Can crusher

Claim 2

In a can crusher device of the type including a crushing member engageable with a can to crush the can, the improvement comprising: an axially-aligned coil spring having lower and upper ends and an inner diameter, forming a chamber along the length thereof, said inner diameter of the coil spring all along the length of the spring being greater than the diameter of the can; means engaging the upper end of the coil spring and engageable by the human foot to apply an external, downward pressure to bring the ends together and reduce the volume of the chamber, said pressure-application means having upper and lower surfaces and a peripheral edge which is connected to the coil spring upper end; and means on the lower surface of the pressure-application means forming at least one air channel radially therealong to facilitate release of air during crushing; whereby a crushable can, placed inside the chamber when the coil spring is relaxed, is easily compressed upon application of an external, downward stepping force by the human foot on the pressure-application means, while fully containing the can under control, whereupon removal of the force relaxes the spring and recreates the chamber.

Claim 3

The can crusher of claim 1 wherein the pressure-application means is a substantially horizontal disk.

Claim 4

The can crusher of claim 2 wherein the peripheral edge of the disk has a downwardly-extending portion.

Claim 5

The can crusher of claim 2 wherein the lower surface of the disk has an annular wall near the peripheral edge such that said wall and edge are substantially concentric, whereby said disk receives the top of an upright crushable can, and whereby lateral movement of the can during crushing is prevented.

Claim 6

The can crusher of claim 4 wherein the air channel is a gap in the annular wall, whereby air pressure accumulated during application of force on the engaging means is released.

Claim 7

The can crusher of claim 1 wherein the coil spring is substantially flared, such that the diameter of said chamber increased progressively toward its lower end, whereby said spring is stabilized during application of pressure on the pressure application means.

Claim 8

The can crusher of claim 6 wherein the coil spring, when said ends are brought together, is configured and arranged such that the coils are substantially concentric, whereby optimal can compression is achieved.

Claim 9

In a can crusher device of the type including a crushing member engageable with a can to crush the can, the improvement comprising: an axially-aligned coil spring having lower and upper ends and an inner diameter, forming a chamber along the length thereof, said inner diameter of the coil spring all along the length of the spring being greater than the diameter of the can; means engaging the upper end of the coil spring and engageable by the human foot to apply an external, downward pressure to bring the ends together and reduce the volume of the chamber, said pressure-application means having upper and lower surfaces and a peripheral edge which is connected to the coil spring upper end; and means on the lower surface of the pressure-application means forming at least one air channel radially therealong to facilitate release of air during crushing; whereby a crushable can, placed inside the chamber when the coil spring is relaxed, is easily compressed upon application of an external, downward stepping force by the human foot on the pressure-application means, while fully containing the can under control, whereupon removal of the force relaxes the spring and recreates the chamber; and means removably secured to the coil spring and pressure-application means to bring said ends substantially together; whereby the can crusher device is made compact for storage between use.

Claim 10

In a can crusher device of the type including a crushing member engageable with a can to crush the can, the improvement comprising: an axially-aligned coil spring having lower and upper ends and an inner diameter, forming a chamber along the length thereof, said inner diameter of the coil spring all along the length of the spring being greater than the diameter of the can; means engaging the upper end of the coil spring and engageable by the human foot to apply an external, downward pressure to bring the ends together and reduce the volume of the chamber, said pressure-application means having upper and lower surfaces and a peripheral edge which is connected to the coil spring upper end; and means on the lower surface of the pressure-application means forming at least one air channel radially therealong to facilitate release of air during crushing; whereby a crushable can, placed inside the chamber when the coil spring is relaxed, is easily compressed upon application of an external, downward stepping force by the human foot on the pressure-application means, while fully containing the can under control, whereupon removal of the force relaxes the spring and recreates the chamber; and means removably secured to the coil spring and pressure-application means to bring said ends substantially together; whereby the can crusher device is made compact for storage between use.

Claim 11

The can crusher of claim 8 wherein the pressure-application means is a substantially horizontal disk having at least one passage extending therethrough.

Claim 12

The can crusher of claim 9 wherein the peripheral edge of the disk has a downwardly-extending portion.

Claim 13

The can crusher of claim 9 wherein the lower surface of the disk has an annular wall near the peripheral edge such that said wall and edge are substantially concentric, whereby said disk receives the top of an upright crushable can, and whereby lateral movement of the can during crushing is prevented.

Claim 14

The can crusher of claim 11 wherein the air channel is a gap in the annular wall, whereby air pressure accumulated during application of force on the engaging means is released.

Claim 15

The can crusher of claim 8 wherein: said pressure-application means has a pair of passages therethrough; and the securing means is comprised of two substantially vertically-aligned holders freely positioned within said passages; such that when the coil spring is relaxed the holders extend from the pressure-application means along the relaxed coil spring to a point between its upper and lower ends.

Claim 16

The can crusher of claim 12 wherein: each holder has a head and tail; the tail is dimensioned such that it passes freely through said passage and angled such that it may engage the lower end of the coil; and the head is dimensioned such that it engages the upper surface of the pressure-application means; whereby the holders may engage the lower end of the coil and compact the can crusher.