US2819595A

US2819595A - Earring with a cushion attachment

Info

Publication number: US2819595A
Application number: US441421A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry R Northup
Original assignee: FAYE H NORTHUP
Current assignee: FAYE H NORTHUP
Priority date: 1954-07-06
Filing date: 1954-07-06
Publication date: 1958-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-14

Description

Jan. 14, 1958 H. R. NORTHUP EARRING WITH A cusmon ATTACHMENT Filed July 6, 1954 ffiflerz'ivf Z/zvy Z8, 7702 55240 1 .lg 3' V dzfys United states Patent 2,819,595 EARRING WITH A CUSHION ATTACHMENT Harry R. Northup, Mishawalka, Ind., assignor, by decree of distribution, to Faye H. Northup Application July 6, 1954, Serial No. 441,421 4 Claims. (Cl. 63-14) The present invention relates to an earring guard of the type adapted to be detachably connected to the ear lobe engaging portion of one of the legs of an earring frame. Because of the size, shape and/or weight of various earrings, it frequently happens that after such earrings are worn for a short period of time they become very uncomfortable to the wearer. Such discomfort in wearing of certain types of earrings frequently is the result of the substantial weight of the earring proper but more often is the result of the imposition of excessive clamping or gripping pressures employed to properly secure the earring in position on the ear lobe. If adequate gripping pressure is not utilized, frequently the earring will slip off of the earlobe and become damaged or lost.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel earring guard characterized by the provision of a body of resilient material having an undercut cavity formed therein, and adapted to be mounted on ear lobe engaging means of one of the legs of the frame of an earring and the resilient body serving to provide a soft, firm friction grip on the ear lobe for supporting an earring from the ear lobe with a minimum amount of discomfort.

Another object is to provide a novel earring guard of the character indicated formed of a body of resilient material having an undercut cavity formed therein and an aperture in the ear lobe engaging face of the body in direct communication with the cavity for providing a firm cushion engagement with the earlobe.

A further object is to provide a novel earring guard of the character indicated formed of a body of soft, resilient material having a coating of non-drying adhesive on one face thereof for detachable securement to ear lobe engaging means of one of the legs of an earring frame.

Still another object is to provide a novel earring guard which is simple in construction, durable and efficient in use, and which is capable of being economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conned tion with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged, side elevational View of an earring provided with the earring guard embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, similar to Figure 1, but showing the earring provided with my novel guard shown in mounted relation to an ear lobe;

Figure 3 is a face view of the earring guard;

Figure 4 is an axial section through the guard, taken substantially as indicated on line 44 of Figure 3.

The earring guard embodying the present invention is illustrated in the drawings in connection with one form of a clip-type earring. It will be apparent, however, that the novel guard embodying the present invention is adapted for use with various other forms of clip-type earrings and may also be used in connection with a screw-type earring wherein the ear lobe engaging head is substantially fiat.

2,819,595 Patented Jan. 14, 1958 The earring represented in the drawing is of a conventional type and comprises a generally U-shaped frame 10 having upwardly extending inner and

outer legs

11 and 12 respectively. Secured to the outer surface of the outer leg or formed as an integral part thereof is a suitable ornament indicated generally at 14. The inner surface of the leg 12 is preferably, though not necessarily so, provided with a button or seat 15 for engaging the outer surface of an ear lobe. The inner face of the inner leg 11 is provided with a button or seat 16 generally of circular form for normally engaging the inner surface of an ear lobe when the earring is mounted in position on the ear.

It is to be understood that the frame 10, including the

legs

11 and 12 in the construction herein illustrated, is formed of resilient material and the legs at their upper end are normally spaced apart a proper distance so that when the earring is applied in embracing relation to an ear lobe, the cooperating

buttons

15 and 16 grip the opposite faces of the ear lobe to support the earring in proper position.

The guard embodying the present invention comprises a body 20 of relatively resilient material, such as soft rubher or synthetic rubber. As shown, the guard is of generally cylindrical form and is provided with a cylindrical cavity 21 of a size and location so that all of the walls of the body are of relatively thin cross-section of material. The body includes a front face 22 and a rear face 23 which preferably are substantially flat. The front face of the resilient body is adapted to be positioned in engagement with the inner face of an ear lobe when the guard is in operative position on an earring suspended from the ear. To further assist in providing a soft, firm friction grip of the face 22 with the ear lobe of the wearer of the earring, the front wall of the body is formed with a central aperture 24 in direct communication with the cavity 21. Mounted on the rear face 23 of the body is a layer 25 of double faced, non-drying adhesive. The outer exposed surface of the layer of adhesive is initially covered by a protective facing sheet 26.

When the guard embodying the present invention is to be utilized, the protective facing sheet 26 is first removed and the guard is then placed in position so that the outer exposed surface of the adhesive layer 25 is in direct contact with the fiat face of the button 16 of the inner leg of the earring frame. Because the adhesive layer is of non-drying characteristics, the guard may, if desired, be quickly and easily removed from one earring and transferred to another. The adhesive retains adequate adhering characteristics so that the guard may be effectively utilized over relatively long periods of time.

Due to the undercut formation of the cavity with respect to the marginal edge of the aperture 24 and by reason of the fact that the material comprising the guard is relatively soft, resilient material, the guard, when in operative position in engagement with an ear lobe, provides a soft, firm, cushion type of mounting and the cavity being closed when the guard is in operative position in itself serves to provide an air cushion. Furthermore, the aperture 24 formed in the ear lobe engaging face 22 of the guard provides in addition, fiirm anchorage and seating of the guard on the lobe of the ear, as clearly seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. When the earring provided with the novel guard embodying the present invention is mounted on an ear lobe, as indicated diagrammatically at A in Figure 2, the guard readily conforms to the contour of the ear lobe and the side walls of the guard 10 diverge outwardly under the clamping pressure of the earring proper and at the same time, the flesh of the ear lobe tends to enter the aperture 24.

It will be apparent that by virtue of the novel form of earring guard herein disclosed said guard provides in effect a relatively soft cushion pad for engagement with the inner surface of an ear lobe and effectively resists a tendency for the earring to slip or fall off of the ear lobe. The soft cushion action of the guard insures adequate frictional engagement of the earring for proper support from an ear lobe under less clamping or gripping pressures as normally required to support the earring in position and hence, results in eliminating or greatly minimizing discomfort which normally results in utilizing adequate gripping or clamping pressures in order to properly support various sizes, shapes or weights of earrings.

Although I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, Wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An earring construction comprising, in combination, a generally U-shaped frame having spaced apart inner and outer legs adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of the lobe of an ear, abutment means for said ear lobe on each of said legs, and an ear guard for attachment to the abutment means of one of said legs, said guard comprising a unitary body of resilient material, having front and rear faces, and adapted for mounting the rear face on the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame with the front face positioned for engaging the inner face of the ear lobe, said body being formed with only a single undercut hollow cavity therein to provide relatively thin side and front walls, the front wall having a flat surface, and the central portion thereof being formed with an aperture in communication with the cavity, said front and rear faces being normally held spaced from each other when the guard is not in use to provide an air cushion for the ear when the earring is in operative position thereon.

2. An earring construction comprising, in combination, a generally U-shaped frame having spaced apart inner and outer legs adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of the lobe of an ear, abutment means for said ear lobe on each of said legs, and an ear guard for attachment to the abutment means of one of said legs, said guard comprising a unitary body of resilient material, having front and rear faces, and mounted on the rear face on the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame with the front face positioned for engaging the inner face of the ear lobe, said body being formed with only a single undercut cavity therein to provide relatively thin side and front walls, the front wall having a flat surface and the central portion thereof being formed with an aperture in communication with and of a cross sectional dimension smaller than the cross section of the cavity, to provide a flat, annular, ear lobe engaging surface.

3. An earring construction comprising, in combination, a generally U-shaped frame having spaced apart inner and outer legs adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of the lobe of an ear, abutment means for said ear lobe on each of said legs, and an ear guard for attachment to the abutment means of one of said legs, said guard comprising a unitary body of resilient material, having front and rear faces, and adapted for mounting the rear face on the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame with the front face positioned for engaging the inner face of the ear lobe, said body being formed with only a single undercut hollow cavity therein to provide relatively thin side and front walls, the front wall having a flat surface, and the central portion thereof being formed with an aperture in communication with the cavity, said front and rear faces being normally held spaced from each other when the guard is not in use to provide an air cushion for the ear when the earring is in operative position thereon, and means for detachably securing said rear face of the body to the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame.

4. An earring construction comprising, in combination, a generally U-shaped frame having spaced apart inner and outer legs adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of the lobe of an ear, abutment means for said ear lobe on each of said legs, and an ear guard for attachment to the abutment means of one of said legs, said guard comprising a unitary body of resilient material, having front and rear faces, and adapted for mounting the rear face on the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame with the front face positioned for engaging the inner face of the ear lobe, said body being formed with only a single undercut cavity therein to provide relatively thin side and front walls, the front wall having a fiat surface, and the central portion thereof being formed with an aperture in communication with the cavity, said front and rear faces being normally held spaced from each other when the guard is not in use to provide an air cushion for the ear when the earring is in operative position thereon, and means for detachably securing said rear face of the body to the ear lobe engaging means of the inner leg of the frame, said means comprising a sheet of double faced, non-drying adhesive mounted on the rear face wall of the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,652 Shea Oct. 30, 1934 2,319,727 Duggan May 18, 1943 3,364,872 Rich Dec. 12, 1944 2,407,098 Raiche Sept. 3, 1946 2,642,248 Semon June 16, 1953 2,763,999 Norman Sept. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 644,123 France Oct. 2, 1928