Supplemental Support System for an Earring

A supplemental support system is an apparatus that supports the weight of an earring with the lobe of an ear. The apparatus includes a support strip, an adhesive strip, an earring post, and an earring backing. The support strip reinforces the natural shape of the ear so that the ear does not stretch as a result of the earring weight, including various decorative elements that may be connected to the earring post or the earring backing. The adhesive strip mounts the support strip across the back of the ear. The earring post and the earring backing define an earring. Moreover, the earring post is positioned into the earring hole of an ear, and the earring backing connects the earring post with the lobe of the ear. The earring post also traverses through the support strip and the adhesive strip, thereby distributing the weight of the earring with the support strip.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to jewelry. More specifically, the present invention is a supplemental support system for an earring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earrings are a standard jewelry item that is worn for any occasion and for any reason. Depending on the culture of an individual, earrings may be worn as early as an infant. As an individual ages, the style of earrings may vary, and other physical conditions may occur that affect the overall structure of an ear. Various styles or materials of an earring may easily stress the lobe of an ear, and, overtime, stretch and loosen the ear lobe. Physical conditions may make an individual more susceptible to a drooping ear lobe regardless of the weight of an earring. Accidents may also result in damaged or stretched ear lobes, making the wearing of any earring difficult for an individual, regardless of the weight of the earring.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to serve as a support tool for ear lobes while wearing earrings. The present invention may be a preventative measure or an assistance device and reparative device for an already damaged ear lobe. The present invention is a discrete tool that is generally concealed across the back of the ear. The present invention may be customized to accommodate various positions of an ear piercing across an ear lobe. The present invention more importantly relieves the stress from the weight of an earring with that of an earlobe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a support strip, an adhesive strip, an earring post, and an earring backing of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the earring post and the earring backing engaged with the support strip and the adhesive strip of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front side view of the earring post and the earring backing engaged with the support strip and the adhesive strip of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the support strip and the adhesive strip with a protective film of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective film attached onto and across the adhesive strip of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front side view of the protective film attached onto and across the adhesive strip of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the position of a reinforcement panel that is integrated within the support strip of the present invention.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a supplemental support system for an earring. The present invention enables an ear to comfortably wear earrings of various weights. The present invention also serves as a prosthetic aid for weak, torn, or split earlobes. The present invention may correct drooping earlobes that have been damaged by years of wearing heavy earrings and worn from age. In order to support the weight of any earring, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a support strip 1, an adhesive strip 10, an earring post 13, and an earring backing 14, seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The support strip 1 is evenly distributes the weight of an earring across the ear rather than stressing solely the lobe of an ear. The support strip 1 prevents the ear, specifically the earlobe, from stretching past a natural length. For a first embodiment of the present invention, the support strip 1 is transparent. For a second embodiment of the present invention, the support strip 1 is skin-tone colored. It is up to the discretion of the user if the transparent support strip 1 or the skin-tone colored strip is more discrete. More specifically, the support strip 1 may comprise an antihelix-bracing portion 2, a lobule-bracing portion 3, and a first hole 5. The antihelix-bracing portion 2 extends across the antihelix portion of the ear. Likewise, the lobule-bracing portion 3 extends across the lobule portion of the ear. The first hole 5 provides a path for the earring post 13 to traverse through the support strip 1 while preserving the structural integrity of the support strip 1. It is understood that the first hole 5 is positioned adjacent with an existing ear piercing of the ear. The first hole 5 may be preemptively pierced or pierced with the earring post 13. The adhesive strip 10 attaches the support strip 1 across the antihelix and the lobule of the ear. The adhesive strip 10 reinforces the length of the support strip 1 across the antihelix and the lobule of the ear, reducing or eliminating any stress from the weight of an engaged earring. Similarly, the adhesive strip 10 may comprise a strip body 11 and a second hole 12. The strip body 11 mounts the support strip 1 across the back surface of an ear. The second hole 12 provides a path for the earring post 13 to traverse through the strip body 11 while preserving the structural integrity of the support strip 1. It is understood that the second hole 12 is positioned adjacent with an existing ear piercing of the ear. The second hole 12 may be preemptively pierced or pierced with the earring post 13. The earring post 13 and the earring backing 14 define an earring. The earring post 13 suspends the earring with an ear through the ear piercing. The earring backing 14 fastens the earring post 13 through the ear piercing. The earring backing 14 may be, but is not limited to, a wingback, a pushback, and a cushion and plastic back. It is understood that various design elements such as a stud or gemstone may be mounted onto the earring post 13 depending on the stylistic preference of the user.

The overall configuration of the aforementioned components effectively comfortably uplifts the earlobe and supports the weight of an earring while attached to an ear of a user. In order to effectively attach onto the contours of the back surface of an ear, the antihelix-bracing portion 2 is positioned adjacent with the lobule-bracing portion 3, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 9. The earring post 13 engages with both the support strip 1 and the adhesive strip 10, as the first hole 5 traverses through the lobule-bracing portion 3, and the second hole 12 traverses through the strip body 11. More specifically, the first hole 5 is positioned concentric with the second hole 12, thereby providing a continuous path between the support strip 1 and the adhesive strip 10. The support strip 1 evenly distributes the weight of an earring across the ear as the adhesive strip 10 is fixed across the support strip 1 and is coextensive with the support strip 1, thereby attaching the entirety of the support strip 1 across the back of the ear. In order for the support strip 1 to support the weight of the earring, the earring post 13 is positioned through the first hole 5 and the second hole 12. The earring backing 14 is positioned adjacent to the support strip 1, opposite the adhesive strip 10, and is engaged by the earring post 13, fastening the earring into the lobule of the ear.

In order to effectively wear an earring for stylistic purposes, the present invention may further comprise an earring base 17. Moreover, the earring is further secured through an ear piercing as the earring backing 14 may comprise a backing body 15 and a third hole 16, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The earring base 17 provides a mountable surface for decorative elements. The backing body 15 presses against the support strip 1 and locks the earring post 13 within the ear piercing. The third hole 16 provides a path for the earring post 13 to traverse through the backing body 15 while preserving the structural integrity of the backing body 15. In order for decorative elements to be visible with the earring, the earring base 17 is terminally fixed to the earring post 13. The earring post 13 is locked into the backing body 15 as the third hole 16 traverses through the backing body 15. More specifically, the earring post 13 is further positioned through the third hole 16, in order to lock the earring post 13 with the backing body 15. The lobe of an ear is positioned in between the earring brace and the earring backing 14 as the earring backing 14 is positioned offset from the earring brace along the earring post 13. The earring is balanced about the ear lobe as the support strip 1 is pressed against the earring base 17 by the earring backing 14.

For the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support strip 1 further may comprise a distal end 6 and a proximal end 7, as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. The distal end 6 attaches along the top portion of the ear, and the proximal end 7 attaches along the bottom portion of the ear, around the ear piercing. The support strip 1 grasps the antihelix of the ear as the distal end 6 is positioned adjacent with the antihelix-bracing portion 2, opposite the lobule-bracing portion 3. The support strip 1 grasps the lobule of the ear as the proximal end 7 is positioned adjacent with the lobule-bracing portion 3, opposite the antihelix bracing portion. The support strip 1 tapers from the distal end 6 to the proximal end 7, ensuring support strip 1 effectively attaches onto the contours of the ear. Moreover, the proximal end 7 is wider than the distal end 6 in order to account for the curvature of the helix of the ear beside the antihelix.

In order to provide an even more comfortable attachment of the support strip 1 with that of the back of the ear, the support strip 1 may further comprise a first concave edge 8 and a second concave edge 9, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 9. The first concave edge 8 mirrors the edge of the ear against the head. The second concave edge 9 further mirrors the edge between the antihelix and the helix of and ear along the back surface of the ear. The first concave edge 8 is positioned opposite the second concave edge 9 across the support strip 1, thereby mirroring position of the edge between the ear and the ear and the edge between the antihelix and the helix. It is understood that the support strip 1 for a left ear mirrors the support strip 1 for a right ear, therefore the first concave edge 8 and the second concave edge 9 for the support strip 1 of the left ear is opposite that of the support strip 1 for the right ear. More specifically, the first concave edge 8 is positioned in between the lobule-bracing portion 3 and the antihelix bracing portion. Likewise, the second concave edge 9 is positioned in between the lobule-bracing portion 3 and the antihelix-bracing portion 2. Moreover, a curve of first concave edge 8 and a curve of the second concave edge 9 are positioned offset from each other, with the curve of the first concave edge 8 being positioned adjacent with the distal end 6 and the curve of the second concave edge 9 being positioned adjacent with the proximal end 7, in order to securely attach across the contours of the ear. This arrangement enables the support strip 1 to be superimposed across the back surface of the ear.

In order for the lobule-bracing portion 3 to effectively uplift and support the lobe of an ear, the lobule-bracing portion 3 may comprise a semicircular edge 4, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 9. The semicircular edge 4 traverses along the curvature of the lobe underneath an ear piercing. Moreover, the semicircular edge 4 aids in the discreteness of the support strip 1 across the back surface of the ear. The support strip 1 remains superimposed across the back surface of the ear as the semicircular edge 4 is oriented away from the antihelix-bracing portion 2. The first hole 5 is preferably positioned concentric with the semicircular edge 4 in order to align the ear piercing with that of the first hole 5.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention may further comprise a reinforcement panel 19, seen in FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. The reinforcement panel 19 provides additional support for the lobe of an ear against the weight of the earring. The reinforcement panel 19 may be made of plastic materials or a variety of other flexible materials that are structurally sound to evenly uphold the weight of the earring around the earring piercing of the ear. The reinforcement panel 19 is integrated into the lobule-bracing portion 3 to maximize the strength of the support strip 1. This arrangement also preserves the connection between the reinforcement panel 19 and the support strip 1 throughout the engagement of the earring post 13 and the first hole 5. More specifically, the reinforcement panel 19 is coextensive with the lobule-bracing portion 3. The first hole 5 traverses through the reinforcement panel 19 to maintain the continuous path of the earring post 13 through the earring piercing, the support strip 1 and the adhesive strip 10.

The adhesive strip 10 does not stick onto unwanted surfaces until ready for use as the present invention may further comprise a protective film 18, seen in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8. The protective film 18 serves as a cover to the adhesive strip 10 and is readily removed. The stickiness or adhesiveness of the adhesive strip 10 is preserved as the protective film 18 is positioned adjacent with the adhesive strip 10, opposite the support strip 1, and is attached across the adhesive strip 10.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A supplemental support system for an earring comprising:

a support strip;
an adhesive strip;
a reinforcement panel;
the support strip comprising an antihelix-bracing portion, a lobule-bracing portion and a first hole;
the first hole traversing through the lobule-bracing portion and the adhesive strip;
the adhesive strip being fixed across the support strip;
the adhesive strip being coextensive with the support strip;
the reinforcement panel being integrated into the lobule-bracing portion;
the reinforcement panel being coextensive with the lobule-bracing portion; and
the first hole traversing through the reinforcement panel; and wherein:
the support strip further comprises a first concave edge and a second concave edge;
the first concave edge being positioned opposite the second concave edge across a narrow central portion of the support strip that resides between the lobule-bracing portion and the antihelix-bracing portion.

2. (canceled)

3. The supplemental support system for an earring as claimed in claim 1 wherein: lobule-bracing portion is wider than the antihelix-bracing portion; and

both the lobule-bracing portion and the antihelix-bracing portion are wider than the narrow central portion distal end.

4. (canceled)

5. The supplemental support system for an earring as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the lobule-bracing portion comprises a semicircular edge;
the semicircular edge being oriented away from the antihelix-bracing portion; and, the first hole being positioned concentric with the semicircular edge.

6. (canceled)

7. The supplemental support system for an earring as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a protective film;
the protective film being positioned adjacent the adhesive strip, opposite the support strip; and,
the protective film being removably attached across the adhesive strip.

8. The supplemental support system for an earring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support strip is transparent.

9. The supplemental support system for an earring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support strip is a skin-tone color.

10-17. (canceled)

18. A supplemental support for an earlobe comprising:

an antihelix-bracing portion, a lobule-bracing portion, and a connecting portion;
an adhesive layer on one side of the support; and
the connecting portion having two opposed concave edges defining a width of the connecting portion that is less than a width of the antihelix-bracing portion and less than a width of the lobule-bracing portion.

19. The supplemental support of claim 18 wherein the adhesive layer is coextensive with the support.

20. The supplemental support of claim 19 further comprising a through hole in the lobule-bracing portion.

21. The supplemental support of claim 20 wherein a reinforcement panel is integrated into the lobule-bracing portion.

22. The supplemental support of claim 21 wherein the reinforcement panel is coextensive with the lobule-bracing portion.

23. The supplemental support of claim 19 further comprising a protective film removably attached to and covering the adhesive layer.

Patent History
Publication number: 20220248814
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2021
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2022
Inventor: Monica Conner (Denver, CO)
Application Number: 17/169,284
Classifications
International Classification: A44C 7/00 (20060101);