Can opener
AssigneeProgressive International Corporation
InventorKwok So
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A can opener (100) has two pivotal handles (110 and 120), a traction wheel (200) and a cutter blade (300) movable by respective handles (110 and 120) for cutting open a can, and a pivotable lever (400). There is a ratchet assembly (500) driven by the lever (400) upon reciprocation for operating the traction wheel (200) and cutter blade (300), which has a ratchet wheel (510) connected with the traction wheel (200) and a spring-loaded pawl (520) movable by the lever (400) for turning the ratchet wheel (510) in a driving direction (D) upon reciprocation of the lever (400). The pawl (520) has front and rear ends (521 and 522) taken in the driving direction (D), with the front end (521) in engagement with the lever (400) and the rear end (522) engageable with the ratchet wheel (510) for turning the same.
Claims24
A can opener comprising:
- first and second handle members pivotally connected to each other;
- a rotatable traction wheel and a rotatable cutter blade movable by the first and second handle members respectively between an inoperative position in which the wheel and the blade are spaced apart for receiving an edge of a can to be opened and an operative position in which the wheel and the blade are close together for turning and cutting the edge of said can;
- an operating lever supported for pivotal reciprocation relative to the handle members;
- and
- a ratchet assembly arranged to be driven by the operating lever upon reciprocation for operating the traction wheel and the cutter blade, the ratchet assembly comprising a ratchet wheel in engagement with the traction wheel and a spring-loaded pawl movable by the operating lever for turning the ratchet wheel in a driving direction upon reciprocation of the operating lever, wherein the pawl has front and rear portions taken in the driving direction, with the front portion operably connected to the operating lever and the rear portion engaged with the ratchet wheel for turning the ratchet wheel.
A can opener comprising:
- first and second handles pivotally connected to each other, at least one of the first and second handles defining a chamber adjacent the pivotal connection;
- a rotatable traction wheel and a rotatable cutter blade movable by the first and second handles respectively between an inoperative position in which the wheel and the blade are spaced apart for receiving an edge of a can to be opened and an operative position in which the wheel and the blade are close together for turning and cutting the edge of said can;
- an operating lever supported for pivotal reciprocation relative to the handles;
- a ratchet assembly arranged to be driven by the operating lever upon reciprocation and coupled to the traction wheel for operating the traction wheel and the cutter blade, the ratchet assembly being housed within the chamber and comprising a ratchet wheel and a pawl engaged with the ratchet wheel.
A can opener comprising:
- first and second handles pivotally connected to each other, at least one of the first and second handles defining a chamber adjacent the pivotal connection;
- a rotatable traction wheel and a rotatable cutter blade movable by the first and second handle members respectively between an inoperative position in which the wheel and the blade are spaced apart for receiving an edge of a can to be opened and an operative position in which the wheel and the blade are close together for turning and cutting the edge of said can;
- and
- a means for rotating the traction wheel, the means for rotating being mounted within the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.