GB2149646A - Earring fastening - Google Patents

Abstract

An earring fastening is in the form of a disc made of an entirely flexible material with a single hole punched through the centre and pushed onto the shank of an earring after it has been passed through the lobe of an ear, gripping the shank in the position of maximum comfort to the wearer, any where along its length. Because of there are no rigid elastic properties, the disc will fit onto any thickness of shank, returning after use to original tightness and cannot be bent or crushed in a manner which would render it unserviceable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Earring fastening The present invention relates to a new fastening which fits onto the back of the shank of an earring to hold it securely in place and so prevent itfalling out of the ear.

Figure 2. shows a sideways view of one type of fastening in current use. This is known as a butterfly clip. A backview is shown at (3) and is made of a length of metal or plastic which has a flat surface (4) which fits next to the ear. The two edges are rolled to a shape to form springs (3). A hole large enough to insert the shankoftheearring is drilledthroughtheflat plate and on through the bends ofthe springs (5).

The disadvantages of thins fastening is that if made of precious metal it contains little spring, and because the grip relies upon such spring it soon becomes slack andthe clip falls oft with the consequent loss ofthe earring. Also because the clip hastheturned over edges to form the spring, material of clothes, hair etc.

tends to catch in them and be pulled ofthe shank.

Althoughthistypeoffastening can be made in plastic which does provide more spring and longer gripping life. There is a natural sales resistance to the use of plastic in high quality jewellery manufacturing.

(6) shows anotherform offastening in present use which is similartothat used on cufflinks. The hinged arm (7) is straightened to push through the hole in the ear and when through isturned at right angles, as (8).

Again this tends to catch in things e.g. clothes being pulled off over the head, with possible pain to the ear or loss ofthe earring.

Because ofthe necessary fineness of the work, at the hinge the joint tends to be weak and quickly wears.

Also it is expensive to produce and each earring has to have an individual fastening.

The new invention now described overcomes all the aforementioned disadvantages. It is universal and can be used on any shank, even those as mentioned at (6) afterthe hinge has broken. Because it is entirely smooth it does not catch in things. It does not lose it's grip, and requiring less metal is cheaperto produce without losing quality value.

The new back can simply be a disc or any shape of butyl rubber or material possessing like qualities, in which a hole is pierced to receive the earring shank which is inserted and pushed through (16).

Butyl rubber possesses very strong adhesive and gripping qualities. Is resistant to acid, so does not perish due to contactwiththe body as would ordinary rubber. It has great density and returns to original form after stretching, so is ideal forthis purpose as stated a small disc approximately7 m.m. in diameter is sufficientto hold the earring securely in place. A design for a fastening is shown (9. 10. & 11.) where such a butyl disc is inserted within a metal ring. This makesfor easier handling and would also meetwith quatityselling requirements. (9) is a facing view of a metal disc with a hole (12) cut in the centre large enough to receive the earring shank. The shaded area insidethis hole (13) shows the inserted butyl atthe back with a central pierced hole.

Shown at (10 & 11) back views of the fastener with metal edges (15) turned over to secure the butyl insert.

(14) central pierced hole.

Although designed and tested for use with earrings, this type of fastening could be used for other purposes e.g. tie-pins.

1. An earring fasteningwhichcan be formed from a small piece of entirely flexible elastic material e.g.

butyl rubberwith a hole pierced through it, which can be pushed overthe shank of an earring after it has been passed through an ear, to hold it securely in place.

2. An earring fastening as claimed in claim 1, which is stamped out or moulded into the shape of a small disc, which because ofthe elastic properties of the material it is made from will allow itto fit over and securely grip onto any diameter or shape of earring shank.

3. An earring fastening as claimed in claims 1 & 2, which will grip at any position along the earring shank to afford the maximum comfort to the wearer.

4. An earring fastening as claimed in claims 1,2 & BR< 3, which will stretch enough atthe hole to fit over a knob or projection, or clip into any recessed area placed upon the earring shank as a means to afford the fastening more security and holding properties.

5. An earring fastening as claimed in 1,2,3 & 4, which when pressure is applied to itfrom eitherside in the region ofthe hole, depresses and forms itself into a funnel shape to guide the end of the earring shank into the hole.

6. An earring fastening according to any preceding claims, which will not be rendered unservicable if bent or crushed.

8. An earring fastening according to any preceding claims, which can be produced in any colour desired to conform with the wearer's dress.

9. An earring fastening substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   SPECIFICATION Earring fastening The present invention relates to a new fastening which fits onto the back of the shank of an earring to hold it securely in place and so prevent itfalling out of the ear.

   Figure 2. shows a sideways view of one type of fastening in current use. This is known as a butterfly clip. A backview is shown at (3) and is made of a length of metal or plastic which has a flat surface (4) which fits next to the ear. The two edges are rolled to a shape to form springs (3). A hole large enough to insert the shankoftheearring is drilledthroughtheflat plate and on through the bends ofthe springs (5).

   The disadvantages of thins fastening is that if made of precious metal it contains little spring, and because the grip relies upon such spring it soon becomes slack andthe clip falls oft with the consequent loss ofthe earring. Also because the clip hastheturned over edges to form the spring, material of clothes, hair etc.

   tends to catch in them and be pulled ofthe shank.

   Althoughthistypeoffastening can be made in plastic which does provide more spring and longer gripping life. There is a natural sales resistance to the use of plastic in high quality jewellery manufacturing.

   (6) shows anotherform offastening in present use which is similartothat used on cufflinks. The hinged arm (7) is straightened to push through the hole in the ear and when through isturned at right angles, as (8).

   Again this tends to catch in things e.g. clothes being pulled off over the head, with possible pain to the ear or loss ofthe earring.

   Because ofthe necessary fineness of the work, at the hinge the joint tends to be weak and quickly wears.

   Also it is expensive to produce and each earring has to have an individual fastening.

   The new invention now described overcomes all the aforementioned disadvantages. It is universal and can be used on any shank, even those as mentioned at (6) afterthe hinge has broken. Because it is entirely smooth it does not catch in things. It does not lose it's grip, and requiring less metal is cheaperto produce without losing quality value.

   The new back can simply be a disc or any shape of butyl rubber or material possessing like qualities, in which a hole is pierced to receive the earring shank which is inserted and pushed through (16).

   Butyl rubber possesses very strong adhesive and gripping qualities. Is resistant to acid, so does not perish due to contactwiththe body as would ordinary rubber. It has great density and returns to original form after stretching, so is ideal forthis purpose as stated a small disc approximately7 m.m. in diameter is sufficientto hold the earring securely in place. A design for a fastening is shown (9. 10. & 11.) where such a butyl disc is inserted within a metal ring. This makesfor easier handling and would also meetwith quatityselling requirements. (9) is a facing view of a metal disc with a hole (12) cut in the centre large enough to receive the earring shank. The shaded area insidethis hole (13) shows the inserted butyl atthe back with a central pierced hole.

   Shown at (10 & 11) back views of the fastener with metal edges (15) turned over to secure the butyl insert.

   (14) central pierced hole.

   Although designed and tested for use with earrings, this type of fastening could be used for other purposes e.g. tie-pins.

   1. An earring fasteningwhichcan be formed from a small piece of entirely flexible elastic material e.g.

   butyl rubberwith a hole pierced through it, which can be pushed overthe shank of an earring after it has been passed through an ear, to hold it securely in place.

   2. An earring fastening as claimed in claim 1, which is stamped out or moulded into the shape of a small disc, which because ofthe elastic properties of the material it is made from will allow itto fit over and securely grip onto any diameter or shape of earring shank.

   3. An earring fastening as claimed in claims 1 & 2, which will grip at any position along the earring shank to afford the maximum comfort to the wearer.

   4. An earring fastening as claimed in claims 1,2 & BR< 3, which will stretch enough atthe hole to fit over a knob or projection, or clip into any recessed area placed upon the earring shank as a means to afford the fastening more security and holding properties.

   5. An earring fastening as claimed in 1,2,3 & 4, which when pressure is applied to itfrom eitherside in the region ofthe hole, depresses and forms itself into a funnel shape to guide the end of the earring shank into the hole.

   6. An earring fastening according to any preceding claims, which will not be rendered unservicable if bent or crushed.

   8. An earring fastening according to any preceding claims, which can be produced in any colour desired to conform with the wearer's dress.

   9. An earring fastening substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.