1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to devices for gripping and turning objects. Even more particularly the invention relates to a device (e.g., a jar opener, strap wrench, etc.) for turning the lid or cap of a container or the container itself.
2. Description of the Background Art
Devices exist that help turn containers and/or the lids and caps of those containers. Such devices can include a strap that goes around the lid or container. However, such devices are problematic because the strap needs to be tightly pulled and gripped by the user to keep it in position and to prevent it from slipping against the container, cap, or lid during use. This is particularly troublesome for someone suffering from arthritis or any other conditions (e.g., neuropathy, etc.) that prevents him or her from having a strong enough grip to pull and hold the strap. These prior art devices are also problematic because the user may have to fumble with engaging the strap with another part of the device, such as a handle. This too is especially burdensome for those with arthritis or trouble using their hands.
Prior art devices suffer other drawbacks as well. For example, many prior art devices are not able to fit containers and/or lids of various sizes. If a device cannot grip a wide range of containers or lids, its utility and value to the consumer is reduced. While some prior art devices are adjustable, these devices are often very bulky and take up a lot of room to store when not in use.
Yet another drawback of prior art devices is that the strap that engages the lid or container can slide with respect to the lid or container. This problem is exacerbated if the strap stretches, further loosening the grip on the lid.
What is needed, therefore, is a device that can grip a container or lid with sufficient force to turn the container or lid without requiring the user to have a strong grip. What is also needed is a device that can be easily adjusted to grip different sizes of containers and lids. What is also needed is a device that is compact for storage. What is also needed is a device that obtains an effective grip on the container of lid.
The invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a device (e.g., a jar opener, strap wrench, etc.) that includes a self-retracting strap that can be quickly and easily secured around an object (e.g., ajar, a lid, etc.). The strap self-retracts into a handle of the jar opener until the strap is securely positioned around the object. When the strap is retracted and the user applies force to move the handle in the turn direction, the handle locks the strap in place against the handle and around the object and causes the object to turn. The user does not need to hold a loose end of a strap tightly or in a particular position while turning, which is particularly beneficial to those will low grip strength and/or muscular-skeletal pain. Thus, the jar opener quickly and easily engages the object and enables the user to rotate the object.
The strap is made of a material that is resistant to stretching (e.g., spring steel) and includes a layer of material (e.g., rubber) that increases friction between the strap and the engaged object.
The inventive jar opener also enables unscrewing and screwing of caps, lids, and other threaded and rotatable objects of various diameters. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the jar opener can turn objects having diameters from approximately 0.25 inches to greater than 6 inches. While the device of the present invention is especially well-suited to opening and closing rotatable caps, lids, and other objects that are round in shape, it can readily accommodate objects of various shapes (e.g., oval, rectangular, etc.).
A device for turning an object according to the present invention includes a handle defining a cavity and an opening into the cavity, a strap disposed partially within the cavity and extending through the opening such that an exposed portion of the strap defines a hoop adapted to be placed around the object, and a retraction mechanism coupled to the handle and the strap. The retraction mechanism is configured to permit more of the strap to be pulled out of the cavity when a force is applied to the exposed portion of the strap as well as to automatically retract the strap into the cavity when the force is removed. In other words, the invention provides a device that includes a means for releasing more of the strap from the cavity responsive to a pulling force applied to the strap and for automatically retracting the strap into the cavity when the pulling force is removed. Optionally, the handle includes a strap guide adapted to guide the strap as the strap moves through the opening.
In one embodiment, the retraction mechanism comprises a retraction coil (e.g., a flat torsion spring), which can optionally be integrally formed with the strap. If integrally formed, a. first end of the strap can be secured to the handle at a first location (optionally within the cavity of the handle) and a second end of the strap can be secured to the handle at a second location, where the second location is within the cavity. The retraction coil can be formed near the second end of the strap, and the second end of the strap can be disposed within a slot of a strap anchor that is coupled to the handle near the second location. In a more particular embodiment, the retraction coil is disposed around the strap anchor.
According to another embodiment, the strap is formed from spring steel. The strap can also include a friction material applied to it, such as rubber, to increase friction between the strap and the object and/or between the strap and the handle. Optionally, the friction material can be applied to some, but not all, of the strap.
According to still another embodiment, the handle includes a pivot adjacent to the opening. The pivot is adapted to press against the strap when the hoop is placed around the object and the handle is rotated. The pivot is also adapted to take up slack in the strap and increase a compressive force about the object when the hoop is placed around the object and the handle is rotated. In a particular embodiment, the pivot further includes a friction material for contacting the strap. Optionally, the strap can include a friction material on its outer surface that contacts the pivot.
The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similar elements:
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art, by providing a device (e.g., a jar opener, a strap wrench, etc.) for unscrewing or screwing lids or caps from containers, jars, bottles, and other similar objects containing screw or twist type parts. The device of the invention is especially useful for people with low grip strength, with arthritic conditions where pain prevents them from being able to open and close screw-type components, and for people trying to avoid overstressing the hand and wrist joints. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., ergonomic features, etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances, details of well-known practices (e.g., routine optimization, routine manufacturing, etc.) and components have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Handle 102 functions to apply a rotational force to an object (not shown) via strap 104. Handle 102 is contoured to comfortably and securely fit within a user's hand. In particular, handle 102 includes a larger contour 112 that receives the user's fingers and a smaller contour 114 that receives a portion of the hand between the base of the thumb and index finger. The top of the cover 108 is fiat to engage the palm of the hand. When a user grips the handle 102 and rotates it in the direction of the arrow 116, a pivot 118 of the handle 102 acts as a fulcrum against the strap 104 and object. This action tightens the strap 104 around the object and applies both a radially-inward (compressive) force 120 to the object and a rotational force to the object in the direction of the arrow 122.
Strap 104 is a long band and, in the present embodiment, is formed from spring steel. At least some of strap 104 is also coated in a high-friction material 124, such as rubber, to improve friction between strap 104 and the object being turned and/or between strap 104 and pivot 118. Most of strap 104 is housed within a cavity in handle 102 (
Case 106 includes a base 202 and a sidewall 204 extending vertically from base 202. Sidewall 204 defines an opening 206 through which strap 104 is positioned. Case 106 also includes a first strap anchor 208 and a second strap anchor 210. A first end of strap 104 includes a loop 212 that is positioned around first strap anchor 208, and a second end of strap 104 is positioned in a slot 214 of second strap anchor 210. A portion of strap 104 near its second end is further formed into a retraction coil 216 around second strap anchor 210. First and second strap anchors 208 and 210 can be reinforced by fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) through the bottom 202 of case 106. Additionally, bottom 202 can be optionally attached to sidewall 205 as a separate component, similar to cover 108. Cover 108 retains strap 104 in position on anchors 208 and 210.
Because strap 104 is formed from spring steel, the portion of strap 104 formed into retraction coil 216 functions as a flat torsion spring. In particular, retraction coil 216 enables strap 104 to be pulled out of handle 102 to lengthen the exposed portion 126 of strap 104, because retraction coil 216 will deform (tighten) around strap anchor 210 to provide extra strap length. Retraction coil 216 also causes strap 104 to self-retract into handle 102 when the user releases the exposed portion 126 of strap 104, because retraction coil 216 will expand and return to its static spiral position, thereby removing the slack in strap 104. Thus, retraction coil 216 is a means for releasing more of the strap from the cavity responsive to a pulling force being applied to the strap and a means for automatically retracting the strap into the cavity when the pulling force is removed.
In a particular embodiment, the high-friction material 124 is not applied to the portion of strap 104 that forms retraction coil 216 to prevent binding of the retraction coil 216. Additionally, the length of strap 104 is selected such that, in its fully retracted state, at least some of strap 104 remains exposed outside of handle 102 to enable to a user to pull on strap 104. In the present embodiment, the retraction mechanism (retraction coil 216) is an integral part of strap 104. However, other retraction mechanisms (e.g., one or more springs) can be used as an alternative or in addition to retraction coil 216. As another example, retraction coil 216 can be a separate component attached (e.g., glued, welded, etc.) to strap 104.
Handle 102 is also shown to include a guide 218 located near pivot 118. Guide 218 guides the movement of strap 104 as strap 104 is withdrawn from and retracted into cavity 202 of handle 102. To help achieve this function, guide 218 can include a roller 220 that rotates about guide 218 as strap 104 moves past it. Optionally, some other low-friction bearing could be substituted for roller 220.
Pivot 118 of handle 102 is also shown in greater detail in
Once the strap 104 is attached within handle 102, cover 108 can be attached to case 106 using fasteners 110. As shown in
Jar opener 100 has been described in the prior figures as providing a counter-clockwise turning force to lids 302 and 402 in the direction of arrow 122, which opens the containers 304 and 404, respectively. It should be noted, however, that jar opener 100 can also be used to tighten lids 302 and 402 by turning jar opener 100 over, engaging the lid 302 or 402 in the hoop of the strap 104, and turning handle 102 in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow 116 (clockwise). Thus, device 100 can be used to loosen and/or tighten the lids 302 and 402 as desired by the user. This is especially advantageous to someone with low grip strength or hand pain who might find screwing a lid back on an open container difficult.
In addition to opening jars, device 100 can be used to turn other objects as well. For example,
The device of the present invention provides several important advantages, including:
This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/149,951, filed on Apr. 20, 2015 by the same inventor and entitled “Jar Opener”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62149951 | Apr 2015 | US |