Handheld Can Crusher Retaining Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional can crushers require a sturdy mount to transfer reactionary forces, which is not always available or suitable, especially in spaces with limited structure or where mounting would be obtrusive.
Innovation Solution
A can crushing apparatus that retains most of the force applied to the handles within the device, eliminating the need for a mount by using a design with a backing plate, hinges, crush-arms, and a retaining pin to hold and crush cans without transferring significant force to a mount, allowing for handheld operation or mounting on fragile structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional can crushers use leveraged force applied through an arm to crush cans, then crushing effectiveness is improved, but the mount must withstand significant reactionary forces which limits placement options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting requirement entirely from the can crusher system. By using a handheld design where the user directly applies force to crush cans, the invention removes the need for any mounting structure, thereby eliminating the constraint on placement options while maintaining crushing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the can crusher to a structure and having the structure bear the reactionary forces, the invention inverts the approach by having the user's hand bear the forces directly. The can crusher becomes a portable tool held in the hand rather than a fixed装置, reversing the traditional force transfer path
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional can crushers are mounted to walls or floors to provide reactionary force, then structural stability is improved, but space availability and obtrusiveness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting function entirely from the system. By designing a handheld can crusher that requires no attachment to walls, floors, or other structures, the patent eliminates the need for structural mounting while maintaining operational stability through direct user control
Solution Approach 2:
The can crusher serves itself by being self-contained and portable. The device requires no external structural support and can be freely moved and positioned by the user, making the system self-sufficient and adaptable to any location without requiring installation infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables can crushing without damaging potential mounts and provides flexibility in placement, as minimal force is transferred to the mounting surface, allowing for use in various settings without structural damage.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge (2554, 2562) between the support plate (2512) and each of the crush-arms (2508, 2510)
Implementation Method 2
each crush-arm (2508, 2510) includes a flap (2522, 2532) having a crush-surface (2524, 2534) that faces the backing plate (2502) when the can crusher (2500) is in a closed configuration (190)
Data Source
AI summary
A can crusher (1900), including: a support plate (1912) and a backing plate (1902); a left crush-arm (1908) pivotally secured to the support plate and including: a left flap (1924) and a left handle (1920) that extends transverse relative to the left flap; a right crush-arm (1910) pivotally secured to the support plate and including a right flap (1934) and a right handle (1930) that extends transverse relative to the right flap; and a retaining pin (1914) directly secured to the support plate. When the support plate is horizontally oriented the retaining pin extends vertically upward from the support plate and is disposed outside a horizontal sweep of the left flap and outside a horizontal sweep of the right flap. The retaining pin is configured to trap a can between the retaining pin and the backing plate when the can crusher is in an open configuration.