Earring apparatus
The earring apparatus forms a post for attachment to an earring to attach an earring to a wearer's ear. The post includes a generally straight first portion of sufficient length to extend through a wearer's earlobe. The post further includes a second portion extending downwardly at an angle to the straight portion and is of sufficient length to touch the wearer's earlobe and prevent the straight portion from slipping out of the earlobe. Preferably, the second portion curves to form a U-shaped loop and ends in a straight third portion. Preferably, the first, second and third portions lie in substantially the same plane which facilitates insertion of the post through the pierced earlobe since the earring post is inserted with a simple up and down motion and does not require twisting. When the post is inserted, the second portion engages the earlobe below the piercing and prevents the post from falling out.
This patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/592,652 filed on Jul. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and this patent application is a continuation of and also claims priority from International Application Serial No. PCT/1B2005/003318 filed on Jul. 29, 2005, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to earrings and particularly to earring retaining devices for use with earrings for pierced ears.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEarring retainers for pierced ears take many forms, the most common being a straight post extending from the ornamental portion of the earring straight through the pierced ear lobe portion and a clasp of a larger size than the opening created by the piercing for retaining the post portion in place extending through the opening and inhibiting the post from slipping out. It is a common occurrence for the clasps to slide off the post while the earring is worn resulting in the earring post sliding out and the earring being lost. An alternative to using a clasp is an elongated wire, but this form of retainer does not keep the ornament stabilized and tight to the wearer's ear and tends to balance toward the front of the ear leading to a less aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Hence, there exists a significant need for an earring retaining device which overcomes the substantial and inherent disadvantages of the prior art.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the invention is to provide an earring post having means to retain the earring on the ear of the wearer without the use of a separate clasp element;
Another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which is easy to attach to the wearer's ear;
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which will support heavy drop style earrings without a clasp.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an earring post which will position the earring securely and works well with stretched or torn ear holes to maintain the earring securely to the ear.
In summary, the earring apparatus forms a post for attachment to an earring to attach an earring to a wearer's ear. For ease of description, the use of the apparatus will be describe in relationship to a wearer's earlobe, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that earrings are commonly attached at other portions of the ear and the same principles will apply. The post includes a generally straight first portion of sufficient length to extend through a wearer's earlobe. The post further includes a second portion extending downwardly at an angle to the straight portion and is of sufficient length to touch the wearer's earlobe and prevent the straight portion from slipping out of the earlobe. Preferably, the second portion curves to form a U-shaped loop and ends in a straight third portion. Preferably, the first, second and third portions lie in substantially the same plane which facilitates insertion of the post through the pierced earlobe since the earring post is inserted with a simple up and down motion and does not require twisting. When the post is inserted, the second portion engages the earlobe below the piercing and prevents the post from falling out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the preferred embodiment portion 22 forms a depending U-shape having a first end at transition area 20 and a second end at transition area 24 forming an angle of about 90° and joining a third portion 26. The second and the third portions 22, 26 are integrally joined together at the second transition area 24 and may in fact be a continuation of a single wire. The post 14 including the straight portion 18, transition portions 20 and 24 and second and third portions 22, 26 as shown all lie in the same geometric plane which facilitates easy insertion of the post 14 through the pierced ear with a simple up and down motion and securely retains the earring 10 on the earlobe. Preferably, straight portion 18 and third portion 26 are offset in the same geometric plane.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as maybe applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A post for use with an earring, said post comprising:
- a) a thin, elongated first straight portion having a first end joined to an ornament and a second thin elongated portion joined to and extending from said first straight portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees, said first straight portion being of sufficient length from said first end to said second end to extend through an earlobe;
- b) said second thin elongated portion extending in the same geometric plane as said first portion and extending away from said first straight portion and having a length sufficient to prevent said post from slipping through said earlobe.
2. The post as set forth in claim 1, wherein;
- a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
3. The post as set forth in claim 2, wherein;
- a) said second portion having a second end connected to a second straight portion.
4. The post as set forth in claim 3, wherein;
- a) all of said first straight portion, said second portion and said second straight portion lie in the same plane.
5. The post as set forth in claim 1, wherein;
- a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
6. An earring having a post for retaining the earring on the wearer's ear, said earring comprising:
- a) an ornament;
- b) a post attached to said ornament
- c) said post comprising a thin, elongated first straight portion having a first end joined to an ornament and a second thin elongated portion joined to and extending from said first straight portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees, said first straight portion being of sufficient length from said first end to said second end to extend through an earlobe;
- d) said second thin elongated portion extending in the same geometric plane as said first portion and extending away from said first straight portion and having a length sufficient to prevent said post from slipping through said earlobe.
7. The post as set forth in claim 6, wherein;
- a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
8. The post as set forth in claim 7, wherein;
- a) said second portion having a second end connected to a second straight portion.
9. The post as set forth in claim 8, wherein;
- a) all of said first straight portion, said second portion and said second straight portion lie in the same plane.
10. The post as set forth in claim 6, wherein;
- a) said second portion forms a U-shape having a first end connected to said first straight portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 30, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 30, 2007
Inventor: Jeanette Fossas (San Juan, PR)
Application Number: 11/699,561
International Classification: A44C 7/00 (20060101);