Abstract:
An earring assembly is described including an earring and an accessory. The earring includes a fastening mechanism and an ornamental portion. The accessory is removably attached with the earring and is configured to corresponding mate with the ornamental portion to enhance and compliment the ornamental appearance of the earring. The accessory is readily removed and replaced by a system of posts that engage catches and lock the accessory in position with the earring. The back of the ornamental portion has posts that mate with notches defined in the catches positioned on the accessory. The ornamental portion also includes a lip. The accessory further includes biasing means augmenting the system of posts and catches to ensure the secure positioning of the accessory against the lip of the ornamental portion of the earring.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present disclosure relates to earrings. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to earrings having at least one attachable accessory.  
           [0003]    2. Background of Related Art  
           [0004]    Jewelry having additional accessories includes a single replaceable component, interchangeable components, and supplemental components to a permanent setting. The additional components can include costume jewelry or supplemental settings including jewels connected to the earring by mechanisms such as screws into threaded sockets, loops onto wires, biased tongues into sockets, and bias means. These mechanisms strive to bring a balance between providing a secure connection for the additional component and an ease of removing and replacing the components.  
           [0005]    A configuration for an earring including removable components is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,176 to Lichtenstein et al. Lichtenstein et al. teaches an ear lobe securing assembly configured as a wire having a terminal end that is secured by a hinge arm when worn. A pin having a loop on one end and a stop on the other is configured for the positioning of the ornamental jewelry. The loop is threaded onto the open end of the wire and is configured to hang freely from the lowest point of the wire. One or more ornamental components can be positioned on the pin between the loop and stop. Lichtenstein et al. is limited in its style of ornamentation by the requirement to thread each component onto the wire. Further, to change the configuration of the Lichtenstein et al. earring is excessively time consuming requiring the steps of taking off the ear of the wearer, disassembled, the pin reassembled with new ornaments, installing the pin back in position on the wire, and positioning the earring in the ear of the wearer.  
           [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,737 to Domagala, a closeable loop wire earring is described that enables a supplemental setting gemstone or component to be threaded onto and positioned on the wire. Domagala is constrained, like the Lichtenstein et al. configuration by the necessity for threading the supplemental component along the wire. This also limits the manner and ability of the supplemental component can be positioned relative to a permanent setting.  
           [0007]    In U.S. Design Pat. No. 6,131,408 to Gill, a ring having a readily attachable enhancer is described. The enhancer is an additional setting configured for positioning in the vicinity of the primary setting of the ring. The enhancer has a channel type shape configured for being positioned on and at least partially around the inner circumference and sides of the annular surface of the ring below the primary setting. The enhancer has a stem with a bulbous tip positioned in a bottom of the channel configured for positioning into a bore or cavity in the ring. The bore has an o-ring defining an aperture configured for receiving and retaining the bulbous tip. Gill is limited by the method of attachment of the enhancer to the ring because the ability of the enhancer to be properly positioned is totally dependent on the o-ring to stem and bulb interface. Open o-ring interfaces are vulnerable to degradation of the elasticity, tearing, and becoming fouled with dirt over time. Further, while the security of the enhancer is at least partially improved by the position of the wearer&#39;s finger. The Gill configuration is stated as reducing the ring by one quarter of a size as a result of the enhancer being mounted on the inner surface of the ring.  
           [0008]    A continuing need exists for an earring configured for easily attaching an ornamental accessory to the earring.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0009]    An earring is described including a fastening mechanism. An accessory is configured for being removably positioned with the earring. An attachment mechanism is configured for connecting the earring and accessory. The attachment mechanism includes posts, catches, and bias means configured for joining the earring and accessory. The posts are positioned on the earring. The catches and bias means are positioned on the accessory. The catches and bias means are configured for receiving the posts.  
           [0010]    The invention, together with attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when used in conjunction with the figures below. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed earring having an attachable accessory are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a multiple configuration earring in a second position constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2A is a side view of a first portion of the multiple configuration earring of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2B is a back view of FIG. 2A with a fastening mechanism partially cut away;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a back view of a second portion of the multiple configuration earring of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4A is a back view of the multiple configuration earring of FIG. 1 entering into the second position from a first position with the fastening mechanism partially cut away; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4B is a back perspective view of the multiple configuration earring of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    Referring now in specific detail to the drawings in which like referenced numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views and initially to FIG. 1, a novel earring having an attachable accessory, or earring assembly  10 , is shown including an earring  20  having a fastening mechanism  21  and an ornamental portion  40  and an accessory  80 . Fastening mechanism  21  and ornamental portion  40  are fixedly connected. Accessory  80  is removably connected with ornamental portion  40 . Earring assembly  10  defines an axis-X, an axis-Y, and an axis-Z. Fastening mechanism  21  is substantially positioned in a first plane defined by the intersection of axes Y and Z.  
         [0019]    As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and  2 B, fastening mechanism  21  of earring  20  in one preferred embodiment includes a wire  22  having a first end  24  connected with ornamental portion  40  and a generally arcuate shape mid section  25  terminating in a tip  26 . A hinged flange portion  30  includes a first arm  32  fixedly connecting ornamental portion  40  and a hinge  35 . A second arm  34  is rotatingly connected to hinge  35 . Second arm  34  is an elongate piece defining a concave channel and terminating in a tip  36  configured to receive tip  26 . Second arm  34  is movable between a first position in direct contact with tip  26  and a second position wherein a gap is defined between tips  26  and tip  36  suitable for positioning or removing earring assembly  10  from an ear of a wearer.  
         [0020]    Fastening mechanism  21  is secured in the first position by a biasing means positioned in the vicinity of hinge  35  or by a snap type friction connection between cylindrical tip  26  and the concave channel of tip  36 . In this one preferred embodiment, tip  26  of wire  22  is adapted for positioning through a hole defined by a pierced ear of the wearer and is suspended from the pierced ear by arcuate mid portion  25  approximately centrally positioned between first end  24  and tip  26 . It is also readily envisioned attachment mechanism  20  can be a post or non-pierced earring pressure device.  
         [0021]    Ornamental portion  40  has a front  42 , sides  44 , and a back  46 . First ornamental portion in this one preferred embodiment  40  includes a first ornamental portion  50  fixedly connected to a second ornamental portion  60 . First end  25  of fastening mechanism  21  is connected to second ornamental portion  60 . Arm  32  is connected to first ornamental portion  50 . Ornamental portion  40  and fastening mechanism  21  define a selectively closeable loop.  
         [0022]    First ornamental portion  50  includes a setting  52  and a jewel  54 . Setting  52  has a cylindrical shape with a smooth outer surface  55 . A circular rim  53  is defined on outer surface  55  that further includes a lip  58  extending radially from surface  55 . Setting  52  has a front or face defining a hole  57  configured for receiving jewel  54 . A back  56  of setting  52  can be a flat circular disc terminating hole  57  or a rim defining a through hole  57 . Jewels as defined herein, include costume jewelry, precious stones, or ornamental designs on metals or metal alloys.  
         [0023]    Second ornamental portion  60  includes a setting  62  and a jewel  64 . Setting  62  has a cylindrical shape with a smooth outer surface  65 . A simple circular rim  63  is defined on outer surface  65 . Setting  62  has a front or face defining a hole  67  configured for receiving jewel  64 . Setting  62  also includes a back  66  that can be a flat circular disk terminating hole  67  or a rim defining a through hole  67 . Rim  63 , in this one preferred embodiment, is smaller than rim  53  and the centers of rim  63  and rim  53  are aligned with axis-Y.  
         [0024]    Ornamental portion  40  as shown including first portion  50  and second portion  60  in this one preferred embodiment, can also have a broad range of ornamental designs including a single stone positioned in a single setting, first portion  50  smaller than second portion  60 , and varying setting surface treatments or shapes for example, as well as any other ornamental design arrangement suitable for use with attachment device  70  as described herein.  
         [0025]    Attachment device  70  includes a system of posts  71 , catch system  90 , and bias means  96 . Posts  71  are positioned on back  46 . Posts  71  include a first post  72  and a second post  74 . Post  72  and post  74  have cantilevered rods  73 A and  75 A and tips  73 B and  75 B, respectively. Tips  73 B and  75 B are configured as spherical balls, but tips  73 B and  75 B can also readily take the shape of a “T”, for example, having suitable shape for attachment device  70 . Post  72  is positioned in fixed spatial relation with a second post  74 . First post  72  and second post  74  are positioned substantially in the first plane and are separated a suitable distance to provide a secure connection with accessory  80 . In this one preferred embodiment, first post  72  is in juxtaposition with arm  32 , aligned with the first plane, and extends at approximately a 45 degree angle between axes Y-Z. Second post  74  is positioned approximately at the junction between setting  52  and setting  62 , extends generally parallel to axis-Z. Thus, ornamental portion  40  connects with fastening mechanism  21  to form a closeable loop. In addition, the combination of back  46  and posts  71  provides a suitable structural foundation for the integration of accessory  80 .  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, accessory  80  has an annular shape and includes a setting  82  including a plurality of jewels  84  in this one preferred embodiment. Setting  82  has an interrupted annular shape having an outer arcuate surface  85 A, an arcuate inner surface  85 B, ends  85 C, and a back  86  (see FIG. 4B). Outer surface  85 A includes ornamental arcuate undulations in this one preferred embodiment. Inner surface  85 B can include ornamental or smooth surfaces, but is configured to correspondingly mate with outer surface  55  of first portion  50  (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). Similarly, ends  85 C are configured to correspondingly mate with outer surface  65  of second portion  60 . Setting  82  similarly defines an outer annular rim  83 A and an inner annular rim  83 B. Inner rim  83 B and inner surface  85 B define a through hole  87 . Setting  82  has a front or face  81  defining a plurality of holes  89  configured for receiving the plurality of jewels  84 .  
         [0027]    Catch system  90  includes a first catch  92 , second catch  94 , and biasing means  96 . First catch  92  and second catch  94  are positioned for receiving first post  72  and second post  74 , respectively. Catch  92  is an arcuate notch defined in back  86  of accessory  80  configured for receiving at least circular portion  73 A. Catch  94  is connected to ends  85 C and has a flange shape defining a slot  93  configured for receiving first post  72 . The distance between ends  85 C is configured for receiving outer surface  65  of second ornamental portion  60 .  
         [0028]    Biasing means  96  includes two wire members  97  and  98 . Wire members  97  and  98  are mirror images symmetrical about axis-Y and include first ends  97 A and  98 A positioned at opposing points on back  86  in the vicinity of outside edge  85 A. Wires  97  and  98  have mid portions  97 B and  98 B crossing over portions of hole  87  as chords across the substantially circular shape of arcuate inner rim  83 B. Wires  97  and  98  mid portions  97 B and  98 B as well as end portions  97 C and  98 C are positioned for direct contact with backs  56  and  66  of first and second portions  50  and  60 , respectively. Wires  97  and  98  have second ends  97 D and  98 D connecting with catch  94 .  
         [0029]    Catch system  90  of accessory  80  and post system  70  of earring assembly  20  secure earring assembly  10  together by a combination of interlocking post system  71  with catch system  90  and the biasing of inner annular rim  83 B into the back side of lip  58  of first ornamental portion  50 .  
         [0030]    In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and  4 B, first portion  40  and accessory  80  are joined by a simple one step process. Attachment mechanism  20  is fully opened and arm  34  is positioned through hole  87  of accessory  80 . Cantilevered rod  75 A (see FIG. 2A) is positioned in notch  95  of catch  94  and end portions  97 C and  98 C are positioned under tip  75 B of catch  74  and tip  75 B is moved in the direction of arrow-B to secure accessory  80  in position. Simultaneously, spherical tip  73 B of catch  72  is positioned in arcuate notch of catch  92  as shown by arrow-A. Face  81  and arcuate inner rim  83 B of accessory  80  abut against the back side of lip  58  of first ornamental portion  50  and are held in position by the combination of the positioning of end portions  97 C and  98 C between back  66  of second ornamental portion  60  and spherical tip  75 B, the contact of mid portions  97 B and  98 B on back  56  of first ornamental portion  50 , and the positioning of tip  73 B in catch  74 . Accessory  80  is removed from first portion  40  by the reversal of the above step.  
         [0031]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.