EP0660678A1

EP0660678A1 - Improvements relating to earrings

Info

Publication number: EP0660678A1
Application number: EP94908848A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ann Mairs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-04
Filing date: 1993-09-06
Publication date: 1995-07-05
Also published as: AU4975393A; GB9218718D0; WO1994005178A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement for ornaments such as earrings which are to be worn on, or through a pierced hole in a person's anatomy such as the ear or nose. The earring is provided in one aspect to reduce allergic reaction of the wearer to certain metals by the manufacture of a base proof from suitable metals and providing same with location means for the attachment thereto of decorative elements which can be manufactured from cheaper materials which due to the shape of the base are prevented from contacting the wearer's skin. The invention also provides a base element to which can be attached a variety of different decorative elements to suit the wearer and in a manner such that there is no, or a minimum, gap apparent between the two parts.

Description

Improvements Relating to Earrings

This invention relates to improvements in earrings. Typically but not exclusively the improvements are directed towards those earrings which are designed to be worn by persons who have had their ear lobes pierced for the reception of earrings therein. It is envisaged however that the improvements can also be used in combination with clipon earrings or screw in earrings.

At present earrings are worn typically in the ear but also on other parts of the body such as, for example the nose, as a fashion item and although reference is made herein to earrings it should be understood that the improvements so described are equally effective in relation to wearing an ornament on any part of the anatomy. There are two common types of earring available, the first of which is the earring to be worn through a pierced hole in the persons ear lobe. This earring comprises a narrow rod which passes through the pierced hole and which has as an integral part either a "sleeper" piece or a decorative earring which is the part visible to the onlooker. At the other end of the rod there is provided a stopper which prevents the rod from slipping through the pierced hole. The sleeper piece is commonly formed from gold or silver and is worn for the majority of the time while the decorative earrings are worn on special or dress occasions.

The major problem with pierced earrings is that they come into close contact with the skin and it has been found that a large number of people have, or develop, allergies to earrings which are not formed of gold or silver or suitable metal alloys. Thus sleeper earrings made from gold or silver or a suitable metal alloy are normally worn to reduce the allergy problem. The requirement to manufacture earrings from precious metals or alloys which are relatively expensive means that if the decorative earrings are to prevent allergic reaction they must also be manufactured from the same material and thus become prohibitively expensive. Commonly therefore wearers are required to wear earrings formed of cheaper metals and to wear the same for relatively short periods of time in order to minimise the discomfort or pain to the wearer.

The second form of earring is the clipon type of earring which can be worn by persons who do not have pierced ears and, albeit to a lesser extent, these wearers can also suffer from allergic reaction to the wearing of these earrings as can wearers of the screw in type earring for which this invention is also of use.

It is known that persons would rather wear more decorative earrings for larger periods of time rather than sleepers however are unable to due to the problems of allergic reaction. It is also known that persons wish to be able to have at their disposal a greater range of gold or silver decorative earrings than is presently possible due to the expense of a set of earrings.

This problem has been recognised and several patents and patent applications namely GB2253986A, GB1504492, GB2189373 A and GB2244636A have addressed the problem. However in each case the solutions offered by the proprietors of the above patents have flaws which mean that they cannot be commercially succesful.

In GB253986A a clip on arrangement is disclosed and the clip on part is required to be of such shape that the decorative element would appear to be free to rotate around the shaft upon which it is mounted and hence the decorative element would not appear to be securely or properly affixed to the shaft. GB1504492 discloses an earring for reducing embarrassment to a person who has recently had their ear pierced. This earring is therefore provided for use in relation to a pin which has been used for the piercing of the ear and not for the purpose of the earring of the invention.

GB2189373 discloses an earring which includes a shaft typically with a threaded portion at one end. Into the threaded portion of the shaft is attached a decorative part of the earring mounted on a disc which is typically manufactured from a precioous metal to prevent allergic reaction. It has been found that the provision of a gold disc as part of the decorative element renders the same expensive to manufacture. Furthermore , the attachment means are of a size that when fitted the decorative element tends to pull down the wearers ear due to the gap between the shaft and the decorative element and the gap itself is clearly visible from a side view which in itself is undesirable. GB 2244636 discloses a threaded shaft to pass through the wearer's ear and the manufacturing difficulties in this case make the same impractical to manufacture due to the extremely narrow tolerances required in producing an internally threaded shaft of the dimensions required to pass through a pierced ear. Furthermore, the flange arrangement shown again requires a gap to be provided between the decorative element and the earring base and this is undesirable.

It is the aim of this invention to provide an earring which can be worn at all times without causing allergic reaction to the user while at the same time allowing the earrings to incorporate decorative elements which are not required to be made from precious metals or other expensive metal alloys. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a range of decorative elements which can be attached to a common base and in such a manner that the weight of the decorative elements does not add to the discomfort of the wearer.

The present invention provides an ornament adapted to be fitted to a persons ear or other appropriate part of a persons anatomy, said ornament comprising a base portion and a decorative element, said base including a locating means upon which the decorative element is releasably engageable and wherein the locating means on the base is a male member provided to be at least partially insertable into a female member provided on the decorative element.

In one embodiment the base will comprise a rod of dimension to pass through a pierced hole in the ear, a stopper at one end and at the other end a mounting plate with a locating means thereon. Typically said mounting plate will be mounted on a plane perpendicular to the rod and will be provided with an indent preferably in the centre of the mounting plate.

Preferably said mounting plate will be of sufficient size to prevent the decorative element of the earring fitted thereto from coming into prolonged contact with the ear when fitted.

In one embodiment the location means will be a threaded member fitted into the mounting plate indent and the decorative element to be fitted thereto will have a matching threaded hole provided therein. In a further embodiment the said location means will be a snap fastening means.

Typically said base will at least be formed from a precious metal or suitable metal alloy in those areas which contact the skin during wear and preferably, with the exception of the location means, will be wholly formed or wholly plated with the precious metal or metal alloy. The decorative element of the earring may be formed from whichever material is desired. The precious metal may be any of or a combination of gold, silver platinum or titanium and the metal alloy, a nickel free alloy.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a base for an ornament and a plurality of decorative elements therefore wherein each of said decorative elements is provided with a substantially similar female location means to be releasably engageable with a male location means provided on the base.

Typically the plurality of decorative elements will comprise different designs and colours to match different outfits worn by the person and it will be possible to purchase decorative elements separate from the base part.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an ornament for fitment through a pierced hole in a part of the body and said ornament consists of base part to pass through the pierced hole and a second part to act as decoration and wherein the base part at one end face thereof is provided with a male location member and on a face of the decorative element a matching female location member is provided such that when the two location means are engaged the ornament is formed and the faces of the base and decorative element are in contact.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 illustrates an earring of the invention being worn;

Figure 2A illustrates an exploded view of the elements of the earring of Figure 1 in one embodiment; Figure 2B illustrates an exploded view of a further embodiment of the earring of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrates a more detailed view of the earring components of Figure 2B,

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a detailed view of the base of the earring of Figure 2B elevation and plan respectively. Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a detailed view of the decorative element or decorative support of the earring of Figure 2B in elevation and plan respectively; and

Figure 6 illustrates a tool for providing the threaded region for the decorative element.

In Figure 1 an earring 2 of the invention is shown being worn on the ear 4 of a person and, as can be seen, the external appearance of the earring is that of any conventional earring.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate two embodiments of the earring 2 of the invention and referring firstly to Figure 2B the earring is seen to comprise a base part 6 and a decorative element 8. The base part 6 comprises a narrow rod 10, a mounting plate 12 and a location means 14 which in this case is a threaded insert 15. Also provided is a stopper 16 designed to be fitted to the end of the narrow rod 10 to prevent said rod from slipping through the pierced hole in the ear 4. The decorative element 8 comprises a matching location means 18 which in this case is a threaded hole 19. Also provided depending downwardly from and as an integral part of the decorative element 8 is a pendant 21 which adds to the overall effect of the earring. In Figure 2A similar elements are illustrated with the exception of the location means 14 which in this case are a snap fit arrangement 20 with a male and female part mounted on parts 6 and 8 respectively.

Figure 3 illustrates an elevation of the embodiment of the earring of Figure 2B wherein the decorative element 8 can be seen to provide a threaded location 19 means for the base and also a means 30 for the location thereon of a pendant 21 if desired. With regard now to the base 6 which is shown in section, this is provided with a male location means in the form of a threaded insert 15. This insert is placed into an indent 32 in the which will previously have been partially filled with a liquid solder material such that when the solder solidifies the insert 15 is securely held in position on the mounting plate 12. Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the threaded insert in position such that the outer face 34 of the mounting plate of the base 6 comes into contact with the face 36 of the decorative element as shown in Figures 5A and 5B when the threaded insert 15 is fully engaged into the threaded slot 19 in the decorative element. By providing location means in the form shown it is ensured that the maximum gap between the two parts and which is only the case in relation to certain style of eariings is less than 1/2 mm and thus the location of the two faces 34 and 36 prevents the decorative element from hanging at too great a distance from the ear. This therefore overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art previously discussed in that the weight of the decorative element, in this invention is not allowed to weigh down the wearer's ear and cause discomfort. None of the prior art can achieve this.

Alternatively, and dependant on the metal from which the parts are to be made, the base part in particular may initially be cast as one piece with additional machining undertaken therafter to for example form the thread thereon. Figure 6 illustrates a tool which has been developed to form the threaded hole in the collar for the decorative element 8. The tool 38 is formed from a bar 40 with a threaded portion 42 at one end. The outside diameter of the tool is typically required to be equal to the outside diameter of the thread to ensure that the correct threaded hole is formed in the ornament. The material to form the said collar of the decorative element of the earring is initially threaded onto the threaded portion of the tool and the earring is subsequently formed therafter.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the base part may be of a different form to facilitate either a clip on or screw on earring earring wherein the rod 10 is replaced by a clipping arrangement or screw on arrangement. The principles of the location means and the decorative element do however remain unchanged.

The earring base part 6 is fitted following conventional methods and normally the decorative element will be fitted to the base part prior to the fitting of the earring. Should the wearer wish to change the decorative element of the earring then they can remove the earring, remove the decorative element, and replace this with another decorative element from a range which they may have. It is envisaged that it will be possible to obtain a series of decorative elements designed to suit all possible uses for the earrings.

The main advantage of the invention is that by producing the base part from gold or silver or other precious metal or a suitable metal alloy or by plating the same with the precious metal or alloy and providing a mounting plate of suitable dimension thereon the wearer can wear the base part confident that no allergic reaction will occur on their skin. Furthermore as the decorative element is masked from the skin by the mounting plate said element can be manufactured from any material and fixed to the base part as required. This therefore allows the wearer a greater scope in the designs and material of earrings which can be worn and allows the wearer to wear the same for a greater length of time. The provision of the specific location means as herein claimed allows the face of the mounting plate to come into contact with the face of the decorative element when the two are fitted together and therefore the weight of the decorative element is kept as close to the ear as would be the case with a conventional earring and hence no additional discomfort is caused to the wearer as a result of wearing the earring.

Claims

1. An ornament adapted to be fitted to a persons ear or other appropriate part of a persons anatomy, said ornament comprising a base portion and a decorative element, said base including a locating means upon which the decorative element is releasably engageable and wherein the locating means on the base is a male member provided to be at least partially insertable into a female location means provided on the decorative element.

2. A base portion as in claim 1 wherein said base comprises a rod, a stopper adapted to fit at one end of said rod and a mounting plate at the other end and upon which said locating means is mounted.

3. A base portion as in claim 2 wherein said mounting plate is mounted on a plane substantially perpendicular to the rod.

4. A base portion as in Claim 2 wherein said mounting plate is provided with an indent for the reception of the locating means therein.

5. A mounting plate as in any of claims 2 - 4 wherein the mounting plate is of sufficient dimension to ensure that the decorative element, when mounted on the location means provided on the mounting plate, is substantially prevented from coming into contact with the wearer's skin.

6. A base portion as in Claim 2 wherein said rod is of such dimension to pass through a pierced hole provided in the persons anatomy where the ornament is to be worn.

7. A male location means as in Claim 1 wherein the location means is a threaded member provided to protrude outwardly from the base portion.

8. A male location means as in Claim 7 wherein the member is formed from either of stainless steel or brass or a pprecious metal.

9. A male location means as in Claim 1 wherein the same is in the form of a male snap fastening member.

10. A base portion as in any of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the base is at least substantially plated with a precious metal or a suitable metal alloy.

11. A base portion as in claim 10 wherein said base, with the exception of the location member, is formed from a precious metal or suitable alloy.

12. A base portion as in either claims 10 or 11 wherein the precious metal is any of or combinations of gold, silver, platinum or titanium and the suitable alloy is a nickel free alloy.

13. A decorative element as in Claim 1 wherein when the location means on the base portion is a threaded member the decorative element includes a threaded female location means and the thread pitch matches that of the male locating member.

14. A decorative element as in Claim 1 wherein, when the locating means on the base element is a male fastening part the decorative element incorporates a matching female fastening part.

15. A decorative element as in either of claims 13 or 14 wherein said element incorporates means to suspend a pendant therefrom.

16. An ornament for fitment through a pierced hole in a part of the body, said ornament consisting of a base portion including means to pass through the pierced hole and a second part to act as decoration and wherein the base portion at one end face thereof is provided with a male location member and on a face of the decorative element a matching female location means is provided such that when the location means are engaged the ornament is formed and the face of the base is in contact with the face of the decorative element.

17. A decorative element as in Claim 16 wherein the female location means provided therein is of sufficient depth to allow substantially the length of the male location means provided on the base portion to be located therein and for the respective faces to be brought into contact.

18. An ornament comprising a base portion and a decorative element for attachment to the said base wherein there is provided a plurality of decorative elements and each of said elements is provided with a similar female location means to allow each of the elements to be engageable on the base.

19. An ornament as herebefore described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.