US2574918A - Double hooked lid lifting tool - Google Patents

Description

A. S. HAISLIP DOUBLE HOOKED LID LIF TING TOOL Nov. 13, 195] Filed July 26, 1949 A/berf Ha/s/ip INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 13, 1951 OFFICE:

DOUBLE HOOKED LID LIFTING TOOL vAlbert S. Haislip, Fredericksburg, Va.

I Application July '26, 1949, Serial No. 106,822

6 Claims. 81-3.46)

The present invention relates to hand tools and implements commonly. referred to as lid removers, cover lifters, and openers, and has particular reference to a unique lifting tool of a multiple purpose character which, due to the ingenious structural nature thereof, provides a tool in which manufacturersv and users will find their essential needs and requirements fully met, contained and conveniently available. a

, In-carrying out the principles of the instant invention, I have evolved and produced a simple, economical and highly efiicient instrumentality which serves not only to remove crown caps, such as are used .on beverage bottles andjthe like, but functions primarily to dislodge, lift and remove rim-equipped lids such as are used on so-called vacuum packed commodity glasses, for instance, those commonly employed for preserves, jellies,- peanut butter and so on and so forth.

There is a commonly used-lid of a type which has a packed annular rim which surrounds a beaded neck on certain glass containers, said neck being above an outstanding annular ledge. All sorts of makeshift tools, such as fork tines, blades of kitchen and table knives, screwdrivers and what not, are employed, often unwisely, for prying off these types'of lids, Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide a multiple purpose toolwhich has a properly placed and readily insertable and regulable element which will nicely interpose and lodge itself between the lid rim and ledge on the glass to satisfactorily loosen and pry the lid off.

It is also a matter of common knowledge that hook-type openers and lifters are employed for dislodging, lifting and removing flat lids on glass containers wherein the container has an out-,

standing bead at the mouth portion. The lid has a downturned and inturned rim with a packing ring coacting with the bead. The ordinary or conventional hook opener will, of course, finally prythe lid loose and, after considerable disruption, remove it. In some instances, however, the tool will slip and the bill of the hook will catch on the bead of the glass, thus to interfere with the operation and often to cause breakage of the glass. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide atool which has hook means, preferably two hooks, as will be hereinafter seen, which hook means is, in addition, provided with at least one fulcruming edge and a detent, said detent to press and dent the lid slightly, without puncturing it, whereby to prevent accidental slippage of the billof the hook and to insure prompt,

unmutilated and safe opening of the lid,

There is also a lidded commodity 'glass on '.the market which has a beaded lip at the mouth portion and which has a rim with a'channelcon taining a packing ring; This is a difficult type of;

lid to dislodge and remove audit is therefore a further object of the present invention to-include in my tool a further hook opener wherein the notch which defines the hook embodies-straight; edges at right angles to each other, one long and;

one short edge, the short edge having a lug which,

in conjunction with the'other features, provides a.

special oblique hook to remove the type of lid referred to.

The primary object of my invention, however;

is to provide a lid opener for jelly glasses and the/like which is unique in that it is characterized by a lever unit, said lever unit being'madeup of resilient limbs, said limbs being springable toward and from each other and terminating in" twin hooks which will engage the lidat cir-, cumferentially spaced points to thus distribute; the stress and strain and to apply the lift-action at more than one point whereby to facilitate, removing the lid often with a single stroke of the:

lever.

A still further object of the invention-isntoiprovide a lid openenthe major part of which is a lever unit and which constitutes appropriate handle means, the latter includinglcomplemental parts which are welded together and said :parts embodying the aforementioned spreadable-re-' silient limbs, the outer free end portions of the:

limbs being such that they may have their'lifting hooks spread wide apart or closer together or, in

fact, brought into direct contact with each other. so that the two hooks actually function, at the time, as one hook.

Then,'too, novelty is predicated on a tool, as above described, which isdistinct in that the.-

area of the lid contacted by the anti-slipping and 'fulcruming means is appreciably greater contacted by the lifting hooks.

with astounding efficiency;- Other objects and advantages will scription and the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings where- ,-become, more readily apparent from the following -deillustrative in like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing my double hook, multiple purpose lifting tool as constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of same;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of both lid and lever units showing the manner in which the limbs and hooks either brought together or spread aparttotake a double grip on the lid and to adjust the fulcruming range to meet varying requirements;

Figure 4 is a view based on Figure ;3 with @the tool fragmentarily shown in side elevation and the glass and lid in section, said vieWserVi-ng to bring out the action of the anti-slippingdetents;

Figure 5 is a view with a different type of glass container and different lid and showing how -a single limb of my tool sis used in connection therewith for pryingthelidofi i-Figure l6'is;a view based on Figure 5 whichmay be said to be ;a fragmentary elevational view takenapproximately on the plane .of the line 6-6 of Figure 5, lookingfin the direction of the arrows;

Figure? is a:perspective'viewshowing how the tool may be convenientlyhandled for removing a crownlcap'from a beverage or soft drink bottle; and

Figure 8 is ;a viewsimilar to Figure 4 showing a'still further type of commodity glass and .a further lid construction and showing how my special tool is employed for loosening and lifting the lid.

Referring now to the drawings by reference numerals and accompanying lead lines and observing Figures 1 and 2, in particular, the numera'l l0 denotes what I conveniently refer :to as the lever unit which characterizes my novel, multiple purpose tool or lifter. Although my tool is susceptible of being made from a single length of strap metal of appropriate type bent between its ends, I have found it more practical to utilize a pair of members which are denoted for convenience by the numerals II and I2. They 'have portions which are superimposed upon each other and spot welded or otherwise connected to each other as at 13 and 14. The free end portions, at the left of said members, are arcuately bent towardeach-other and are butted together, as at l5, to provide what may be conveniently referred to as a loop-dike head 15a. This is sufficiently open and rounded to prevent this end portion from cutting-the'hand of the user. While on this end of the tool, I call attention-to novel hook means which 'is generally referred to by the numeral Hi. This comprises straight edges H which are obliquely disposed in "relation to the longitudinal axis of members ll and I2 and right angularly disposed relative to shorter edges I8, the latter having a laterally directed arrangement of lugs or nibs 19. These features I1, I-8 and I9 define the hook 1 6 which is an oblique type and is therefore properly situated and angled to perform the service shown in Figure 8. Reference being had to Figure-8, the glass jelly or equivalent jar is denoted by the numeral and this has a bead 2| to accommodate a packing ring 22 held in the channel'portion 23 of the bendable rim 24 on the metal closing lid 25. This is'a type of lid which 15 now on the market and many different types of tools axeusedunsuccessfully and otherwise, in an attempt to remove it. It is believed that my tool with straight edges [1 and I8 and hook l9, at the proper angle, will well accomplish intended 4 results when used in the approximate manner shown in Figure 8.

At this point I wish to call attention to the double or twin hooks aspect of the tool. To begin with, it is to be explained that the members or elements H and I2 which are used in making up the lever unit, are of suitable resilient steel or an equivalent metal. The inherent resiliency of the steel will be such that the limb por- J tions 26 and 21 (see Figure ,2) have a tendency,

a natural tendency, to automatically spread apart. The free outer ends of said limbs are laterally bent at right angles, as at 28, and 29. These end ,portions may be used as prying elements as well as broad range fulcruming terminals. In this connection, I call attention to Figure 5 which shows a fragmentary portion of a jelly jar or glass 30 having a lid 31 capping over the beaded neck or mouth portion 32 and having a packing-equipped rim portion 33 which is-spaced'above the ledge portion'of theoutstanding annulus or flange 34. These are commonly used containers and lids and, as stated, all sorts of instruments are used in a makeshift manner to force and pry the lid off. Many persons have been cut using these makeshift screwdrivers and what not. It is believed that the bends 28 and 29 which I employ will accomplish wanted ends with requisite certainty and efficiency. All that is necessary is to insert the element '28 (or 29) between the lid rim and flange 34 and then rock it so that it fulcrums, as shown in Figure 6;

This fulcruming and prying step progressively loosens the lid and it .comesolf, usually, without 7 having to take it out of the givenjinitial position.

I call attention now to a prominentaspect of the invention, and that is the .hook means, one

hook arrangement being conveniently differentiated by the numeral 35. In accomplishing this, the free end portion of the limb, let us say the limb 21, for example, is .formed with what I-call an ogee-sha-ped cutaway or notch '36. Thecrotch portion 3"! is fashioned :into a prong 38 which forms the bill of the hook. The longitudinal edge portion between the bend'29 and hook means has a curvate surface 39 which performs a rocking and fulcruming element. It merges also into a slight projection, as at 40, which con stitutes an anti-slipping detent. .It is highly important in using the tool as shown in Figure 4- that when once the hook means is applied, it does If it.

inbent rim 44 with appropriate packing 45. This is a conventional type of glass or jar lid. With my tool in use, the bill 38 engages beneath the packed rim 44 and the detent 40 rests upon the lid and dents itself into the lid slightly and prevents slipping. It thereby constitutes a fixed fulcrum for the moment and insures that the bill of the hook will travel in a prescribed or predetermined are which will clear the crest of the bead and will prevent breakage of said bead. Although the detent is slightly pointed, it is not too pointed that it will penetrate or puncture the lid. The fulcruming edges 39 function as rockers when once the lid has been sufficiently loosed that the leverage movement of the lever unit causes the handle members to swing up to a plane to cause intoplayagainst thelid.

It-is w-ithin the purview ofthe invention to-use a-n' instrumentality which is made up of 'a single spaced points. Both detents are'alsopre'ssed into thelmetalio'f the'lid at the sametimel =Bydis= tributingand balancingthe forces and loadpressures,iitwill' be seen that I have. here a 'simple:- and practical twin hook tool which has double-'1 duty performance. That is to say, instead of .ap-'- plying'the' hook at one point and so onarou'nd the circumferen'ce,;I'obtain two bearing and fulcruming'points at'the same time, and consequently lift the lid by applying down pressure spaced points and up pressure at one point, whereby to shorten the procedure of loosening and'completely taking the lid on. I know of no tool having these springy jaws or hooks which perform in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. r I r r Before introducing the claims, I would further stress vtheimportance of twin .hooks or. Jaws. That is .to' say, by applying the fulcrumingpres sureattwo points on the lid, the appliedforces are equalized and uniformly distributed and there is little? likelihood of the detents- 40 vfbearing down 'too heavily and punching through :the metal of the lid. In'fact, when they, the detents 40, are ispread widely, they hardly sink" v any more than is required to guard against accidental slippage of the tool. Due to such-structural re finements and well-balanced.distributive factors, a singlehoisting stroke of the'handle means 'will lift the lid free, will not unduly bend or mutilate the lid, and will clear the hooks past the bead so that they will swing in desired arcuate paths, thus to safely bring about wanted results.

It will be observed that novelty is predicated upon either the single or double aspects of the invention, and preferably devoted to the doubleduty or twin hook adaptation. Novelty, as will be seen from the claims, is such that in a single tool I provide hook means "5 at one end and in one longitudinal edge, hook means 35 at the opposite end of the lever unit but in the opposite longitudinal edge, and, in addition, provide the special bends 28 and 29 which may be use for prying purposes.

I call attention to Figure 7 which shows an urinary soft drink bottle 46 with a crown cap 41 and it will be obvious that by pressing and bringing the limbs 26 and 21 flatly in contact or together with each other, the two hooks may be simultaneously used to provide an unusually strong strong tool for removing the cap.

Although the preferred embodiment of the tool herein disclosed is characterized by separated or independent limbs 26 and 21 having the features 38, 40, 39 and 29 on the outer ends of the limbs, it will be evident that it is within the purview of the invention to utilize a single limb, either rigid or resilient, which is possessed of these same characteristics. That is to say, it is within the concept of this invention to provide a tool characterized by a lever or limb having handle means at one end and having hook means at the opposite end, and having a lateral bend extending outwardly from the outer end of the limb in spaced felationiro'm the bill of the hook, said bend with or withbutvthecurvate edge 39 and-detent means 401 This is brought out to exemplify the factthat w 'single hook-equipped lever or limb having an outstandingavertical bend 29 at the outer end would operate with reasonable satisfaction withoutithe 'curvate edge 39 and pointed or V-shaped detent 402 By bringing the bend 29 close to the; billtofxthehook, 'thebend would then serve as a.

stop and re'stto come against the lid in the same position that the detent 40 is shown to assume in Figure 4". Thus, the bend constitutes not only a 'stop'but a fulcrum element. The fact that the bend would'sink slightly .into the bendable lid Z woul'dehave a tendency to utilize the bend as an anti-slipping feature and also as the primary ful-,,

cruming element. It is also clear that the position' of the tool shown in Figure 4 is not necessarily the final position for here we see the hook 30 lif-ting the'lip flange of the lid with the detent 40 resting on the lid and this is the initial lifting andiupswinging position of the lever. However,

thelever mayswingover to a further stage at which. time" the bend '29 (Figure 4) comes down i interesting contact with the lid 43 and provides a'secondfulcrum. This means, therefore, that thereare :a'ctually two'fulcrums, the first fulcrum 40,"the rocker edge 39 which then comes into play and finally the bend 29 which stops against the lid and'provides the second fulcrum. This is especially the case with'large type'lids as shown in Figu'res3 and 4. With the crown cap shown in--.

Figure? only-the first fulcrum means 40 comes intoplay;

vIn :view of theforegoin'gdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that aclear understanding of the device will be quiteapparent to those skilled in this artwriA more;- detailed description is accordingly deemed-unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A lid lifter and opener comprising a lever unit having companion opposed resilient individual disconnected limbs normally spread apart from each other and adapted to be pressed toward each other or spread away from each other by manual gripping pressure, each limb having, at an outer working end, a lid-opener hook.

2. A lid lifter and opener comprising a lever unit having companion opposed resilient limbs normally sprung apart from each other and adapted to be pressed progressively toward each other by manual gripping pressure, each limb being separate and independent and having, at an outer working. end, a lid-opener hook, and also having a complemental substantially V-shaped anti-slipping detent spaced from said hook.

3. A lid lifter and opener comprising a lever unit having companionopposed resilient limbs normally sprung, by the inherent resiliency, away from each other and adapted to be pressed progressively toward each other by manual gripping pressure, each limb being a separate and independent element and having, at one end, a lidopener hook, each hook having a spaced complemental anti-slipping detent and coacting arcuately curved 'fulcruming means spaced :from said detents, 'whereby said limbsmay be spread apart to cause the opener hooks and detents to engage the rim of the lid simultaneously but at widely spaced circumferential spaced points.

4. A lid dislodging and opener tool comprising a pair of substantially duplicate members disposed in side-by-side superposed-relationship and rigidly connected together at corresponding ends to provide a substantially rigid :handle, opposite end portions of said limbs being disconnected, diverging and defining a pair of resilient .limbs, the outer end portions of said limbs being bent outwardly in opposite direc'tions'to provide substantially :rectangular elements, the longitudinal edge portions of the limbs inwardly of said elements having curvate edges and accompanying V-shaped portions defining detents and having, inwardly of said 'detents, lifting hooks.

75. A lid dislodging and opener tool comprising a pair of substantially duplicate'members'disposed in side-by-side superposed-relationship and rigidly connected together atcorresponding ends to provide a substantially rigid handle, opposite end portions of said limbs diverging and defining independent resilient limbs, the outer end portionsof-saidlimbs being laterally bent in opposite directions to provide substantially rectangular elements, the latter constituting rstopsythe longitudinal edge portions inwardly of said .elements having curvate edges and accompanying V- shaped porti'ons "defining detents, and further having oppositely disposed ogee-shaped notches providing a pair of simultaneously usable opener hooks, said hooks being automatically spread apart but movable together by hand pressure to open closures ranging 'from crown cap proportionsto relatively large jelly glasslids.

6. A lid lifting implement forprying, dislodging and removing a vacuum-typelid from a :jelly 8 glass or the like comprising rigid lever .means having handle means at one end, .a lid engaging hook at the other end, said hook terminating in a lifting beak and an outstanding right angularlydisposed bend at the terminal of the last-named end, one edge of said bend being adapted to be brought to rest in direct contact with a lid in a manner to function as a motion stop and also as a fulcrum and the width of said bend being such as to present and provide ample surface contact "to prevent said bend from sinking too deeply :into said lid, said beak being longitudinal ly spaced inwardly from said bend and disposed on 'aplane below said one edge and that portion of :the :edge of said lever between said beak and bend having a projection constituting another fulcrum and the fulcrum point of said projection being on a plane below the plane of said one edge as well as below the plane of said beak.

ALBERT S. HAISLIP.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 637,048 Toulotte Nov. 14, 1899 692,045 Bacon Jan. 28, 1902 1,256,883 Drysdale Feb. 19, 1918 1,361,859 Holmes Dec. 14, 1920 1,578,806 Cowles Mar. 30, 1926 1,676,649 Podel July 10, 1928 1,883,216 Winters Oct. 18, 1932 1,931,715 Baldridge Oct. 24, .1933 2,044,129 Soukup .June 16, 1936 2,525,693 Levy Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,322 Great Britain Oct. 20, 1910

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