Abstract:
An clasp for securing to the post of an earring including a torsion spring having extended ends forming a first and a second arm, said first and second arms forming an acute angle, said torsion spring forming a receptacle, a flexible member at least partially located within the receptacle, and said flexible member including an aperture for receiving an earring post. The flexible member includes a channel on at least a portion of a periphery of the flexible member for receiving the torsion spring and retaining the flexible member within the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims priority and benefit of U.S. provisional patent applications having application numbers (1) 61/258,196, filed Nov. 4, 2009, entitled SECURITY SPRING FOR EARRING, and (2) 61/260,123, filed Nov. 11, 2009, entitled SECURITY SPRING FOR EARRING POST, both disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to earring clasps or clutches, and more particularly, to an earring clasp that more securely attaches to an earring post. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    How many times have you heard someone complaining of losing his or her earring? Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to lose their earrings because the clasps or other devices for securing earrings are not reliable. A lost earring is not only frustrating for the owner, but it also can be very costly because earrings can be quite expensive. 
         [0004]    Pierced earrings generally are attached to a person&#39;s earlobe by using a clasp that grasps the post of the earring. Conventional clasps are typically poorly constructed and are not difficult to remove from an earring post without actuating the release mechanism. As a result, it is not uncommon for conventional earring clasps to unintentionally fall off and allow pierced earrings to be lost. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there exists a strong need for an inexpensive earring clasp or clutch that securely attaches to an earring post and is very difficult to be removed unintentionally or without activating the release mechanism. 
       ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved earring clasp or clutch that securely attaches to an earring post. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a durable but inexpensive earring post clasp. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a clasp for an earring that is difficult to be unintentionally removed without activating the release mechanism. 
         [0009]    An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a clasp that may be used to securely attach to the post of a broach or similar type of decorative pin. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an earring clasp that is treated or coated with antimicrobial material. 
         [0011]    In order to achieve the above aspects, the present invention provides a clasp for securing to the post of an earring including a torsion spring having extended ends forming a first and a second arm, said first and second arms forming an acute angle, said torsion spring forming a receptacle, a flexible member at least partially located within the receptacle, and said flexible member including an aperture for receiving an earring post. The flexible member includes a channel on at least a portion of a periphery of the flexible member for receiving the torsion spring and retaining the flexible member within the receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a flexible member configured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows the flexible member of  FIG. 1  in a receptacle of a torsion spring configured in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a torsion spring configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  shows a torsion spring configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an earring post secured within the flexible member and the torsion spring shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a torsion spring configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of a flexible member configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows the flexible member of  FIG. 6  being retained within the receptacle of the torsion spring shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a flexible member, donut, cushion or ring  10  configured in accordance with the present invention. The flexible member  10  is preferably constructed of a flexible, nonslip material, such as rubber or similar polymer. The flexible member  10  also can be treated or coated with antimicrobial material in order to deter the growth or inhibit the spread of germs or diseases from earring posts. The flexible member  10  further may be different colors for decorative purposes. The flexible member  10  includes an aperture or hole  16  passing all the way between a first side  12  and a second opposing side  14  of the flexible member  10 . The aperture  16  is sized to fit loosely around an earring post. Since an earring post typically has a diameter between 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters, the aperture  16  preferably has a relaxed diameter of approximately 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters. The periphery of the flexible member  10  is designed to be constricted so the resulting diameter of the aperture  16  can be decreased to less than the diameter of an earring post. 
         [0021]    A slit  20  can be included in the flexible member  10  to enable the diameter of the aperture  16  to more easily be decreased by constricting a periphery of the flexible member  10 . A channel  18  is provided between ridges  22  and  24  on the outer periphery of the flexible member  10 . The channel  18  is configured to receive a torsion spring. The diameters of the ridges  22 ,  24  are greater than the channel  18 , enabling a torsion spring to be secured within the channel  18  and between the ridges  22 , 24 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an earring clasp  30  configured in accordance with the present invention. The flexible member  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown contained within a receptacle  33  formed by the loop of a wire  17  of the torsion spring  31 . The receptacle  33  preferably has a diameter of about four millimeters for receiving the flexible member  10 . The wire  17  is preferably a 0.9 millimeter wire gauge (ASTM-A3113 302 Stainless). 
         [0023]    The torsion spring  31  fits into the channel  18  of the flexible member  10  formed between the ridges  22  and  24  on the outer periphery of the flexible member  10 . Ends of the torsion spring  31  are extended to form arms  32 ,  34 . The arms  32 ,  34  form an acute angle. Compressing or squeezing the arms  32 , 34  of the torsion spring  31  together expands or increases the diameter of the receptacle  33 , which surrounds and retains the flexible member  10 . Squeezing the arms  32 , 34  of the torsion spring  31  increases the diameter of the receptacle  33  of the torsion spring  31 , thus enabling the diameter of the flexible member  10  to increase, which enables the diameter of the aperture  16  of the flexible member  10  also to increase. When the arms  32 , 34  are released, the receptacle  33  of the torsion spring  31  contracts, constricting the periphery of the flexible member  10  and causing the diameter of the aperture  16  to decrease. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, and in accordance with the present invention, the arms  32 , 34  of the torsion spring  31  are squeezed together to increase the diameter of the aperture  16  and enable an earring post to be easily inserted into the aperture  16  of the flexible member  10 . After the earring post is positioned within the aperture  16  at a desired location, the arms  32 , 34  of the torsion spring  31  are released, causing the torsion spring  31  to contract or constrict around the flexible member  10 , and thus causing the diameter of the aperture  16  to decrease and tightly grasp the earring post. Since the flexible member  10  is constructed of a non-slip material, such as rubber, silicon or a similar polymer, the earring post is secured within the aperture  16  of the earring clasp  30  which makes it difficult to be unintentionally removed without activating the release mechanism of the earring clasp  30  by squeezing together the arms  32 , 34  of the torsion spring  31 . In this manner an earring clasp  30  is provided for securely attaching to an earring post. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates a torsion spring  40  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the torsion spring  31 , the torsion spring  40  is constructed of a flexible wire  42  preferably made from stainless steel that is looped to form a receptacle  44  for receiving a flexible member  10 . The wire  42  typically has a circular cross-sectional configuration. However, the cross-sectional configuration of the wire  31  can be a triangular or a rectangular configuration. The illustrated torsion spring  40  forms the receptacle  44  by looping the wire  31  only once. However, the receptacle  44  can be formed by looping the wire  31  multiple times, thus increasing the constricting force or strength of the torsion spring  40 . 
         [0026]    Similar to the torsion spring  31 , the torsion spring  40  includes arms  46 , 48  that extend from ends of the wire  42 . The arms  46 , 48  form an acute angle to enable a user to more easily squeeze the arms  46 , 48  together to expand the diameter of the receptacle  44 . The arms  46 , 48  also include extensions  47 , 49  that are angled and form handles to enable a user to more easily squeeze together the arms  46 , 48  of the torsion spring  40 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates a torsion spring  45  similar to the torsion spring  40  shown in  FIG. 3 . The torsion spring  45  is constructed of a flexible wire  41  forming a receptacle  43  for receiving a flexible member. A first end  51  and a second end  53  of the torsion spring  45  are formed at the opposing ends of the wire  41 . While the wire  41  of the torsion spring  45  is shown as having one loop to form the receptacle  43 , the wire  41  preferably loops multiple times to form the receptacle  43  for increased strength and constriction force. The ends  51 , 53  of the wire  41  are the locations a user grasps to squeeze the torsion spring  45 . The ends  51 , 53  can be formed from the wire  41 , or additional material can be added to form round points or even extended handles to enable a user to more easily squeeze together the ends  51 , 53  in order to expand or increase the diameter of the receptacle  43  of the torsion spring  45 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates the earring clasp  30  of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein an earring post  50  having a rounded head  52  is shown being retained within the aperture  16  of the flexible member  10 . Handles  35 , 37  are included on the arms  32 , 34 . The handles  35 , 37  enable a user to more easily squeeze together the arms  32 , 34 . The handles  35 , 37  can be a coating of rubber, silicon, or similar polymer, or a wrapped material such as cloth or latex around the arms  32 , 34 . Furthermore, the handles  35 , 37  may be colored for decorative purposes. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates a torsion spring  60  configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The torsion spring  60  is constructed of a wire  62  that is coiled or looped to form a receptacle  66 . The ends of the wire  62  of the torsion spring  60  form arms  63 , 64 . The arms  63 , 64  form an acute angle, wherein squeezing the arms  63 , 64  together cause the diameter of the receptacle  66  to increase. The receptacle  66  of the torsion spring  60  is configured to receive and retain a flexible member for holding an earring post. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flexible member  70  configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flexible member  70  includes a channel  72  having a base  74  on the outer surface periphery of the flexible member  70 . A first ridge  76  and a second ridge  78  are located at opposing sides of the channel  72 . The first and second ridges  76 , 78  also are formed on the outer surface periphery of the flexible member  70 . The first and second ridges  76 , 78  have a greater diameter than the channel  72 . The channel  72  is designed to be retained and fit within a receptacle of a torsion spring configured in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0031]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first ridge  76  has a greater diameter than the base  74  of the channel  72 , but a smaller diameter than the ridge  78 . The top surface  75  of the first ridge  76  also is angled to enable the flexible member  70  to more easily be inserted into the receptacle of a torsion spring configured in accordance with the present invention. An aperture  71  configured for receiving an earring post passes completely through the flexible member  70  and through the first and second ridges  76 , 78 . A slit or slot  73  is included in the base  74  of the channel  72  and the first ridge  76  to enable the diameter of the aperture  71  to more easily be decreased by constricting the receptacle of a torsion spring. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates an earring clasp  80  configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flexible member  70  of  FIG. 6  is shown being retained within the receptacle  66  of the torsion spring  60  of  FIG. 5 . The sloped top surface  75  of the flexible member  70  enables the flexible member  70  to be more easily inserted into the receptacle  66  of the torsion spring  60 . Handles  82 , 84  are included on the arms  63 , 64  of the torsion spring  70 . The handles  82 , 84  can be a rubber or silicon coating on the arms  63 , 64 . 
         [0033]    Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.