Abstract:
A device designed to assist in the removing shellfish meat from the shell includes a frame that supports a removable handle assembly having a blade. The blade includes a sharp pointed end which presses against the hinge of the shellfish, thus forcing open the shell. The supporting frame includes a plurality of differently positioned slots to position the handle so as to accommodate different sizes of shellfish. The shellfish is placed between the blade and the frame and the handle is pressed to guide the blade into the hinge opening to separate the two halves.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for separating shellfish, and in particular, to shellfish sucking device utilizing a frame to immobilize a shellfish and support a pivotable bladed handle to separate the shellfish. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Just about everyone enjoys the taste of oysters. In addition to being delicious, oysters are extremely low in fat, cholesterol, and calories, while being high in essential minerals. However, before an oyster can be eaten, it must be removed from its shell in a process called shucking. Shucking is typically performed using a knife in the hands of a skilled person who has practiced the art of shucking for years. Even so, skilled users are prone to cutting themselves and shucking still takes an inordinate amount of time when one considers the amount of meat each shell provides. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which oysters can be shucked in a faster process that is also simple and safe to perform. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device to quickly and safely shuck oysters and similar shellfish. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to provide a shellfish shucking device and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In one embodiment, the disclosed shellfish shucking device can include a frame assembly configured to support a shellfish, a handle assembly pivotably supported by the frame assembly, the handle assembly having an upper end and an opposed lower end, and a blade attached to the lower end of the handle assembly, wherein the blade is configured to move in response to motion of the handle to separate the shellfish about a hinge of the shellfish. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed shellfish shucking device can include a planar base plate, a first vertical member attached to the base plate, a second vertical member attached to the base plate, the second vertical member being spaced apart from and facing the first vertical member, a first horizontal member attached between an upper end of the first vertical member and an upper end of the second vertical member, a second horizontal member attached between the upper end of the first vertical member and an upper end of the second vertical member, the second horizontal member being spaced apart from and facing the first horizontal member, a handle assembly pivotably supported by the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member, the handle assembly having an upper end and an opposed lower end, and, a blade attached to the lower end of the handle assembly, wherein the blade is configured to move in response to motion of the handle to separate a shellfish about a hinge of the shellfish. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed shellfish shucking device can include a first vertical member and a second vertical member, each of the first vertical member and the second vertical member having an angled body forming a “V”-shape, wherein a tip of the “V”-shape of the first vertical member and a tip of the “V”-shape of the second vertical member face away from one another, the angled body of the first vertical member is configured to receive a body of the shellfish, and the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member each having a plurality of slots disposed along an upper edge, the plurality of slots of the first horizontal member being aligned with the plurality of slots of the second horizontal member, and the handle assembly being received within a selected aligned pair of the plurality of slots of the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed shellfish shucking device can include a handle assembly having a substantially vertical lower section having a first end and an opposed second end, a diagonal section having a first end connected to the lower section second end and an opposed second end, a substantially horizontal upper section having a first end connected to the diagonal section second end and an opposed second end, wherein the blade is connected to the lower section first end, and a post disposed through the lower section, the post protruding outwardly relative to opposing sides of the lower section, the post being pivotably received within a selected aligned pair of a plurality of slots of a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member, and wherein the post defines an axis of rotation for the handle assembly relative to the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosed shellfish shucking device can be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize after reading the present disclosure. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in any particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the disclosed shellfish shucking device in accordance with the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 2  is a side exploded view of the disclosed shellfish shucking device. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10  
                 shellfish shucking device 
               
               
                   
                 20  
                 frame assembly 
               
               
                   
                 22a 
                 first vertical member 
               
               
                   
                 22b 
                 second vertical member 
               
               
                   
                 24a 
                 first horizontal member 
               
               
                   
                 24b 
                 second horizontal member 
               
               
                   
                 26  
                 slot 
               
               
                   
                 28  
                 base plate 
               
               
                   
                 30  
                 fastening aperture 
               
               
                   
                 50  
                 handle assembly 
               
               
                   
                 52  
                 lower section 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 diagonal section 
               
               
                   
                 56  
                 upper section 
               
               
                   
                 58  
                 blade 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 sharpened edge 
               
               
                   
                 62  
                 point 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 post 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 shellfish 
               
               
                   
                 105 
                 hinge 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , disclosing a shellfish shucking device (herein described as the “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. Generally, the device  10  provides an operable mechanism designed to assist in the shucking of shellfish  100 , such as oysters, clams, and the like. In use, a user presses downward upon a fixtured handle assembly  50  to insert a blade  58  into a hinge  105  of the shellfish  100  in order to separate and to open it. The device  10  provides a means to shuck shellfish  100  safely and with reduced effort. 
     The device  10  includes a frame assembly  20  which provides a mechanical advantage to a removably attached handle assembly  50  to enable a blade  58  to open a shellfish  100 . The major components of the device  10  can be fabricated from a strong, durable, and corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or painted or plated carbon steel. 
     The frame assembly  20  includes an inverted “U”-shaped structure having a first vertical member  22   a  and a second vertical member  22   b . The vertical members  22   a ,  22   b  can include angle shapes and can be arranged in a mirror-image and parallel manner at opposing ends of a base plate  28  having respective open-sides facing inwardly toward each other. A gap is formed between respective legs (i.e., lower end portions) of the vertical members  22   a ,  22   b . Upper end portions of the vertical members  22   a ,  22   b  are connected along upper edges by a first horizontal member  24   a  and a second horizontal member  24   b . The first horizontal member  24   a  and the second horizontal member  24   b  can be made using rectangular bar stock. 
     The horizontal members  24   a ,  24   b  can be welded to the vertical members  22   a ,  22   b  and arranged in a spaced apart and parallel manner. The inverted “U”-shaped structure formed by the vertical members  22   a ,  22   b  and horizontal members  24   a ,  24   b  is permanently mounted to the rectangular horizontal base plate  28 , preferably being welded or otherwise strongly attached thereto. The metal base plate  28  provides stability to the device  10  during use and is envisioned to be approximately five inches (5 in.) in width, fourteen inches (14 in.) in length, and approximately one-half an inch (½ in.) thick. The base plate  28  includes fastener apertures  30  at each corner area to allow the device  10  to be permanently mounted to a bench or table, if so desired. Each horizontal member  24   a ,  24   b  includes a plurality of equally-spaced slots  26  arranged in aligned pairs and sized to insertingly receive a rod-shaped post  64  of the handle assembly  50  in a pivoting, saddled manner. 
     The handle assembly  50  includes a vertical lower section  52  with an integral blade  58 , a diagonal section  54 , and a horizontal upper section  56 , which provides a grasping surface during use. The members  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the handle assembly  50  can be made using hollow metal structural tubing or equivalent material. Engagement of the post  64  into a selected pair of aligned slots  26  positions and supports the handle assembly  50  upon the frame assembly  20  while allowing opposing ends of the handle assembly  50  to pivot in a circular pattern about the post  64 . 
     The post  64  includes a section of round rod stock approximately four inches (4 in.) in length which passes through the lower section  52  and is welded at an intermediate location to protrude outwardly from each side surface approximately one (1) inch. The blade  58  can be welded to a bottom surface of the lower section  52  in a perpendicular manner. The blade  58  includes a sharpened edge  60  disposed around forward and side edges to form a “V”-shaped point  62  at a forward most location. 
     As a user motions the upper section  56  upwardly and downwardly, the blade  58  moves in a corresponding forward and rearward direction based upon the pivoting motion of the post  64  within the selected pair of slots  26 . The construction of the device  10  provides a mechanical advantage to the motion of the blade  58  with respect to the upper section  56  due to respective lever-arm distances from the post  64  which acts as a fulcrum. 
     During use, the user positions the shellfish  100  between the first vertical member  22   a  and the point  62  of the blade  58  in a generally horizontal orientation ( FIG. 1 ). The “V”-shape of the first vertical member  22   a  centers and grips the edges of the shellfish  100  to secure it in position. The user then presses downwardly upon the upper section  56  of the handle assembly  50  which guides the point  62  of the blade  58  forwardly into the hinge  105  of the shellfish  100  to open it. The plurality of aligned pairs of slots  26  provides selective insertion and positioning of the handle assembly  50  onto the frame assembly  20  to vary a distance between the first vertical member  22   a  and the blade  58 , thereby allowing shucking of corresponding small and large shellfish  100 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the disclosed device  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The disclosed device  10  can be configured and utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it can be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the device  10 ; placing the device  10  upon a flat surface; positioning a shellfish  100  manually against the first vertical member  22   a  at a height equal to that of the blade  58 , such that the hinge  105  of the shellfish  100  is directed towards the point  62  of the blade  58 ; grasping and pressing downwardly upon the upper section  56  of the handle assembly  50  to guide the point  62  of the blade  58  forwardly into the hinge  105  of the shellfish  100 ; continuing to motion the blade  58  until the shellfish  100  is opened; lifting the upper section  56  to release and remove the shucked shellfish  100  from the blade  58 ; repeating the above steps for additional shellfish  100  to be shucked; and, benefiting from the stability and reduced effort to shuck shellfish  100  afforded a user of the present device  10 . 
     The device  10  may be utilized to shuck differently sized shellfish  100  by performing the following steps: reconfiguring the device  10  by selecting an appropriate pair of slots  26  into which the post  64  is to be inserted which results in a desired distance between the first vertical member  22   a  and the blade  58 ; inserting the post  64  into the slots  26 ; positioning the shellfish  100  to be shucked against the first vertical member  22   a ; and, shucking the shellfish  100  as previously described. 
     The device  10  may be mounted to a bench or tabletop surface to obtain greater stability, if desired, using the fastener apertures  30  of the base plate  28  by driving a plurality of fasteners into the mounting surface. 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed shellfish shucking device have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.