and I I0 receive between them the end members I I I of the cutter supporting head frame II2, as shown in Figure 15. As shown this can rest is formed preferably of a single piece of material; however, it may be formed of two or more pieces if desired.

The left edge of the plate I01 or floor of the can rest 56a has an upturned portion I01 which is perpendicular to the plate and which functions to re=inforce the plate. The right edge of this plate or floor portion is designed to bear against the adjacent portion of the head of the opener device as shown in Figure 15, to prevent movement of the can rest to the right. The inner portions or ears I09 bear against the adjacent portions of the left side of the knife frame, corresponding to the side 39 of the frame structure shown in Figure 5, to prevent movement of the can rest to the left. The operation of this construction is the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 to 5, inclusive.

In addition to the foregoing the head of the rivet 30a is upon the side of the device toward the can and is pivoted through the two sides of the yoke I5a and the end of the rivet opposite from the head is countersunk and riveted into the escapement trigger 290. so that it is flush with the surface of the trigger. The back edge of the body plate I0a is cut out sufficiently, as indicated at H3 to permit the rivet 30a to be moved to the position illustrated in Figure 14.

The head frame II 2, the upper end of the body plate Illa and the end of the supporting arm I3a, are secured together by the four countersunk rivets I I4 or by any other suitable method. Also, in this modified construction the right hand end of the rivet bolt 41a, is slotted or provided with kerf H5 in order that this bolt may be adjusted from that end.

Figures 18 and 19 illustrate another embodiment of the invention with regard particularly to the head construction and can rest, and the means employed for efiecting the movement of the can driving wheel.

In this embodiment the body plate is generally designated I0" and as shown most clearly in Figure 19 the upper end portion of this body plate is inclined in a manner corresponding to the structure shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, which inclined portion is here designated II". This inclined upper part of the body plate forms a part of the cutter head unit which is generally designated 38" and which includes the outwardly and downwardly inclining top part H6 and the downwardly and inwardly extending terminal portion II! which corresponds in its function to the outer side 39 of the cutter head frame shown in Figures 3 and 5.

The can rest which is here generally designated II8, comprises a separate unit which is inserted into the head between the portions II a d Ill and this unit comprises the back plate H9, the perpendicular top flange portion I20 which is an integral part of the back plate and which lies beneath the top II6 of the head, and the floor plate portion I2I which is perpendicular to the body plate I0" as shown in Figure 19. This floor plate portion of the can rest is provided with the central recess I22 which receives the extended lower portion of the head part II! and thus functions as a guide for this part. The lower portion of the head part III is provided 12 with the opening I23 to receive the head I24 of the arbor or pivot bolt I25 upon which is mounted the rotatable cutter disc I26. This construction, as will be readily apparent, corresponds to the construction shown in Figure 3.

The angled forward end portion of the supporting bracket arm, generally desi nated I26, and to which the head part of the body plate is secured, is provided with the openin I21 to receive the spring member I28, corresponding to the spring 52a shown in Figure 14 and this spring which functions in the same manner as the spring 52a and the spring 52, has the pivot bolt I 25 threaded therethrough and is secured thereto by the lock-nut I29 which is threaded upon the right hand end of the pivot bolt and this spring yields to allow the cutter member I26 to move to the left when the cutter is passing a can seam under the action of the driving wheel I30.

As shown in Figure 19, the back plate H9 of the can rest, is provided, where the pivot'bolt I 25 passes therethrough, with the vertically elongated opening I3I which allows for a limited degree of up and down movement of the can rest. Upward movement of the can rest is, however, resisted by an arcuate leaf spring I32 which is interposed between a top flange portion I20 of the can rest and the top I I 6 of the head.

Turning or oscillating movement of the can rest upon the pivot bolt I25 and also lateral movement of the spring I32 is prevented by the provision of the upstanding ears I33 which form an integral part of the flange I20 and are located at the two ends thereof as shown in Figure 18, to extend up across the adjacent end edges of the portion I I6 of the head structure.

The numeral I51) generally designates a modifled form of the yoke shown in the previously described embodiments, particularly the form of the yoke shown in Figure 4, which is provided with the cam flange and can rest 26. The corresponding flange and rest upon the left hand or can side of the device is here shown and designated 26a. This flange co-acts with the thrust roller 31a to efiect the raising and lowering of the yoke.

The yoke I5b is here shown as being formed by riveting the actuating lever I34 between the left side member of the yoke and a right side member by the rivets I35. The top edge of the right side member of the yoke is of contour similar to that of the left side member of the yoke. In this construction, the top edge of the right side member of the yoke bears against the overlying horizontal under edge of the forward end of the extension arm I26' and co-operates therewith to effect the positive downward movement of the can driving wheel I30, when the yoke is oscillated counter-clockwise, in the same manner as the left side member Il co-operates with the overlying portion of part II in Figure 4 for this purpose. As shown, a portion of the extension arm I26 is offset to permit upward movement of the rearward end of the right side member of the yoke.

Actuation of the yoke I5bis effected by means of the lever I34 which at one end is secured by rivets I35 to angular rearward extensions I36 forming parts of the sides of the yoke. At its free upper end the lever I34 is rolled to provide the sleeve I3! in which is mounted a pin I38 which carries upon its upper end the knob I39. The top surface of this knob is cupped slightly so that when it is pressed against the palm of 13 the hand a firm grip can be maintained thereon to effect the desired oscillation of the yoke.

Backward swinging movement of the yoke actuating lever I34 is limited by the stop I45) which is secured to the adjacent side of the bracket arm The action of the can rest in this embodiment of the invention will, it is believed, be entirely apparent and also it will be readily seen that the raising and lowering of the candriving wheel 139 is effected independently of the turning of the wheel operating crank, through the medium of the lever I35. When such lever is swung forwardly to the broken line position shown in Figure 18, the flange Zlia will shift on the thrust wheel 37a so as to lower the yoke at the same time that the yoke is turned, thereby lowering the can driving wheel away from the cutter. After the can has been placed in position in the obvious manner, the head of the can is first out or punctured by forcing the lever use backwardly against the stop MO thereby raising the can and forcing it against the edge of the cutter wheel I25 so as to cause the cutter to penetrate the can top. Rotary motion is then imparted to the driving wheel I30 in the obvious manner to effect the cutting out of the can top.

As the can is raised the top edge of the bead will contact the floor plate l2i of the can rest so that, through the downward pressure of this plate under the action of the spring 132, a firm bearing will be maintained between the under edge of the can flange and the toothed edge of the driving wheel 13D.

Figure 20 illustrates a method of using or an application of the head construction illustrated in Figures and 11, either with or without the L-shaped can rest 81, with the particular form of opener here shown being specifically described and illustrated in my co-pending application Serial No. 573,822, filed January 22, 1945, as hereinbefore stated. In thisfigure the numeral Qiia designates the fixed one of two handles which are connected with the body plate I00,

the other handle being designated 90b and having oscillatory motion on the rivet l4l, which is carried by the body plate, to effect the up and down movement of the can driving wheel, not shown, and parts directly connected therewith.

The handle 90a corresponds to the handle 90 of Figures 10 and 11 or the handle 68 of Figures 6, to 8, inclusive, and the knife carrying head, not shown, and the can rest, not shown, are secured to the handle 90a and to the body plate by the rivets 42. r

The top edge of the body plate is formed to provide the bottle cap remover I42.

It is to be understood that any of the various types of thrust mechanism shown in the present application and in my co-pending applications and patents may be employed with any illustrated and described head structure. Also, it is to be understood, that either the crank handle, such as that shown in Figure 1, or the thumb and finger operating handle may be employed with any illustrated and described thrust mechanism or head.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been disclosed in the present application a can opener structure in several modified forms, which is designed to operate with a minimum of effort to effect the puncturing of the end of the can and for holding the can in the device as the end is being cut from the can, the said thrust 14 mechanism being of simplified condensed construction.

There is also disclosed in the present application an opener structure having novel improve ments in the escapement mechanisms whereby such mechanisms operate with a minimum of effort to effect a disconnection between the operating handle and the thrust mechanism at a predetermined position after the can end has been punctured and the can secured in the device for the continued cutting out of the end thereof. Such escapement mechanisms provide positive engagement of the operating handle with the thrust mechanism when the operating handle is reversely rotated to effect the release of the can from the device and prepare the device for reception of the next can.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of novel improvement in the head construction which provides for a strong and durable structure having necessary resiliency both laterally and vertically to permit the can to be positively but easily rotated in the device to effect the cutting out of the can end.

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a body plate, a frarne-like head portion secured to one side of the body plate at an end thereof, said frame having an outer side wall and end walls, a cutter supported within the frame and having a cutting edge projecting below the side and end walls, a rotatable can rim engaging wheel supported on the body for movement relative to the cutter, means for rotating the wheel, means for effecting the desired movement of the wheel relative to the cutter, and a can rim contacting rest mem oer separate from and supported by the frame for limited up and down rectilinear movement and having contact surfaces disposed relative to the cutter to be engaged by the top edge of a can rim when the cutter has penetrated the head of the can, to provide a flat bearing surface for the rim forwardly and rearwardly of the cutter during the turning of the can by the wheel.

2. A can opener as set forth in claim 1, with resilient means interposed between the head and the rest member and urging movement of the rest toward the wheel.

3. A can opener, comprising a body plate having a head end, an open frame unit supported upon the plate at one side of the head end, a cutter supported within the frame and having a cutting edge extending downwardly beyond one open side of the frame, the frame having opposite end wall portions, a rotatable can rim engaging wheel supported on the body plate below the head portion for movement lengthwise of the body plate relative to the cutter, means for effecting the rotation of the wheel, means for forcibly moving the wheel toward the cutting edge of the cutter and for retracting the wheel therefrom, a can rim engaging rest supported by the frame and including upstanding ears each pivotally attached to an end wall ofthe frame and supporting the rest means for limited movement toward and away from the periphery of the wheel, and yieldable means interposed between the rest means and the frame and constantly urging movement of the rest means toward the periphery of the wheel.

4. A can opener of the character stated in claim 3, in which said rest means comprises two substantially U-shaped units the sides of which constitute said ears, each end wall being received between the sides of a unit, and the said re- 15 silient means comprising a bowed leaf spring interposed between the lower edge of each end wall of the frame and the adjacent underlying portion of the rest unit.

5. A can opener of the character stated in claim 3, in which the can rest means comprises a rectangular plate disposed beneath the frame and having a central opening through which the cutter projects, the said upstanding ears being formed integral with the ends of the plate and the said resilient means comprises a bowed leaf spring interposed between the lower edge of each end wall of the frame and the underlying part of said rectangular plate.

6. A can opener, comprising a body plate having a head portion, a substantially rectangular frame disposed across one side of the head portion of the plate and secured thereto, said frame having end portions disposed adjacent to the forward and rear edges of the body plate, a can head penetrating cutter supported within the frame and having a cutting edge projecting from and below the frame, a can rim engaging driving wheel supported by the plate for rotary movement, means for rotating the wheel, said wheel being adapted for movement toward and away from the cutting edge of the cutter, means ineluding an oscillatable plate for forcibly moving the wheel toward the cutter and for effecting the retraction of the wheel therefrom, yieldable rest means carried by the frame in spaced relation with the periphery of the wheel and adapted to have the top edge of the can rim pressed thereagainst by the thrust movement of the wheel,

and means forming a part of the stated means for forcibly moving the wheel, comprising a rest for contact with a side of a can upon the opposite side of the wheel from the rim engaging rest.

'7. A can opener of the character stated comprising a body plate having a head end, a cutter supported upon the head end of the body plate, a rotatable can rim engaging wheel, an oscillatable unit supporting said wheel and supported upon the bod plate for combined rocking movement and movement lengthwise of the plate to effect the movement of the wheel relative to the cutter, means for rotating the wheel, means for effecting the rocking of the wheel supporting means, and means for imparting a positive thrust movement to the wheel supporting means upon the rocking of the latter, to move the wheel toward the cutter, comprising a laterally projecting cam flange forming a part of the wheel supporting rocking means and a roller carried by the body plate and having said cam flange positioned to bear upon the periphery thereof.

8. A can opener structure as set forth in claim '1, wherein the said cam flange projects beyond the side face of the can rim engaging driving wheel which is adjacent to the side of a can to which the opener is applied, to form a rest against which the side of the can bears.

9. A can opener of the character stated comprising a body plate having a head portion, a cutter carried by the head portion at one side of the body plate, a yoke enclosing the plate below the head portion, the plate between the enclosing parts of the yoke having a longitudinal slot therein, a shaft extending through the slot and rotatably supported by the opposite parts of the yoke, a driving wheel carried upon the shaft upon the said one side of the body plate for co-action with the cutter, means carried upon the other end of the shaft for facilitating imparting rotary motion to the shaft, a thrust means forming an operative coupling between the body plate and the yoke by which upon oscillation of the yoke in one direction the yoke, shaft and wheel will be moved toward the cutter and upon opposite oscillation of the yoke, the yoke, shaft and wheel will be moved away from the cutter, a trigger member disposed upon the side of the yoke adjacent to said rotary motion imparting means and comprising a plate substantially paralleling the adjacent side of the yoke and pivotally attached to the yoke for oscillation in a plane paralleling the yoke and body plate, an outwardly projecting stop member carried by the trigger plate, means carried by the rotary motion imparting means for engaging said stop upon clockwise rotation of the rotary motion imparting means to effect simultaneous turning of the latter and the yoke, and a fiat camming member carried by the body plate and projecting laterally therefrom across the plane of the trigger plate, said cam member having a camming surface extending oblique to the length of the body plate for engagement by an edge of the trigger plate to effect the oscillation of the cam plate and the disengagement of said stop from the said means engaging therewith.

10. A can opener of the character stated in claim 9, wherein the pivot point for the trigger plate is upon the opposite side of a vertical plane passing through the center of rotation for the rotary motion imparting means from the cam member and stop member when the yoke and trigger plate are in starting position.

11. A can opener structure of the character stated in claim 9, wherein the stop carried by the trigger plate and the means engaging therewith and carried by the rotary motion imparting means are in the form of a roller and pin, the trigger plate carried stop member being shifted by engagement of the trigger plate with the cam member to a position inside the circle of movement of the means engaging therewith and carried by the rotary motion imparting means whereby to effect the stated disengagement of the rotary motion imparting means from the trigger plate.

12. A can opener of the character described comprising a body plate designed to be vertically disposed for use, the body plate having an elliptical slot therein extending longitudinally thereof, a yoke member having two spaced side portions and having the body plate disposed between such portions, a shaft rotatably supported by and extending through the yoke plate side portions and through said slot, crank means upon one end of the shaft for facilitating rotation of the shaft, a can rim engaging driving wheel secured to the other end of the shaft, said yoke being oscillatable on the axis of the shaft, means forming an operative coupling between the yoke and the body plate for effecting the shifting of the yoke and the shaft to a limited extent longitudinally of the plate upon oscillation of the yoke in one direction and effecting retraction of the shaft in the opposite direction upon opposite oscillation of the yoke, means for establishing a releasable coupling between the crank means and the yoke functioning to oscillate the yoke upon rotation of the crank means clockwise and to release the connection between the yoke and the crank means upon a predetermined extent of oscillation of the yoke, a substantially rectangular frame disposed across the top end of the body plate upon the side thereof adjacent to said wheel, said frame having two inner terminal portions secured to the body plate and an outer side portion spaced from and extending across the width of the body plate, and a.

can top penetrating and cutting knife secured to the said outer portion of the frame and extendin downwardly from the lower edge thereof in a plane paralleling and passing the side of the wheel remote from the body plate, said frame being of a resilient character permitting relative movement of the knife and the wheel.

13. A can opener, comprising a body plate having a head end, an open head frame unit having an inner side portion secured to one side of the body plate at the head end, a cutter supported within the frame and having a cutting edge extending downwardly beyond one open side of the frame, the frame having opposite end wall portions, a camming plate upon the said one side of the body plate, a rotatable can rim engaging wheel mounted on the camming plate, means coupling the camming plate and wheel with the body plate for support by and for up and down and turning movement relative to the body plate, means for effecting rotation of the wheel, means for applying camming thrust to said camming plate upon turning of the latter in one direction to forcibly move the wheel toward the cutting edge of the cutter, the camming plate upon turning in the opposite direction engaging the said inner side portion of the head frame for downward thrust and retraction of the wheel from the cutter, a can rim engaging rest supported by the frame and including ears pivotally attached to the 18 end walls of the frame and supporting the rest for limited movement toward and away from the periphery of said wheel, and yieldable means interposed between the rest and the frame and constantly urging movement of the rest toward the periphery of the wheel.

14. A can opener of the character stated in claim 7, wherein said means for effecting the desired movement of the wheel relative to the cutter includes an oscillatable element and means for exerting a thrust force thereby against a fixed part of the body portion.

15. A can opener as set forth in claim 14, with a yieldable element interposed between the thrust effecting means and the said fixed part of the body portion ROBERT E. McLEAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Mueller Oct. 31, 1944

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