US708149A - Fruit-can wrench. - Google Patents

Description

No. 70s,:49.

w. F. KERR.

FRUIT CAN wnsncu.

(Application filed Feb. 25, 1902.)

Patented Sept. 2, I902..

(No Model.)

A TEST INVENTDJT Mil/um? NE NORRIS PETERS 00.. mow-Lima. WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. KERR, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FRUIT-CAN WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,149, dated September 2, 1902. Application filed February 25, 1902. Serial No. 95,497- (No model.)

1'0 alt whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, YVILL'IAM F. KERR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Can Wrenches; and I do declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to fruit-can wrenches; and the object of the invention is to provide a wrench for screwing the covers of fruit-cans on and off without injury to the cover and with ease to the user, all substantially as shown and described, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a can-cover and of my new style of wrench in its first position in full lines and in its gripped position in dotted lines to turn the cover on. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the metallic loop, and Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the handle, which together constitute the invention. Figs. 4 and 5 are edge views of one end of the loop or ring to which the handle is to be attached. Fig. 4 shows said end as it appears when engaged, as inFig. 1, and Fig. 5 shows it before engagement with the handle.

As thus shown, the entire wrench consists of two simple parts A and B.

A is a loop of substantially'band or ring shape, made, preferably, of a suitable strip of malleable iron, though brass or a like malleable metal or composition of metals may be used, provided that it has the requisite flexibility and malleability for producing the article and for operating with a slight reflex spring, as this device does. Originally the said loop or ring was straight and had any preferable shape in cross section; but as shown here it is rounded on the inner side to engage in the depressions of the threads in the edge of the can-cover O and flat on its outer edge. It is further characterized by a head 2 at one end, having a lengthwise slot or opening 3, and with bifurcations or ears 4 at the other end, having opposed lugs 5 on their inside. The said bifurcations or ears with their lugs serve to make a firm and permanent pivot-bearing and connection for handle B through hole 6 therein, and the connection is effected by simply clamping ears 4 together with lugs 3 in hole 6, and the union is made. There is a springy quality in loop A when bent as shown; but this may be said to be only about enough to release the loop from its grip on the cap when tension through lever B is released, and hence I can press ears 4 together against the sides of said lever and the lugs in hole 6, and they will remain there and work as effectually as if they were bolted in position. I might, in fact, use a bolt in lieu of said lugs; but they would add to expense and be no better practically. Handle B likewise is peculiar in this that it has a segmentally-curved shank 7, with hole 6 in its outer extremity and serrations or teeth or like engaging surface 8 on the heel of the said shank near its end and where it bears against cover or top 0 of the can when used, as in Fig. 1.

In assemblingthe parts the shank 7 of the handle is entered through slot 3 of loop A and brought into engagement with lugs 5 through hole 6, and the article then is ready for use. Ring A being circular will press uniformly entirely around the cover, and thus work no injury thereto at any point; but since I depend upon the spring of the metal to open the wrench the moment pressure is withdrawn by the handle relaxation occurs and the wrench is free to lift off. If it should not relax of its own accord, a reverse movement of the handle would make it do so by engaging the back of the curved shank against the in ner wall of slot 3.

It by holding the wrench and tightening it, as seen in Fig. 1, will serve to turn a cover into place, the reversal or inversion of the wrench, like turning it upside down, will serve to turn the cover loose and off.

The shape of the handle is not material, except in its shank portion, and loop A may be developed into any suitable shape from any suitable material, provided that it be constructed to make the connections and to operate substantially as herein described.

I have referred to fruit-jars and covers alone; but obviously the use of the Wrench is not thus limited, and it may be used wherever it can be without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The convex or back edge of shank 7 is within the circle or ring A, and the concave edge is outside, so that when used the heel of the shank, having serrations 8, becomes the fulcrum of the handle, and the slotted end of the loop bears on the outer curved edge of the shank, which is the concave edge, and is tighteued, while it also slides more or less toward the fulcrum, Fig. 1. Thus also the shank of the handle is made to bridge the space between the ends of the loop.

What I claim is 1. A fruit-jar wrench consisting of a springinetal loop having an elongated slot at one end and a handle having a curved shank loosely projected through said slot and slidable thereon and pivotally engaged at its extremity with the opposite end of said loop, the said shank having its convex portion on the inside in respect to the loop and provided with ser- WILLIAM F. KERR.

\Vitnesses:

R. B. MOSER, T. M. MADDEN.

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