Patent Description:
Earring backs of the above stated type have existed for many years already. <CIT> thus describes an earring back with a housing with a bottom shell and a top shell between which two pressing elements are provided. These pressing elements are spring-mounted using two springs. A drawback of the described back is that it comprises many individual parts and that assembly of the back is time-consuming.

Similar systems are further known in which only one M-shaped spring is used for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element, see for instance <CIT>. In such systems assembly is however usually also labour-intensive, and there is a risk that the positioning of the different parts will no longer be accurate after a period of time as a result of wear of the spring, which impedes smooth opening and closing of the back.

<CIT> describes an earring back with a top shell, a bottom shell and two pressing elements which are each provided with a spring element and with a hole for allowing passage of a post.

The object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an earring or brooch back of the type stated in the preamble with a limited number of parts and an improved positioning of the parts in the housing, which allows in particular an improved assembly of the back.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an earring or brooch back having the features of claim <NUM> is provided for receiving a post which is provided with at least one groove. The back comprises a housing with a bottom shell and a top shell, a first and second pressing element between the bottom shell and the top shell, and at least one spring for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element in the housing. The bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post. The first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part. The second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part. The first and second stop lie on either side of a post to be inserted. The bottom shell is preferably formed on the inner side thereof with a first internal guide part for guiding the first pressing element and with a second internal guide part for guiding the second pressing element, wherein the first and second guide part lie on either side of the passage for the post.

By forming the bottom shell with respectively a first and second guide part as described above, placing of the first and second pressing elements during assembly of the back can take place in improved manner, wherein the internal guide parts guarantee a good placing thereof. By forming such guide parts integrally with the bottom shell the number of parts of the back remains limited, while a good positioning and guiding are still obtained.

The first and second pressing element are preferably provided with, and particularly formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide wall against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part of the first and second pressing element outward. The first guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part, and the second guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance between the first stop and the second stop can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part inward.

By providing respectively a first and second guide wall, preferably formed integrally with the first and second pressing element, the at least one spring can be arranged on the first and second pressing element in simple manner during assembly of the back, after the first and second pressing element have been placed in the bottom shell. The first and second guide wall here provide for a good positioning of the spring.

In an exemplary embodiment with a first and second guide wall the first and second pressing element is provided with, preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and second guide groove for the at least one spring. The first guide wall is then formed by a wall of the first guide groove, and the second guide wall is then formed by a wall of the second guide groove. In this way the at least one spring can thus be placed in a groove during assembly, which further simplifies assembly.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first stop lies opposite the second stop as seen in a pressing direction of the first and second pressing element, which pressing direction is perpendicular to an axis of the passage in which the post can be received. When the first and second pressing element are pressed in, the distance between the first and second stop will increase so that a post can be inserted. When the first and second pressing element are released, the first and second stop move toward each other for the purpose of receiving the post therebetween. The first and second stop are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to the axis of the passage. The first and second stop preferably have the same thickness as measured in the direction of the axis of the passage. This thickness is preferably smaller than <NUM>, more preferably smaller than <NUM>. In the fully pressed-in position the distance between the first and second stop can for instance lie between <NUM> and <NUM>. In the non-pressed-in position the distance can for instance lie between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second pressing element are embodied such that when the first and second protruding element are pressed inward, the first pressing element comes to a stop against the second stop and the second pressing element comes to a stop against the first stop. In this way the first pressing element thus forms a stop for the second pressing element, and vice versa.

According to a possible embodiment, the bottom shell is provided on an inner side thereof with, and particularly formed with, at least one protruding positioning part for positioning the at least one spring. It is noted here that the positioning part and the above stated first or second guide part can be the same part, this on the one hand having a positioning function for the at least one spring and on the other hand a guiding function for guiding the pressing elements. A positioning and guide part can thus be provided which has a first wall against which the spring is positioned, and a second wall against which a pressing element is positioned. It is however also possible to provide separate parts for positioning the spring and for guiding the pressing elements.

By providing the bottom shell on the inner side thereof with a protruding positioning part, preferably formed integrally with the bottom shell, for positioning the at least one spring the positioning of the at least one spring can be improved further without additional parts being necessary in the back.

In a preferred embodiment the first guide part for guiding the first pressing element has a first guide wall which is parallel to a second guide wall of the second guide part for guiding the second pressing element. The direction of these first and second guide walls is parallel to the pressing direction in which the first and second pressing element are movable. In this way the first and second pressing element can be guided in improved manner, wherein a wall of the first pressing element makes contact with the first guide wall and a wall of the second pressing element makes contact with the second guide wall.

The first and second pressing element, including the possible guide walls, are preferably each formed integrally. The bottom shell, including the optional guide parts and the optional positioning part, is preferably also formed integrally.

In an advantageous embodiment only one spring is accommodated in the housing. In this way the number of parts is limited further. The spring preferably has a first spring-mounted leg against the first guide wall of the first pressing element and a second spring-mounted leg against the second guide wall of the second pressing element. The spring preferably has substantially a V-shape or a U-shape.

According to an embodiment, the first and second leg extend substantially along a circular periphery around the passage P. It is however also possible to give the spring a round U-shape, and the shape thus need not be a perfect circle segment.

According to an embodiment, the spring comprises a spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part which is arranged around or against the positioning part. The first and second leg preferably extend on either side of the spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part. It is however also possible to provide two springs, each provided with a spiral-shaped part, wherein a first spring fulfils the function of the first leg and a second spring fulfils the function of the second leg. In an embodiment the first and second spring-mounted leg and the spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part is formed integrally.

According to a possible embodiment, the first and second guide wall with which the first and second pressing element are equipped are configured to support respectively the first and second leg at one contact point each in the different positions of the first and second pressing elements. This contact point can remain the same in the different positions.

According to an embodiment, the first and second guide wall with which the first and second pressing element are equipped are configured to support respectively the first and second leg at two contact points each in the different positions of the first and second pressing elements. In this way the friction between the first and second guide wall and the first and second leg can be limited in some embodiments, which results in a smoother opening and closing of the back.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first pressing element extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a first leg which forms the first stop. The second pressing element can also extend substantially U-shaped around the passage with a second leg which forms the second stop. The first leg lies partially in the U-shaped part of the second pressing element and the second leg lies partially in the U-shaped part of the first pressing element, such that the first and second pressing element hook into each other, as it were.

According to a possible embodiment, the at least one positioning part for the at least one spring comprises a pin. It is particularly when the spring is provided with a spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part that this spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part can be arranged around the pin. It is however also possible to provide the positioning part with a deepened portion or recess in which a part of the spring, for instance the spiral-shaped or wave-shaped part, can be received.

According to a preferred embodiment, the spring is a wire spring. Such springs can be obtained in simple manner and are robust. The spring is preferably manufactured from metal, for instance titanium. The diameter of the spring is preferably smaller than <NUM>, more preferably smaller than <NUM>. The length of the spring preferably lies between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. The diameter of the bottom shell preferably lies between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the bottom shell is provided with a first and a second stepped peripheral part on which the top shell is mounted. The first and second pressing element extend between the first and second stepped peripheral part. It is however also possible to provide peripheral parts which are not stepped. Giving the peripheral parts a stepped form however enables the top shell to be positioned and mounted in simpler manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an earring or brooch back, the method having the features of claim <NUM>. The method comprises the following steps of:.

The preferred and exemplary features described above with reference to the back likewise apply to the method.

The top shell and/or the bottom shell are preferably manufactured from metal by turning and/or milling.

The first and the second pressing element are preferably manufactured by lasering.

When the bottom shell is formed on the inner side thereof with a first and a second internal guide part for guiding respectively the first and the second pressing element, as described above, the first and second pressing element will preferably be arranged during the above described method such that they make contact with the first and second guide part.

When the bottom shell is formed on an inner side thereof with at least one protruding positioning part for positioning the at least one spring, the at least one spring will preferably be arranged on the first and second pressing element such that the at least one spring supports against the positioning part. When the first and second pressing element are formed with respectively a first and second guide wall, the at least one spring is preferably arranged such that it acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward, wherein the first guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part and the second guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance between the first and the second stop can be increased by the action of the spring against the first and second guide wall.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an earring or brooch back is provided for the purpose of receiving a post which is provided with at least one groove, comprising: a housing comprising a bottom shell and a top shell, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post; a first and a second pressing element between the bottom shell and the top shell, wherein the first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, and wherein the second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, wherein the first and second stop lie on either side of a post to be inserted; at least one spring for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element;
wherein the bottom shell is provided on an inner side thereof with, and is preferably formed with, at least one protruding positioning part for positioning the at least one spring; and/or wherein the first and the second pressing element are provided with, and preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide wall against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward, which first guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part and which second guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance between the first stop and the second stop can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part inward.

Note that providing a protruding positioning part for the spring in the bottom shell is optional. In some embodiments the spring is arranged tensioned between the two pressing elements, wherein the spring is also tensioned in the uncompressed state. By giving the pressing elements a suitable form, the spring can then remain in place without additional positioning parts being necessary on the inner side of the bottom shell.

Further embodiments are disclosed in the following clauses:.

The above stated and other advantageous features and objects of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, on the basis of the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> illustrate a first embodiment of an earring back <NUM> according to the invention. Earring back <NUM> is intended for the purpose of receiving a post <NUM> with at least one groove <NUM>. Earring back <NUM> comprises a housing with a bottom shell <NUM> and a top shell <NUM>, a first and a second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> between the bottom shell and the top shell, and a spring <NUM> for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element.

Bottom shell <NUM> and top shell <NUM> are provided with mutually aligned openings <NUM>, <NUM> for forming a passage P for post <NUM>. First pressing element <NUM> is provided with a first stop <NUM> for post <NUM> and a first protruding part <NUM> which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage P lies between first stop <NUM> and first protruding part <NUM>. The second pressing element <NUM> is provided with a second stop <NUM> for post <NUM> and with a second protruding part <NUM> which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage P lies between second stop <NUM> and second protruding part <NUM>. The first and second stop lie on either side of a post <NUM> to be inserted, and are intended to engage in groove <NUM>.

Bottom shell <NUM> is formed on the inner side with a first internal guide part <NUM> for guiding first pressing element <NUM> and with a second internal guide part <NUM> for guiding the second pressing element <NUM>, wherein the first and second internal guide part <NUM>, <NUM> lie on either side of the passage for the post. Bottom shell <NUM> is further provided on an inner side thereof with, and preferably formed with, a protruding positioning part <NUM> for positioning the at least one spring <NUM>. In the shown embodiment guide part <NUM> and positioning part <NUM> are mutually adjoining, wherein guide walls <NUM>' fulfil a guiding function of the pressing elements and positioning walls <NUM>' fulfil the positioning function. The first internal guide part <NUM> has a first guide wall <NUM>' which is parallel to a second guide wall <NUM>' of the second internal guide part <NUM>, and is parallel to the pressing/pushing direction in which the first and second pressing elements can be pressed/pushed inward.

The first and the second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with, and preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide wall <NUM>, <NUM> against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward. First guide wall <NUM> lies substantially between the passage P and first protruding part <NUM> and second guide wall <NUM> lies substantially between the passage P and second protruding part <NUM>, such that the distance d between first stop <NUM> and second stop <NUM> can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part <NUM>, <NUM> inward.

The first and the second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with, and preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide groove <NUM>, <NUM> for the spring <NUM>. The first guide wall <NUM> is a wall of the first guide groove <NUM> and the second guide wall <NUM> is a wall of the second guide groove <NUM>.

The first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are each formed integrally. Bottom shell <NUM>, including the first and second internal guide part <NUM>, <NUM> and the positioning part <NUM>, are also formed integrally.

Spring <NUM> comprises a first spring-mounted leg <NUM> against first guide wall <NUM> and a second spring-mounted leg <NUM> against second guide wall <NUM>. First and second leg <NUM>, <NUM> extend substantially along a circular periphery or round U-shape around the passage P. Spring <NUM> comprises a wave-shaped part <NUM> which is arranged against positioning part <NUM>. First and second spring-mounted leg <NUM>, <NUM> and wave-shaped part <NUM> are formed integrally. First and second guide wall <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to support first and second leg <NUM>, <NUM> at two contact points P1, P2 each in the different positions of the first and second pressing elements <NUM>, <NUM>. Protruding positioning part <NUM> comprises a recess with positioning walls <NUM>' in which a part of spring <NUM> is received. Spring <NUM> is a wire spring.

First pressing element <NUM> extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a first leg which forms the first stop <NUM>. Second pressing element <NUM> extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a second leg which forms the second stop <NUM>. First leg <NUM> lies partially in the U-shaped part of second pressing element <NUM> and second leg <NUM> lies partially in the U-shaped part of first pressing element <NUM>.

First stop <NUM> lies opposite second stop <NUM> as seen in a pressing direction of the first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM>, which pressing direction is perpendicular to an axis of the passage P in which the post can be received. When the first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are pressed in, the distance between the first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> will increase so that a post <NUM> can be inserted. When first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are released, first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> move toward each other for fixedly clamping post <NUM> therebetween. First and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to the axis of the passage P. First and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> preferably have the same thickness as measured in the direction of the axis A of the passage. First and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are embodied such that when the first and second protruding element are pressed inward, first pressing element <NUM> comes to a stop against second stop <NUM> and second pressing element <NUM> comes to a stop against first stop <NUM>.

Bottom shell <NUM> is provided with a first and a second stepped peripheral part <NUM>, <NUM> on which top shell <NUM> is mounted. First and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> extend between the first and second stepped peripheral part <NUM>, <NUM>.

Earring back <NUM> according to the first embodiment can be assembled by means of the following steps:.

The top shell and the bottom shell can be manufactured from metal by turning and/or milling. The first and the second pressing element can be manufactured by lasering.

The spring <NUM> is arranged against the at least one protruding positioning part <NUM>, and spring <NUM> is arranged on the first and second pressing element such that the spring acts against the first and the second guide wall and presses them outward.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> illustrate a second embodiment of a back according to the invention. The back according to the second embodiment is similar to the back according to the first embodiment, with the difference that the positioning element for positioning the spring is formed by a pin, wherein a spiral-shaped part <NUM> is arranged around the pin. The other parts of the back are identical or similar and will not be described again.

<FIG> illustrates a third embodiment of a back. Once again, similar parts are designated with the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be discussed below. In the back of <FIG> two springs 150a, 150b are provided instead of one spring. The two springs are provided with a spiral-shaped part 151a, 151b. In this embodiment the first and second pressing element are guided only by the peripheral parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and no internal guide parts are provided. The skilled person will however appreciate that these can be added so as to further improve the guiding. The skilled person will further appreciate that the two springs of the embodiment of <FIG> can fulfil the same function as the singular spring of the first and second embodiment.

<FIG> shows a fourth embodiment of a back. In the embodiment of <FIG> one single spring <NUM> is used, which has the shape of a round U. Two positioning elements 115a, 115b are provided for the purpose of positioning the spring <NUM>. These positioning elements 115a, 115b are formed integrally with bottom shell <NUM>. The first and second pressing element are here also guided only by peripheral parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The skilled person will however appreciate that, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, at least two additional internal guide elements are preferably provided for the purpose of guiding the movement of the first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate schematically a fifth embodiment of a back, which is similar to the embodiment of <FIG>. Similar components are designated with the same reference numerals and will not be further elucidated here.

As can be clearly seen in <FIG>, first stop <NUM> lies opposite second stop <NUM> as seen in a pressing direction R of the first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM>, which pressing direction R is perpendicular to an axis A of the passage P in which the post can be received. When first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are pressed in, the distance between the first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> will increase so that a post <NUM> can be inserted. When first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are released, first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> move toward each other for fixedly clamping the post therebetween. First and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to the axis of the passage P. Upper surface 131a, 141a of first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> preferably lie in the same plane. The lower surface 131b, 141b of the first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> preferably also lie in the same plane. First and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> preferably have the same thickness d as measured in the direction of the axis A of the passage P, see <FIG>. This thickness d is preferably smaller than <NUM>, more preferably smaller than <NUM>. In the fully pressed-in position the distance a2 between the first and second stop <NUM>, <NUM> can for instance lie between <NUM> and <NUM>, see <FIG>. In the non-pressed-in position the distance a1 can for instance lie between <NUM> and <NUM>, see <FIG>.

The first and second pressing element <NUM>, <NUM> are embodied such that when the first and second protruding element are pressed inward, first pressing element <NUM> comes to a stop against second stop <NUM> and second pressing element <NUM> comes to a stop against first stop <NUM>, see <FIG>. More specifically, first stop <NUM> has an inner side which is directed toward the passage and is intended to come into contact with a post <NUM>, and an outer side which is directed toward the protruding part <NUM> of second pressing element <NUM>, wherein the outer side of first stop <NUM> is intended to form a stop for second pressing element <NUM>. The same applies to the second stop <NUM>, wherein second stop <NUM> has an outer side which is directed toward the protruding part <NUM> of first pressing element <NUM>, wherein the outer side of second stop <NUM> is intended to form a stop for the first pressing element <NUM>.

Spring <NUM> comprises a first spring-mounted leg <NUM> against first guide wall <NUM> and a second spring-mounted leg <NUM> against second guide wall <NUM>. First and second leg <NUM>, <NUM> extend substantially V-shaped around the passage P. Spring <NUM> is preferably manufactured from metal, for instance titanium. The diameter of spring <NUM> is preferably smaller than <NUM> millimetre, more preferably smaller than <NUM>. The length of the spring preferably lies between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. The diameter D of the bottom shell preferably lies between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Earring or brooch back (<NUM>) for receiving a post (<NUM>) which is provided with at least one groove (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing comprising a bottom shell (<NUM>) and a top shell (<NUM>), wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) for forming a passage (P) for the post;
a first and a second pressing element (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the bottom shell and the top shell, wherein the first pressing element (<NUM>) is provided with a first stop (<NUM>) for the post and a first protruding part (<NUM>) which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, and wherein the second pressing element (<NUM>) is provided with a second stop (<NUM>) for the post and with a second protruding part (<NUM>) which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, wherein the first and second stop lie on either side of a post to be inserted;
at least one spring (<NUM>; 150a, 150b) for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element;
wherein the bottom shell (<NUM>) is formed on the inner side with a first internal guide part (<NUM>) for guiding the first pressing element (<NUM>) and with a second internal guide part (<NUM>) for guiding the second pressing element (<NUM>), wherein the first and second internal guide part (<NUM>, <NUM>) lie on either side of the passage for the post;
wherein the first and the second pressing element (<NUM>, <NUM>) are provided with respectively at least a first and a second guide wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward, which first guide wall (<NUM>) lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part and which second guide wall (<NUM>) lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance (d) between the first stop and the second stop can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part inward;
wherein the first and the second pressing element (<NUM>, <NUM>) are provided with respectively at least a first and a second guide groove (<NUM>, <NUM>) for the at least one spring, wherein the first guide wall (<NUM>) is a wall of the first guide groove (<NUM>) and the second guide wall (<NUM>) is a wall of the second guide groove (<NUM>).