Abstract: A gravity-induced impact-type nutcracker with a self-guided trip hammer that, upon actuation, drops solely via the force of gravity to strike a nut supported within a nut cracking chamber with a consistently guided uniform force. The helve of the hammer is pivotally supported adjacent its rear end between a pair of upstanding guide columns. A cord connected to the rear of the hammer helve is attached to a freewheeling take-up spool which is releasably engagable by a hand crank drive wheel to facilitate raising the hammer head to a set position prior to releasing the same. Continued rotation of the crank causes a release mechanism connected to the rear of the hammer helve to disengage the take-up spool from the drive wheel, thereby releasing and allowing the hammer to drop under its own weight. The cracking chamber which holds the nut includes a removable drawer with a variety of differently sized nut-retaining cavities formed therein for accommodating a variety of different types and sizes of nuts.

Abstract: A gravity-induced impact-type nutcracker with a self-guided trip hammer that, upon actuation, drops solely via the force of gravity to strike a nut supported within a nut cracking chamber with a consistently guided uniform force. The helve of the hammer is pivotally supported adjacent its rear end between a pair of upstanding guide columns. A cord connected to the rear of the hammer helve is attached to a freewheeling take-up spool which is releasably engagable by a hand crank drive wheel to facilitate raising the hammer head to a set position prior to releasing the same. Continued rotation of the crank causes a release mechanism connected to the rear of the hammer helve to disengage the take-up spool from the drive wheel, thereby releasing and allowing the hammer to drop under its own weight. The cracking chamber which holds the nut includes a removable drawer with a variety of differently sized nut-retaining cavities formed therein for accommodating a variety of different types and sizes of nuts.