Abstract: A shellfish opener in the form of a hand-held vise and blade, wherein the shellfish is positioned between an upper blade and a lower anvil jaw, the blade responsive to ratchet operation as a result of the squeezing of two handles, the blade severing the muscle and splitting the shellfish in half along its seam, to allow access to the meat of the shellfish.

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.

Abstract: A thoracic closure device. The device has a handle member, a base member, and a feed path, and is designed to accept and, with a ratcheting mechanism, tension a toothed closure tie. A guide member is also provided, and assists in the placement of a closure tie prior to tensioning. Methods of closing a median sternotomy using toothed closure ties are also disclosed.

Abstract: An embellishment setting device capable of setting a variety of types and sizes of embellishments. The embellishment setting device may include a first lever, a second lever and at least one adjustable segment with a plurality of impact surfaces. The embellishment setting device may also include first and second adjustable segments, where both adjustable segments have a plurality of impact surfaces and wherein the compression of the proximal ends of the first and second levers causes one of the plurality of impact surfaces of the first adjustable segment to bear against one of the plurality of impact surfaces of the second adjustable segment. The embellishment setting device may also include one or more depth gauges and associated extendable hole punches.

Abstract: A corkscrew comprising a body and a handle, the body including a socket adapted to receive the neck of a bottle sealed by a cork, an actuation lever, an axially rotatable worm spiral mounted on a carriage within the body and arranged to rotate and penetrate the cork as the lever is lowered, the spiral being further arranged to cease rotation as the lever is raised to withdraw the cork from the bottle, the corkscrew being further arranged to discharge the cork from the screw by lowering and raising the lever after the neck of the bottle has been removed from the socket.

Abstract: Clamping or expanding pliers having a first plier arm pivotally connected to a second plier arm, and a toothed structure attached to the first plier arm. A catch member is movably connected to the second plier arm. A single bias spring biases the plier arm apart and biases the catch member to a resting position engaged with the toothed structure. Either with or without the single bias spring the catch member may include an intermediate release position allowing a separating movement of the first and second plier arms without disengaging the catch member from the toothed structure. The first and second plier arms may include a resiliently deformable plastic, with the catch member arranged so that the force required to move it to its release position is lower than the clamping force.

Abstract: Adjustable pliers having a pair of handles, each handle having a jaw portion, an intermediate portion and a hand-grip portion. The handles intersect each other and are pivotally mounted to each other so that movement of the hand-grip portions in one direction will move the jaw portions in the same direction. Holding means in the form of a pin extends from one of the intermediate portions and a slot is in the other intermediate portion. The holding pin extends into the slot and is slidable along the slot. The slot has receiving means in the form of notches which will receive the said holding pin when the jaw portions are placed in a predetermined position and hold them in that position. A locking assembly is also provided on the handle members to lock the two in position.

Abstract: An improved corkscrew having a main body or lever (1), whose intermediate section has a shaft (2) on which a helicoidal thread (3) swings and in whose end there is another shaft (7) by which a second ribbed arm (8) swings, having on its two sides two grooves (12) opposite to each other, along which the two extensions of the shaft (7) run, with several locking points.

Abstract: A manually operated corkscrew is disclosed with a substantially U-shaped body having first and second ends. A rack with teeth is moveable within the body. The rack has first and second ends and is biased to move toward the second end of the body. Two symmetrical wings are provided on the second end of the rack with an extension spike mounted therebetween. A handle, pivotally attached at a pivot to the body adjacent to the first end of the body also has an axis joint disposed adjacent to the pivot. A ratchet claw, with a claw end, is pivotally disposed on the axis joint and biased so that the claw end engages the teeth on the rack. The handle acts as a first-class lever when activated about the pivot to gradually push the rack toward the first end of the body through progressive engagement between the ratchet claw and the teeth on the rack.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cork extracting device containing a supporting shaft and a coil-type screw and in which the supporting shaft and the screw are separately made and then connected together, which comprises providing a bottom end portion of the supporting shaft with a coupling portion having a coupling aperture disposed therein, providing a coiled screw with a screw coupling portion at the top end thereof, inserting a guiding tube into the coupling portion of the shaft, the guiding tube having a center hole which extends therethrough and branches at the end thereof as a hooking groove, inserting the screw coupling portion into the hole of the guiding tube and bending the end of the screw coupling portion to engage with the hooking groove.

Abstract: A device for venting a container having a bung includes a saddle assembly curable to a container and having a support extending therefrom. A first arm is rotatably secured to the support, and the first arm extends in a first direction. A second arm has a first end portion drivingly engaged with the first arm, so that rotation of the first arm causes rotation of the second arm. A second end portion of the first arm is positionable proximate the bung of the container. A socket is operably associated and rotatable with the second end portion and is drivingly engageable with the bung, so that rotation of the socket causes corresponding rotation of the bung for thereby venting the container.

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).

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.

Abstract: A can lid remover comprises a pair of mutually expandable wedge members (17, 23) which may be driven in between an outer peripheral flange (49) of a can and an outer peripheral flange (48) of a lid in adjacent initial positions in which they are located side by side in a common plane and which then may be moved to mutually expanded positions while lifting the lid flange (48) from the can flange (49).

Abstract: A pry device adapted for removing a lid from a container comprises a first lever member, a second lever member and a fulcrum element interconnecting the first and second lever members for relative pivotal movement therebetween. The first lever member has a first handle portion and a first lip portion opposite the first handle portion. The first lip portion is configured to engage an edge portion of the lid when the lid is secured to the container. The second lever member has a second handle portion and a second lip portion opposite the second handle portion. The second lip portion is configured to engage a flange on the container. The first and second lip portions are movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. In the contracted position, the first and second lip portions are at a first distance sufficiently to respectfully engage the edge portion of the lid and the flange.

Abstract: A device is described for removing a mushroom-shape stopper from a wine bottle.

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.

Abstract: A stopper remover and piercing pin for champagne bottles, and the like, which has grasping jaws and a piercing pin on an operative shaft, wherein the operative shaft is moved by lever-driven gears inward toward the bottle to pierce the stopper and outward away from the bottle to remove the stopper.

Abstract: The invention provides a pocket hand corkscrew having an operating lever with a bottom and two flanges, attached to a channel-like guideway which may pivot from a position wherein it is applied against the bottom. A slide member may slide along the guideway, is attached to a helical corkscrew member and has teeth. A dog rotatably attached to the lever may engage the teeth when the lever is operated, providing smooth, comfortable movement of the slide member and consequently of the helical screw member previously driven into a stopper.

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.

Abstract: A forceps for use in orthopedic surgical procedures having readily interchangeable tip elements and a reversible ratchet mechanism, for controlling the tip elements. A variety of tips for compression and distraction are provided. The ratchet mechanism permits controlled increments of force to be applied to the tips.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing a cork from a champagne bottle, wherein a manual force is applied along the bottle axis, so as to avoid side thrust forces that might cause the bottle to slip out of the person's hand. A lazy tong linkage is utilized to apply a magnified force onto the undersurface of the cork, whereby the person is able to exert a smooth controlled manual force on the mechanism, as opposed to a massive abrupt force that might tend to cause the bottle to drop or tip over.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A tool for removing headed stoppers from bottles such as champagne bottles, includes a base having a two fingered yoke and a side support, sized and shaped to engage the upper lip and the side of the neck of the bottle respectively, so that when a handle, pivotally attached to the base, is lowered toward the bottle, a pair of inwardly biased jaws slide down over the head of the stopper to engage its undersurface between the fingers of the yoke. Thereafter, the handle is lifted extracting the stopper while inwardly facing extensions positioned above the stopper on the jaws restrict upward motion of the stopper to prevent uncontrolled motion thereof.

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.

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.

Abstract: A device for controllably removing a stopper from a bottle, such as a champagne bottle, so as to prevent the uncontrolled discharge of the stopper from the bottle opening. The device has a brace means selectively securable to a portion of the bottle beneath the stopper, chuck means or alternatively a socket for engaging the stopper, and actuator means operatively connected to the brace means and chuck means or socket for raising the chuck means or socket relative to the brace and thereby removing the stopper from the bottle. The chuck means and stopper securely engage the stopper and thereby prevent its uncontrolled discharge from the bottle opening.

Abstract: A stopper removing device mountable on a bottle. A carriage on the frame of the remover has a removing lip disposed beneath the head of the stopper. Upon downward movement of the levers, the carriage is driven upwardly to extract the stopper S. The levers have handles which are disposed approximately horizontally just after application of the stopper removing device to the neck of a bottle, such handles being gripped and forced downwardly to effect upward movement of the carriage and the stopper relative to the bottle. The levers have open slots slidably engaging studs on the carriage. The carriage has three sets of slides alternately engaging the opposite sides of a frame to mount the carriage in place. A shield is carried by the carriage and disposed above the head of the stopper to prevent the stopper, under gaseous pressure from the interior of the bottle, from being popped upwardly clear of the removing device and into the face of the user.

Abstract: A lockable plier-type tool having the lockable features selectively engageable and including handle flexibility and locking element positioning that enhances its gripping capabilities. The locking elements are also arranged and constructed so that the plier may conveniently be used in the conventional manner (i.e. without the locking feature) and may exhibit any desired jaw configuration.

Abstract: A stopper extractor includes a housing having an open end and a closed end and a side-facing cutout on one side of the housing wall with a grip disposed for axial movement within the housing. The grip has an inwardly disposed circular flange, a side-facing cutout and an axial extension which passes through the closed housing end. The side-facing cutouts are sized to allow the enlarged head of a stopper to be inserted laterally into the grip. A crescent shaped cam is pivotally mounted to the extension and bears against the outer surface of the closed end. A handle is used to pivot the cam which pulls the grip axially upwardly. A spring, between the grip and the housing, biases the grip axially toward the open housing end. The extractor is mounted over the stopper with the open end against the container and the grip lip under the lower edge of the cork head. Rocking the handle pivots the cam to raise the grip.

Abstract: A cork puller of the kind wherein a puller shaft is supported in a sleeve for vertical movement by means of pivotally mounted levers provided with toothed sectors which mesh with rack teeth on the puller shaft and, more particularly, to a bearing structure for supporting the levers which enables easy assembly of the levers with their toothed sectors in engagement with the rack teeth of the puller without the aid of rivets or screws visible from the outside and without having to distort the lever-supporting structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ratchet mechanism for compelling precise operation of a hand tool as well as a device thereon for releasing the mechanism. More particularly, the invention includes a ratchet plate, releasable pawl and a guard plate.

Abstract: An improved mechanical cork puller wherein the pivot holes of the lever arms receive and pivot about one or more ribs formed on the inner surfaces of the opposed pairs of support ears, resulting in no visible sign of a pivot support on the outer surfaces of the support ears. The support ears have an inwardly diverging taper providing free meshing movement between the toothed sectors of the lever arms and the cork puller shaft. To manufacture, elongated rib members are initially die-cast on the inner surfaces of the support ears and thereafter cut away to the desired length to form the pivot support for the lever arms. As cast, the inner surfaces of the support ears diverge outwardly and thereafter the outer ends of the support ears are bent toward each other so that the inner surfaces thereof diverge inwardly. The lever arms are thereafter assembled by merely force fitting them into place between the support ears.