Abstract:
An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a motor, gear and shaft assembly which rises as a unit with the juicing cone. A fixed guide extends upward from the base and inner and outer shafts reside inside the fixed guide and are driven by the motor and gear assembly to rotate and advance the juicing cone into the fruit. The juicing cone, strainer and a bowl release and catch the juice. The outer shaft includes threads to vertically advance and retreat the outer and inner shafts when the outer shaft turns. The inner shaft rises with the outer shaft and lifts and rotates the juicing cone, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. The bowl is fixed to the base.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a Continuation In Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/206,964 filed Sep. 9, 2008 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/406,314 filed Mar. 18, 2009, which applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to juice extractors and in particular the electric juice extractors. 
         [0003]    Juice extractors are commonly used to extract juice from, for example, oranges. Known manual juice extracts comprise a bowl with a raised conical ridged center, called a juicing cone. A user cuts a fruit in half, and pushes and rotates the exposed cut side down over the juicing cone. The juice is thereby released into the bowl. 
         [0004]    Manual juice extractors have been largely replaced by electric juicers. Various electric juicers exist, including centrifugal juicers which include blades and spins to separate the juice from pulp, masticating which grinds and then squeezes the juice from the pulp, and simple citrus juicers which resemble a manual juicer but include an electric motor to rotate the juicing cone. 
         [0005]    While the known juicers are often satisfactory, users still desire a simple automatic juicer which is not as rough on the fruit as the centrifugal or masticating juicers, but does not require the users to manually push the fruit on the electrically turned juicing cone. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/206,964 filed Sep. 9, 2008 by the present applicant discloses an automated juicer providing many of the benefits desired, however, further development resulted in an alternative embodiment which simplifies manufacturing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing an automatic juicer which turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a motor, gear and shaft assembly which rises as a unit lifting and turning the juicing cone. A fixed guide extends upward from the base and inner and outer shafts reside inside the fixed guide and are driven by the motor and gear assembly to rotate and advance the juicing cone into the fruit. The outer shaft includes external threads which engage internal threads of a fixed collet at the base of the fixed guide to translate rotation into vertical translation. The outer shaft includes threads to vertically advance and retreat the outer and inner shafts when the outer shaft turns. The inner shaft rises with the outer shaft and lifts and rotates the juicing cone thereby releasing juice from the fruit. A strainer and a bowl below the juicing cone filter and catch the juice. The strainer advances vertically with juicing cone but does not rotate so that knife edges on the bottom of the juicing cone scrape pulp from the strainer to prevent clogging. The bowl is fixed to the base. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic juicer. The juicer includes a base, a lid attached to the base and openable to allow fruit to be placed in the juicer; a center column assembly attached to the base and including a collet fixed to the base and having internal threads, and a motor, gear and shaft mechanism inside the juicer and advancing and retreating vertically as a unit. The motor, gear and shaft mechanism includes a motor in the base, a gear set in the base and engaging the motor, and a shaft assembly extending above the base. The shaft assembly includes an outer shaft threadably engaging the collet for vertically advancing and retreating when turned by the motor through the gear set, and an inner shaft rotating inside the outer shaft and advancing and retreating vertically with the outer shaft. An upward facing juicing cone is attached to the inner shaft and rotates and advances vertically with the inner shaft into a fruit. A bowl resides under the juicing cone and is attached to the base. The juicing cone thereby rotates and pushes into a fruit for releasing juice from the fruit to be caught in the bowl. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic juicer. The juicer includes a base containing a motor and a gear set engaging the motor. A lid is attached to the base and is openable to allow fruit to be placed in the juicer. A center column assembly is attached to the base and includes a collet fixed to the base. An outer shaft threadably engages the collet and vertically advances and retreats when turned by the motor through the gear set. An inner shaft rotates with the outer shaft and advances and retreats vertically with the outer shaft when turned by the motor. A bowl is attached to the base and an upward facing juicing cone is attached to the inner shaft and rotates and advances vertically with the inner shaft, rotating and pushing into a fruit for releasing juice from the fruit to be caught in the bowl. A non-rotating strainer advances and retreats vertically with the juicing cone and knife edges on a bottom surface of the juicing cone clear pulp blocking the strainer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the juicer according to the present invention with a juicing cone in an up position and the lid closed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the juicer according to the present invention with the juicing cone in a down position and the lid closed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the juicer according to the present invention with the juicing cone in a down position and the lid open. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the lid of the juicer. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of a fruit holder, according to the present invention, of the juicer. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the juicing cone, according to the present invention, of the juicer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of a strainer, according to the present invention, of the juicer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5E  is a cross-sectional view of a bowl, according to the present invention, of the juicer. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a center column assembly, according to the present invention, of the juicer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a vertical stop according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a strainer key and key way. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of an outer tube (or column), according to the present invention, of the center column of the juicer. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a bottom view of an outer tube, according to the present invention, of the center column of the juicer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of an outer tube, according to the present invention, of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9D  is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube taken along line  9 D- 9 D of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9E  is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube taken along line  9 E- 9 E of  FIG.9C . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of a drive shaft, according to the present invention, of the center column of the juicer. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10B  is a bottom view of the drive shaft of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of the drive shaft of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of a nut, according to the present invention, of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a top view of the nut of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of a driven shaft, according to the present invention, of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12B  is a bottom view of the driven shaft of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12C  is a top view of the driven shaft of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0035]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of a lift tube, according to the present invention, of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13B  is a bottom view of the lift tube of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13C  is a top view of the lift tube of the center column assembly of the juicer. 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the lift tube taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a second embodiment of a center column assembly according to the present invention of the juicer. 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  shows a second fruit holder with an adjustable seat. 
           [0041]      FIG. 17A  shows a clutch and gearing assembly according to the present invention in a high speed position. 
           [0042]      FIG. 17B  shows the clutch and gearing assembly according to the present invention in a high torque position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 18A  is a side view of a second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism in a down position of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 18B  is a side view of the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism in an up position of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 19A  is a detailed side view of the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 19B  is a detailed top view of the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 20  is a more detailed view of a gear set of the second embodiment of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 21  is a side view of an outer shaft and an inner shaft of the second embodiment of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 22A  shows the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism in the juicer in the down position. 
           [0050]      FIG. 22B  shows the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism in the juicer in the up position. 
           [0051]      FIG. 23  shows an alternative gear set for the second embodiment of the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 24  shows a side view of an outer shaft and an inner shaft the second embodiment of the gear set according to the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 25  shows a side view of the outer shaft and the inner shaft of the second embodiment of the gear set in the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 26  shows a collet of the second embodiment in the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 27  shows a spring loaded collet a third embodiment in the juicer according to the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 28  shows a spring loaded fruit holder in the juicer according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0057]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0058]    The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0059]    A juicer  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional view of the juicer  10  with a juicing cone in an up position and a lid  12  closed is shown in  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of the juicer  10  with a juicing cone in a down position and the lid  12  closed is shown in  FIG. 3 , and a cross-sectional view of the juicer  10  with a juicing cone in a down position and the lid  12  open is shown in  FIG. 4 . A hinge  16  connects the lid  12  to the base  14 , and a latch  18  holds the lids closed during operation of the juicer  10 . The fruit holder  24  includes anti-slip elements on the inside fruit surface to prevent the fruit from rotating inside the fruit holder  24  during operation of the juicer. The anti-slip elements may be spikes, ridges or the like, for example ridges  24 ′. 
         [0060]    The juicer  10  includes a base  14  housing a motor  20  and a gearing assembly  22  (see  FIGS. 17A and 17B  for details). The motor  20  may be manually controlled by a user to operate in a first direction to raise the juicing cone against fruit for about 5 seconds and then manually controlled to lower the juicing cone, or may be automated to raise the juicing cone against fruit for about 5 seconds and then automatically reverse. The motor  20  and the gearing assembly  22  may alternatively be controlled by measuring the vertical force of the juicing cone against the fruit, and the motor direction reversed when the force reaches a predetermined level. 
         [0061]    The juicer  10  includes a fruit holder  24 , the juicing cone  26 , a strainer  28 , and a bowl  29 . The fruit holder  24  is fixed inside the lid  12  and opens with the lid  12 . The juicing cone  26  includes ridges  25  (see  FIG. 5C ) and rises into the fruit and rotates. The ridges  25  cut into the pulp of the fruit to release fruit juice and the rising juicing cone  26  compresses the pulp to further release the juice. The strainer  28  resides under the juicing  26  cone and rises with the juicing cone  26  but does not rotate. The bowl  29  is fixed to the base  14  and does not rise or rotate, and catches the juice released from the fruit. 
         [0062]    A cross-sectional view of the lid  12  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 5A , a cross-sectional view of the fruit holder  24 , according to the present invention, of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 5B , a cross-sectional view of the juicing cone  26 , according to the present invention, of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 5C , a cross-sectional view of a strainer  28 , according to the present invention, of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 5D , and a cross-sectional view of a bowl  29 , according to the present invention, of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 5E . The upward facing face of the juicing cone  26  includes ridges  25  for cutting into the pulp of the fruit and a lower end of the juicing cone  26  includes blades (or scrapers)  27  which scrape against a top surface of the strainer  28  to prevent pulp from blocking the strainer  28  during use. The fruit holder  24  includes a seat  21  for limiting upward movement of the juicing cone  26 , and the juicing cone  26  includes a stop  23  for cooperation with the seat  21 . 
         [0063]    An exploded view of a center column assembly  30  according to the present invention of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The center column assembly  30  includes a rotating and vertically translating lift tube  32 , a stationary (non-rotating and non-translating) outer tube  34  attached to the base  14  (see  FIG. 1 ), a spring  36 , a driven shaft  38 , a nut  40 , and a drive shaft  42 . The lift tube  32  lifts and rotates the juicing cone  26 . The spring  36  resides inside the outer tube  34  and provides downward force on the driven shaft  38  and/or the nut  40  to bias the center column assembly  30  towards a down position (see  FIGS. 2-4 ). The driven shaft  38  resides inside the drive shaft  42  and is keyed to rotate with the drive shaft  42  but free to vertically translate. The nut  40  is threaded into the exterior of the drive shaft  42  and includes at least one outside notch  44  (see  FIG. 11B ) to engage a vertical rail  39  (see  FIG. 9D ) in the outer tube  34  to prevent the nut  40  from rotating with the drive shaft  42 . A smooth portion  42 ′ at the top of the drive shaft  42  allowing the drive shaft  42  to rotate freely from the nut  40  at maximum extension. 
         [0064]    A vertical stop according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . The juicing cone  26  includes a stop  23  at the peak of the cone, and the fruit holder  24  includes a seat  21  above the stop  23 . The seat  21  limits the vertical movement of the juicing cone  26  to establish a minimum gap G between the ridges  25  and the interior of the fruit holder  24  to prevent or reduce the ridges  25  cutting into the fruit rind. 
         [0065]    A strainer key  37  and key way  31  are shown in  FIG. 8 . The key  37  resides on an edge of the strainer and engages the key way  31  in the lid  12  and/or bowl  29  to prevent rotation of the strainer  28  so that the blades  27  on the bottom of the juicing cone  26  can scrape pulp from the inside of the strainer  28 , which pulp might otherwise block the strainer  28 . 
         [0066]    A side view of the outer tube (or column)  34  of the center column assembly  30  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 9A , a bottom view of the outer tube  34  is shown in  FIG. 9B , a side view of the outer tube  34  is shown in  FIG. 9C , a cross-sectional view of the outer tube  42  taken along line  9 D- 9 D of  FIG. 9A  is shown in  FIG. 9D , and a cross-sectional view of the outer tube  34  taken along line  9 E- 9 E of  FIG. 9C  is shown in  FIG. 9E . The outer tube  34  has a cylindrical exterior and cylindrical interior with an outer tube flange  35  at the base for attaching to the juicer base  14 . The outer tube  34  is fixed and neither rotates nor translates. An interior vertical rail  39  runs the length of the interior and cooperates with one of the notches  44  (see  FIG. 11B ) of the nut  40  to prevent rotation of the nut. The outer tube  34  includes a ceiling  37  for cooperation with the spring  36 . While a preferred outer tube  34  has a cylindrical interior and exterior, a juicer according to the present invention with an outer column which is not cylindrical is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0067]    A side view of a drive shaft  42 , according to the present invention, of the center column assembly  30  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 10A , a bottom view of the drive shaft  42  is shown in  FIG. 10B , and a top view of the drive shaft  42  is shown in  FIG. 10C . The drive shaft  42  is connected to the motor  20  through the gearing assembly  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) and is rotated by the gearing assembly  22  but does not translate. The drive shaft  42  includes threads  45  on a cylindrical exterior for cooperation with a threaded interior  47  (see  FIG. 11B ) of the nut  40 . Because the outer tube  34  prevents rotation of the nut  40 , rotation of the drive shaft  42  causes the nut  40  to translate vertically. The drive shaft  42  further includes a lengthwise inner passage  41  and key ways  43  running vertically lengthwise into the inner passage  41 . The inner passage  41  is preferably cylindrical to reduce manufacturing costs, but may have other cross-sections. 
         [0068]    A side view of the nut  40 , according to the present invention, of the center column assembly  30  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 11A , and a top view of the nut  40  is shown in  FIG. 11B . The nut  40  includes a threaded interior  47  for cooperation with threads  45  on the drive shaft  42  (see  FIG. 10A ) and external notches  44  and external lands  46  on the exterior of the nut. The lands  46  center the nut  40  in the inner passage  41  of the drive shaft  42  and the notches  44  prevent the nut  40  from rotating inside the outer column  34 . Only one notch  44  is required and in another embodiment, the nut may include a projecting key for cooperation with a key way inside the outer column  34 . 
         [0069]    A side view of the driven shaft  38 , according to the present invention, of the center column assembly  30  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 12A , a bottom view of the driven shaft  38  is shown in  FIG. 12B , and a top view of the driven shaft  38  is shown in  FIG. 12C . The driven shaft includes two keys  48  for cooperation with the key ways  43  in the drive shaft  42 , causing the driven shaft  38  to rotate with the drive shaft  42  but allowing the driven shaft  38  to translate vertically with respect to the drive shaft  42 . The driven shaft  38  further includes a cylindrical body  50  and a hexagonal nose  54  at an upper end for engaging the lift tube  32 . 
         [0070]    A side view of a lift tube  32 , according to the present invention, of the center column assembly  30  of the juicer  10  is shown in  FIG. 13A , a bottom view of the lift tube  32  is shown in  FIG. 13B , a top view of the lift tube  32  is shown in  FIG. 13C , and a cross-sectional view of the lift tube  32  taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13A  is shown in  FIG. 14 . The lift tube  32  has a hexagonal exterior  6 , a round base flange  58 , and a hexagonal recess  56  in the base for cooperation with the nose  54  of the driven shaft  38  (see FIG,  12 A). The lift tube is lifted and rotated by the driven shaft  38  and lifts and rotates the juicing cone  26  (see  FIG. 5C ). 
         [0071]    A second embodiment of a center column assembly  70 , according to the present invention, of the juicer  10 , is shown in  FIG. 15 . The center column assembly  70  includes an inner tube  74 , a second outer tube  34 ′, and a hexagonal driven shaft  72 . The second outer tube  34 ′ is similar to the outer tube  34 , but does not include the ceiling  37 , allowing the inner tube  74  to be inserted into the top of the outer tube  34 ′ and have an outer diameter sliding into the interior of the outer tube  34 ′. The exterior of the inner tube  74  includes a notch  76  running the length of the inner tube  74  to engage the vertical rail  39  of the outer tube  34 ′ to allow the inner tube  74  to translate vertically within the outer tube  34 ′, but to cause the inner tube  74  to rotate with the outer tube  34 ′. The hexagonal driven shaft  72  engages the juicing cone  26  to lift and rotate the juicing cone  26  (see  FIG. 5C ). The center column assembly  70  is otherwise similar to the center column assembly  30 . 
         [0072]    A second fruit holder  24 ′ with an adjustable seat  80  is shown in  FIG. 16 . The adjustable seat  80  preferably includes threads which cooperate with the fruit holder  24 ′ to allow adjustment of the gap G between the juicing cone  26  and the fruit holder  24 ′. 
         [0073]    The gearing assembly  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) according to the present invention is shown in a high speed position in  FIG. 17A  and in a high torque position in  FIG. 17B . The gearing assembly  22  includes a motor  82 , switch  84 , first gears  94  and  96 , second gears  90  and  92 , third gears  86  and  88 , and a spring  98 . The gears  94  and  96  are always engaged. In the relaxed (or UP) position, the spring  98  pushed the gears  90  and  86  upwards, and the gear  90  engages the gear  92  to provide high speed. In the compressed (or DOWN) position, the spring  98  is compressed allowing the gears  90  and  86  to move downward, and the gear  86  engages the gear  88  to provide high torque. The spring  98  further provides a relief from exerting too great a downward force on the gearing assembly  22  or too much upward force on the juicing cone  26 . The springs  98  and  36  (see  FIG. 6 ) combine to limit the force exerted on the fruit to preferably between one pound and 50 pounds, and more preferably limit the force exerted on the fruit to between ten pounds and 25 and most preferably limit the force exerted on the fruit to approximately 18 pounds. 
         [0074]    A side view of a second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism  102  in a down position is shown in  FIG. 18A  and a side view of the second embodiment of a motor, gear, and shaft mechanism in the “UP” position is shown in  FIG. 18B . The mechanism  102  includes the motor  82  mounted below a mounting plate  106 , a gear set  104  mounted above the mounting plate  106 , an outer shaft  116  connected to the gears  104  resides above the mounting plate  106 , and an inner shaft  114  is also connected to the gears  104  resides above the mounting plate  106 . The mounting plate  106  slides vertically with the outer shaft  116  on vertical posts  108  which are connected between a base flange  112  and an upper base plate  100 . 
         [0075]    The outer shaft  116  has male threads  118  on a lower portion, and the threads  118  engage female threads (not shown) inside a fixed collet  110  attached to the plate  100 . The motor  82  turns the inside and outside shafts  114  and  116  thought the gear set  104 , generally at different speeds, and the rotation of the outside shaft  116  causes the mechanism  102  to raise and lower. The male threads  118  on the outside shaft  116  do not extend to the base of the outside shaft  116 , and as a result, the threads  118  may disengage from the collet  110  allowing the outer shaft  116  to continue to turn after reaching a highest position in the juicer. 
         [0076]    A detailed side view of the motor, gear, and shaft mechanism  102  is shown in  FIG. 19A  and a detailed top view of the motor, gear, and shaft mechanism  102  is shown in  FIG. 19B . The inside shaft  114  is free to rotate inside the outside shaft  116  independently of the outside shaft  116  and preferably turns at a higher speed than the outer shaft  116 . 
         [0077]    A more detailed view of the gear set  104  is shown in  FIG. 20 . A small first gear  104   a  is connected to the motor  82 . A large gear  104   b  engages the gear  104   a  and rotates at a lower speed than the motor  82 . A second small gear  104   c  is connected to the gear  104   b  and rotates at the same speed as the gear  104   b.  A second large gear  104   d  engages the gear  104   c  and rotates at a lower speed than the gear  104  and at a much lower rate than the motor  82 . Both the small gear  104   g  and the medium size gear  104   e,  are attached to the gear  104   d  and turn at the same speed as the gear  104   d.  The large gear  104   f  engages the medium gear  104  and rotates somewhat slower than the gear  104   e.  The large gears  10   h  engages the small gear  104   g  and rotates slower than the gear  104   g.    
         [0078]    The outer shaft  116  is connected to the gear  104   h  and rotates at the same speed as the gear  104   h  and the inner shaft  114  is connected to the gear  104   f  and rotates at the same speed as the gear  104   f.  As a result both the outer shaft  116  and the inner shaft  114  turn much slower than the motor  81 , and the inner shaft  114  preferably turns faster than the outer shaft  116 . In a simpler embodiment with fewer gears, the inner shaft  114  turns at the same speed as the outer shaft  116 . 
         [0079]    A side view of the outer shaft  116  and the inner shaft  114  with a spring  118  providing vertical support to the inner shaft  114 , thus limiting the force exerted by the juicing cone  26  (see  FIGS. 22A and 22B ) on the fruit, is shown in  FIG. 21 . The spring  117  preferably limits the force exerted on the fruit to preferably between one pound and 20 pounds, and more preferably limits the force exerted on the fruit to between ten pounds and 20 and most preferably limits the force exerted on the fruit to approximately 18 pounds. An inner shaft flange  114   a  maybe provided to contact a switch  115  to reverse the direction of the motor  82  when a desired vertical force has been achieved compressing the spring  117 . The switch  115  is electrically connected to electronics  122  in the base of the juicer (see  FIG. 22A ). 
         [0080]    The mechanism  102  is shown in the juicer  10  in  FIG. 22A  in the down position and in  FIG. 22B  in the up position. Other than the mechanism  102 , the second embodiment of the juicer  10  is similar to the embodiment described in  FIGS. 1-17B . The juicer  10  in  FIG. 22  shows the mechanism  102  in the up position with the juicing cone  26  lifted to push the juicing cone  26  into the fruit. The strainer  28  is preferably carried vertically by the outer shaft  114  and raises and lowers with the juicing cone  26  and may rotate with the juicing cone  26 , but preferably is keyed to the juicer housing and does not rotate, thereby being cleared by the bottom surface of the rotating juicing cone. 
         [0081]    A switch  120  is electrically connected to electronics  122  in the base of the juicer. The switch  120  starts the operation of the juicer and the direction of the motor  82  is initially to advance the juicing cone  26  into the fruit. The motor  82  direction may be reversed after a period of time to vertically retreat the juicing cone from the fruit using a timer in the electronic  122 , or after a preset resistance to advancing the juicing cone into the fruit is experienced by compression of the spring  118  actuating the switch  115  (see  FIG. 21 ). 
         [0082]    An alternative gear set  104   a  for a second embodiment of the juicer according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 23 , a side view of the outer shaft  116  and the inner shaft  116  the second embodiment of the gear set  104   a  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 24 , and a side view of the outer shaft  116  and the inner shaft  114  of the second embodiment of the gear set in the juicer is shown in  FIG. 25 . The gears  104   e  and  104   f  (see  FIG. 20 ) which rotate the inner shaft  114  independently of the outer shaft  116  are deleted and the inner shaft  114  includes a pin  130  engaging a slot  132  in the base of the outer shaft  116  to rotate the inner shaft  116  at the same rate as the outer shaft  116 . A spring  118  resides over a post  114   a  at the base fo the inner shaft  114  and vertically supports the inner shaft  114  to limit the force exerted by the inner shaft on the juicing cone  26  to not overly injure the fruit during use. 
         [0083]    A cross-sectional view of the collet  134  of the second embodiment of the juicer according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 26 . The collet  134  has internal threads  135  for engaging external threads  117  on the outer shaft  116  for advancing and retreating the shafts  116  and  114 . 
         [0084]    A spring loaded collet  134   a  a third embodiment in the juicer according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 27 . The inner shaft  114  is fixed to the outer shaft  116  to rotate and advance and retreat vertically with the outer shaft  116  and may be a single piece with the outer shaft  116 . The collet  134   a  is supported by a spring  136  so that if resistance is met at the peak vertical advance of the shaft  116 , the collet can retreat downward to not overly injure the fruit during use. 
         [0085]    A spring loaded fruit holder  24  in the juicer according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 28 . The spring  138  allows the fruit holder  24  to rise if resistance is met at the peak vertical advance of the shaft  116  to not overly injure the fruit during use without springs  118  and  136  of  FIGS. 24 and 27 . 
         [0086]    The embodiments of  FIGS. 18A through 28  may exercise a vertical overrun wherein outside threads on the outer shaft  116  advance the outer shaft upwards and disengage from inner threads of the collet  134 , providing a dwell time at the peak vertical travel of the shafts until the motor  82  reverses and returned the shafts to a lower position. While the shafts are at the peak vertical travel, a “clicking” may be heard once per revolution of the shafts as the teeth pass each other and the vertical shaft  116  falls slightly inside the collet  134 . While such “clicking” presents no functional issues, it may annoy a user. An O-ring  115  on the shaft  116  in  FIG. 24  may provided to damping the vertical failing of the outer shaft  116  to prevent or reduce the “clicking”. The O-Ring  116  preferably reside in a groove in the exterior of the shaft  116 . Alternatively, the motor  82  may be reversed before the teeth disengage to prevent the “clicking”. 
         [0087]    The direction of the motor is initially to advance the juicing cone into the fruit, and either after a period of time, or when a preset level of resistance is met by the vertically advancing juicing cone, the direction of the motor reverses to vertically retreat the juicing cone from the fruit. 
         [0088]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.