US552212A

US552212A - Can-opener

Info

Publication number: US552212A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1912-12-31

Description

- (No Model.)

E. H. TRENGHARD.

CAN OPENER.

Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

O-UTNQWASHINGTDKDC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELVIN H. TRENOHARD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,212, dated December 31, 1895.

Application filed December 11, 1894.. Serial No. 531,509. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELVIN I-I. TRENCHARD, of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to the introduction of, first, a curved knife co-operating with a convex cutting-edge second, a knife-carrier pivoted to the center of the can for the purpose of carrying the knife in a circle without the effort of guiding. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top view of the knife-carrier, the outer edge B, to which the knife is fastened, being a segment of a circle. Fig. 2 is an end view of the device, showing the knifeblade T pivoted to the curved portion B of knife-carrier and having the same curve.- Fig. 3 is a side view of the can-opener complete with one end of the knife-carrier resting between two washers R R, with an awl E passing through the center forming a pivot, the awl E having a point H extending half an inch below for the purpose of puncturing the can lid in the center in order to carry the knife-blade T in a circle.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views. 7

A is the side of the knife-carrier, (3 being the knife-handle.

The objects of my invention are, first, to adopt a method whereby the least possible pressure will be required to make an incision in the can-lid; second, to overcome all possible resistance in placing the knife in proper position for the next out after it has ,made an incision; third, to entirely relieve the operator from the effort of guiding the knife in a circle around the can. These objects I gain, first, by having the knife pivoted close to the keen cutting-edge; second, by making a knife-carrier, as shown in Fig. 1, the outer edge B describing a three-and-a-halfinch circle, (size of smallest can-lid,) there being a keen cutting-edge of steel where the knife has contact. To this outer edge B a knife-blade with the same curve is pivoted, they holding the same relation to each other as the two blades of a pair of shears, the

curved blade offering the slightest possible resistance as it moves through the incision in the can-lid. The third object I attain by pivoting the other end of the knife-carrier between the washersR B, Fig. 3, and pivoting them together by the awl E, Fig. 3, and forcing the point H through the center of the canlid. The knife-carrier is free to revolve and it takes but a slight pressure forward to carry it and the knife in a circle, making each incision a part of a true circle without the slightest effort of guiding on the part of the operator.

I am aware that prior to my invention canopeners have been made in various ways. Therefore WhatI claim, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a can opener, the combination with an awl or point adapted to be inserted in the can, of a frame pivoted to the awl and a knife co-operating with a cutting edge on the frame, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a can opener, the combination with a handle carrying an awl or point, of a frame so connected to said handle as to be swung thereon, and a curved knife pivoted to the forward part of said frame and cooperating with a cutting edge thereon, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a can opener, the combination with an awl or point for puncturing the can lid, of a frame pivoted between washers thereon a convex cutting edge carried by said frame and a curved knife pivoted to the cutting edge substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ELVIN H. TRENCHARD.

Witnesses:

J. R. MAssEY, M. A. J ones.