Abstract:
An earring device including two interlockable, elongated portions. When worn by the wearer, the device gives the appearance of a tapered structure spiked through the wearer&#39;s earlobe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to earrings, and particularly to elongated, tapered earrings. When worn in the wearer&#39;s earlobe, the earring gives the appearance of a one-pieced earring spiked therethrough. 
     2. Description of the Relevant Art 
     The relevant art is exemplified by: Boykin U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,199 entitled &#34;PIERCED EARRING WITH LIQUID VISIBLE THEREIN&#34;; Mancini U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,582 entitled &#34;HOLLOW, FLANGED EARRING POST CONSTRUCTION&#34;; Kirk et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,936 entitled &#34;EARRING EARFITTING WITH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LOCKING MEANS&#34;; and Cappiello U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,804 entitled &#34;PIERCED EARRING LOCKING AND HOLDING SYSTEM&#34;. 
     The present invention includes features not taught or suggested by the relevant art. These features provide a modification of earring posts which are easily fastened and removed, and are inexpensive to produce. Furthermore, relatively complex earring fastenings (Boykin, for example) are difficult to clean, and hence are hygienically undesirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an ornamental earring comprising a male portion and a female portion. The male portion includes a body part formed in the shape of half an elongated earring structure which has an earring post for fitting through the pierced earlobe of the wearer. The female portion includes a body part formed in the shape of half of an elongated earring structure which has an earring post receiving part for removably receiving and holding the earring post. When the male and female portions are interlocked with one another while worn on the wearer&#39;s ear, the appearance of a tapered elongated structure spiked through the wearer&#39;s earlobe is created. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an earring device as described hereinabove which is comprised of a minimum number of parts, thereby allowing for inexpensive manufacture. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device as described which is comprised of components which are inexpensive to manufacture and which are created of readily available materials. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a device as described which is easily cleaned and disinfected, thereby allowing for the easy maintenance of proper hygiene. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is lightweight, thereby posing minimum discomfort to the wearer. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide such a device wherein the male and female portions are easily interlocked and separated. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device wherein the male and female portions are securely interlocked when worn by the wearer. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which accommodates fashionable earring designs of many variations while still utilizing the basic interlocking designs disclosed herein. 
     The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the earring device. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a top elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the male portion in both the locked and unlocked positions with respect to the female portion. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of another embodiment of the earring device showing the male portion in both the locked and unlocked positions with respect to the female portion. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the device of FIG. 4 in its locked position. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the earring device. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a partial, sectional side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a partial, sectional top view of the embodiment of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a variety of possible shapes of the body portion of the earring device. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate body shape of the earring device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The earring device according to this invention is presented in a variety of embodiments, each having in common two portions, a male portion having an earring post, and a female portion having an earring post receptacle. The male and female portions, when interlocked, preferably, but not exclusively, combine to form an elongated earring device having a slight taper caused by a reduction of dimension from the end of the female portion to the opposite end of the male portion. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that many variations of the body of the earring device may be made according to the present invention. Preferably, but not exclusively, the earring post is made of a precious metal. The male and female portions may be of a variety of materials, including plastic, and may be of a variety of colors. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, there is described a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     There is shown an earring device generally indicated as 1, having a male portion 2 and a female portion 4. As illustrated, device 1 has an elongated conical shape embodying a gentle taper from the end of female portion 4 to the opposite end of male portion 2, although it is envisioned that device 1 may be of a variety of shapes and designs (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10). Male portion 2 is preferably provided with a substantially elongated, angularly bent post 8 for removably interlocking with the post receiving element of female portion 4, generally indicated as 16. Post-receiving element 16 is preferably, but not exclusively, comprised of substantially planar base plate 10 provided at one end with a post-receiving aperture 14, and fitted further with a clamping plate 12 communicating on at least one side with base plate 10. 
     In use, and referring particularly to FIG. 3, post 8 of male portion 2 is placed through the pierced earlobe of the wearer. Thereafter, post 8 is fitted through aperture 14 of post receiving part 16 of female portion 4. Post 8 is next removably locked into place between clamping plate 12 and base plate 10 by a pivotal motion generally indicated by direction arrows 18. Removal is accomplished by reversing this procedure. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is described another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     There is shown an earring device generally indicated as 20 having a male portion 22 and a female portion 24. As illustrated, device 20 has an elongated, multiple-sided shape embodying a gentle taper from the end of female portion 24 to the opposite end of male portion 22, although it is envisioned that device 20 may be of a variety of shapes and designs (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10). 
     Male portion 22 is preferably provided with a substantially elongated, angularly bent post 28 for removably interlocking male portion 22 with the post receiving element of female portion 24, generally indicated as 30. Post receiving element 30 is an integral raised element of female portion 24 having a post receiving aperture 26 provided therethrough. 
     In use, and referring particularly to FIG. 4, post 28 is placed through the pierced earlobe of the wearer. Thereafter, post 28 is moved from the unlocked position generally indicated by 21 in a direction generally indicated by direction 18&#39; into aperture 26 of female portion 24. Post 28 is lockingly held by friction between female portion 24 and post 28. Removal is accomplished by reversing this procedure. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, there is described yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     There is shown an earring device generally indicated as 40 having a male portion 42 and a female portion 44. As illustrated, and like the previous embodiment, device 40 has an elongated, multiple-sided shape embodying a gentle taper from the end of female portion 44 to the opposite end of male portion 42, although it is envisioned that device 40 may be of a variety of shapes and designs (see FIGS. 9 and 10). 
     Male portion 42 is preferably provided with a substantially elongated, angularly bent post 48 for removably interlocking male portion 48 with the post-receiving part of the female portion, generally indicated as 46 in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     Post receiving part 46 is comprised of post receiving aperture 50 shown by shadow lines and provided along the longitudinal axis of female portion 44, diagonal post holding aperture 52 shown by shadow lines, and slotted portion 54, also shown by shadow lines. 
     In use, and still referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, post 48 is placed through the pierced earlobe of the wearer. Thereafter, post 48 is fitted through slotted portion 54. The two halves 56 and 58 separate slightly to allow passage of post 48 therethrough into receiving aperture 50. When post 48 is entered into receiving aperture 50, post 48 is snap-fitted into its held position by diagonal post holding aperture 52 and by sides 56 and 58. Removal is accomplished by reversing this procedure. 
     As suggested, the shapes of the earring device according to this invention are not limited to the shapes described hereinabove, but may embody a variety of shapes and styles as partially indicated in FIG. 9 by way of example, and not limitation. 
     Additionally, the shapes need not be substantially straight, but may be of an undulated design as illustrated by FIG. 10. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is not to be limited to the particular structures shown, because many variations thereof will be evident to one skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed in the present invention set forth in the following claims.