Abstract:
An apparatus for fastening an earring, said apparatus comprising: a motor adapted for generating a torque; and an earring back holder adapted for applying said torque to an earring back.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of apparel apparatus and more specifically to devices to aid in fastening earrings.  
         [0002]     To minimize the chance of accidental loss, especially in more expensive varieties, some earrings for pierced ears feature a threaded post and utilize a threaded earring back to secure the earring in place. The post is passed through the wearer&#39;s ear and the earring back is manually screwed onto the post until contact is made with the wearer&#39;s skin.  
         [0003]     For wearers with ordinary dexterity, manipulating the earring back is at times a frustrating and time consuming operation. For wearers with impaired dexterity, due to, for example, arthritis, or other joint or muscle dysfunction, or simply due to the length of the wearer&#39;s fingernails, this manipulation can be close to impossible.  
         [0004]     Opportunities exist, therefore, to save time and relieve frustration by providing a device to aid in the fastening of such earrings.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The opportunities described above are addressed, in one embodiment of the present invention, by an apparatus for fastening an earring, the apparatus comprising: a motor adapted for generating a torque; and an earring back holder adapted for applying the torque to an earring back.  
         [0006]     The opportunities described above are also addressed, in a method embodiment of the present invention, by a method for fastening an earring, the method comprising: generating a torque using a motor; and applying the torque to an earring back using an earring back holder.  
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]     The FIGURE illustrates an isometric drawing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the FIGURE illustrates an isometric drawing of an apparatus  100  for fastening an earring  110 . Apparatus  100  comprises a motor  120  and an earring back holder  130 . In operation, motor  120  generates a torque and earring back holder  130  applies that torque to an earring back  140 . Motor  120  refers to any electrical or mechanical apparatus, device, or combination thereof capable of generating a torque including, by way of example, but not limitation, electric motors and spring driven motors. Earring back holder  130  refers to any mechanical device shaped or otherwise adapted to transmit motor torque to earring back  140 .  
         [0010]     In a more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, earring back holder  130  is removable. In some embodiments, different shapes of earring back  140  are accommodated by having different interchangeable (removable) versions of earring back holder  130  with end recesses or other coupling means compatible with the respective different shapes.  
         [0011]     In another more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, earring back holder  130  is magnetized. Magnetizing earring back holder  130  facilitates holding and applying torque to earring back  140 .  
         [0012]     In another more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, motor  120  is electrically operated. Such embodiments include, without limitation, cord operated motors and battery operated motors. Examples of batteries for battery operated motors include, without limitation, rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries.  
         [0013]     In another more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, motor  120  is spring operated. In such embodiments, the wearer stores energy in apparatus  100  by first winding up motor  120 .  
         [0014]     In another more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, apparatus  100  further comprises a clutch  150 . In operation, clutch  150  limits the torque applied to earring back holder  130 . Such torque limiting serves to prevent discomfort to the wearer resulting from otherwise excessive torque. Clutch  150  denotes any apparatus capable of performing the indicated function including, without limitation, clutches employing friction, magnetic, or fluidic coupling means.  
         [0015]     In another more detailed embodiment in accordance with the embodiment of the FIGURE, motor  120  is reversible. In such embodiments, apparatus  100  is used for removing (unfastening) as well as fastening earring  110 .  
         [0016]     While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.