Apparatus for suspending objects from ears

An open-ended ring is configured for being secured to the cartilage at the base of the outer ear, above the ear lobe. Means are provided for suspending ornamental pendants from the ring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to ornamental objects, such as pendants, worn on, or suspended from, one or both ears of a person, and, more particularly, to an apparatus or article and method for suspending ornamental objects, such as pendants, worn on, or suspended from, one or both ears of a person.

BACKGROUND

A common way to wear ornamental items, also known as earrings, on a person's ears is by piercing an ear so that earrings may be pinned to an ear. For any of a number of reasons, many people prefer not to have their ears pierced, and so restrict themselves to wearing earrings, such as clip earrings, that may be secured to an ear without being pinned to the ear with posts. Clip earrings though are often uncomfortable and, like pin earrings, over the course of time, tend to cause an ear lobe to sag. Therefore, there is a need for an earring that may be secured to an ear without conventional posts or clips, and which is also comfortable to a wearer of the earring and which does not cause sagging earlobes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, referred to herein as an earling or earling assembly, accordingly, comprises an article similar to an ear cuff or toe ring, which is preferably configured and modified for being attached to the cartilage, or anti-tragus, at the base of the outer ear, above the ear lobe, and, unlike conventional ear cuffs or toe rings, is preferably positioned on a lower-most part of the ear. Means, such as one or more hooks, posts, holes, and/or the like, extend from, or are defined by, the earling for suspending ornamental pendants therefrom.

The earling is generally defined by a symmetrical or asymmetrical, circular or elliptical, open-ended ring attached to the cartilage of the ear. The ring may be altered by size, shape, and style to accommodate different sizes of ears, and any number and kind of ornamental pendants, or other objects, attached thereto, and/or suspended or dangled therefrom.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, earlings may be configured to gently pin back the soft, non-cartilage portion of the ear. Unlike conventional earcuffs, earlings are configured to preferably be worn on both ears.

Earlings may preferably be sized to fit any ear, and styled to hug closely to or fit loosely around, the ear. Earlings may optionally include padding to make wearing of the earling more comfortable, e.g., so ends of the earling do not protrude uncomfortably into an ear. Padding may optionally be provided for the earling, such padding comprising material which is similar to the material from which the earling is fabricated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In addition to the following discussion and description, details of additional preferred embodiments of the present invention are further described and disclosed in an Appendix, which is attached herewith and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring toFIG. 1, a human ear, and more specifically, a human right ear, defined largely by underlying cartilage, is designated by the reference numeral100. As is well-known, portions of the ear100includes, but are clearly not limited to, a helix102, an anti-helix104, a tragus106, an anti-tragus108, and a lobule, or lower earlobe,110. While the invention described herein is described with respect to one ear, namely, the right ear, it is to be understood that the invention may well be, and is preferably, applied with respect to both ears, that is, both a left and a right ear, and reference to “ear” is understood to mean left or right ear, preferably both ears.

Referring toFIG. 2of the drawings, the reference numeral200generally designates an assembly embodying features of the present invention. The assembly200, referred to herein as an “earling assembly”, includes a portion204, referred to herein as an “earling”, and an ornamental object, dangle, or pendant, suspended from the earling204, an example of which pendant is designated inFIGS. 2-4by the reference numeral206. The earling204may be configured similarly to a toe ring or ear cuff, but sized for fitting over the anti-tragus108and/or earlobe110of the ear100sufficiently closely to be comfortable, and yet remain secured thereto, and preferably to also gently pin back the soft, non-cartilage portion of the ear100and/or earlobe110. The earling204is preferably fabricated from a metal such as silver, gold, stainless steel, a non-metallic material (e.g., plastic), a combination thereof, or the like, such material preferably being effective for allowing the size of the earling to be adjusted to fit sufficiently closely to the ear100as to be both comfortable and secure for a user. The earling204preferably defines an opening202of approximately 30° to 60°, and an arc208of about 90° to 180° substantially opposite the opening202, within which arc208a pendant, such as the pendant designated by the reference numeral206, is secured to the earling202. The pendant206is configured for attachment to, and suspension from, the earling204, and may be configured in any of a number of different ways, much as ornamental objects that are suspended from, or which constitute a portion of, conventional earrings, and as described in alternate embodiments below. The pendant206may also be positioned proximate to the earling204to thereby cover ear lobe110. The pendant206is secured to the earling204in any suitable manner, such as by the use of solder (exemplified inFIG. 2), adhesive, a hook and mating hook/hole, a pendant holder, jump rings, or the like, and the earling may preferably be adjusted to accommodate different pendant.

FIGS. 3 and 4show side and frontal elevation views, respectively, of the earling204positioned on the ear100. More specifically, the earling204is positioned on the cartilage proximate to the anti-tragus108, and preferably also urges the earlobe110toward user's head, while the pendant206is suspended downwardly. To place the earling assembly200on the ear100, the opening202is preferably positioned proximately over the helix102or anti-helix104and slid downwardly until it rests comfortably on the anti-tragus108, proximate to the ear lobe110. To remove the earling assembly200from the ear100, the earling204is preferably slid upwardly along the anti-helix104until it may be readily removed therefrom.

FIGS. 5 and 6depict an earling502prior to and subsequent to, respectively, being shaped for use as an earling according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 5, the earling502comprises two generally triangular-shaped sections502and504having respective curved bases502aand504a, and two substantially straight sides502band504b, respectively. The bases502aand504aare connected together, for example, by way of solder, adhesive, or the like. As shown inFIG. 6, the sections502and504are shaped to form an earling600, defining an opening602.

FIGS. 7 and 8depict side and frontal view, respectively, of the earling600positioned on the ear100. A pendant, exemplified as a generally ring-shaped pendant,702is suspended from the base502aof the earling600in such a manner as to form an earling700wherein the pendant702is rendered most visible from the side view (FIG. 7).

FIGS. 9 and 10depict an alternate embodiment of the earling700, designated by the reference numeral900, wherein the pendant702is suspended from the earling600in an opposing manner from that depicted inFIGS. 7 and 8, to thereby render the pendant702most visible from the frontal view (FIG. 10). Placement of the earlings700and900on the ear100, and their removal therefrom, is accomplished in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4.

FIGS. 11 and 12depict an alternate embodiment of the earling500and600, designated by the reference numerals1100and1200, prior to and subsequent to, respectively, being shaped for use as an earling according to a further alternate embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 11, the earling1100comprises the two generally triangular-shaped sections502and504described above with respect toFIGS. 5-6, and further comprises a hook attachment1102extending from the base502a. The hook attachment1102may be altered in length, width, and angle to achieve different effects with different pendants, or, for example, to allow large earring designs to be attached thereto to cover the entire earlobe110, or a portion of it. As shown inFIG. 12, the earling1100is shaped to form the earling1200further defining an opening1202.

FIGS. 13 and 14depict side and frontal views, respectively, of the earling1200positioned on the ear100. The earling1200may be positioned on the ear100with or without a pendant (e.g., the pendant206,FIG. 2) suspended from the hook attachment1102, and would be positioned thereon, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect to the earling200ofFIGS. 3-4. If the earling1200is positioned on the ear100without the pendant, then the pendant may be hung onto the hook attachment1102subsequent to positioning of the earling1200on the ear100. Different pendants (not shown) may also be exchanged and hung from the hook attachment1102while the earling is in place on the ear100.

FIGS. 15-16depict side and frontal views, respectively, of an earling assembly1500in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. The earling assembly1500comprises an earling1502, preferably comprising braided wire, configured for receiving a conventional earing having a post1504, from which post an earing, such as the earing1506, is suspended. While the earling1502is depicted as braided, the earling may be configured in any suitable manner suitable for receiving a conventional earing post. The earling1502thus facilitates adapting any earing, configured for pierced ears, to be worn by way of the earling, without having to pierce the ear. In use, the earling is secured to the ear100, as described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4, and a conventional earing1506secured to the earling, preferably before, but alternatively, after, the earling is positioned on the ear. The earling is removed as described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4.

Alternatively, the post1504ofFIGS. 15-16may be separate from an earing or pendant, and secured to the earling1502by way of solder, adhesive, or the like, or a threaded nut (not shown) may secured to the earling1502, and the post1504threaded, or screwed, to the nut, or a bent post or hook extending from a pendant may engage the braided earling1502. In use, the earling1502may be positioned on the ear100, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4. The pendant1506may be positioned on the post1504before or after the earling is positioned on the ear100. In the alternative embodiment in which the post is screwed on the earling1502, the pendant may be positioned on the nut, and the post1504threaded to the nut to thereby secure the pendant1506to the earling1502.

FIGS. 17 and 18depict side and frontal views, respectively, of an earling1700in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the invention. The earling1700comprises a braided earling1702otherwise similar to the earling1502, but for a post1704laced into the braiding of the earling1702. A pendant, such as the pendant designated by the reference numeral1704, is suspended from the post1704. In use, the earling1702may be positioned on the ear100, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4. The pendant1704may be positioned on the post1704before or after the earling1702is positioned on the ear100, and may be changed out with another pendant (not shown) as desired.

FIG. 19depicts an earling1900in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention. The earling1900is preferably formed (e.g., stamped out) from flat metal plate having an open-ended, ring-shaped article having a body1902and two pronged ends1912defining an opening1910, which opening is preferably open across an arc1918of approximately 30° to 60° of the ring. The body1902defines a plurality of holes1904from which, and a convex edge1914across which, a pendant, described below with respect toFIGS. 20-21, may be suspended. The plurality of holes1904are preferably defined within an arc of1916of about 180° or less opposite the opening1910. It is understood that the number of holes1904depicted is by way of example, but not limitation.

FIGS. 20-21depict side and frontal views, respectively, exemplifying how the earling1900ofFIG. 19may be worn on the ear. As shown therein, a pendant, such as designated by the reference numeral1906, is suspended from the earling1900by way of a smaller ring1908which extends through a selected hole1904, and across the convex edge1914of the body1902. In use, the earling1900may be positioned on the ear100, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4.

FIG. 22is a perspective view of an earling2200according to a further alternate embodiment of the invention. The earling2200is generally configured in a C-shape having an upper portion2202, a lower portion2204, and an intermediate portion2206extending generally vertically (as viewed inFIG. 22) between the upper portion2202and the lower portion2204. The lower portion2204preferably includes an upturned end2204a, and a plurality of holes2206are defined between the lower portion2204and the intermediate portion2206from which pendants are suspended, as described further below with respect toFIGS. 25-26. It is understood that the number of holes2206depicted are by way of example, but not limitation.

FIGS. 23 and 24are elevation views of the earling ofFIG. 22taken along the lines23-23and24-24, respectively, ofFIG. 22. As shown, the upper portion2204of the earling2200is preferably canted to one side to facilitate fitting of the earling2200on the ear100and, more specifically, about the anti-tragus108. It can be appreciated that the direction of the cant of the upper portion2202for one ear100(e.g., the right ear) would be opposite the direction of cant for the upper portion2202of the other ear (e.g., the left ear, not shown).

FIGS. 25 and 26depict side and frontal views, respectively, exemplifying how the earling2200ofFIGS. 22-24may be worn on the ear100. In use, the earling2200may be positioned on the ear100, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4. While not shown, a pendant may be suspended from the earling via a hole2210, either prior to or subsequent to placement of the earling2200on the ear100.

FIG. 27depicts a band2700prior to being shaped into an earling. The band2700depicts two centerlines2702about which the band2700is generally bent when shaped to form an earling, described further below with respect toFIGS. 28-31. The centerlines2702demarcate a center portion2704and end portions2706of the band2700.

FIG. 28depicts one elevation view of the band2700shaped to form an earling2800, similar to a conventional toe ring, andFIG. 29depicts an elevation view of the earling2800taken along the line29-29ofFIG. 28. As shown most clearly inFIG. 28, the band2700is shaped to form a substantially circular shape having an opening2802defined therein. As shown inFIG. 29, the band2700is further shaped along the centerlines2702so that the end portions2706are canted away from the plane of the earling2800to more closely conform to the ear100and, more specifically, about the anti-tragus108of the ear.

FIG. 30depicts an elevation view of the earling2800positioned on the ear100, andFIG. 31is an elevation view of same taken along the line31-31ofFIG. 30. In use, the earling2800may be positioned on the ear100, and removed therefrom, in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect toFIGS. 3-4.

FIG. 32depicts a band3200prior to being shaped into an earling, similar to the earling2800, but according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the band3200includes two centerlines3202about which the article3200is generally bent when shaped to form an earling. The centerlines3202demarcate a center portion3204and end portions3206of the band3200. In contrast to the band2700, the end portions3204are canted from the center portion3204to further facilitate shaping of the earling as depicted inFIGS. 28-29, for better conformity to the anti-tragus108of the ear100. Use of the earling formed from the band3200is substantially similar to the use of earling described above with respect toFIGS. 30-31.

FIGS. 33 and 34depict side and frontal elevation views of an embodiment of an earling3300, similar to the earling2800described above with respect toFIGS. 27-32, but for the addition of a hook attachment3302and an ornamental object3304secured thereto, such as by means of adhesive, solder, or the like. The hook attachment3302may be altered in length, width, and angle to achieve different effects with different pendants, or, for example, to allow large earring designs to be attached thereto to cover the entire earlobe110, or a portion of it. Use of the earling3300is substantially similar to the use of earling2800described above with respect toFIGS. 30-31, with the option to suspend a pendant (not shown) from the hook attachment3302.

FIGS. 35 and 36depict side and frontal elevation views of an embodiment of an earling3500having a hook attachment3502and an ornamental object3504secured thereto, as with the earling3300described above with respect toFIGS. 33-34, but for the addition of holes3506defined in the ornamental object3504, the number of which holes3506are depicted by way of example, but not limitation. Use of the earling3300is substantially similar to the use of earling2800described above with respect toFIGS. 30-31, with the option to suspend a pendant (not shown) from the hook attachment3502or from the holes3506.

FIG. 37is a perspective view exemplifying an alternative embodiment3700of the invention in which a chain3706is suspended from two points of an earling3704, instead of just one point.

FIG. 38is an elevation view exemplifying an alternative embodiment3800of the earling assembly200ofFIG. 2, wherein additional loops, also known as jump rings,3808are secured to a convex edge of the earling3804, providing additional points for attaching a pendant3806. Similar to the earling assembly200, the earling assembly3800preferably defines an opening3802of approximately 30° to 60°, as indicated by an arc3812, and the jumprings3808are preferably defined within an arc3810of about 180° or less opposite the opening3802.

FIGS. 39-42exemplify an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted byFIGS. 5-8.FIG. 39is a pre-fabricated embodiment of two generally triangular-shaped portions3902and3904of an earling3900, and inFIG. 40, the portions3902and3904are coupled together, in an overlapping manner, using any suitable means, such as adhesive, solder, or the like. InFIG. 41, the portions3902and3904are shaped in an annular manner to form an earling3900having a opening3906.FIG. 42exemplifies how the earling3900may be fitted onto an ear100. While not shown, a pendant, such as the pendant700or900ofFIGS. 7-10, may be suspended from the earling3900.

FIGS. 43-45exemplify an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted byFIGS. 5-8.FIG. 43is a pre-fabricated embodiment of two generally triangular-shaped portions4302and4304of an earling4300, with bowed bases4302aand4304a. InFIG. 44, the portions4302and4304are coupled together, in an overlapping manner, using any suitable means, such as adhesive, solder, or the like. The portions4302and4304are shaped in an annular manner to form an earling4300having a opening, andFIG. 45exemplifies how the earling4300may be fitted onto an ear100. While not shown, a pendant, such as the pendant700or900ofFIGS. 7-10, may be suspended from the earling4300.

FIGS. 46-48exemplify an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted byFIGS. 5-8.FIG. 46is a pre-fabricated embodiment of two generally triangular-shaped portions4602and4604of an earling4600, with angular bases4602aand4604a. InFIG. 47, the portions4602and4604are coupled together, in an overlapping manner, using any suitable means, such as adhesive, solder, or the like. The portions4602and4604are shaped in an annular manner to form an earling4600having a opening, andFIG. 48exemplifies how the earling4600may be fitted onto an ear100. While not shown, a pendant, such as the pendant700or900ofFIGS. 7-10, may be suspended from the earling4600.

FIGS. 49-54exemplify an earling4900embodying features of the invention. The earling4900preferably comprises an element, such as a wire, which is shaped to conform to a lower portion of the ear100. Accordingly, the earling49includes a frontal, or outer, portion5104configured for wrapping around an outer portion of the lower ear, and an end4904configured for resting in an interior portion of the ear, the end4904preferably forming a loop for comfort when resting against the ear. The outer portion5104transitions into a hook5108configured for supporting an ornamental pendant, exemplified by a pendant5110. The wire forming the outer portion5104and hook5108then transitions into a back support, or inner, portion5106configured for being positioned behind an earlobe, that is, between the ear and a wearer's head (not shown). The inner portion5106preferably terminates in a P-shaped loop4902which may be adjusted for a user's comfort and for securing the earling4900to a wearer's ear, as exemplified in dashed outline, designated alternatively by reference numerals4902a,4902b,5002a,5002b,5102a, and5102b. It may be appreciated that the earling4900is not drawn to scale, and that scale and proportions may vary; for example, the end4902may extend according to dimensions5302or5304.FIG. 54exemplifies how the earling4900may be worn on an ear100by a user.

FIGS. 55-60exemplify an earling5500embodying features of the invention. The earling5500preferably comprises a back support, or inner, portion5502, preferably fabricated from a wire, which is shaped to conform to a “back side” of an ear100, between the ear and a wearer's head. One end of the back support portion5502preferably comprises a substantially spherical shape5504for comfort when resting against the ear. An opposing end of the back support portion5502is connected to a hook portion5510of the earling5500, the hook portion being configured for receiving and supporting an ornamental pendant (not shown). A frontal clasp portion5506is pivotably coupled at pivot5508to the hook portion5510, the end of the clasp5506distal from the hinge being configured for resting in an interior portion of an ear. The clasp portion5506may assume and sustain an open position, depicted inFIG. 56by the reference numeral5506afor being positioned on, or removed from, an ear, or may assume and sustain a closed position, depicted in dashed outline inFIG. 56by the reference numeral5506bfor being secured to an ear. The back support portion5502may be adjusted for fitting to a wearer's ear, as depicted in dashed outline via reference numerals5502a,5502b,5502c,5502d,5502e, and5502f, and may vary in dimension, as depicted inFIG. 55by reference numerals5512and5514. Still further, it is understood that any portion of the earling5500may vary in scale or proportion; for example, the earling5500may be configured so that the hook5510is positioned lower or higher on the earling.

FIGS. 61-62exemplify an earling6100embodying features of the invention, similar to the embodiment depicted byFIGS. 55-60. The earling6100preferably comprises a frontal, or outer, portion6102, preferably fabricated from a wire, which is shaped to wrap around a “front side” of an ear100. One end of the frontal portion6102preferably comprises a substantially spherical shape6104for comfort when resting in an interior portion of an ear. An opposing end of the frontal portion6102is connected to a hook portion6110of the earling6100, the hook portion being configured for receiving and supporting an ornamental pendant (not shown). A back support clasp portion6106is pivotably coupled at pivot6108to the hook portion6110. The back support clasp portion6106may assume and sustain an open position, depicted inFIG. 62by the reference numeral6106afor being positioned on, or removed from, an ear, or may assume and sustain a closed position, depicted inFIG. 56by the reference numeral6106bfor being secured to an ear. It is understood that any portion of the earling6100may vary in scale or proportion.

FIGS. 63-64exemplify an earling6300embodying features of the invention. The earling6300preferably comprises a first element6302, such as a wire, configured for wrapping around a lower portion of an ear. Each end of the element6302is preferably provided with a substantially spherical shape for comfort when resting against an ear. The earling6300further comprises a second element6306, preferably also configured from wire, which extends from and bows outwardly from the first element6302.FIG. 64exemplifies wearing of the earling6300on an ear. It is understood that an ornamental pendant (not shown) may be suspended from the second element6306.

By the use of the present invention, ornamental objects, or pendants, may be comfortably and reliably suspended from a person's ears without clips, or posts which require ears to be pierced. The invention allows for use of an open-ended ring secured to cartilage of the lower-most portion of the outer ear, to which pendants may or may not be attached. This enables clip-on earrings, post earrings, wire earrings, and the like, to be substantially supported from the cartilage of the ear, thus avoiding unsightly sagging of the earlobe over time, while at the same time rendering any pendants and add-ons to the earling to hang neatly alongside the head, much closer to the head than what is possible from traditional ear cuffs. Earlings overcome many drawbacks of ear cuffs by, for example, being sized larger than ear cuffs and thereby able to be situated at the lower-most portion of the outer ear, as opposed to further up the ear, as in an ear cuff.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, an earling may be configured to receive a clip-on earring, or the earling may replace a clip in a clip-on earring. An earling may be shaped in a non-circular shape, such as an elliptical shape. An ear cuff may also be worn in conjunction with the earling and earling assembly. An earling may be provided with padding, of similar or dissimilar material to the earling, to render it more comfortable to a user and to prevent ends of an earling from jabbing a user. An earling may be sized for fitting over either the anti-tragus108and/or earlobe110of the ear100. Portions of any earling may be combined with portions of other earlings to form a further earling embodying features of the present invention.