CA1064794A - Disposable ear piercing device - Google Patents
Disposable ear piercing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1064794A CA1064794A CA222,774A CA222774A CA1064794A CA 1064794 A CA1064794 A CA 1064794A CA 222774 A CA222774 A CA 222774A CA 1064794 A CA1064794 A CA 1064794A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pin
- nut
- plunger
- force
- jaws
- Prior art date
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Abstract
DISPOSABLE EAR PIERCING DEVICE
Abstract of the Disclosure A disposable ear piercing device is prepackaged in a sterile condition and is ready for immediate use. The device includes a pair of spaced jaws which receive the earlobe there-between. One jaw is preloaded and carries a piercing pin and the other jaw is preloaded with and carries a lock nut. The jaws are squeezed toward each other in a manner which first causes the earlobe to be gripped and then causes a drive means carried by the first jaw to rupture when the jaws are squeezed under a predetermined force and to transfer the squeezing force directly to the pin to drive it through the earlobe and into the lock nut.
Abstract of the Disclosure A disposable ear piercing device is prepackaged in a sterile condition and is ready for immediate use. The device includes a pair of spaced jaws which receive the earlobe there-between. One jaw is preloaded and carries a piercing pin and the other jaw is preloaded with and carries a lock nut. The jaws are squeezed toward each other in a manner which first causes the earlobe to be gripped and then causes a drive means carried by the first jaw to rupture when the jaws are squeezed under a predetermined force and to transfer the squeezing force directly to the pin to drive it through the earlobe and into the lock nut.
Description
7~
Back~_ound of the Invention Various devices and techniques have been proposed for piercing of earlobes. In general, the surgical procedure of earlobe piercing has been implemented by the use of specially designed surgical instruments such as, for example, the type shown in UO S. Patent No. 3,187,751. Such inst~uments typically are employed to grip the earlobe and drive a piercing pin through the earlobe. The pin typically must be loaded into the instru-ment as a preliminary step. Propqr procedure usually requires also that the surgical instrument and pin be autoclaved or other- ;
wise sterilized before use. My invention relates to an improved preloaded, presterilized, disposable ear piercing device which is of low cost and is intended for a single use, thus shortening ~' ~' , '~
.
,~
!`.
.
the time required to perform the procedure by eliminating the steps of autoclaving and loading the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION
In brief, the invention includes a pair of spaced jaws movable toward each other to a more closely spacedl although - not fully closed, configuration to receive and firmly grip . . .
an earlobe therebetween. One of the jaws includes means for supporting a headed piercing pin and the other jaw includes means for ~upporting a lock nut in alignment with the piercing pin so that the tip of the pin may be secured to the nut af~er the pin has pierced the earlobe. Means are provided in asso-ciation with the pin carrying jaw by which the open jaws may be squeezed together ~o their more closed configuration and in which the continued subsequent application of further squeezing pressure will cause a portion of the pin driving means to fracture to instantaneously transfer the full squeezing force directly to the head end of the pin. ~he fracturing takes place instantaneou31y ~o that the pin is driven immediately and quickly through the earlobe. The device then may be released~ to free the combined pin and nut 90 that the device may be withdrawn from the earlobe leaving the pin secured thereto. The fracturing of the drive mean~ precludes subsequent use of the device. The device may be preloaded with the pin and nut and prepackaged in a sterilized condition so that it -is ready for immediate u~e when de~ired.
It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved ear piercing device of low cost which is suitable for disposable one-time use.
Another object of the inve~tion-is to provide a pre~
packaged, pre~terilized ear piercing pin and nut and an instru~
ment for use therewith which can be presterilized and stored in a ~terile condition until use.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ear piercing device o the type described which is self-destructable upon use, thus insuring that it may not be rèused.
Another object~)of the invention is to provide an improved ear piercing device which is easy to align with a selected location on an earlobe.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an ear piercing device of the type described which is of extremely ~imple construction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be understood more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the ear piercing device, FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the-device as seen from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the device, loaded ! 1 1 8 / 7 o ~ 7 IDjs l/4/7 .1 l , with a pin and nut and partly broken away, with the jaws in their
Back~_ound of the Invention Various devices and techniques have been proposed for piercing of earlobes. In general, the surgical procedure of earlobe piercing has been implemented by the use of specially designed surgical instruments such as, for example, the type shown in UO S. Patent No. 3,187,751. Such inst~uments typically are employed to grip the earlobe and drive a piercing pin through the earlobe. The pin typically must be loaded into the instru-ment as a preliminary step. Propqr procedure usually requires also that the surgical instrument and pin be autoclaved or other- ;
wise sterilized before use. My invention relates to an improved preloaded, presterilized, disposable ear piercing device which is of low cost and is intended for a single use, thus shortening ~' ~' , '~
.
,~
!`.
.
the time required to perform the procedure by eliminating the steps of autoclaving and loading the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION
In brief, the invention includes a pair of spaced jaws movable toward each other to a more closely spacedl although - not fully closed, configuration to receive and firmly grip . . .
an earlobe therebetween. One of the jaws includes means for supporting a headed piercing pin and the other jaw includes means for ~upporting a lock nut in alignment with the piercing pin so that the tip of the pin may be secured to the nut af~er the pin has pierced the earlobe. Means are provided in asso-ciation with the pin carrying jaw by which the open jaws may be squeezed together ~o their more closed configuration and in which the continued subsequent application of further squeezing pressure will cause a portion of the pin driving means to fracture to instantaneously transfer the full squeezing force directly to the head end of the pin. ~he fracturing takes place instantaneou31y ~o that the pin is driven immediately and quickly through the earlobe. The device then may be released~ to free the combined pin and nut 90 that the device may be withdrawn from the earlobe leaving the pin secured thereto. The fracturing of the drive mean~ precludes subsequent use of the device. The device may be preloaded with the pin and nut and prepackaged in a sterilized condition so that it -is ready for immediate u~e when de~ired.
It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved ear piercing device of low cost which is suitable for disposable one-time use.
Another object of the inve~tion-is to provide a pre~
packaged, pre~terilized ear piercing pin and nut and an instru~
ment for use therewith which can be presterilized and stored in a ~terile condition until use.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ear piercing device o the type described which is self-destructable upon use, thus insuring that it may not be rèused.
Another object~)of the invention is to provide an improved ear piercing device which is easy to align with a selected location on an earlobe.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an ear piercing device of the type described which is of extremely ~imple construction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be understood more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the ear piercing device, FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the-device as seen from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the device, loaded ! 1 1 8 / 7 o ~ 7 IDjs l/4/7 .1 l , with a pin and nut and partly broken away, with the jaws in their
2 Ill most c.losed position and in readiness to drive the piercing pin;
3 ¦ FIG. 4 is an illustration similar to FIG. 3 showing the de- !
4 1 Yice after the piercing pin has been driven;
5 ¦ FIG, 5 is an enlarged illustration of the nUt-carrying chuck;
6 I . FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of the plunger and show-
7 ing in phantom th.e manner in which its fracturable collar separ-
8 ll ates from the plunger;
9 ¦¦ FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a modified form of
10 ¦¦ the inYention as seen along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.;
. FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation of the device taken through 12 ~¦ the pin cdrrying and drive means and showing a further modifi- ¦
13 ¦ cation of the.inventioni 14 . FIG. 9 is a sectional illustration as seen along.the line 15 1 9-9 of FIG. 8;
16 I :FIG. lO is a sectional elevation of the pin carrying and 17 ¦ :drive means showing a further embodiment of the invention;
1 18 ¦ . FIG. ll is a sectional elevation of the pin carrying and l9 ¦i drive means showing a modified form of the pin driving mechanism;
20 ,I FIG. 12 is a-side elevation of the invention showing a :, 21 j; number of further modiflcations;
22 ¦¦ FIG. 13 is a plan view of the device seen along the line I : 23 ¦¦ 13-13 of FIG. 12;
24 ! FIG. 14 is a~side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 12 : 25 ll with the jaws in their most closed position;
: . 11 , . .
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.i ~118/700 ~DJs ~6~794 ; 1 ¦ FIG. 15 is an illustration of the device as seen along the 2 ¦ iines 15-15 of FIG. 14;
3 1 FIG. 16 is an illustration of the sockgts in one of the - 4 abutting pads as'seen along the line 16-16 of FIG. 13;
5 FIG. 17 is a par'tly broken away elevation of the device, .
6 I with its jaws closed and loaded;
7 ;l FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevational vie~ in partial cross 8 ¦ section of the preferred form of the invention, shown loaded 9 ¦ with a pin and nut;
10 1 FIG. i9 is a view taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;
1 , FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the plung'er used in ~ ' 12 1 the preferred embodiment of FIG. 18; and `` 13 FIG. 21 lS an end v1ew of the plunger.
14 . '' ' 15 ¦ Description of the Preferred Embodiment 16 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrative embodiment of 17 1 the device includes a generally U-shaped member including a pair 18 ! f legs 10, 12 3Oined at a bight 14, the upper ends of the legs 19 1 10,12 bei-ng considered as jaws 16, 18 respectively. The device 20 ¦ is fabricated from a singl'e piece of material, preferably a flex-21 , ible transparent plastic and the bight region 14 is of sufficient 22 ¦ dimensions to enable the iegs 10, 12 and their jaws 16, 18 to be 23 ~ flexed toward each other from the relaxed configuration shown in 24 1 FIG. 1 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 3. The bight 14 25 ¦ is sufficiently resilient so that when the squeeze-d legs are re-26 leased? they will return to their relaxed configuration. Means 2-7 ¦ are provided for limiting the extent to which the jaws 16, 18 28 may be closed, such as the inclusion of abutting pads 20, 22 on 29 jj each of the legs which face inwardly toward each other and pre-, : , ~
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8/701 l, ~Q~4'~
10/1/7~ 1 1 1 clude jaw closure beyond a predetermined amount as described be-2 Il'low.
3 1 Secured to the upper end of the jaw 16 is a pin carrying 4 I device which may take the form of a hollow barrel 24 which is 5 1 receptive to a headed piercing pin Z6. The internal dimensions 6 1 of barrel 24 are such that the pin 26 may be held in place with-7 in the'barrel, by engag'ement with the periphery of the head 28 , 8 of the pin but under a sufficiently light force which can be g easily overcome so that the pin can be driven along and through the barrel 24 as described herein. By way of example the device
. FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation of the device taken through 12 ~¦ the pin cdrrying and drive means and showing a further modifi- ¦
13 ¦ cation of the.inventioni 14 . FIG. 9 is a sectional illustration as seen along.the line 15 1 9-9 of FIG. 8;
16 I :FIG. lO is a sectional elevation of the pin carrying and 17 ¦ :drive means showing a further embodiment of the invention;
1 18 ¦ . FIG. ll is a sectional elevation of the pin carrying and l9 ¦i drive means showing a modified form of the pin driving mechanism;
20 ,I FIG. 12 is a-side elevation of the invention showing a :, 21 j; number of further modiflcations;
22 ¦¦ FIG. 13 is a plan view of the device seen along the line I : 23 ¦¦ 13-13 of FIG. 12;
24 ! FIG. 14 is a~side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 12 : 25 ll with the jaws in their most closed position;
: . 11 , . .
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.i ~118/700 ~DJs ~6~794 ; 1 ¦ FIG. 15 is an illustration of the device as seen along the 2 ¦ iines 15-15 of FIG. 14;
3 1 FIG. 16 is an illustration of the sockgts in one of the - 4 abutting pads as'seen along the line 16-16 of FIG. 13;
5 FIG. 17 is a par'tly broken away elevation of the device, .
6 I with its jaws closed and loaded;
7 ;l FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevational vie~ in partial cross 8 ¦ section of the preferred form of the invention, shown loaded 9 ¦ with a pin and nut;
10 1 FIG. i9 is a view taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;
1 , FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the plung'er used in ~ ' 12 1 the preferred embodiment of FIG. 18; and `` 13 FIG. 21 lS an end v1ew of the plunger.
14 . '' ' 15 ¦ Description of the Preferred Embodiment 16 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrative embodiment of 17 1 the device includes a generally U-shaped member including a pair 18 ! f legs 10, 12 3Oined at a bight 14, the upper ends of the legs 19 1 10,12 bei-ng considered as jaws 16, 18 respectively. The device 20 ¦ is fabricated from a singl'e piece of material, preferably a flex-21 , ible transparent plastic and the bight region 14 is of sufficient 22 ¦ dimensions to enable the iegs 10, 12 and their jaws 16, 18 to be 23 ~ flexed toward each other from the relaxed configuration shown in 24 1 FIG. 1 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 3. The bight 14 25 ¦ is sufficiently resilient so that when the squeeze-d legs are re-26 leased? they will return to their relaxed configuration. Means 2-7 ¦ are provided for limiting the extent to which the jaws 16, 18 28 may be closed, such as the inclusion of abutting pads 20, 22 on 29 jj each of the legs which face inwardly toward each other and pre-, : , ~
Il _5 ` I I
8/701 l, ~Q~4'~
10/1/7~ 1 1 1 clude jaw closure beyond a predetermined amount as described be-2 Il'low.
3 1 Secured to the upper end of the jaw 16 is a pin carrying 4 I device which may take the form of a hollow barrel 24 which is 5 1 receptive to a headed piercing pin Z6. The internal dimensions 6 1 of barrel 24 are such that the pin 26 may be held in place with-7 in the'barrel, by engag'ement with the periphery of the head 28 , 8 of the pin but under a sufficiently light force which can be g easily overcome so that the pin can be driven along and through the barrel 24 as described herein. By way of example the device
11 ,may be made so that the pin will advance through the barrel
12 under a force of the order of a few ounces.
13 The pin carrying and driving mechanism also includes a
14 plunger 30 having a forward end which is received slidably in the rearward end o~ the bore of the barrel 24. An enlarged knob 32 ~' 16 may bè'formed at the rearwardly protruding end of the plunger 30.l, 17 The plunger 30 also is preferably formed from a single piece of 18 ¦I plastlc material. It includes a thin circumferential collar 34 1 19 ¦i formed integrally therewith and between the ends o~ the plunger I
20, ,' 30. The collar extends radially outwardly from the plunger so 21 'that it will engage the rearward surface 36 of the barrel 24 and 22 preclude further passage of the plunger 30 through the barrel 24 23 except as described more fully below. The collar 34 is located 24 longitudinally on`the plunger 30 in relation to the length of the piercing pin 26 and the location of the forwardmost end 26 j 38 of the barrel 24 so that when the collar 34 is in engagement 27 ! with the rear surface 36 of the barrel and the'forwardmost end ~8~ oL the plu ger 30 is in ontact with tlle rear end ~ the he~d jl -6-of the pin, the piercing point 40 of the pin will protrude slightly beyond the forward end 38 of the barrel 24 a~
suggested in Fig.3. By way of example, the piercing tip of the pin 26 may protrude approximately one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the forward end 38 of the barrel 24~ It is de~irable to fabricate the plunger 30, collar 34 and rearward end 36 of the barrel 24 so that the rear end of the barrel engages the outermost region~ of the collar and provides little or no support for the innermost collar region, where it joins the plunger. This may be achieved by reducing the diameter of the plunger 30 where it joins the collar and/or chamfering the rearward end 36 of the barrel 24 as suggested at 41 in Fig. 8. rhis increa~es the stress applied at the juncture of the collar.and plunger.
The other of the jaws 18 is formed to define a chuck, indicated generally by the reference character 42, which ~s adapted to rec~ive and retain the lock nut 44. One embodiment of the chuck 42, shown more clearly in Fig. 5 is defined by a longitudinal ~lot 46 and a transverse, intersecting slot 48 which receive ! respectively, the curled fingers 50 and the side flanges 52 of the lock nut 44 as shown. ~he slots 46, 48 are dimensioned with respect to the portions of the lock nut which they receive so that the lock nut may be held lightly therein so that it will remain in the chuck until it is withdrawn.after the piercing operation.. The bottom of the longitudinal slot 46 i~ positioned longitudinally of the leg 1~ so that it will position the nut in axial alignment with the pin, thus enabling the piercing point 40 of the pin to be driven through the central hole in the lock nut and be locked thereto by engagement of the end of the pin with the curled fin~ers 50.
In use, the loaded device is held in a relaxed configuration with its jaws being spread to receive an earlobe. The earlobe, which typically has been marked to highlight t-he intended piercing location then is aligned with the forwardly protruding piercing point 40 of the pin 26.
The device, being ~ripped between the user's thumb and fore-finger with his thumb bearing against the knob 32 of the plunger 30, then is squeezed to grip the earlobe firmly.
The legs 10, 12 of the device are drawn together until the pads 20, 22 abut each other which precludes further closure of the jaws. It may b~ noted that the chuck 42 and forward end 38 of the barrel 24 will then be in their most closed position (Fi~. 3~, although still being spaced, or example, approximately three-sixteenths of an inch. When closed thus far the piercing point 40 depresses the relatively soft ear lobe without piercing the skin.
The material and dimensions of the bight portion 14 preferably are selected in relation to the other dimensions of the device as to require a squeezing force of approximately one pound in order to bring the abutting surfaces 20, 22 together. The collar 34 is sufficiently strong to withstand a one pound closure force without fracturing to enable complete closure of the abutting surfaces 20, 22. The fracture strength of the collar also is such that an increase to a predetermined magnitude in the force which is applied to the collar of (for example, three to four additional pounds) will cause the collar 34 to rupture and separate from the plunger 30 which instantaneously shifts the force from the plunger to the rear end of the pin head 28 which drives the pin instan-taneously through the barrel 24`, piercing the earlobe and into locking engagement with the locking nut. The grip on the device then may be released to enable it to return to its relaxed configuration under the spring influence of the bight portion 14. The parts of the device are dimensioned so that when released, the forward end 38 of the barrel 24 will be withdrawn rearwardly from the pin head 28. The device then may be re-moved from the earloba by simply withdrawing it downwardly ; Xrom the earlobe to cause the lock nut 44 to be withdrawn from the slots 46, 48, Fig. 6 shows the manner in which the collar 34 fractures and separate~ from the plunger 30. The collar engages the rear surface 36 of the barrel uniformly, and pre-ferably about its peripheral margin, which causes the stressconcentration to ke applied to the collar at its juncture with the plunger. The collar tends to fracture cleanly at this juncture and separates as a complete ring. The portion 35 of the plunger 30, which extends between the attached c~llar 34 and the plunger head 32, may be ~f reduced diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the separated collar so that it will not interfere with forward movement of the plunger 30.
Fig. 7 shows an alternate form of abutting surfaces 20', 22' which, in~tead of being flat as descriked above are of conYex and concave ~hape respectively. This configuration insure~ that when the surface 20', 22' are brought together, they will be in proper alignment when closed which, in turn, insures that the pin 26 will be in precise alignment with the hole in the lock nut 44. The convex, concave configuration of the surfaces 20', 22' may take any of a variety of shapes although the V-shape configurations shown are preferred. It may be noted that any tendency for misalignment will be in the lateral direction and for this reason the illustrated configuration of mating ~urfaces 20', 22' are shown only as being employed to inqure proper lateral alignment.
; As described abo~e, the pin 26 is retained in a snug, but slidable fit within the barrel 24. This may be achieved by a variety of configurations such as the one discussed above in which the bore of the barrel is abricated to clo~e tolerances with respect to the periphery of the pin head. Fig~. 8 and 9 show an alternate technique in which longitudinal ribs 54 are formed, and in circumferentially spaced relation along the bore 56 of the barrel. The ribs may define an inner circumference slightly smaller than that defined by the external circumference of the pin head 28 while the main intern~l diameter of the barrel bore 56 is larger than 7~
that of the pin head 28. The ribs 54 preferably are narrow and should be sufficiently dimensioned to require approximately a few ounces of axial thrust on the pin to advance the pin past the ribs. It may be noted that the ribs 54 need not extend : fully along the length of the bore S6 but may be limited in length, as long as they engage and hold the pin head within the bore. As shown in Fig. 10 the ribs 54~ may be extended rearwardly in the bore 56 so that they may also engage the forward most inner end 58 of the plunger 30 to also retain it in place in the preassembled device~ ~hen this latter configuration is employed it is desirable that the various paxts be dimensioned and designed so that it will take less force to drive the plunger through the bore than that required for the pin.
~; In still another modification of the invention.
manufacturin~ tolerances in the fit of the pin head, bore and plunger may be relaxed and these parts may be retained together by a nonreactive grease~
Fig. 11 shows an alternate construction for the rupturable member of the pin driving mechanism. In this embodiment, the barrel 24 includes one or more internal pro-jections 60 which extend into the bore to obstruct the passage of the forward end of the pin head 28. The obstructions 60 are of dimenAion and design as to retain the pin while the jaw9 of the device are closing and to thereafter fracture when ~ufficient axial force is exerted on the plunger to thereby free immediately the pin for movement and enable the axial i7~
force of the plunger to drive the pin through the earlobe. The projection may take a variety of configurations such as a thin circular flange or one or more individual projections. In this embodiment the plunger does not have the fracturable collar 34 as it is not needed.
Figs. 12-17 show still further modifications which may be employed in the invention. The abutting surfaces may be formed by providing one of the abutting pads 62 with a pair of projections 66, 68 and the other pad 64 with a pair of sockets 70, 72 receptive to the projections. The projections ; may be spaced heightwise of each other and as shown in Fig. 15 are al80 ~paced laterally of each other. The inwardly extending ~urfaces 74, 76 of each of the projections defines an inclined configuration which, when they mate with the corresponding receptive sockets 70, 72 on the other abutting pad guide the pads together and into proper lateral orientation with respect to each other. The inclined surfaces 74, 76 of the projections 66, 68 may be conical, as shown, or may take other configurations to effect the same ~unction, that of bringing the legs 10, 12 into progressive lateral alignment in response to movement of the legs toward each other. In some instances it may ke desirable to provide each pad with one projection and one socket which will mate with a corresponding socket and projection on the other abutting pad.
~ urther modifications may be made to the nut-holding chuck 42'. As shown in Figs. 12-17, the lateral slot 48' may extend 11~118/701 ,' , 10647~4 L)MDjs !
10/l/74 ,~ .
l ,I downwardly beyond the bottom o-f the longitudinal slot 78 to en-2 11 hance slightly the flexib'ility of the upwardly extending finger 3 1¦ 80 defined by the transver'se slot 48' and which is intended to 4 11 engage the backside of the earlobe. The enhanced flexibility of 5 li the finger 80 enables the width of the transverse slot ~8' to 6 !1 be made sufficiently small so that it may effect a sufficient 7 l¦ grip on the lateral flanges of the nut but will flex sufficiently I
8 1 to permit easy separation of the nut from the chuck 42' after ~, ~ the piercing operation ha~ been completed. Removal of the nut 1, 10 , from the chuck may be further enhanced by providi~g a chamfer on ~i ll j the portions 82 o-f the chuck as suggested in phantom at 8~ in 1 12 1 FIGS. 12 and 14.
13 1 A' further,modification may be made to the finger 80 as 14 ¦ ,can be,'seen from FIGS. 12, 15 and 17. ~lere the depth of the longitudinal slot 78 in the finger 80 is just slightly below the - ~ 16 axis of the pin so that the pin may just pass over the bottom of , 17 1 that portion 78' of the slot 78. Further, the width of the slot ., . .
- 18 1 78' i~ the finger 80 is less than the width of the portion 78 of 19 1 the longitudinal slot ~ that it may be sufficiently wide to re-'20 ,l ceive the pin without interference. By reducing the dimensions 21 ¦1 of the opening of the slot 78' in the finger portion 80, the 22 il chances of the skin at' the rear surface of the earlobe being 23 ¦¦ caught and pinched between the pin and the nut in the finger 80 2~ ~ is significantly reduced.
25 l~ The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 21 inclusive, is . Il , .
~ 13- ' I` i .
1~1118/701 1' DMDjs 10/9/74 ~ 064~
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1 ~particularly designed for commercial production. A number of 2 ~the structural features are common or s,imilar in arrangement and 3 function to those described in previously 'described embodiments 4 and, in particular, to FIG. 12. The preferred unit includes legs 210 and 21~ interconnected by bight 214. I`he upper end of the 6 legs 210 and 212 form jaws 216 and 218. The barrel 224 is inte-7 grall~ formed with jaw 2I6. The barrel is preferably at least ,8 partially transparent so that the operator of the device can 9 observe movement of the pin toward the earlobe. A chuck 242 10 lS integrally formed with jaw 218. The U-shaped member may be 11 ! formed'with recessed portions on the faces of the legs to 12 ¦reduce the amount of material incorporated into the ear piercer.
13 I The barrel 224 is formed with a boss 225 on its inner 14 surface. This boss 225 is preferably an elongated projection
20, ,' 30. The collar extends radially outwardly from the plunger so 21 'that it will engage the rearward surface 36 of the barrel 24 and 22 preclude further passage of the plunger 30 through the barrel 24 23 except as described more fully below. The collar 34 is located 24 longitudinally on`the plunger 30 in relation to the length of the piercing pin 26 and the location of the forwardmost end 26 j 38 of the barrel 24 so that when the collar 34 is in engagement 27 ! with the rear surface 36 of the barrel and the'forwardmost end ~8~ oL the plu ger 30 is in ontact with tlle rear end ~ the he~d jl -6-of the pin, the piercing point 40 of the pin will protrude slightly beyond the forward end 38 of the barrel 24 a~
suggested in Fig.3. By way of example, the piercing tip of the pin 26 may protrude approximately one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the forward end 38 of the barrel 24~ It is de~irable to fabricate the plunger 30, collar 34 and rearward end 36 of the barrel 24 so that the rear end of the barrel engages the outermost region~ of the collar and provides little or no support for the innermost collar region, where it joins the plunger. This may be achieved by reducing the diameter of the plunger 30 where it joins the collar and/or chamfering the rearward end 36 of the barrel 24 as suggested at 41 in Fig. 8. rhis increa~es the stress applied at the juncture of the collar.and plunger.
The other of the jaws 18 is formed to define a chuck, indicated generally by the reference character 42, which ~s adapted to rec~ive and retain the lock nut 44. One embodiment of the chuck 42, shown more clearly in Fig. 5 is defined by a longitudinal ~lot 46 and a transverse, intersecting slot 48 which receive ! respectively, the curled fingers 50 and the side flanges 52 of the lock nut 44 as shown. ~he slots 46, 48 are dimensioned with respect to the portions of the lock nut which they receive so that the lock nut may be held lightly therein so that it will remain in the chuck until it is withdrawn.after the piercing operation.. The bottom of the longitudinal slot 46 i~ positioned longitudinally of the leg 1~ so that it will position the nut in axial alignment with the pin, thus enabling the piercing point 40 of the pin to be driven through the central hole in the lock nut and be locked thereto by engagement of the end of the pin with the curled fin~ers 50.
In use, the loaded device is held in a relaxed configuration with its jaws being spread to receive an earlobe. The earlobe, which typically has been marked to highlight t-he intended piercing location then is aligned with the forwardly protruding piercing point 40 of the pin 26.
The device, being ~ripped between the user's thumb and fore-finger with his thumb bearing against the knob 32 of the plunger 30, then is squeezed to grip the earlobe firmly.
The legs 10, 12 of the device are drawn together until the pads 20, 22 abut each other which precludes further closure of the jaws. It may b~ noted that the chuck 42 and forward end 38 of the barrel 24 will then be in their most closed position (Fi~. 3~, although still being spaced, or example, approximately three-sixteenths of an inch. When closed thus far the piercing point 40 depresses the relatively soft ear lobe without piercing the skin.
The material and dimensions of the bight portion 14 preferably are selected in relation to the other dimensions of the device as to require a squeezing force of approximately one pound in order to bring the abutting surfaces 20, 22 together. The collar 34 is sufficiently strong to withstand a one pound closure force without fracturing to enable complete closure of the abutting surfaces 20, 22. The fracture strength of the collar also is such that an increase to a predetermined magnitude in the force which is applied to the collar of (for example, three to four additional pounds) will cause the collar 34 to rupture and separate from the plunger 30 which instantaneously shifts the force from the plunger to the rear end of the pin head 28 which drives the pin instan-taneously through the barrel 24`, piercing the earlobe and into locking engagement with the locking nut. The grip on the device then may be released to enable it to return to its relaxed configuration under the spring influence of the bight portion 14. The parts of the device are dimensioned so that when released, the forward end 38 of the barrel 24 will be withdrawn rearwardly from the pin head 28. The device then may be re-moved from the earloba by simply withdrawing it downwardly ; Xrom the earlobe to cause the lock nut 44 to be withdrawn from the slots 46, 48, Fig. 6 shows the manner in which the collar 34 fractures and separate~ from the plunger 30. The collar engages the rear surface 36 of the barrel uniformly, and pre-ferably about its peripheral margin, which causes the stressconcentration to ke applied to the collar at its juncture with the plunger. The collar tends to fracture cleanly at this juncture and separates as a complete ring. The portion 35 of the plunger 30, which extends between the attached c~llar 34 and the plunger head 32, may be ~f reduced diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the separated collar so that it will not interfere with forward movement of the plunger 30.
Fig. 7 shows an alternate form of abutting surfaces 20', 22' which, in~tead of being flat as descriked above are of conYex and concave ~hape respectively. This configuration insure~ that when the surface 20', 22' are brought together, they will be in proper alignment when closed which, in turn, insures that the pin 26 will be in precise alignment with the hole in the lock nut 44. The convex, concave configuration of the surfaces 20', 22' may take any of a variety of shapes although the V-shape configurations shown are preferred. It may be noted that any tendency for misalignment will be in the lateral direction and for this reason the illustrated configuration of mating ~urfaces 20', 22' are shown only as being employed to inqure proper lateral alignment.
; As described abo~e, the pin 26 is retained in a snug, but slidable fit within the barrel 24. This may be achieved by a variety of configurations such as the one discussed above in which the bore of the barrel is abricated to clo~e tolerances with respect to the periphery of the pin head. Fig~. 8 and 9 show an alternate technique in which longitudinal ribs 54 are formed, and in circumferentially spaced relation along the bore 56 of the barrel. The ribs may define an inner circumference slightly smaller than that defined by the external circumference of the pin head 28 while the main intern~l diameter of the barrel bore 56 is larger than 7~
that of the pin head 28. The ribs 54 preferably are narrow and should be sufficiently dimensioned to require approximately a few ounces of axial thrust on the pin to advance the pin past the ribs. It may be noted that the ribs 54 need not extend : fully along the length of the bore S6 but may be limited in length, as long as they engage and hold the pin head within the bore. As shown in Fig. 10 the ribs 54~ may be extended rearwardly in the bore 56 so that they may also engage the forward most inner end 58 of the plunger 30 to also retain it in place in the preassembled device~ ~hen this latter configuration is employed it is desirable that the various paxts be dimensioned and designed so that it will take less force to drive the plunger through the bore than that required for the pin.
~; In still another modification of the invention.
manufacturin~ tolerances in the fit of the pin head, bore and plunger may be relaxed and these parts may be retained together by a nonreactive grease~
Fig. 11 shows an alternate construction for the rupturable member of the pin driving mechanism. In this embodiment, the barrel 24 includes one or more internal pro-jections 60 which extend into the bore to obstruct the passage of the forward end of the pin head 28. The obstructions 60 are of dimenAion and design as to retain the pin while the jaw9 of the device are closing and to thereafter fracture when ~ufficient axial force is exerted on the plunger to thereby free immediately the pin for movement and enable the axial i7~
force of the plunger to drive the pin through the earlobe. The projection may take a variety of configurations such as a thin circular flange or one or more individual projections. In this embodiment the plunger does not have the fracturable collar 34 as it is not needed.
Figs. 12-17 show still further modifications which may be employed in the invention. The abutting surfaces may be formed by providing one of the abutting pads 62 with a pair of projections 66, 68 and the other pad 64 with a pair of sockets 70, 72 receptive to the projections. The projections ; may be spaced heightwise of each other and as shown in Fig. 15 are al80 ~paced laterally of each other. The inwardly extending ~urfaces 74, 76 of each of the projections defines an inclined configuration which, when they mate with the corresponding receptive sockets 70, 72 on the other abutting pad guide the pads together and into proper lateral orientation with respect to each other. The inclined surfaces 74, 76 of the projections 66, 68 may be conical, as shown, or may take other configurations to effect the same ~unction, that of bringing the legs 10, 12 into progressive lateral alignment in response to movement of the legs toward each other. In some instances it may ke desirable to provide each pad with one projection and one socket which will mate with a corresponding socket and projection on the other abutting pad.
~ urther modifications may be made to the nut-holding chuck 42'. As shown in Figs. 12-17, the lateral slot 48' may extend 11~118/701 ,' , 10647~4 L)MDjs !
10/l/74 ,~ .
l ,I downwardly beyond the bottom o-f the longitudinal slot 78 to en-2 11 hance slightly the flexib'ility of the upwardly extending finger 3 1¦ 80 defined by the transver'se slot 48' and which is intended to 4 11 engage the backside of the earlobe. The enhanced flexibility of 5 li the finger 80 enables the width of the transverse slot ~8' to 6 !1 be made sufficiently small so that it may effect a sufficient 7 l¦ grip on the lateral flanges of the nut but will flex sufficiently I
8 1 to permit easy separation of the nut from the chuck 42' after ~, ~ the piercing operation ha~ been completed. Removal of the nut 1, 10 , from the chuck may be further enhanced by providi~g a chamfer on ~i ll j the portions 82 o-f the chuck as suggested in phantom at 8~ in 1 12 1 FIGS. 12 and 14.
13 1 A' further,modification may be made to the finger 80 as 14 ¦ ,can be,'seen from FIGS. 12, 15 and 17. ~lere the depth of the longitudinal slot 78 in the finger 80 is just slightly below the - ~ 16 axis of the pin so that the pin may just pass over the bottom of , 17 1 that portion 78' of the slot 78. Further, the width of the slot ., . .
- 18 1 78' i~ the finger 80 is less than the width of the portion 78 of 19 1 the longitudinal slot ~ that it may be sufficiently wide to re-'20 ,l ceive the pin without interference. By reducing the dimensions 21 ¦1 of the opening of the slot 78' in the finger portion 80, the 22 il chances of the skin at' the rear surface of the earlobe being 23 ¦¦ caught and pinched between the pin and the nut in the finger 80 2~ ~ is significantly reduced.
25 l~ The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 21 inclusive, is . Il , .
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1~1118/701 1' DMDjs 10/9/74 ~ 064~
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1 ~particularly designed for commercial production. A number of 2 ~the structural features are common or s,imilar in arrangement and 3 function to those described in previously 'described embodiments 4 and, in particular, to FIG. 12. The preferred unit includes legs 210 and 21~ interconnected by bight 214. I`he upper end of the 6 legs 210 and 212 form jaws 216 and 218. The barrel 224 is inte-7 grall~ formed with jaw 2I6. The barrel is preferably at least ,8 partially transparent so that the operator of the device can 9 observe movement of the pin toward the earlobe. A chuck 242 10 lS integrally formed with jaw 218. The U-shaped member may be 11 ! formed'with recessed portions on the faces of the legs to 12 ¦reduce the amount of material incorporated into the ear piercer.
13 I The barrel 224 is formed with a boss 225 on its inner 14 surface. This boss 225 is preferably an elongated projection
15 , ¦ with tapered ends '226. The boss 225 is'designed to frictionally
16 ¦ engag~ the sidewall of the head 228 of a pin with a friction fit
17 of a force in the order of magnitude of one or two pounds. The
18 ~ ¦ barrel 224 and/or the boss 225 can be resiliently distorted or
19 ~ displaced to allow the pin to pass down ~he barrel when a force ~0 ~ sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement is applied to 21 the end of the pin.
22 The plunger 230 includes enlarged knob 231 at one end,(~G.20' 23 The other end includes a ram 232 that abuts the head of the pin 24 within the barreL when the plunger is in its normal position.
25 ~ The plunger 230 is maintained in a normal position by the l ll I 1.
lH118/701 I)Ml)js 11 ~0~9~
1o/g/7~ .ll j 1 Ifrictional engagement of-projection 235. Projection 235 is 2 Ismall,in the order of magnitude of .01",for~a ram having a 3 diameter of .165. This projection is designed to provide 4 'sufficient frictional interference to assure that plunger 230 will remain in barrel 224 when loaded, but will not interfere 6 with the frictional movement of the plunger' as hèreinbefore 7 described. Flanges or collars 233 and 234 extend radially from 8 the plunger. These collars are positioned longitudinally in respect to the extreme end of ram 232 so that the engagement of collars 233 and 234 with the end'236 of barrel 224 will locate the extreme~end of ram 232 adjacent the head of the pin secured 12 by boss 225. The collars 233 are integral with the plunger and 13 are dimensione'd so that approximately S to l0 pounds, and 14 'preferably 9 pounds, of force exerted against the collars lS will cause them to shear o~f when the plunger is pushad into 16 the barrel. I~ has been determined that greater control or 17 uniformity may be attained by making collars as described~
18 The chuck 242 is designed to':hold a nut lightly in position against inadvertent dislocation during handling and prior to shipment. The chuck includes a plurality of fingers 243A and 21 243B, and 244A and 244~. The legs are defined by orthogonally 22 related slots 245 and 246. One side 246A of slot 246 is wider 23 than side 246B so as to limit insertion of a nut in one position 24 ¦only as illustratèd in dotted outline at 250. Legs 244A and 244B may be connected by a web 251 which e~tends preferably the ' . ' ' " '' '.
i ~I.H118/701 )W* f l2/2/74 11 ' ' ~)64794 11 ~
1 1¦ depth of slot 246. An enlarged opening 247, extending across the 2 ¦¦ chuck 242 at the bottom of slot 245 causes legs 243A and 243B to 3 have a spring-like function. A cap 254 covers the web 251 and - simulates a button. This cap is preferably grooved-to provide a friction surface that is'more readily engaged by the operator's 6 finger. Jaws 216 and 218 respectively, are provided wlth facing 7 l~ and projecting lands 220 and 222. These lands are aligned and 8 ¦ shaped to engage and thereby limit closing movement of the jaws.
, ¦ Bosses 268 and 260 on lan~ 220 are aligned with complementary~
recesses 272 and 270 in land 222 to assist in properly aligning ; 11 ¦ the jaws upon closing. Boss 260 is formed adjacent one side and , 12 1 boss 268 adjacent the other side of jaw 220.
13 I Further modifications may be made to the manner in which 14 ¦¦ the pin and/or plunger are retained within the bore of the barrel ¦ in readiness for use, ~s an alternate to the ribs described 16 previously, the surface,of the barrel may be provided with a very , slight projection, of the order of a few thousandths of an inch.
18 This may be achieved by molding such projection directly onto the 19 1 surface of the barreI bore or in some instances a slight pro-, 20 ~I jection may be achieved by merely scratching or blemishing the 21 inner surface of the bore which may roughen it slightly. The 22 blemishes should, of course, be located on the bore so that they 23 will engage the pin and/or plunger respectively in a position 24 ¦¦ ready for use.
¦ One feature of the pre-sent invention comprises an arrange-26 1 ment for piercing an earlobe with a headed pin and securing the ~ 16 -Il , . 1, .
'" il ' lH118/7 DW* f 12/2/74 ~ ~0~4'~94 pointed end of the pin to a nut positioned on the side of the 2 ¦1 lobe opposite the pin. This arrangement includes a means for 3 1l positioning the pln on one side of the lobe and the nut on the 4 1l other. Means are provided for retaining the pin and nut in ¦¦ spaced relative positions against forces over a range from a ll 6 ¦! first force to a second force of substantially greater magnitude ¦
7 !l than the first. Upon application of a force in excess of the 8 1, second force the pin is abruptly released from its spaced relative 9 I position and is driven through the lobe and into engagement with ¦
I the nut. Means are also provided for releasing both the pin and nut from the arrangement when in said engaged position. The 12 il specific means for abruptly releasing the pin may vary and may 13 !1 include such elements as a deformable or movable detent, although 14 ¦! a frangible or breaking element such as the collar arrangement 1 previously described is preferred. In preferred embodiments 16 1 forces may be applied either directly to the pin or to means for 17 ¦ applying forces to the pin in an order of magnitude less than said first force without driving the pin through the lobe.
19 il The invention is particularly suited for low cost pro-~ duction and may be easily preassembled with the pin and nut and 21 ! then be packaged in sterilized condition so that it may be ready 22 ¦¦ for use immediately when desired. It avoids the need for sepa-23 Ij rate preliminary sterilization steps and other procedures which 24 j, have heretofore been an inherent part of the earlobe piercing 1i surgical procedur~e. The self-destructing feature of the in-26 ,~ vention insures sterility in that once used the device cannot be 27 ! reused.
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il ' .lH118/701 12/2/74 1l ~0~7~4 i. I
1 1.. It should be understood that the foregoing description 2 11 of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof, 3 ¦ and that other modifications and embodiments may be apparent 4 j to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.
5 ¦1 ~aving thus described the invention, wnat I desire to 6 ¦¦ claim and secure by Letters Patent is:
11 . .
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22 The plunger 230 includes enlarged knob 231 at one end,(~G.20' 23 The other end includes a ram 232 that abuts the head of the pin 24 within the barreL when the plunger is in its normal position.
25 ~ The plunger 230 is maintained in a normal position by the l ll I 1.
lH118/701 I)Ml)js 11 ~0~9~
1o/g/7~ .ll j 1 Ifrictional engagement of-projection 235. Projection 235 is 2 Ismall,in the order of magnitude of .01",for~a ram having a 3 diameter of .165. This projection is designed to provide 4 'sufficient frictional interference to assure that plunger 230 will remain in barrel 224 when loaded, but will not interfere 6 with the frictional movement of the plunger' as hèreinbefore 7 described. Flanges or collars 233 and 234 extend radially from 8 the plunger. These collars are positioned longitudinally in respect to the extreme end of ram 232 so that the engagement of collars 233 and 234 with the end'236 of barrel 224 will locate the extreme~end of ram 232 adjacent the head of the pin secured 12 by boss 225. The collars 233 are integral with the plunger and 13 are dimensione'd so that approximately S to l0 pounds, and 14 'preferably 9 pounds, of force exerted against the collars lS will cause them to shear o~f when the plunger is pushad into 16 the barrel. I~ has been determined that greater control or 17 uniformity may be attained by making collars as described~
18 The chuck 242 is designed to':hold a nut lightly in position against inadvertent dislocation during handling and prior to shipment. The chuck includes a plurality of fingers 243A and 21 243B, and 244A and 244~. The legs are defined by orthogonally 22 related slots 245 and 246. One side 246A of slot 246 is wider 23 than side 246B so as to limit insertion of a nut in one position 24 ¦only as illustratèd in dotted outline at 250. Legs 244A and 244B may be connected by a web 251 which e~tends preferably the ' . ' ' " '' '.
i ~I.H118/701 )W* f l2/2/74 11 ' ' ~)64794 11 ~
1 1¦ depth of slot 246. An enlarged opening 247, extending across the 2 ¦¦ chuck 242 at the bottom of slot 245 causes legs 243A and 243B to 3 have a spring-like function. A cap 254 covers the web 251 and - simulates a button. This cap is preferably grooved-to provide a friction surface that is'more readily engaged by the operator's 6 finger. Jaws 216 and 218 respectively, are provided wlth facing 7 l~ and projecting lands 220 and 222. These lands are aligned and 8 ¦ shaped to engage and thereby limit closing movement of the jaws.
, ¦ Bosses 268 and 260 on lan~ 220 are aligned with complementary~
recesses 272 and 270 in land 222 to assist in properly aligning ; 11 ¦ the jaws upon closing. Boss 260 is formed adjacent one side and , 12 1 boss 268 adjacent the other side of jaw 220.
13 I Further modifications may be made to the manner in which 14 ¦¦ the pin and/or plunger are retained within the bore of the barrel ¦ in readiness for use, ~s an alternate to the ribs described 16 previously, the surface,of the barrel may be provided with a very , slight projection, of the order of a few thousandths of an inch.
18 This may be achieved by molding such projection directly onto the 19 1 surface of the barreI bore or in some instances a slight pro-, 20 ~I jection may be achieved by merely scratching or blemishing the 21 inner surface of the bore which may roughen it slightly. The 22 blemishes should, of course, be located on the bore so that they 23 will engage the pin and/or plunger respectively in a position 24 ¦¦ ready for use.
¦ One feature of the pre-sent invention comprises an arrange-26 1 ment for piercing an earlobe with a headed pin and securing the ~ 16 -Il , . 1, .
'" il ' lH118/7 DW* f 12/2/74 ~ ~0~4'~94 pointed end of the pin to a nut positioned on the side of the 2 ¦1 lobe opposite the pin. This arrangement includes a means for 3 1l positioning the pln on one side of the lobe and the nut on the 4 1l other. Means are provided for retaining the pin and nut in ¦¦ spaced relative positions against forces over a range from a ll 6 ¦! first force to a second force of substantially greater magnitude ¦
7 !l than the first. Upon application of a force in excess of the 8 1, second force the pin is abruptly released from its spaced relative 9 I position and is driven through the lobe and into engagement with ¦
I the nut. Means are also provided for releasing both the pin and nut from the arrangement when in said engaged position. The 12 il specific means for abruptly releasing the pin may vary and may 13 !1 include such elements as a deformable or movable detent, although 14 ¦! a frangible or breaking element such as the collar arrangement 1 previously described is preferred. In preferred embodiments 16 1 forces may be applied either directly to the pin or to means for 17 ¦ applying forces to the pin in an order of magnitude less than said first force without driving the pin through the lobe.
19 il The invention is particularly suited for low cost pro-~ duction and may be easily preassembled with the pin and nut and 21 ! then be packaged in sterilized condition so that it may be ready 22 ¦¦ for use immediately when desired. It avoids the need for sepa-23 Ij rate preliminary sterilization steps and other procedures which 24 j, have heretofore been an inherent part of the earlobe piercing 1i surgical procedur~e. The self-destructing feature of the in-26 ,~ vention insures sterility in that once used the device cannot be 27 ! reused.
~ . ~ ' ,. .
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il ' .lH118/701 12/2/74 1l ~0~7~4 i. I
1 1.. It should be understood that the foregoing description 2 11 of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof, 3 ¦ and that other modifications and embodiments may be apparent 4 j to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.
5 ¦1 ~aving thus described the invention, wnat I desire to 6 ¦¦ claim and secure by Letters Patent is:
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Claims (32)
1. A piercing device comprising a pair of spaced jaws, means supporting said jaws for movement toward each other from a remote to a spaced proximate position, means for limiting the proximity to which said jaws may be moved to provide a space between said jaws within which a member may be positioned;
piercing pin carrying means mounted on one of said jaws supporting a pin having a point at one end and a head at the other end with the longitudinal axis of said pin extending generally toward the other of said jaws, a nut adapted to engage the point of said pin with means mounted on the other of said jaws for holding said nut, a plunger carried by said pin carrying means in alignment with and adjacent to the head of said pin and mounted for movement toward said other jaw;
means operatively interengaging said plunger and said pin carrying means for moving said one jaw toward said other jaw to their proximate position in response to a force applied to said plunger in the direction of the other jaw;
said operatively interengaging means adapted to permit disengagement of said plunger and said pin carrying means when said jaws are in said proximate position and a force which is greater than that required to urge said jaws to their most proximate position is applied to said plunger, whereby upon disengaging of said plunger and said carrying means, said plunger will move forwardly under the influence of said greater force to drive said pin forwardly toward said other jaw.
piercing pin carrying means mounted on one of said jaws supporting a pin having a point at one end and a head at the other end with the longitudinal axis of said pin extending generally toward the other of said jaws, a nut adapted to engage the point of said pin with means mounted on the other of said jaws for holding said nut, a plunger carried by said pin carrying means in alignment with and adjacent to the head of said pin and mounted for movement toward said other jaw;
means operatively interengaging said plunger and said pin carrying means for moving said one jaw toward said other jaw to their proximate position in response to a force applied to said plunger in the direction of the other jaw;
said operatively interengaging means adapted to permit disengagement of said plunger and said pin carrying means when said jaws are in said proximate position and a force which is greater than that required to urge said jaws to their most proximate position is applied to said plunger, whereby upon disengaging of said plunger and said carrying means, said plunger will move forwardly under the influence of said greater force to drive said pin forwardly toward said other jaw.
2. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said pin carrying means comprises;
a barrel having a bore extending through the barrel toward said other jaw, said bore having dimensions greater than the head of said pin to allow said pin to be moved through said bore toward said other jaw.
a barrel having a bore extending through the barrel toward said other jaw, said bore having dimensions greater than the head of said pin to allow said pin to be moved through said bore toward said other jaw.
3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said plunger has a cross-section shaped to pass through said bore, and wherein said means operatively interengaging said plunger and pin carrying means comprises;
a collar secured to said plunger intermediate its ends and extending radially therefrom, said collar being engageable with one end of said barrel to limit insertion of one end of said plunger into said barrel to a predetermined position, said collar being fracturable in response to said greater force on said plunger.
a collar secured to said plunger intermediate its ends and extending radially therefrom, said collar being engageable with one end of said barrel to limit insertion of one end of said plunger into said barrel to a predetermined position, said collar being fracturable in response to said greater force on said plunger.
4. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means operatively interengaging said plunger and pin carrying means comprises;
projection means on the surface of the bore in obstruct-ing relation to said pin, said projection means being fractur-able when engaged by said pin as said pin is moved by said greater force.
projection means on the surface of the bore in obstruct-ing relation to said pin, said projection means being fractur-able when engaged by said pin as said pin is moved by said greater force.
5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for disengaging said plunger and said pin carrying means require said greater force to be of the order of approximately between two to five pounds greater than that required to urge said jaws to said proximate position.
6. A device as defined in claim 2 further comprising;
said bore of said barrel having dimensions conforming in shape to the dimensions of the head of said pin and retain-ing said pin in a slidable but snug fit.
said bore of said barrel having dimensions conforming in shape to the dimensions of the head of said pin and retain-ing said pin in a slidable but snug fit.
7. A device as defined in claim 6 including at least one rib extending longitudinally of said bore, and engage-able with said pin to effect said snug fit.
8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said one rib engages at least a portion of one end of said plunger when said one end of said plunger is disposed within said bore.
9. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws are formed at the ends of a pair of legs, and a resilient spring member interconnecting the opposite ends of said legs to form a U-shaped configuration.
10. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said nut holding means comprises a chuck for holding said nut on the other of said jaws with the nut oriented to receive the point of said pin when said pin is moved toward said other jaws, said chuck having slots for removal of said nut with said pin attached thereto.
11. A device as defined in claim 9 further comprising means for maintaining lateral alignment of said jaws as said jaws are moved to said proximate position.
12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for limiting the proximity to which said jaws may be moved comprises a first abutting member on one of said legs and extending toward the other and a second abutting member on the other of said legs and extending toward said first abutting member, one of said abutting members having a con-cave configuration complementary and aligned with said convex configuration.
13. A device as defined in claim 12 further compris-ing:
said concave and convex configurations of said abut-ting members being V-shaped in cross-sectional configuration taken along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal dimensions of said legs.
said concave and convex configurations of said abut-ting members being V-shaped in cross-sectional configuration taken along a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal dimensions of said legs.
14. A device as defined in claim 12 further compris-ing:
said convex configuration of said one of said abut-ting members being defined by a pair of heightwise spaced pro-jections, each of said protections having a side portion of conical configuration, the conical surfaces of said projections facing in transversely opposite directions, the other of said abutting members having receptive pockets formed therein and facing said projections, said pockets having complementary coni-cal surfaces to receive said conical surfaces of said projections.
said convex configuration of said one of said abut-ting members being defined by a pair of heightwise spaced pro-jections, each of said protections having a side portion of conical configuration, the conical surfaces of said projections facing in transversely opposite directions, the other of said abutting members having receptive pockets formed therein and facing said projections, said pockets having complementary coni-cal surfaces to receive said conical surfaces of said projections.
15. A device as defined in claim 3 further compris-ing;
said plunger having a diameter at its juncture with said collar that is less than the diameter of said bore.
said plunger having a diameter at its juncture with said collar that is less than the diameter of said bore.
16. A device as defined in claim 1 including chuck means for holding a nut designed to engage the point of said pin, and formed by a pair of orthogonally related slots extend-ing longitudinally of and from the upper end of said jaw with one of said slots comprising a transverse slot intersecting said other slot, said transverse slot extending beyond the bottom of said other slot closer to one surface of said chuck to define a slightly flexible finger;
said one other slot having a depth sufficient to support said nut in alignment with said pin when said jaws of said device are in said proximate position, said fingers having a flexibility for facilitating separation of said nut from said chuck.
said one other slot having a depth sufficient to support said nut in alignment with said pin when said jaws of said device are in said proximate position, said fingers having a flexibility for facilitating separation of said nut from said chuck.
17. A device as defined in claim 16 wherein that portion of said other slot which extends through said finger has a bottom slightly below the axis of a piercing pin in said carrying means and is of a width slightly larger than a shaft of said piercing pin.
18. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for disengaging includes an element which is suddenly deformed when said greater force is reached.
19. A device as defined in claim 16 wherein the open end of said one slot is beveled to define an enlarged exit area from said chuck.
20. A device for piercing an earlobe with a pin having a point at one end and a head at the other end and for securing the pin to the earlobe with a nut engaging the pointed end of the pin comprising;
first means for commonly supporting the pin and nut for movement from first spaced relative position to an engaged position wherein the pin is engaged by the nut;
second means for guiding and limiting said pin and nut to a second spaced relative position closer together than said first spaced relative position with the pin point generally aligned with the nut under a force of up to a first magnitude, plunger means for applying a force on the head of the pin in a direction toward said nut;
means for absorbing the force applied through said plunger means which is below said first magnitude to retain said pin and nut in said second position until a force great-er than said force of said first magnitude is applied through said plunger means and for abruptly releasing said pin for movement to said engaged position from said second spaced relative position when a force greater than said force of said magnitude is applied.
first means for commonly supporting the pin and nut for movement from first spaced relative position to an engaged position wherein the pin is engaged by the nut;
second means for guiding and limiting said pin and nut to a second spaced relative position closer together than said first spaced relative position with the pin point generally aligned with the nut under a force of up to a first magnitude, plunger means for applying a force on the head of the pin in a direction toward said nut;
means for absorbing the force applied through said plunger means which is below said first magnitude to retain said pin and nut in said second position until a force great-er than said force of said first magnitude is applied through said plunger means and for abruptly releasing said pin for movement to said engaged position from said second spaced relative position when a force greater than said force of said magnitude is applied.
21. A device for piercing an earlobe with a pin having a head at one end and a point at the other end and for securing the pin to the earlobe with a nut engaging a pointed end of the pin comprising;
first means for commonly supporting the pin and nut for a movement from a first spaced relative position with the nut to an engaged position wherein the pin is engaged by the nut;
second means for guiding said pin and nut to a second spaced relative position closer together than said first spaced relative position under a force of up to a first magnitude;
means for limiting the force which can be applied to said pin as said pin and nut are moved from said first to said second spaced relative positions to one which is less than said first magnitude, and means for moving said pin and nut from said second spaced relative position to said engaged position when a force greater than said first magnitude is applied.
first means for commonly supporting the pin and nut for a movement from a first spaced relative position with the nut to an engaged position wherein the pin is engaged by the nut;
second means for guiding said pin and nut to a second spaced relative position closer together than said first spaced relative position under a force of up to a first magnitude;
means for limiting the force which can be applied to said pin as said pin and nut are moved from said first to said second spaced relative positions to one which is less than said first magnitude, and means for moving said pin and nut from said second spaced relative position to said engaged position when a force greater than said first magnitude is applied.
22. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein said retaining means includes a rupturable member that is des-troyed upon application of a force in excess of said first magnitude.
23. A device as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means for limiting includes a rupturable member that is des-troyed upon application of a force in excess of said first magnitude.
24. A device for piercing an earlobe with a headed pin and securing the pin to a nut comprising;
common means for supporting a pin and a nut for move-ment from a more remote to a closer spaced relative position, said pin having a head at one end and a point at the other end with the pointed end of said pin on one side of an earlobe and said nut on the other side of said earlobe, said common means including means to limit movement toward each other of said point and nut to said closer spaced relative position, plunge means supported by said common means with one end adapted to engage the headed pin and upon application of a hand force at the other end in excess of a preselected amount to drive the point of said pin from said closer spaced relative position through said earlobe into engagement with said nut, means for preventing the movement of said pin from said closer spaced relative position upon application of forces below said pre-selected amount including means for abruptly releasing said pin for movement when said preselected force is exceeded.
common means for supporting a pin and a nut for move-ment from a more remote to a closer spaced relative position, said pin having a head at one end and a point at the other end with the pointed end of said pin on one side of an earlobe and said nut on the other side of said earlobe, said common means including means to limit movement toward each other of said point and nut to said closer spaced relative position, plunge means supported by said common means with one end adapted to engage the headed pin and upon application of a hand force at the other end in excess of a preselected amount to drive the point of said pin from said closer spaced relative position through said earlobe into engagement with said nut, means for preventing the movement of said pin from said closer spaced relative position upon application of forces below said pre-selected amount including means for abruptly releasing said pin for movement when said preselected force is exceeded.
25. A device as set forth in claim 24 wherein means are provided for moving said pin and nut to said spaced relative position from a position more remote, upon application of a force below said preselected amount to portions of said common means.
26. A device for piercing an earlobe with a pin having a point at one end and a head at the other end and for securing the pin to the earlobe with a nut engaging the pointed end of the pin comprising:
common means for removably retaining a nut and a pin having a head at one and and a point at the other in spaced array with said nut on one side and said pin on the opposite side of an earlobe;
and means for driving the point of said pin through said earlobe into engagement with said nut including deform-able means operatively inter-engaging with said means for driving for limiting movement of said means for driving until the force sufficient to deform said deformable means is exceeded and for directly transferring said force to said pin whereby said pin is driven from said position of spaced align-ment through said earlobe, and said device is not reusable after said deformable means is deformed.
common means for removably retaining a nut and a pin having a head at one and and a point at the other in spaced array with said nut on one side and said pin on the opposite side of an earlobe;
and means for driving the point of said pin through said earlobe into engagement with said nut including deform-able means operatively inter-engaging with said means for driving for limiting movement of said means for driving until the force sufficient to deform said deformable means is exceeded and for directly transferring said force to said pin whereby said pin is driven from said position of spaced align-ment through said earlobe, and said device is not reusable after said deformable means is deformed.
27. A device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said means for deforming includes a collar integral with and extending laterally from said driving means.
28. A device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said deformable means comprises a collar radially extending from said means for driving.
29. A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein said means for supporting said headed pin is adapted to normally maintain the point of said pin projecting therefrom in a dir-ection toward said nut whereby said pin will be in pressure engagement with but not pierce an earlobe when said pin and nut are in said second spaced relative position.
30. The device of claim 2 wherein said plunger has a projection frictionally engaging the bore of said barrel.
31. The device of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said barrel is transparent whereby movement of the end of said pin may be seen as the pin is moved toward and in contact with the earlobe.
32. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said device is formed of a transparent plastic.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US45755174A | 1974-04-13 | 1974-04-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1064794A true CA1064794A (en) | 1979-10-23 |
Family
ID=23817164
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA222,774A Expired CA1064794A (en) | 1974-04-03 | 1975-03-21 | Disposable ear piercing device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5819281B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1064794A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4576019B2 (en) * | 2000-03-03 | 2010-11-04 | 株式会社セントラル・メディック | Piercing punch |
| JP4576063B2 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2010-11-04 | 株式会社セントラル・メディック | Extrusion mechanism and piercer |
-
1975
- 1975-03-21 CA CA222,774A patent/CA1064794A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-04-03 JP JP4073675A patent/JPS5819281B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5819281B2 (en) | 1983-04-18 |
| JPS50155082A (en) | 1975-12-13 |
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