Nut-cracker device

Abstract

A device for cracking shells of nuts comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaws spaced apart and arranged to move together to compress a nut N between them, the first jaw arranged to slide on an arm to amend the spacing of the jaws, the second jaw arranged to be driven along the arm towards the first jaw by a driving mechanism; and a lever; the lever arranged to operate the driving mechanism and drive the second jaw along the arm towards the first jaw; the first jaw held by a user when the lever is pulled, characterized in that the first jaw comprises an elongate first jaw member with an intermediate perforation for passage of the arm, whereas the second jaw comprises an L-shaped part with a pinion arm parallel the arm and moving through the mechanism, and an orthogonally arranged jaw arm parallel the first jaw member.

Claims

1. A nut-cracker device (99) comprising a first jaw (1) and a second jaw (55), the jaws spaced apart and arranged to move together to compress a nut N between them, the first jaw (1) arranged to slide on an arm (3) to amend the spacing of the jaws, the second jaw (55) arranged to be driven along the arm (3) towards the first jaw (1) by a driving mechanism (11); and a lever (4); the lever (4) arranged to operate the driving mechanism (11) and drive the second jaw (55) along the arm (3) towards the first jaw (1); the first jaw (1) held by a user when the lever (4) is pulled, wherein the first jaw (1) comprises an elongate first jaw member (7) with an intermediate perforation (17) for passage of the arm (3), whereas the second jaw (55) comprises an L-shaped part with a pinion arm (15) parallel to the arm (3) and moving through the mechanism (11), and an orthogonally arranged jaw arm (5) parallel the first jaw member (7).

2. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism (11) comprises a toothed gear wheel (51).

3. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 2 wherein the gear wheel (51) is spring-biased to return.

4. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 1 wherein the arm (3) and the first jaw member (7) comprise over-center type blocking means.

5. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 1 wherein the first jaw (1) is spring-biased to return.

6. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 1 wherein the driving mechanism (11) comprises at least two geared wheels (12), fitted to each other in order to create a mechanical reduction.

7. A nut-cracker device (99) according claim 1 wherein the driving mechanism (11) comprises a section of a geared wheel (11a).

8. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism (11) comprises at least two sections of a geared wheel (11a).

9. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 8, wherein the driving mechanism (11) is L-shaped and includes at least two pinion arms (15a) and (15b) adapted to move through contact with the two sections of a geared wheel (11a) and (11b).

10. A nut-cracker device (99) according to claim 2 wherein the lever (4) rotatory travel limit is a 35 angular range from an initial position in which pressure is not exerted on the lever, to a maximally rotated position upon exertion of pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a standard view of an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in an open position.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a standard view of an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 in a closed position.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(8) With reference to the FIGS. 1 to 7, is presented an embodiment of the device 99 comprising a first jaw 1 and a second jaw 55, the jaws spaced apart and arranged to move together to compress a nut N between them, the first jaw 1 arranged to slide on an arm 3 to amend the spacing of the jaws, the second jaw 55 arranged to be driven along the arm 3 towards the first jaw 1 by a driving mechanism 11; and a lever 4 arranged to operate the driving mechanism 11 and drive the second jaw 55 along the arm 3 towards the first jaw 1; the first jaw 1 held by a user when the lever 4 is pulled.

(9) In the pictured embodiment the first jaw 1 comprises an elongate member 7 with an intermediate perforation 17 for the arm 3, having a short end 9 to one side of the arm and a longer section to the opposing side of the perforation 17 and arm 3, wherein the internal surface 77 of the short end comprises the first jaw surface in use.

(10) The second jaw 55 comprises an L-shaped part and is attached to the lever 4 through a geared driving mechanism 11, whereby when the lever 4 is turned the gear 11 rotates, moving the second jaw 55 along a channel 13 in the U-shaped arm 3 in section, cracking the nut N between the jaws. The second jaw comprises an L-shaped part with a pinion arm 15 parallel the arm 3 and moving through contact with the gear teeth 12, and orthogonally arranged to the pinion arm 15 and arm 5 forming the second jaw 55 parallel the first jaw member 7

(11) In this way the mechanism comprises a toothed geared wheel 12 held in a housing 6, which housing 6 allows the correspondingly toothed pinion 15 extending orthogonally on the second jaw 55 to be held in contact with the wheel 12.

(12) The wheel 12 is turned by the pivoting movement of the lever and the pinion and jaw are driven and correspondingly move out of the housing when the lever is squeezed.

(13) The first jaw member 7 is connected to the arm 3 with a set of bearings 16 that allow it to move freely whereby if needed the first jaw member 7 can be moved along the arm 3 to securely grip the nut N, according to nut N size. The first jaw member 7 is returned to its position with a spring 71.

(14) In use therefore the first jaw member 7 is moved into place then held in place by the user, without compression, the user have the heel of the hand against the outer face of the member 7, and fingers through a hole 10 in the lever 4.

(15) The lever 4 and first jaw member 7 have smooth, rounded surfaces so they are comfortable to grip, even under great pressure.

(16) The lever 4 can be made from a variety of materials to suit the style of the user but is envisaged to have chamfered edges for comfort in the hand.

(17) The internal surfaces 77 of the short end 9 of the first jaw member 7 and the second jaw 55 are textured with a cross hatched pattern or knurled to ensure they can easily grip the nut N or seed.

(18) The lever 4 is limited in travel by the distal end of the first jaw member, or by the proximal end 51 of the lever which abuts the arm 3 so as to limit rotatory travel, an on return abuts the housing 6. As an example, the rotatory travel limit can be a 35 angular range from the initial position.

(19) The lever returns to its original position via a torsion spring 14 within the mechanism 11 which acts to relocate the lever 4 and the second jaw 55 on the arm 3.

(20) The first jaw member 7 is furthermore arranged to return to an original position, through a compression spring 71.

(21) In this way the lever 4 is arranged to travel only a short distance and return. In the pictured embodiment this distance is envisaged to be 8 mm, sufficient to crack the nut N shell without breaking the internal nut N meat.

(22) According to one embodiment, the geared driving mechanism 11 can be made of at least two geared wheels 12, fitted to each other in order to create a mechanical reduction. The reduction facilitates the use of the nut-cracker by reducing the compression force necessary to enable the cracking of said nut.

(23) According to another embodiment, the geared driving mechanism 11 comprises a section of a geared wheel 11a.

(24) According to an alternative embodiment, the geared driving mechanism 11 comprises at least 2 section of a geared wheel 11a and 11b, arranged side-by-side. The driving mechanism 11 further comprises an L-shaped part with at least two pinion arms 15a and 15b adapted to move through contact with the two sections of a geared wheel 11a and 11b.

(25) The first jaw member 7, the lever 4, the gears and springs are all made from metal to ensure durability.

(26) In use:

(27) The nut N is placed between the jaws, by sliding the first jaw 1 into a position which will hold the nut N between the jaws, ideally with the walnut N with the seam parallel to the arm 3.

(28) The user lightly holds the long end of the first jaw member 7 and the lever 4 so as to maintain the nut N in place.

(29) The lever 4 and the long end of the first jaw member 7 are squeezed towards each other to rotate the gear mechanism 11 and advance the second jaw 55 towards the first jaw 1 along the arm 3, to compress the nut N in the jaws and crack the shell without damaging the meat.

(30) The first jaw member 7 and the lever 4 are released and return to their original positions.

(31) The nut N is ready to eat.

(32) With reference to the FIGS. 5 and 6, in an alternative embodiment to the present invention, the nut-cracker device 99 enable two functional positions.

(33) A first position, referenced as initial position comprises a maximal width between the jaws, and a maximal width between the first jaw member 7 and the lever 4, as shown in FIG. 5.

(34) A second position, as described in FIG. 6, and further referred to as locked position comprises an amended spacing between the jaws, locking the nut N in-between the jaws consecutively to a compression applied by the user.

(35) In a particular embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7, the mechanism 11 further comprises a guide 90 attached to the lower side of the intermediate perforation 17 of the first jaw member 7.

(36) The guide 90 is inserted in a slide extending horizontally through the lower part of the arm 3, enabling said arm 3 to slide more easily and according to a precise axis toward the intermediate perforation 17.

(37) The guide 90 may allow the arm 3 to slide through the intermediate perforation 17, when amending the spacing between the jaws 55/7, until said jaws 55/7 come into contact with the nut N. The mechanism is then blocked by over-center type blocking means when the jaws 55/7 come into contact with the nut N.

(38) When the user stops the compression after having cracked the nut N, the arm 3 may slide back more easily to its original position, following said guide 90.

(39) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.