Abstract:
A protection pad for a pierced earlobe and an arrangement and method of securing and/or supporting an earring to the earlobe of a user, using the protection pad, and in a manner that attachment of an earring to the earlobe provides less discomfort to the user, obviates damage that might be occasioned to the earlobe from such attachment, and reduces loss of ornaments used in connection with such affixing and arising for inadvertent attachments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/733,581, filed on Nov. 4, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to earrings and in particular to an earlobe protection pad for supporting earrings. More particularly, the invention is directed to a protection pad for supporting pierced earrings. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of earrings is well known. In general, a decorative item is secured to the earlobe, such as by a clamp engaging opposite sides of the earlobe, or the earlobe being pierced and the earring being retained thereto by passing a pin of the earring through the hole and into engagement with a retention clip 
   The full weight of an earring in clamped relation to the earlobe can be uncomfortable, especially if heavy or worn for a long period of time. This is even more so with a pierced ear. The pierced earring is typically supported by the bottom edge of the hole formed in the wearer&#39;s earlobe. Structural support and protection of the earlobe, which is commensurate with the size and weight of the earring, would be desirable in that such would make such wearing comfortable to the wearer. 
   Additionally, medium to heavy pierced earrings, such as dangling or loop earrings, pull down on the hole in the wearer&#39;s earlobe so that the hole becomes a very unattractive slit. This downward weight also distorts the shape of the earlobe and may even tear the skin of the earlobe. Similarly, an inadvertent pull on the earring may easily cause tearing of the earlobe. 
   Various attempts to ameliorate the problems associated with pierced earrings have been suggested, such as by the provision of protection pads. By way of example, attention is drawn to arrangements disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,971,216 (Gould); 2,763,999 (Norman); 4,974,430 (Turner); 5,444,994 (Poortinga et al.); 5,537,841 (Bradvica); 5,638,701 (Dempsey); 5,769,995 (Greyerbiehl); and 6,003,333 (Stevens). 
   While these arrangements may have been suitable for the uses then intended, there is an ongoing need for improvements to obviate the problems of attaching an earring to an earlobe. 
   For example, wearers sometimes complain of the loss of earring ornaments and retention clips, discomfort, difficulty in affixing, or combinations thereof, with regard to existing earring usage. 
   It would be desirable to provide an improved attachment and arrangement for attaching an earring to a pierced earlobe that reduces stress to the user&#39;s earlobe and discomfort to the user while wearing the earring, aids in affixing, securing or otherwise holding the earring in place, and supports and protects the earlobe from tearing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a protection pad for a pierced earlobe and an arrangement and method of securing and/or supporting an earring to the earlobe of a user, using the protection pad of the invention, and in a manner that the attachment of an earring to the earlobe provides less discomfort to the user, obviates damage that might be occasioned to the earlobe from such attachment, and reduces loss of ornaments used in connection with such affixing and arising for inadvertent attachments 
   According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a method of supporting an earring on a wearer&#39;s earlobe, wherein a hole extends between the front and back sides of the earlobe, comprises the steps of: 
   providing an oval shaped protection pad of a size such that it may be affixed to the back side of a wearer&#39;s earlobe and is bounded by the earlobe, the pad comprising a generally planar sheet of compressible cushion material and a toroidal shaped ring of flexible polymeric material affixed to the sheet of cushion material in a manner that an annular surface of the ring is above the sheet of cushion material and an oval shaped surface in the center of the cushioning sheet encircled by the annular surface of the ring is exposed, the annular and oval shaped surfaces having adhesive thereon, 
   adhesively fixing the annular and oval surface portions of the pad to the back of the earlobe so that the pad is bounded by the earlobe, the annular shaped surface of the sheet encircles the exit of the earring hole in the earlobe and the central oval shaped surface of the cushioning sheet superposes the hole exit, and 
   after said pad is affixed to said earlobe, inserting a support portion of an earring through the front entry of said earring hole and upon further insertion, pushing said support portion against said pad with sufficient force so as to pierce the cushioning sheet of said pad, such that the weight of said earring is then supported, at least partially, by said pad adhesively secured to said back of the earlobe. 
   According to this method, preferably the steps further comprise securing a retention clip to the forward end portion of the support portion of the earring, the securing including pushing the retention clip into engagement with and against the oval shaped surface in the center of the cushioning sheet, whereby the oval shaped center portion of the cushioning sheet is more firmly compressed into substantially flush engagement against the back side of the earlobe. 
   Depending on the application, according to this invention, the center area of the cushioning sheet may be without (i.e., devoid of) adhesive. 
   According to another preferred embodiment, a earlobe piercing system comprises: 
   a piercing element adapted to being driven through a piercing hole extending through and between front and back sides of the earlobe, the piercing element comprising a cylindrical ear piercing post having a pointed front end, 
   a retention clip for removable connection to the front end portion of the cylindrical post, and 
   a protection pad for attachment to the back of the earlobe, the protection pad comprising a generally flat shaped disc and a shaped ring secured atop the disc to define engagement surfaces adapted to engage the back of the earlobe, the ring being of a soft flexible material and adapted to reside substantially flush against the back of the earlobe, and the flat disc being of a compressible material to receive and be pierced by the pointed front end of the piercing element, compress, and cushion inward forces from the retention clip when attached to the post and driving the center portion of the disc into substantially flush engagement with the back of the earlobe. 
   In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the flat disc is oval shaped, generally planar, thin, and comprised of a firm compressible fabric material, and the ring is annular shaped, planar, thin and comprised of a flexible material, such as a polymer or elastomer. The oval disc is configured that to be encircled by the outer periphery of the annular ring. 
   Preferably, the protection pad is dimensioned so as to superpose the shape of the earlobe, without extending below or around the earlobe. 
   According to an aspect of this embodiment, the annular disc of the protection pad is modified in that a rectangular cross section formed by the flat planar element just described is replaced by a toroidal shaped ring atop the cushioning sheet. 
   According to another preferred embodiment, an earlobe support pad for use with a pierced earring when the earring is secured to a piercing hole of the earlobe, comprising a thin sheet of resilient material having a ring shape for positioning the pad on the earlobe in centered relation about the piercing hole, and a thin sheet of compressible fabric having an oval shape and a thickness capable of in situ piercing by the piercing post of the earring, the ring and sheet defining an adhesive surface that is adapted, at least in part, to reside substantially flush against the back of the earlobe and superposed with the piercing hole, the fabric being encircled by the ring and of a thickness to cushion the earlobe when the earring is supported thereon. 
   According to an aspect of this embodiment, both sides of the fabric sheet may include a coating of adhesive, at least in part, wherein the adhesive on one side thereof will adhere to the earlobe and on the obverse side thereof will operate to adhere to an earring retention clip commonly used with the earring whereby to position and retain the retention clip in centered relation with the piercing hole. 
   The present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and to the following Detailed Description, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and where: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an arrangement according to this invention wherein an earring, a retention clip, and a protection pad are positioned for attachment to the pierced earlobe of a person&#39;s ear. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of one side of the protection pad of  FIG. 1 , according to this invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the protection pad of  FIG. 2 , partially in section, to show an annular ring, which mounts directly to an earlobe, and a cushion layer and peel-off adhesive backing sheet, which are attached to opposite sides of the annular ring. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the earring, the retention clip, and the protection pad, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when secured to the earlobe. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an arrangement according to this invention wherein an earring  10 , a retention clip  12 , and a protection pad  14  are positioned for attachment to the pierced earlobe  16  of a person&#39;s ear  18 . The earlobe  16  is generally flat and contoured and a hole  20  extends between the front and back  22  and  24  of the earlobe. 
   The earring  10  includes a frame or base  26  which is adapted to engage the front  22  of the earlobe, an ornamental portion  28  that hangs from the base, or otherwise connected thereto, and an elongated cylindrical post or stem  30  that extends from the base  26  and terminates in a sharp or pointed forward end portion  32 . In use, the earring  10  is positioned and centered relative to the front  22  of the earlobe, and the stem  30  is driven through the hole  20 . 
   So positioned, the retention clip  12  is then secured to the forward end portion  32  of the stem  30 , the base  26  of the earring moved so as to be flush against the front  22 , and the clip  12  moved so as to be flush against the back  24 . Such clamping is known and could lead to discomfort or other problems, as described herein above. 
   According to this invention, and referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the protection pad  14  is first secured to the back  24  of the earlobe, whereupon the earring  10  and clip  12  are attached to the earlobe. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the protection pad  14  comprises a generally flat oval disc  34 , an oval shaped ring  36 , and a backing sheet  38  removably attached in covering relation to adhesive  40  provided on a front mounting face of the pad. The protection pad  14  is adapted to be adhesively mounted to the back  24  of the earlobe  16  and configured to fit onto the back of the earlobe in a manner that the pad does not extend beyond, under, or around the earlobe. 
   The oval disc  34  is thin, includes upper and lower surfaces  42  and  44 , and forms a cushion that is, at least in part, adapted to be abutted against the back  24  of the earlobe. Preferably, the disc or cushion  34  is comprised of a fabric, a polymer, an elastomer, or a composite that imparts flexibility to the material and enables the material to be punctured by the forward end portion  32  of the stem. In this regard, the material of the disc  34  is compressible, at least in part, and capable of compressing to cushion inward clamping forces from the retention clip  12  when attached to the post  30  and driving a center portion  45  of the cushioning disc  34  into substantially flush engagement with the back  24  of the earlobe  16 . 
   The oval shaped ring  36  is thin, mounted atop the upper surface  42  of the cushioning disc  34 , and has generally oval shaped inner and outer surfaces  35  and  37 . The outer periphery or surface  37  of the ring  36  is generally congruent to and encircles the outer periphery  33  of the cushion disc  34 . So mounted and positioned, the ring  36  defines an annular surface  48  that encircles and exposes a center portion or surface  50  of the upper surface  42  of the cushioning disc  34 . 
   Preferably, the ring  36  is comprised of a flexible polymer or elastomer (e.g., rubber) to enable the disc to flex and bend relative to the somewhat supple material of the earlobe to which attached. 
   While the annular ring  36  is preferably flat and thin (i.e., rectangular in cross-section), the ring may form a toroid (i.e., the cross-section of the ring is defined by a circle rotated 360°). 
   Preferably, the adhesive  40  is provided on the annular surface  48  of the ring  36  (identified at  40   a  in  FIG. 4 ) and on the central surface  50  of the cushioning disc  34  (identified at  40   b  in  FIG. 4 ). 
   The backing sheet  38  protectively covers the layer of adhesive  40  until the protective pad  14  is to be mounted to the back  24  of the earlobe, whereupon the sheet  38  is removed and the pad mounted to the earlobe. In  FIG. 3 , a portion of the sheet  38  (shown in phantom) is shown being peeled back from covering relation with the adhesive. 
   Preferably, the adhesive  40  enables the protective pad  14  to be retained in position on the earlobe and not slide or otherwise move once mounted thereto. To avoid any adverse reactions from contact with the earlobe, the adhesive is hypoallergenic. 
   The materials of the protection pad  14  are suitably compliant and flexible to enable the disc  34  and ring  36  thereof to reside substantially flush against the earlobe. 
     FIG. 4  is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the earring  10 , the retention clip  12 , and the protection pad  14 , when secured to the earlobe. As can be seen, the outer annular surface  48  and central surface  50  are secured to the back  24  by the adhesive portions  40   a  and  40   b , and these surfaces are, at least in part, flush with the back  24  of the earlobe. 
   A method of supporting an earring  10  on a wearer&#39;s earlobe  16 , wherein a piercing hole  20  extends between the front and backsides  22  and  24  of the earlobe, will now be described. First, there is provided an oval shaped protection pad  14 , according to this invention and as described hereinabove. The pad  14  is of a size such that it may be affixed to the backside  24  of a wearer&#39;s earlobe  16  without extending around, under or below the earlobe. 
   The backing sheet  38  is removed, exposing the adhesive layer  40  provided by the adhesive portion  40   a  on the annular surface  48  of the ring  36 , and adhesive portion  40   b  provided on the oval shaped surface  50  in the center of the cushioning disc  34 . 
   The annular and oval surface portions  48  and  50  of the pad  14  are adhesively affixed to the back  24  of the earlobe in a manner that the pad does not extend beyond, under, or around the earlobe. Further, the annular shaped surface  48  of the ring  36  encircles the exit of the earring hole  20  opening on the back side  24  in the earlobe and the central oval shaped surface  50  of the cushioning sheet  34  superposes the hole exit. 
   After the protection pad  14  is affixed to the earlobe  16 , the support portion or piercing stem  30  of the earring is inserted through the front entry of said earring hole  20  on the front side  22  of the earlobe. Upon further insertion, the forward end  32  of the support portion is pushed against the cushioning disc  34  with sufficient force so as to pierce the cushioning material. The protective pad adhesively secured to the back of the earlobe then supports the weight of the earring, at least partially. 
   Finally, the retention clip  12  is secured to the forward end portion  32  of the stem  30  of the earring. The securing includes pushing the retention clip  12  into engagement with and against the exterior oval shaped surface  44  in the center of the cushioning sheet  34 , whereby the adhesively coated oval shaped interior surface  42  of the cushioning sheet  34  is more firmly compressed against the earlobe. 
   In an important feature herein, the materials of the protection pad may be appropriately colored to match the skin of the color. For example, the colors may be in shades appropriate to persons of color, or the flesh tones of Caucasian users. 
   Further, although discussed in connection with pierced earrings, the reader will appreciate that the benefits of the protection pad  14  according to this invention apply equally for use with earrings wherein opposed clamping elements are driven against the front and back sides  22  and  24  of the earlobe. 
   The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope if this invention.