JP3683241B2 - Nut shell splitter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contains nuts (tree nuts) with hard shells such as chestnuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, etc. and a manual nut shell splitter used to break the shells of the stored nuts About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of the nut shell splitter is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-275136. This includes a pair of left and right guides arranged in parallel to each other and a substantially rectangular frame for forming an accommodation space for accommodating nuts, a metal plate that slides inside the guide, A split wedge attached to the plate, a screw shaft that is connected and fixed at one end to slide the plate inside the guide, and screwed to the frame, and to the other end of the screw shaft The nut-shell divider is composed of the attached handle for rotation operation.
[0003]
The nut splitter having the above-described structure not only requires a wide metal plate across the left and right guides to slide inside the pair of left and right guides, but also a wedge wedge attached to this plate. However, because it is made of a rectangular shape with a width that is slightly smaller than the width of the left and right guides, the nut shell breaker becomes large and heavy, making it difficult to handle. there were.
In addition, when cracking a nut shell with a nut shell splitter, the shell fragments scatter around the shell, and it is necessary to clean after breaking the shell, leaving room for improvement.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described situation, the present invention intends to provide a nut shell splitter that can be reduced in size and weight but does not need to collect shell fragments scattered around. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the nut shell splitter of the present invention includes a plastic nut storage case in which an opening for inserting a nut is formed on one side, and a screw formed in the nut storage case. A plastic screw shaft movably provided in the case through the hole, a plastic handle provided at a portion of the screw shaft located outside the nut storage case, and the nut storage case. A metal lid for pressing and breaking the nut shell housed in the case on the nut housing case side end of the screw shaft. attaching a member, the outer diameter of the pressing member is set smaller than the outer diameter of the screw shaft, the bottom supporting nuts of the nut accommodating case, a long one lateral nuts insertion direction Of the convex portion, it is characterized in that formed in substantially the radial dimension positions of the screw shaft in the lateral direction from the imaginary center line of the screw shaft.
By configuring the members other than the pressing member where the reaction force from the nut acts most, from a plastic member, the weight can be reduced. In addition to the need for a metal plate that slides inside the left and right guides as in the prior art, the outer diameter dimension of the screw shaft is replaced by a wedge having a length almost extending over the left and right guides. By using a pressing member set smaller than the outer diameter, the number of members can be reduced and the member itself can be downsized. By the way, many nuts are almost circular, and since the part where the pressing member contacts the circular nut is a very small part of the upper end, not only a pressing member having a large left and right width is unnecessary, Since the present inventor has noticed that it is easier to break the shell by concentrating and pressing a part of the upper end of the nut shell, it is possible to reliably break the nut shell even with a pressing member having the above dimensions. It can be done. Further, by closing the lid, the broken pieces of the shell that scatters when cracked do not jump out of the storage case through the opening for inserting the nut. If the lid is also made of plastic, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case of being made of metal or the like.
In addition, a pair of left and right convex portions that are long in the nut insertion direction are formed on the bottom portion of the nut storage case that supports the nuts in the left and right directions from the imaginary center line of the screw shaft, respectively, at positions approximately in the radial dimension of the screw shaft. By doing so, the center portion of the nut can be positioned between the left and right convex portions regardless of the size of the nut. And it can prevent reliably that a convex part bites into a nut and a nut moves unexpectedly by pressing with a press member.
[0006]
The screw shaft is configured by a hollow cylindrical body, and the pressing member is provided with a fitting portion for fitting and fixing the pressing member inside the cylindrical body, thereby reducing the weight of the screw shaft. The hollow interior can be used as a fitted portion for fitting and fixing the fitting portion of the pressing member.
[0007]
A connecting portion that is retained by being retained by being inserted into a through-hole formed in the nut storage case is provided at a specific portion of the lid body, and the lid body swings with respect to the coupling portion at a lid body side portion of the coupling portion A pivot structure comprising a fixing portion for attaching a lid to a nut storage case and a pin for pivotally connecting the lid to the stationary portion by forming a thin portion for enabling opening and closing Can be eliminated, and the number of members can be reduced and the assembly can be facilitated.
[0009]
The nut storage case includes an inner case portion for storing nuts and an outer case portion located outside the inner case portion, and the inner case portion and the outer case portion are connected by a plurality of reinforcing ribs. As a result, the overall strength of the case can be increased while reducing the weight of the nut storage case.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 3 show a manual nut shell splitter (hereinafter referred to as a shell splitter) for accommodating nuts and breaking nut shells. This shell splitter has a substantially square outer shape with an opening 1K for inserting nuts N formed on one side and is made of plastic, and through a screw hole 1R formed in the nut storage case 1. A plastic screw shaft 2 movably provided in the case 1 and a portion of the screw shaft 2 positioned outside the nut storage case 1, that is, extending from two circumferential directions at the upper end in the drawing in the horizontal direction. A plastic handle portion 3 that is straight from the two sticks 3A and 3A that are taken out, and a plastic lid that has a substantially square open / close shape for closing the opening 1K of the nut storage case 1 A body 4, and a nut-shaped case side end of the screw shaft 2 for pressing and breaking the nut shell stored in the case, and a disk-shaped pressing with a flat bottom surface The attachment timber 5 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the screw shaft 2 to the outer diameter of the pressing member 5. The nut storage case 1 may have any shape such as an ellipse, a polygon, or a rectangle. Further, there is an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced by integrally forming the handle portion 3 on the upper end of the screw shaft 2, but the handle portion 3 and the screw shaft 2 are separately formed to integrate the both. May be used. The specific structure of the handle portion 3 is not limited to that shown in the figure. In addition, the movable range is widened by forming the screw on the outer surface of almost the entire vertical direction excluding the handle portion 3 of the screw shaft 2, but the screw may be formed only on a part of the screw shaft 2. Good. Further, as the plastic material for the nut storage case 1 and the screw shaft 2, polycarbonate and ABS resin (impact-resistant thermoplastic resin) which are thermoplastic resins having a good balance of excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and cold resistance. ) Is advantageous in terms of durability against impact force, and can suppress the occurrence of a noise phenomenon with the nut storage case 1 due to the rotation of the screw shaft 2 without applying silicone or the like. There are advantages you can do. Further, when only the ABS resin is used as the plastic material, it is optimal in that it easily absorbs the repulsive force, but other resins may be used. The pressing member 5 is preferably stainless steel (for example, SUS303) from the viewpoint of corrosion resistance, but may be other various metals. In addition, you may use what coated the corrosion-resistant coating material etc. on the surface of the said various metals.
[0011]
The nut storage case 1 includes an inner case portion 1A that stores nuts N, and an outer case portion 1B that is positioned outside the inner case portion 1A and has a front-back width smaller than the inner case portion 1A in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner case portion 1A and the outer case portion 1B are connected by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 1C.
[0012]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of left and right convex portions 1T, 1T that are long in the nut insertion direction are formed on the bottom portion of the nut storage case 1 that supports the nuts N, and a virtual center line of the screw shaft 2 is provided. By forming the screw shaft 2 in the left-right direction from S at a position substantially in the radial dimension, the central portion of the nut N can be positioned between the left and right convex portions regardless of the size of the nut N. I am doing so. 1D shown in the drawing is a hole formed at a substantially central portion of the bottom of the nut storage case 1, that is, a position directly below the pressing member 5 in the bottom of the nut storage case 1, and can be used for positioning the nut N. Not only has an advantage, but when the nut 1 is pressed by the pressing member 5 by setting the diameter of the hole 1D to 8 mm to 10 mm, the bottom of the nut storage case 1 is deformed so that the nut N can be easily held. There is an advantage that the shell of the nut N can be reliably broken. A cap (not shown) for closing the hole 1D may be attached to the lower end of the hole 1D.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 5, the screw shaft 2 is formed of a hollow cylindrical body, and a fitting portion for inserting and fixing the pressing member 5 by being inserted into one end 2 </ b> A from one end of the cylindrical body 2. By forming 5A integrally with the upper end of the pressing member 5, not only can the weight of the screw shaft 2 be reduced, but also the hollow interior 2A can be fitted and fixed to the fitting portion 5A of the pressing member 5. It can be used as a fitting part. Although not shown, a convex portion is formed on the surface of the fitting portion 5A of the pressing member 5 so as to be engaged with a concave portion formed inside the screw shaft 2, thereby making it difficult for the pressing member 5 to come off the screw shaft 2. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to the surface of the fitting portion 5A of the pressing member 5, and the fitting portion 5A of the pressing member 5 may be fitted inside the screw shaft 2.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, a connecting portion 6 that is retained by being inserted into a through-hole 1 </ b> H formed in the nut housing case 1 is connected to a specific portion of the lid body 4, that is, in FIG. 1. The right end portion is integrally formed at a substantially central position in the vertical direction, and a thin portion 7 is integrally formed at the lid side portion of the connecting portion 6 so that the lid body 4 can swing and open with respect to the connecting portion 6. Yes. Accordingly, by forcibly inserting the protruding portion 6T bulging and formed in the connecting portion 6 into the through hole 1H that is slightly smaller than this, the protruding portion 6T is prevented from coming off, and the lid 4 is fixed to the nut housing case 1. To be able to. As shown in FIG. 6, the thin body 7 can swing and open the lid 4 with respect to the nut storage case 1 around the vertical axis.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a locking piece 4 </ b> A that locks into a recess 1 </ b> F formed in the nut storage case 1 at a substantially central position in the vertical direction at the left end portion of the lid body 4 is integrated with the lid body 4. The lid 4 is closed and held in a closed position by locking the locking piece 4A to the recess 1F. A protruding piece 4T protruding leftward is integrally formed at the left end of the lid 4 with the locking piece 4A, and the lid 4 can be easily and quickly closed by hooking a finger on the protruding piece 4T. However, the projecting piece 4T can be omitted.
[0016]
The case where the shell of the nut N is broken by the shell breaker configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. Nut N is stored in the container. Next, after operating the lid 4 in the open position to the closed position, the nut 3 shell is rotated by rotating the handle portion 3 with the other hand while holding the nut storage case 1 with one hand. Press and split. The debris of the shell that is scattered by pressing the shell of the nut N does not jump out of the nut storage case 1 and is stored in the nut storage case 1 together with the nut N. The nut N and the shell can be taken out by opening operation.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight by configuring the members other than the pressing member that the reaction force from the nut most acts on, from the plastic, and the left and right as in the prior art. In addition to eliminating the need for a metal plate that slides inside the guide, the outer diameter is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the screw shaft, instead of a wedge that spans the left and right guides. By using the pressed member, a reduction in the number of members and a reduction in the size of the member itself can be realized, and a shell splitter that is advantageous in terms of handling can be provided. In addition, by closing the lid, the broken pieces of the shell that scatters when broken can be prevented from jumping out of the storage case, and the work of collecting the broken pieces of shell as in the prior art can be made unnecessary. It can be convenient.
In addition, a pair of left and right convex portions that are long in the nut insertion direction are formed on the bottom portion of the nut storage case that supports the nuts in the left and right directions from the virtual center line of the screw shaft at positions substantially in the radial dimension of the screw shaft. The center portion of the nut can be positioned between the left and right convex portions regardless of the size of the nut, and the nut shell can be reliably broken.
[0018]
According to the invention of claim 2, the screw shaft is formed of a hollow cylindrical body, and the pressing member includes a fitting portion for fitting and fixing the pressing member inside the cylindrical body. In addition to reducing the weight of the screw shaft, the hollow interior can be used as a fitted portion for fitting and fixing the fitting portion of the pressing member. It becomes advantageous in terms.
[0019]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion that is retained by being retained by being inserted into the through-hole formed in the nut storage case is provided at a specific portion of the lid body, and the lid body is coupled to the lid body side portion of the coupling portion. A fixed portion for attaching the lid to the nut storage case by forming a thin wall portion that can swing open and close with respect to the portion, and a pin for pivotally connecting the lid to the fixed portion This eliminates the need for a pivotal support structure such as the like, reduces the number of members and facilitates assembly, and is advantageous in terms of cost.
[0021]
According to invention of Claim 4, the case for nut storage consists of the inner case part which accommodates a nut, and the outer case part located in the outer side of this inner case part, and there are a plurality of inner case parts and outer case parts. By connecting with the reinforcing ribs of the nut, it is possible to increase the strength of the entire case while reducing the weight of the nut storage case, and even if it is more advantageous in terms of handling, the case may break It can be made reliable with good use over a long period of time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a shell splitter.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a shell splitter.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the shell splitter in a state where the lid is in an open posture.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the shell splitter.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case for nut storage 1F Recessed part 1K Opening 1B Outer case part 1H Through hole 1R Screw hole 1A Inner case part 1C Reinforcing rib 1T Convex part 2 Screw shaft (cylindrical body)
2A Internal 3 Handle part 3A Bar-shaped body 4 Lid 4A Locking piece 4T Protruding piece 5 Pressing member 5A Fitting part 6 Connecting part 6T Protruding part 7 Thin part N Nut S Virtual center line

Claims (4)

A plastic nut storage case having an opening for inserting a nut formed on one side, and a plastic screw shaft movably provided in the case through a screw hole formed in the nut storage case A plastic handle provided on a portion of the screw shaft located outside the nut storage case, and an openable / closable plastic lid for closing the opening of the nut storage case, A metal pressing member for pressing and breaking the nut shell housed in the case is attached to the nut side housing side end portion of the screw shaft, and the outer diameter of the pressing member is set to the outer diameter of the screw shaft. is set to be smaller than the dimension, the bottom supporting nuts of the nut accommodating case, it long pair of right and left projecting portions in nuts insertion direction, from the imaginary center line of the screw shaft in the lateral direction Re shells split device nuts, characterized in that formed in substantially the radial dimension position of the screw shaft.   2. The screw shaft according to claim 1, wherein the screw shaft is constituted by a hollow cylindrical body, and the pressing member is provided with a fitting portion for fitting and fixing the pressing member inside the cylindrical body. Nut shell splitter.   A connecting portion that is retained by being retained by being inserted into a through-hole formed in the nut storage case is provided at a specific portion of the lid body, and the lid body swings with respect to the coupling portion at a lid body side portion of the coupling portion 2. A nut shell splitter according to claim 1, wherein a thin-walled portion is formed so as to be openable and closable.   The nut storage case includes an inner case portion for storing nuts and an outer case portion positioned outside the inner case portion, and the inner case portion and the outer case portion are connected by a plurality of reinforcing ribs. The nut shell splitter according to claim 1.

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