EP0276197A1

EP0276197A1 - Device for supporting earring hooks

Info

Publication number: EP0276197A1
Application number: EP88830015A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gustavo Palazio; Azadohui Voskeritchan
Original assignee: VOSKERITCHAN AZADOHUI
Priority date: 1987-01-16
Filing date: 1988-01-15
Publication date: 1988-07-27

Abstract

The earring hook supporting device comprises a small tube (1) flanged at one end (2) and provided, at the other end, with fins (3) defining circumferential axial slots (4), the small tube being engaged by a washer (5) the central hole (6) of which has a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the small tube. Instead of fins, it is possible to use a tube with external threads in which case the washer has internal threads to engage with the tube. It is also possible to use a washer with a slot so that it engages with the tube by snapping on it. Finally it is also possible to use a tube having a flange at one end and projections at the other end, the tube engaging a washer having internal slits. According to another embodiment, a spiral may be used. The latter has the advantage that it offers flexibility and may adapt itself to different shapes of hooks. It is also possible to use only the small tube which is flanged at one end without the washer.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for supporting earring hooks which is adapted for insertion into the small hole usually formed through the lobe of the ear.
It is known that a main drawback deriving from the use of earrings the hooks of which pass through the lobes of the ears, is that these hooks can cause infections.
In fact many people cannot bear to be contacted by metals different from gold, which is the only metal which, practically, does not cause allergic reactions.
On the other hand gold earrings are rather expensive and, for this reason, a number of inexpensive earrings made of metals which are not noble, are usually available on the market.
Another drawback deriving from the earring hook passing through the lobe of the ear hole is that this small hole tends to be enlarged because of the earring weight: in fact, single the earring hook is very thin, it practically progressively acts on the ear as a blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the main object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a supporting device for supporting earring hooks which is so arranged and designed as to properly fit the hole through the user's lobe of the ear, without any risk of enlarging it.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an earring hook supporting device which is effective to prevent allergic reactions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an earring hook supporting device which is simple construction-wise and reliable in operation.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objects, as well as other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for supporting earring hooks, characterized in that it comprises a small tube flanged at one end and provided, at the other end thereof, with fin defining axial circumferential slots, the small tube being engaged by a washer, the central hole of which has a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the small tube.
According to another embodiment, the device comprises a small tube flanged at one end and provided at the opposite end with external threads so that it may engage with the washer having internal threads.
According to still another embodiment, the elongated body is threaded and the washer has a slit, so that it may engage the tube by snapping onto the threads.
Still according to another embodiment the washer has internal slits so that it may engage with the tube and the tube is provided with projections.
According to another embodiment, the device consists of a spiral which permits flexibility and allows adaptation to different shapes of hooks.
It is also possible to use only the small tube which is flanged at one end without the washer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the device for supporting earring hooks according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following description of preferred embodiments of the device, illustrated by way of indicative and not limitative examples, in the accompanying drawing, where:

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views illustrating the two portions which form the device according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates the device of Figs. 1 and 2 after the application of its two portions to the user's ear.
Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B respectively illustrate another embodiment according to which the washer illustrated in Fig. 4B has internal threads adapted to engage with the external threads of the tube of Fig. 4A;
Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate another embodiment in which the washer 5B has a slot and is a C-shaped clip and snaps over the threads of the tube of Fig. 5A.
Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B illustrate still another embodiment according to which the tube shown in Fig. 6A has projections at the end opposite the flange and the projections engage with internal slits in the washer of Fig. 6B;
Fig. 7 illustrates the embodiment in which a spiral is used. Fig. 7A illustrates the washer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, the device for supporting earring hooks according to the invention comprises a small tube 1 having a size which depends on the thickness of the lobe of the ear and the opening of the small hole formed through the lobe. The tube may be made of gold, platinum, titanium or another noble metal, steel alloys, but it may also be made of bone, coral, shell, wood, paper, a synthetic resin or rubber, glass, silicon polymers.
More specifically, the small tube is provided, at one end, with a ring nut (2) and, at the other end thereof, with a plurality of fins, preferably four fins, which are defined by corresponding circumferential slots 4.
A washer 5, which may also be made of a noble metal, engages with the small tube 1 and the central hole 6 of the washer has a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the small tube.
The device of Figs. 1 and 2 operates as follows: after having formed the small hole through the lobe of the ear, the small tube is inserted into it, in such a way as to arrange the ring nut 2 on the outer side of the lobe. The washer 5 then will be fitted on the small tube 1 on the portion of the tube which projects from the inner side of the lobe.
Then, by using calibrated pliers, and depending on the thickness of the lobe, the fins 3 will be outwardly radially bent, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the gap between the ring nut 2 and washer 5 will correspond perfectly to the thickness of the lobe.
After insertion, the supporting device according to the invention will have the appearance of a conventional small gold or other noble metal earring, if the device has been made of a noble metal similar to devices which are inserted into the lobe small hole to prevent the hole from closing.
It should be stressed that it is possible to insert into the small tube any desired types of earring hooks, made of any metals, and without the risk of causing allergic reactions. In this connection it is clear that the inner diameter of the small tube will be selected depending on the standard thickness of the presently commercially available earring hooks.
Moreover, the ring nut 2 and the outer washer are so designed and arranged as to prevent possible cuts of the lobe of the ear; in fact the earring hooks passing through the small tube inserted in the lobe cannot cause any "blade effects."
According to the invention, the fins 3 have, in their bent condition, a greater length than the radial projecting portion of the washer 5.
In order to remove the supporting device, when necessary, it will be sufficient to carry out the reverse operations, by straightening the fins 3, removing the washer 5 and disengaging the small tube from the lobe of the ear.
Obviously, the above disclosed supporting device may bear suitable patterns at its outer portion.
According to the embodiments of Figs. 4A and 4B, engagement of the tube with the washer is achieved by means of the external threads of the tube with the internal threads of the washer. In the embodiment of Figs. 5A and 5B the washer snaps over the threads of the tube. In the embodiment of Figs. 6A and 6B, a bayonet-type engagement is achieved between the internal slits of the washer and the projections of the tube.

Claims

1. A device for supporting earring hooks which comprises a hollow elongated body and a washer, said washer having a central hole, said hole having a size and shape equal to the size and shape of said elongated body, said washer being engageable with said hollow elongated body.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow elongated body is flanged at one end and is provided, at the other end thereof, with fin-defining axial circumferential slots.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said hollow elongated body has a size depending on the thickness of the lobe of the ear and on the size of the hole formed through said lobe, said hollow elongated body being provided at one end thereof with a ring nut.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein said fins (3), in a bent condition, have a length greater than the length of the radial projection of said washer.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said hollow elongated body has an inner diameter and said diameter is selected depending on the standard thickness of the presently commercially available earring hooks.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the outer portion thereof bears decorative patterns.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow elongated body has a circular cross section.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow elongated body has a flange at one end and is externally threaded at the other end and said washer is internally threaded for engaging with said hollow elongated body.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said washer has a slot for snap engagement with said hollow elongated body.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow elongated body has a flange on one end and at least one perimetrical projection and said washer has a central hole and slits on said surface and a surface around said hole, said slits forming bayonet-type engagement on said at least one projection.

11. A device for supporting earring hooks which comprises a spiral of size depending on the size of the hole through the ear lobe.

12. A device for supporting earring hooks which comprises a hollow and elongated body, said hollow and elongated body being flanged at one end.