JEWELERY ADAPTER

Abstract

Described is a jewelry adapter. The jewelry adapter allows users to wear post earrings with or without pierced ears. The jewelry adapter includes attachment means which permit the jewelry adapter to attach to an ear lobe. A tube member attached to, or formed with, the attachment means accommodates a post of an earring. The post is inserted through the tube member such that a separate earring nut secures the post earring to the tube member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/948,651 filed Jul. 9, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/031,753 filed Feb. 27, 2008.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a jewelry adapter.

BACKGROUND

Ear piercings have numerous drawbacks pain and possible infection. Indeed, some persons are fearful of having the procedure conducted at all. In addition, wearing post earrings through ear piercings also have drawbacks including pinching, poking, irritation, infection and the like. In addition, post earrings can be uncomfortable to wear for individuals having thick ear lobes or earrings that are tight.

Thus, there exists a need for a device that accommodates post earrings and overcomes the drawbacks of ear piercings and wearing post earrings therethrough.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is a jewelry adapter comprising: a ring member with opening and closure means; and a tube member configured to accommodate an earring post, said tube member attached to said ring member.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a jewelry adapter comprising: a clip member adapted to attach said jewelry adapter to an ear lobe; and a tube member configured to accommodate an earring post, said tube member hinged to said clip member.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a jewelry adapter comprising: a fixed member; a moveable member hinged to said fixed member; and a tube member hinged to said fixed member.

The embodiments of the present invention allow post earrings to be worn by persons with or without ear piercings. In general, a tube member attached to an ear lobe via a ring member and/or clip member accommodates the post of an earring and allows the post to be secured by an earring nut.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side, closed view of a jewelry adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 illustrates a side, open view of the jewelry adapter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the jewelry adapter of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a post earring shown prior to attachment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the jewelry adapter of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the post earring shown after attachment thereto;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side, closed view of a jewelry adapter according to a second embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 6 illustrates a side, open view of the jewelry adapter shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates the jewelry adapter of FIGS. 5 and 6 with a post earring shown prior to attachment; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the jewelry adapter of FIGS. 5 and 6 with the post earring shown after attachment thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Initial reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a first embodiment of a jewelry adapter 100 according to the present invention. The jewelry adapter 100 includes two components comprising an attachment member or ring member 110 and a tube member 120 defining an open channel or tube. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube member 120 is attached to said ring member 110 with a hinge 130. The hinge 130 allows the tube member 120 to be swiveled as necessary for reasons set forth below. In another embodiment, the tube member 120 is fixedly attached to the ring member 110. In another embodiment, the ring member 110 and tube member 120 are formed as a single unit.

The ring member 110 comprises a fixed member 115 and a moveable member 125. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moveable member 125 is connected to said fixed member 115 with a hinge 135 near the hinge 130. The tube member 120 is also connected to fixed member 115. In one embodiment, the moveable member 125 may rotate through a range of approximately 90 degrees to open (see FIG. 2) allowing the jewelry adapter 100 to be attached to an ear lobe through an existing ear piercing. In one embodiment, the hinge 135 has a fixed open position allowing the moveable member 125 to remain fully open (e.g., 90 degree open position) without external force. When closed, the hinge 135 maintains sufficient pressure to secure the jewelry adapter 100 to the ear lobe. In other embodiments, the moveable member 125 may rotate more or less as long the jewelry adapter 100 may be attached to an ear lobe. In one embodiment, a first end 140 removed from the hinged end includes a semi-circular cross-section to securely receive a first end 150 of the fixed member 115.

FIG. 3 shows the jewelry adapter 100 with a post earring 160 and earring nut 170 prior to attachment to the jewelry adapter 100 while FIG. 4 shows the post earring 160 attached to the jewelry adapter 100 via said tube member 120. To attach the post earring 160 to the jewelry adapter 100 a user need only insert the post 165 of the post earring 160 through said tube member 120 until the post 165 extends through and out the tube member 120 so that the earring nut 170 can be attached to the post 165 thereby maintaining the post earring 160 in place on the jewelry adapter 100. The post earring 160 may be attached to the tube member 120 before or after attachment of the jewelry adapter 100 to the ear lobe. A hinged tube member 120 permits the tube member 120 to be swiveled out of the way while attaching the jewelry adapter 100 to the ear lobe.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the jewelry adapter 101 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a clip member 180 is connected to a fixed member 190 via a hinge 200 such that the jewelry adapter 101 may be clipped to the ear lobe. The hinge 200 is distanced from hinge 130 more than with the first embodiment. A first end of the clip member 180 comprises a loop portion 215 shaped for receipt by a cup portion 220 on a first end f the fixed member 190. This configuration creates a gentle connection on the user's ear lobe.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the post earring 160 being attached to the tube member 120 of the second embodiment of the present invention in the same manner as described above relative to the first embodiment.

The jewelry adapters 100, 101 described above may be made of any material including silver, gold, platinum and any other alloy, metal, plastic or other suitable material. The jewelry adapter 100, 101 may be handcrafted where individual parts are used or may be molded if formed as a single unit. Other fabrication techniques may be used as well.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A jewelry adapter comprising:

a ring member with opening and closure means; and

a tube member configured to accommodate an earring post, said tube member attached to said ring member.

2. The jewelry adapter of claim 1 wherein said ring member comprises a fixed member and a moveable member.

3. The jewelry adapter of claim 2 wherein said opening and closure means comprises said moveable member hinged to said fixed member.

4. The jewelry adapter of claim 1 wherein said tube member has a length shorter than an earring post.

5. The jewelry adapter of claim 1 wherein said tube member is hinged to said ring member.

6. The jewelry adapter of claim 2 wherein said tube member is hinged to said fixed member.

7. The jewelry adapter of claim 1 wherein said ring member is configured to be received by an existing ear piercing.

8. A jewelry adapter comprising:

a clip member and fixed member adapted to attach said jewelry adapter to an ear lobe; and

a tube member configured to accommodate an earring post, said tube member hinged to said clip member.

9. The jewelry adapter of claim 8 wherein said clip member is connected to said fixed member via a hinge.

10. The jewelry adapter of claim 8 wherein said tube member has a length shorter than an earring post.

11. The jewelry adapter of claim 8 wherein said tube member is hinged to said fixed member.

12. The jewelry adapter of claim 8 wherein said clip member has a loop portion for receipt by a cup portion of the fixed member.

13. The jewelry adapter of claim 8 wherein said clip member is configured to attach to an ear lobe.

14. A jewelry adapter comprising:

a fixed member;

a moveable member hinged to said fixed member; and

a tube member hinged to said fixed member.

15. The jewelry adapter of claim 14 wherein said tube member has a length shorter than an earring post.

16. The jewelry adapter of claim 14 wherein said moveable member and tube member are hinged to said fixed member in an adjacent relationship.

17. The jewelry adapter of claim 14 wherein said moveable member and tube member are hinged to said fixed member in a distanced relationship.