Apparatus for fastening and loosening a lid from a container

• US 20050257646A1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: United States Army (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Inventors: Yeager, Arthur F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/3.330
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 3/2006 using manually-controlled or manually operated devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/18 for removing threaded caps B67B7/14 takes precedence; wrenches B25B13/00

Abstract

The device performs the function of opening and/or closing lids attached to containers, and more particularly child-proof lids in at least some embodiments. The device preferably includes a base, a post, an arm, a mechanism that converts straight movement to rotation movement, and a plate to engage the lid of a container. The conversion mechanism in at least some embodiments includes a spring.

Claims

1. A device for loosening and/or tightening a lid onto a container, said device comprising:

a base,

a post connected to said base,

an arm connected to said post,

a lever in rotational communication with said arm,

a head, and

a rotating means for rotating said head based on movement of said lever.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a gear connected to said lever, and

wherein said rotating means includes

an outer shaft linear engagement of said gear,

an inner shaft in communication with said outer shaft, and

a spring in communication with said inner shaft and said head.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said inner shaft includes a barrier on an inside of said inner shaft, said barrier is in communication with said spring.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said head includes a post extending from a top surface towards said inner shaft.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said head includes a plurality of teeth, and

said inner shaft includes a plurality of teeth around a free end capable of engaging said plurality of teeth of said head.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein said head includes a shaft extending from a top surface of said head,

said shaft includes a plurality of teeth spaced around a top of said shaft, and

said inner shaft includes a plurality of teeth around a free end capable of engaging said plurality of teeth of said shaft of said head.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said shaft of said head overlaps with said outer shaft.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein said outer shaft includes a pair of slots on opposing sides of said outer shaft, and

said inner shaft includes at least one pin in communication with said slots.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein each of said slots is V-shaped.

10. The, device according to claim 2, wherein said inner shaft includes a pair of slots on opposing sides of said inner shaft, and

said outer shaft includes at least one pin in communication with said slots.

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein said head includes a recess, and said inner shaft includes a tip capable of engaging the recess of said head.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a gear connected to said lever and in communication with said rotating means.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating means includes

a rotation driver mechanism connected to said arm and capable of engaging said head,

a telescoping shaft in communication with said rotational driver mechanism, and

a spring housed within said telescoping shaft.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said rotation driver mechanism includes

an outer shaft, and

a spindle with at least one spiral channel engaging said outer shaft.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said lever includes

a handle,

a roller having a spindle connected to said handle and said arm,

said head includes

a top plate connected to said roller,

a bottom plate, said bottom plate having a plurality of recesses spaced around a perimeter of said bottom plate and a bottom surface capable of contacting a lid of a container, and

a bearing between said top plate and said bottom plate,

said rotating means includes

at least two paddles extending from said spindle and spaced from each other, each of said paddles is capable of engaging at least one recess in said bottom plate, and

a post on an end of said roller, said post is capable of pushing at least one paddle.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said arm includes a passageway passing therethrough,

said lever includes

a handle, and

a cam end connected to said handle and said arm,

said rotating means includes

a spindle passing through the passageway of said arm,

a spring encircling a portion of said spindle above said arm,

a cam follower attached to said spindle at a point below said arm, said cam follower in communication with said cam end of said lever, and

a cam wedge connected to said head, said cam wedge capable of causing said head to rotate as said handle traverses said cam wedge.

17. The device according to claim 16, further comprising a return spring attached to said head, and

wherein said arm further includes a post attached to said return spring.

18. A device for loosening and/or tightening a lid onto a container, said device comprising:

a base,

a post connected to said base,

an arm connected to said post, said arm including a sleeve,

a lever in rotational communication with said arm,

a gear connected to said lever and housed within said arm,

an outer shaft including a rack engaging said gear and journaled with said sleeve,

an inner shaft connected to said outer shaft, said inner shaft including

a barrier internal to said inner shaft, and

a plurality of teeth around a bottom of said inner shaft,

a spring in communication with said barrier and internal to said inner shaft, and

a head in communication with said spring, said head having

a top surface,

a plurality of teeth spaced from each other and extending from said top surface capable of engaging said plurality of teeth of said inner shaft,

a post extending up from said top surface from a point within said plurality of teeth, said post encircled by said spring, and

a bottom surface opposing said top surface.

19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a operation switch in communication with at least one of said inner shaft and said outer shaft, and

wherein said barrier having an opening passing therethrough,

said head includes a shaft extending from said top surface on which said plurality of teeth are present,

said post of said head includes a cap at its free end, said post passes through the opening in said barrier and said cap rests on said barrier when said spring is uncompressed,

one of said inner shaft and said outer shaft includes a pair of slots with the other shaft having at least one pin in sliding engagement of at least of said slots.

20. A device for loosening and/or tightening a lid onto a container, said device comprising:

a base with at least one protrusion having a circular shape,

a controlling means for controlling the operation of said device,

a lid contacting means for contacting a lid of a container and rotating the lid,

a rotational means for rotating said lid contacting means in response to use of said controlling means,

a means for placing said rotational means over said base.