Patent Publication Number: US-6904828-B2

Title: Corkscrew

Description:
This is a nationalization of PCT/IE01/00037 filed Mar. 22, 2001 and published in English. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a construction of corkscrew and in particular to a construction of corkscrew where a large number of wine bottles have to be opened over relevantly short periods of time such as in restaurants and other similar establishments. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are many types of corkscrew some of which are more useful than others. There are a number of principal requirements from any corkscrew namely the screw must start out perpendicular to the centre of the cork and the cork should come out cleanly, slowly and easily out of the bottle. 
   Uncorking machines suffer from the limitation where if they are bench mounted considerable force has to be exerted to push the bottle against the screw, and to hold the bottle while extracting the cork. This problem also occurs when operating wall mounted uncorking machine. 
   While some corkscrews work relatively efficiently, they suffer from the disadvantage that in general they need to be held on a flat surface or they are gripped by the person using the corkscrew. Unfortunately as the corkscrew is inserted into the neck of the bottle and into the cork it is not unknown for the bottle to slip and to spill. In a situation where there is a large number of bottles to be opened what would be ideal would be if there was one station where the corkscrew can be placed and the bottles can be easily opened at that station. The present invention is directed at providing such a corkscrew. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a corkscrew which has all the advantages of a conventional corkscrew with the additional advantage of being able to retain the bottle in a fixed rigid position during the extraction of the cork. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a corkscrew which is able to accommodate many sizes of bottles which can vary in height or neck diameter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention there is provided a corkscrew assembly comprising:
         a body;   a support for the body which is height adjustable relative to a work surface;   a spirally wound worm screw rotationally mounted within the body; and   means to rotate the spirally wound worm screw.       

   In one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a slide rail with an associated carriage which is slidable along the rail, the carriage being connected to the body. 
   In one embodiment, there is provided means for releasably locking the carriage on the slide rail. 
   In another embodiment, the locking means comprises a brake element mounted on the carriage for engagement with the slide rail, with actuating means to move the brake element between a released inoperative position and an engaged operative braking position. 
   In a further embodiment, the actuating means is a lever arm which, when in a fully raised position, releases the brake element and when moved downwardly away from the fully raised position, engages the brake element for locking the carriage on the slide rail. 
   In another embodiment, the brake element is slidably mounted on the carriage and has an inner end for engagement with the slide rail and an outer end which is engageable by an associated cam on the lever arm to urge the brake element against the slide rail in the engaged position. 
   In a further embodiment, the brake element comprises a friction plug mounted in a bore on the carriage, a cam follower rod slidably mounted in the bore outboard of the friction plug and having an outer end which projects outwardly of the bore for engagement with the cam on the lever arm. 
   In another embodiment, a pair of brake elements are provided on the carriage for clamping the slide rail therebetween in response to operation of the actuating means. 
   In a further embodiment, the brake element comprises a locking washer mounted on the carriage and having a central through hole for through passage of the slide rail, a periphery of the washer hingedly engaging the carriage at one side of the washer. 
   In another embodiment, the carriage is a loose sliding fit on the slide rail. 
   In a further embodiment, the slide rail is of circular section and the carriage comprises a collar having a central through hole for sliding engagement with the rail. 
   In another embodiment, the corkscrew comprises a spirally wound worm screw. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the worm screw is rotatably mounted on a slide block for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the worm screw, the slide block being slidably mounted on the body for vertical movement, the worm screw engaging a complementary threaded guide mounted on the body and being movable through the threaded guide for rotation of the worm screw. 
   In a particularly preferred embodiment, the threaded guide is slidably mounted on the body for movement along a shorter path than the slide block carrying the worm screw. 
   In another embodiment, the means for rotating the worm screw comprises a bifurcated lever arm having an inner end which is rotatably mounted on the boss, the lever arm being connected intermediate its ends to the slide block carrying the worm screw. 
   In a further embodiment, the body is of tubular construction, the slide block being slidable within a bore of the body and the lever arm is connected to the slide block through elongate slots in the body. 
   In another embodiment, the boss is rotatably mounted on the rail. 
   In a further embodiment, the work surface comprises a bottle support platform associated with the body for mounting below the body for receiving and positioning a bottle beneath the body for engagement by the worm screw. 
   In another embodiment, the lever arm, when in a fully raised position, is operable to release the locking means to allow sliding of the body on the rail. 
   conveniently, a lower end of the body has a bottle neck embracing mouth of frusto-conical shape to accommodate and centre bottle necks of different diameter at a lower end of the body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a prospective view of a corkscrew assembly according to the invention, 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 1  to a different scale, 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional side elevational view of the corkscrew assembly, 
       FIG. 4  is a detail sectional side elevational view of portion of the corkscrew assembly, 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , shown in another position of use, 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another corkscrew assembly, 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 6 , 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the further corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 6 , 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a further corkscrew assembly, 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 9 , 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 9 , 
       FIG. 12  is a side sectional elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 9 , 
       FIG. 13  is a detail perspective view showing portion of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 9 , 
       FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of the corkscrew of  FIG. 9  with an actuating lever arm shown in a raised position, 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the line XV—XV of  FIG. 14 , 
       FIG. 16  is an elevational view of the corkscrew assembly of  FIG. 9  with the actuating lever shown in a lowered position, and 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along the lines XVII—XVII of FIG.  16 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1  to  5  thereof, there is provided a corkscrew assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral  1  for mounting on a wall above a work surface (not shown). The corkscrew assembly  1  comprises a hollow body  2  having a pair of vertically arranged radially opposed through-slots  3 . The hollow body  2  has a plug  4  slidably mounted therein, in turn rotatably mounting a spirally wound worm screw  5  which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the worm screw  5 . The plug  4  has hole  6  which engages a dowel  40  which fits into a bifurcated lever arm  20  and rotates as the bifurcated arm  20  moves up and down. The worm screw  5  engages a complementary threaded guide  8  which is slidably mounted at a lower end of the body  2 , the worm screw  5  being movable through the threaded guide  8  having a threaded bore  9  for rotation of the worm screw  5  about a longitudinal axis of the worm screw  5 . The hollow body  2  has a bottle neck embracing mouth  7  of frusto-conical shape in cross section so as to accommodate different bottle neck diameters. 
   A support for the corkscrew assembly  1  is provided by a vertically arranged slide rail formed by a bar  10  mounted onto pillars  11  each having a base plate  12  for mounting on a vertical support surface. On the bar  10  is mounted a carriage formed by the bored collar  15  which is directly connected to the hollow body  2  by a depending arm  16 . The collar  15  has bosses  17  which are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the collar  15 . A bifurcated lever arm  20  has a handle  21  and a pair of forks  22  which slidably project through the bosses  17 . Stops  23  on the forks  22  are used to move a locking washer  41  mounted within the collar  15  and engageable about the bar  10  against a spring  42  when the bifurcated lever arm  20  is in the uppermost position for alignment of a through hole of the washer  41  with the bar  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , thus allowing the collar  15  and hence the corkscrew assembly  1  to slide up and down the bar  10 . The locking washer  41  has a central through hole for through passage of the bar  10 . A periphery of the washer  41  hingedly engages in an associated groove  48  in a side wall of a chamber  49  formed within the carriage  15  within which the locking washer  41  is mounted. When the lever arm  20  is lowered, the stops  23  disengage and the washer  41  is released and under the action of the spring  42 , is inclined relative to the bar  10  pivoting about the groove  48  to lock the collar on the bar  10  as shown in FIG.  5 . 
   In operation the bar  10  is mounted above a work surface at a desired height by the base plates  12 . When it is desired to extract a cork from a bottle a bottle is placed adjacent the bar  10  and the body  2  is raised or lowered such that the mouth  7  engages and rests on the bottle neck with the screw  5  and thus the handle  21  pushed upwards. The collar  15  can be moved easily up and down the bar  10  to accommodate various heights of bottles and the weight of the arm  16 , the hollow body  2  and bifurcated lever arm  20  will be such as to jam the collar  15  relative to the bar  10  thus the body  2  will be locked at the desired height. But disengaging the locking washer  41  as described above, will allow the collar  15  to be slid up and down on the bar  10 . To extract a cork the lever handle  21  is pressed downwards so that the worm screw  5  is turned as it advances through the threaded guide  8  and rotates into and penetrates the cork. When the worm screw  5  is fully into the cork the handle  21  is raised and the cork will be raised out of the bottle which is still held securely in position on the work surface by the hollow body  2 . As the bifurcated lever arm  20  continues its upward movement a dowel  45  which is fitted to the threaded guide  8  reaches the end of its upward travel in an associated lower slot  44  of the body  2 . This stops the guide  8  and forces the worm screw  5  to turn in the reverse direction as it continues upwardly and at the same time the cork meets the bottom of the threaded guide  8  causing the cork to unscrew from the spirally wound worm screw  5 . 
   Conveniently, when not in use, with the locking washer  41  disengaged by raising the lever arm  20 , the body  2  can be rotated sidewardly against the wall into a stored position. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  there is illustrated an alternative construction of a corkscrew assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral  30  in which parts similar to those described with reference to the previous drawings are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment there is provided a wall mounted bottle stand  31  having a base plate  32  for mounting on a wall and a bottle support  33  connected thereto. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9  to  17 , there is illustrated another corkscrew assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral  50 . The corkscrew assembly  50  comprises a hollow body  52  having a pair of vertically arranged, radially opposed through slots  53 . Mounted within the body  2  is a plug or slide block  54  which is slidably mounted on guide rods  55  which in turn are mounted on a cylindrical threaded guide  61  which is slidably mounted within a cylindrical bore  56  of the body  52 . Semi-circular grooves  65  on each side of the slide block  54  slidably engage with the guide rods  55 . A corkscrew  57  has an upper end  58  which is rotatably mounted in the slide block  54  and a lower end  59  for engagement with a cork. A threaded shaft  60  of the worm screw  57  engages a complementary central threaded through hole  62  in the guide  61 . It will be noted that the guide  61  is slidable within the body  52  between a lowered position against a step  63  in the bore  56  and a raised position in which the rods  55  engage against a cap  64  at a top of the body  52 . 
   A pivot pin  66  mounted on the slide block  54  projects outwardly through the slots  53  in the side wall of the body  52  to engage pivot links  57  by pivot pins  67   a  and the links  67  are connected to a bifurcated lever arm  68  by pivot pins  69 . The lever arm  68  has a bifurcated inner end  70  rotatably connected by pivots  71  to a collar  72  which is connected to the body  52  by a depending arm  73 . The collar  72  forms a carriage which is vertically slidable on an associated slide bar  75  carried by pillars  76  attached to a base plate  77 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 14  to  17 , locking means for locking the collar  72  on the slide bar  75  will be described. The collar  72  has a pair of radial bores  90 . At an inner end of each bore  90 , there is provided a rubber brake plug  91 . A cam follower rod  92  is slidably mounted within each bore  90  outboard of the rubber plug  91  and has an outer end which projects outwardly of the bore  90  for engagement with an associated cam  94  at the inner end  70  of the lever arm  68 . Thus, when the lever arm  68  is fully raised, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , there is no pressure exerted by the inner end  70  of the lever arm  68  on the followers  92  and plugs  91  and thus the brake is released and the collar  72  can slide up and down on the slide bar  75 . However, as soon as the lever arm  68  is lowered downwardly from the fully raised position, the cams  94  engage the followers  92  which are pushed inwardly to compress the rubber plugs  91  against the slide bar  75  to brake and hold the collar  72  on the slide bar  75 . 
   A bottom support platform  80  is provided for mounting below the body  52  for receiving and positioning a bottle beneath the body  52  for engagement by the worm screw  57 . 
   A lower end of the body  52  has a bottle neck embracing mouth  85  of frusto-conical shape to accommodate different bottle neck diameters. 
   In use, a bottle is mounted on the platform  80 , and with the lever arm  68  in a raised position, the body  52  is moved vertically on the bar  75  to engage the mouth  85  at a lower end of the body  52  with the neck of the bottle. The lever arm  68  is then pivoted downwardly engaging the brake and the worm screw  57  is turned by the threaded guide  61  and rotates into and penetrates the cork in the bottle neck. The lever arm  68  is then raised and the cork will be pulled out of the bottle into a cork receiving chamber  90  in the body  52  above the mouth  85 , the slide block  54  and guide  61  sliding together upwardly within the bore  56  of the body  52 . When the cork is fully extracted from the bottle, upper ends of the guide rods  55  will engage the cover  64  at a top of the body  52  halting the guide  61 . Further upward movement of the lever arm  68  causes the slide block  54  to slide upwardly along the guide rods  55  thus causing reverse rotation of the worm screw  57  to disengage the worm screw  57  from the cork which engages against an inner end  91  of the chamber  90 . Thus, it will be appreciated that the cork is removed from the bottle and then removed from the worm screw in the single upward movement of the lever arm  68 . 
   It is envisaged that other height adjustment means may be employed within the bore collar to engage with a bar. For example, a spring-loaded rubber bushing may be used. Pins or spring-loaded pins or even a threaded knob may be employed to locate the corkscrew mechanism in place. Indeed there are many location and or securing devices which would be suitable for this purpose. 
   While it is preferable that the slide bar  75  is of circular section so that the body  52  may be pivoted to one side for neat storage against a wall on which it is mounted, the slide bar  75  need not necessarily be circular and other configurations could be used. It is also envisaged that the sliding of the body on the slide rail may be provided either with or without braking. It may be possible, by making the collar a loose fit on the slide bar  75 , that this would provide self-clamping when the corkscrew is engaged, effectively tilting and locking the collar on the slide bar. It is also envisaged that additional gripping means for gripping the bottle and preventing turning of the bottle during operation of the corkscrew may be provided either within the mouth  85  by means of a rubber washer or the like, or on the support surface or platform on which the bottle is rested during operation of the corkscrew, providing such surface with a friction enhancing finish or material cover. 
   In the specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa. 
   The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.