HINGED BACKING APPARATUS FOR JEWELRY AND PIERCINGS

Abstract

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different apparatus and systems relating to hinged backing apparatuses for jewelry and piercings. One aspect disclosed herein relates to articles of jewelry and particularly stud earrings and other jewelry to be introduced and fixed in a hole practiced in some parts of the body (earlobes, mouth, nostril, etc.).

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present Application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending International Patent Application No. PCT/FR2011/000282, titled “SYSTEM FOR EAR STUDS OR PIERCINGS”, naming DANIEL ABOU ASSI as inventor, and filed May 9, 2011, designating the United States, which claims benefit from French Patent Application Serial No. 1002559, titled “SYSTEME DE CLOUS D′OREILLES OU PIERCINGS”, naming ABOU ASSI et al. as inventor, and filed 17 Jun. 2010. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

The present application claims benefit, pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/613,679 (Attorney Docket No. BARIP003P), titled “HINGED EARRING APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF”, naming ABOU ASSI et al. as inventors, and filed 21 Mar. 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to pieces of jewelry, and more particularly stud earrings and other pieces of jewelry intended to be inserted and fastened in a piercing formed in certain parts of the human body (earlobe, mouth, nostril, and others).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a piece of jewelry intended to be placed in a piercing, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the piece of jewelry being shown with its locking member in the inactive position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the piece of jewelry of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views respectively corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, but with a cutaway showing a spring housed inside the locking member.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, but showing the locking member in the active position immobilizing the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the piece of jewelry according to the invention, shown with its locking member in the inactive position, with a cutaway showing the leaf spring housed inside the locking member.

FIG. 7 is a front view with a cutaway corresponding to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the shaft constituting an element of the piece of jewelry of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, but showing the locking member in the immobilization position of the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a piece of jewelry intended to be placed in a piercing, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the piece of jewelry being shown with its locking member in the inactive position.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the piece of jewelry of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views respectively corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11, but with a cutaway showing a spring housed inside the locking member and

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 12, but showing the locking member in the active immobilization position of the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 15 provides an example illustration showing a pivoting movement of hinged backing member 1505.

FIG. 16 provides an illustrative example showing how a hinged backing earring embodiment may be worn by a user.

FIGS. 17A-B illustrate various aspects and features of a spring tension adjustment assembly design in accordance with a specific embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-C show different views of one embodiment of a removably attachable hinged backing assembly.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an alterntate embodiment of a removably attachable hinged backing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different apparatus and systems relating to hinged backing apparatuses for jewelry and piercings.

One aspect disclosed herein relates to articles of jewelry and particularly stud earrings and other jewelry to be introduced and fixed in a hole practiced in some parts of the body (earlobes, mouth, nostril, etc.).

Another aspect disclosed herein relates to an apparatus to be placed in a piercing made in the human body, comprising: a shaft designed to pass through said piercing and a locking member, said shaft comprising a removable segment and a support intended to receive said removable segment, one in the extension of the other; said segment being provided to bear a decorative pattern at an end opposite the support, and the support cooperating with a locking member; said locking member being articulated at one end of the support opposite said segment, so as to assume a first position, in which the locking member is in the extension of said shaft, and a second position, in which the locking member is substantially perpendicular to the shaft; and an elastic member cooperating with said support and the locking member to ensure the stability of said first and second positions.

Another aspect disclosed herein relates to a removably attachable hinged backing apparatus for jewelry comprising: a stem having a first end portion affixable to a jewelry mounting bracket, the stem having a second end portion; a pivot backing assembly including; a pivoting backing member; a stem connector member; and a pivoting joint assembly; wherein the pivoting backing member movably secured, via the pivoting joint assembly, to the stem connector member in a manner which enables the pivot backing member to movably pivot relative to the stem connector member; wherein the pivot backing assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem. In at least one embodiment, the pivot backing assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem such that the pivot backing assembly may be removed/attached from/to the removable stem without requiring removal or modification of the any portion of the pivoting joint assembly. In at least one embodiment, the pivoting backing member includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly.

Various objects, features and advantages of the various aspects described or referenced herein will become apparent from the following descriptions of its example embodiments, which descriptions should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the various aspects described or referenced herein may become apparent from the following description of its preferred embodiments, which description may be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Specific Example Embodiments

Various techniques may now be described in detail with reference to a few example embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects and/or features described or reference herein. It may be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more aspects and/or features described or reference herein may be practiced without some or one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not obscure some of the aspects and/or features described or reference herein.

One or more different inventions may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the invention(s) described herein, numerous embodiments may be described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. One or more of the invention(s) may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the invention(s), and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the one or more of the invention(s). Accordingly, those skilled in the art may recognize that the one or more of the invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or Figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the invention(s). It may be understood, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or Figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of one or more embodiments of one or more of the invention(s) nor a listing of features of one or more of the invention(s) that may be present in one or more embodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with at least one other need not be in continuous communication with at least one other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with at least one other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with at least one other does not imply that one or more such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of one or more of the invention(s).

When a single device or article is described, it may be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described (whether or not they cooperate), it may be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of one or more of the invention(s) need not include the device itself. Techniques and mechanisms described or reference herein may sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it may be noted that particular embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise.

The present invention relates to pieces of jewelry, and more particularly stud earrings and other pieces of jewelry intended to be inserted and fastened in a piercing formed in certain parts of the human body (earlobe, mouth, nostril, and others).

The known pieces of jewelry of this type are generally formed by a shaft intended to be inserted into the piercing to be decorated and the visible end of which is secured to a decorative element (a diamond, for example), while its other end (not visible) is intended to receive a separable locking member, for example a nut screwing onto a thread of the end of the shaft and which keeps the piece of jewelry in place.

These known pieces of jewelry, which, due to their intended use, are small, have the drawback that their locking member is very small, so that it is difficult to manipulate to place it on the end of the shaft, in particular when it is done without visibility (behind the ear) or without accessibility (nostril, mouth, etc.). Furthermore, due to the very small size of this locking member, it has a high risk of being lost when it separates from the shaft.

The present invention aims to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks, and to that end proposes a system intended to be implemented in a piercing formed in the human body, whereof the immobilization, once in place, is done particularly easily and reliably, even without visibility or with low accessibility, and which does not have any risk of losing one of its elements despite the small size of the piece of jewelry.

To that end, the system according to the invention, intended to be placed in a piercing formed in the human body, comprises a shaft designed to pass through said piercing, the shaft having, at the end thereof that is visible after insertion into the piercing, a decorative element, and the other end of the shaft cooperating with a locking member that keeps said shaft in its insertion position and allows it to be removed when desired. It is characterized in that said locking member is articulated to said other end of the shaft so as to assume a first position in which it is in the extension of the shaft while allowing the placement thereof in the piercing or its removal outside said piercing, and a second position in which the locking member is substantially perpendicular to the shaft while prohibiting the latter part from leaving the piercing, an elastic member cooperating with the shaft and the locking member ensuring the stability of said two positions of the latter part.

It will be understood that the piece of jewelry according to the invention is thus made in a single piece, without separable elements, and therefore with any risk of loss thereof, and without handling difficulty, since it is necessary only to tilt the locking member at a right angle relative to the shaft, and not to manipulate a separable member that must be kept in the correct position to be able to be secured. According to one advantageous embodiment, the end of the shaft opposite that bearing the decorative pattern has a flattened shape engaged between two parallel axial extensions of the locking member, said flattened end of the shaft and the two extensions of the locking member having opposite openings that are passed through by a hinge pin.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the elastic member is formed by a compression spring housed axially in a cavity of the locking member, this spring engaging the bottom of said cavity by one end, and, by its other end, the articulated part of the shaft (possibly with insertion of a piston).

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic member is made up of a leaf spring positioned axially in a housing of the locking member, one end of said leaf being fixed in the housing and the opposite end of the leaf having a beveled portion that, in the maintenance position, engages a beveled end of the flattened portion of the shaft.

According to another embodiment, the system to be placed in a piercing formed in the human body comprises a shaft intended to pass through said piercing and a locking member, and it is characterized in that the shaft comprises a removable segment and a support intended to receive said removable segment in the extension of one another, said segment being provided to bear, at an end opposite the support, a decorative pattern, and the support cooperating with a locking member, said locking member being articulated to one end of the support opposite said segment, so as to assume a first position, in which the locking member is in the extension of said shaft, and a second position, in which the locking member is substantially perpendicular to the shaft, an elastic member cooperating with said support and with the locking member to ensure the stability of said first and second positions. The end of the support opposite the segment can advantageously have a flattened shape and be engaged between two parallel axial extensions of the locking member, the flattened end and the two extensions having openings positioned opposite one another which are passed through by a hinge pin.

The elastic member can be made up of a compression spring housed axially in a cavity of the locking member, said spring comprising a first end bearing on the bottom of the cavity and a second end engaged, at least indirectly, with the flattened end of the support. The bottom of the cavity can comprise a spherical end forming a support for the first end of the spring.

Advantageously, the system can comprise a piston inserted between the second end of the compression spring and the flattened portion of the support.

The end of the segment opposite the support can also comprise a decorative element.

To make the invention better understood, below we will describe, as non-limiting examples, two preferred embodiments in reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a piece of jewelry according to the invention, comprising a shaft 1 intended to be placed in a piercing formed, for example, in the earlobe. The shaft 1 comprises, at its visible end (not hidden by the ear), diverging arms 2 that serve as housings to secure a decorative pattern (not shown), for example a diamond.

The opposite end of the shaft 1 forms a portion 3 flattened on two opposite surfaces, which are engaged between two parallel extensions 4 of the outer wall of a hollow cylindrical locking member 5. In that position, a transverse opening 6 of the portion 3 of the shaft 1 comes opposite openings 7 formed in the extensions 4 of the locking member 5 and a pin 8 is mounted in the openings 6, 7 to connect the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 together, according to a hinged assembly.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 3 to 5, a compression spring 9 is positioned axially inside the body of the locking member 5. The end of the spring 9 situated opposite the shaft 1 is hooked to a transverse pin secured to the locking member 5, while the opposite end of the spring 9 is hooked to a piece 10 forming a piston that tends to protrude outside the locking member 5 to engage the end 3 of the shaft 1. It is understood that in a first position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 are in an aligned position that makes it possible to place the shaft 1 in the piercing of the earlobe, or to remove it therefrom, and this manipulation is done more easily inasmuch as, in this position, the piston 10 engages the end surface of the flattened portion 3 of the shaft 1, while stabilizing that aligned position of the shaft 1 and the locking member 5. To ensure the maintenance of the shaft 1 thus inserted, it is sufficient to tilt the locking member 5 around the pin 8 in the position shown in FIG. 5 where the locking member 5 is perpendicular to the shaft 1. The locking member 5 is maintained stably in this new position by engaging the piston 1, under the action of the spring 9, of a side surface of the end 3 of the shaft 1.

According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the compression spring 9 is replaced by a leaf spring 11 housed axially in the locking member 5. At its end opposite the shaft 1, the leaf spring 11 has, at its upper portion, a notch 12 that engages on a transverse pin 13 secured to the locking member 5, while at its other end, the leaf spring 11 has a beveled shape 14 at its lower portion ending with a substantially flattened portion 15.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flattened end 3 of the shaft 1 is more elongated on its lower portion than on its upper portion and thus ends with a beveled end surface 16. Furthermore, the elongated upper portion of the flattened end 3 of the shaft 1 has a longitudinal groove 17. It is understood that, in the inactive position of the locking member 5 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 are aligned, the leaf spring 11 presses by its flattened end 15 against the elongated portion of the end of the shaft 1, engaging inside the groove 17. This aligned position is thus kept stable while allowing the easy insertion of the assembly into the piercing of the earlobe, or its easy removal. After this insertion, tilting the locking member 5 by 90 degrees makes it possible to reach its maintenance position (FIG. 8). This position is then maintained stably by the bearing of the beveled portion 14 of the leaf spring 11 on the beveled end surface 16 of the flattened end 3 of the shaft 1.

FIGS. 10 to 14 show a third embodiment of the piece of jewelry according to the invention, comprising a shaft 1 formed from a removable segment 118 and a support 101 intended to receive the removable segment 118 by screwing or snapping. This shaft 1, made from two substantially aligned portions 101, 118, is intended to be placed in a piercing formed, for example, in the lobe of the ear. The removable segment 118 comprises, at its visible end (not hidden by the ear), a flat surface 102 that serves to receive various jewelry elements, for example a ring, a bezel (not shown) for fastening a decorative pattern (not shown).

An end of the support 101 opposite the removable segment 118 has a portion 3 flattened on two opposite surfaces, which engages between two parallel extensions 4 of the outer wall of the hollow cylindrical locking member 5 and a pin 8 is mounted in the openings 6, 7 to connect the support 101 and the locking member 5 together according to a hinged assembly.

On the portion 3 of the support 101, a central notch 121 is formed. On the portions 4 of the hollow cylindrical member 5, also called a sheath, flats 24 are formed.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 12 and 14, a compression spring 9 is positioned axially inside the body of the locking member 5. The end of the spring 9 situated opposite the support 101 bears on a pin with a spherical tip 119, with or without a slot. This spherical-ended tip 119 is connected to the locking member 5 either by screwing or by snapping, or by fitting, or by adhesion.

The end of the spring 9 situated opposite the spherical-ended pin 119 bears on a centering intermediate pin 125, which in turn bears on a piece 10 forming a piston that tends to protrude outside the locking member 5 to engage the end 3 of the support 101.

It is understood that in a first position shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 are in an aligned position that makes it possible to place the shaft 1 in the piercing of the earlobe, or to remove it therefrom, and this manipulation is all the easier to do inasmuch as, in that position, the piston 10 engages the end surface of the flattened portion 3 of the shaft 1 while stabilizing this aligned position of the shaft 1 and the locking member 5.

To maintain the shaft 1 thus inserted, it suffices to tilt the locking member 5 around the pin 8 in the position shown in FIG. 14, where the locking member 5 is stably maintained in this new position by engagement by the piston 10, under the action of the spring 9 of the slightly inclined side surface 122 of the end 3 of the support 101.

It will be indicated, non-limitingly, that the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 can have a diameter of 9/10 mm, and the hinge pin 8 can have a diameter of 3/10 mm.

FIG. 15 provides an example illustration showing a pivoting movement of pivoting backing member 1505. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 15, the hinged backing apparatus 1550 includes stem portion 1501 and pivoting backing member portion 1505 which is configured or designed to pivot along path 1507 from and “open” position (e.g., Position A) to a “locking” or “closed” position (Position B) and vice versa. According to different embodiments, one end of stem portion 1501 may be affixed to a jewelry mounting bracket 1502 or similar type component.

FIG. 16 provides an illustrative example showing how a hinged backing earring embodiment may be worn by a user. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 16, the user, who is assumed to have an ear lobe piercing, inserts the pivoting backing member 1505 and stem portion 1501 through the ear lobe piercing of ear lobe 160 luntil the pivoting backing member protrudes from the other side of the earlobe. The stem portion 1501 remains in the user's ear lobe 1601, and the pivoting backing member 1505 is flipped up or moved by the user into a “locking” position (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 16), thereby serving as a backing for the earring which prevents or inhibits the stem portion 1501 from being removed from the earlobe.

FIGS. 17A-B illustrate various aspects and features of a spring tension adjustment mechanism design in accordance with a specific embodiment. In at least one embodiment, as illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, pivoting backing member 1705 may include a spring tension adjustment mechanism 1750 which has been designed to allow a user to adjust the spring tension and related “hinge tension” associated with the movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, spring tension adjustment mechanism 1750 may include: a rotatable cap member 1710, an adjustable spring tension adjustment set screw 1720, a spring 1732, a rod or shaft 1734, etc. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, all (or at least a portion) of the components of the spring tension adjustment mechanism 1750 may be disposed within the hollow cavity 1706 of the pivoting backing member 1705.

FIG. 17B shows an exploded view of the components within region 1770 of FIG. 17A, in accordance with a specific embodiment. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17B, cap member 1710 may include tongue portion 1710a which is inserted into slot portion 1720a of spring tension adjustment set screw 1720. Spring tension adjustment set screw 1720 may be inserted within the hollow cavity of pivoting backing member 1705, where the threads 1720b of the set screw may engage with internal threads 1705a of the pivoting backing member.

As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, on end of set screw 1720 may engage with internal spring 1732. In this particular embodiment, as the set screw is rotated in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise) the set screw's engagement with the internal threads 1705a of the pivoting backing member causes the set screw to move further into the interior of the hollow cavity of the pivoting backing member, thereby increasing the compression and spring tension of spring 1732. The internal spring tension is transferred to shaft portion 1734 which engages with the pivoting mechanism of the pivoting backing assembly, thereby increasing the “hinge tension” associated with the movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. Similarly, as the set screw is rotated in the other direction (e.g., clockwise) the set screw's engagement with the internal threads 1705a of the pivoting backing member causes the set screw to move toward the cap member 1710, thereby decreasing the compression and spring tension of spring 1732 and decreasing the “hinge tension” associated with the movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17B, cap member 1710 may include a slot portion 1710b for facilitating rotation of the cap member (e.g., either clockwise or counterclockwise).

In at least one embodiment, a portion of the hinge's tension adjustment mechanism (e.g., a portion of spring tension adjustment mechanism portion 1750, FIG. 17) may be disposed within the internal cavity of the pivoting backing member. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the spring tension adjustment mechanism enables a user to dynamically adjust the spring tension and thereby the related “hinge tension” associated with the movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly.

FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of a removably attachable hinged backing assembly in which stem 1802 is shown detached from pivot backing assembly 1850. In the example embodiment of FIG. 18A, pivot backing assembly 1850 includes pivoting backing member 1852 which is pivotally secured (e.g., pivoting joint assembly 1860) to stem connector member 1854. The pivoting joint assembly 1860 is designed to allow pivot backing member 1852 to pivot about pin 1861 for a range of about 90°, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 15. In the specific example embodiment of FIG. 18A, stem connector member 1854 includes a male threaded connector portion 1854a, which is designed to screw into female threaded cavity portion 1802a of stem 1802 to thereby securely attach stem 1802 to pivot backing assembly 1850, as illustrated in FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18B shows a perspective view of a removably attachable hinged backing assembly in which stem 1802 is shown attached to pivot backing assembly 1850.

FIG. 18C shows a side view of a removably attachable hinged backing assembly in which stem portion 1802 is shown detached from pivot backing assembly 1850.

In at least one embodiment, the removably attachable hinged backing assembly (e.g., 1800) allows the pivot backing assembly 1850 to be removed/attached from/to the removable stem 1802 without requiring removal or modification of the pivot joint 1869 (or any portion of the pivot joint). Such a design provides extremely useful benefit of allowing the removably attachable hinged backing assembly to be easily and conveniently removed and/or replaced, as desired, without affecting the stem-jewel assembly portion of the earring.

In an alternate embodiment, as show, for example, in FIG. 19, stem connector member 1954 includes a hollow tubular portion 1954 with threads on the inside cavity 1954a designed to receive the male threaded connector portion 1902a of stem 1902.

The linear shape of the pivoting backing member, as well as the hinged design of the inspecting assembly, allows the pivoting backing member to be easily inserted through the hole of a body piercing. In at least one embodiment, the removably attachable hinged backing assembly (e.g., 300) includes at least one feature for preventing or inhibiting rotation of the pivoting backing member (and/or hinged coupling member) relative to stem portion of the assembly.

Although several example embodiments of one or more aspects and/or features have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that aspects and/or features are not limited to these precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of spirit of the invention(s) as defined, for example, in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus to be placed in a piercing made in the human body, comprising:

a shaft designed to pass through said piercing and a locking member, said shaft comprising a removable segment and a support intended to receive said removable segment, one in the extension of the other;

said segment being provided to bear a decorative pattern at an end opposite the support, and the support cooperating with a locking member;

said locking member being articulated at one end of the support opposite said segment, so as to assume a first position, in which the locking member is in the extension of said shaft, and a second position, in which the locking member is substantially perpendicular to the shaft; and

an elastic member cooperating with said support and the locking member to ensure the stability of said first and second positions.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of the support opposite said segment has a flattened shape and is engaged between two parallel axial extensions of the locking member, aid flattened end and the two extensions having openings positioned opposite one another that are passed through by a hinge pin.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is formed by a compression spring housed axially in a cavity of the locking member, said spring comprising a first end bearing at the bottom of said cavity and a second end engaged, at least indirectly, with the flattened end of the support.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bottom of the cavity comprises a spherical tip forming a bearing point for the first end of the spring.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a piston inserted between the second end of the compression spring and the flattened portion of the support.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a piston inserted between the second end of the compression spring and the flattened portion of the support.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the segment opposite the support comprises a decorative element.

8. A removably attachable hinged backing apparatus for jewelry comprising:

a stem having a first end portion affixable to a jewelry mounting bracket, the stem having a second end portion;

a pivot backing assembly including:

a pivoting backing member;

a stem connector member; and

a pivoting joint assembly;

wherein the pivoting backing member movably secured, via the pivoting joint assembly, to the stem connector member in a manner which enables the pivot backing member to movably pivot relative to the stem connector member;

wherein the pivot backing assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pivot backing assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem such that the pivot backing assembly may be removed/attached from/to the removable stem without requiring removal or modification of the any portion of the pivoting joint assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

wherein the stem portion is cylindrical in shape; and

wherein the pivoting backing member is cylindrical in shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

wherein the stem portion is cylindrical in shape;

wherein the pivoting backing member is is cylindrical in shape; and

wherein the stem includes a threaded cavity portion disposed at the second end of the screw; and

wherein the stem connector member includes a male threaded connector portion which is adapted to screw into the threaded cavity portion of stem to thereby enable the pivot backing assembly to be removably attachable to the stem.

12. The apparatus of claim 8:

wherein the pivoting backing member includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly.

13. The apparatus of claim 8:

wherein the pivoting backing member includes a cavity;

wherein the pivoting backing member includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly; and

wherein the tension adjustment mechanism includes:

a spring housed axially in the cavity of the pivoting backing member.

14. The apparatus of claim 8:

wherein the pivoting backing member includes a cavity;

wherein the pivoting backing member includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly; and

wherein the tension adjustment mechanism includes:

an adjustable spring housed axially in the cavity of the pivoting backing member;

a rotatable set screw housed axially in the cavity of the pivoting backing member;

wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is designed to enable dynamic adjustment of a compression and tension of the spring via rotation of the set screw.

15. A removably attachable hinged backing system for jewelry comprising:

stem means for securing a jewelry mounting bracket to a pivoting backing means, wherein the stem means is configured to be placed in a piercing made in the human body;

pivoting backing means for securing the stem means within the piercing, and wherein the pivot backing means is adapted to be moved to a first position for securing the stem within the piercing, and wherein the pivot backing means is adapted to be moved to a second position for facilitating insertion and removal of the stem into/from the piercing;

connector means for removably securing the stem means to the pivoting backing means to enable the stem means to be removably attachable and detachable to/from the pivoting backing means.

tension adjustment means for enabling dynamic adjustment of tension associated with movement of the pivot backing means.