Patent Abstract:
A Jar Opener includes a beam, a handle, a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw. The Jar Opener is able to securely clamp a jar lid between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw, and the beam and handle are then turned to open the jar. The Jar Opener functions as a lever arm to enable any user to easily open virtually any twist top jar.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to kitchen utensils. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a tool for use in opening jars. The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, useful for opening virtually any twist top jar. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Everyone has, at one time or another, encountered a jar they could not open. The jars which we purchase at the local supermarket are vacuum sealed to maintain the freshness of the jar&#39;s contents. Unfortunately, the process of sealing the jar can often lead to a seal that is extremely difficult to break. If a person is physically unable to open a jar, they will either have to seek out someone who can open the jar, or go without opening it. Consequently, there is a need for a jar opener which will enable any user to easily open virtually any twist top jar. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Jar Opener that is able to easily and effectively open virtually any twist top jar. It is another object of the present invention to provide a Jar Opener that is adjustable for use with virtually any size jar. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a Jar Opener is provided and includes a beam, a fixed jaw, a movable jaw which slides along the beam, and a handle. The Jar Opener may be used to open a twist top jar by gripping the jar lid between the fixed jaw and movable jaw, and then by turning the beam and handle. The beam and handle extend radially from the lid to provide a lever arm for twisting the jar lid. The distance between the fixed and movable jaws may be adjusted so that the Jar Opener may grip lids with a variety of diameters. The handle includes a pin which fixes the movable jaw in place when the handle is closed, and allows the movable jaw to slide along the beam when the handle is open. Therefore, the movable jaw may be easily slid along the beam in order to secure a lid between itself and the fixed jaw. The movable jaw may then be fixed in place to securely hold the lid. 
   The Jar Opener as described above will enable a user to easily open virtually any twist top jar. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the Jar Opener of the present invention shown engaging the lid of a jar; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the Jar Opener of the present invention shown in use; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the Jar Opener of the present invention shown in use; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the beam of the Jar Opener of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the beam of the Jar Opener of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the fixed jaw of the Jar Opener of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the Jar Opener of the present invention taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the movable jaw of the Jar Opener of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the Jar Opener of the present invention taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the Jar Opener of the present invention shown in operation and engaging the lid of a jar. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , the Jar Opener  100  of the present invention is shown and includes beam  102 , fixed jaw  104 , movable jaw  106 , handle  108 , and end plug  110 . Fixed jaw  104  is fixed to one end of beam  102  by screws  112 . Movable jaw  106  is moveably affixed to beam  102 , discussed in conjunction with FIG.  9 . Handle  108  is affixed to movable jaw  106  by fastener  114 . End plug  110  is affixed to beam  102  by inserting end plug  110  into beam  102  at the end opposite to fixed jaw  104 . Movable jaw  106  may be advanced in direction  116  to contact lid  118  of jar  120 . Movable jaw  106  is then clamped in place by moving handle  108 , in direction  122 , until handle  108  is in closed position  124 . When handle  108  is in closed position  124 , camming pin  126 , discussed in connection with  FIG. 2 , prevents handle  108  from moving, thereby maintaining contact between movable jaw  106  and lid  118 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, beam  102  and handle  108  may be constructed of aluminum, however, it should be noted that beam  102  may be constructed of any material having similar strength that is well known in the art. Fixed jaw  104 , movable jaw  106 , and end plug  110  may be constructed of hard plastic, but may also be constructed of any other material well known in the art. It is important to note that in a preferred embodiment, movable jaw  106  and handle  108  have grip surfaces which are textured to give a user with wet or slippery hands a tight grip. The textured surfaces of movable jaw  106  and handle  108  may also be grooved or other texture type used in the art. In an alternative embodiment, movable jaw  106  and handle  108  may have smooth surfaces. Fastener  114  may be nut and bolt, rivet, or other fastener used in the art. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a top view of Jar Opener  100  is shown and illustrates the operation of Jar Opener  100 . First, lid  118  of jar  120  is positioned against jaw edge  128  of fixed jaw  104 . Second, with handle  108  in the open position (see  FIG. 1  above) movable jaw  106  is advanced in direction  116  until jaw edge  130  of movable jaw  106  contacts lid  118 . In this way, gap  125  is altered to fit diameter  127  of lid  118 , thereby enabling Jar Opener  100  to engage virtually any size jar. Next, handle  108  is moved in direction  122  to closed position  124 , discussed in conjunction with FIG.  1 . As handle  108  is moved in direction  122 , camming pin  126  inserts into one of the positioning holes  132 . This action causes movable jaw  106  to be advanced slightly forward in direction  116 , clamping lid  118  tightly between fixed jaw  104  and movable jaw  106 , as well as fixing movable jaw  106  in place. Positioning holes  132  have gaps  133  between them and are discussed in conjunction with FIG.  4 . It is important to note that Jar Opener  100  is able to securely hold lid  118  due to jaw width  129 . Jaw width  129  represents the clamping surface of jaws  104  and  106 , and is sufficiently large in proportion to the size of the lid. Jaw width  129  has large degrees or radians for a small size lid  118 , and small degrees or radians for a large size lid  118 . Finally, Jar Opener  100  is turned in direction  131 , counterclockwise, in order to unscrew jar lid  118  from jar  120  (not shown in FIG.  2 ). 
   In a preferred embodiment, jaw edges  128  and  130  may be constructed of hard rubber. It is important to note, however, that they may be constructed of any material with the same amount of flexibility and grip as rubber. Either or both of jaw edges  128  and  130  may be constructed of plastic, metal, or soft rubber to facilitate the gripping of a jar between jaw edges  128  and  130 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a top view of beam  102  of Jar Opener  100  is shown and includes positioning holes  132  and fixed jaw fastener holes  134 . Positioning holes  132  are of sufficient size to receive camming pin  126  (not shown in FIG.  4 ), and of sufficient spacing  133  so that Jar Opener  100  may be used to open virtually any size jar. In a preferred embodiment, positioning holes  132  may measure 0.13 by 0.19 centimeters, and gaps  133  may be 0.15 centimeters apart on center. Also, in a preferred embodiment, beam  102  may be constructed of aluminum. However, it should be noted that beam  102  may be constructed of any material so long as it has a strength similar to aluminum. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an end view of beam  102  of the present invention is shown and includes runner lumen  135  and opening  136 . In a preferred embodiment, runner lumen  135  is sized to fit runner body  138  of fixed jaw  104 , discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 7 , as well as runner body  140  of movable jaw  106 , discussed in conjunction with FIG.  9 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a top view of fixed jaw  104  is shown and includes runner body  138 , lower body  139 , jaw arms  141 , and jaw edge  128 . Runner body  138 , lower body  139 , and jaw arms  141  may be formed from one continuous piece or of separate pieces attached together by a means known in the art, including but not limited to welding or the use of an adhesive. Runner body  138  is formed above lower body  139 , and is sized to fit within runner lumen  135  of beam  102 . In a preferred embodiment, jaw edge  128  may be attached to jaw arms  141  by means of an adhesive. Although it should be noted that jaw edge  128  may be attached to jaw arms  141  by means of a screw, or any other fastener well known in the art. Jaw edge  128  has tabs which insert into channels located in jaw arms  141  as indicated by dashed line  143 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view of Jar Opener  100 , taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 1 , is shown and includes fixed jaw  104  and beam  102 . Runner body  138  of fixed jaw  104  substantially fills runner lumen  135  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) of beam  102 . Fixed jaw  104  is held in place both by screws  112 , and by the fact that opening  136  of beam  102  is smaller in cross-section than runner body  138 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 8 , a top view of movable jaw  106  is shown and includes runner body  140 , lower body  142 , jaw arms  144 , and jaw edge  130 . Runner body  140 , lower body  142 , and jaw arms  144  may be formed of one continuous piece, and runner body  140  may be formed to fit within runner lumen  135  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of beam  102 . Also, jaw edge  130  may be attached to jaw arms  144  by means of an adhesive, however, jaw edge  130  may be fastened to jaw arms  144  by any means well known in the art. Jaw edge  130  has a tab which inserts into the channels of jaw arms  144  indicated by dashed line  146 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 9 , a cross sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 1 , is shown and includes beam  102 , movable jaw  106 , and handle  108  in closed position  124 . Runner body  140  of movable jaw  106  is fitted within beam  102 , and since runner section  140  is wider than opening  136  in beam  102 , runner section  140  is held within beam  102 . Runner section  140  is used to add stability to Jar Opener  100 , so that Jar Opener  100  may be used effectively even if handle  108  is not completely in the closed position  124 , shown above in conjunction with FIG.  1 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 10 , a side view of Jar Opener  100  is shown and includes but is not limited to plane of rotation  150  and handle  108  of Jar Opener  100 . Turning movable jaw  106  and handle  108  in direction  131  results in plane of rotation  150 . The plane of rotation  150  is located at the vertical center point of movable jaw  106  and lid  118  and rotates around the horizontal axis located at the center point of lid  118 . Handle  108  has moved in direction  122  to a position halfway between the original position and closed position  124  (shown in FIG.  1 ). 
   OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
   The operation of Jar Opener  100  begins with the separation of movable jaw  106  from fixed jaw  104  to receive lid  118  of jar  120 . Once lid  118  is properly positioned against the underside of beam  102  and against fixed jaw  104 , and with the handle  108  in a raised position to disengage camming pin  126  from any positioning holes  132 , movable jaw  106  is moved along beam  102  in direction  116  until lid  118  is captured between fixed jaw  104  and movable jaw  106 . 
   Once lid  118  is captured, the user grips the handle  108 , beam  102  and movable jaw  106  (shown with hand  109 ) and squeezes handle  108  in direction  122  towards movable jaw  106 . As handle  108  moves in direction  122 , movable jaw  106  moves in direction  116  as camming pin  126  inserts into positioning hole  132  until fully inserted. The movement of movable jaw  106  in direction  116  tightens the grip of jaw edge  128  of fixed jaw  104 , and jaw edge  130  of movable jaw  106 , on lid  118  of jar  120 . Once Jar Opener  100  has a secure grip on lid  118 , the Jar Opener is turned in direction  131 , or counterclockwise. 
   The force from rotating Jar Opener  100  extends through the center of lid  118  to create plane of rotation  150  (shown in dashed lines). Because the user actually grips the movable jaw  106  that contacts the lid  118 , the rotational force is applied directly to the lid  118  in its plane of rotation  150 . This feature is a distinguishing factor from previous devices, and serves to minimize the likelihood that the Jar Opener  100  will disengage from the lid  118  during the opening process. 
   While the Jar Opener of the present invention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1