GB2352435A

GB2352435A - Cutter wheel type can opener with ratchet mechanism.

Info

Publication number: GB2352435A
Application number: GB9917864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Teng-Tang Kuo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-29
Filing date: 1999-07-29
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Also published as: GB9917864D0; DE29913467U1

Abstract

A can opener of the cutter wheel 21 and gear wheel 11 type has a ratchet mechanism (31, 35, Fig. 4) and an associated lever 3 for rotating the gear wheel. The lever is pivoted to one of two handles 1,2 and may carry a stop plate (35, Fig. 4) with a toothed portion which meshes with a ratchet wheel (31, Fig 5), the stop plate being retained in engagement with the ratchet wheel by a spring (36, Fig 4). The two handles are preferably shaped at their front ends and one may carry a raised portion (24, Fig.4) for limiting relative movement of the other handle. An integral bottle cap opener 25 may be provided and the ratchet and gear wheel may be connected by a flat rivet (131, Fig 4).

Description

2352435 CUTTER WHEEL TYPE CAN OPENER The present invention relates to a

can opener, and more particularly to a cutter wheel type can opener.

A conventional can opener, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a handle 10 having a can plercer 101 at one end and a bottle cap opener 102 at an opposite end. When operating this structure of can opener to open the lid of a can 20, must effort shall be employed to the can piercer 101 through the handle 10.

Figure 2 shows a cutter wheel type can opener according to the prior art. This structure of cutter wheel type can opener comprises a two handlebars 301,302, a drive wheel (not shown) mounted on the first handlebar 301, a driven wheel 40 mounted on the second handlebar 302 and meshed with the drive wheel, a cutter wheel 50 fixedly connected to the wheel shaft of the driven wheel 40, and a rotary knob 60 mounted on the first handlebar 301 for operation by hand to turn the drive wheel. Because the rotary knob 60 has a limited size, turning the rotary knob 60 with the fingers causes the fingers to ache quickly.

The present invention has been accomplished to provide a cutter wheel type can opener which eliminates the aforesaid problems. According to the present invention, the cutter wheel type can opener comprises a first handlebar having a curved front I end, a second handlebar pivoted to the first handlebar by pivot means, the second handlebar having a curved front end reversed to the curved front end of the first handlebar, a cutter wheel mounted on the curved front end of the second handlebar at one side, the cutter wheel having an annular groove around the periphery of a wheel shaft thereof, a gear mounted on the curved front end of the first handlebar at one side and enaaaed into the annular groove at the cutter wheel, a lever pivoted to the second handlebar, the lever having a curved front end, a ratchet wheel mounted on the curved front and of the lever and coupled to the gear for synchronous rotary motion, and an eg. spring retained stop plate coupled to the lever, the stop plate having a toothed portion meshed with the ratchet wheel to limit rotary motion of the ratchet wheel in one direction.

When the lever is continuously turned up and down relative to the handlebars, the cutter wheel is continuously turned in one direction to cut open the lid of a can.

The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be further understood by the following detailed description and drawings of an exemplary embodiment, in which:

Fiaure I illustrates the use of a simple can opener according to the prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates the use of a cutter wheel type can opener according to the prior art.

2 Figure 3) is a perspective view of a cutter wheel type can opener according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded view, of the cutter wheel type can opener shown in Figure 3).

Figure 5 is a front view of the cutter wheel type can opener shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a top view of the cutter wheel type can opener shown in Figure 3).

Fiaure 7 is a rear side view of the cutter wheel type can opener shown in Figure 3).

Figure 8 is a front end view of the cutter wheel type can opener shown in Figure 3).

Figure 9 is an applied view of the present invention, showing the cutter wheel type can opener operated, the lid of the can opened.

Referring to Figures 3) and 4, a cutter wheel type can opener in accordance.with the present invention is generally comprised of a first handlebar 1, a second handlebar 2, a lever 3, a gear 11 coupled to the first handlebar 1 at one end, a cutter wheel 21 coupled to the second handlebar 2 at one end, and a ratchet wheel 31 coupled to the lever 3 at one end.

The first handlebar I comprises a mounting hole 12 at its curved front end in which one end of a connector 13 is installed to 3 hold the gear 11, and a pivot hole 14 pivoted to the second handlebar 2 by a bushing 15, a male rivet element 151 and a female rivet element 152.

The second handlebar 2 is pivoted to the first handlebar 1, and operated to make a scissors action with the first handlebar 1, having a mounting hole 22 near its front end, a raised stop portion 24, and a bottle cap opener 25 for opening the cap of a bottle.

The cutter wheel 21 is fastened to the mounting hole 22 by a rivet 23, having an annular groove 211 around the periphery of its wheel shaft. When the first handlebar I and the second handlebar 2 are closed together, the gear 11 is engaged into the annular groove 2 11 of the cutter wheel 21 (see Figures 5 and 8), and the top end of the curved front end of the first handlebar I is stopped at the raised stop portion 24 of the second handlebar 2.

The lever 3 is coupled to the second handlebar 2 at one side opposite to the first handlebar 1, having a mounting hole 32 near its curved front end, which receives one end of the connector 13, and a through hole 33 adjacent to the mounting hole 32. The ratchet wheel 31 is mounted on one end of the connector 13, and disposed at one side of the lever 3 opposite to the second handlebar 2. A stop plate 35 is pivotably coupled to the through hole 33 by a bolt 34, having a toothed portion 351 meshed with the ratchet wheel 31. The bolt 34 has an annular groove 341 around 4 the periphery of the head thereof. A spring wire 36 is mounted on the annular groove 341 at the head of the bolt 34, having a first hooked end 361 hooked on the lever 3 and a second hooked end 362 hooked on the stop plate 35 (see Figures 6 and 7). When the stop plate 35 limits the rotation of the ratchet wheel 31 in one direction only. Further, a flat connecting rivet element 131 is installed to connect the ratchet wheel 31, the connector 13 and the gear 11 together, enabling the ratchet wheel 31, the connector 13 and the gear 11 to be synchronously rotated.

When in use, as shown in Figure 9, the cutter wheel 21 and the gear 11 are attached to the r1in of the lid 41 of the can 4, then the lever 3 is alternatively turned up and down relative to the handles 1,2, causing the cutter wheel 21 to be rotated and moved along the rim of the lid 41 of the can 4, and therefore the lid 41 of the can 4 is cut open.

claims 1. A cutter wheel type can opener comprising:

a first handlebar, having a curved front end; a second handlebar pivoted to said first handlebar by pivot means, said second handlebar having a curved front end reversed to the curved front end of said first handlebar; a cutter wheel mounted on the curved front end of said second handlebar at one side, said cutter wheel having an annular groove around the periphery of a wheel shaft thereof; a gear mounted on the curved front end of said first handlebar at one side and engaged into the annular groove at said cutter wheel; a lever pivoted to said second handlebar, said lever having a curved front end; a ratchet wheel mounted on the curved front and of said lever and coupled to said gear for synchronous rotary motion; and a stop plate coupled to said lever, said stop plate having a toothed portion meshed with said ratchet wheel to limit rotary motion of said ratchet wheel in one direction.

2. The cutter wheel type can opener of claim I wherein the curved front end of said second handlebar has a raised portion at one side, which stops the curved front end of said first handlebar in position when said first handlebar and said second handlebar are 6 closed.

of claim I further The cutter wheel type can openei comprising a bottle cap opener integral with one of said first handlebar and said second handlebar.

4. The cutter wheel type can opener of claim I further comprising a connector coupled between said first handlebar and said lever to hold said gear and said ratchet wheel together.

5. The cutter wheel type can opener of claim I wherein said lever comprises a through hole at its curved front end, a bolt mounted in said throuch hole to hold said stop plate, said bolt having a head and an annular groove around the periphery of the head, and a spring wire mounted on the annular groove at the head of said bolt and having two hooked ends respectively hooked on said lever and said stop plate to hold said stop plate in engagement with said ratchet wheel.

6. The cutter wheel type can opener of claim 4 wherein said ratchet wheel, said connector and said gear are connected together by a flat connecting rivet element for a synchronous rotary motion.

7, A can opener as hereinbef ore described with ref erence to and/or as illustrated in Figures 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

7 8 8. A can opener comprising a pair of arms pivoted to one another, one arm carrying a cutter wheel and the other arm carrying a gear wheel engageable with the cutter wheel when the arms are pivoted to a closed position, the can opener further comprising a lever pivotally mounted on one of the arms and a ratchet mechanism via which the lever can drive rotation of the gear wheel.