Earring for pierced ears and for non-pierced ears

Abstract

An earring including a first device for attaching the earring to a pierced ear, and a second device for attaching the earring to an ear, which has not been pierced, are provided. The first device may be comprised of a clasp. The second device may be comprised of a pin. The clasp may snap shut tightly to hold the earring onto an ear. The earring may be further comprised of a body portion. The first device and the second device may be attached at opposite ends of the body portion so that the first device and the second device can rotate with respect to the body portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically in the prior art earrings are designed with either a pin for inserting into an opening of a pierced ear or with a clasp for holding the earring onto a non-pierced ear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an earring, which can be attached to either a pierced or a non-pierced ear. In at least one embodiment, a first device for attaching the earring to a pierced ear, and a second device for attaching the earring to an ear, which has not been pierced, are provided. The first device may be comprised of a clasp. The second device may be comprised of a pin. The clasp may snap shut tightly to hold the earring onto an ear. The earring may be further comprised of a body portion, wherein the first device and the second device may be attached to the body portion. The first device and the second device may be attached to the body portion so that the first device and the second device can rotate with respect to the body portion. The first device may be attached at one end of the body portion and the second device may be attached at an opposing end of the body portion.

An earring may also include a first member, which is attached to the body portion. The first member may include first and second portions, which have first and second openings, respectively. The second device, for attaching the earring to a non-pierced ear, may have first and second ends, which are inserted into the first and second openings, respectively, to attach the second device to the first member. The first member may have a gap between the first and second portions. The second device may lie partially inside of the gap and can rotate within the gap. The first device may include a pin, which can rotate with respect to the body portion. The first device may include a stop, which prevents the pin from rotating beyond a certain point, with respect to the body portion.

The present invention, in one or more embodiments also includes a method, comprising the steps of attaching an earring to a pierced ear by inserting a pin through the pierced ear, removing the earring from the pierced ear, and attaching the earring to a non-pierced ear by attaching clasp to the non-pierced ear.

The present invention, in one or more embodiments also includes a method comprising the steps of placing a first device onto an earring for attaching an earring to a pierced ear; and placing a second device onto an earring for attaching the earring to an ear, which has not been pierced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the apparatus in a first state;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the apparatus in a second state;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the apparatus in a third state;

FIG. 4 shows a right side view of a pin and a pivot device for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of a pin and a pivot device for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the apparatus 10 in a first state. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 with the apparatus 10 in a second state. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 with the apparatus in a third state. FIG. 4 shows a right side view of a pin 40 and a pivot device 42 for use with the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the pin 40 and the pivot device 42 for use with the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

The apparatus 10 may be an earring for attaching to either a pierced or a non-pierced ear of a human being. The apparatus 10 includes a device 12, a body portion 20 and the pin 40. The device 12 may be a clasp and may be attached to the body portion 20 through members 22 and 24. Member 22 may be comprised of portions 23a and 23b. Portions 23a and 23b have openings 22a and 22b. There is a gap 23d between portions 23a and 23b which allows the device 12 to rotate from the position or state of FIG. 1 to the position or state of FIG. 2. The device 12 has portions 12a, 12b, and 12c, and ends 12d and 12e. The ends 12d and 12e are shown placed in the openings 22a and 22b, respectively. The device 12 or clasp is attached to the portion 22 so that the device 12 when rotated from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 2, snaps shut tightly onto a portion 28 of the body portion 20. In operation, an ear lobe can be held tightly between the device 12 and the portion 28 to attach the apparatus 10 to an ear.

The body portion 20 includes hollowed out portion 26a, sidewalls 26b and 26c, and fringes 26d and 26e. The pin 40 is attached to the device 42, through a pivot pin 44 so that the pin 40 can rotate with respect to the device 42 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The device 42 is fixed to the portion 30. Portion 30 is fixed to portion 28 which is fixed to the body portion 20. The pin 40 can rotate from the position in FIG. 2 in a counterclockwise direction D1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The pin 40 is prevented from rotating in the direction D2 beyond the position shown in FIG. 2, by the portion 30.

In operation, if an individual desires to attach the earring or apparatus 10 onto a non-pierced ear, the individual would place the apparatus 10 in the state shown in FIG. 1 with the device or clasp 12 open. The individual would also place the pin 40 in a down position as in FIG. 3. The individual would then place the ear lobe onto the portion 28 and then snap the device or clasp 12 shut so that the ear lobe would be pressed tightly between the clasp 12 and the portion 28 with the apparatus 10 in the state of FIG. 3. The individual can release the apparatus 10 from the individual's ear by opening the device or clasp 12.

If an individual desires to attach the earring or apparatus 10 onto a pierced ear, the individual would place the apparatus 10 in the state shown in FIG. 1 with the device or clasp 12 open and with the pin 40 extending outward from the apparatus 10. The individual would then insert the pin 40 into an opening of a pierced ear. The individual can then push the pin 40 down into the position of FIG. 3. The device 12 or clasp, may be snapped shut as in FIG. 3 or may be left open as in FIG. 1.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

Claims

1. An earring comprising: a first device for attaching the earring to a pierced ear; and a second device for attaching the earring to an ear, which has not been pierced.

2. The earring of claim 1 wherein the first device is comprised of a pin.

3. The earring of claim 1 wherein the second device is comprised of a clasp.

4. The earring of claim 2 wherein the second device is comprised of a clasp.

5. The earring of claim 3 wherein the clasp snaps shut tightly to hold the earring onto an ear.

6. The earring of claim 1 further comprising a body portion; wherein the first device and the second device are attached to the body portion.

7. The earring of claim 6 wherein the first device and the second device are attached to the body portion so that the first device and the second device can rotate with respect to the body portion.

8. The earring of claim 6 wherein the first device is attached at one end of the body portion and the second device is attached at an opposing end of the body portion.

9. The earring of claim 6 further comprising a first member, which is attached to the body portion; wherein the first member includes first and second portions, which have first and second openings, respectively; and wherein the second device has first and second ends, which are inserted into the first and second openings, respectively, to attach the first device to the first member.

10. The earring of claim 9 wherein the first member has a gap between the first and second portions; and wherein the second device lies partially inside of the gap and can rotate within the gap.

11. The earring of claim 6 wherein the first device includes a pin, which can rotate with respect to the body portion; and wherein the first device includes a stop, which prevents the pin from rotating beyond a certain point, with respect to the body portion.

12. A method comprising the steps of: attaching an earring to a pierced ear by inserting a pin through the pierced ear; removing the earring from the pierced ear; and attaching the earring to a non-pierced ear by attaching clasp to the non-pierced ear.

13. A method comprising the steps of placing a first device onto an earring for attaching an earring to a pierced ear; and placing a second device onto an earring for attaching the earring to an ear, which has not been pierced.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first device is comprised of a pin.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the second device is comprised of a clasp.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the second device is comprised of a clasp.

17. The earring of claim 15 wherein the clasp snaps shut tightly to hold the earring onto an ear.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching the first device and the second device to a body portion of the earring.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising attaching the first device and the second device to the body portion so that the first device and the second device can rotate with respect to the body portion.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising attaching the first device at one end of the body portion and the second device at an opposing end of the body portion.