Abstract:
An application for pierced jewelry for wearing in a hole bored through the skin of a person&#39;s body (e.g., an ear lobe, etc) is disclosed. The pierced jewelry includes a support portion with a decorative portion affixed to a first end of the support portion. A bulge is located on the support portion. The bulge is slightly larger in cross section than the hole and the bulge is adapted to pass through the hole and, once through the hole, the bulge holds the pierced jewelry in the hole.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of jewelry and more particularly to an apparatus for retaining an earring in a person&#39;s ear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Earrings often have either a wire or a post for engaging in the hole through a person&#39;s ear. In earrings that have a post for engaging a pierced ear lobe, a retainer or clasp of some sort is present to hold the ear lobe in engagement with the post. Some post-type earring clasps are fitted over the end of the post behind the ear lobe. The clasp is often misplaced due to its small size and requires manipulation that is often difficult for some people to attach the clasp to the post. One such clasp is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,417 to Sardelli. This patent shows a clutch-shaped clasp. In most applications, clasps are made from gold or, at the minimum, plated with gold. The clasp can easily add considerable expense to the production of a set of earrings. 
         [0003]    Another earring clasp is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,089 to Timbal. The described clasp provides a convertible means for providing a single earring for either a pierced ear or a non-pierced ear. The disclosed clasp is even more expensive and difficult to manufacture. 
         [0004]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,681 to Steele, an earring with an integral locking mechanism is described. In this, the stem includes a rotatably attached head portion that, after insertion of the stem through the ear, is rotated to hold the earring in place. This device solves one of the problems of the prior art, that is it does not use a separate clasp that is expensive and can easily be lost. Unfortunately, this device has several problems. One such problem is manufacturing cost and complexity. Another problem is the rough surfaces of the head portion and the orifice into which the head portion rests. Such rough surfaces reduce comfort when inserting the stud and can lead to scratches. Another problem relates to the orifice in which the head portion is stored. This orifice will accept and collect foreign matter such as dander, sweat, dirt, etc. requiring more frequent cleaning and sterilization. 
         [0005]    In earrings that have a wire for engaging with a person&#39;s ear hole, the wire is often arched having the decorative portion at one end of the arch and the other end of the arch for passing through the hold in the person&#39;s ear. Although such earrings usually stay in the person&#39;s ear without a clasp, such an earring may fall out under certain circumstances, such as at an amusement park. In addition, such earrings often do not sit in the correct position since there is weight from the decorative portion on one end of the arch and no weight on the opposite end of the arch. 
         [0006]    What is needed is an earring that will be retained within a hole in a person&#39;s ear without the need for retainer hardware. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention includes a bulge as a retainer on a stem or post of pierced jewelry. The bulge is sized such that it is sufficiently larger in diameter than the body hole into which it is to be inserted such that the body hole stretches as the pierced jewelry is inserted and then contracts after the bulge passes through the hole. The bulge is also sized such that it is not too large as to result in pain or a tear in the user&#39;s skin as it is installed. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, pierced jewelry is disclosed. The pierced jewelry is for wearing in a hole bored through the skin of a person&#39;s body (e.g., an ear lobe, etc). The pierced jewelry includes a support portion with a decorative portion affixed to a first end of the support portion. A bulge is located on the support portion. The bulge is slightly larger in cross section than the hole and the bulge is adapted to pass through the hole and, once through the hole, the bulge holds the pierced jewelry in the hole. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of removably affixing pierced jewelry on a person is disclosed. The person has a hole in their skin for accepting the pierced jewelry. The method includes providing pierced jewelry having a support portion and a decorative portion affixed to a first end of the support portion. A bulge is located on the support portion. The bulge is slightly larger in cross section than the hole and is adapted to pass through the hole and once through the hole, the bulge holds the pierced jewelry in the hole. The method continues with pushing the bulge through the hole. In response, the hole temporarily increases in diameter, thereby allowing the bulge to pass through the hole. Finally, the hole contracts after the bulge passes through, thereby removably retaining the pierced jewelry. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, pierced jewelry for wearing in a hole bored through the skin of a person&#39;s body is disclosed. The pierced jewelry includes a decorative portion and a way to support the decorative portion. A bulge is located on the support. The bulge slightly larger in cross section than the hole and is adapted to pass through the hole and once through the hole, the bulge holds the pierced jewelry in the hole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a post earring of the prior art. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a stem earring of the prior art. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrates a perspective view of a typical post-type pierced jewelry of the present invention as it is installed into a person&#39;s ear. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4-8  illustrate perspective views of various post-type pierced jewelry of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a typical stem-type pierced jewelry of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0018]    The term pierced jewelry is used throughout this document to refer to a class of jewelry that decorates a person and is held to the person by way of an opening or hole in that person&#39;s body. Pierced jewelry is often known as earrings, nose rings, belly button rings, tongue studs, etc. Such openings or holes are often made in various parts of a person&#39;s body including the ear, ear lobe, nose, tongue, belly button, nipples, various private locations, etc. In general, the pierced jewelry includes an ornamental portion such as a metal loop, metal stud, gemstone, pearl, etc. mounted to a support. In some pierced jewelry, the support is a post. In some pierced jewelry, the support is a stem that is often arched. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a post earring of the prior art is shown. In this example of pierced earrings of the prior art, a decorative part  100  is affixed to a post (support)  102  and, after insertion through a hole in a person&#39;s lobe portion  2  of an ear  1 , the pierced earring is held in place by a clasp  104 . Such a clasp is generally an expensive addition to earrings due to difficulty in manufacturing, the cost of materials (gold) and, often difficult to attach and easy to lose. Many such clasps hold to the post by spring force and, at time, easily disengage resulting in potential loss of an expensive earring. Some clasps are designed to thread onto the post, making it more difficult to attach, but slightly more secure. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a stem earring of the prior art is shown. In this example of pierced earrings of the prior art, a decorative part  110  is affixed to a stem (support)  112  and the stem is inserted through a hole in a person&#39;s lobe portion  2  of an ear  1 . In this type of earring, the earring is held in place by gravity, which is effective unless the wearer changes orientation such as might occur on an amusement park ride. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-C , a perspective view of a typical post-type pierced jewelry of the present invention as it is installed into a person&#39;s ear is shown. Pierced jewelry according to the present invention includes a bulge  14  to retain the pierced jewelry within the hole  4  of a person&#39;s ear lobe  2  or any other hole location on the ear  1 . As previously noted, the present invention includes and anticipates pierced jewelry for any part of the human body.  FIGS. 3A-C  show an ear for brevity purpose and, as stated, the present invention is intended for any type of pierced jewelry for installation on any part of the body. Shown in  FIGS. 3A-C , is one example of pierced jewelry according to the present. In this example, a stud earring includes an ornamental portion  10  (e.g., a pearl, stud or gemstone), a post  12  and a bulge  14 . The post  12  is of similar diameter as the diameter of the hole  4 , as known in the industry. The bulge has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the hole  4  in the wearer&#39;s earlobe  2 . Since the bulge  14  is larger than the hole  4 , as the post  12  and bulge  14  is inserted through the hole  4 , as in  FIG. 3B , the hole  4  expands due to the natural elasticity of the skin making up the hole  4 . As the bulge  14  exits the hole  4 , as shown in  FIG. 3C , the hole  4  contracts to its original size and the post  12  is held within the hole  4  by the bulge  14 . To remove the pierced jewelry, the wearer pulls on the ornamental portion  10 , pulling the bulge  14  toward the hole  4 , thereby expanding the bulge  14  due to the natural elasticity of the skin making up the hole  4 . Once the bulge  14  clears the hole  4 , the hole contracts or restores to its original diameter. 
         [0022]    It is anticipated that one-size of bulge  14  is suitable for most people since most piercing is performed in a similar manner and generally results in a statistically normal sized hole  4 . The present invention is known to be limited to people with such normal sized hole  4 . It is acknowledged that the present invention is less useful for the small number of people with piercing holes that are too large, torn or irregular. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-8 , perspective views of various post-type pierced jewelry of the present invention are shown. Although shown with a particular ornamental or decorative portion  10  such as a pearl, any known decorative portion  10  is anticipated, including, but not limited to, gemstones, metal studs, loops, dangling portions, etc. 
         [0024]    The post-type earring of FIGS.  4 A/B has a generally rounded, spherical bulge  14  on the post  12 . In this example, part of the post  12  extends beyond the bulge  14  to provide a starting point when inserting into the hole  4  (see  FIGS. 3A-C ). It is anticipated that the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24  (see subsequent figures) is either manufactured as an integral part of the post/stem (e.g., molded or cut from stock) or as a separate part that is permanently affixed to the stem, for example by a weld, adhesive or pressure fit. 
         [0025]    The post-type earring of FIGS.  5 A/B has a generally rounded, spherical bulge  16  on the end of the post  12 . In this example, none of the post  12  extends beyond the bulge  16  providing a rounded, reducing pain when the earring is pushed against part of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0026]    The post-type earring of FIGS.  6 A/B has a generally oval bulge  18  on the post  12 . In this example, part of the post  12  extends beyond the bulge  18  to provide a starting point when inserting into the hole  4  (see  FIGS. 3A-C ), although it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the oval bulge  18  is located at the end of the post  12 , similar to the bulge  16  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]    The post-type earring of FIGS.  7 A/B has a generally asymmetrical bulge  20  on the post  12 . In this example, part of the post  12  extends beyond the bulge  20  to provide a starting point when inserting into the hole  4  (see  FIGS. 3A-C ), although it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the asymmetrical bulge  20  is located at the end of the post  12 , similar to the bulge  16  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]    The post-type earring of FIGS.  8 A/B has a generally heart-shaped bulge  22  on the post  12 . The heart-shaped bulge  22  provides for an easier insertion because of the slope of the heart facing the end of the post  12 . The heart-shaped bulge  22  provides for an more difficult extraction and, hence, a lower chance of accidental extraction because of the slope of the heart facing the end of the post  12 . In this example, part of the post  12  extends beyond the bulge  22  to provide a starting point when inserting into the hole  4  (see  FIGS. 3A-C ), although it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the heart-shaped bulge  22  is located at the end of the post  22 , similar to the bulge  16  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0029]    It should be noted that the above bulge shapes  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  are examples and many other shapes are anticipated without veering from the present invention. It is anticipated that the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  is located at any location on the post  22 . In some embodiments, the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  is located at or near the end of the post  22  distal from the decorative portion  10 . In some embodiments, the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  is located approximately midway between the end of the post  22  distal from the decorative portion  10  and the opposite end of the post  22 . It is preferred that the distance between the decorative portion  10  and the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  be sufficient as to be greater than the thickness of the part of the person&#39;s body in which the pierced jewelry is worn. For example, if the pierced jewelry is an earring, then preferably, the distance between the decorative portion  10  and the bulge  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  is greater than the thickness of the person&#39;s earlobe. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of a typical stem-type pierced jewelry of the present invention is shown. Although stem-type pierced jewelry usually does not require a clasp or other retainer, the present invention provides additional protection against loss without adding significant cost to the manufacturing of such pierced jewelry. Furthermore, the present invention reduces a known problem with stem-type jewelry. That is, because of the weight of the decorative portion  20  of the stem-type jewelry, stem-type jewelry often tilts off-center, reducing its appearance. By adding the bulge  24  of the present invention to the stem  12  of stem type pierced jewelry, the danger of loss is reduced and, with proper placement of the bulge  24 , the weight of the decorative portion  20  is counter-acted by the bulge  24  holding against the earlobe, etc. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that any shape bulge  24  is anticipated, including, but not limited to, the bulge shapes  14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22  shown in  FIGS. 4-8 . Although it is anticipated that the bulge  24  is located at any location on the stem  12 , in some embodiments, the bulge  24  is located near the top of the arch of the stem  12 . 
         [0032]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0033]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.