GB2252897A

GB2252897A - Variable fulcrum mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2252897A
Application number: GB9113842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Edward Parry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-21
Filing date: 1991-06-27
Publication date: 1992-08-26
Also published as: GB2252896A; GB9113842D0; GB9103675D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable fulcrum mechanism (with or without limited travel inhibitor) which may be incorporated into eg. gripping tools or nutcrackers. The mechanism allows an object to be gripped in one operation without the need for any adjustment as illustrated in the attached drawings, the mechanism automatically adjusting to the optimum position. <IMAGE>

Description

2- -7 1, 7, 7'.' VARIABLE FULCRUM MECRANISM (With or without limited

travel inhibitor) This invention relates to a variable fulcrum mechanism which can be used anywhere a gripping action with automatic adjustment to the optimum position is required. A limited travel inhibitor can, if required, be incorporated to stop the action at a predetermined position. For the purpose of example the mechanism without the limited travel inhibitor is shown incorporated into a pair of grips. A further example shows the mechanism with limited travel inhibitor, incorporated into a pair of nutcrackers.

With conventional gripping tools a "trial and error" operation has to be carried out to obtain the optimum position. This can be extremely inconvenient, time consuming and irritating especially where the object being worked upon is in an awkward place. With a gripping tool which has the variable,fulcrum mechanism without limited travel inhibitor incorporated into it however,the optimum position is achieved automtically just by squeezing the arms together.

In the same way a pair of nutcrackers with the variable fulcrum mechanism with limited travel inhibitor incorporated into it will crush the shell of a nut but the limited travel inhibitor will then stop the appliance from crushing the nut further, thus increasing the chances of the kernal being extricated in one piece.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1/10 shows the mechanism without the limited travel inhibitor at the start position incorporated into a pair of grips, with the object to be gripped in position. Figure 2110 shows a sectionalized version of the mechanism in the start position. Figure 3110 shows in section the mechanism at the point when the leading edge of the triangular/cam shape engages into the toothed surface. Figure 4110 shows in sectgn the final position of the mechanism. Figure 5/10 shows the mechanism in the final position incorporated into a pair of grips, with the object to be gripped in position.

Figure 6110 shows the mechanism with the limited travel inhibitor incorporated into a pair of nutcrackers in the start position, with a nut in place. Figure 7110 shows a sectionalized version of the mechanism in the start position. Figure 8110 shows in section the mechanism at the point when the leading edge of the triangular/cam shape engages into the toothed surface. Figure 9110 shows in section the point where the limited travel inhibitor comes into contact with the smooth surface,this being the final position. Figure 10/10 shows the mechanism in the final position with the limited travel inhibitor in contact with the smooth surface incorporated into a pair of nutcrackers, with the shell of the nut cracked but stopping short of crushing the kernal.

Refering to the drawings 1110 to 5110 inclusive it will be shown that by placing the jaws of these grips with variable fulcrum mechanism without limited travel inhibitor over the object to be gripped 1, the object becomes the fulcrum at 2. Because of the position of the free arm 3 against the object, the tendency of the triangular/cam shape 4 in the mechanism is to- be pressed down, putting cam face 5 against the smooth lower face and move sideways in the direction of arrow 6. This sideways movement rotates the triangular/cam shaped 4. Because the distance between the highest point of the cam lobe 5 and the leading edge 7 is greater than the distance between the smooth lower face and the highest point of the toothed upper surface 8, the leading edge 7 slots into teeth 8.

At this stage the fulcrum transfers from the object at 2 to the leading edge of the triangular/cam shape at 7. Because the highest point of the cam lobe 5 is a radius from the leading edge 7 a further movement is allowed to obtain the optimum position, with the jaws of the grips square and the arms in ideal position. /Our The added advantage of the variable fulcrum mechanism with limited travel inhibitor is that regardless of the size of the object being gripped the mechanism always automatically adjusts to the optimum position.

Refering to the drawings 6/10 to 10110 inclusive it will be shown that by placing a nut 1 in these crackers with variable fulcrum mechanism with limited travel inhibitor in the normal way, the nut becomes the fulcrum at 2. Because of the position of the free arm 3 against the nut, the tendency of the triangular/cam shape 4 in the mechanism is to lift, putting cam face 5 against the smooth uppersurface of the body and move sideways in the direction of arrow 6. This sideways movements rotates the triangular/cam shaped 4. Because the distance between 5 and 7 is greater than between the upper surface of the body and the highest point of the teeth 8 on the lower surface of the body. The leading edge 7 slots into the teeth 8. At this stage the fulcrum transfers from the nut at 2 to the leading edge of the triangular/cam shaped at 7 putting pressure on the nut in the same way as conventional nutcrackers. This pressure breaks the nutshell but is stopped from crushing the nut when he limited travel inhibitor 9 comes into contact with the smooth upper surface of the body. The added advantage of the variable fulcrum mechanism with limited travel inhibitor is that regardless of the size of nut, the mechanism automatically adjusts itself to facilitate it always finishing in the optimum position.

Claims

1 The variable fulcrum mechanism with or without limited travel inhibitor will allow any object to be gripped without further adjustment.

2 The variable fulcrum mechanism with or without limited travel inhibitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism will automatically adjust to facilitate any sized object to be gripped.

3 The variable fulcrum mechanism with or without limited travel inhibitor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mechanism will finish in the optimum position.

4 The variable fulcrum mechanism with limited travel inhibitor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the mechanism can stop further action at a predetermined position.

A variable fulcrum mechanism with or without limited travel inhibitor substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1/10 to 5110 inclusive and 6/10 to 10110 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.

1.