Amulet

Abstract

An amulet comprises an elongate housing having a top end and a bottom end, defining a primary axis of rotation from the top end to the bottom end, a central core positioned along the primary axis of rotation between the top end and the bottom end, at least two shell elements connected to the central core via springs extending radially outward from the primary axis of rotation, the at least two shell elements configured to laterally enclose the central core when in a retracted position, at least one compartment comprising a cavity, the compartment connected to the central core via a spring extending parallel to the primary axis of rotation; the at least one compartment having a protrusion extending toward the top or bottom end of the elongate housing, beyond the at least two shell elements.

Description

AMULETCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 573,053, filed on April 2, 2024, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Travelers to outer space, or to other zero- or reduced-gravity environments, face not only the immense psychological pressure of leaving one’s home for an extreme environment, but also pragmatic uncertainties relating to functioning in a reduced gravity environment. One example is storage of essential items, either of a practical or sentimental value. Anything in such an environment must be secured, or else it risks becoming a free-floating projectile within the weightless space.

[0003] Thus, there is a need in the art for a functional tool and sentimental memento whose handling is intuitive and practical only in zero gravity.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, an amulet comprises an elongate housing having a top end and a bottom end, defining a primary axis of rotation from the top end to the bottom end, a central core positioned along the primary axis of rotation between the top end and the bottom end, at least two shell elements connected to the central core via springs extending radially outward from the primary axis of rotation, the at least two shell elements configured to laterally enclose the central core when in a retracted position, at least one compartment comprising a cavity, the compartment connected to the central core via a spring extending parallel to the primary axis of rotation; the at least one compartment having a protrusion extending toward the top or bottom end of the elongate housing, beyond the at least two shell elements.

[0005] In one embodiment, the at least one compartment comprises at least top and bottom compartments, the top compartment having a protrusion extending toward the top end of the elongate housing and the bottom compartment having a protrusion extending toward the bottom end of the elongate housing. In one embodiment, at least one of the two shell elements comprises at least one aperture in a lateral side of the at least one shell element. In one embodiment, the amulet further comprises a lens positioned within the at least one aperture. In one embodiment, the amulet further comprises an image surface positioned on an outer lateral surface of the at least one compartment, and wherein the elongate housing is configured to align the image surface with the at least one aperture when the compartment is in an extended position.

[0006] In one embodiment, the amulet further comprises a lens positioned within the at least one aperture having a focal length equal to a distance between the lens and the image surface. In one embodiment, the at least one aperture comprises two apertures in the same shell element. In one embodiment, the amulet further comprises a cylindrical channel in the central core, extending parallel to the primary axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the compartment comprises a flanged lumen fixedly attached to the surface of the compartment facing the central core, the flanged lumen positioned within the cylindrical channel. In one embodiment, the cylindrical channel further comprises a rim extending inward at an end of the cylindrical channel closest to the compartment, the rim having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a flange of the flanged lumen.

[0007] In one embodiment, the spring connecting the compartment to the central core is positioned within the cylindrical channel. In one embodiment, the compartment further comprises a lid comprising the protrusion, the lid being removably attached to the compartment. In one embodiment, the at least two shell elements comprise four shell elements.

[0008] In one aspect, an amulet comprises a cylindrical housing having top and bottom circular edges extending from a top end to a bottom end and defining a primary axis of rotation extending from the top end to the bottom end, a central core positioned within the cylindrical housing, the cylindrical housing being divided into at least two shell elements each forming a part of the top and bottom circular edges, each attached to a lateral surface of the central core via at least one spring, and top and bottom end caps connected to the central core via springs and extending away from the central core parallel to the primary axis of rotation, the top and bottom end capseach forming at least one cavity within the housing between an inner surface of the end cap and the outer surface of the central core.

[0009] In one embodiment, the springs connecting the central core to the at least two shell elements are biased to pull the shell elements toward the central core into a closed configuration. In one embodiment, the springs connecting the top and bottom end caps to the central core are biased to push the top and bottom end caps away from the central core into an open configuration. In one embodiment, the at least two shell elements have a weight high enough such that, when rotated, a centrifugal force of the at least two shell elements is sufficient to overcome a force of the connecting springs and pull the shell elements into an open configuration.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing purposes and features, as well as other purposes and features, will become apparent with reference to the description and accompanying figures below, which are included to provide an understanding of the invention and constitute a part of the specification, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:Fig. l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in a closed configuration.Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a cross-section of the first embodiment of the amulet in a closed configuration.Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in transition between the closed configuration and the open configuration.Fig. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in an open configuration.Fig. 2E is a perspective view of a cross-section of the first embodiment of the amulet in an open configuration.Fig. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in a closed configuration.Fig. 2G is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in an open configuration.Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a cross-section across a different plane of the first embodiment of the amulet in open and closed configurations.Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a cross-section across a different plane of the first embodiment of the amulet in open and closed configurations.Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in open and closed configurations.Fig. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the amulet in open and closed configurations.Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the amulet.Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 6A is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in a closed configuration, in a transitional configuration between closed and open, and in an open configuration.Fig. 6B is a perspective view of a cross section of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the amulet in closed and open configurations.Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the amulet.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in related systems and methods. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and / or steps are desirable and / or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0012] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, exemplary methods and materials are described.

[0013] As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section.

[0014] The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (z.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

[0015] “About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, and ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

[0016] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, 6 and any whole and partial increments therebetween. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0017] The amulet disclosed herein is a cultural artifact that may accompany astronauts and cosmonauts on their journeys to outer space, and remind them of their terrestrial cradle. By spinning the object around its axis and letting go of it, intuitively executable in zero-gravity, the centrifugal force unlocks the interlocking mechanisms, and reveals the concealed content: functional containers for medicine or other kinds of supplements or relics, jump open, and align obscured imagery or engraved symbols with magnifying lenses. In some embodiments, the amulet is of such a size that it can be held in its entire length between the tips of index finger and thumb; and as well of such proportions that the magnifying lenses align with human eyes. In some embodiments, the amulet may be analogue jewelry, comprising for example precious metals, and engraved with individually chosen motifs. Suitable engravings may include either standalone symbols of value to the bearer, or a sequence of multiple images which could serve as optical toy when spun, for example displaying a simple animation in the style of a zoetrope.

[0018] The design process was driven by the interest in what humans, beings of heritage and culture, deem essential to convey inherited memory and sentiment — what physical object do we bring beyond frontiers, what charges these objects with value? Entering unknown territory, unknown conditions, such an item should be functional while also convening sentimentality, in order to be a feasible object of both cultural and functional value for crossing and exploration ofthe next major frontier. Applying these considerations to spaceflight, design considerations centered around practices and behaviors concerning sentimentality and memory, but also questions concerning user experience and intuition in zero-gravity environments. In one embodiment, the disclosed device serves both as a functional tool and a sentimental memento whose handling is intuitive and practical only in zero gravity.

[0019] The object may be shaped to fit in a human hand, and resemble an amulet. In order to open it, in some embodiments it may be necessary to spin the amulet around its own axis. In this way the covers or shell elements, of which there may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or any suitable number, and which are under tension, in order to remain in their original position can retreat. In some configurations, if only one, two, three, or fewer than all of the elements were to be pulled, the pulled element would interlock with one or more of the others. Only by equally retreating, interlocking “teeth” miss one another, allowing for the covers to retreat.

[0020] Once the shell elements retreat and form sufficiently large openings on each end, two compartments (which are under pressure to be pulled out), that have been locked by the shell, slide out along the axis of rotation. Once the compartments slide out the shell elements lock in their open position. In one embodiment, the mechanism fully unlocks only when it is not held; because holding it at any point would not allow for the 2 compartments to extend and lock the shell elements. Thus, the disclosed object has a method of handling that is intuitive only in a zero-gravity-environment, where one can spin the object, let go of it, and pick it up again when the centrifugal force has done its work unlocking it.

[0021] In one embodiment, once the amulet is open, in order to close it, one must only put it between their index finger and thumb, and press the 2 compartments back inward along the axis of rotation, until they slide back into the assembly such that the shell elements are able to return to their original position, locking the amulet again. In some embodiments, the compartments could be additionally openable to contain some personable fragments, or other kind of evidence (including but not limited to a strand of hair, a religious relic, scientific evidence, or medications). In some embodiments, each of the shell elements comprises one or more magnifying lenses, and each of the container elements comprises images or symbols positioned on the outer surface, such that when the amulet mechanism unlocks, the lenses retreat and alignwith the sliding images, hence in the amulet's open state, one can see the obscured, personalized images, either as standalone imprints, or as a sequence of an optical toy when spun.

[0022] The aim of the interlocking mechanism is to generate a behavior that is different in outer space than on earth, and to create a user experience that is natural in zero-gravity, but less so on earth. In some embodiments, the unlocking mechanism is dependent on the user’s intuition - the behavior is one where there is risk of dropping and breaking the object when performed in an environment with gravity. In some embodiments, opening the amulet may be presented as a riddle. Upon first encounter, shape and size - and environment - may trigger the user to play with the amulet one way or another, but the amulet’s unlocking will much more likely become evident in an environment without gravity. As discussed above, the nature of the two-step- interlocking mechanism in some embodiments requires the object to be released after spinning it. Holding some embodiments of the amulet at any point will prevent them from unlocking. The user may therefore be required to let go of the amulet after spinning it, then taking the levitating, spinning amulet out of the air again once it unlocks.

[0023] Although mechanical elements of the design may be presented herein in the context of an amulet for space travel, it is understood that the novel interlocking mechanisms disclosed herein (e g., interlocking elements that require equal centrifugal force around an axis in order to be unlocked, and transform the configuration from one state to another state, which is locking in a different way, and wherein application of axial pressure returns it to the original state) could also be applied to other industries.

[0024] With reference to Fig. 1, a perspective view of a closed (101) and open (102) configuration of one amulet as contemplated herein is shown. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is better understood with reference to Fig. 2A - Fig. 4.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 2A, a cross-sectional view of the amulet 200 is shown. The disclosed amulet extends from a top end 201 to a bottom end 202, and forms an axis of rotation through the center of the amulet from the top end 201 to the bottom end 202. The basic structure of the amulet includes a central core 205, shell elements 206a and 206b (the disclosed embodiment includes four shell elements but only two are shown in cross-section) and two compartments 203 and 204 positioned at the top end 201 and bottom end 202, respectively. Asshown in the perspective view of the cross section in Fig. 2B, each shell element may comprise an aperture 207a, 207b, which may include a lens, for example a magnifying lens, configured to view, in the disclosed embodiment, an external surface of the compartments 203, 204.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 2C, a diagram is shown of the amulet 200 in the process of being opened. In the depicted cross-sectional view, the system of springs is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the central core 205 is connected to the shell elements 206a and 206b via springs 221a, 221b, 224a, and 224b. The springs in the depicted embodiment are configured to pull the shell elements 206a and 206b toward the central core 205, and each spring exerts a spring force on the shell elements 206a and 206b in a direction toward the central core 205 when the corresponding shell element is pulled away from the central core 205. The springs are configured such that the spring force can be overcome by spinning the amulet 200 about the primary axis of rotation 209 (see Fig. 2B).

[0027] Furthermore, the compartments 203 and 204 are connected to the central core 205 via springs 222 and 223, respectively. In contrast to the springs 221a, 221b, 224a, and 224b which are biased to pull the shell elements inward toward the central core 205, the springs 222 and 223 are biased to push the compartments 203 and 204 away from central core 205. When in the closed configuration (see Fig. 2B) the compartments 203 and 204 are held in place by the lip 210 of the shell elements 206a, 206b. With reference again to Fig. 2C, when the amulet 200 is being opened, the shell elements 206a and 206b are drawn away from the central core 205 by centrifugal force, thereby pulling the lips 210 away from the compartments 203 and 204, which allowed the springs 222 and 223 to push the compartments 203 and 204 away from the central core 205 and out of the assembly.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 2D, the amulet 200 is shown in an open configuration. In Fig. 2D, the compartments 203 and 204 have been pushed away from the central core by the springs 222 and 223, and the shell elements 206a and 206b have been allowed to retract back in toward central core 205. The shape of the compartments 203 and 204 precludes the shell elements from retracting completely, and so the compartments are accessible. For example the cap 213 may be removed, allowing access to compartment 203.

[0029] Also shown in Fig. 2D, in the open configuration, the lens 207c is aligned with image 221, allowing the user to see image 221 through the aperture in the shell element. Four such images and lenses are shown in the amulet cross section view of Fig. 2D, although it is understood that the amulet 200 has four additional images and lenses positioned orthogonal to the cross-section view, and therefore not visible in the cross-section view.

[0030] The open configuration of Fig. 2D also shows interlocking teeth 216a, which serve to lock the shell elements into one another, as is described in further detail below. The interlocking teeth 216a may comprise bumps or other protrusions in one edge of one shell element 206a, and corresponding cavities on the facing edge of the adjacent shell element into which the protrusions fit. This mechanism is shown in greater detail in Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3B.

[0031] Fig. 2E shows a perspective view of the cross-section of the open configuration shown in Fig. 2D. The perspective view provides a better view of the rear lens windows 207b, which are more difficult to see in the main cross-section view of Fig. 2D.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 2F, another cross-sectional view of the closed configuration is shown illustrating one embodiment of the mechanism by which the compartments 203 are connected to the central core 205. In the closed configuration, the springs 222 and 223 push the compartments 203 away from the central core, but the springs 222 and 223 are positioned within flanged lumens 232 and 233, respectively, which are themselves positioned within cylindrical cavities in the top and bottom ends of the central core 205. The flanged lumens 232 and 233 are fixedly attached to the bottom surface of compartment 203 and 204, and the flange 235 serves as a stop to prevent the flanged lumen 232 (and by virtue of the fixed attachment, the compartment 203) from extending too far away from central core 205. The stop mechanism can be seen in Fig. 2G, where the flange 235 has reached its upper limit within cylindrical cavity 236, arresting the upward motion of the compartment 203.

[0033] Similar flanged lumens are used to fix the shell elements 206a to the central core 205 as shown in Fig. 3A. A cross-sectional view along a different plane is shown in Fig. 3A, in closed (301) and open (302) configurations, where when the shell elements 206a are extended outwards, the flanged lumen stops the outward motion within the cylindrical cavity 312. Because the springs for the shell elements are biased in the opposite direction (i.e. inward) from the springsfor the compartments 203, the flanged lumens 312 instead serve as a stop to prevent the centrifugal force of the device being spun from pulling the shell elements completely out of the assembly.

[0034] The interlocking mechanism of protrusions and cavities in the edges of the shell elements is shown in Fig. 3B, where protrusions 321 and 322 are shown on opposite edges of adjacent shell elements which in a retracted configuration (325) are positioned within opposing cavities, making it more difficult to pull the assembly apart without the use of centrifugal force to apply an outward force equally to all shell elements simultaneously. A detail view is shown in Fig 3C from the same cross-sectional view of Fig. 3B. Similarly, Fig. 3D shows a detail view of the same cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 A, where the springs and flanged lumens can be seen in crosssection.

[0035] An exploded view of the whole assembly is shown in Fig. 4.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 5 - Fig. 8, corresponding drawings of a second, simplified embodiment of the device in closed (501) and open (502) configurations are shown. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not have lenses in the sides. The second embodiment further lacks the flanged lumens encasing the connecting springs as used in the first embodiment - instead, in the second embodiment, the springs are fixedly attached at both ends to corresponding parts of the assembly in order to stop them from being pulled too far apart. It is understood that the second embodiment could be adapted to include the flanged lumens of the first embodiment. Instead, the depicted second embodiment includes cylindrical elements 601 fixedly attached to the upper and lower end caps 604, configured to slide up and down through lumens 602 in order to guide the end caps 604 up and down.

[0037] Additionally, as shown in Fig. 6B, the second embodiment comprises smaller compartments 603 positioned between the end caps 604 and the central core 205. Additional cross-sectional views are shown in Fig. 6C and Fig. 7A - Fig. 7D. An exploded view of the second embodiment is shown in Fig. 8.

[0038] Although two distinct embodiments of the device are shown, it is understood that any feature or features of the first embodiment of the device may be incorporated into the second embodiment of the device, or vice versa.

[0039] The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and equivalent variations.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An amulet, comprising: an elongate housing having a top end and a bottom end, defining a primary axis of rotation from the top end to the bottom end; a central core positioned along the primary axis of rotation between the top end and the bottom end; at least two shell elements connected to the central core via springs extending radially outward from the primary axis of rotation, the at least two shell elements configured to laterally enclose the central core when in a retracted position; and at least one compartment comprising a cavity, the compartment connected to the central core via a spring extending parallel to the primary axis of rotation; the at least one compartment having a protrusion extending toward the top or bottom end of the elongate housing, beyond the at least two shell elements.

2. The amulet of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises at least top and bottom compartments, the top compartment having a protrusion extending toward the top end of the elongate housing and the bottom compartment having a protrusion extending toward the bottom end of the elongate housing.

3. The amulet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two shell elements comprises at least one aperture in a lateral side of the at least one shell element.

4. The amulet of claim 3, further comprising a lens positioned within the at least one aperture.

5. The amulet of claim 3, further comprising an image surface positioned on an outer lateral surface of the at least one compartment, and wherein the elongate housing is configured to align the image surface with the at least one aperture when the compartment is in an extended position.

6. The amulet of claim 5, further comprising a lens positioned within the at least one aperture having a focal length equal to a distance between the lens and the image surface.

7. The amulet of claim 3, wherein the at least one aperture comprises two apertures in the same shell element.

8. The amulet of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical channel in the central core, extending parallel to the primary axis of rotation.

9. The amulet of claim 8, wherein the compartment comprises a flanged lumen fixedly attached to the surface of the compartment facing the central core, the flanged lumen positioned within the cylindrical channel.

10. The amulet of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical channel further comprises a rim extending inward at an end of the cylindrical channel closest to the compartment, the rim having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a flange of the flanged lumen.

11. The amulet of claim 8, wherein the spring connecting the compartment to the central core is positioned within the cylindrical channel.

12. The amulet of claim 1, wherein the compartment further comprises a lid comprising the protrusion, the lid being removably attached to the compartment.

13. The amulet of claim 1, wherein the at least two shell elements comprise four shell elements.

14. An amulet, comprising: a cylindrical housing having top and bottom circular edges extending from a top end to a bottom end and defining a primary axis of rotation extending from the top end to the bottom end; a central core positioned within the cylindrical housing;the cylindrical housing being divided into at least two shell elements each forming a part of the top and bottom circular edges, each attached to a lateral surface of the central core via at least one spring; and top and bottom end caps connected to the central core via springs and extending away from the central core parallel to the primary axis of rotation, the top and bottom end caps each forming at least one cavity within the housing between an inner surface of the end cap and the outer surface of the central core.

15. The amulet of claim 14, wherein the springs connecting the central core to the at least two shell elements are biased to pull the shell elements toward the central core into a closed configuration.

16. The amulet of claim 15, wherein the springs connecting the top and bottom end caps to the central core are biased to push the top and bottom end caps away from the central core into an open configuration.

17. The amulet of claim 14, wherein the at least two shell elements have a weight high enough such that, when rotated, a centrifugal force of the at least two shell elements is sufficient to overcome a force of the connecting springs and pull the shell elements into an open configuration.

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