Abstract:
An earring backing assembly including an earring post having a locking groove, a body, a handle and a spring. The spring is mounted on the handle. The handle is fitted within the body such that the spring presses at one end against the handle and at another end against the body. Together the handle and the body maintain an opening for receiving the earring post with the handle maintaining a locking ridge within the opening. The spring biases the locking ridge towards the center of the opening. When the handle is depressed against the pressure of the spring, the handle pivots, moving the locking ridge away from the center of the opening allowing for the earring post to be inserted into the opening. When the handle depression is released, the spring bias returns the locking ridge back towards the center of the opening, engaging the locking groove of the post.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 20-2012-0003830, filed on May 9, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an earring. More particularly, the present invention relates to an earring and backing assembly capable of easily performing the locking/unlocking operation of coupling parts and improving the function and ease of use of the assembly. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, jewelry/accessories may be classified into necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and earrings, which are wound on necks, arms, legs of a human body or worn on ears in order to exhibit individual preferences or characters in combination with dresses. Such accessories are diversely designed according to the users&#39; taste and preference and are on sale in the market. 
         [0006]    In the case of earring assemblies there is typically provided, at a final coupling point, a primary earring component attached to a post. The post is the portion of the jewelry item that goes through the piercing/hole in the ear. On the other side, typically earring posts are met by a backing or clamp that is used to provide a thicker/stopper region to the portion of the post on the opposite side of the ear, to prevent the post from sliding out of the piercing/hole. 
         [0007]    However, existing, coupling/decoupling operations using conventional earring assembly components are very difficult and the coupling parts are not themselves decorative. 
         [0008]    For example  FIG. 1  is a prior art image showing a typical earring post and backing clip. The post, as shown, is typically a thin straight post, and the clip is typically a small metallic item that includes an opening for accepting the post and some curved/spring wings that press against the post that is pushed through the hole of the clip to make the clip somewhat stick to the post. 
         [0009]    However, despite this design, the clip is small and difficult to place on the post. Likewise, the spring leaves on the clip, although providing some pressure still allow slippage on the post, possibly leading to a lost clip and even the earring possibly falling out in such cases. Additionally, the clip is not aesthetically pleasing. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present arrangement overcomes these drawbacks by providing an earring and backing assembly that is both stable and easy to use while being more aesthetically pleasing than the existing common earring backings. 
         [0011]    To this end, the present arrangement provides for an earring backing assembly for mating with an earring post having a locking groove including a body portion; a handle portion; and a spring, where the spring is configured to be mounted on the handle portion and where the handle portion is configured to be fitted within the body portion such that the spring presses at a first end against an inside surface of the handle and at a second end against an inside surface of the body. The handle portion and the body when fitted together maintain an opening for receiving the earring post with the handle portion maintaining a locking ridge in at least a portion of the opening. The spring biases the locking ridge of the handle portion towards the center of the opening, such that when the handle is depressed against the pressure of the spring, the handle pivots, moving the locking ridge away from the center of the opening allowing for the earring post to be inserted into the opening. When the handle depression is released, the spring bias returns the locking ridge back towards the center of the opening, engaging the locking groove of the earring post. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more dearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a prior art image of an earring and earring backing; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an earring backing in an expanded view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows the earring backing of  FIG. 2  in an expanded cut away view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 2  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 2  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows an earring backing in an expanded view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows the earring backing of  FIG. 6  in an expanded cut away view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 6  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 6  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows an earring backing according to another embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show the earring backing of  FIG. 10  in an open and dosed position in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  show the earring backing of  FIG. 10  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  shows the handle portion of the earring backing of  FIG. 10  in an expanded view; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  shows an earring backing in an expanded view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  shows the earring backing of  FIG. 14  in an expanded cut away view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 14  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 14  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 14  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  shows an earring backing in an expanded view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  shows the earring backing of  FIG. 19  in an expanded cut away view, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 21 and 21B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 19  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 22A and 22B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 19  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; and 
           [0035]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  show the earring backing of  FIG. 19  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  shows an earring backing in a disassembled state according to one embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 25   a  and  25   b  show the earring backing of  FIG. 24  in an open and dosed position, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b  show a sectional view of the handle of the earring backing of  FIG. 24 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  shows the earring backing of  FIG. 24  in an open and closed position, in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    In one embodiment, as generally shown in  FIG. 2 , earring and backing assembly  10  includes earring post  100  and backing  200 . Earring post  100  is generally cylindrical in shape and has a locking groove  101  which accepts a corresponding locking ridge  212  from backing  200  as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0041]    Backing  200  has an opening  222  for the entry of post  100 . Backing  200  is formed by inserting, into an accessory body portion  220 , a handle portion  210  in a side by side connection. In the present embodiment, accessory body portion  220  and handle portion  210  are in the shape of a figure eight (8), but other shapes are contemplated, provided they have a substantially similar structure and function. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , backing  200  houses spring  230  such that when accessory body  220  and handle portion  210  are connected, spring  230  is fixed within backing  200  in handle portion  210  at point  221  which is located below opening  222 . One end of spring  230  rests within the lower corner of handle portion  210  and the other end of spring  230  rests within the lower corner of accessory body  220  at an internal cutout  223 . As noted above, in the region of opening  222 , handle  210  has a locking ridge  212  for catching locking groove  101  on post  100 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 5A  these show backing  200  with handle  210  in a depressed configuration. In this arrangement, handle  210  is pressed by a user compressing spring  230  against the inside  223  of accessory body  220 . This causes the upper portion of handle  210  to pivot, outwardly around point  221 , resulting in locking ridge  212  moving away from the center of opening  222 , making opening  222  large enough to receive pin  100 . In this configuration, pin  100  may be inserted into backing  200 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 4B and 53 , once post  100  is pushed through opening  222  the user may release handle  210 . Spring  230  then biases the lower portion of handle  210  outwardly, resulting in the upper portion of handle  210  pivoting inward causing locking ridge  212  to press inwardly against post  100  (now inside opening  222 ). In this configuration, locking ridge  212  is pressed into a mating relationship with corresponding groove  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  200 . 
         [0045]    In a second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , backing  300  is formed by inserting into a circular accessory body  320  a handle portion  310 . Backing  300  houses spring  330 . As with the above described embodiment in  FIGS. 2-5 , such backing is configured to accept post  100  from the earring. 
         [0046]    When accessory body  320  and handle  310  are connected, spring  330  is fixed within backing  300  at point  321  which is located in an off-set arrangement relative to  322  (in body  320 ). One end of spring  330  extends along one side of opening  322  and rests within handle  310  just under a flat pressing portion and the other end of spring  321  extends along the other side of opening  322  and rests within accessory body  320  at point  323  so that opening  322  is within the two ends of spring  330 . As described below handle  310  has a locking ridge  311  that is configured to catch locking groove  101  of post  100  as described below. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 9A  these show backing  300  with handle  310  in a depressed configuration. In this arrangement, handle  310  is pressed by a user compressing spring  330  against the inside  323  of accessory body  320 . This causes the locking ridge  311  portion of handle  310  to pivot/rotate, around point  321 , resulting in locking ridge  311  moving away from the center of opening  322 , making opening  322  large enough to receive post  100 . In this configuration, post  100  may be inserted into backing  300 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 8B and 9B , once post  100  is pushed through opening  322  the user may release handle  310 . Spring  330  then biases the locking ridge  311  of handle  310  to rotate, resulting in handle  310  pivoting in a manner causing locking ridge  312  to press inwardly against post  100  (now inside opening  322 ). In this configuration, locking ridge  312  is pressed into a mating relationship with corresponding groove  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  300 . 
         [0049]    In a third embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , backing  600  is formed by inserting into a shaped accessory body  620 , a handle portion  610 , Backing  600  houses spring  630 . As with the above described embodiment in  FIGS. 2-5 , such backing is configured to accept post  100  from the earring. In  FIG. 10 , shaped accessory body  620  is shown in the form of a heart. However, it is understood that the other decorative shapes may be substituted, while maintaining the function and functional elements. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when accessory body  620  and handle  610  are connected, spring  630  is fixed within backing  600  at point  621  which is located in an off-set arrangement relative to  622  (in body  620 ). One end of spring  630  extends along one side of opening  622  and rests within handle  610  just under a flat pressing portion and the other end of spring  630  extends along the other side of opening  622  and rests within accessory body  620  at point  623  so that opening  622  is within the two ends of spring  630 . As described below handle  610  has a locking ridge  650  that is configured to catch locking groove  101  of post  100  as described below. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 11   b  and  12   b  which shows backing  600  with handle  610  in a depressed configuration. In this arrangement, handle  610  is pressed by a user compressing spring  630  against the inside  623  of accessory body  620 , This causes the locking ridge  650  portion of handle  610  to pivot/rotate, around point  621 , resulting in locking ridge  650  moving away from the center of opening  622 , making opening  622  large enough to receive post  100 . In this configuration, post  100  may be inserted into backing  600 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 11   a  and  12   a  once post  100  is pushed through opening  622  the user may release handle  610 . Spring  630  then biases the locking ridge  650  of handle  610  to rotate, resulting in handle  610  pivoting in a manner causing locking ridge  650  to press inwardly against post  100  (now inside opening  622 ). In this configuration, locking ridge  650  is pressed into a mating relationship with corresponding groove  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  600 . Cap  640  may be connected to accessory body  620  in order to cover the sharp end of pin  100 . In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , handle  610  and shaped accessory body  620  are arranged in a manner to improve the overall aesthetic quality of backing  600 . In another embodiment as can be seen in  FIGS. 14-18 , this arrangement, unlike the above described arrangements of  FIGS. 2-9 , uses two handle buttons  410   a,    410   b,  each one positioned at opposite ends of backing  400 , along with two springs  430   a,    430   b.    
         [0053]      FIG. 14  depicts backing  400  in a disassembled state. Handle  410   a  maintains a pivot point  421   a  where spring  430   a  is fixed. Handle  410   b  maintains a pivot point  421   b  where spring  430   b  is fixed. As with the above embodiments, handles  410   a  and  410   b  each include a ridge  423  for supporting the springs  430   a  and  430   b.    
         [0054]    With springs  430   a  and  430   b,  handles  410   a  and  410   b  are inserted into accessory body  420  into opposing slots so that handles  410   a  and  410   b  protrude from accessory body  420  at opposite ends and handle portions  410   a  and  410   b  overlap at opening  422  forming the region where post locking groove  101  of post  100  is supported. 
         [0055]    As shown more clearly in  FIG. 15 , each of handles  410   a  and  410   b  have their own locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b  which, when arranged within accessory body  420 , are oppositely positioned around the central axis of opening  422 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the post  100  used, with this backing arrangement  400  has two locking grooves  101 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 15 , locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b,  are formed as a cupped portion of a triangular structure on the inside of handles  410   a  and  410   b  respectively. This structure adds structural integrity to the locking arrangement within backing  400 , as ridges  411   a  and  411   b  may be subjected to repeated stresses during operation. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 16A ,  17 A and  18 A these show backing  400  with both handles  410   a  and  410   b  in a depressed configuration. In this arrangement, both handle  410   a  and  410   b  are pressed by a user compressing springs  430   a  and  430   b  against the inside of accessory body  420 . This causes both locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b  of handles  410   a  and  410   b  to pivot, around points  421   a  and  421   b  respectively, resulting in locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b  moving away from the center of opening  422 , making opening  422  large enough to receive post  100 . In this configuration, post  100  may be inserted into backing  400 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 16B ,  17 B and  18 B, once post  100  is pushed through opening  422  the user may release handles  410   a  and  410   b.  In this case, both spring  430   a  and  430   b  bias handle  410   a  and  410   b  in a manner resulting in locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b  compressing inwardly from both sides against post  100  (now inside opening  422 ). In this configuration, locking ridges  411   a  and  411   b  are pressed into a mating relationship with corresponding grooves  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  400 . 
         [0059]    In another embodiment as can be seen in  FIGS. 19-23 , this arrangement, unlike the above described arrangements of  FIGS. 2-9 , uses two handle buttons  510   a,    510   b,  each one positioned at opposite ends of backing  500 , along with two springs  530   a,    530   b.  Unlike the arrangement in  FIGS. 10-14 , locking ridges  511   a  and  511  are configured as open hook shapes instead of raised ridges of a dosed triangle shape and are further configured to fit into a single locking groove  101  on post  100  as described in more detail below. 
         [0060]      FIG. 19  depicts backing  500  in a disassembled state. Handle  510   a  maintains a pivot point  521   a  where spring  530   a  is fixed. Handle  510   b  maintains a pivot point  521   b  where spring  530   b  is fixed. As with the above embodiments, handles  510   a  and  510   b  each include a ridge  523  for supporting the springs  530   a  and  530   b.    
         [0061]    With springs  530   a  and  530   b,  handles  510   a  and  510   b  are inserted into accessory body  520  into opposing slots so that handles  510   a  and  510   b  protrude from accessory body  520  at opposite ends and handle portions  510   a  and  510   b  overlap at opening  522  to form the region where groove  101  of post  100  is supported. 
         [0062]    As shown more clearly in  FIG. 20 , each of handles  510   a  and  510   b  have their own locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b  which, when arranged within body  520 , are oppositely positioned around the central axis of opening  522 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the post  100  used with this backing arrangement  400  has only a single locking grooves  101  for receiving the two locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b.    
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 20 , locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b,  are formed as cupped or curved open hook shapes with projections from the insides of handles  510   a  and  510   b  respectively. This structure adds structural Integrity to the locking arrangement within backing  500 , by allowing for thick construction of ridges  511   a  and  511   b  while simultaneously being fit into a single locking groove  101  and being subjected to repeated stresses during operation. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 21A ,  22 A and  23 A these show backing  500  with both handles  510   a  and  510   b  in a depressed configuration. In this arrangement, both handles  510   a  and  510   b  are pressed by a user compressing springs  530   a  and  530   b  against the inside of accessory body  520 . This causes both locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b  of handles  510   a  and  510   b  to pivot, around points  521   a  and  521   b  respectively, resulting in locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b  moving away from the center of opening  522 , making opening  522  large enough to receive pin  100 . In this configuration, post  100  may be inserted into backing  500 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 218 ,  223  and  233 , once post  100  is pushed through opening  522  the user may release handles  510   a  and  510   b.  In this case, both springs  530   a  and  530   b  bias handles  510   a  and  510   b  in a manner resulting in locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b  compressing inwardly from both sides against post  100  (now inside opening  522 ). In this configuration, locking ridges  511   a  and  511   b  are pressed into a mating relationship with the single corresponding groove  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  500 . 
         [0066]    In yet another embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 24-27 , backing  700  uses two handles  710   a  and  710   b  which protrude out of opposite ends of an elongated accessory body  720 . Unlike the prior embodiments, where the backings are configured to accept post  100  in a manner perpendicular to the long axis of post  100 , backing  700  accepts post  100  in a manner parallel to the long axis of post  100 . Two springs  730   a  and  730   b  are fixed within handle portions  710   a  and  710   b  respectively. Springs  730   a  and  730   b  are fixed in a side by side configuration at pivot point  721 . One end of spring  730   a  rests within handle  710   a  and the other end rests on ledge  740  and one end of spring  730   b  rests within handle  710   b  and the other end rests on ledge  740 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 27   b , in this arrangement, both handle  710   a  and  710   b  are pressed by a user compressing springs  730   a  and  730   b  against the inside of accessory body  720 . This results in locking ridge  711  moving away from the center of opening  722 , making opening  722  large enough to receive post  100 . In this configuration, post  100  may be inserted into backing  700 . As noted above, opening  722  of backing  700  accepts post  100  in a manner parallel to the long axis of post  100 . 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 27   a , once post  100  is pushed through opening  722  the user may release handles  710   a  and  710   b.  In this case, both spring  730   a  and  730   b  bias handle  710   a  and  710   b  in a manner resulting in locking ridge  711  compressing inwardly against post  100  (now inside opening  722 ). In this configuration, locking ridge  711  is pressed into a mating relationship with corresponding grooves  101  on post  100  securing it into backing  400 . 
         [0069]    Although the exemplary embodiments of the present Invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed. 
         [0070]    For example, according to the present invention, the locking spring mechanism is described as an example for an earring for the purpose of convenience, however, it can be understood that the locking structure can be also applied to a necklace, a bracelet, etc., in addition to the earring.