Patent Abstract:
A body ornament has first and second positioning arms that are pivotally connected together. The first positioning arm crosses the second positioning arm at first and second crossing points. A generally elongated loop is formed between the crossing points for receiving the body part. The size of the loop is adjustable by pivoting the positioning arms either toward or away from each other. The positioning arms are preferably biased toward each other so that a minimal loop size is initially formed. In one embodiment, the pivot joint between the first and second positioning arms includes a pivot pin. A loop is formed at one end of the pin for receiving a decorative item. In a further embodiment, the pivot joint is in the form of an integral hinge that biases the first and second positioning arms toward each other.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/233,604 entitled “BODY ORNAMENT”, filed Sep. 18, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to personal ornamentation, jewelry, decorations and the like, and more particularly, to such ornamentation, jewelry and decorations which are positioned or carried directly by a body part of a person. 
     Human beings have been adorning their body parts with jewels, decorations and other ornamentation for centuries. One such common form of body ornamentation are earrings which are directly carried by, hang from, or are otherwise positioned on, an ear or both ears of a person instead of being attached, for instance, to their clothing. It is quite common for persons who desire to wear earrings to have an ear or both ears pierced in one or more places to accommodate positioning the earring or earrings. However, once pierced the person has to position an earring part in the opening through the ear or the opening will close. Piercing of other body parts to attach jewelry, decorations or other ornamentation&#39;s thereto has also become commonplace. Lips, noses, breast nipples, and other body parts once pierced also require placement of an ornament, decoration or other item through the pierced opening or the opening may close and require re-piercing. 
     Many people, however, do not wish to have their body parts pierced because of problems with keeping the pierced opening open. There are also concerns with possible health hazards due to having a pierced body part, from the body part piercing, and possible discomfort from either always wearing an ornament or whatever is utilized to keep the pierced opening open. 
     There are, however, earrings which do not require piercing the ear to facilitate wearing an earring. Clip-like or clasp-like arrangements such as those shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,684,783 patented to R. Spear on Sep. 18, 1928 for “Ear Ornament”; in U.S. Pat. No. 2,383,448 patented on Aug. 28, 1945 to C. Christy for “Ear Ornament”; in U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,599 patented on Jun. 19, 1923 to A. Malone for “Resilient Earring Including Means Limiting Pressure On the Ear Lobe”; and in British Letters Patent Number 19,730 patented on Feb. 1, 1912 to A. Halliday for “Improvements In Or Relating To Earrings”, are known. However, all of these arrangements require the use of body gripping members which engage the body part over a relatively small area and which, therefore, may apply an unacceptable positioning pressure to the body part that results in discomfort to the wearer. Moreover, these body part-gripping arrangements are peculiar to earrings and would most likely be unacceptable to position an ornament or decoration on other body parts such as breast nipples. Examples of body decoration or ornamentation, particularly for positioning on the nipple of a person&#39;s breast, are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,667 patented to H. Zwart on Jan. 29, 1991 for “Method of Decorative A Human Breast” and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,244 patented on Jun. 30, 1992 to H. Zwart for “Nipple Ring For Decorating A Human Breast”. Both of these patents require use of a clamping collar of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,824 patented to M. Lussier on Aug. 22, 1978 for “Clamping Collar” which encircles the nipple and may apply too much pressure around the entire nipple. Human breast nipples, like other human body parts, differ in size and shape. The Zwart nipple ring may prove unacceptable because if the smallest size to which the ring closes is still larger than the particular nipple upon which it is to be positioned the ring will fall off; and if the nipple ring closes to a size smaller than the users nipple then possible unacceptable pressure will be applied around the entire nipple creating discomfort to the wearer and/or distortion of their nipple&#39;s shape. In addition, squeezing the end pieces of the Zwart devices between ones fingers and manipulating the device over a nipple while resisting the built in spring effect to close the opening may prove to be troublesome and thus render the type of decoration and positioning unacceptable. D. Milawski, on the other hand, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,526 patented on Dec. 2,1986 for “Nipple Decoration Device” provides spring biased arcuate pads for positioning a decoration on a human breast nipple. Here again the possible separation between the arcuate pads if too small may create a painful experience and if too large will result in the decoration not being able to stay on. Moreover, keeping the pads separated while positioning the device on a nipple appears to create some degree of difficulty. Separating the pads once the device is in place may present even greater problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a body ornament comprises a first positioning arm having first and second portions and a second positioning arm having first and second portions. The first portion of the first positioning arm is connected to the first portion of the second positioning arm, with the first positioning arm crossing over the second positioning arm at a first crossing point and at a second crossing point. The first and second positioning arms form a generally elongated loop between the first crossing point and the second crossing point for receiving a body part. The second portions of the first and second positioning arms are movable between a first position wherein the loop is a first size and a second position wherein the loop is a second size which is larger than the first size. Preferably, the second portions are biased toward the first position. A first stop tab is located on one of the first and second positioning arms for holding the second portions of the first and second positioning arms in the first position. 
     Further according to the invention, a body ornament comprises a first positioning arm having first, second and third portions, and a second positioning arm having first, second and third portions. The first portion of the first positioning arm is connected to the first portion of the second positioning arm, with the first positioning arm crossing the second positioning arm at a first crossing point and at a second crossing point. The first and second positioning arms form a generally elongated loop between the first crossing point and the second crossing point for receiving a body part. The second portions of the first and second positioning arms are movable between a first position wherein the loop is a first size and a second position wherein the loop is a second size which is larger than the first size. Preferably, the second portions are biased toward the first position, with the third portions of the first and second positioning arms extending beyond the second crossing point from the second portions of each positioning arm. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentality&#39;s shown. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a body ornament in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the body ornament shown in FIG. 1 taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the body ornament show in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a coil spring used in the body ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a body ornament in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the body ornament shown in FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a body ornament in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designated directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the body ornament and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words noted above as well as derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a body ornament, generally designated  10 , in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The body ornament  10  includes first and second arms  12 ,  14 , respectively, pivotally connected together at a first end  12   a ,  14   a . The first end  12   a ,  14   a  of each of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 , is generally trough shaped or U-shaped in cross section, for reasons described hereinafter. The first ends  12   a ,  14   a  have a decorative external surface to provide the body ornament  10  with a pleasing overall appearance. The pintle  16  extends through a correspondingly sized hole in a terminal portion of the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 . The pintle  16  permits the first and second arms  12 ,  14  to pivot with respect to each other. The pintle  16  includes a bolbus end  18  which prevents the pintle  16  from passing through the hole in the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 . The bolbus end  18  could be flat without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The pintle  16 , opposite from the bolbus end  18 , extends outwardly from the first and second arms  12 ,  14  and forms a loop  20  for receiving a decorative item  22  to thereby hang the decorative item  22  from the body ornament  10 . The present invention is not limited to any particular type of decorative item being connected to the body ornament  10 . Other decorative items include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,138, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The decorative item shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is in the form of a spherical top portion  22   a  having a plurality of decorative chains  22   b  extending therefrom. The spherical top portion  22   a  is connected to the loop  20  in any standard jewelry connecting fashion, well understood by those skilled in the art. In the first preferred embodiment, the decorative item  22  is connected to the loop  20  by loops  24 . It is also understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, that the present invention is not limited to attaching a decorative item  22  to the body ornament  10 . That is, the body ornament  10  can be used without attaching a decorative item  22  thereto. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  are oriented with respect to each other such that they are generally V-shaped in plan view. In order to connect the pintle  16  between the first and second arms  12 ,  14 , a portion  14   a ′ of the first end  14   a  of the second arm  14  overlaps the first end  12   a  of the first arm  12  along the interior of the first end  12   a  of the first arm  12 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first and second arms  12 ,  14  extend upwardly from the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  in a generally overlapping curvilinear fashion to form second ends  12   b ,  14   b  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 . More particularly, the second ends  12   b ,  14   b  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  have first portions  12   c ,  14   c  which extend generally towards each other until they reach a first cross-over point  26 . The second ends  12   b ,  14   b  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 , have second portions  12   d ,  14   d  which extend beyond the first cross-over point  26  and curve back towards each other at a second cross-over point  28 . The second portions  12   d ,  14   d  of the second ends  12   b ,  14   b  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  form a generally elliptically shaped body part-receiving loop  30  for receiving a body part (not shown) therein. The body part-receiving loop  30  is adjustable in size for receiving differently sized body parts, as described in more detail hereinafter. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, it is preferred that the body part-receiving loop  30  receives the nipple of a human breast. However, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, that the present invention is not limited to positioning the body ornament  10  on any particular body part and is not limited to body parts of the female species. For instance, the body part  10  could be used on male genitalia. The first and second arms  12 ,  14  include a third portion  12   e ,  14   e  which extends outwardly in a generally curvilinear fashion beyond the second cross-over point  28 . The third portions  12   e ,  14   e  permit the body part-receiving loop  13  to be adjustable in size. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the second ends  12   b ,  14   b  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 , are generally small in cross-section having a round, square or relatively flat cross-sectional configuration, except for the second portions  12   d ,  14   d . As best shown in FIG. 3, the second portions  12   d ,  14   d  include first and second tabs  12   f ,  14   f  which extend toward each other and are overlapping. The first and second tabs  12   f ,  14   f  spread the forces applied to the body part over a greater cross-sectional area to thereby reduce the forces applied to the body part, as described in more detail hereinafter. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, a biasing mechanism preferably in the form of coil spring  34  is positioned within the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first arm and second arm  12 ,  14 . More particularly, the coil spring  34  is located in the trough shaped area defined by the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  such that the coil spring  34  is not visible in plan view. The coil spring  34  is positioned above the pintle  16 , such that the pintle  16  does not extend through the coil spring  34 . In the first preferred embodiment, it is preferred that a plurality of coil springs  34  having different force (k) factors be provided with the body ornament  10 . In this manner, the user can select the strength of the spring positioned within the body ornament  10  to adjust the force applied by the body ornament  10  to the body part. Thus, depending on the type of body part the body ornament  10  will be attached to, the body ornament  10  can be sold as a kit having a plurality of coil springs  34  included therein each having different k factors to allow the user to select the desired forces applied by the body ornament  10  to the body part. 
     Although not shown, a decorative screw can be threaded into, for example, the first arm while and end of the screw contacts the second arm for preventing the body ornament  10  from flexing open. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the coil spring  34  has a coil section  36  and a pair of tangs  38  extending therefrom. One of the tangs  38  is bent at a right angle at its terminal end. The tangs  38  assist with maintaining the coil spring  34  within the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 . The tang  38  with the right angle bend facilitates removal of the coil spring  34  from the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  because it provides a space for receiving a prying instrument. The trough shaped first ends  12   a ,  14   a  are closed at their upper ends to help retain the coil spring  34  within the first ends  12   a ,  14   a . Because the coil spring  34  pushes the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  away from each other, the second portions  12   d ,  14   d  are pushed towards each other into contact. The tabs  12   f ,  14   f  are engaged in this position to define the smallest size body part-receiving loop  30 . To increase the size of the body part receiving loop  30 , the user grasps the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  and pushes them towards each other against the biased force of the coil spring  34 . The body part receiving loop  30  reaches its maximum size when the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  are positioned close together (not shown). At this point, the user positions the body part within the body part-receiving loop  30  and slowly releases the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  to allow to spring  34  to push the second portions  12   d ,  14   d  toward each until they grasp the body part (not shown). 
     It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure that the present invention is not limited to the coil spring  34 . For instance, a leaf spring or an elastomeric member (not shown) could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Similarly, the right angle bend on the one tang  38  could be removed from the coil spring  34  without negatively impacting on the operation of the body ornament  10 . 
     It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, from this disclosure, that the body ornament  10  and its respective elements are preferably constructed of precious metals, such as silver, gold or any other jewelers metal. Those of ordinary skill in the art also understand that the present invention is not limited to constructing the body ornament  10  of any particular material. For instance, the body ornament  10  could be constructed of a polymeric material, glass, wood or an edible material, such as candy, without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention and as described in more detail hereinafter. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a second body ornament, generally designated  40 , in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The second body ornament  40  is generally identical to the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment. Accordingly, like numerals have been used for like elements between the body ornament  10  of the first preferred embodiment and the second body ornament  40  without a complete recitation of the description of the second body ornament  40 . For purposes of brevity and convenience, only the differences between the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment and a second body ornament  40  will be described. 
     In the second body ornament  40 , instead of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  including tabs  12   f ,  14   f  to allow the generally parallel (as viewed in FIG. 3) first and second arms  12 ,  14 , to engage each other when the coil spring  34  forces the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  away from each other, the first and second arms  12 ,  14  cross over each other generally in the form of an X, as best shown in FIG.  6 . That is, the seconds ends  12   b ,  14   b  cross over each other in an opposite direction at the first and second cross over points  26 ,  30 . At the first cross over point  26 , the first arm  12  lies in front of the second arm  14 . At the second cross over point  28 , the second arm  14  lies in front of the first arm  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a third body ornament generally designated  42 , in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention. The third body ornament  42  is generally identical to the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention. As with the second body ornament  40 , like numerals indicate like elements between the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment and the third body ornament  42 . Accordingly, a complete description of the third body ornament  42  is omitted for purposes of brevity and convenience only and is not limiting. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, except for the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  of the third body ornament  42 , the remaining portions of the third body ornament  42  are identical to the first and second arms  12 ,  14  of the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment. Instead of connecting the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  for pivoting motion with a pintle  16 , the third body ornament  42  is constructed of a polymeric material which allows the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  to be constructed as a living hinge. The third body ornament  42  is essentially of single piece construction and is configured such that the natural resiliency of the polymeric material biases the second portions  12   d ,  14   d  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  toward each other in a manner generally identical to that described above in connection the body ornament  10  in accordance with the first preferred embodiment. The biasing force applied to the second portions  12   d ,  14   d  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14  can be adjusted by modifying the thickness of the elements which form the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 . That is, at the lower portion of the first ends  12   a ,  14   a  of the first and second arms  12 ,  14 , there is included a generally semicircular living hinge  44 . By selecting the thickness and type of material to construct the living hinge  44  the biasing force applied by the first and second arms  12 ,  14  against the body part can be adjusted. Hence, the biasing force applied by the third body ornament  42  cannot be adjusted by the end user. 
     While the third body ornament  42  includes the tabs  12   f ,  14   f  such that the first and second arms  12 ,  14  extend generally parallel to each other in side view, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure that the first and second arms  12 ,  14  of the third body ornament  42  could be of the type described above in connection with the second body ornament  40 . 
     The present invention is not limited to constructing the third body ornament  42  of any particular manner. The third body ornament  42  could be formed by a machining process, molding process or by hand, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
     While the third body ornament  42  is shown without a decorative item hanging therefrom, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to connect a decorative item, to the living hinge  44  much in the same manner that the decorative item  22  is connected to the loop  20  of the body ornament  10 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed and is not intended to exclude known equivalents, thus it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8