Claim
The claim defining the invention is as follows:
1. A bottle retrieval means comprising a head having a base and an engaging portion, the engaging portion having an aperture dimensioned to be receivable over the neck of the bottle when the plane of the aperture is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle neck or angularly offset from the perpendicular for a range of angles to the central axis of the bottle neck and to be engageable with the neck of the bottle when the plane of the aperture is angularly disposed relative to the central axis of the bottle neck beyond the range of angles.
2. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the engaging portion is offset to one side of the base.
3. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at claim 1 or 2 wherein the base has a central axis and the engaging portion is angularly offset from the central axis.
4. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said engaging portion is formed as an annulus.
5. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at claim 4 wherein the annulus is incomplete.
6. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the engaging portion is formed as a plate member having an aperture.
7. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the base and engaging means are formed from a length of rod-like material which is bent intermediate its length and at least one free end portion of the rod-like material to the respective side of the loop is formed as an extension wherein the loop defines the engaging portion and the extension defines the base.
8. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of claims 5 or 6 or 7 wherein the base has a central axis, the aperture is to one side of the base and the engaging portion is connected to the base through a bridging portion, whereby the plane of the aperture defines an acute angle to the central axis of the base
9. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner face of the aperture is defined by a material having a capacity to frictionally engage the neck of the bottle.
10. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises an elongate handle.
11. A bottle retrieval means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is adapted to be mounted to an elongate handle.
12. A bottle retrieval means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
"Bottle Retrieval Means"
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a bottle retrieval means.
Background
A difficulty is experienced in by persons in retrieving wine bottles from shelving used in cellars, liquor stores, restaurants and the like where the bottles are located above the head of the person retrieving them. In the past it has been usual practice for the person to stretch upwardly to attempt to grasp the bottle by the neck. An alternative means of retrieving the bottles has been to utilise a ladder or a set of steps to gain access to the bottles. In many circumstances the shelving accommodating the bottles is located in an active working area and for a person to locate a ladder or set of steps in the working area creates a hazard. Furthermore, there is always the hazard of the person on the steps or ladder loosing their balance.
It is highly desirable that the bottle be capable of being retrieved without a person having to raise themselves from ground level and with a minimum of stretching.
Disclosure of the Invention
Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Accordingly the invention resides in a bottle retrieval means comprising a head having a base and an engaging portion, the engaging portion having an aperture dimensioned to be receivable over the neck of the bottle when the plane of the aperture is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle neck or angularly offset from the perpendicular for a range of angles to the central axis of
the bottle neck and to be engageable with the neck of the bottle when the plane of the aperture is angularly disposed relative to the central axis of the bottle neck beyond the range of angles.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the engaging portion is offset to one side of the base.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the base has a central axis and the engaging portion is angularly offset from the central axis.
According to a preferred feature of the invention said engaging portion is formed as an annulus. According to a preferred feature of the invention wherein the annulus is incomplete.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the engaging portion is formed as a plate member having an aperture.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the base and engaging means are formed from a length of rod-like material which is bent intermediate its length and at least one free end portion of the rod-like material to the respective side of the loop is formed as an extension wherein the loop defines the engaging portion and the extension defines the base.
According to a preferred feature of the invention wherein the base has a central axis, the aperture is to one side of the base and the engaging portion is connected to the base through a bridging portion, whereby the plane of the aperture defines an acute angle to the central axis of the base
According to a preferred feature of the invention the inner face of the aperture is defined by a material having a capacity to frictionally engage the neck of the bottle.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the base comprises an elongate handle.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the base is adapted to be mounted to an elongate handle.
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The description of the embodiment is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a bottle retrieval device according to the first embodiment;
Figures 2 and 3 are illustrations of the embodiment in use;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a bottle retrieval device according to the second embodiment; and
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a bottle retrieval device according to the second embodiment; and
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a bottle retrieval device according to the second embodiment.
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments
The embodiments of the invention as shown at Figures 1 to 6 are directed towards the device which can be utilised for the retrieval of wine bottles from a shelf located at a height which is not readily attainable by a person when standing adjacent the shelf.
The retrieval device according to the first embodiment as shown at Figures 1 to 3 comprises an engaging head 11 having a base 13 having a central axis and an engaging portion 15 which are interconnected by a bridging portion 16. The
base 13 is adapted to be able to be engaged in one end of an elongate shaft 17 which can be utilised as a handle by the operator. The engaging means comprises a length of stainless steel rod (or another suitably rigid material having the desired strength) which has been bent upon itself to define a loop which provides an aperture 19 whereby the free end portions are bent to be closely adjacent each other and are jointly bent to define extensions are fixed together at their free ends to define the base 13. The aperture 19 defined by the loop is in the form of a part annulus. The aperture 19 is dimensioned such that it is receivable over the neck 21 of a wine bottle 23 when the plane of the loop is generally perpendicular or a little offset from to the central axis of the neck of a wine bottle (as shown at Figure 2). However on the plane of the loop being rendered more oblique to the neck of the wine bottle, the opposed sides of the inner face of the loop aperture will engage the opposed sides of the neck of the wine bottle (as shown at Figure 3) to enable the wine bottle to be supported from the engaging portion 15. The engaging portion 11 is located to one side of the central axis of the base 13 and the handle and is supported from base by the bridging portion such that the plane of the loop defines an acute axis with the central axis.
In use and as shown at Figures 2 and 3 by manipulation of the handle 17 the engaging portion 11 is positioned such that the aperture is axially aligned with the neck of a wine bottle and the loop is then passed over the neck 21. On the aperture being loop being located upon the neck, the handle is tipped such that plane of the aperture is inclined relative to the central axis of the neck of the wine bottle and the neck of the wine bottle is engaged by the sides of the loop aperture. Once so engaged the bottle is supported from the engagement means so that the bottle can be lifted from shelf and lowered in order that the person can remove the bottle from the engaging portion.
The retrieval device according to the second embodiment as shown at Figures 4 to 6 (the same reference numerals are used for corresponding components) is similar in form to the first embodiment. The principal difference is that the device is formed of a plate material which takes the form of a strip having two ends.
The retrieval device according to the second embodiment comprises an engaging head 11 having a base 13 having a central axis and an engaging portion 15 which are interconnected by a bridging portion 16. The base 13 is adapted to be able to be engaged in one end of an elongate shaft (not shown) which can be utilised as a handle by the operator. The engaging means comprises a length of stainless steel (or another suitably rigid material having the desired strength) plate to have the configuration of a strip whereon end portion provides the base and is linear in from, the other end portion defines the engaging portion and is linear in form and the end portions are interconnected by a bridging portion 16 which is also linear in form. The engaging portion13 is formed with an aperture 19. The aperture 19 is dimensioned such that it is receivable over the neck of a wine bottle when the plane of the end portion is generally perpendicular or a little offset from to the central axis of the neck of a wine bottle (as in the case of the first embodiment). However on the plane of the loop being rendered more oblique to the neck of the wine bottle, the opposed sides of the inner face of the loop aperture will engage the opposed sides of the neck of the wine bottle (as in the case of the first embodiment) to enable the wine bottle to be supported from the engaging portion 15. The strip is bent at the junction with between the base 13 and the bridging portion 16 and at the junction between the bridging portion 16 and the engaging portion 11 in order that the engaging portion 11 is located to one side of the central axis of the base 13 and such that the plane of the loop defines an acute axis with the central axis.
The retrieval means of the second embodiment is used in the same manner as that of the first embodiment
According to another embodiment which is applicable to each of the previous embodiments the engaging portion to at least the inner face of the aperture is coated with a plastics or elastomeric material which provides the inner face of the aperture with a capacity to frictionally engage the neck of the bottle.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above. In particular the engaging portion can be formed of any suitable material which is able to
provide an aperture or opening which is dimensioned to be able to receive the neck of a wine bottle and which has sufficient rigidity and strength to be able to accommodate all the weight of the wine bottle.