Patent Publication Number: US-10315836-B2

Title: Methods, uses, and apparatus for presenting and storing objects

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for presenting and storing personal ornaments. In particular, the disclosure relates to container that utilizes one or more mechanical arrangements for presenting and storing objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Objects—such as rings, bracelets, brooches, jewels, pendants, watches, necklaces and the like—are often provided in an accompanying box that is intended to store and display the personal ornament in an attractive manner. Conventional personal ornament boxes often feature a clam-shell design with a hinge connecting a first segment and a second segment. The hinge is typically equipped with a means for biasing the first segment and the second segment together in a closed configuration and a means for biasing the first segment and the second segment apart in an open configuration. Generally, the closed configuration is used for storing the personal ornament, and the open configuration is used for displaying the personal ornament. The act of switching the personal ornament box between the closed configuration and the open configuration is often an important part of presenting a personal ornament, and yet conventional personal ornament boxes are not configured to accentuate this act. In short, they do little to draw attention to their contents during presentation. Personal ornament boxes that include mechanical arrangements to present their contents in more sophisticated manners have been proposed, but such boxes are often bulky, unreliable, expensive, unattractive, and/or overly complex. Accordingly, there exists an unmet need for personal ornament boxes that address one or more of these limitations. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, which is also referred to herein as a container. The container is for presenting and storing an object. The container comprises a base and a shell. The shell has a first end and second end and the first end is operatively couplable to the base so that the shell is rotatable relative to the base about a central axis. The second end defines an aperture about the central axis opposite to the base. The container also includes a carriage that is receivable within the shell and the carriage is configured to translate between a presentation position proximal to the aperture and a storage position distal to the aperture. The container also includes an actuatable member that is positionable adjacent to the aperture and which is configurable between an open position and a closed position. Rotation of the base relative to the shell, in a first direction, drives the actuatable member towards the open position and the carriage towards the presentation position. Rotation of the base relative to the shell, in a second direction, drives the actuatable member towards the closed position and the carriage towards the storage position. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure further comprising a central member which is received within the shell. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the central member has a first surface which defines a plurality of tracks. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the actuatable member comprises a plurality of aperture blades and wherein an aperture blade of the plurality of aperture blades has a first projection and a second projection. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the first projection is rotatably connected to the shell at a point adjacent to the aperture, and wherein the second projection is translatable within a track of the plurality of tracks. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the central member further comprises a sidewall which defines an inclined slot. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the carriage translation mechanism further comprises: (i) a channel member which is connected to an interior surface of the shell, and which defines a channel; and (ii) a pin having a first end and a second end. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the pin extends through the inclined slot, wherein the first end of the pin is translatable within the channel, and wherein the second end of the pin is connected to the carriage. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the shell further comprises a surface with a chamfered edge which defines the aperture. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the personal ornament is a ring. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the shell and the base are each independently C n -symmetric about an axis which is orthogonal to the aperture. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the shell is wood. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a container according to the present disclosure, wherein the shell is aluminum. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to use of a container according to the present disclosure for presenting or storing a personal ornament. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of presenting an object from a container having a base and a shell which defines an aperture, the method comprising the steps of: opening an actuatable member adjacent to the aperture; and translating a carriage from a storage position distal to the aperture to a presentation position proximal to the aperture so that at least a part of the personal ornament passes through, or is visible through, the aperture. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method according to the present disclosure, wherein the opening of the actuatable member and the translating of the carriage are driven by rotation of the base relative to the shell. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of storing an object in a container having a base and a shell which defines an aperture, the method comprising: translating a carriage from a presentation position proximal to the aperture to a storage position distal to the aperture; and closing a actuatable member adjacent to the aperture to occlude viewing of the personal ornament via the aperture. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method according to the present disclosure, wherein the translating of the carriage and the closing of the actuatable member are driven by rotation of the base relative to the shell. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present disclosure for presenting and storing an object, such as a personal ornament, wherein an actuatable member is in a closed position.  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show the apparatus from upper-preferential and lower-preferential perspectives, respectively.  FIG. 1C  and  FIG. 1D  show the apparatus from top and bottom plan views, respectively. 
         FIG. 2  shows the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , wherein the actuatable member is in an open position.  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show the apparatus from upper-preferential and lower-preferential perspectives, respectively.  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  show the apparatus from top and bottom plan views, respectively. 
         FIG. 3  shows a shell of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3A  shows an upper-preferential perspective of the shell in an upright orientation.  FIG. 3B  shows an upper-preferential perspective of the shell in an inverted orientation.  FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3D  show top plan views of the shell in the upright and inverted orientations, respectively.  FIG. 3E  shows the shell from a profile view. 
         FIG. 4  shows a central member of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show the central member from upper-preferential and lower-preferential perspectives, respectively.  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 4D  show the central member from top and bottom plan views, respectively.  FIG. 4E  and  FIG. 4F  show opposing profile views of the central member. 
         FIG. 5  shows the central member and aperture blades of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  from an upper-preferential perspective, wherein the aperture blades are exploded apart. 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  from an upper-preferential perspective. 
         FIG. 7  shows mid-line, cross-sectional views of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7A  shows the actuatable member in the closed position and the carriage in the storage position.  FIG. 7B  shows the actuatable member in the open position and the carriage in the presentation position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, referred to herein as a container. The container can store an object, such as a personal ornament, on a moveable carriage. The container can be moved between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the carriage is in a storage position that is lowered within the container and an actuatable member of the container is closed. In the second position the carriage moves to a presentation position that is raised relative to the storage position and the actuating member of the container opens to reveal, or permit the passage therepast of, the carriage. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , which show representations of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows an apparatus, referred to herein as a container  100 , which defines a central axis A′-A″ (see  FIG. 1A ). The container  100  has a base  190  and a shell  110  that is operatively coupled at one end to the base  190 . The container  100  houses a carriage  130  within the shell  110  and the carriage  130  is configured to be moveable therein. The shell  110  comprises an annulus  111  with an exterior surface  112 , an outer edge  115 , and an inner edge  116  (as best seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1C ). The exterior surface  112  represents the upper-most surface of the shell  110  in the upright position of  FIG. 1A . The inner edge  116  defines an aperture  117  through which the object (not shown) can be presented. The inner edge  116  may be chamfered to facilitate access to the object at or near the aperture. As best seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the shell  110  has a sidewall  118  which has an outer surface  119  and a lower edge  121  that is positioned proximal the base  190 . 
     The container  100  has a base  190 . As best seen in  FIG. 1B , the base  190  has a sidewall  191  and an exterior surface  196 . The exterior surface  196  represents the lowest surface of the container  100  in the upright position. The base  190  is operatively coupled to the shell  110  and these two components are rotatable relative to each other. For example, a user can rotate the base  190  relative to the shell  110  by grasping the sidewalls  191  and  118  and: rotating the base  190  while holding the shell  110  stationary, rotating the shell  110  while holding the base  190  stationary, or rotating the base  190  and the shell  110  in opposite directions. 
     The container  100  also includes an actuatable member  101  that comprises moveable aperture blades  150  that can move, preferably in unison, to actuate the actuatable member  101  between an open position and a closed position. The actuatable member  101  is generally C 8 -symmetric about the central axis A′-A″. In  FIG. 1 , the actuatable member  101  is in a closed position with the aperture blades  150  occluding the aperture (as best seen in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1C ). The aperture blades  150  are adjacent to, and generally coplanar with, the annulus  111 . The aperture blades  150  have upper surfaces  151  which are coplanar such that the actuatable member  101  forms a generally planar surface in the closed position. In some embodiments of the present disclosure the actuatable member  101  may act as a mechanical iris; however, the present disclosure is not limited to only mechanical iris&#39; that that define a circular aperture. 
       FIG. 2  shows the container  100  with the actuatable member  101  in the open position. Transitions between the closed position and the open position are driven by rotation of the base  190  relative to the shell  110 . In the open position the aperture blades  150  are retracted from the aperture  117 . 
     The container  100  has a carriage  130 . As best seen in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2C , when the actuatable member  101  is in the open position, at least a part of the carriage  130  (and the object carried thereon) are visible through the aperture  117 . 
       FIG. 3  shows various views of the shell  110  in both upright and inverted orientations. The shell  110  is generally C n -symmetric about the central axis A′-A″. As best seen in  FIG. 3B , the sidewall  118  has an inner surface  120  which is concentric with the outer surface  119 . Also as best seen in  FIG. 3B , the sidewall  118  has a lower edge  121  which is coplanar with, and opposed to, the annulus  111 . As best seen in  FIG. 3D , the annulus  111  has an interior surface  113  that defines a set of recesses  114  with one recess  114  for receiving and retaining a portion of each aperture blade  150 . The recesses  114  are spaced at equal distances around the circumference of the aperture  117  and are each dimensioned to rotatably retain a projection from the aperture blades  150 . The presence of the recesses  114  renders the shell  110  generally C 8 -symmetric about the central axis A′-A″. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the container  100  has a central member  160  which is received within the shell  110 , and optionally within the base  190 , when the container  100  is assembled. As best seen in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the central member  160  has a sidewall  161  with an upper edge  162 , a lower edge  163 , and a hollow interior. The upper edge  162  and the lower edge  163  are opposed and coplanar. The sidewall  161  defines a pair of inclined slots  164  which are opposed to one another and which extend through the sidewall  161  (as best seen in  FIG. 4E  and  FIG. 4F ). The inclined slots  164  are dimensioned to retain pins which are translatable along the lengths of the inclined slots  164 . The presence of the inclined slots  164  renders the central member generally C 2 -symmetric about the central axis A′-A″. 
     The central member  160  further comprises radial wedges  165 . The radial wedges  165  have upper surfaces  166  and lower surfaces  167 . The upper surfaces  166  are coplanar with the lower surfaces  167  (as best seen in  FIG. 4E  and  FIG. 4F ), and they extend beyond the sidewall  161  to form a collar (as best seen in  FIG. 4C ). The radial wedges  165  have sidewalls  168  which define tracks  169 . The tracks  169  extend radially from the intersect between the plane of the radial wedges  165  and the central axis A′-A″. The tracks  169  are dimensioned to retain projections from the aperture blades  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the aperture blades  150  have inner edges  155  and outer edges  156  which separate upper surfaces  151  from lower surfaces  153 . The upper surfaces  151  have upper projections  152  which are dimensioned and positioned to be rotatably retained by the recesses  114  on the interior surface  113  of the annulus  111  of the shell  110  (not shown in  FIG. 5 , see  FIG. 3D ). The lower surfaces  153  of the aperture blades  150  have lower projections  154  which are dimensioned and positioned to be translatably retained within the tracks  169  of the central member  160 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the container  100  includes the carriage  130 , which is enclosed within the shell  110  and the base  190 . The carriage  130  is vertically translatable within the hollow center of the central member  160 . The carriage  130  has a sidewall  131  with an upper edge  135  and a lower edge  136 . The upper edge  135  and the lower edge  136  are opposed and coplanar. The sidewall  131  has an outer surface  132  and an inner surface  133  which are concentric. A pair of openings  134  are provided in the outer surface  132 , and the openings  134  are opposed to one another. The carriage  130  has a compartment  137  for carrying the object. The compartment  137  is generally defined by the inner surface  133  of the sidewall  131 . 
     The container  100  has pair of channel members  143  which are opposed from one another about the central axis A′-A″. The channel members  143  have outer surfaces  144  and inner surfaces  145 . The outer surfaces  144  are connectible to the interior surface  113  of the shell  110 , such that the channel members  143  and the shell  110  rotate as a single unit. The inner surfaces  145  of the channel members  143  each define a channel  146  which runs parallel to the central axis A′-A″. 
     The container  100  has pair of pins  140  which are opposed from one another about the central axis A′-A″ and orthogonal thereto. The pins  140  have inner ends  142  which are dimensioned and positioned to be retained by the openings  134  of the carriage  130 . The pins  140  have outer ends  141  which are dimensioned and positioned to be retained by the channels  146  of the channel members  143  such that the pins  140  are vertically translatable within the channels  146  as the carriage  130  is vertically translatable within the central member  160  along the central axis A′-A″. 
     The container  100  has a ball bearing  180 , which is enclosed within the shell  110  and the base  190 , and which is generally C n -symmetric about the central axis A′-A″. The ball bearing  180  has an upper surface  181 , a lower surface  182 , an inner race  183  and an outer race  184 . The inner race  183  is connected to the sidewall  161  of the central member  160  which is connected to an interior surface  192  of the base  190 . As such the base  190  and the central member  160  rotate as a single unit. The lower surface  182  is adjacent to a raised lip  193  which defines an inner wall  194  and an outer wall  195  of the base  190 . The outer race  184  of the ball bearing  180  is connected to the inner surface  120  of the sidewall  118  of the shell  110 . As such, the ball bearing  180  provides for rotation of the shell  110  relative to the base  190  and therefore the central unit  160 . 
       FIG. 7  shows cross-sectional views of the container  100 . In  FIG. 7A , the actuatable member  101  is in the closed position, and the carriage  130  is in a storage position which is distal to the aperture  117 . In  FIG. 7B , the actuatable member  101  is in the open position, and the carriage  130  is in a presentation position which is proximal to the aperture  117 . When the carriage  130  is in the storage position, the object is enclosed within the container  100 . When the carriage  130  is in the presentation position, the object either intersects the aperture  117  or is visible therethrough. The translation of the carriage  130  between the storage position and the presentation position is provided by a carriage translation mechanism. 
     Having set out components of the container  100 , the mechanism by which rotation of the base  190  relative to the shell  110  drives the actuatable member  101  between the open position and the closed position will now be described. Referring to  FIG. 5  as viewed along the central axis from A′ to A″, rotation of the shell  110  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) in a counter-clockwise direction translates the upper projections  152  in a counter-clockwise arc due to their retention within the recesses  114 . This provides for translation of the lower projections  154  along the tracks  169  towards the central axis A′-A″, thereby driving the actuatable member  101  towards the closed position. Likewise, rotation of the shell  110  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) in a clockwise direction translates the upper projections  152  in a clockwise arc. This provides for translation of the lower projections  154  along the tracks  169  away from the central axis A′-A″, thereby driving the actuatable member  101  towards the open position. 
     Having set out components of the container  100 , the mechanism by which rotation of the base  190  relative to the shell  110  drives translation of the carriage  130  between the storage position and the presentation position will now be described. Referring to  FIG. 6 , rotation of the shell  110  rotates the channel members  143  due to the connection between the outer surfaces  144  and the inner surface  120 . This provides for rotation of the pins  140  about the central axis A′-A″ due to the retention of the outer ends  141  within the channels  146 . The pins  140  extend through the inclined slots  164  of the central member  160 . As the central member  160  is connected to the base  190 , the rotation of shell  110  relative to the base  190  provides for translation of the pins  140  along the inclined slots  164 . The slope of the inclined slots  164  results in a vertical translation of the pins  140 , and this translation is accommodated by the vertical orientation of the channels  146  of the channel members  143 . As the inner ends  142  of the pins  140  are retained within the openings  134  of the carriage  130 , the rotation of the pins  140  (as provided by rotation of the shell  110 ) provides for the vertical translation of the carriage  130  within the central member  160 . As such, the rotation of the shell  110  relative to the base  190  provides for the translation of the carriage  130  between the storage position and the presentation position, thereby providing the carriage translation mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  as viewed along the central axis from A′ to A″, rotating the shell  110  in a first direction can move the carriage  130  either upwardly or downwardly and rotating the shell  110  in a second direction moves the carriage  130  in the opposite direction. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure rotating the shell  110  in a counter-clockwise direction translates the pins  140  along a counter-clockwise arc. This provides for translation of the pins  140  in an upward path along the inclined slots  164  and the channels  146  which moves the carriage  130  towards the presentation position. Likewise, rotation of the shell  110  in a clockwise direction translates the pins  140  along a clockwise arc. This provides for translation of the pins  140  in a downward path along the inclined slots  164  and the channels  146  which moves the carriage  130  towards the storage position. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present disclosure also contemplates other embodiments of the container  100  where rotation of the shell  110  in counter-clockwise direction translates the pins  140  in a downward path along the inclined slots  164  to bring the carriage  130  towards the storage position. Similarly, rotation of the shell in the clockwise direction translates the pins  140  along a counter-clockwise arc and the pins  140  in an upward path along the inclined slots  164  to bring the carriage  130  towards the presentation position. 
     In summary, the container  100  is an embodiment of an apparatus for presenting and storing a personal ornament according to the present disclosure. Of course, there are many variations on the container  100  that fall within the scope of the claims. Likewise, there are many alternate embodiments of apparatus for presenting and storing personal ornaments that fall within the scope of the claims. A non-limiting set of variations and alternate embodiments will now be described. 
     The container  100  can be configured to store and present numerous types of objects. For example, the container  100  can be configured to store and present personal ornaments such as finger rings, toe rings, earrings, arm rings, or combinations thereof. Rings are only one type of personal ornament, and embodiments can be configured to store and present other types of personal ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pendants, jewels, watches, pens, other elongate personal ornaments, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the container  100  can also be used to store and present objects other than personal ornaments. 
     The shell  110  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the shell  110  can be varied. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions provided include an approximate+/−10% variation from a given value and that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to. The height of the shell  110  can be from 20 to 400 mm (preferably from 35 to 100 mm, more preferably from 38 to 80 mm), and the diameter of the shell  110  can be from 30 to 200 mm (preferably from 50 to 140 mm, more preferably from 60 to 150 mm). The material of the shell  110  can be varied. For example, the shell  110  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any type of plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the shell  110  is comprised of wood or metal. More preferably, the shell  110  is comprised of walnut wood or aluminum. The exterior of the shell  110  can be adorned with various markings. For example, the exterior of the shell  110  can be adorned with patterns, designs, text, or logos. Likewise, the exterior of the shell  110  can be smooth or textured (so as to be easier to grip). Moreover, the form of the exterior of the shell  110  can be varied. For example, the exterior of the shell  110  can be but is not limited to generally cylindrical, generally rectangular prismatic, or generally cubic when viewed from a top-plan view. Preferably, the exterior of the shell  110  is generally cylindrical. Components of the shell  110 —namely the annulus  111  and the sidewall  118 —can be integral or non-integral. The form of these components can be varied. For example, the exterior surface  112  of the annulus  111  and the outer surface  119  of the sidewall  118  can be concave or convex and symmetrical or asymmetrical. Likewise, the form of the inner edge  116  of the shell  110  can be varied. For example, the inner edge  116  can be chamfered or beveled to facilitate access to a personal adornment at (or adjacent to) the aperture  117 . The circumference of the inner edge  116  can be varied to provide varying size to the aperture  117 . For example, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a finger ring, the circumference of the inner edge  116  can be from 20 to 70 mm (preferably from 25 to 50 mm, more preferably from 30 to 40 mm). Likewise, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a watch, the circumference of the inner edge  116  can be from 50 to 140 mm (preferably from 60 to 120 mm, more preferably from 70 to 100 mm). The dimensions of the recesses  114  in the annulus  111  can be varied provided they rotationally retain the upper projections  152  of the aperture blades  150 . For example, the diameter of the recesses  114  can be from 1 to 10 mm (preferably from 2 to 8 mm, more preferably from 4 to 6 mm). The number of recess  114  in the annulus  111  can be varied provided there are sufficient recesses  114  to retain the upper projections  152 . For example, the number of recesses  111  can be from 2 to 24 (preferably from 4 to 12, more preferably 8). 
     The carriage  130  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the carriage  130  can be varied. The height of the carriage  130  can be from 15 to 350 mm (preferably from 18 to 80 mm, more preferably from 20 to 70 mm), and the diameter of the carriage  130  can be from 10 to 250 mm (preferably from 20 to 120 mm, more preferably from 25 to 100 mm). The material of the carriage  130  can be varied. For example, the carriage  130  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any of type plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the carriage  130  is made from wood or metal. More preferably, the carriage  130  is comprised of walnut wood or aluminum. The form of the carriage  130  can be varied. For example, the carriage  110  can be generally cylindrical, generally rectangular prismatic, or generally cubic. Preferably, the carriage  130  is generally cylindrical. Components of the carriage  130 —namely the sidewall  131  and the compartment  137 —can be integral or non-integral. The form of these components can be varied. For example, the sidewall  131  and the compartment  137  can be concave or convex and symmetrical or asymmetrical. The diameter of the sidewall  131  and the compartment  137  can be varied to accommodate personal ornaments of various dimensions. For example, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a finger ring, the diameter of the sidewall  131  and/or the compartment  137  can be from 20 to 45 mm (preferably from 25 to 40 mm, more preferably from 30 to 38 mm). Likewise, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a watch, the diameter of the sidewall  131  and the compartment  137  can be from 60 to 140 mm (preferably from 70 to 120 mm, more preferably from 75 to 100 mm). The dimensions of the openings  134  in the sidewall  131  can be varied provided they retain the inner ends  142  of the pins  140 . For example, the diameter of the openings  134  can be from 1 to 10 mm (preferably from 2 to 5 mm, more preferably from 2.5 to 3.5 mm). The number of openings  134  in the sidewall  131  can be varied provided there are sufficient numbers to retain the inner ends  142  of the pins  140 . For example, the number of openings  134  can be from 1 to 10 (preferably from 2 to 4, more preferably 2). 
     The channel members  143  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the channel members  143  can be varied. The height of the channel members  143  can be from 5 to 350 mm (preferably from 8 to 120 mm, more preferably from 10 to 70 mm), the width of the channel members  143  can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 8 mm), and the length of channel members  143  can be from 4 to 50 mm (preferably from 5 to 20 mm, more preferably from 8 to 15 mm). The material of the channel members  143  can be varied. For example, the channel members  143  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any type of plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the channel members  143  are comprised of metal. More preferably, the channel members  143  are at least partially made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS), aluminum or combinations thereof. The dimensions of the channels  146  of the channel members  143  can be varied provided they retain the outer ends  141  of the pins  140  to translate rotational motion from the shell  110  to the pins  140 , and provided they allow for vertical translation of the outer ends  141  within the channels  146 . The channel members  146  can be integral or non-integral to the shell  110 . 
     The pins  140  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the pins  140  can be varied provided: the outer ends  141  are translatably retained by the channels  146  of the channel members  143 , the inner ends  142  are retained by the openings  134  of the carriage  130 , and the pins  140  are translatable within the inclined slots  164  of the central member  160 . The length of the pins  140  can be from 4 to 140 mm (preferably from 10 to 30 mm, more preferably from 12 to 20 mm), and the diameter of the pins  140  can be from 0.5 to 20 mm (preferably from 1 to 10 mm, more preferably from 2 to 5 mm). The material of the pins  140  can be varied. For example, the pins  140  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any type of plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the pins  140  are comprised of metal. More preferably, the pins  140  are made at least partially of stainless steel, aluminum or combinations thereof. The number of pins  140  can be varied, provided a sufficient number of pins  140  are present to transfer motion from the shell  110  to the carriage  130  via the channel members  143 . For example, the number of pins  140  can be from 1 to 10 (preferably from 2 to 4, more preferably 2). 
     The aperture blades  150  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the aperture blades  150  can be varied. The thickness of the aperture blades  150  can be from 0.01 to 3 mm (preferably from 0.05 to 0.2 mm), and the length of the aperture blades  150  can be from 15 to 200 mm (preferably from 20 to 150 mm, more preferably from 50 to 120 mm). The material of the aperture blades  150  can be varied. For example, the aperture blades  150  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any type of plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the aperture blades  150  are made at least partially of stainless steel, aluminum or combinations thereof. The upper surfaces  153  of the aperture blades  150  can be adorned with various markings. For example, the upper surfaces  153  can be adorned with patterns, designs, text, or logos. Moreover, the form of the aperture blades  150  can be varied provided they cooperate to form the actuatable member  101  and permit actuating between the open and closed positions of the actuatable member  101 . Components of the aperture blades  150 —namely the upper projections  152  and the lower projections  154 —can be integral or non-integral. The dimensions of these components can be varied provided that the upper projections  152  are rotatably retained by the recesses  114  of the shell  110  and provided that the lower projections  154  are translatably retained by the tracks  169  of the central member  160 . For example, the height of the upper projections  152  can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 6 mm), and the diameter of the upper projections  152  can be 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 6 mm). Likewise, the height of the lower projections  154  can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 6 mm) and the diameter of the lower projections can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 6 mm). 
     The central member  160  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the components of the central member  160 —namely the sidewall  161  and the radial wedges  165 —can be integral or non-integral. The dimensions of these components can be varied provided they are sufficiently small to be enclosed by the shell  110  and the base  190  while providing sufficient room for the channel members  143 , the pins  140 , and the carriage  130 . For example, the height of the sidewall  161  of central member  160  can be from 10 to 300 mm (preferably from 20 to 120 mm, more preferably from 25 to 80 mm), and the outer diameter of the sidewall  161  can be from 15 to 260 mm (preferably from 25 to 140 mm, more preferably from 40 to 120 mm). Likewise, the height of the radial wedges  165  of central member  160  can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 2 to 10 mm, more preferably from 3 to 6 mm, and the outer diameter of the radial wedges  165  can be from 20 to 280 mm (preferably from 30 to 150 mm, more preferably from 45 to 130 mm). The inner diameters of the sidewall  161  and the radial wedges  165  can be varied. For example, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a finger ring, the inner diameter of the sidewall  161  and the radial wedges  165  can be from 20.2 to 45.2 mm (preferably from 25.2 to 40.2 mm, more preferably from 30.2 to 38.2 mm). Likewise, in an embodiment for storing and presenting a watch, the inner diameter of the sidewall  161  and the radial wedges  165  can be from 60.2 to 140.2 mm (preferably from 70.2 to 120.2 mm, more preferably from 75.2 to 100.2 mm). The material of the central member  160  can be varied. For example, the central member  160  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any of type plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the central member  160  is comprised of metal. More preferably, the central member  160  is comprised of aluminum. The form of the inclined slots  164  in the sidewall  161  can be varied. For example, the slope of the inclined slots  164  can be from 1 to 89 degrees (preferably from 5 to 60 degrees, more preferably from 10 to 55 degrees). The dimensions of the inclined slots  164  can be varied provided they translatably retain the pins  140 . For example, the width of the inclined slots  164  can be from 1 to 20 mm (preferably from 1 to 10 mm, more preferably from 1 to 3 mm), and the length of the inclined slots  164  can be from 15 to 816 mm (preferably from 23 to 118 mm, more preferably from 32 to 102 mm). The number of inclined slots  164  can be varied provided a sufficient number is present to translatably retain the pins  140 . For example, the number of inclined slots  164  can be from 1 to 10, preferably from 2 to 6, and more preferably 2. 
     The ball bearing  180  can be varied in numerous ways provided it facilitates rotation of the base  190  relative to the shell  110 . 
     The base  190  can be varied in numerous ways. For example, the dimensions of the base  190  can be varied. The thickness of the base  190  can be from 1 to 300 mm (preferably from 2 to 50 mm, more preferably from 3 to 20 mm), and the diameter of the base  190  can be from 30 to 200 mm (preferably from 50 to 140 mm, more preferably from 60 to 150 mm). The material of the base  190  can be varied. For example, the base  190  can be comprised of any type of wood, any type of metal, any type of plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the base  190  is comprised of wood or metal. More preferably, the base  190  is comprised of walnut wood or aluminum. The exterior of the base  190  can be adorned with various markings. For example, the exterior of the base  190  can be adorned with patterns, designs, text, or logos. Likewise, the exterior of the base  190  can be smooth or textured (so as to be easier to grip). Moreover, the form of the exterior of the base  190  can be varied. For example, the exterior of the base  190  can be generally cylindrical, generally rectangular prismatic, or generally cubic. Preferably the exterior of the base  190  is generally cylindrical. Components of the base  190 —namely the sidewall  191 , the interior surface  192 , and the exterior surface  196 —can be integral or non-integral. The form of these components can be varied. For example, the sidewall  191  and the exterior surface  196  can be concave or convex and symmetrical or asymmetrical. Provided that the interior surface  192  is configured to retain the lower edge  163  of the central member  160 , the interior surface  192  can be flat or have a raised lip  193  defined by inner wall  194  and outer wall  195 . The dimensions of the raised lip  193 , the inner wall  194 , and the outer wall  195  can be varied. For example, the width of the raised lip  193  can be from 1 to 100 mm (preferably from 2 to 50 mm, more preferably from 5 to 15 mm), the height of the inner wall  194  can be from 0 to 299 mm (preferably from 1 to 49 mm, more preferably from 2 to 19 mm), and the height of the outer wall  195  can be from 0 to 295 mm (preferably from 1 to 20 mm, more preferably from 1 to 5 mm).