US2491628A - Nutcracker - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1949 w. VENTON 2,491,623

NUTCRACKER Filed July 16, 1947 2 She'ets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M14/Iam Verzarz.

Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates broadly to new and useful improvements in nutcrackers.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a nutcracker which well adapted to break the shell of the nut without crushing the meat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nutcracker having provisions for automatically clamping and holding the nut before the shell is cracked.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker of the above-mentioned character wherein the nut-clamping members are mutually adjustable to accommodate different sizes of nut.

Yet another object of the invention is' to provide a nutcracker of the above-mentioned character wherein the nut-clamping and -cracking parts are retracted automatically after each operation of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker of the above-mentioned character having a base shaped to catch the broken portions of the nut after the shell is cracked.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a nutcracker of the above-mentioned character which is strong and rugged in con struction and efficient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

lIn the drawing forming .a part of this specifica tion and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 isa longitudinal sectional View of a nutcracker embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2- -2` of Fig. 1;

eig. 3 is a horizontal sectional Viewl taken on the line 3--3 of Fig'. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 4 4 in Fie. 1;

Fig. 5 is' a fragmentary', horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. Gis' a vertical sectional View takenl on the Au preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration in the` drawing. B'roadly, the device here shown comprises a vertical, tubular post Iii at one end oifa base I2, 5'0

which post supports' a vertically movable carriage I4. The latter normally is urged upwardly by a spring I6 which is disposed within thepos't i6 and' confined between the lowe end' of the latterv and downwardly on the post I6 manually by means `or 'a knob I8 on the upper end thereof, and a latch mechanism designated generally by the numeral 2G engages notches or teeth 22 on the post id to hold the carriage lowered against the action of spring I6.

The nut-cracking portion of thedevice comprises stationary and movable jaws 24 and 26 and a nut-splitting element 28. The stationary jaw 2e is supported solidly on the base I2 beside the post iii, whereas the movable jaw 26 and the nutsplitting element 2S are carried by a laterally projecting arm 30 of the carriage I4. The nutsplitting element 28 extends centrally 'through jaw 26, and the lower end thereof is provided with a splitting edge 32 which normally is received in a recess or socket 34 in the bottom face of jaw 26. On the upper end of nut-splitting element 28 is a guide 36 whichtravels in and snugly nts a vertical bore 38 in the arm 30. A spring it confined in the bore 38 reacts against the stop 36 to hold the knife edge 32 of element 28 normally lretracted in socket 34 and jaw 26 against the arm 3d. A second spring 42 conned between jaw 26 and stop 35 functions as a spring drive between the nut-splitting element 28 and the jaw and connects these members for normal mutual operation. A manually operable handle 44 pivoted to the carriage I4 and movable downwardly against the projecting upper end of the nut-splitting element 28v is yactuated to clamp and crack a nut placed between the jaws 24 and 26. Also, it will beobserved that a xed sleeve e6 disposed coaxially within the bore 38 separates springs 4t and 42 and provides additional support for the guide 36. A stop 4l of rubber or the like on the carriage I4 limits downward movement of the handle' 64 and consequently of the nut-splitting element 2a.

In operation, jaws" 2li and 26 are spaced approximately by placing the nut to be cracked therebetween and pushing downwardly on the knob i8 until the upper jaw 26 engages the nut (Fig. l). When knob I8 is released, the catch meclianism 2li holds the carriage le approximately in the adjusted position and with the upper jaw 26 against or vin proximity to the nut. Handle lil is then pressed downwardly against the nut-splitting element 28 to press the element and the movable jaw 26 against the nut. Manifestly, jaw t6 is coactive with the nut-splitting element 23 due tc the spring drive 52. Therefore, the jaw 26 moves with the element 28 until it engages the nut, at which time the jaw 26 remains stationary the carriage'. The carriage f4 can be' pushed' $5 and serves to the nut solidly against the 3 lower jaw 24. Thereafter, continued actuation of handle 44 moves the nut-spring element 28 independently of jaw 26 whereby to project the splitting edge 32 from recess 34 and to drive it against the nut. During independent movement of the nut-splitting element 28, spring 42 is further compressed, and reaction of the spring against jaw 26 increases the clamping action of the same and assists in holding the nut clamped firmly between the two jaws. Element 28 `is driven downwardly in independent travel a distance suiicient to split the shell of the nut but insufficient to penetrate or crush the meat with the shell. vAs suggested, the stop 4l engages handle 44 to positively prevent the element 28 from being driven too far on its splitting stroke. When handle 44 is released, the splitting edge 32 is withdrawn into socket 34, and the spring 40 retracts jaw 26 and element 23 as a unit `to the position shown in Fig. 1. The two jaws 24 and 26 are then spaced to receive another nut of approximately the same size as the one previously i cracked, and any desired number of equisized or from the nut previously cracked, the jaws 24 ,andk

26 are again spaced approximately by adjusting the position of carriage I4 on the post I9. If the Y nut is smaller the jaws may be adjusted merely by again pressing downwardly on the knob I8. On the other hand, if the nut is larger, the catch 26 is actuated to release the post I6 so that spring I'B can raise the carriage to its initial position and the knob is again depressed to readjust the jaws 24 and 26 in the manner hereinabove de'- scribed.

The base I2 may be of any desiredsize and may assume a variety of shapes. Also, it may be made of any suitable material such as metal, wood, or plastic. In the form of the invention here shown, the base I2 is made of wood and is generally oval in plan, as best shown in Fig. -3. Pads 48 of rubber or the like support the base I2 and prevent the latter from marring or scratching any surface upon which the device is placed. Preferably, the post I6 and the stationary jaw 24 are Xed on a mounting plate 50, and the latter is fastened on the base I2 by screws 52 or the like. Also, the top surface of the base I2 is dished, as at 54, and the dished area preferably embraces the lower jaw 24 (Fig. 3) to receive fragments of the nut which fall on one side or the other of the jaw.

The post I6 may be welded or otherwise fixed on the mounting plate 56, and one side thereof is provided with a vertical guide 56 which receives a guide pin 58 carried by the carriage I4. Guide pin 58 prevents the carriage I4 from rotating on the post ID whereby to hold the jaws 24 and 26 centered with respect to each other and to assure proper engagement of the latch mechanism with the notches 22. i

Specifically, the latch mechanism here shown comprises a U-shaped strap 60 which embraces an embossment 62 on the lower portion of carriage I4. Rivets 64 hold the strap 6I! fixed on the embossment 62. A slidable latch pin'or detent 66 is received in aligning openings provided in the strap 66 and embossment 62, and the inner end of the latch pin is positioned for engagement with the notches or teeth 22, as shown in Fig. 1. Also, it will be observed that each notch or tooth 2 2 isdownw'ardly tapered and that' the inner end 4 of latch pin 66 is correspondingly tapered so that the pin will move easily from one tooth to another when the carriage I4 is pushed downwardly on the post I0. A preloaded compression spring 68, confinedv between the strap 66 and a stop plate if) xed to the pin 66, urges the latter constantly inwardly in the direction of post ID. In order to retract the latch pin 6E, a small rotatable shaft 'f2 is journaled in opposite arms of the strap 6I] in front of the stop plate'land at one side of the latch-pin 66:(Figsj1 and 6) A radial pin 'I4 carried by shaft 'I2 engages the stop plate 'I6 upon rotation of the shaft and retracts the latch pin 66 against the action of spring t8. A hand wheel 'I6 is xed on one end of shaft 'I2 to facilitate rotation thereof, and a cotter pin 'I6 cooperates with the hand wheel 'I6 to hold the shaft 'I2 in place (Fig. 6).

From' the foregoing it will be readily apparent that latch pin 66 moves freely along the series ,ref notches 22 whencarriage I4 is pushed downwardly on the post III and that when a nut is clamped between jaws 24 and 26, it automatically engages one of the teeth when the carriage is released to hold the carriage approximately in the released position. Thereafter, latch pin 66 prevents spring I6 from returning the carriage I4 until it is retracted by actuation of hand wheel It in the manner hereinabove described.

In order to enhance the gripping action of the jaws 24 and 2E, the clamping surface of jaw 24 is provided with relatively large or coarse grooves or serrations 86, and the corresponding surface of jaw 26 is formed with relatively small or fine serrations 62. Also, it will be observed that the clamping surface of lower jaw 24 is formed with a central recess 85 (Fig. 3) and that the upper jaw 26 is provided with two series of serrations 82 which extend at right angles to each other to provide a plurality of square, bluntly pointed grip'- ping teeth (Fig. 4).

With reference to the specific nuteclamping and -splitting mechanism here shown, it will be observed that the nut-splitting element 2S is formed at the lower end thereof with an annular shoulder 96 which seats upwardly against an annular seat 92 defined by the .bottoni of socket 34. Thus, the nut-splitting element 28, in effect, carries the upper clamping jaw 26 and the latter is free floating within dened limit on the element 28. Also, it'will be observed that the guide 36 is provided at theinner end thereof with a portion 94 of reduced diameter, and, as suggested, the portion 94 fits snugly in the upper end of sleeve 45 and provides additional bearing surface for steadying and supporting the nut-splitting element 28. Preferably the outer spring It is strong er than the inner spring 42, since the latter spring merely functions to advance jaw 26 with the nutsplitting element 28 when the latter is moved downwardly by handle 44, whereas the outer spring 4I) must return the entire assembly, including the handle 44, after each operation of the device.

The handle 44 may be pivoted in any suitable place on the carriage I4 and in any desired manner which permits sufficient leverage to be applied against the nut-splitting member 23.A In the form. of the invention here shown, the attached end of handle 44 projects into a horizontal bore 96 provided in the carriage i4 adjacent the upper end thereof and is fastened by a pivot 68. Also, the portion of handle 44 which engages the nut-splitting element 28 preferably is of reduced diameter, as at |00; and, if desired, the upper 5 end of the nut-splitting element may be transversely grooved so that the element and the handle interft to prevent rotation of the nutsplitting element.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A nutcracker comprising a base; a vertical post on said base; a carrier vertically adjustable on said post; means for releasably holding said carrier in a selected adjusted position on said post; a stationary lower jaw on said base laterally of said post; a nut-splitting element carried by and independently vertically movable relative to said carrier, said element disposed directly above said lower jaw and having a downwardly directed nut-splitting edge adapted to co-operate with said lower jaw to crack a nut disposed therebetween; a manual actuator pivoted to said carrier and engaging downwardly against said nut-splitting element, said actuator operable to advance said nut-splitting element in the carrier and against a nut disposed on said stationary lower jaw; spring means conned by said carrier and said nut-splitting element normally holding the latter retracted; an upwardly facing shoulder on 6 said nut-splitting element; an upper jaw mounted for vertical sliding movement of the said nutsplitting element adapted to co-operate with said lower jaw to clamp a nut preparatory to engagement thereof by said nut-splitting element; a second spring means confined between said nutsplitting element and said upper jaw normally holding the latter pressed downwardly against said shoulder; and a socket in the under face of said upper jaw adapted to receive said nut-splitting edge when said upper jaw is in engagement with said shoulder.

WILLIAM VENTON.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 537,477 North Apr. 16, 1895 702,721 Gerstmayr June 17, 1902 998,482 Elder July 18, 1911 1,094,698 Bostrom Apr. 28, 1914 1,108,920 May Sept. 1, 1914 1,210,414 Burkhardt Jan. 2, 1917 1,663,930 Giesecke Mar. 27, 1928 2,140,428 Ferney Dec. 13, 1938 2,178,375 Lennard Oct. 31, 1939 2,200,515 Moeller May 14, 1940

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