Body piercing jewelry

Abstract

Body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing comprises an ornament component and an insertion component attached to the ornament component. The ornament component has a closed peripheral border circumscribing an opening that extends entirely therethrough. The ornament component is of a size to prevent it from entering the body piercing. The insertion component includes a plurality of insertion elements, each comprising a strand of material having an end attached to the ornament component and having an opposite end associated with a tip. The insertion elements are sequentially insertable, tips first, through the body piercing to place the strands to extend entirely through the body piercing in side by side relation and for tail segments of the insertion elements that exit the body piercing to be passed through the opening in the ornament component to form a closed loop engaged with the body piercing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing and, more particularly, relates to body piercing jewelry which is attached to the body piercing without the use of structurally disconnectible components.

2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art

Body piercing jewelry has become a very popular form of self-adornment and personal expression that continues to rise in popularity among females and males alike. Body piercing jewelry has been proposed for body piercings in many various locations on the body, one popular location being the navel or belly button. Essentially a body piercing is a narrow passage formed through anatomical tissue for attachment of body piercing jewelry on the anatomical tissue via insertion of a component of the jewelry through the passage. The body piercing has an entry hole and an exit hole along a surface of the anatomical tissue providing communication with the passage. Depending on the location of the body piercing, the entry and exit holes may lie along different aspects of the body, as in the case of a pierced earlobe where the entry hole is along the front of the earlobe and the exit hole is along the back of the earlobe, or the entry and exit holes may both lie along the same aspect of the body, as in the case of a navel piercing where the entry and exit holes both lie along a frontal aspect of the body.

It is common for body piercing jewelry to comprise an insertion component to extend entirely through the body piercing passage, and structures respectively attached to opposite ends of the insertion component to present enlargements on the entry and exit sides of the body piercing. The enlargements are prevented by their size from entering the body piercing and thereby deter unintended detachment or removal of the body piercing jewelry from the body piercing. Usually one enlargement is formed by an ornament or jewelry component that provides a decorative aesthetic effect, and the other enlargement is formed by a retention component that serves a purely utilitarian or mechanical purpose. Either the ornament component or the retention component must be detachable from the insertion component to allow the insertion component to be inserted in and withdrawn from the body piercing. The detachable component is typically a completely structurally disconnectible component such that it is not structurally connected to any other component of the body piercing jewelry once it has been detached from the insertion component.

Most commonly, the retention component is the component that is detachable or disconnectible from the insertion component as represented by U.S. Pat. No. 718,708 to Geiger et al. The insertion component typically has a first end attached to the ornament component and has a second end for introduction in the entry hole of the body piercing. The insertion component is designed to be advanced through the passage of the body piercing so that it extends entirely therethrough, with the second end of the insertion component exiting the exit hole of the body piercing. Oftentimes the insertion component is a smooth rigid shaft capable of sliding within the passage of the body piercing with relative ease. The ornament component attached to the first end of the insertion component is maintained on the entry side of the body piercing due to its size preventing it from entering the body piercing. The retention component is designed to be attached to the insertion component along the exit side of the body piercing and is maintained on the exit side of the body piercing due to its size preventing it from entering the body piercing. In order to intentionally withdraw the insertion component from the body piercing for removal of the body piercing jewelry, the retention component must be detached from the insertion component.

Various types of retention components and various ways of removably attaching or securing the retention components on the insertion components have been proposed for body piercing jewelry. In the case of body piercing jewelry for the navel, the retention component is frequently designed to be screwed onto the second end of the insertion component, which requires that care be taken to properly align the retention component on the second end of the insertion component. In general, the retention components are small in size and the insertion components are even smaller in size than the retention components in order to fit through the passage of the body piercing. The small size of the components involved makes it tedious and time consuming to secure the retention components on the insertion components and to remove the retention components from the insertion components, especially where the retention components are screwed onto and off of the insertion components. During the securement and removal process and whenever the retention components are structurally disconnected from the rest of the jewelry, it is easy for the retention components to be dropped, misplaced or lost. Searching for a dropped, misplaced or lost retention component is made more difficult due to the small size of the retention component. When a retention component is missing and a replacement is not readily available, as is often the case, the body piercing jewelry is rendered unusable. Given that the ornament component oftentimes includes precious or semi-precious metals, stones and/or gems, this presents a financial loss to the user.

Another problem of conventional body piercing jewelry is that the structurally disconnectible retention components may become loose or detached from the insertion components while the jewelry is being worn, leading to inadvertent withdrawal of the insertion components from the body piercing and possible loss of the ornament components. Loosening or detachment of the retention component from the insertion component may result from the gravitational weight of the ornament component, pulling force applied to the ornament component and/or ineffectiveness of the retention component. Where the insertion component is capable of sliding with relative ease in the passage of the body piercing, there is an increased risk of unintended withdrawal of the insertion component in the event that the retention component is not effective or not properly secured on the insertion component. An additional problem of conventional body piercing jewelry is that the retention components, in spite of efforts to make them appear attractive and inconspicuous, detract from the overall aesthetic effect and appearance of the body piercing jewelry.

The aforementioned problems are compounded in the case of body piercing jewelry for the navel, because the retention component and the ornament component of navel body piercing jewelry both lie along a frontal aspect of the body. Consequently, the retention component being in an exposed position places it at heightened risk of becoming loose or detached from the insertion component, and the retention component detracts to a greater extent from the aesthetic appearance of the jewelry. Where clothing is worn that covers the navel, contact between the clothing and the retention component could cause the retention component to become loose or detached from the insertion component and/or become snagged on the clothing. Navel body piercings are typically oriented vertically on the body and, where the retention component of navel body piercing jewelry is disposed along the top of the body piercing, it is required to resist more gravitational weight and greater force which increases the risk of failure for the retention component.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,850 to Lalieu and European Patent No. 0 425 456 A1 are representative of body piercing jewelry wherein the ornament component is removably attached to the insertion component in a completely structurally disconnectible manner. Body piercing jewelry in which the ornament component is the detachable or structurally disconnectible component has the same disadvantages discussed above for structurally disconnectible retention components. The use of structurally disconnectible ornament components may, however, be even less desirable than structurally disconnectible retention components due to the ornament component being placed at great risk of loss should the attachment fail or malfunction.

In the area of body piercing jewelry for the ears, insertion components that include chains for passage through the ear piercing have been proposed as represented by the aforementioned Geiger, Lalieu and European patents and by U.S. Patent No. Des. 410,589 to Lagergren, U.S. Patent No. Des. 373,742 to Janice, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0279135 A1 to Marcovitch et al and Great Britain patent 2 077 091 A. The earring of Marcovitch et al has at least one O-ring slidably fitted over the chain to secure it in the ear piercing. The earring disclosed in the Great Britain patent relies on the tautness of the passage through the earlobe to clasp the chain. The earring disclosed by Lagergren has its chain inserted through multiple body piercings in the ear.

Ear piercings are an example of body piercings that extend through anatomical tissue in a horizontal or essentially horizontal direction. A chain or other type of insertion component passing through a horizontally extending body piercing is thusly supported upon the anatomical tissue that is disposed beneath the insertion component along the length of the body piercing passage. The support provided by the anatomical tissue beneath an insertion component extending through a horizontally extending body piercing assists in supporting the gravitational weight of the ornament component and in resisting unintended withdrawal of the insertion component. The same type of tissue support is not available to an insertion component that passes through a vertically extending body piercing such as a navel body piercing. The weight and gravity considerations affecting vertically extending body piercings are quite different from those of horizontally extending body piercings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally characterized in body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing, especially a navel body piercing. The body piercing jewelry comprises an ornament component and an insertion component attached to the ornament component in a permanent or essentially permanent manner. The ornament component includes a closed peripheral border circumscribing or extending continuously around an opening that extends entirely through the ornament component. The ornament component is of a size preventing it from passing into the body piercing. The insertion component includes a plurality of insertion elements each attached to the ornament component in a permanent or essentially permanent manner. Each insertion element includes a strand of material, preferably a length of chain, having an end attached to the ornament component and having an opposite end associated with a terminal end or tip of the insertion element. The insertion elements are insertable, tips first, sequentially through the body piercing to place the strands or chains to extend entirely through the body piercing in side by side relation. The strands or chains each have a cross-sectional dimension to extend together entirely through the body piercing in side by side relation. The insertion elements each have a length to present tail segments that exit the body piercing to be passed through the opening of the ornament component to form a closed loop in engagement with the body piercing. The body piercing jewelry is retained on the body piercing as a result of formation of the closed loop in engagement with the body piercing without the need for any structurally disconnectible components. The ornament component has an overall weight, and the insertion component has an overall weight greater than the weight of the ornament component to provide weight and gravitational counterbalance to the ornament component. The strands or chains have frictional outer surfaces to resist sliding within the body piercing. The insertion elements may each include an elongate rigid peg connected to the opposite ends of the strands or chains, the pegs terminating at terminal ends constituting the terminal ends or tips of the insertion elements. Preferably, the plurality of insertion elements includes a first insertion element having its strand of material formed by a first length of chain, and a second insertion element having its strand of material formed by a second length of chain. Preferably, the first insertion element includes a first peg connected with the first length of chain, and the second insertion element includes a second peg connected with the second length of chain, the second insertion element being insertable in the body piercing following insertion of the first insertion element. The peg of the first inserted insertion element is preferably of greater thickness than the peg of the subsequently inserted insertion element.

Various objects, benefits and advantages of the claimed invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of body piercing jewelry in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the body piercing jewelry of FIG. 1 depicting an insertion component of the body piercing jewelry passed through an ornament component of the body piercing jewelry to assume a retention configuration.

FIG. 3 depicts insertion of a first insertion element of the insertion component of the body piercing jewelry through the passage of a navel body piercing.

FIG. 4 depicts insertion of a second insertion element of the insertion component of the body piercing jewelry through the passage of the navel body piercing.

FIG. 5 illustrates passage of the first and second insertion elements through the ornament component to assume the retention configuration on the navel body piercing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate body piercing jewelry 10 in accordance with the present invention. Body piercing jewelry 10 comprises an ornament or jewelry component 12 and an insertion component 14 attached to the ornament component 12. The ornament component 12 and the insertion component 14 are attached to one another with what is intended to be a permanent attachment such that the body piercing jewelry 10 does not comprise any structurally disconnectible or disassociable components. The ornament component 12 has an anterior side 16 and a posterior side 18 opposite the anterior side 16. The ornament component 12 includes an ornament 20 comprising a figure of any desired geometric shape or configuration having a closed periphery or forming a closed peripheral border 22 circumscribing or extending continuously around an aperture or opening 24 that extends entirely through the ornament 20 from the anterior side 16 to the posterior side 18. The ornament 20 can be designed in many various ways to present a decorative or ornamental appearance and can be made of or carry precious or semi-precious metals, stones, jewels and/or gems. Normally, the anterior side 16 of the ornament 20 will face forwardly and be maximally visible when the body piercing jewelry 10 is attached to a body piercing, while the posterior side 18 will be minimally visible or not visible when the body piercing jewelry 10 is attached to the body piercing. In the latter case, the anterior side 16 can be decoratively or ornamentally embellished while the posterior side 18 can be provided without decoration or ornamentation. The ornament 20 could, however, be designed with both the anterior and posterior sides 16 and 18 provided with decoration or adornment, allowing the body piercing jewelry 10 to be reversible with either the anterior side 16 or the posterior side 18 being oriented to face forwardly when the body piercing jewelry is attached to a body piercing. The ornament component 12 has an external size that prevents it from entering the body piercing. The opening 24 is of sufficient size to accommodate passage of the insertion component 14 therethrough as explained further below.

The insertion component 14 comprises a plurality of insertion elements and, preferably, a first insertion element 26a and a second insertion element 26b. The first insertion element 26a includes a first strand of material 30a having an end attached to the ornament 20 at an attachment point 32 on the ornament, and having an opposite end associated with a terminal end or tip 36a of the first insertion element 26a. Preferably, the first strand of material 30a is a first length of chain 31a and, most preferably, a metal chain of the type used in jewelry. The first strand of material 30, i.e. the first length of chain 31a, has a frictional outer surface that can be formed by surface irregularities, indentations and/or texture to create friction with the passage of a body piercing as explained further below. The strand of material 30a and the chain 31a can, for example, have a twisted or braided configuration, and the strand 30a or chain 31a could itself be made up of a plurality of individual filaments or interconnected links or sections. The end of the first strand of material 30a can be attached to the ornament 20 in any suitable manner, including the types of attachments used for such purposes in conventional jewelry construction. The first insertion element 26a includes an elongate first peg 34a connected to the opposite end of the first strand of material 30a in any suitable manner. The peg 34a extends longitudinally from the opposite end of the first strand of material 30a to terminate at a free end or tip that forms the terminal end or tip 36a of the first insertion element 26a. Preferably, the terminal end 36a is configured with a rounded or blunt configuration to facilitate non-traumatic insertion in and passage through a body piercing as described further below. Preferably, the peg 34a is rigid and longitudinally straight, with a smooth exterior surface to facilitate passage of the peg 34a through the body piercing. The peg 34a is depicted with a cylindrical configuration having a uniform external cross-section between the opposite end of the first strand of material 30a and the terminal end 36a. The peg 34a is preferably of solid construction. The peg 34a can be made of metal of the type used in jewelry.

The second insertion element 26b comprises a second strand of material 30b having an end attached to the ornament 20 at the attachment point 32 and an opposite end associated with a terminal end or tip 36b of the second insertion element 26b. The second strand of material 30b is preferably a second length of chain 31b. The second insertion element 26b includes an elongate second peg 34b connected to the opposite end of the second strand of material 30b in any suitable manner. The second peg 34b extends longitudinally from the opposite end of the second strand of material 30b to terminate at a free end or tip that forms the terminal end or tip 36b of the second insertion element 26b. The second insertion element 26b is essentially the same as the first insertion element 26a except that the second peg 34b is cross-sectionally narrower or thinner than the first peg 34a and, conversely, the first peg 34a is cross-sectionally thicker than the second peg 34b. Where the pegs 34a and 34b are cylindrical, the outer diameter of peg 34a is thusly greater than the outer diameter of peg 34b. Depending on the cross-sectional thickness of the strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b, it may be desirable for the peg 34b to be thinner than the strand or chains as depicted for peg 34b. Like the peg 34a, the peg 34b has a terminal end or tip 36b that is preferably rounded or blunt to facilitate non-traumatic entry in and passage through a body piercing. Although the pegs 34a and 34b are preferably of solid construction, it should be appreciated that the invention could be executed using pegs of hollow construction.

The first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b are sequentially insertable, terminal ends first, into and through a body piercing to place the first and second strands 30a and 30b, i.e. first and second lengths of chain 31a and 31b, to extend entirely through the passage of the body piercing. The strands 30a and 30b, i.e. chains 31a and 31b, have a cross-sectional configuration and size permitting both the first and second strands 30a and 30b, i.e. first and second lengths of chain 31a and 31b, to be received together in side by side relation in the passage of the body piercing, and for both strands or lengths of chain to be accommodated together through the opening 24 of the ornament 20.

In the body piercing jewelry 10, the ornament component 12 has a total or overall weight less than the total or overall weight of the insertion component 14. Conversely, the insertion component 14 has an overall weight greater than the overall weight of the ornament component 12 to provide gravitational and weight counterbalance to the ornament component when the body piercing jewelry is attached to a body piercing as described further below. The total or overall weight of the insertion component 14 comprises the weight of the first insertion element 26a plus the weight of the second insertion element 26b. The weight of the first insertion element 26a includes the weight of the first strand 30a or length of chain 31a plus the weight of the first peg 34a. The weight of the second insertion element 26b includes the weight of the second strand 30b or length of chain 31b plus the weight of the second peg 34b. Since different ornament components 12 will have different total weights, the total or overall weight of the insertion component 14 can be varied in accordance with the overall weight of the ornament component to be sufficiently greater than the overall weight of the ornament component 12 to provide the necessary weight and gravitational counterbalance. The weight of the insertion component 14 can be varied in different ways. For example, pegs of lighter or heavier weights can be used, strands or chains of lighter or heavier weights can be used, and/or strands or chains of shorter or longer lengths can be used. The location of the attachment point 32 at which the ends of the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b are individually attached to the ornament 20 can be varied in accordance with the configuration of the ornament component 12 to obtain proper gravity and weight distribution for stability and orientation of the ornament 20 on the pierced body part. The length of the first insertion element 26a from attachment point 32 to terminal end 36a is preferably the same as the length of the second insertion element 26b from attachment point 32 to terminal end 36b. It should be appreciated, however, that the insertion elements 26a and 26b could be of different lengths. Each insertion element 26a and 26b is of sufficient length for the body piercing jewelry 10 to be placed in a retention configuration on a body piercing as explained further below.

FIG. 1 depicts the body piercing jewelry 10 in an initial configuration ready for attachment to a body piercing. In the initial configuration, the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b extend unrestricted from the ornament component 12 and do not pass through the opening 24 in the ornament 20. FIG. 2 illustrates the body piercing jewelry 10 arranged in a retention configuration in which the terminal ends 36a and 36b of the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b have been passed through the opening 24 from the posterior side 18 to the anterior side 16 to create a loop 42 with the insertion component 14 along the posterior side 18 of the ornament component 12. The loop 42 is formed by a looped segment of the strand 30a or chain 31a of the first insertion element 26a and by a similar looped segment of the strand 30a or chain 31b of the second retention element 26b. First and second tail segments of the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b extend through and hang downwardly from the opening 24 along the anterior side 16 of the ornament component 12. The loop 42 formed with the insertion component 14 is closed anteriorly by the ornament component 12 due to the tail segments extending through the opening 24. The body piercing jewelry 10 is placed in the retention configuration on a body piercing with the looped segments of loop 42 extending entirely through the body piercing. The insertion elements 26a and 26b are of sufficient weight and of sufficient length to provide the tail segments to hang from the opening 24 along the anterior side 16 of the ornament component 12 a sufficient distance to maintain closure of the loop 42 on a body piercing.

The steps involved in attaching the body piercing jewelry 10 to a body piercing 44 are illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. The body piercing 44 is depicted as a body piercing of the navel or belly button 46. Although the body piercing jewelry 10 is especially advantageous and desirable for use on a navel body piercing, it should be appreciated that the body piercing jewelry 10 can be used on body piercings in other parts of the body. The body piercing 44 includes a passage 48 formed in anatomical tissue, and an entry opening or hole 50 and an exit opening or hole 52 along an exterior surface of the anatomical tissue providing communication with the passage 48. In the case of body piercing 44, the passage 48 is formed in anatomical tissue of or adjacent the navel 46, with the passage 48 extending vertically or substantially vertically in the same direction as the person's stature or height. The exit opening 52 for passage 48 is located at the top of the navel 46, and the entry opening 50 is located above the exit opening 52. The passage 48 has a length between the openings 50 and 52. Both the entry opening 50 and the exit opening 52 are disposed along a frontal aspect of the body. The passage 48 is ordinarily centered with respect to the navel 46. The insertion component 14 is inserted through the body piercing 44 by inserting the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b sequentially through the body piercing 44. Sequential insertion involves first inserting the thicker peg 34a, terminal end 36a first, in the entry opening 50 and advancing the peg 34a through the passage 48 so that the entire peg 34a exits the exit opening 52 as depicted in FIG. 3. The peg 34a being of relatively greater thickness eases entry of the peg through the entry opening 50 and facilitates guidance of the peg in a straight path through the passage 48. Once the terminal end 36a and a portion of the peg 34a exit the exit opening 52, the peg 34a can be grasped on the exit side of the passage 48 in order to pull the peg 34a and attached strand 30a or chain 31a through the passage 48. Insertion of the first insertion element 26a through the passage 48 may be facilitated by holding the ornament component 12 in an inverted position over the entry opening 50 as shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the size of the opening 24 in the ornament 20, a finger may be placed in or through the opening 24 to hold or support the ornament component 12 while the other hand is used to carry out insertion of the first insertion element 26a through the body piercing 44.

Once the strand 30a or chain 31a of the first insertion element 26a extends entirely through the passage 48, the second insertion element 26b is then inserted through the body piercing 44 in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 4. Prior to inserting the peg 34b of the second insertion element 26b in the passage 48, the strand 30b or chain 31b of the second insertion element 26b can be passed over and then behind the strand 30a or chain 31a of the first insertion element 26a as illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows the strand 30b or chain 31b being wrapped around the strand 30a or chain 31a. The thinner peg 34b is inserted, terminal end 36b first, in the entry opening 50 of the body piercing 44 alongside the strand 30a or chain 31a of the first insertion element 26a that already extends through the passage 48. The peg 34b is advanced through the passage 48 so that the entire peg 36b exits the exit opening 52. The peg 34b being relatively thinner eases entry of the peg 34b into and through the passage 48 alongside the strand 30a or chain 31a. As the peg 34b exits the exit opening 52, it can be grasped along the exit side of the passage 48 and pulled in order to draw the peg 34b and the strand 30b or chain 31b attached thereto through the passage 48. Once the peg 34b has been advanced entirely through the passage 48, the strand 30b or chain 31b of the second insertion element 26b extends entirely through the passage 48 alongside the strand 30a or chain 31a of the first insertion element 26a.

In order to place the body piercing jewelry 10 in the retention configuration on the body piercing 44, both strands 30a and 30b or chains 30b and 31b are slowly or gently pulled downwardly on the exit side of the body piercing 44 so that the ornament component 12 rests on the body piercing 44 at the top of the navel 46 as shown in FIG. 5. The strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b can be pulled downwardly by pulling downwardly on the pegs 34a and 34b. The strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b can be pulled downwardly a sufficient distance for the ornament component 12 to contact or be disposed adjacent or close to the surface of the anatomical tissue in which the body piercing 44 is formed. Where the anterior side 16 of the ornament component 12 is the decorative side, the ornament component is oriented on the body piercing 44 so that the anterior side 16 faces up or to the front and the posterior side 18 faces the anatomical tissue through which the body piercing 44 is formed. Pulling the strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b downwardly a sufficient distance to position the ornament component 12 over the body piercing 44 presents the first and second tail segments of the insertion elements 26a, 26b extending from the exit opening 52 to the terminal ends 36a, 36b on the exit side of the body piercing 44. The tail segment for insertion element 26a includes peg 34a and part of strand 30a or chain 31a. The tail segment for insertion element 26b includes peg 34b and part of strand 30b or chain 31b. The closed loop 42 is formed by passing the terminal ends 36a, 36b of the first and second insertion elements 26a, 26b through the opening 24 in ornament 20 from the posterior side 18 to the anterior side 16 so that the tail segments are passed through the opening 24 from the posterior side 18 to the anterior side 16. The tail segments of the insertion elements 26a and 26b will hang from the opening 24 on the anterior side 16 of the ornament component 12 and may be gently pulled downwardly to adjust the tension or tightness of the closed loop 42. The loop 42 formed in the insertion component 14 as a result of the body piercing jewelry 10 being placed in the retention configuration on the body piercing 44 extends entirely through the passage 48 of the body piercing in that the looped segments of the strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b forming the loop 42 extend entirely through the passage 48 of the body piercing 44. The loop 42 is thusly engaged with the body piercing 44 and, in particular, with the anatomical tissue between the entry opening 50 and exit opening 52 of the body piercing 44. Since the loop 42 is closed anteriorly by the ornament component 12 due to the tail segments of the insertion elements 26a, 26b being passed through the opening 24, the anatomical tissue is captured and held by the closed loop 42. In particular, the anatomical tissue between the entry and exit openings of the body piercing 44 is captured between the ornament component 12 and the looped segments of the strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b within the passage 48. The weight of the insertion component 14 and the length and weight of the tail segments hanging from the opening 24 maintain the retention configuration for the body piercing jewelry 10 on the body piercing and maintain ornament 20 in the proper orientation for stability on the body piercing 44, balanced weight distribution and maximum aesthetic effect or presentation. The body piercing jewelry 10 is thusly attached and retained on the body piercing 44 as a result of being placed in the retention configuration, without the need for or use of any structurally disconnectible components. Unintended loosening of the closed loop 42 is also resisted due to the friction created by the frictional outer surfaces of the strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31b with the anatomical tissue of the passage 48. Instead of detracting from the overall aesthetic appearance of the body piercing jewelry 10, the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b actually add to and enrich the overall aesthetic appearance of the body piercing jewelry 10 since they are themselves jewelry-like ornamental components.

In order to intentionally remove or detach the body piercing jewelry 10 from the body piercing 44, the tail segments and pegs 34a and 34b of the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b are passed through the opening 24 of the ornament 20 from the anterior side 16 to the posterior side 18. The strands 30a, 30b or chains 31a, 31 b and the pegs 34a, 34b of the first and second insertion elements 26a and 26b are then withdrawn from the passage 48 via the entry opening 50. The insertion elements 26a and 26b are withdrawn in sequence, the second insertion element 26b being withdrawn first followed by withdrawal of the first insertion element 26a. Each insertion element 26a and 26b can be withdrawn from the passage 48 by pulling upwardly on its strand 30a, 30b or chain 31a, 31b and guiding the end of the peg that is attached to the strand or chain into the exit opening 52.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. Body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing, comprising

an ornament component including a closed peripheral border circumscribing an opening extending entirely through said ornament component, said ornament component being of a size to prevent passage of said ornament component into the body piercing; and

an insertion component including a plurality of insertion elements attached to said ornament component, said plurality of insertion elements being insertable in sequence to extend entirely through the body piercing, each of said insertion elements including a strand having a length and a cross-sectional dimension to extend entirely through the body piercing and to be passed through said opening of said ornament component to form a closed loop engaged with the body piercing, said strands of said plurality of insertion elements being receivable together within the body piercing in side by side relation.

2. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 1 wherein said ornament component has an overall weight, said insertion component has an overall weight, said overall weight of said insertion component being greater than said overall weight of said ornament component.

3. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of insertion elements includes a first insertion element and a second insertion element, said strand of said first insertion element having an end attached to said ornament component at an attachment point on said ornament component, said strand of said second insertion element having an end attached to said ornament component at said attachment point.

4. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 3 wherein said first insertion element further includes an elongate first peg connected to an end of said strand of said first insertion element opposite said attachment point, said second insertion element further includes an elongate second peg connected to an end of said strand of said second insertion element opposite said attachment point, said first peg being insertable first through the body piercing to place said strand of said first insertion element to extend entirely through the body piercing, said second peg being insertable through the body piercing following insertion of said first peg to place said strand of said second insertion element to extend through the body piercing alongside said strand of said first insertion element.

5. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 4 wherein said first peg has a cross-sectional dimension and said second peg has a cross-sectional dimension smaller than said cross-sectional dimension of said first peg.

6. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 3 wherein said strand of said first insertion element is a first length of chain and said strand of said second insertion element is a second length of chain.

7. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 1 wherein said ornament component has an anterior side and a posterior side, said opening extends through said ornament component from said anterior side to said posterior side, said strands being extendable through the body piercing along said posterior side of said ornament component and being passable through said opening from said posterior side to said anterior side.

8. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 7 wherein said anterior side of said ornament component is decoratively embellished.

9. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 1 wherein each of said strands has a frictional outer surface.

10. Body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing having an entry hole and an exit hole, comprising

an ornament component including a figure having a closed periphery, and an opening circumscribed by said closed periphery, said opening extending entirely through said ornament component, said ornament component being of a size to prevent passage of said ornament component into the entry hole of the body piercing, said ornament component having an overall weight; and

an insertion component for insertion in the body piercing, said insertion component including a first insertion element and a second insertion element, said first insertion element comprising a first length of chain and a first peg connected to said length of chain, said first length of chain having an end attached to said ornament component at an attachment point and having an opposite end connected to said first peg, said second insertion element comprising a second length of chain and a second peg connected to said second length of chain, said second length of chain having an end attached to said ornament component at said attachment point and having an opposite end connected to said second peg, said first and second pegs being insertable sequentially through the body piercing to enter the entry hole of the body piercing and exit the exit hole of the body piercing to place said first and second lengths of chain to extend entirely through the body piercing in side by side relation, said first and second insertion elements being of sufficient length to present tail segments on the exit side of the body piercing for passage through said opening of said ornament component to form a closed loop engaged with the body piercing, said insertion component having an overall weight greater than said overall weight of said ornament component.

11. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 10 wherein said first and second lengths of chain each have a frictional outer surface.

12. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 10 wherein said first and second pegs are each of solid cylindrical construction, said first peg having an outer diameter and said second peg having an outer diameter smaller than said outer diameter of said first peg.

13. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 12 wherein said first peg is insertable first through the body piercing to place said first length of chain to extend entirely through the body piercing, said second peg is insertable through the body piercing following insertion of said first peg to place said second length of chain to extend entirely through the body piercing alongside said first length of chain.

14. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 13 wherein said first peg extends from said first length of chain to terminate at a rounded terminal end of said first insertion element, and said second peg extends from said second length of chain to terminate at a rounded terminal end of said second insertion element.

15. Body piercing jewelry for attachment to a body piercing formed in anatomical tissue and having an entry hole and an exit hole on the anatomical tissue, comprising

an ornament component including a figure having a closed periphery, and an opening circumscribed by said closed periphery, said opening extending entirely through said ornament component, said ornament component being of a size to prevent passage of said ornament component into the entry hole of the body piercing; and

an insertion component for insertion in the body piercing and including a first insertion element and a second insertion element, said first insertion element comprising a first length of chain having an end attached to said ornament component and having an opposite end associated with a tip of said first insertion element, said second insertion element comprising a second length of chain having an end attached to said ornament component and having an opposite end associated with a tip of said second insertion element, said body piercing jewelry having an initial configuration wherein said first and second lengths of chain extend from said ornament component without passing through said opening and having a retention configuration on the body piercing wherein said first and second lengths of chain extend together entirely through the body piercing with tail segments of said first and second insertion elements extending from the exit hole of the body piercing to said tips and being passed through said opening in said ornament component to form a closed loop in which the anatomical tissue between the entry hole and the exit hole is captured between said ornament component and said first and second lengths of chain extending through the body piercing.

16. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 15 wherein the body piercing is a navel body piercing and said body piercing jewelry has a retention configuration on the navel body piercing.

17. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 16 wherein said first and second lengths of chain are attached to said ornament component at the same attachment point on said ornament component and said first and second insertion elements are of the same length.

18. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 15 wherein said ornament component has an overall weight and said insertion component has an overall weight greater than said overall weight of said ornament component.

19. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 15 wherein said tip of said first insertion element is defined by an elongate rigid first peg connected to said first length of chain, said tip of said second insertion element is defined by an elongate rigid second peg connected to said second length of chain, said first and second pegs being of different thickness.

20. The body piercing jewelry recited in claim 15 wherein said first and second lengths of chain each have a frictional outer surface.