Can crusher

Abstract

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.