With Means (nontoggle) To Hold Jaws Against Only Retrograde Movement Patents (Class 81/329)
  • Patent number: 9352519
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lining element is provided. The method comprises laying a textile membrane onto a positive molding tool, applying first fibers and a matrix material onto at least one first region of the textile membrane for creating a semi-finished product of a framework supported textile, providing at least one sealing element along outer edges of the molding tool, covering the textile membrane and the at least one sealing element in an air tight manner by a covering means, evacuating the space between the molding tool and the covering means and curing the matrix material by heating the semi-finished product. Thereby, a lining element with a low weight and at the same time a sufficient directional stability is provided that furthermore allows to easily recycle the components of the lining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Frank, Tina Joern
  • Patent number: 8683896
    Abstract: Instrument handles isolate the functions of supporting the instrument and actuating controls on the instrument. An instrument handle may be grasped and supported by the less dexterous digits and palm of a human hand, and controls mounted on the instrument handle may be actuated by the more dexterous digits. The instrument handle may couple to an end effector so that the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain in a comfortable position when the end effector is positioned to act effectively on a selected portion of a workpiece, such as a surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medicine Lodge, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Gerbec, Joseph Q. Marietta, Brandon T. Walker, E. Marlowe Goble
  • Patent number: 8594841
    Abstract: Methods of and a system for providing a visual representation of force information in a robotic surgical system. A real position of a surgical end effector is determined. A projected position of the surgical end effector if no force were applied against the end effector is also determined. Images representing the real and projected positions are output superimposed on a display. The offset between the two images provides a visual indication of a force applied to the end effector or to the kinematic chain that supports the end effector. In addition, tissue deformation information is determined and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Tao Zhao, David Q. Larkin
  • Patent number: 8506590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Gold, David J. Danitz
  • Publication number: 20080196561
    Abstract: A restricting member with an engaging structure for a pair of locking pliers comprises a first pivoting portion, a second pivoting portion and the engaging structure. The engaging structure extends out of an upper part of the restricting member, so that it can be positioned in a groove of a side handle, and makes a supporting portion of a linking member press against the groove of the side handle. The restricting member not only saves space and cost for it needs no additional subassemblies, but also makes the assembling work more convenient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-chieh WU
  • Patent number: 7105004
    Abstract: Locking and releasing apparatus for operating a medical device includes a handle and a lever member coupled to the handle for grasping engagement by an operator. The lever member is moveable in opposite directions relative to the handle. A locking and release mechanism operably connects the lever member to a force transmitting member for operating the medical device at a location distant from the handle. The locking and release mechanism locks movement of the force transmitting member in one direction after movement of the lever member in a locking direction. The locking and release mechanism releases movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction after opposite movement of the lever member in a releasing direction. The lever member operates the locking and release mechanism for releasing the movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction substantially upon changing movement of the lever member from the locking to the releasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Start LLC
    Inventors: Paul Dicesare, Jeffrey P. Radziunas
  • Patent number: 6832532
    Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas S. Kilpela, Greg A. Berrevoets
  • Patent number: 6151992
    Abstract: A self-pulling cork extractor having a guide and a corkscrew which may be stored entirely within the guide for compact and safe storage and transport. The corkscrew includes a worm having a sharp free end attached to a handle having downwardly and inwardly foldable end portions. The end portions are upwardly and outwardly extended and the corkscrew is positioned within the guide with the free end downwardly oriented for extraction of a cork, lateral movement of the corkscrew being limited by an aperture located at the top of the guide. For storage and transport, the end portions are downwardly and inwardly folded and the corkscrew inserted upwardly through the lower portion of the guide and retained completely therein. In the storage position, the sharp free end of the worm is positioned within the aperture at the top of the guide, thereby preventing the exposure of any sharp edges or points. A foil cutter is also integrally formed in the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Metrokane, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Larimer
  • Patent number: 6145411
    Abstract: The invention discloses the structural improvement of a cork bottle opener. It is composed of a hollow cylinder, moving block and central rod. There is a cover locked at the top end of said hollow cylinder. And there is a section of inner thread in the inner wall of top end. The other end is combination end. A snap groove is set at the center of said moving block. The outer edge of said moving block has outer thread, which can be screwed to inner thread of hollow cylinder. The central rod penetrates to the hollow cylinder through a central hole on the cover. A handle is set at one end of said central rod, and a screw drill is set at another end. A constraint flange is set at the middle of central rod. A wedge is set at the end of constraint flange adjacent to screw drill. The wedge can be snapped to snap groove of moving block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Kun-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 6073519
    Abstract: A portable corkscrew has a body provided with an axial stepped hole where a plunger assembly has been housed and provided with a housing in which a cap appears which, at its lower end, supports a helicoidal rod, while at its upper face it leans against a spherical surface housed in a hole formed in a piece internal to the plunger and provided with a transverse hole to which a manually actuable external lever has been articulated by a pin, the plunger being further provided with two lateral holding elements which at its upper side end are pivotally articulated by means of respective axles against the action of associated springs while the lower ends of these holding elements have been shaped as hooks with their spikes being outwardly directed, this assembly being capable of longitudinal displacement when the mentioned external lever is manually operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Jacinto Presa Eguren
  • Patent number: 6016721
    Abstract: Device for opening bottles with natural corks. The device may include a bottle rest to be laterally positioned around a neck of the bottle to encircle a mouth of the bottle on three sides and from above and below the mouth, a holding tongue downwardly extending from the bottle rest adapted to be positioned adjacent the bottle neck, and a cork holder to hold a head of the cork on three sides and from above and below the head of the cork. The cork holder may be movably mounted in the bottle rest, and a lever may be rotatably mounted to the bottle rest, such that rotational movement of the lever provides relative movement between the bottle rest and the cork holder. The cork holder may be pivotably mounted around a rotational axis of the bottle rest at an upper end of a lifting motion, such that the rotational axis runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bottle and is positioned eccentrically at a level of a bottle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 5967000
    Abstract: A plug remover for extracting a plug from a marker bottle or the like slips laterally over and entraps the plug. The plug remover includes a handle making it easy to grasp, which in the preferred embodiment has a flat top surface and can be inverted and placed on a table top or other surface, with the plug still in the plug remover, while the bottle is refilled. In the preferred embodiment the plug remover includes a bottom cam which, after the plug has been entrapped by the remover, can be turned along the thread of the bottle neck and rides up the thread to provide additional leverage for overcoming the "stiction" between the plug and the neck of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Leonard L. Davis
  • Patent number: 5934160
    Abstract: A device for removing a cork from a stoppered bottle utilizes a lever and a cam to drive a helical corkscrew into a cork, to withdraw the cork, and then to strip the cork from the corkscrew. The device comprises a housing having a bell-shaped opening to be placed over the mouth of the bottle. A lever has a semi-circular gear at one end which is pivotally joined to the housing. The gear engages a reciprocating, and preferably a rotatable gear rack whereby pivotal movement of the lever causes the gear rack to move linearly up and down through the housing. The lower end of the gear rack is joined to the corkscrew the free end of which extends through a cam collar and engages a cam follower therein. The cam collar is movable vertically within the housing from a lower position to a raised position, but is restricted against rotation relative to the housing. Two or more flexible fingers have notches therein which engage and disengage corresponding projections on the cam collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Faye Fong Chen
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5924338
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a worm (14) that engages with a control nut (9), such that the worm spirals through the nut into the cork (4) on insertion while the nut remains stationary, then the cork is extracted by an upward force on the nut. Mechanical advantage may feature on the insertion and/or extraction processes. Both the upward force and the torque on the worm from the nut are balanced by non-frictional forces from the cork, arising from frictional forces between the bottle (2) and the cork. Having independent insertion and extraction mechanisms enables these mechanisms to be controlled independently and enables the worm to be inserted to and extracted from different depths, depending on the length of the cork. This is not possible in previous nut corkscrews, which rely either on latches at the end of the insertion stroke or on friction between the cork and the worm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Vacu Products B.V.
    Inventor: Julian Peck
  • Patent number: 5893301
    Abstract: A bottle opener for opening bottles of the type having a threaded cap secured to a threaded opening and a seal provided by sheet material secured over at least a portion of the cap and a portion of the bottle. The opener includes a cap engaging member for unthreading the cap and an edge movably positionable against the seal for disruption of the seal during unthreading of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventors: Carroll Gene Hensley, Constance Ann Hensley
  • Patent number: 5878497
    Abstract: A new bottle foil cutter for shearing foil or other material wraps on the necks of bottles. The inventive device includes a housing with an inner surface defining a bore through the housing, and a cutting member disposed within the bore. The inventive device is designed to be mounted onto a neck of a bottle and rotated so as to shear material wrap thereon. The inventive device can be coupled to and used in conjunction with a corkscrew apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph H. Seemann, III, Alfred Mall, Robert Mosteller
  • Patent number: 5868044
    Abstract: A stopper remover for a wine bottle, providing a movable and a fixed U-shaped jaws. The fixed jaw develops leverage against the sloping surface of the neck of the bottle while the movable jaw engages the stopper. A screw develops mechanical advantage for separating the jaws to pull the cork. The movable jaw is easily replaceable with a jaw of alternate configuration so that the device is useful for a range of stopper types. A return spring is used to allow the movable jaw to be reset more easily. A set of chamfers are positioned on the movable and fixed jaws to force the stopper to a central desired position on the movable jaw and the fixed jaw to a central desired position on the bottle. A stopper catcher is positioned so that the stopper cannot fly off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Harry P. Sonderman
  • Patent number: 5735874
    Abstract: A surgical handheld instrument which is used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure such as a laparoscopic surgical procedure comprises a handle body and an elongated shaft connected to the handle body at a proximal end of the shaft. An end effector such as a pair of movable jaws are located at the distal end of the shaft. An actuation handle member is movably connected to the handle body and is operatively connected to the end effector for actuating movement of the end effector. Thus, upon movement of the handle actuation member, the end effector, such as movable jaw elements, can be opened or closed. The handle body also includes a locking tab, having a Z-shaped configuration wherein one end of the locking tab has a hole therethrough. An arcuate locking rod having a smooth, uniform surface is connected at one end to the handle actuation member and is insertable at its opposite end through the hole of the locking tab such that the arcuate locking rod is in movable contact with the locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Measamer, Hector Chow, Frederick J. Reber, II, Steven W. Hamblin, James H. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5724869
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a corkscrew mechanically associated with the motor. An outer sleeve is associated with the housing. A shuttle is displaceably positioned within a channel defined in the outer sleeve. A slide, having a slot therein, is associated with the shuttle. The slot is configured to intercooperate with a rail positioned on the sidewall of the channel. The slide interacts with the rail to render the shuttle nonrotatable about its axis as the shuttle is displaced over a first length of the channel. In a second length of the channel, the shuttle is free to rotate about its axis. The corkscrew extends through a recess defined in the shuttle. A portion of a bottle containing a cork is received within the outer sleeve to engage the shuttle whereby the corkscrew may be inserted into the cork. An operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to be imbedded into the cork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. May
  • Patent number: 5588342
    Abstract: A device for removing a cork from a bottle incorporating a lazy tongs link mechanism wherein manual force is applied along the bottle axis. A flared flange seat allows the device to accommodate a range of bottle sizes. An ergonomicly shaped pull handle and loosely pinned lazy tongs links attach to a shaft and a cork screw operating through a flange comprise the device and are utilized to apply a magnified pulling force, permitting a person to exert a smooth, controlled force as opposed to massive abrupt force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: Dexter D. Ahlgren, Valerie E. Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 5544551
    Abstract: Device to draw mushroom-shaped corks (11), which can be gripped and operated by hand and is suitable to draw mushroom-shaped corks (11) consisting of cork or a plastic from bottles of sparkling wine, such sparkling wine bottles being possibly of a type with a neck (12a) containing a protruding ledge (22) or with a neck (12b) suitable for crown corks, the device comprising an outer shell (13) including in its lower portion a supporting ring (14) solidly fixed longitudinally to, and free to rotate circumferentially in relation to, the outer shell (13), an extractor element (16) being secured circumferentially to the supporting ring (14) and being able to move axially between a first lower end-of-travel position (16a) and a second upper end-of-travel position (16b), the supporting ring (14) including in its lower portion supporting elements (21) which cooperate with the protruding ledge (22) on the neck (12) of the bottle, the extractor element (16) comprising in its lower portion anchorage and clamping arm mean
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Microstamp SrL
    Inventors: Franco Marcorin, Ivo S. Tonel, Dino Munini
  • Patent number: 5503047
    Abstract: A mechanized corkscrew powered by a cordless electric screwdriver, that mimics a winged manual corkscrew, wherein the mechanized corkscrew has a bell shaped flange on a sliding element that retracts up a twin threaded shaft as the corkscrew is twisted into the cork, and then, once the corkscrew is embedded in the cork, the sliding element traverses back down the twin threaded shaft, the resulting action causing the corkscrew to pull the cork out of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: F. Rhett Brockington
  • Patent number: 5365806
    Abstract: The device is a three-in-one mechanical remover for bottle caps, bottle corks and jar caps of various sizes. The main frame metal structure has a vertical support post (6) with a pair of connected horizontal bars (8) and (9). The vertical post (6) and the upper T bar (8) are used to support the two different system for the different purposes. The shorter wing of the T bar (8) is installed with a vise system. The system has a vise screw (10) installed on the upper T bar and connects to a movable vise grip housing unit (16). The housing grip is affixed with a toothed rubber grip as an adjustable grip (24a). Another matching toothed grip at the foot of the post is installed as a stationary grip (24b). The vise grip system can be utilized to open jar caps of the various sizes. Whereas the other longer wing of the upper T bar is installed with a cork screw shaft rod (32) with a wing type cap opener (29) as a handle (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Sam S. Paramest
  • Patent number: 5361652
    Abstract: The corkscrew has a Teflon-coated worm and a body, which can be associated with the neck of a bottle and rotatably and slidably supports, in an upward region, the Teflon-coated worm, which is connected to an actuation butterfly. The corkscrew also has a guiding slider which slidably engages the body and defines a guiding hole which engages and axially positions the worth to position it axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Diego Andina
  • Patent number: 5351579
    Abstract: A rechargeable electric corkscrew for removing a cork from a bottle comprises a reversible drive having a switch for switching the drive between rotation in a first sense and an opposite sense. A body houses the drive and a rechargeable power source and has a rotatably mounted auger extending in a longitudinal direction. A sleeve has a first end adapted for slidably mounting onto the body. The sleeve has a second end surrounding the auger comprising cantilevered members each having an abutment surface adapted to abut a mouth of the bottle. The cantilevered members are adapted to flex for positioning the abutment surfaces relative to each other about the mouth. The cantilevered members has a base end having a radial extent for stably supporting the corkscrew in an upright condition. The corkscrew is also provided with a cutter for cutting a foil wrapper which covers the mouth of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Robert Metz, Dusan Nikolic
  • Patent number: 5347889
    Abstract: A device is described for removing either a cork or a mushroom-shape stopper from a bottle. It includes a support frame having a bottom ring member adapted to engage the neck of a wine bottle, a top cap member with a threaded hole extending therethrough and at least two circumferentially spaced longitudinal support members extending between the top cap and bottom ring. A threaded shaft having an upper end and a lower end is mounted in the top cap threaded hole, this shaft having a handle mounted on the upper end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew R. St. Denis
  • Patent number: 5275070
    Abstract: A device is described for removing a mushroom-shape stopper from a wine bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew R. St. Denis
  • Patent number: 5257565
    Abstract: A corkscrew includes a hollow tubular protective body having an open upper end and an open lower end; a cork drawing assembly being connected rotatably to the protective body and including a spiral drawing element which has a pointed lower end and that extends into the protective body through the open upper end of the protective body; a coiled spring being disposed in the protective body and surrounding the spiral drawing element; a positioning member disposed movably in the protective body and biased away from the upper end of the protective body by the coiled spring, the positioning member permitting extension of the pointed lower end of the spiral drawing element therethrough and into a cork of a bottle and having a plurality of sharp protrusions adapted to be inserted into the cork of the bottle; and a sleeve member connected securely to the open lower end of the protective body so as to prevent disengagement of the positioning member from the protective body through the lower end of the protective body,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Jui-Ching Hung
  • Patent number: 5220855
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to a corkscrew and in particular to a corkscrew with a simplified arrangement to pierce into a cork and extract it from a bottle by way of a more effective member for centering the helical body of the corkscrew with respect to the cork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventors: Denis T. L. Leung, Calvin T. T. Leung
  • Patent number: 5095778
    Abstract: An electric corkscrew device is provided and consists of a reversible electric motor having a stationary collar and a rotatable shaft. A first sleeve is coupled to the stationary collar of the reversible electric motor, a second sleeve is slideable within the first sleeve, in which the second sleeve is formed to cooperate with a bottle neck provided with a cork. A spring is within the first sleeve to urge the second sleeve towards the bottle neck. A corkscrew spiral is driven by the rotatable shaft of the reversible electric motor and extends through the first sleeve and the second sleeve so that when the corkscrew spiral turns in one direction it can engage the cork and pull it out of the bottle neck. A mechanism is for removing the cork from the corkscrew spiral when the rotatable shaft is reversed by the reversible electric motor and the corkscrew spiral turns in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventors: Sandor Bocsi, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5086675
    Abstract: The corkscrew comprises a housing (12) in which is screw-engaged a barrel (14). The barrel has an internal screw thread (56), of opposite hand to its outer thread (52), engaged with the housing, and a drive member (16), carrying a screw (24), and a handle (22) has a projection (58) engaged in the internal screw thread. The bottom of the barrel has a cork engaging portion (66) for gripping the top of a cork when the housing is seated on the neck of a bottle with the screw piercing the cork. The handle (22) is rotatable in one direction to drive the screw into the cork. The projection (58) moves down the internal thread (56) and engages a stop (72) so that continued rotation raises the barrel with the drive member to draw the cork into the housing. On reverse rotation of the handle, the projection moves up the internal thread to withdraw the screw such that the cork is pushed out and released from the screw by the cork engaging portion ( 66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventors: Tai L. Leung, Tai T. Leung
  • Patent number: 5079975
    Abstract: An automatic corkscrew is capable of both extracting and reinserting a cork from and into a bottle. The corkscrew includes an extraction tube which engages the bottle and forms a cork receiving area. The auger extends through the extraction tube. When rotated in a clockwise direction, the corkscrew first penetrates and then extracts the cork from the bottle. When rotated in the opposite direction, the corkscrew reinserts the cork into the bottle. A gripping means if formed on the extraction tube for gripping the bottle during reinsertion of the cork into the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Frank W. Spencer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5020395
    Abstract: Stopper removal apparatus of the type in which gas under pressure is directed into a container thereby to eject a cork or like stopper. The apparatus directs gas from a gas cylinder into a gas reservoir sealed by a piston valve. Each gas cylinder has its own seal to prevent gas escaping during storage. As a new cylinder is installed and the cylinder seal is broken, the resulting gas from the cylinder forces the piston valve to its sealing position, so no gas escapes. The gas pressure provides the sealing force. When an actuator moves the piston valve to an open position, gas passes through passages and a hollow needle that penetrates the stopper to exit within the container to eject the stopper.A cover assembly completely encloses the needle. A disk at one end of the cover retracts as the needle is inserted into the stopper. After the stopper is ejected it remains on the needle within the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Edward R. Mackey
  • Patent number: 5016499
    Abstract: An opener for the easy removal of a stopper from a champagne-type bottle unidirectionally, which opener comprises a frame having a closed front and an open rear, a first shaft at the rearward end, and a second shaft at the forward end. The second shaft is coupled to a rack at one end and to a platform adapted to engage the underside of a stopper at the other end. The rack is raised by the downward movement of a handle having a pinion at one end which engages the rack and thereby simultaneously pushes the platform upwardly on the stopper to remove it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Lee Saveland
  • Patent number: 5012703
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for extracting a cork from a bottle, such as a wine bottle.The device of the invention is designed to remove the cork from the bottle using gas under pressure flowing through a hollow needle adapted to penetrate the cork. The source of gas is a small pressurized gas container, or alternatively, a hand pump which is readily interchangeable with the gas container. The device also includes a safety shield which surrounds the needle so as to prevent accidental needle puncture during operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Helmut Reinbacher
  • Patent number: 5005450
    Abstract: The locking tool of this invention comprises three or more pieces. All three pieces are connected together with an axle pin. A first handle piece has one or more arc-like slots which criss-cross with one or more slots in a second handle piece. A third piece called a jaw piece has a vertical slot that is coextensive with the other two slots. A locking pin is movably positioned in and through the three slots. When pressure is exerted upon the two handle pieces, this locking pin is tilted against the walls of the slots to lock the jaws of the tool in position. When pressure is exerted on the handles, the slots can leverage the pin both rotationally and radially. Resistance to the pin movement either radial or rotational causes the pin to be tilted against the walls of the slot in such positions as to preclude natural reversed movement of the pin as in a one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Vernon Ford
  • Patent number: 5003844
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable opener for removal of covers which are threadedly attached to containers, such as jars of the type commonly found in households. The opener includes a unitary housing, shaped generally as an inverted L. The vertical portion of the housing contains a motor, and a power supply, while the upper, horizontal portion of the housing contains a drive mechanism which is driveably attached to the motor and to a vertically adjustable and removable first gripping means, which is adapted to grip the cover of a container. This first gripping means includes a resilient body which is adapted to be compressed around the container cover by an over center clamping mechanism. A second gripping means is provided to retain the container. The second gripping means surrounds the container and also utilizes an over center clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Bennie W. Barrow
  • Patent number: 4955261
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an automatic corkscrew and in particular to one which utilizes a motor in association with a ferrule and a drawing tube to rotate a worm into a cork of a bottle and draw it out automatically. Then, the corkscrew may also withdraw the cork automatically by switching a conversion button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Chyuan How Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Tung Chiang
  • Patent number: 4947711
    Abstract: A device for the controlled removal and re-insertion of the cork used with the conventional champagne bottle. The device has a first member having a cavity which is sized and shaped to straddle the neck of the bottle, with a plastic insert to specifically fit the circumferential rib which the conventional champagne bottle has near the spout. A second member contains annular ridges to slide onto and grip the head of the cork. A single handle utilizes a rack gear mechanism to move the two members apart, linearly and under leverage, so that the cork can be removed and re-inserted with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Ben F. Giebeler
  • Patent number: 4836060
    Abstract: A device for providing a simple and effortless removal of a cork or stopper from its container. The present invention comprisess a partially threaded cylindrical shaft, said shaft adapted at one end to support a pin placed through and protruding from its diameter. The shafts opposite end is provided with a common corkscrew tip and a ball shaped housing to accomodate varying container rims. A threaded and slotted ball is used to communicate with said pin and shaft threadings, whereby a continuous clockwise rotation of the ball, penetrates and removes the cork or stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Robert J. Klefbeck
  • Patent number: 4798106
    Abstract: A champagne bottle cork puller and insertion apparatus for controllably pulling and inserting a champagne cork. The apparatus includes a cork engager, an engager raising and lower device, and a single piece body which is attached to the raising and lowering device. The body includes a groove which fits around a champagne bottle spout rim and keeps the body essentially vertically immovable with respect to the champagne bottle during operation. The apparatus includes relatively few parts and is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventor: Milton E. Foster
  • Patent number: 4765206
    Abstract: A cork extractor for a cork in a bottle has a frame adapted to engage the bottle end around the axis of the cork and has a rod slidable and rotatable in the frame in line with the cork. A lever pivoted on the frame has a yielding pawl adapted individually to engage and successively to ride over each one of a series of stops on the rod, in this way incrementally extracting the cork with each actuation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventor: Paul W. Poehlmann
  • Patent number: 4750391
    Abstract: An opener (10) for removing a cork (36) from a champagne-type bottle (12)in a generally straight line comprises a frame (20, 22) contactable with the bottle by a pivotable annulus (60) so that the opener can be maintained generally immobile with respect to the bottle during removal of the cork. A pair of tongs (32) are slidable in channels within arms (30) so that the tongs may be moved towards and from the mouth of the bottle. The tongs are pivotable with respect to one another so that, when they are moved upwardly from the mouth of the bottle by a rack (46) engaging gear segments (50) on handles (54), the tongs can pivot towards one another to secure better engagement with the cork to effect movement of the tongs and the cork engaged thereby in a direction away from the bottle. The tongs are also pivotable to accommodate corks of different sizes, and the wires binding the cork to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Stan Dee, Incorporated
    Inventor: Stanley I. Sweatt
  • Patent number: 4729267
    Abstract: A device for the controlled removal and re-insertion of the cork used with the conventional champagne bottle. The device has a first member having a cavity which is sized and shaped to straddle the neck of the bottle, and specifically the circumferential rib which the conventional champagne bottle has near the spout. A second member is sized and shaped to slide onto the head of the cork. Various types of handles, linkages and gears are shown to move the two members apart, linearly, and under leverage, so that the cork can be removed and re-inserted with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Ben F. Giebeler
  • Patent number: 4727779
    Abstract: A cork screw which comprises a pedestal and a rotary handle incorporating a stem and a penetrating screw wherein the pedestal incorporates a dog member to engage with a helical groove of the stem and a spring biased sleeve around the stem to cause the dog member to engage with the helical groove when the handle is turned in a certain direction and disengage therefrom when a cork is pulled entirely out of a bottle. A holding member is incorporated in the pedestal to hold a cork after it has been pulled out of a bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Wen-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 4703673
    Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a cork from a bottle comprises a movable portion, a handle, and a holder. The movable portion includes a helical corkscrew. The handle includes at least one elongate arm and is associated with the movable portion such that the arm may extend radially outwardly with respect to the corkscrew in an operating position of the handle. The arm has a restraining formation disposed distal the corkscrew in the operating position and adapted to engage a human finger and restrain it against movement radially outwardly. The holder is engageable with a bottle and defines an opening for receipt of a cork as it emerges from the bottle. The holder has a guide which allows rotational and longitudinal movement of the movable portion relative to the holder whereby the corkscrew can be driven downwardly into the cork and to a lowered position with respect to the holder upon rotation of the movable portion in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Hallen Company
    Inventor: Herbert Allen
  • Patent number: 4680993
    Abstract: An improved champagne bottle opener comprising a flanged yoke-shaped cork extractor pivotally connected to a levered actuator and further pivotally connected to a flanged yoke-shaped platform which engages the flanged neck of a champagne bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Jack M. Feliz
  • Patent number: 4677883
    Abstract: A cork screw which has a screw stem with a rotary handle incorporating a penetrating screw, and a hollow pedestal to be seated on a bottle sleeved movably on the stem and encasing the penetrating screw. Dog members are fulcrumed on the pedestal and engage releaseably with a helical groove of the screw stem. Upon rotation of the handle, the penetrating screw penetrates into the cork and subsequently pulls out the cork from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: Wen-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: D358744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Le Creuset S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Entwistle
  • Patent number: D359213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Le Creuset, S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Entwistle