Abstrict A can crusher having continuous incremental crushing action for
reducing cans or similar containers to a compact size is disclosed.
The crusher consists of a housing having a cylindrical configuration
with a cylindrical cavity disposed therein enclosed at one end by
a mounting fixture for horizontal attachment to a wall or the like
and enclosed at the other end by a front plug which provides a crushing
surface. Disposed within the cylindrical cavity is a ram slidably
engageable therein having ratchet arms attached in a spaced-apart
relationship thereto adapted for attachment to a handle for propelling
the ram through the cavity in a continuous incremental manner toward
the front plug. The housing includes a can insertion opening disposed
in a top portion thereof for enabling a can to be inserted into
the cavity between the ram and the plug and a can ejection slot
disposed in the bottom portion thereof proximate the front plug
for passing a can which has been crushed out of the housing. A handle
pivotally attached to the front portion of the housing is connected
to the ratchet arms. The ratchet arms have notches disposed therein
in a spaced-apart relationship to pivot pins on a pivot plate fixedly
attached to the handle wherein said pivot pins are adapted for engagement
with said notches for continuously driving the ram toward the front
plug crushing a can or the like therebetween as the handle is rotated
in a counterclockwise direction. After crushing the can, rotation
of the handle in a clockwise direction releases the pressure on
the can which is then ejected by gravity from the housing through
the can ejection slot.
Claims I claim:
1. A can crusher comprising:
a housing having a tubular configuration with a base end and a
front end, all symmetrically disposed about a centerline axis;
mounting means for attaching the can crusher to a support means;
a front plug fixedly disposed within the housing symmetrically
about the centerline axis at the front end, having a back surface
for providing a crushing surface;
a ram, having a cylindrical configuration, disposed within the
housing and slidably engageable therein having a front surface in
a variable spaced-apart relationship to the front plug and together
with the housing and the front plug define a can cavity therebetween;
guide means for guiding the ram along the centerline axis toward
and away from the front plug;
a pair of ratchet arms disposed in a spaced-apart relationship
to one another with the housing positioned therebetween;
means for attaching the ratchet arms to the ram;
a pair of pivot plates disposed in a spaced-apart relationship
to one another proximate the front end of the housing;
means for rotatably attaching the pivot plates to the housing;
handle means attached to the pivot plates for rotating the pivot
plates about a rotation axis;
means for engaging the ratchet arms for providing movement of the
ram toward or away from the front plug as the handle is rotated
in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction respectively;
said housing having a first opening therein for inserting a can
into the can cavity; and
a second opening in said housing for removing a crushed can from
the can cavity.
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the guide means
is a guide slot axially disposed in a cylindrical wall of the housing
and extending therethrough.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first
opening is a can insertion opening in a cylindrical wall of the
housing disposed in a radially spaced-apart relationship to the
guide slot.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the guide slot
has an elongated configuration with a length substantially longer
than a circumferential width and the can insertion opening has a
length substantially equal to the length of the guide slot.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein the can insertion
opening is defined on one side by a first guide lip radially positioned
in the cylindrical wall diametrically opposite a second guide lip
defining a bottom perimeter of the guide slot.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for
attaching the can crusher to a support means is a mounting bracket
attached to a base end of the housing adapted for horizontally attaching
the can crusher to said support means.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for
engaging the ratchet arms includes a plurality of notches disposed
in a bottom side of said ratchet arms and a plurality of pivot pins
disposed in a spaced-apart relationship on the pivot plates for
successive engagement in the plurality of notches.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for
engaging the ratchet arms includes a pair of spaced-apart notches
disposed in a bottom side of said ratchet arms and a pair of pivot
pins disposed in a spaced-apart relationship on the pivot plates
for successive engagement in the notches.
9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the pair of
pivot pins are disposed in an isosceles triangular relationship
to the rotation axis.
10. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means
for rotatably attaching the pivot plates to the housing is a rigid
pin passing through the housing proximate the front end and symmetrically
disposed about the rotation axis wherein each pivot plate is fixedly
attached at the ends of the rigid pin wherein said rigid pin is
rotatably positioned within said housing.
11. The invention in accordance with claim 2 further including
a first rigid pin disposed substantially orthogonal to the centerline
axis and passing through the ram wherein one end of said first rigid
pin extends through the guide slot and the second end extends through
a can insertion opening, wherein the boundaries of said guide slot
and can insertion opening are adapted for providing support surfaces
for said first rigid pin.
12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second
opening for removing a crushed can from the can cavity is a can
ejection slot disposed within a cylindrical wall of the housing
proximate the back surface of the front plug wherein said can ejection
slot has a length partially encircling the bottom portion of the
circumference of the cylindrical wall of the housing.
13. The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the mounting
means for attaching the can crusher to a support means is a bracket
attached to the base end of said housing adapted for attaching said
can crusher in a horizontal relationship wherein the can ejection
slot is positioned to enable the crushed can to fall therethrough
by gravity.
Description DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to an apparatus for crushing containers
and more particularly to a device suited for crushing metal cans
with manual operation.
2. Background Art
Recently several states have enacted anti-pollution laws requiring
a deposit to be made by the consumer on metal cans such as beer
cans, soda cans and the like thereby ensuring that such cans would
not be discarded but would be returned to appropriate stores for
a refund of the deposit. These laws were usually enacted in conjunction
with anti-litter campaigns by the various states. The return of
empty beer cans, soda cans, and the like to various stores has resulted
in a considerable handling and storage problem, the cans occupying
a considerable volume. Since the cans are not utilized for refills,
but are either recycled or discarded in appropriate disposal points,
the crushing of cans to substantially minimize the volume of storage
is desirable for both the storekeeper and for the consumer who stores
the cans at home prior to bringing them back to the store for a
refund. Over the years many can crusher structures have been proposed
for compacting cans. Some apply a force transverse to the axis of
the can, some apply a force along the axis of the can while others
supply a force askewed from the axis of the can. The prior art discloses
both continuous and incremental application of forces to crush the
cans. Most prior art devices are adapted for being mounted in a
vertical position requiring that after the crushing action is completed
the crushed can can be physically removed from the apparatus.
Can crushers particularly suited for manual operations are illustrated
by Alvarez in U.S. Pat. No. 2446898; Wharton in U.S. Pat. No.
3889587; Carlson in U.S. Pat. No. 4143595 and in Wittmeier in
U.S. Pat. No. 4088072. None of these devices show or suggest the
can crusher presented herein.
It is the general purpose of this invention to provide a can crusher
having a simple design with sufficient mechanical advantage to enable
an operator to crush a can or the like and eject said can from the
apparatus with a minimal amount of effort.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the can crusher comprises a housing having
a tubular configuration with a base end and a front end all symmetrically
disposed about a centerline axis, a mounting bracket attached at
the base end of the housing for attaching the can crusher to a wall
or the like, a front plug fixedly disposed within the housing at
the front end thereof having a back surface thereon for providing
a crushing surface, a ram having a cylindrical configuration disposed
within the housing and slidably engageable therein having a front
surface in a variable spaced-apart relationship to the front plug
and together with the housing and the front plug define a can cavity
therebetween, a pair of ratchet arms disposed in a spaced-apart
relationship to one another with the housing positioned therebetween,
means for attaching the ratchet arms to the ram, a pair of pivot
plates disposed in a spaced-apart relationship to one another proximate
the front end of the housing, means for rotatably attaching the
pivot plates to the housing, handle means attached to the pivot
plates for rotating said pivot plates about a rotation axis, means
for engaging the ratchet arms for providing movement of the ram
toward or away from the front plug as the handle is rotated in a
counterclockwise or clockwise direction respectively, means for
inserting a can into the can cavity and means for removing a crushed
can from the can cavity.
A primary feature of the present invention is a pair of pivot pins
disposed in a spaced relationship on each of the pivot plates. Additionally
the pivot plates are held in the spaced-apart relationship by rigid
pins passing through and rotatably positioned within the housing
symmetrically about the rotation axis. The pivot pins, having an
isosceles triangular relationship to rigid pin ends passing through
the pivot plates, are adapted for incremental engagement in notches
within the ratchet arms as the pivot plates are rotated for propelling
the ram toward the crushing surface. A further feature of the present
invention is the horizontal mounting of the apparatus on a wall
or the like with a can ejection slot disposed within the bottom
portion of the housing proximate the back surface of the front plug
for passing a crushed can out of the housing upon retraction of
the ram. Additionally the cylindrical housing provides guide means
for translating the ram within the housing and containment means
for minimizing the dimensions of the crushed can.
A primary advantage of the present invention is the continuous
incremental advancement of the ram toward the front plug for crushing
a can therebetween while rotating the handle from a first position
to a second position. Incremental engagement of the pivot pins with
the notches enables the can crusher to have relatively small dimensions
while maintaining sufficient mechanical advantage to crush the can
with minimum amount of effort. Additionally the can ejection slot
located in the bottom portion of the housing allows the can, after
crushing, to fall by gravity from the housing into a storage container
or the like positioned below the housing. The continuous rotation
of the handle in a clockwise direction from a full compression position
to a first position enables the operator to quickly reload the can
crusher to repeat the operation.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent in the light of the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof
as shown in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the can crusher of the present
invention positioned to receive a can for crushing by rotating the
handle in a counterclockwise direction;
FIG. 2 is a front end view of the can crusher in the A--A direction
as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the front end of
the cylindrical housing shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a simplified side view of the can crusher attached to
a wall with its handle in a first position as shown in FIG. 1 for
receiving a can;
FIG. 5 is a simplified side view of the can crusher with the handle
and ram shown in a second position and with the handle and ram shown
in phantom in a third position showing the interrelationship of
the pivots with the notches; and
FIG. 6 is a simplified partial side view of the front end of the
can crusher with the handle and ram in the full compression position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1 which
shows a simplified perspective view of the can crusher 10 positioned
horizontally for attachment to a wall in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The can crusher includes a
mounting bracket 12 having bolt holes 14 disposed therein adapted
for accommodating bolts, screws or the like for attaching the mounting
bracket to a wall (shown in phantom in FIG. 4) or other suitable
structure and a housing 16 having a tubular configuration, attached
at its base end 18 to the mounting bracket 12 with its front end
20 sealed by a front plug 22 as more fully shown in FIG. 5. The
housing has a cylindrical wall 24 with a guide slot 26 axially disposed
therein and extending therethrough to a can cavity 28. The guide
slot has an elongated configuration with a length substantially
longer than a circumferential width and is disposed within the wall
24 in a spaced-apart parallel relationship with a centerline axis
30 passing axially through the housing, said housing is symmetrically
disposed about the centerline axis. A can insertion opening 32
having a length substantially equal to the length of the guide slot
and in register therewith, is disposed within the cylindrical wall
and extends therethrough in a radially spaced-apart relationship
to the guide slot, is defined on one side by a first guide lip 34
radially positioned in the cylindrical wall diametrically opposite
a second guide lip 36 defining the bottom perimeter of the guide
slot and on the other radial side by a second lip 37 disposed in
a substantially parallel circumferentially spaced-apart relation
to the first guide lip and defining the width of the opening. The
can insertion opening 32 has a width W sufficient to allow a can
38 shown in phantom to pass therethrough into the can cavity 28.
Disposed within the can cavity is a ram 40 having a cylindrical
configuration with a diameter less than the inside diameter of the
cylindrical wall and having a front surface 42 disposed in a substantially
perpendicular relationship to the centerline axis 30. The ram is
adapted for movement within the can cavity along the centerline
axis from a first fully opened position proximate the mounting bracket
to enable the can 38 to be disposed within the can cavity to a fully
compressed position proximate the front plug 22. The can cavity
is defined by the front surface of the ram, the cylindrical wall
and a back surface 44 of the front plug as more fully shown in FIG.
5. The insertion opening having a circumferential width less than
one-half of the diameter of the housing serves to guide the ram
concentrically within the housing.
The ram 40 includes a first rigid pin 46 rotatably extending therethrough
symmetrically about a first radial centerline axis 47 disposed in
a perpendicular relationship to the centerline axis 30 having a
first end 48 extending through and slidably engageable within the
guide slot 26 and a second end 50 extending through the can insertion
opening 32 in slidable contact with the first guide lip 34 defining
one side of the can insertion opening such that as the ram moves
along the centerline axis within the housing the first and second
end of the first rigid pin are supported and guided by the first
and second guide lips 34 36 respectively. A first ratchet arm 52
is attached at one end to the first end 48 of the rigid pin 46 and
a second ratchet arm 54 is attached at one end to the second end
50 of the rigid pin. The first and second ratchet arms 52 54 respectively,
each have a first portion 56 attached at one end to the first and
second end of the first rigid pin 48 50 respectively, angularly
disposed in a spaced-apart relation to the centerline axis 30 and
extending substantially to the top of the housing in a direction
toward the front end 20 of said housing and a second portion 58
integral with the first portion and extending from the first portion
toward the front end of the housing substantially along the top
of said housing in a substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship
with the centerline axis. The first and second ratchet arms include
first notch 60 disposed on the bottom surface 62 of the first and
second ratchet arms approximate the end surface 64 of the second
portions 58 and a second notch 66 disposed on the bottom surface
62 intermediate the first notch and the first portion of ratchet
arms in a spaced-apart relationship to the first notch 60.
A second rigid pin 68 rotatably positioned through the housing
approximate the front end, having a rotation axis 70 perpendicularly
disposed to and preferably passing through the centerline axis 30
extends through the front plug and the cylindrical wall 24 on both
sides of the housing thereby securing the front plug within the
housing. Disposed on each end of the second rigid pin, external
the housing are pivot plates 72 with the housing substantially spanning
the space therebetween. Each pivot plate is fixedly attached to
legs 74 of a handle 76 and has a pair of pivot pins 78 disposed
in an isosceles triangular spaced-apart relationship to the rotation
axis 70 passing through the second rigid pin 68. The pivot pins
78 as more fully shown in FIG. 2 include a first cylinder 80
having a diameter less than the width of the first and second notches
60 66 extending from the pivot plate a distance at least greater
than the thickness of the ratchet arms 52 54 respectively to a
cap 82 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first
cylinder and greater than the width of the first and second notches.
As shown in FIG. 1 the first and second notches on the first and
second ratchet arms extend sufficiently into said arms to enable
the pivot pins 78 to be securely engaged within the first or second
notches respectively such that rotation of the handle 76 about the
rotation axis 70 of the second rigid pin results in an axial translation
of the first and second ratchet arms in a direction toward the front
end of the housing thereby translating the ram 40 which is fixedly
attached to the ratchet arms, toward the front end of the housing.
The second rigid pin 68 is fixedly attached to the pivot plate 72
with pins 83 or the like such that as the handle 76 and the pivot
plate 72 are rotated, the second rigid pin 68 rotates about the
rotation axis 70 thereby changing the separation between the ram
40 and the front plug 22.
Referring now to FIG. 3 which is a simplified cutaway perspective
partial view of the front portion of the housing 16 showing the
positional relationship of the guide slot 26 the can insertion
opening 32 and a can ejection slot 84 disposed in the bottom portion
of the cylindrical wall. The circular openings 86 diametrically
oppose one another within the cylindrical wall 24 proximate the
front end 20 position the second rigid pin 68 as shown in FIG.
2 within the housing. As shown in FIG. 1 and in the cutaway view
of FIG. 4 the housing may be fixedly attached to the mounting bracket
with attachment means 87 well known in the art or may be attached
by welding or the like. It is to be recognized that the housing,
the mounting bracket, and the front plug or any combination thereof,
could be fabricated as a unitary structure by means well known in
the art. The pivot pins 78 are separated from one another a distance
d.sub.1 which is substantially equal to the separation d.sub.2 between
the first and second notches 60 66 respectively as shown in FIG.
4 with a sufficient clearance for runout.
Refer now to FIGS. 1 4 5 and 6. In operation, the handle 76 is
positioned above the housing in its extreme clockwise position with
the first notch 60 engaged with one pivot pin such that the first
rigid pin 46 passing through the ram 40 rests against the back surface
88 of the can insertion opening thereby positioning the ram 40 in
a first position. The back surface of the can insertion opening
provides a convenient stop to enable the handle 76 to remain in
an upright position. The can 38 is inserted into the can insertion
opening 32 and the handle 76 is rotated in the counterclockwise
direction as shown in FIG. 5. As the handle rotates the first pivot
pin 78a engaged with the first notch 60 is translated in a direction
away from the mounting bracket causing the ratchet arms and the
ram 40 fixedly attached thereto to be translated through the housing
toward the front plug thereby decreasing the space therebetween
and causing the can to be crushed between the ram and the back surface
44 of the front plug. As the handle 76 is rotated proximate the
centerline axis 30 through the housing, the pivot plate 72 rotates
such that the second pivot pin 78b begins to engage with the second
notch 66. As the handle is continued to be rotated through the centerline
axis 30 the first pivot pin 78a disengages from the first notch
60 and the second pivot pin 78b becomes fully engaged within the
second notch 66 as shown in the phantom lines in FIG. 5. During
this process of rotating the handle, the ram 40 continues in the
direction toward the front plug within the housing further crushing
the can therebetween. As shown in FIG. 6 when the handle is rotated
to its extreme counterclockwise position the ram 40 is positioned
juxtaposed the back surface 44 of the front plug with the can crushed
therebetween. Upon rotating the handle in the clockwise direction
the process of engaging the pivot pins with the notches reverses
and the ram moves away from the end plug thereby releasing pressure
on the crushed can and the crushed can falls by gravity through
the can ejection slot 84 out of the can crusher. Upon rotation of
the handle in the clockwise direction to its extreme clockwise position
the ram is projected back to its original position proximate the
back surface 88 of the can insertion opening and the process may
be repeated.
It is to be recognized that the can crusher may be fabricated with
a plurality of pivot pins and a corresponding plurality of notches
within the ratchet arm. The utilization of a plurality of pivot
pins and notches to propel the ratchet arm in the forward direction
to crush a can enables the can crusher to be fabricated in a relatively
small size of simplistic design while having a sufficient mechanical
advantage to crush cans with the minimal amount of force applied
on behalf of the user. It is also to be recognized that the pivot
plate and the ratchet arms may be rotatably attached to doles or
the like which are fixedly attached to the ram and housing.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect
to a preferred embodiment thereof it should be understood by those
skilled in the art that other various changes and omissions in the
form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
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