Abstract:
An apparatus that crushes beverage cans and similar containers to reduce waste volume in recycling bins comprises two (2) metal platens held when closed by a hinging mechanism that allows one (1) of the platens to be moved away from the other. The surfaces of the platens which face each other are provided with a textured or ribbed surface to prevent the object to be crushed from slipping out from between the closing platens. A first platen is mounted onto a pair of mounting brackets and a second platen is attached onto a pair of moving links. A pair of parallel operating arms is interconnected by a handle and operates the connected hinging mechanism. The hinging mechanism provides a toggle action which generates an adequate force between the platens to crush the containers. When the handle and the hinging mechanism are returned to the starting position, the opening between the platens allows the crushed object to fall out into the recycling bin.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Mar. 26, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the recycling of aluminum and plastic drinking containers and the like, and in particular, to a device adapted for the compacting of such recyclable objects in preparation for recycling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As the population increases, and correspondingly, the amount of waste material produced by people in everyday usage increases, the problem of dealing with waste materials becomes more and more important. As a result, there is an ever increasingly focus on efficient waste management processes including the recycling of used materials. Among the most commonly encountered recyclables are plastic and aluminum beverage containers and similar products. 
     Many processes and programs are in place to allow persons to recycle such materials on a personal residential basis. Common practices include the collection of waste materials in small personal recycling bins for subsequent collection and processing. However, the amount of materials which are recycled is often limited due to the amount of space available for the collection and disposal of these recyclable materials. Many common recycling bins and the like are small and very limited as to the amount of materials which they can contain. As a result, many recyclable materials are often disposed of into trash receptacles rather than being processed through available recycling channels, increasing the amount of waste material in landfills and limiting the reuse of such resources. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide for the compaction of recyclable materials. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,978, issued in the name of Flick, describes a beverage can folder which provides mechanical assistance to a user in crushing common aluminum beverage cans with their foot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,397, issued in the name of Modes, describes a can flattening device. The Modes device is particularly suited for individually flattening cylindrical containers prior to disposal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,923, issued in the name of Villiger, describes an apparatus for collapsing containers. The Villiger apparatus provides a “U”-shaped support which contains a container for subsequent pivoting and crushing. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for can crushing devices exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 268,761 and D 323,171. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are large and unwieldy, making them aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to store or place. Also, many such devices are complicated, reducing their utility in terms of the amount of time required to compact a plurality of objects. Furthermore, many such devices are not adapted to receive a wide range of recyclable objects. In addition, many such devices are not easily operable by a single user, especially one of low physical strength. Accordingly, there exists a need for a container crushing device without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to easily and quickly compact a plurality of recyclable objects prior to disposal in a manner which is comfortable, convenient, and unobtrusive. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to allow a user to compact a plurality of common recyclable objects such as plastic and aluminum beverage containers. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for securing the apparatus onto a structure in a desired location for easy access. The apparatus comprises a pair of mounting brackets which are affixed in a desired location via a plurality of conventional fasteners. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to crush an empty container into a crushed configuration via the interaction of a fixed platen and a moving platen. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily motion the moving platen via a mechanism which comprises a plurality of parallel links. The mechanism comprises a pair of tension links, a pair of toggle links, and a pair of swing links which are integrally connected via a plurality of pivots. The links are further integrally connected to the platens and brackets via conventional clip angles. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to locate the moveable platen into close proximity to the stationary platen via a handle which provides a parallel hinging motion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide mechanical advantage which aids in the crushing of recyclable containers via a reverse orientation of the toggle links. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to receive containers when in an opened state by placing the container into the open space between the platens. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to flatten the container into a crushed configuration by closing the space between the platens when the handle is pulled downward by a user. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to release a crushed container by subsequent upward motioning of the handle which opens the space between the platens. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of mounting the apparatus in a desired location, repeatedly providing a crushing means to a plurality of beverage containers or the like by repeated downward and upward motioning of the handle, and automatically dispensing the crushed containers into a desired location or receiving container by the repeated opening of the platens and subsequent release and falling of the containers from the apparatus. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container crusher  10  depicted in an opened state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container crusher  10  depicted in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective environmental view of the container crusher  10  depicted in the open state and receiving an empty container  61 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective environmental view of the container crusher  10  depicted in the closed state, thereby producing a crushed container  62 , according to the pre-ferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective environmental view of the container crusher  10  depicted in the re-opened state and having released the crushed container  62 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  container crusher 
               11   a  first mounting bracket 
               11   b  second mounting bracket 
               12   a  first tension link 
               12   b  second tension link 
               13   a  first handle bar 
               13   b  second handle bar 
               14  handle 
               15   a  first toggle link 
               15   b  second toggle link 
               16   a  first swing link 
               16   b  second swing link 
               17  fixed platen 
               18  moveable platen 
               19  clip angle 
               21   a  first pivot 
               21   b  second pivot 
               22   a  third pivot 
               22   b  fourth pivot 
               23   a  fifth pivot 
               23   b  sixth pivot 
               24   a  seventh pivot 
               24   b  eighth pivot 
               31  fastener 
               61  empty container 
               62  crushed container 
               63  first direction 
               64  second direction 
               65  third direction 
               66  fourth direction 
               70  structure 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3C . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a jumper cable system (herein described as the “system”)  10 , which provides an integral means for cleaning battery terminals and grounded jumper connections. 
     The present invention describes a container crusher (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for crushing empty container hereinto a space saving disposal or recycling configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicted in an opened state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a first mounting bracket  11   a  and a second mounting bracket  11   b . These brackets  11   a  and  11   b  provide a means for securing the apparatus  10  onto a structure  70  by using of a plurality of fasteners  31  such as: lag screws, toggle bolts, masonry screws or wood screws, depending on the materials comprising the structure  70 . The crushing of an empty container  61  into a configuration of a crushed container  62  is achieved by the interaction of a fixed platen  17  and a moving platen  18 . The action of the moving platen  18  is achieved by a mechanism consisting of a plurality of parallel links comprising a first tension link  12   a  and a second tension link  12   b , a first toggle link  15   a  and a second toggle  15   b , and a first swing link  16   a , and a second swing link  16   b . The first toggle link  15   a  is an integral member of the bottom portion of the first handle bar  13   a  and the second toggle link  15   b  is an integral member of the bottom portion of the second handle bar  13   b . The top portion of the first handle bar  13   a  is joined therewith the top portion of the second handle bar  13   b  by a handle  14 , thereby achieving a parallel assembly. One (1) end of the fixed platen  17  is fastened onto a face portion of the first mounting bracket  11   a , while the opposite end of the fixed platen  17  is fastened onto a corresponding face portion of the second mounting bracket  11   b  by means a pair of clip angles  19 . One (1) end portion of the moveable platen  18  is fastened onto an edge portion of the first swing link  16   a  while the opposite end portion of the moveable platen  18  is fastened onto an edge portion of the second swing link  16   b  by means of a pair of clip angles  19 . The permanent connections between one (1) leg of the clip angles  19  and the platens  17  and  18  and between the opposite leg of the clip angles  19  and the mounting brackets  11   a  and  11   b  or the swing links  16   a  and  16   b  can be achieved by means such as: screws, bolts, rivets, adhesive bonding, or welding. The platens  17  and  18  are envisioned to be made of materials such as: steel, aluminum, hard wood, or a plastic of suitable strength, and that the interior surface portions facing each other are textured or ribbed thereby preventing the container  61  of escaping during the progress of the crushing operation. The mounting brackets  11   a ,  11   b , the handle bars  13   a ,  13   b , and the links  12   a ,  12   b ,  15   a ,  15   b ,  16   a  and  16   b  are envisioned to be made of materials similar to those of the platens. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicted in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a first pivot  21   a , a corresponding second pivot  21   b , a third pivot  22   a , a corresponding fourth pivot  22   b , a fifth pivot  23   a , a corresponding sixth pivot  23   b , a seventh pivot  24   a , and a corresponding eight pivot  24   b . The first pivot  21   a  pivotally connects a first end of the first tension link  12   a  onto the first mounting bracket  11   a  and the third pivot  22   a  pivotally connects a second end of the first tension link  12   a  onto a first end of the first toggle link  15   a . The second pivot  21   b  pivotally connects s first end of the second tension link  12   b  onto the second mounting bracket  11   b  and the fourth pivot  22   b  pivotally connects a second end of the first tension link  12   a  onto a first end of the second toggle link  15   b . The fifth pivot  23   a  pivotally connects a second end of the first toggle link  15   a  onto a first end of the first swing link  16   a  and the seventh pivot  24   a  pivotally connects a second end of the first swing link  16   a  onto a bottom portion of the first mounting bracket  11   a . The sixth pivot  23   b  pivotally connects a second end of the second toggle link  15   b  onto a first end of the second swing link  16   b  and the eighth pivot  24   b  pivotally connects a second end of the second swing link  16   b  onto a bottom portion of the second mounting bracket  11   b . The assembly of the handle bars  13   a  and  13   b  and of the links  12   a ,  12   b ,  15   a  and  15   b ,  16   a  and  16  provide a parallel hinging mechanism. Moving the handle  14  from an upward position depicted within  FIG. 1  into a downward position depicted within  FIG. 2  reverses the orientation of the pair of toggle links  15   a  and  15   b  and causes the swing links  16   a  and  16   b  to locate the moveable platen  18  into a close proximity to the stationary platen  18 , thereby flattening the container  61  hereinto the configuration of the crushed container  62 . The reversal in the orientation of the toggle links  15   a  and  15   b  results in a mechanical advantage needed to achieve the crushing of recyclable metal and plastic containers which includes, but is not limited to: beverage cans, food cans, and various fruit and liquid containers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicted in an opened state of receiving and empty container  61 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises the assembly of the parallel handle bars  13   a  and  13   b  and the handle  14  depicted in an upward orientation. The container  61  is depicted being dropped into the open space between the pair of platens  17  and  18  by the first direction  63 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a perspective environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicted in a closed state and of having flattened the container  61 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Moving the assembly of the parallel handle bars  13   a  and  13   b  and the handle  14  downwardly in the second direction  64  closes the space between the platens  17  and  18  thereby flattening the container  61  into the crushed container  62  configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3C , a perspective environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicted in a re-opened state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The assembly of the parallel handle bars  13   a  and  13   b  and the handle  14  have been moved along a third direction  65 , thereby returning the apparatus  10  to the initial upward orientation. The crushed container  62  is depicted being released from between the pair of platens  17  and  18  along the fourth direction  66 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: unpacking the apparatus  10 ; keeping the apparatus  10  into the closed state; selecting a desired mounting location and height on a structure  70 ; marking a pattern for the fasteners  31  onto the structure  70 ; drilling the appropriate apertures for mounting the fasteners  31 ; procuring a temporary means of safely supporting the apparatus  10 ; installing the supporting means at the selected location; securing the apparatus  10  onto the supporting means; fastening the apparatus  10  onto the structure  17  by installing the fasteners  31  through the apertures within the mounting brackets  11   a  and  11   b ; securing the apparatus  10  onto the structure  70  by tightening the fasteners  31 ; testing the function of the apparatus  10  by moving the handle  14  upwardly and downwardly; installing a recycling bin under the apparatus  10 ; opening the apparatus  10  by moving the handle  14  to its raised position; dropping an empty container  61  into the open space between the pair of platens  17  and  18 ; swinging the handle  14  downward to is lowered position to produce the flattened container  62 ; re-opening the apparatus  10  by returning the handle  14  to its initial upward position; allowing the crushed container  62  to drop from the open space between the pair of platens  17  and  18  into the recycling bin; repeating the crushing cycle until the entire supply of empty containers  61  has been crushed; removing the recycling bin containing bin containing the crushed containers  62 ; and, cleaning and closing the apparatus  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.