Abstract: An aluminum can crushing mechanism includes a support base which has a pair of support members extending from it. Situated between the support members is a pair of compacting plates. The compacting plates utilize a pair of alignment rods, one plate having the alignment rods affixed therewithin and the other plate being functionally adapted to be movable along the alignment rods. Rotatably affixed to the movable plate is a handle member which, when rotated from a generally upwardly extending position to a downward position, causes the compacting plates to move towards each other thereby compacting an aluminum can located between the compacting plates. When the handle member is rotated upwardly, the compacted can drops out from the mechanism without further handling of it.

Abstract: A device for smashing empty aluminum cans that provides for holding the cans horizontally on the ground while an automobile runs over the cans in order to smash the cans into a flattened configuration for recycling. The device is comprised of a long, narrow backing and a flexible member that is secured to a top surface of the backing. The flexible member is formed into a series of parallel curved flaps for removably holding the cans across the width of the backing and in the path of travel of the automobile. The flexible flaps are resilient and they return to their original configuration after the automobile has run over the device, allowing the smashed cans to be removed from the device and the device to be reused.

Abstract: A compactor comprises a body having a connector side and a compacting side. A lip extends from the compacting side. The lip forms and at least partially surrounds a cavity on the compacting side. Finally, a connector is provided on the connector side. A handle connects to the connector, and the cavity has a v-shape surface structure. The user grasps the handle and repeatedly lowers the compactor to compact the debris.

Abstract: A compactor is provided and comprises a body having a connector side and a compacting side. A lip extends from the compacting side. The lip forms and at least partially surrounds a cavity on the compacting side. Finally, a connector is provided on the connector side. A handle connects to the connector, and the cavity has a v-shape surface structure. The user grasps the handle and repeatedly lowers the compactor to compact the debris.

Abstract: An oil filter crusher includes an elongated triangular frame, a threaded drive screw, and a ram assembly, but does not include any actuator for driving the screw. Rather, a first end of the drive screw has a drive head to which a user may couple a conventional wrench, such as a pneumatic impact wrench of the type commonly used in automotive service centers. A thrust bearing assembly couples the second end of the drive screw to the ram assembly. A threaded portion of the drive screw engages a threaded opening in a portion of the frame. The ram assembly thus moves in an axial direction in response to rotation of the drive screw with respect to the frame. Rotating the drive screw in one direction moves it toward the filter to be crushed, and rotating it in the opposite direction moves it away from the filter.

Abstract: A first frame has a first end and a second end, two opposing first frame side walls and a first pivot pin extending laterally between the first frame side walls at the second end of the first frame. A generally planar first barrier is attached to the first pivot pin such that the first barrier is pivotal about the first pivot pin. A second frame has a primary end and a secondary end, the second frame comprising two opposing second frame side walls, each of the second frame side walls being pivotally attached at the secondary end of the second frame to one of the first frame side walls at the first end of the first frame. A second pivot pin extends laterally between the second frame side walls between the primary end and the secondary end. A generally planar second barrier is attached to the second pivot pin such that the second barrier is pivotal about the second pivot pin. The first barrier and the second barrier are positioned in an opposed manner to each other.

Abstract: A can crusher for crushing aluminum cans includes a frame member for mounting to a structure. An elongate tray member for holding objects to be crushed is coupled to the frame member. An elongate handle member is pivotally coupled to the frame member. A hammer member having a can crushing portion and a slot is slidably mounted to the frame member. A roller member pivotally coupled to the handle is disposed within the slot. A stop tab extends from the frame member to position a can directly between the hammer member and the tray member. As the handle member is moved from a first position towards a second position the can crushing portion of the hammer member is moved towards the tray portion upper surface to crush an item such as a can disposed between them.