US20160120273A1

US20160120273A1 - Magnetic Non-piercing Earring

Info

Publication number: US20160120273A1
Application number: US14/526,728
Authority: US
Inventors: Mei Chen Lee; Christopher Bradshaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-29
Filing date: 2014-10-29
Publication date: 2016-05-05
Also published as: CA2906677A1

Abstract

The invention is directed to a non-piercing earring comprising a front member, a rear member, a first magnet, a second magnet, a stop, and a compressible spring. The front member and rear member connect to form a hoop shaped earring. The rear member slides within an inner cavity in the front member. The inner cavity houses a compressible spring to generate a force pushing the rear member toward the user's ear. The terminable ends of the front member and rear member have magnets situated to provide an attractive force and further maintain the earring on the ear of the user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains generally to jewelry and more particularly to nonpiercing magnetic earrings utilizing a secondary internal force generated for ensuring secure closure of the earring to a user's ear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earrings and jewelry are known in the art. Normally, earrings are used for pierced ears where a front member has a bar which passes through a hole in the user's ear. A backing member is attached to the bar to secure the front member onto the user's ear. Those who do not have pierced ears are unable to wear standard earrings. Others have utilized additional means to secure earrings to nonpierced ears. This may entail using an adhesive to secure a front member to the front lobe. Others have used magnets to secure a front member and a rear member to a user's earlobe. The front member and the rear member each contain a small magnet, with opposite polarities, to hold the earring onto the ear. Each of these methods have limitations. Adhesives may cause irritation to the skin. The use of magnets alone may not be sufficiently secure if a user is physically active. The earring may still slip off of a user's earlobe. Also, the use of magnetic earrings, particularly studs, is difficult given that a user has to find the correct spot for both the front piece and the back piece to attract each other. This is difficult when a user cannot see the earlobe. What is needed is a nonpiercing earring which utilizes more than one way to create a positive force on a user's earlobe in order to secure the earring in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a non-piercing earring comprising a front member, a rear member, a first magnet, a second magnet, a stop, and a compressible spring. The front member has a first end and a second end. The front member has an internal cavity. The proximal end of the internal cavity is located at the second end of the front member. The distal end of the internal cavity is located within the body of the front member. When the first end of the front member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user and the body of the front member extends radially toward the opposite side of a user's ear. The rear member has a first end and a second end. When the first end of the rear member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user, the first end of the rear member is substantially directly opposite from the first end of the front member. When the first end of the rear member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user the body of the rear member extends radially toward the opposite side of a user's ear. The second end of the rear member is inserted through the second end of the front member and extends into the internal cavity of the front member. The first magnet is secured to the first end of the front member. The second magnet is secured to the first end of the rear member. The stop is located within the internal cavity. The compressible spring is housed within the internal cavity. The compressible spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the compressible spring engages the stop and the second end of the compressible spring engages the second end of the rear member when the rear member is inserted into the internal cavity sufficient to compress the compressible spring. The compressible spring generates a force pushing the rear member out of the internal cavity to rotate the first end of the rear member toward the first end of the front member. The polarity of the side of the first magnet that is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user is opposite to the polarity of the side of the second magnet that is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user to create an attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
The earring may further comprise a cap. The cap is removably secured to the proximal end of the internal cavity of the front member. The cap has a central hole through which the body of the rear member passes. The front member may further comprise an internal threading located at the proximal end of the internal cavity. The cap has an external threading complementary to the internal threading of the internal cavity.
In one embodiment of the earring, the second end of the rear member terminates in a flange. The diameter of the flange is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the main shaft of the rear member. The diameter of the flange is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the internal cavity. The surface of the flange engages the compressible spring.
In one embodiment of the earring, the second end of the front member terminates in a lip. The lip extends from the outer cross-sectional circumference of the front member toward the inner cross-sectional midpoint of the front member. The lip forms a central hole at the second end of the front member through which the body of rear member passes. In one embodiment of the invention, the stop is defined by the end wall of the internal cavity. In one embodiment of the invention, the stop is defined by one or more protrusions into the internal cavity.
In one embodiment of the invention, the invention is directed to a non-piercing earring comprising a front member, a rear member, a first magnet, a second magnet, a stop, and two or more internal magnets. The front member has a first end and a second end. The front member has an internal cavity. The proximal end of the internal cavity is located at the second end of the front member. The distal end of the internal cavity is located within the body of the front member. When the first end of the front member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user and the body of the front member extends radially toward the opposite side of a user's ear. The rear member has a first end and a second end. When the first end of the rear member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user, the first end of the rear member is substantially directly opposite from the first end of the front member. When the first end of the rear member is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user the body of the rear member extends radially toward the opposite side of a user's ear. The second end of the rear member is inserted through the second end of the front member and extends into the internal cavity of the front member. The first magnet is secured to the first end of the front member. The second magnet is secured to the first end of the rear member. The stop is located within the internal cavity. The two or more internal magnets are housed within the internal cavity. The two or more internal magnets are positioned to generate a repulsive force between adjacent internal magnets. The internal magnet positioned in the distal end of the internal cavity engages the stop. The internal magnet positioned in the proximal end of the internal cavity engages the second end of the rear member. The repulsive force between the adjacent internal magnets pushes the rear member out of the internal cavity to rotate the first end of the rear member toward the first end of the front member. The polarity of the side of the first magnet that is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user is opposite to the polarity of the side of the second magnet that is disposed adjacent to the ear of a user to create an attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
This alternative embodiment may further comprise a cap. The cap is removably secured to the proximal end of the internal cavity of the front member. The cap has a central hole through which the body of the rear member passes. The front member may further comprise an internal threading located at the proximal end of the internal cavity. The cap has an external threading complementary to the internal threading of the internal cavity.
In another embodiment of the alternative version, the second end of the rear member terminates in a flange. The diameter of the flange is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the main shaft of the rear member. The diameter of the flange is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the internal cavity. The surface of the flange engages the internal magnet positioned in the proximal end of the internal cavity.
In another embodiment of the alternative version, the second end of the front member terminates in a lip. The lip extends from the outer cross-sectional circumference of the front member toward the inner cross-sectional midpoint of the front member. The lip forms a central hole at the second end of the front member through which the body of rear member passes. In one embodiment of the invention, the stop is defined by the end wall of the internal cavity. In one embodiment of the invention, the stop is defined by one or more protrusions into the internal cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 2 displays an exploded view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 3 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 4 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 5 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 6 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 7 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the earring.

FIG. 8 displays a cut away side view of one embodiment of the front member of the earring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the invention will be described with regards to the preferred embodiment, it should be self-evident to one having skill in the art that other variations and possibilities exist without departing from the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the magnetic earring comprises a front member 10 and a rear member 20. The front member 10 and rear member 20 fit together to form a substantially circular shape. In the preferred embodiment the earring is a hoop earring. The front member 10 is substantially circular along a cross section of the front member 10.
The front member 10 is positioned on the front of a user's earlobe. The first end of the front member 10 fits against the front of the user's earlobe. The front member 10 extends radially around the earlobe of the user. The front member 10 terminates in a second end behind the earlobe of the user. The rear member 20 is substantially circular along a cross section of the rear member 20.
The first end of the rear member 20 fits against the back of the user's earlobe. The rear member 20 extends radially away from the earlobe of the user and terminates in a second end. In the preferred embodiment the cross-sectional diameter of the rear member 20 is less than the cross-sectional diameter of the front member 10. When positioned on the earlobe of a user the second end of the rear member 20 fits within the second end of the front member 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the magnetic earring is displayed. The magnetic earring is comprised of a front member 10, a rear member 20, a first magnet 30, a second magnet 40, a spring 50, and a cap 70.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a cut away side view of the magnetic earring is displayed. The front member 10 has an internal cavity 15. The internal cavity 15 houses the spring 50 and is structured to receive the rear member 20. The internal cavity 15 is formed starting at the second end of the front member 10. The internal cavity 15 may extend partially through the body of the front member 10. Alternatively, the internal cavity 15 may extend through the entire body of the front member. In the preferred embodiment, the internal cavity 15 terminates in a stop 80. A cross section of the front member 10 at the internal cavity 15 is substantially circular, forming a hollow tube. The rear member 20 may be solid or hollow. Thus a cross section of the rear member 20 is substantially circular and may result in a solid circular disc or a hollow tube.
Secured to the first end of the front member 10 is a first magnet 30. Secured to the first end of the rear member 20 is a second magnet 40. The polarity of the first magnet 30 is opposite to the polarity of the second magnet 40. The attracting magnetic force generated by the first magnet 30 and second magnet 40 pulls the first end of the front member 10 toward the first end of the rear member 20. This force causes the first end of the front member 10 and the first end of the rear member 20 to apply pressure to the user's earlobe.
Internal in the front member 10 is a stop 80. The stop 80 may be positioned at any location along the longitudinal length of the front member 10. The stop 80 may be a flat surface covering the entire cross-section of the front member 10. In other embodiments the stop 80 may cover only a portion of the cross-section of the front member 10, such as being a ring. Alternatively, as displayed in FIG. 8, the stop 80 may be comprised of a plurality of tabs 82. The stop 80 is utilized to be a stop for the spring 50. The spring 50 is enclosed within the internal cavity 15. The first end of the spring 50 engages the stop 80. The second end of the spring 50 engages the second end of the rear member 20. The spring 50 applies a physical force on the rear member 20 to push the rear member 20 outward from the internal cavity 15 of the front member 10.
In the preferred embodiment, the second end of the front member 10 terminates with an internal thread to receive a cap 70. The cap 70 contains an external thread complementary to the internal thread of the front member 10. The cap 70 has a central hole through which the rear member 20 passes.
The second end of the rear member 20 has a flange 60. The flange 60 is substantially circular and extends outward from the outer circumference of the rear member 20. The spring 50 pushes the rear member 20 outward from the front member 10 until the flange 60 engages the cap 70. The flange 60 engaging the cap 70 prevents the spring 50 from pushing the rear member 20 entirely out of the front member 10. In the preferred embodiment the flange 60 does not engage the cap 70 when the earring is being worn by a user, permitting the force of the spring 50 to push the rear member 20 against the rear of the user's earlobe. In some embodiments the flange 60 only engages the cap 70 if the first end of the front member 10 physically touches the first end of the rear member 20. In other embodiments the flange 60 does not engage the cap 70 when the first end of the front member 10 physically touches the first end of the rear member 20.
In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic earring does not have a cap 70. In this embodiment the rear member 20 is sufficiently longer than the internal cavity 15, thereby preventing the rear member 20 to be fully pushed out of the internal cavity 15. In this embodiment the second end of the rear member may or may not have a flange 60.
In an alternative embodiment of the magnetic earring, as displayed in FIG. 8, the second end of the front member 10 does not receive a cap but terminates in a lip 12. The lip is substantially circular and extends inward from the outer circumference of the front member 10. The lip 12 has a center hole 14 which permits the rear member 20 to pass through the center of the lip 12.
Referring to FIG. 2, to use the earring a user applies a force to the rear member 20, causing the rear member 20 to slide into the front member 10, compressing the spring 50. The user then places the first end of the front member 10 having the first magnet 30 against the front of the user's earlobe. The user then releases the force from the rear member 20. The spring 50 pushes on the second end of the rear member 20, causing the rear member 20 to slide out of the front member 10. The first end of the rear member 20 having the second magnet 40 engages the rear of the user's earlobe. The first magnet 30 magnetically engages the second magnet 40 in a magnetic attraction. The magnetically attractive force between the first magnet 30 and second magnet 40 pulls the first end of the front member 10 toward the first end of the back member 20. The first end of the front member 10 and the first end of the back member 20 compress against the earlobe of the user. The combined force generated by the spring 50 and the first magnet 30 and second magnet 40 causes the first end of the front member 10 and the first end of the rear member 20 to compress against the earlobe of the user.
The earring may be made out of any acceptable metal. The earring may be gold, silver, titanium, platinum, stainless steel, tungsten, or any other type of metal. The earring may also be composed of two or more metals mixed together or have a metal plating.
The overall diameter of the earring may be any size. The length of the front member may be any number of degrees of the radius of the circular shape of the earring provided that the second end of the front member 10 terminates behind the earlobe and there is sufficient space for the rear member 20 to compress and permit insertion of the user's earlobe between the first end of the front member 10 and the first end of the rear member 20. The rear member 20 may be any length provided that the length of the rear member 20 is less than the length of the front member 10 and internal space in the internal cavity 15 permits placement of the spring 50. The cross sectional dimension of the front member 10 may be any size and shape. The cross sectional dimension of the rear member 20 may be any size and shape provided that the cross sectional dimension of the rear member 20 is sufficiently smaller than the cross sectional dimension of the front member 10 to permit the rear member 20 to slide into the internal cavity 15 of the front member 10. The cross sectional shape of the rear member 20 may be identical to the cross sectional shape of the front member 10. Alternatively, the cross sectional shape of the rear member 20 may be different than the cross sectional shape of the front member 10.
The front member 10 may further comprise one or more decorative embellishments attached to the external surface of the front member 10. The external embellishments may be positioned at any location along the length of the front member 10. The external embellishments may include jewels, pendants, or any other decorative shape.
Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the invention is displayed. In this embodiment the spring 50 is replaced by a plurality of internal magnets 90. The plurality of internal magnets 90 are housed entirely within the internal cavity 15 of the front member 10. The internal magnets 90 are positioned such that the polarity of the internal magnets generate a repelling force. For instance, as displayed in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, two internal magnets 90 may be used. The two internal magnets 90 are positioned so that the sides with the same polarity are facing each other to generate a repulsive force. The repulsive force pushes the internal magnets 90 apart. The outer most of the internal magnets 90 pushes against the rear member 20, pushing the rear member out from the internal cavity 15. In this embodiment, the combined force of the repulsion of the internal magnets 90 and the attraction between the first magnet 30 and second magnet 40 pushes the front member 10 and rear member 20 against the earlobe of the user with sufficient force to hold the earring onto the user's ear. As displayed in FIG. 7, more than two internal magnets 90 may be utilized. In this embodiment, the sides with identical polarities are placed facing each other so that each of the internal magnets 90 generates a repulsive force with each neighboring internal magnet 90. The internal magnet 90 furthest within the internal cavity 15 engages the stop 80. The internal magnet furthest to the end of the internal cavity 15 engages the second end of the rear member 20. The internal magnet 90 engaging the rear member 20 may be permanently adhered to the second end of the rear member 20. The internal magnet 90 permanently adhered to the second end of the rear member 20 may be attached to the flange 60 or may be large enough in shape to replace the flange 60. The internal magnet 90 engaging the stop 80 may be permanently adhered to the stop 80.
As displayed in FIG. 6, when a user wishes to place the magnetic earring on an ear, the user pushes the rear member 20 into the internal cavity 15 of the front member 10. As the rear member 20 is pushed further into the internal cavity 15, the internal magnets 90 are pushed closer together. The repulsive force between the internal magnets 90 grows greater as the internal magnets 90 are compressed together. When the user releases the rear member 20, the repulsive force of the internal magnets 90 pushes the rear member 20 out of the internal cavity 15. The attractive force between the first magnet 30 and second magnet 40 then pull the first end of the front member 10 and first end of the rear member 20 together to apply pressure onto the earlobe of the user.

Claims

1. A non-piercing earring comprising

a front member

said front member having a first end and a second end;

said front member having an internal cavity with a proximal end and distal end

wherein the proximal end of said internal cavity is located at said second end of said front member;

wherein the distal end of said internal cavity is located within the body of said front member;

a rear member

said rear member having a first end and a second end

wherein said first end of said rear member is disposed substantially directly opposite from said first end of said front member

wherein said second end of said rear member is inserted through said second end of said front member and extends into said internal cavity of said front member;

a first magnet secured to said first end of said front member;

a second magnet secured to said first end of said rear member;

a stop located within said internal cavity;

a compressible spring housed within said internal cavity

wherein said first end of said compressible spring engages said stop and said second end of said compressible spring engages said second end of said rear member when said rear member is inserted into said internal cavity sufficient to compress said compressible spring

wherein said compressible spring generates a force pushing said rear member out of said internal cavity to rotate said first end of said rear member toward said first end of said front member

wherein the polarity of said first magnet is opposite to the polarity of said second magnet to create an attractive force between said first magnet and said second magnet

wherein said front member is semi-circular, said rear member is semi-circular, and said first magnet fully contacts said second magnet such that no space exists between said first magnet and said second magnet when said rear member is fully extended from said internal cavity.

2. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a cap removably secured to the proximal end of said internal cavity of said front member, said cap having a central hole through which the body of said rear member passes.

3. The device as in claim 2

wherein said proximal end of said internal cavity is threaded, and said cap is external threaded to engage said proximal end.

4. The device as in claim 1

wherein said second end of said rear member terminates in a flange, said flange having a diameter sufficiently larger than a diameter of the main shaft of said rear member and sufficiently smaller than a diameter of said internal cavity, a surface of said flange engaging said compressible spring.

5. The device as in claim 1

wherein said second end of said front member terminates in a lip extending inward forming a central hole at said second end of said front member through which the body of rear member passes.

6. The device as in claim 1

wherein said stop is defined by the end wall of said internal cavity.

7. The device as in claim 1

wherein said stop is defined by one or more protrusions into said internal cavity.

8. The device as in claim 3

wherein said second end of said rear member terminates in a flange

wherein the diameter of said flange is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the main shaft of said rear member

wherein the diameter of said flange is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of said internal cavity

wherein the surface of said flange engages said compressible spring.

9. The device as in claim 8

wherein said stop is defined by the end wall of said internal cavity.

10. The device as in claim 8

11. (canceled)

12. The device as in claim 4

wherein said stop is defined by the end wall of said internal cavity.

13. The device as in claim 4

14. A non-piercing earring comprising

a front member having a first end, a second end, and an internal cavity with a proximal end and a distal end

wherein the proximal end of said internal cavity is located at said second end of said front member and the distal end of said internal cavity is located within said front member;

a rear member

said rear member having a first end and a second end

wherein said first end of said rear member is substantially directly opposite from said first end of said front member

wherein said second end of said rear member is inserted through said second end of said front member and extends into said internal cavity of said front member

a first magnet secured to said first end of said front member

a second magnet secured to said first end of said rear member

a stop located within said internal cavity

two or more internal magnets housed within said internal cavity and positioned to generate a repulsive force between adjacent internal magnets, said repulsive force between pushing said rear member out of said internal cavity to rotate said first end of said rear member toward said first end of said front member

wherein said internal magnet positioned in the distal end of said internal cavity engages said stop;

wherein said internal magnet positioned in the proximal end of said internal cavity engages said second end of said rear member;

15. The device as in claim 14 further comprising a cap removably secured to the proximal end of said internal cavity of said front member, said cap having a central hole through which the body of said rear member passes.

16. The device as in claim 15

17. The device as in claim 14

wherein said second end of said rear member terminates in a flange, said flange having a diameter sufficiently larger than a diameter of the main shaft of said rear member and sufficiently smaller than a diameter of said internal cavity, a surface of said flange engaging said internal magnet positioned in the proximal end of the internal cavity.

18. The device as in claim 14

19. The device as in claim 18

20. The device as in claim 16