US565367A - Can-opener - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

F. O. 'SMALSTIG 8c G. MAYER.

' CAN OPENER.

Patented Aug. 4, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK C. SMALSTIG AND GABRIEL MAYER, OF ALLEGHENY,

' PENNSYLVANIA.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,367, dated August 4, 1896.

Application filed February 18, 1896. Serial No. 579,782. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, FREDERICK C. SMAL- STIG and GABRIEL MAYER, of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can- Openers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention pertains to canopeners, and its object is to provide a device of simple and improved form in which the turning-point and cutter are held in fixed relative positions by frictional contact caused by the forward pressure upon the cutter in moving it around the can.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can opener of the simplest possible form in which screws, springs, and other auxiliary devices are entirely dispensed with, the whole instrument, as herein shown and described,consisting only of three parts,namely, the handle, the turning stem, and the cutter, the cutter being held in position upon the handle at all times whether in use or out of use by the turning stem, with the latter held automatically from detachment from the handle.

WVith these objects in view our invention consists in novel features of construction hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of our device as applied to a can. Fig. 2 is an inverted perspective view with the several parts of the cutter removed or separated. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the implement ready for use. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the relative parts of the implement when being secured together.

The handle A is formed with the longitudinal passage-way extending inward from one end, the integral cross-ribs B and C constituting the bottom of said passage-way, and head D and rib E its top. Head B overhangs the end of the handle portion, and recessed up: ward in line with said end, as indicated at F,

and fitting snugly within the recess F and abutting squarely against the handle end is the knife G, formed with the transverse opening H.

Turning stem I has the usual point at its extremity J to form a turningpoint in the can-top center, while the opposite end of the stem carries the slight upward bend or lug K. In assembling the parts of the implement the knife G is first positioned at the end of the handle and fitted snugly at its upper end in depression F, the opening H continuing or being in line with the longitudinal passageway of the handle. The stem, which is preferably formed of material affording slight lateral spring, is then inserted through the knifeopening H and passed backward over bars B and C until its upturned extremity comes in contact with the downwardly-sloping under surface of rib E, as indicated in Fig. 4. This construction, however, necessitates only a slight depression of the turning stem in order to pass point Kbeneath said rib, as in Fig. 3, a slight rap upon the end of the handle with the pointed end of the stem on the table or bench being sufficient to spring the stem in place. The inner surface of lug K inclines with relation to the plane of stem I, so that to disconnect the stem from the handle a stout pull will draw lug J beneath rib E and permit the entire withdrawal of the stem.

By constructing an opener as herein shown it may be moved either right or left at the convenience of the user, the forward pressure upon the handle clamping the stem thereto and at the same time holding the knife rigidly in place.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a can-opener, the combination of the handle having the overhanging portion D at one end formed with the transverse depression F, the handle being formed with a longitudinal cavity, cutter G at its upper end fitting depression F, said cutter formed with a passage-way adapted to aline with the handle-cavity, and the turning stem adapted to move longitudinally in the handle-cavity and through the opening in the cutter, said turning stem holding the cutter from displacestem which is adapted to pass the said rib by springing the stem laterally whereby the stem is held from withdrawal, substantially as I5 shown and described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

FREDERICK O. SMALSTIG. GABRIEL MAYER.

Witnesses:

J. B. PAUL, A. K. STEVENSON.

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