Abstract:
An improved corkscrew includes a unidirectional clutch mechanism that enables the user to grasp the corkscrew handle, place the screw tip impinging on the cork, and to rotate the handle reciprocally to advance the screw unidirectionally and embed it in the cork. The mechanism features a clutch spring that transfers rotation of the handle to the screw in one direction only, and rotates freely in the opposite direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED-RESEARCH 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to corkscrews for removing a cork from a wine bottle or the like and, more particularly, to corkscrews that minimize manual effort and fatigue. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The practice of sealing a bottle with a cylindrical cork has been known for many centuries, and requires that the cork driven into the neck of the bottle in an interference fit must be removed to gain access to the comestible liquid stored within. The simplest tool for removing a cork has been a helical corkscrew, which may be threaded into the soft cork material to gain purchase therein, after which the corkscrew may be pulled coaxially from the bottle neck to free the cork therefrom. 
     Typically the basic corkscrew is provided with a T-shaped handle to enable a user to grasp the corkscrew so that it may be rotated and threaded into the cork, and to permit a firm grip for pulling the cork out of the bottle. A simple rod or dowel extending diametrically at the outer end of the screw will suffice for these purposes. This simple handle does not provide any mechanical advantage for these tasks, and for those individuals who lack manual dexterity or manual strength, the simple handle is difficult to use effectively. And for those who must remove many corks daily, such as waiters or sommeliers, the repetitive twisting motion to embed the screw in the cork and the pulling gesture to remove the cork may cause repetitive stress injuries to the hands and wrists. 
     An improved corkscrew known commonly in the art provides a handle from which the helical screw depends from a hinge-like pivot, so that the screw and its sharp tip may be covered and protected by the handle when not in use. The handle is also provided with a folding link that has a distal tip used to engage the lip of the bottle opening after the screw is driven into the cork. The link acts as a fulcrum, and the handle as a lever that creates a substantial mechanical advantage to pull the cork from the bottle opening. This design alleviates much of the manual work required to release the cork from the bottle. 
     However, there is no effective mechanism known in the prior art for reducing the manual effort required to drive the screw into the cork. That is, once the corkscrew handle is rotated approximately one-half turn to engage the screw tip, the user must release the grip, turn the hand to its unrotated position, re-grasp the handle, and rotate it through another one-half turn to advance the screw. This process must be repeated several times before the screw is sufficiently embedded in the cork so that it may be pulled out successfully. The twisting and re-grasping motions are particularly fatiguing to the hand and wrist. There is a need in the prior art for a better mechanism for accomplishing this portion of the task with greater ease and less effort. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally comprises a corkscrew that greatly eases the cork removal process. The key feature of the invention is a mechanism that enables the user to grasp the corkscrew handle, place the screw tip impinging on the cork, and to rotate the handle repeatedly to advance the screw and embed it in the cork. The mechanism provides a unidirectional clutch action that enables the user to carry out multiple rotations of the screw without releasing the handle, thereby greatly simplifying the task and reducing the effort required to embed the screw in the cork. As a result, fatigue of the user&#39;s hand and wrist is substantially reduced, and repetitive stress injuries are diminished. 
     The unidirectional clutch mechanism of the invention includes a tubular housing provided with diametrically opposed holes at a proximal end to receive a pivot pin anchored in the corkscrew handle. The distal end of the housing has a closed end with a circular opening disposed coaxially therein. A hex bushing is received within the distal end of the housing, and is provided with a central hex opening extending axially therethrough. The hex bushing is provided with a distal flange that defines a first annular space between the hex bushing and the interior surface of the housing. 
     A helical screw includes a distal sharp end for piercing a cork, and a distal end that is secured in an axially extending socket of a hex pin. The proximal end of the hex pin extends through the circular opening of the housing and through the central hex opening of the hex bushing. Thus the screw is joined for motion in common with the hex bushing. Also secured in the housing is a drive bushing which has a circular central opening through which passes the proximal end of the hex pin in freely rotating fashion. The drive bushing includes a distal neck portion that defines a second annular space between the distal end of the drive bushing and the interior surface of the housing. The first and second annular spaces are axially adjacent and define together a contiguous annular space. A drive pin extends through a diametrical hole in the proximal end of the hex pin to secure the assembly of the housing, hex pin, hex bushing, and drive bushing. The pivot pin also extends through diametrically opposed holes in the proximal end of the drive bushing, so that the housing and drive bushing are joined for rotation in common. 
     A helical clutch spring is disposed within the contiguous annular space. The clutch spring, which is a left-hand helix, provides the only rotational connection between the drive bushing and the hex bushing. 
     When the corkscrew handle is rotated, the housing and the drive bushing rotate therewith due to the pivot pin linking them together. The hex bushing and the screw, however, are rotationally linked to the housing only by the clutch spring. Thus, when the handle is rotated in a clockwise direction, the clutch spring proximal end is rotated by the frictional contact of the drive bushing, causing the clutch spring to tighten about the hex bushing and to apply torque to the hex bushing. This action causes the screw to rotate clockwise, advancing the screw into a bottle cork. However, when the handle is rotated counterclockwise, the drive bushing rotates the clutch counterclockwise, causing the spring to loosen about the hex bushing and applying no torque to the hex bushing. Thus the handle does not rotate the screw counterclockwise. The net result of these component interactions is that the handle may be cranked back and forth clockwise and counterclockwise, and the screw will only rotate in the clockwise direction to advance into the cork. Thus the user may twist the handle clockwise and counterclockwise without releasing the grip on the handle, and the screw will embed itself in the cork. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIGS. 1-4  are a sequence of perspective views showing the corkscrew of the invention as it is rotated and threaded into the cork lodged in a bottle. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial exploded view of the corkscrew and unidirectional clutch mechanism of the invention joined to the corkscrew folding handle. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the corkscrew and unidirectional clutch mechanism of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7-9  are a sequence of enlarged, partially cross-sectioned perspective views of the unidirectional clutch mechanism of the invention, depicting the unidirectional rotational action of the unidirectional clutch mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional elevation of the unidirectional clutch mechanism, taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the unidirectional clutch mechanism, taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the unidirectional clutch mechanism, taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally comprises a corkscrew that greatly eases the cork removal process by enabling the user to grasp the corkscrew handle and rotate the handle repeatedly and reciprocally without releasing the handle to advance the screw and embed it in the cork. The corkscrew&#39;s unidirectional clutch action enables the user to carry out multiple rotations of the screw without releasing the handle, thereby greatly simplifying the task and reducing the effort required to embed the screw in the cork. 
     With regard to FIGS.  6  and  10 - 12 , the unidirectional clutch mechanism includes a tubular housing  21  having an open proximal end and a pair of diametrically opposed holes  22  disposed adjacent thereto. The distal end of the housing  21  is closed by end wall  23 , and a circular opening  24  is disposed coaxially in the end wall  23 . A hex bushing  26  is received within the distal end of the housing  21 , and it is provided with a flange  27  that abuts the interior surface of the housing. As a result, the hex bushing defines a first annular space  28  between the hex bushing and the interior surface of housing  21 . The hex bushing also includes an axially extending bore  29  therethrough that is provided with a hexagonal conformation, as shown best in  FIG. 12 . 
     The unidirectional clutch mechanism also includes a helical screw  31  having a sharpened distal tip for penetrating a cork, and a distal end shank that is coaxial with the housing  21 . A hexagonal pin  32  includes an axially disposed socket  33  that receives the distal shank of the screw  31  and is permanently secured therein. The hex pin  32  extends through the circular opening  24  of the housing  21  and into the bore  29  of the hex bushing, where it is permanently secured. The opening  24  is dimensioned to permit rotation of the hex pin  32  therein, and the hex bushing is joined for rotation in common with the helical screw  31 . 
     The unidirectional clutch mechanism further includes a drive bushing  41  which has a proximal tubular portion  42  dimensioned to be received in the housing  21 . A pair of diametrically opposed holes  43  are located in the portion  42  and positioned to align with holes  22  of the housing, as will be detailed below. The drive bushing also includes a distal portion  44  having a reduced diameter that defines with the interior surface of the housing a second annular space  48  that is contiguous with the first annular space  28 . The distal portion  44  includes a central bore  4  that is dimensioned to receive the hex pin  32  therethrough in freely rotating fashion. 
     The hex pin  32  includes a diametrical hole  51  adjacent to its proximal end, and the distal end of portion  42  of the drive bushing is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes  49 . A drive pin  52  is secured in the hole  51  of the hex pin, with access thereto provided by holes  49  in the drive bushing. Thus the pin  52  serves to retain the assembly of the housing, hex pin  32 , hex bushing  26 , and drive bushing  41 . Furthermore, a pivot pin  63  extends through the aligned holes  22  and  43  of the housing  21  and drive bushing  41 , securing those components together, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Secured within the contiguous annular space  28  and  48  is a helical clutch spring  54 , which is a left-handed helix. The clutch spring is formed of wire having flat exterior and interior surfaces as is known in the prior art. Due to the fact that the hex bushing and drive bushing are not otherwise coupled in rotation, the clutch spring  54  provides the only rotational connection between the drive bushing and the hex bushing and thus the helical screw. 
     With regard to  FIG. 1 , for example, the corkscrew assembly includes a handle  71  and an arm  72  pivotally secured to the handle at hinge  70  ( FIG. 5 ). The arm includes a distal flange or inset  73  that is configured to engage the lip of a bottle opening. The pivot pin  63  not only extends through the housing  21  and drive bushing  41 , it also extends through aligned holes  74  in the handle  71 , whereby the unidirectional clutch mechanism described above is pivotally secured to the handle and may be rotated so that the helical screw  31  is impinged on the handle and stored in a protected space therein. Moreover, when the screw  31  has been threaded into a cork and the inset  73  is resting on the lip of the bottle, the handle may be lifted to remove the cork. There is a significant mechanical advantage equal to the ratio of the distance of the point of uplift from the hinge  70 , divided by the distance between the pivot pin  63  and the hinge  70 . This leverage enables and eases removal of the cork from the bottle without undue effort. 
     The operation of the invention is illustrated in the sequential views of the unidirectional clutch mechanism of  FIGS. 7-9 , taken together with the sequential views of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cork removal process is initiated by unfolding the arm  72  from the handle  71  to deploy the helical screw  31  and to establish a T-shaped handle formed by the components  71  and  72  and manually grasped by the user. The sharp tip of the screw  31  is placed in contact with the cork C, and the user presses the handle toward the cork while rotating the handle clockwise. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the clockwise rotation of the handle causes the housing  21  and drive bushing  41  to be rotated clockwise by the pivot pin  63 . The clockwise rotation is applied by frictional contact of the neck portion  44  on the clutch spring, and the flat exterior and interior surfaces of the clutch spring enhance the frictional contact. Due to the left-handedness of the spring  54 , it contracts radially and forms a rotational link between the neck portion  44  of the drive bushing and the hex bushing  26 . The hex bushing thus is also rotated clockwise, driving the helical screw  31  clockwise to thread its way into the cork. 
     When the user&#39;s hand has traveled its full extent in the clockwise direction, the user maintains the same grip on the handle  71  and arm  72  and rotates them counterclockwise, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The frictional contact of the drive bushing neck portion  44  on the clutch spring  54  reverses, causing the clutch spring to expand radially ( FIG. 8 ) and relax its rotational grip on the hex bushing. Thus no counterclockwise rotational moment is applied to the helical screw  31 , even though the handle is being rotated counterclockwise. Therefore the screw  31  does not turn in this phase of the process. The handle is then rotated reciprocally clockwise and counterclockwise a few more times ( FIG. 3 ) until the helical screw  31  is embedded in the cork ( FIG. 4 ). Thereafter the arm  72  and handle  71  are utilized to remove the cork C from the bottle, as described previously. 
     Note that in this entire process the user need not release and re-grip the corkscrew. This fact not only results in greatly diminished stress to the hand and wrist, it also simplifies the task of the threading of the screw  31  into the cork. In addition, the user may reciprocate the handle of the corkscrew through a smaller angle than typically used with prior art devices, and the small angle excursions may be carried out quickly and efficiently, further reducing the manual fatigue factor. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the use of a hex pin and hex bushing to apply rotational drive to the helical screw, it may be appreciated that any regular or irregular polygonal shape may be employed in like fashion for this purpose. Likewise, the right-handedness helical screw together with the left-handedness of the clutch spring may be transposed without exceeding the bounds of this invention. Furthermore, the handle construction shown herein is for exemplary purposes only; other handle configurations known in the prior art may be employed with the unidirectional rotation mechanism of the invention. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The embodiment described is selected to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular purpose contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.