Abstract:
The can crusher is a device capable of crushing aluminum and steel cans. The device incorporates a wheeled base that supports thereon an assembly that includes a container for housing the cans and mechanisms for crushing the cans. The crushing mechanisms include a hydraulic jack, a sliding crank system, extension springs, a single-phase, geared motor, a movable plate and a pressure gauge.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/456,378 filed on Jul. 10, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to compacting devices, and particularly to a can crusher for compacting or crushing aluminum and steel cans. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The world is currently producing large volumes of trash. It is desirable to condense or crush some types of trash to reduce the space requirement for disposal, as well as to prepare some of it for recycling. Solid waste reduction means that the world becomes more environmentally friendly. 
         [0006]    Aluminum cans are the real success story of the recycling movement. By far, the most valuable component in the consumer waste stream, they enjoy the greatest public recognition as recycled household items. With historical values from $0.35 to $0.75 per pound, aluminum cans are often the economic backbone of municipal and private recycling programs. Aluminum cans are collected in a variety of ways, e.g., through deposit schemes, buy-back collection mechanisms, and blue box programs wherein household recyclables are picked up at the curb and taken to large recycling facilities. 
         [0007]    In recent years, the steel can manufacturing industry has been aggressively addressing the recycling of all of the many different types of steel cans. Thanks to their efforts, steel can recycling rates have quickly risen across the western world. Because of steel&#39;s unique magnetic properties, collection of steel cans is relatively simple, relieving the consumer of much of the burden of separation. More than 28 percent of a new steel can is made from recycled steel. Aluminum cans were recycled at a rate of 63.5 percent. After collection, the cans are shipped to processing plants to be recycled. The recycling industry would certainly welcome a device that could efficiently crush the cans, thereby reducing volume and the costs of shipping. Such a device would be a valuable addition in many venues (restaurants, stores, hospitals, etc.). Thus, a can crusher solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The can crusher is a device that is capable of crushing aluminum and steel cans. The device incorporates a wheeled base that supports thereon an assembly that includes a container for housing the cans and mechanisms for crushing the cans. The crushing mechanisms include a hydraulic jack, a sliding crank system, extension springs, a single-phase, geared motor, a movable plate, and a pressure gauge. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the invention presents a portable assembly that can efficiently reduce the size of metal cans for recycling purposes. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. 
         [0010]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a can crusher according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sliding crank mechanism for a can crusher according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of an upper plate for a can crusher according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the upper plate of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the upper plate of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of a lower plate for a can crusher according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the lower plate of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the lower plate of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial, schematic view showing the operational function of a can crusher according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the can crusher  10  comprises a base  12 , which is preferably fabricated from U-shaped metal stock. A plurality of wheels  14  is mounted to the undersurface of the base to enhance portability thereof. A geared, single-phase, electric motor  16  and a hydraulic jack  18  are disposed upon and attached to the upper surface of the base  12 . A sliding crank mechanism, generally indicated at  11 , connects the motor  16  to the hydraulic jack  18 . The jack  18  is provided with a pressure gauge G for purposes that will be explained below. A plurality of U-shaped support members  20  are attached at their lower ends to base  12  and extend vertically therefrom. The upper ends of the support members  20  are provided with respective openings  20   a  for receiving a locking pin, as explained below. A container  22  for housing cans to be crushed is supported on the support members  20 . The container  22  is provided with an open top, which is closable by a removable upper plate  24 . A lower plate  30  is nested within container  22  and closes the bottom thereof. The lower plate  30  is vertically movable or slidable in the container  22 . Although a cylindrical configuration is preferred, it should be recognized that the container  22  could be fabricated in other suitable configurations. Tension springs  19  are attached at their upper ends to hooks disposed on the bottom surface of the lower plate  30 . The lower ends of the tension springs  19  are attached to respective vertical support members  20 . The tension springs  19  bias the lower plate  30  to a position at or near the bottom of the container  22 . 
         [0022]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the sliding crank mechanism  11  comprises a link  40  having openings  40   a  and  40   b  formed at opposite ends thereof. The opening  40   a  is adapted to receive the shaft of a slider assembly  42 . The slider assembly  42  moves back and forth along a lever  44 . The proximate end  44   a  of the lever  44  is attached to the jack  18 . The opening  40   b  is attached to the drive shaft of the motor  16 . A ball bearing assembly  41  (shown in phantom lines) is provided at the opening  40   a  to enhance rotating movement. The sliding crank mechanism  11  is fabricated from a strong, durable material, preferably steel, to withstand the bending stresses encountered in the crushing operation, as described below. Levers of different lengths may be employed, depending on the desired length of the stroke applied to the jack  18 . 
         [0023]    As indicated above, the removable upper plate  24  is designed to close the open top of container  22 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the upper surface  24   a  of the upper plate  24  is provided with two U-shaped reinforcement members  26 , preferably welded thereon. The reinforcement members  26  are arranged perpendicular to each other and have ends that terminate slightly beyond the perimeter of the upper plate  24 . Each respective end is provided with a block member  28  attached thereto, preferably by welding. A respective opening  28   a  is formed in each block  28  for receiving a respective locking pin  29  therethrough. The bottom surface  24   b  presents a smooth planar surface. 
         [0024]    As best seen in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the bottom plate  30  presents a smooth planar upper surface  30   a . The undersurface  30   b  is provided with U-shaped, perpendicularly arranged reinforcement members  32 , which are preferably welded to the undersurface  30   b . A socket  34  is positioned at the center of the plate  30 . The socket  34  receives the upper end of the piston of the hydraulic jack  18 . Hooks  36  disposed for receiving the respective upper ends of tension springs  19 . 
         [0025]    In use, as schematically shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper plate  24  is removed from the container  22 , and cans C to be crushed are placed therein. The upper plate  24  is repositioned on the housing, and the pins  29  are inserted through the openings in the blocks  28  and the support members  20  to firmly secure the upper plate  24  on top of the container  22 . The motor  16  is activated and functions to cause the slider crank mechanism  11  to move the lever  44  in an up and down motion to drive the handle of the jack  18 , raising the piston of the jack  18  and the lower plate  30  upward, whereby cans C are crushed against the upper plate, as shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . The gauge G will allow monitoring of the load generated in the jack  18  to prevent an unsafe amount of force from being applied. After crushing is completed, tension springs  19  will return the lower plate to its original position. 
         [0026]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.