Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a stud, a first magnet, a retaining portion, and a second magnet. The stud may be configured to have a diameter to pass through an earlobe. The first magnet may (i) be connected near a first end of the stud and (ii) have a first polarity. The retaining portion may (i) be connected to a middle portion of the stud and (ii) be configured to secure the earlobe to the first magnet. The second magnet may (i) be connected near a second end of the stud and (ii) have a similar polarity to said first polarity. The similar polarity may be configured to oppose the first polarity to allow the second magnet to spin in relation to an axis of the stud.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/525,336, filed Aug. 19, 2011, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to jewelry generally and, more particularly, to an automatic revolving jewelry system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional jewelry tends to be fixed to a particular body part. Some conventional jewelry has a motor to help spin certain portions of the jewelry. However, such motors add to the cost and/or reliability of the jewelry. Motors usually run on a battery or other power supply which tends to wear out and need replacing. 
     It would be desirable to implement an automatic revolving jewelry system that may be implemented without a motor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a stud, a first magnet, a retaining portion, and a second magnet. The stud may be configured to have a diameter to pass through an earlobe. The first magnet may (i) be connected near a first end of the stud and (ii) have a first polarity. The retaining portion may (i) be connected to a middle portion of the stud and (ii) be configured to secure the earlobe to the first magnet. The second magnet may (i) be connected near a second end of the stud and (ii) have a similar polarity to said first polarity. The similar polarity may be configured to oppose the first polarity to allow the second magnet to spin in relation to an axis of the stud. 
     The objects, features and advantages of the present invention include providing a revolving jewelry that may (i) automatically rotate, (ii) use magnets to provide rotation without a motor (iii) be implemented in a consumer package and/or (iv) have a fixed ornament as the background while the forefront ornament revolves in a 360 degree rotation in either direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims and drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a jewelry piece in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the jewelry of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the present invention in the context of an ear; and 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the invention in the context of an earlobe. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a diagram of an apparatus  100  is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one example, the apparatus  100  may be implemented as an earring. In another example, the apparatus  100  may be implemented as another type of pierced jewelry. The apparatus  100  generally comprises a stud  102 , a magnet  104 , a securing portion  106 , a magnet  108  and a portion  110  and a portion  112 . The portion  110  may be implemented as an ornamental portion. The portion  112  may be implemented as a head/anchor. In one example, the stud  102  may be implemented as a post. The stud  102  may have a diameter sufficiently small to allow the stud to pass through a pierced earlobe. The stud  102  may have a diameter sufficiently large enough to provide a ridge support for the magnet  104 , the security portion  106 , the magnet  108  and/or the portion  110 . 
     In one example, the magnet  104  may have a first polarity. In one example, the magnet  108  may have a polarity similar to the first polarity. The similar polarity is generally the same as the first polarity. By implementing the magnet  104  and/or the magnet  108  with similar polarities, a repulsion effect may occur between the magnet  104  and/or the magnet  108 . The repulsion effect may be sufficient to allow the magnet  108  to spin about an axis of the stud  102 . In general, the magnet  104  may be securely connected to the post  102 . The magnet  104  may be configured to secure the post  102  to an ear of a user. The magnet  104  may clip on to the post  102 . In one example, the magnet  104  may be on the inside of an earlobe, while the securing portion  106  may be on the outside of an earlobe (to be shown in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 5  and  6 ). While an earlobe has been described, the apparatus  100  may be secured to a variety of body parts (e.g., nose, belly, etc.). 
     In general, the distance between the magnet  104  and the magnet  108  may be a close proximity distance (e.g., less than approximately 2½ cm). The proximity distance will normally be close enough to create a constant repelling force between the magnet  104  and the magnet  108 . The magnet  108  is generally placed on the stud  102  with the anchor  112  limiting the movement to within the proximity distance. The magnet  108  will normally be forced to try to move past the proximity distance. The magnet  108  is normally secured to the portion  110 . The portion  110  may be loosely attached to the stud  102 . The repulsive force will push on the magnet  108  forcing a state of motion while trying to move past the proximity distance. The head/anchor  112  normally keeps the magnet  108  and/or the portion  110  from popping off the stud  102 . The anchor  112  normally works against the repulsion force between the magnet  104  and the magnet  108 . 
     In one example, the ornamental portion  110  may be configured as a single piece along with the magnet  108 . For example, the magnet  108  may be formed having an ornamental design without the need for the piece  110  to be implemented separately. 
     In one example, the magnet  104  may be placed on the stud  102  behind an ear. The magnet  104  may act as the securing clamp to keep the apparatus  100  from falling from the stud  102 . The magnet  104  may also provide the main focus for repulsion energy. By placing the magnet  104  on the stud  102  with the same polarity pointed at the opposing magnet  108 , energy may be created to push the portion  110  around in circles. The magnet  108  and the portion  110  may be attached by securing with glue, welding, etc. By placing the magnet  108  on the stud  102  with an opposite polarity pointed at the opposing magnet  104 , the spinning effect may be nullified greatly if not stopping the spin totally. The magnet  104  and the portion  106  may act as the leverage to hold the apparatus  100  in place. 
     The small parts (e.g.,  102 ,  106 ,  110 ) may be manufactured, in one example, to be approximately ⅓ of the weight of the apparatus  100 . However, the particular size of the ornamental portions  106  and/or  110  may be varied to depend upon the desires of the customer. In general, the apparatus  100  may be designed to be lightweight. In one example, the apparatus  100  may be no longer than approximately 2.5 cm (e.g., entire earring with all parts combined). The average length of the apparatus  100  may be about 2 cm. However, the particular length of the apparatus may be varied to meet the design criteria of a particular implementation. 
     The shaft  102  normally fits through a hole in the small parts (e.g.,  106  and/or  110 ). Such a hole may allow the portions  106  and/or  110  to spin around the shaft  102  through the mechanics of spinning. In one example, the spinning may be started with a small push. In another example, the spinning may be started by a pin wheel effect (e.g., by wind pressure). The holes implemented in the portions  106  and/or  110  may be a low friction design to encourage spinning. The apparatus  100  may be designed to be worn for any event (e.g., formal or non-formal, recreational or leisure, etc.). The apparatus  100  may be used on different jewelry categories as well, (e.g., pendants, necklaces, hair design, clothing design, etc.). 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the apparatus  100  is shown. The apparatus  100  includes an arrow  120 . The arrow  120  illustrates a direction the portion  110  rotates about the stud  100 . In one example, a bearing may be implemented between the portions  106  and/or  110  to decrease friction with the stud  102 . Such a bearing may be made of plastic, Mylar, etc. The particular material used to implement the bearing may be varied to meet the design criteria of a particular implementation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an apparatus  100 ′ illustrating an alternate embodiment is shown. The apparatus  100 ′ shows the second magnet  108 ′ adjacent to the retaining portion  106 . The magnet  108 ′ may spin with respect to the magnet  104 . The magnet  108 ′ may cause the portion  106  to spin. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the alternate embodiment is shown. The apparatus  100 ′ includes an arrow  130 . The arrow  130  illustrates a direction of travel the portion  106  is configured to rotate. The apparatus  100 ′ may be configured to cause the portion  106  to rotate in the opposite direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the apparatus  100  is shown. The apparatus  100  is shown connected to an ear  140 . While an ear  140  is shown, other body parts may hold the apparatus  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an enlarged view of the apparatus  100 ′ is shown. The apparatus  100 ′ is shown having a bearing  150 . The bearing  150  may be configured to allow the portion  106  to spin about the stud  102  without binding on the ear  140 . 
     The apparatus  100  may be made using three manufacturing steps. The jewelry parts (e.g., the ornaments  106  and/or  110  and earring parts  102 ) may be manufactured in one process. The magnets  104  and  108  may be manufactured in another process. The small parts may be manufactured using a third process (e.g., the small parts that are attached to the end of the earring stud  102  that allow the ornament to swivel). The apparatus  100  may be a combination of all the small parts to make an earring. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.