US2444636A - Oyster punching machine - Google Patents

Description

July 6, `194s. L, DlcKERsQN' 2,444,636

oYsTER PUNCHING MACHINE Fiied Jan. 5, 1945 all-l ANY v.

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Patented `Iuly 6, 1948 l TED ES FPATENT ftl"(ZE.`

OYS'TERJPUNCHING MACHINE Leahy Dickerson,r Jamaica, Va. Applicatin'laiiary 5, ISSeriaI'No. 571,407

claims. l

This invention relates to an oyster punching machine.

It -is an object of the invention to provide a machine having a rotary cutter and means designed to position an oyster so the edge of the shell will lie in the path of movement of the cutter whereby a portion of the shell will be cut away to provide an opening in which a knife may be readily inserted to open the oyster.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a support and guide means for holding the oyster in position during the punching operation.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a machine which will permit inexperienced operators to rapidly open oysters without breakage of knives or injury to the operator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view oi the machine.

Fig. 2 is a topplan View of the same, and,

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of i1- lustration a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown the numeral 5 denotes a table or other suitable supporting structure for the machine. A base plate 6 of rectangular outline is mounted on top of the table being xedly secured in place by bolts 1. The base plate is provided 'with a central longitudinal opening 8 adapted to register with an opening 9 in the top of the table. A hood I of semi-cylindrical shape covers the opening v8 and is affixed to the top of the base plate by welding or otherwise. A shaft I I extends axially of the hood with its ends projecting beyond the ends of the hood and journaled in suitable bearings I2 mounted on the table, A pulley I3 is axed on one end of the shaft for connecting the shaft to a suitable prime mover for rotating the shaft. A cutter bar I4 extends diametrically through the shaft II intermediate the length of the hood, and at each end is provided with an angular cutting edge I5 adapted to revolve in the slot I6 formed in the hood. The top of the hood on opposite sides of the slot I6 is provided with recesses I'I forming a seat to receive the edge of the oyster shell to be opened. A ypair of upstanding guide bars I8 extend longitudinally of the top of the hood on opposite sides of the recesses I'I and are secured to the hood by fasteners I9.

In use, the oyster to be punched is placed between the guide bars I8 with the edge seated in the recesses I'I. The recesses are of such depth the edge of the oyster shell is disposed in the path of movement of the cutting edges I5 of the cutter bar I4 upon rotation of the shaft Il. It will be apparent that the guide bars IB contact the sides of the oyster shell serving to brace and hold the oyster against displacement when the cutter bar strikes the edge of the shell. The shaft II is rotated at a very high speed causing the cutter bar to instantly punch the edge of the oyster shell when inserted in the machine. The broken pieces of shell drop through the openings 8 and 9 and may be collected in a suitable container placed beneath the table. The opening formed in the edge of the oyster shell is of sufficient size to permit a knife to be readily inserted and the oyster opened.

It is to be understood the form of the invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hood mounted over said shaft, and a cutter bar extending radially from said shaft having cutting edges at its ends adapted to move in .a slot formed in said hood, said hood having recesses on opposite sides of the slot to receive and position an oyster shell in the path of movement of the cutter bar.

2. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hood mounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending radially from said shaft :having its ends dispose-d in a slot formed in said hood, said hood having recesses in the top on 0pposite sides of the slot to receive and position the edge of an oyster shell in the path of movement of said cutter bar, and spaced guide bars on the top of said hood for supporting the sides of the oyster shell.

3. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hood mounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending through and radially from said shaft with its ends bent at an angle and sharpened to provide cutting edges, said hood having a slot in which the cutting edges of said cutter bar travel, and guide bars extending longitudinally of the top of said hood in spaced parallel relation for supporting an oyster so the edge of the shell is in the path of movement of the cutting edges of said cutter bar.

4. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a, hood mounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending through and radially from said shaft and having cutting edges at its ends, said hood having `a slot in which the cutting edges of said cutter bar revolve, the top of the hood on opposite sides of the slot being provided with recesses to receive the edge of the oyster shell and position it in the path of movement of the cutting edges, and upstanding guide bars extending longitudinally of the top of said hood on opposite sides of the recesses for supporting the sides of the oyster shell.

5. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hood mounted over said shaft having a, slot to receive the edge of an oyster, and a cutter bar extending radially from said shaft and having cutting edges at its ends movable in said slot.

LEARY DICKERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 332,403 Leduc Dec. 15, 1885 663,455 Muehlberg Dec. 11, 1900 873,844 Covert Dec. 17, 1907 2,177,025 La Chapelle Oct. 24, 1939 2,299,311 Dickerson Oct. 20, 1942

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