Screwtop opener

1. A screwtop opener ( 11 ) having a first handle ( 13 ) and a second handle ( 15 ) pivotable with respect to the first handle ( 13 ), wherein a first clamping jaw ( 45 ) is supported on the first handle ( 13 ), a second clamping jaw ( 41 ) is formed on the second handle ( 15 ), a screwtop can be grasped by the screwtop opener ( 11 ) with the first and second clamping jaws ( 41 , 45 ), a distance between the clamping jaws ( 41 , 45 ) is reduced by pivoting the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) against each other, the screwtop opener ( 11 ) comprising: the first clamping jaw ( 45 ) formed on on a straightedge ( 17 ) pushable into the first handle ( 13 ) and arrestable in a multitude of positions with respect to the first handle ( 13 ), the first handle ( 13 ) and the second handle ( 15 ) pivotable with respect to each other about an axis and arranged one behind another in a direction of the axis, the clamping jaws ( 41 , 45 ) arranged on a same side of the axis at a distance from the axis, and the axis extends perpendicularly with respect to a cover plane defined by the clamping jaws ( 41 , 45 ), wherein a pivot direction of the second handle ( 15 ) for clamping a top is oriented in a same direction as a screwing direction of the top for opening the top, and a ratchet strip ( 51 ) embodied on the straightedge ( 17 ) which works together with a resiliently seated actuating knob ( 19 ) so that the actuating knob ( 19 ) is pushed into engagement with the ratchet strip ( 51 ) by a spring force and can be brought out of engagement with the ratchet strip ( 51 ) by exerting a force opposite the spring force.

2. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the straightedge ( 17 ) is seated inside the first handle ( 13 ) linearly displaceable and is moveable into a pushed-in position when the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) are pivoted together and the straightedge ( 17 ) is in engagement with the second handle ( 15 ).

3. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 2 , wherein a ring ( 55 , 57 ) is respectively formed on the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ), and the rings ( 55 , 57 ) fit into each other and together define a pivot axis.

4. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the straightedge ( 17 ) is introduced through slit openings ( 61 , 63 ) in the rings ( 55 , 57 ), the slit openings ( 61 ) in the ring ( 57 ) of the second handle ( 15 ) are dimensioned to permit pivoting of the ring ( 57 ) of the second handle ( 15 ) with respect to the ring ( 55 ) of the first handle ( 13 ) about the pivot axis.

5. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the straightedge ( 17 ) passes through an opening ( 65 ) in the actuating knob ( 19 ), a compression spring ( 23 ) is positioned between an underside of the actuating knob ( 19 ) and the second handle ( 15 ), and a top of the actuating knob ( 19 ) is accessible from a top of the first handle ( 13 ).

6. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the second clamping jaw ( 41 ) on the second handle ( 15 ) has a metallic insert ( 67 ) in the handle ( 15 ) which is made of plastic.

7. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the first clamping jaw ( 45 ) on the straightedge ( 17 ) has a small metallic plate ( 67 ) in the straightedge ( 17 ) which is made of plastic.

8. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the first clamping jaw ( 45 ) is made in one piece with the straightedge ( 17 ).

9. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the second clamping jaw ( 41 ) is made in one piece with the second handle ( 15 ).

10. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) are resiliently supported on each other so that the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) are pushable into an opened position by the spring force.

11. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 10 , wherein a spring ( 23 ) is arranged on the second handle ( 15 ), and a stop ( 33 ) is formed on the first handle ( 13 ) which extends into the second handle ( 15 ) and acts together with the spring ( 23 ).

12. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a ring ( 55 , 57 ) is respectively formed on the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ), and the rings ( 55 , 57 ) fit into each other and together define a pivot axis.

13. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the straightedge ( 17 ) passes through an opening ( 65 ) in the actuating knob ( 19 ), a compression spring ( 23 ) is positioned between an underside of the actuating knob ( 19 ) and the second handle ( 15 ), and a top of the actuating knob ( 19 ) is accessible from a top of the first handle ( 13 ).

14. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the second clamping jaw ( 41 ) on the second handle ( 15 ) has a metallic insert ( 67 ) in the handle ( 15 ) which is made of plastic.

15. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first clamping jaw ( 45 ) on the straightedge ( 17 ) has a small metallic plate ( 67 ) in the straightedge ( 17 ) which is made of plastic.

16. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first clamping jaw ( 45 ) is made in one piece with the straightedge ( 17 ).

17. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the second clamping jaw ( 41 ) is made in one piece with the second handle ( 15 ).

18. The screwtop opener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) are resiliently supported on each other so that the first and second handles ( 13 , 15 ) are pushable into an opened position by the spring force.