Patent Publication Number: US-2023144272-A1

Title: Atraumatic earring

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing atraumatic earrings. More specifically, the disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods that allow users to wear earrings on unpierced ears, pierced ears, or damaged ears. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may also be implemented on other body parts to provided atraumatic adornment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditionally, earrings or other jewelry relying on piercings through the user&#39;s skin and other tissue (e.g., cartilage) to adorn the earrings or other jewelry. For a variety of reasons, piercings may not be desirable due to health conditions, aesthetics, age, and so forth. Furthermore, in some instances, the user has damaged piercing sites due to other piercings, congenital defects, or unrelated trauma. For example, stretched earlobes as a result of consistent use of heavy earrings may make it unfeasible to wear traditional earrings. 
     Few alternatives to traditional piercings for jewelry adornment. One example of an alternative to traditional earrings or other jewelry that relies on piercings are clip-on jewelry. Clip-in jewelry traditionally rely on a hinged portion that is operable to form a pressure or a frictional engagement with the user&#39;s tissue to prevent movement of the jewelry. Another alternative includes screw-type earrings which also form a pressure or frictional engagement with the user&#39;s tissue. These devices also have drawbacks, including but not limited to potentially painful, especially with those that are prone to sensitive skin or tissue. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to an earring mounting device that may be implemented for damaged, unpierced, or pierced ears for providing the user with the ability to wear earrings. The device enables the user to adorn the earrings in an atraumatic manner or when the user&#39;s ears are incapable of supporting the earring in the typical manner. 
     According to one example (“Example 1”), an earring mounting device is provided for wearing an earring without passing the earring through skin of the ear of a user. The earring mounting device includes an earring interface member operable to releasable couple to an earring, the earring interface member comprising a closed loop and a mount including a mount body, an adhesive, and a coupling member operable to releasable retain the closed loop of the earring interface member, the adhesive being positioned on a back surface of the mount body, the adhesive operable to releasably adhere the mount to an ear of a user. 
     According to another example (“Example 2”) further to Example 1, the coupling member is a hook and loop fastener positioned on a front surface of the mount body. 
     According to another example (“Example 3”) further to Example 2, the hook and loop fastener includes a first portion including hooks, a second portion including loops, and a third portion not including hooks or loops, the third portion positioned longitudinally between the first and the second portions. 
     According to another example (“Example 4”) further to Example 3, the third portion of the hook and loop fastener is operable to form a fold. 
     According to another example (“Example 5”) further to Example 3, the first and the second portions of the hook and loop fastener are rigid. 
     According to another example (“Example 6”) further to Example 1, the coupling member is an arm extending from a front surface of the mount body, the arm being operable to receive the earring interface member. 
     According to another example (“Example 7”) further to Example 6, the arm is angled relative to the front surface of the mount body between 0 and 180 degrees. 
     According to another example (“Example 8”) further to Example 7, the arm is angled relative to the front surface of the mount body between 10 and 60 degrees. 
     According to another example (“Example 9”) further to Example 6, the arm includes a neck portion extending from the mount body and a body portion extending from the neck portion, the neck portion being narrower than the body portion. 
     According to another example (“Example 10”) further to Example 9, the arm is cut from the mount body except for where the neck portion extends from the mount body. 
     According to another example (“Example 11”) further to Example 10, the mount body includes a notch formed on each lateral side of the neck portion of the arm, wherein the notch is operable to receive and engage the earring interface member. 
     According to another example (“Example 12”) further to Example 9, the body portion of the arm includes a generally trapezoidal profile. 
     According to another example (“Example 13”) further to Example 1, the mount body further defines an aperture positioned proximate the coupling member, the aperture operable to receive a post of a second earring. 
     According to one example (“Example 14”), an atraumatic mount for an earring is provided. The atraumatic mount includes a mount body defining a front surface and a back surface, an adhesive positioned on the back surface of the mount, the adhesive operable to releasable couple to skin of a user, and a coupling member operable to releasable retain an earring, the coupling member extending from the front surface of the mount, the coupling member moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the coupling member is operable to receive a portion of the earring and in the closed position is operable to retain the portion of the earring. 
     According to another example (“Example 15”) further to Example 14, the coupling member is a hook and loop fastener positioned on a front surface of the mount body. 
     According to another example (“Example 16”) further to Example 15, the hook and loop fastener includes a first portion including hooks, a second portion including loops, and a third portion not including hooks or loops, the third portion positioned longitudinally between the first and the second portions. 
     According to another example (“Example 17”) further to Example 16, the third portion of the hook and loop fastener is operable to form a fold. 
     According to one example (“Example 18”), an earring is provided, the earring including a mount body defining a front surface and a back surface, an adhesive positioned on the back surface of the mount, the adhesive operable to releasable couple to skin of a user, and a coupling member including an arm extending from the front surface of the mount, the arm including a neck portion and a body portion, the neck portion being positioned between the body portion and the first surface of the mount body and being narrower relative to the body portion. 
     According to another example (“Example 19”) further to Example 18, the arm is angled relative to the front surface of the mount body between 10 and 60 degrees. 
     According to another example (“Example 20”) further to Example 19, the arm is cut from the mount body except for where the neck portion extends from the mount body. 
     The foregoing Examples are just that, and should not be read to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of any of the inventive concepts otherwise provided by the instant disclosure. While multiple examples are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative examples. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature rather than restrictive in nature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is an illustration of an earring device including an atraumatic mount for an earring with an earring interface member engaged to the arm of the coupling member, the earring interface member including an earring coupled thereto, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is an illustration of an example of an atraumatic mount for an earring in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is an illustration of an alternate example of an atraumatic mount for an earring, the atraumatic mount including a coupling member forming an arm and notches on each side of a portion of the arm, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS.  4 A to  4 C  are illustrations of an alternate example of an atraumatic mount to be mounted to the skin of a user for holding an earring on a damaged ear, the atraumatic mount including a coupling member forming an arm and an aperture for a secondary earring in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are illustrations of another alternate example of an atraumatic mount for an earring, the atraumatic mount including a hook and fastener strip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are illustrations of another alternate example of an atraumatic mount for an earring, the atraumatic mount including a hook and fastener strip and an aperture for use with a secondary earring, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is an illustration of another alternate example of an atraumatic mount for an earring, the atraumatic mount including a hook and fastener strip engaged with an earring interface member, the earring interface member including an earring coupled thereto, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  8    is an illustration of another alternate example of an atraumatic mount for an earring including an aperture for a secondary earring, the mount being coupled to a primary earring via a hook and loop coupling member and a secondary earring via the aperture, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Description of Various Embodiments 
     This disclosure is not meant to be read in a restrictive manner. For example, the terminology used in the application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning those in the field would attribute such terminology. 
     Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure can be realized by any number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting. 
     The device shown in  FIG.  1    is provided as an example of the various features of the device and, although the combination of those illustrated features is clearly within the scope of invention, that example and its illustration is not meant to suggest the inventive concepts provided herein are limited from fewer features, additional features, or alternative features to one or more of those features shown in  FIG.  1   . For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the components depicted in  FIG.  1    can be employed in addition to, or as an alternative to components depicted in any other of the figures and one or more of the components depicted in any of the other figures may be employed in addition to, or as an alternative to components depicted in  FIG.  1   . 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , an earring mounting device  10  is illustrated. The earring mounting device  10  can be mounted to a user in order to atraumatically adorn or wear earrings  14 , which can be coupled to the earring mounting device  10 . Earrings may be retrofitted do be implemented with the earring mounting device  10  discussed herein, or the earrings may be specifically designed to be implemented with the earring mounting device  10 . The earring mounting device  10  may be used in a variety of situations, including but not limited to use on damaged ears (e.g., split ears), gauged ears, unpierced ears, and so forth. This allows a user to wear earrings despite anatomical. The earring mounting device  100  is operable to be mounted to a backside of a wearer&#39;s ear, for example, at the earlobe to support at least one earring on the wearer&#39;s ear. The earring mounting device  10  supports one or more earrings on the wearer&#39;s ears to prevent damage (on a non-pierced ear) and to reduce further damage to a ripped or torn earlobe. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , an earring mounting device  10  for wearing an earring without passing the earring through skin of the ear of a user is illustrated. The earring mounting device  10  includes an earring interface member  12  operable to releasable couple to an earring  14 . The earring mounting device  10  further includes a mount  16  including a mount body  30 , an adhesive  32  (see  FIG.  4 B ), and a coupling member  34  operable to releasable retain the earring interface member  12 . The adhesive  32  is positioned on a back surface  36  of the mount body  30 . The adhesive  32  operable to releasably adhere the mount  16  to an ear of a user. Various adhesives may be implemented for coupling the mount  16  to the ear of the user. The term “adhesive” is meant to incorporate a broad meaning to encompass any material that is capable of coupling the mount  16  to the ear of the user. For example, medical tapes, adhesives applied directly to the mount body  30 , and so forth. In those embodiments implementing a medical tape, the medical tape may include an adhesive side and an opposing non-adhesive side. The medical tape is attached to the mount body  30 , for example, the non-adhesive side of the medical tape using an adhesive such as an epoxy or other adhesive. Alternatively, the mount body  30  may be mechanically attached to the medical tape or the mount body  30  and medical tape may be formed as a single piece. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 6   , various embodiments of the coupling member  34  may be implemented. The coupling member  34  is operable to engage and retain the earring  14  (e.g., via the earring interface member  12 ) (see  FIG.  1   ). Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 4   , one type of coupling member  34  is illustrated. The coupling member  34  in these embodiments includes an arm  40  extending from a front surface  38  of the mount body  30 , the arm  40  being operable to receive the earring interface member  12 . 
     Referring first to  FIG.  2   , a mount  16  is illustrated with a coupling member  34  including an arm  40 . The arm  40  extends from the front surface  38  of the mount body  30 . For example, in this embodiment, the arm  40  is cut from the mount body  30  and is bent forward along a base  42  of the arm  40  where the arm  40  was not cut from the mount body  30 . The arm  40 , for example, may be formed by cutting three slits through the mount body  30 . The arm  40  may include various shapes, including a generally trapezoidal shape illustrated in  FIG.  4    (the trapezoidal shape including the base  42  about which the arm  40  is bent forward). The arm  40  may include a wider portion at the top (e.g., in the trapezoidal shape), which enhances traction of the coupling member  34  with the earring interface member  12 . Any number of configurations are understood to be within the scope of the device, including but not limited to, square, triangular, curvilinear, and so forth. It is also within the scope of this disclosure that the edges and corners of the shapes may be rounded, beveled, or chamfered in order to limit wear of articles that contact the arm  40  and mount body  30 , including damage or injury that could occur by contact with the user&#39;s skin. 
     In some embodiments, the arm  40  is angled relative to the front surface  38  of the mount body  30  between 0 and 180 degrees. For example, when the arm  40  is cut from the mount body  30 , the arm  40  may be bent away from the front surface  38  to form an angle therebetween. In some embodiments, the arm  40  is angled relative to the front surface  38  of the mount body  30  between 10 and 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the arm  40  is angled relative to the front surface at about 15 degrees, at about 20 degrees, at about 25 degrees, at about 30 degrees, at about 35 degrees, at about 40 degrees, and at about 45 degrees. The arm  40  is movable relative to the mount body  30  such that angle between the arm  40  and the front surface  38  of the mount body  30  is adjustable. This allows the user to adjust the angle to accommodate various sizes and types of earring as well as adjusting the arm to minimize contact with other body parts such as the skin positioned behind the outer ear. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , in some embodiments, the earring mounting device  10  includes an arm  40  that has a neck portion  44  extending from the mount body  30  and a body portion  46  extending from the neck portion  44 . In these embodiments, the neck portion  44  is narrower than the body portion  46 . For example, the arm  40  may include a generally trapezoidal profile, wherein the body portion  46  includes the trapezoidal profile and the neck portion  44  extends from the short edge of the parallel edges of the trapezoid. The neck portion  44  can be bent (or pivoted in those embodiments where the arm  40  is coupled to the mount body  30  via a pivotable coupling) in order to achieve the angles discussed herein. The neck portion  44  is sufficiently wide to provide structural integrity to the arm  40 . In some embodiments, the arm  40  is cut from the mount body  30  except for where the neck portion  44  extends from the mount body  30 . 
     With further reference to  FIG.  3   , the earring mounting device  10  includes a notch  48  formed on each lateral side of the neck portion  44  of the arm  40 , wherein the notch is  48  operable to receive and engage the earring interface member  12 . The profile of each notch  48  is sufficient to receive and at least partially surround a portion of the earring interface member  12 . For example, when the earring interface member  12  includes an elastic band, the profile of each notch  48  is sufficient to receive the elastic band. In some embodiments, the notches  48  may be slightly smaller than the band, thus allowing the notch to compress the elastic band to a smaller profile when inserted into the notch and to increase the holding force of the notches  48  relative to the elastic band. 
     The notches  48  may be formed in any number of shapes. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the notch  48  may have a generally rectilinear profile. However, it is understood that other profiles such as curvilinear profiles may be implemented. Furthermore, rounding, beveled, or chamfered edges may be implemented in order to limit wear of objects against the mount body  30  at the notches  48 . It is also understood that the mount body  30  may also include any number of profiles including the rectilinear profile illustrated in  FIG.  3   , as well as curvilinear such as ovular, circular, or a profile tuned to conform to the anatomy of the back side of the outer ear. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C , another embodiment of a mount  16  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the mount body  30  includes an aperture  50  formed through the mount body  30 . The aperture  50  is operable to receive a post  52  of a secondary earring  54  (see  FIG.  8   ). This allows a user to wear secondary earrings  54  with posts  52  as well as the earring  14  that is mounted to the coupling member  34  as previously discussed. For example, when a user has a piercing through the ear, but the ear is not capable of supporting a heavier earring, the mount body  30  may be implemented to support a larger earring (e.g., a dangle, teardrop, chandelier, or drop earring) and a smaller, secondary earring (e.g., a stud) may be passed through the piercing and the aperture  50  in the mount body  30 . The walls of the aperture  50  may further act to support the secondary earring  54  to limit damage or further damage to the ear of the user. When adhesives or other materials are implemented (e.g., adhesive  32  or hook and loop fastener  60 ), the secondary earring  54  may include a post that passes through the material. 
       FIGS.  4 B and  4 C  provide side and perspective views of the mount  16  to illustrate the positioning of the arm  40  relative to the mount body  30 . As illustrated, the neck portion  44  may include a bend or a curve that facilitates the angle between the arm  40  and the mount body  30  as previously discussed. As illustrated in  FIG.  4 C , when the arm  40  is angled outward from the mount body  30 , an opening into the notches  48  on each side of the neck portion  44  is provided. The opening facilitates placement of the earring interface member  12  within the notch  48 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 - 8   , an earring mounting device  10  includes a coupling member  34  that is a hook and loop fastener  60  positioned on a front surface of the mount body  30 . The hook and loop fastener  60  is coupled to the mount body  30  and is operable to receive and retain the earring interface member  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener  60  includes a first portion  62  including hooks, a second portion  64  including loops, and a third portion  66  not including hooks or loops. The third portion  66  is positioned longitudinally between the first and the second portions  62 ,  64 . Thus, in some embodiments, the third portion  66  is a middle portion that does not engage the with another portion of the hook and loop fastener  60  and therefore forms a loop or a hook where the earring interface member  12  is engaged. The middle portion (i.e., third portion  66 ) forms the bend of fold for the hook and loop fastener  60  to bend back on itself. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener does not include a segment free of hooks or loops. In some embodiments, the first and second portions  62 ,  64  of the hook and loop fastener  60  are rigid. In other embodiments, the first and second portions  62 ,  64  of the hook and loop fastener  60  are compliant.  FIG.  7    provides an illustration of the earring mounting device  10  implemented with an earring interface member  12  and an earring  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  8   , the hook and loop embodiment may also include an aperture  50  through which a secondary earring  54  may be inserted. The post  52  of secondary earring  54  may be inserted through the material of the hook and loop fastener  60  or the hook and loop fastener  60  may define an aperture (not shown) that aligns with the aperture  50  of the mount body  30 . 
     In various embodiments, other fasteners may be implemented other than hook and loop fasteners. For example, the coupling member  34  may include magnetic strips (not shown) capable of forming a loop for coupling to the earring interface member  12 . Any number of embodiments are considered in which the coupling member  34  is capable of forming a releasable loop for releasably retaining the earring interface member  12  (or in some embodiments, the earring  14  itself). 
     Referring now to the earring interface member  12 , various materials and embodiments may be implemented in order to interface the earring  14  with the earring mounting device  10 . For example, in some embodiments, the earring interface member  12  includes an elastic band that can be interfaced with the earring  14  and retained by the earring mounting device  10 . The earring interface member  12  may include a compliant or malleable material such as a plastic or metal. The earring interface member may include a rigid material such as a high density or rigid plastic or a rigid metal. Each of these materials may be implemented to interface with an existing earring. The earring interface member  12  may be interface for example with the hook or clasp of an existing earring. In other embodiments, the earring interface member  12  may be retrofitted onto an existing earring by, for example, replacing an existing hook or clasp. For example, in some embodiments, the hook or clasp of an existing earring may be removed from the earring. The earring may include an eyelet from which the hook or clasp was removed and the earring interface member  12  may be installed onto the eyelet. In some embodiments, the earring  14  may be manufactured with an earring interface member  12 . For example, the earring may be specifically designed for use with the earring mounting device  10 . In other embodiments, the hook or clasp of an existing earring may be implemented as the earing interface member  12 . 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.