Device for cracking shelled objects

Abstract

A device for cracking the shell of an object is provided comprising at least three members, each including an outer surface, an inner surface, an attachment end, and a grasping portion located on the inner surface, each of the grasping portions including a plurality of protrusions for contacting a shelled object, each of the protrusions containing a pointed tip extending outward and down toward the grasping portion, and an attachment portion coupled to the attachment end such that the at least three members define an interior cracking region bounded by each of the grasping portions. A user can crack the shell of the shelled object by placing it in the cracking region and exerting a uniform force on each of the at least three members. The members can be attached by a ring, secured by pins, welded together, or screwed or snapped into an attachment portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a cracking member of another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of yet another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of still another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a cracking member of still another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of still another embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a further embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects, in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a further embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects, in the open position.

FIG. 10A is a side perspective view of a further embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects.

FIG. 10B is a cross-section view of a cracking member of a further embodiment of the device for cracking shelled objects shown in FIG. 10A.

Claims

1. A device for cracking the shell of an object comprising: a) at least three members, each of the at least three members including an outer surface, an inner surface, an attachment end, and a grasping portion located on the inner surface, each of the grasping portions including a plurality of protrusions for contacting a shelled object, each of the plurality of protrusions containing a substantially pointed tip region extending outward and down toward the grasping portion; andb) means for attachment coupled to the attachment end such that the at least three members define an interior cracking region bounded by each of the grasping portions,whereby a user can place a shelled object within the interior cracking region and can crack the shell of the shelled object by exerting a uniform force on each of the at least three members, causing the plurality of protrusions on each of the grasping members to exert a force on the shelled object until the shell is cracked.

2. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the means for attachment is a ring and each of the attachment ends include a cavity extending horizontally therethrough, wherein the ring extends through each of the cavities.

3. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a top portion and a bottom portion such that each of the at least three members are attached around the ring by inserting the top portion or the bottom portion through the cavity such that the portion of each of the at least three members above the cavity is between the top portion and the bottom portion, and each of the at least three members are rotated around the ring until the portion of each of the at least three members above the cavity is no longer between the top portion and the bottom portion.

4. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the attachment end of each of the at least three members includes a receiving portion shaped to receive the means for attachment.

5. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 4, wherein the receiving portion comprises a groove having an inner portion and an exterior portion, the inner portion having a larger diameter than the exterior portion.

6. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the means for attachment comprises a central region and at least three attachment members extending from the central region, the attachment end of each of the at least three members coupled to each of the at least three attachment members.

7. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 6, wherein each of the at least three members further comprise a screw extending from the attachment end and each of the at least three attachment members include a cavity therein for receiving the screw, wherein each of the at least three members are coupled to each of the at least three attachment members by the insertion of the screw within the cavity.

8. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 6, wherein each of the at least three members further comprise a first prong extending from the attachment end and each of the at least three attachment members include a cavity therein including a second prong, wherein each of the at least three members are coupled to each of the at least three attachment members by the engagement of the first prong with the second prong.

9. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 6, wherein the means for attachment comprises a non-metallic material.

10. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the means for attachment comprises a welding compound, whereby the welding compound is used to weld together each of the at least three members.

11. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged in two arrays along the length of each of the grasping portions.

12. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein the at least three members are comprised of a metallic material.

13. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein each of the attachment ends include a cavity extending horizontally therethrough and the means for attachment comprises a base portion comprised of at least three prongs each having a hole therein, wherein to secure each of the at least three members to the means for attachment, the cavity is aligned with the hole and a securing pin is inserted through the opening formed by the alignment of the cavity and the hole.

14. A device for cracking the shell of an object comprising: a) at least three members, each of the at least three members including an outer surface, an inner surface, an attachment end having a cavity extending horizontally therethrough, and a grasping portion located on the inner surface, each of the grasping portions including a plurality of protrusions for contacting a shelled object, each of the plurality of protrusions containing a substantially pointed tip region extending outward and down toward the grasping portion; andb) a ring coupled to the attachment end such that the at least three members define an interior cracking region bounded by each of the grasping portions, the ring extending through each of the cavitieswhereby a user can place a shelled object within the interior cracking region and can crack the shell of the shelled object by exerting a uniform force on each of the at least three members, causing the plurality of protrusions on each of the grasping members to exert a force on the shelled object until the shell is cracked.

15. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 14, wherein the ring comprises a top portion and a bottom portion such that each of the at least three members are attached around the ring by inserting the top portion or the bottom portion through the cavity such that the portion of each of the at least three members above the cavity is between the top portion and the bottom portion, and each of the at least three members are rotated around the ring until the portion of each of the at least three members above the cavity is no longer between the top portion and the bottom portion.

16. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 14, wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged in two arrays along the length of each of the grasping portions.

17. A device for cracking the shell of an object comprising: a) at least three members, each of the at least three members including an outer surface, an inner surface, an attachment end, and a grasping portion located on the inner surface, each of the grasping portions including a plurality of protrusions for contacting a shelled object, each of the plurality of protrusions containing a substantially pointed tip region extending outward and down toward the grasping portion; andb) an attachment portion coupled to each of the at least three members, the attachment portion comprising a central region and at least three attachment members extending from the central region, the attachment end of each of the at least three members coupled to each of the at least three attachment memberswhereby a user can place a shelled object within the interior cracking region and can crack the shell of the shelled object by exerting a uniform force on each of the at least three members, causing the plurality of protrusions on each of the grasping members to exert a force on the shelled object until the shell is cracked.

18. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 17, wherein each of the at least three members further comprise a screw extending from the attachment end and each of the at least three attachment members include a cavity therein for receiving the screw, wherein each of the at least three members are coupled to each of the at least three attachment members by the insertion of the screw within the cavity.

19. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 1, wherein each of the at least three members further comprise a first prong extending from the attachment end and each of the at least three attachment members include a cavity therein including a second prong, wherein each of the at least three members are coupled to each of the at least three attachment members by the engagement of the first prong with the second prong.

20. The device for cracking the shell of an object of claim 17, wherein the attachment portion comprises a non-metallic material.