U.S. patent application number 11/546739 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for hoop earring and enhancer mechanism.
Invention is credited to Zoltan David.
Application Number | 20070044508 11/546739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34556599 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070044508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
David; Zoltan |
March 1, 2007 |
Hoop earring and enhancer mechanism
Abstract
Earring enhancements attach to an earring such as a hoop earring
and allow a decorative element to dangle at or near the center of a
hoop. Enhancements may be interchangeable and may attach to a
variety of earring styles.
Inventors: |
David; Zoltan; (Austin,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VINSON & ELKINS, L.L.P.
1001 FANNIN STREET
2300 FIRST CITY TOWER
HOUSTON
TX
77002-6760
US
|
Family ID: |
34556599 |
Appl. No.: |
11/546739 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10969776 |
Oct 20, 2004 |
7121118 |
|
|
11546739 |
Oct 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
60602620 |
Aug 19, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 7/002 20130101;
A44C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
063/023 |
International
Class: |
A44C 25/00 20060101
A44C025/00 |
Claims
1. An enhancement for a hoop earring comprising: an attachment
member, configured to attach to a hoop earring; a strut having a
first end and second end, wherein the first end is attached to the
attachment member and the second end provides a hanger attachment
for a hanger such that when the attachment member is attached to a
hoop earring behind the ear lobe of a wearer, the strut curves
under the ear lobe such that the hanger attachment is positioned
above the center of the hoop earring below or slightly in front of
the ear lobe of the wearer; and a hanger having a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end is attached to the hanger
attachment and the second end provides a decorative element,
wherein the decorative element is positioned near the center of the
hoop.
2. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is
permanently attached to a hoop earring.
3. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is
configured to be reversibly attached to a hoop earring.
4. The enhancement of claim 3, wherein the attachment member
comprises a sleeve sized to slide onto a hoop earring.
5. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the hanger attachment allows
the hanger to sway loosely to provide a free dangling motion of the
hanger.
6. The enhancement of claim 5, wherein the hanger attachment
comprises two interlocking rings.
7. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the decorative element
comprises one or more precious or semi-precious stones.
8. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the enhancement comprises a
precious metal or precious metal alloy.
9. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the enhancement comprises
gold, silver, iridium, ruthidium, paladium, or platinum.
10. The enhancement of claim 1, wherein the enhancement comprises a
non-precious metal having a metal surface composed of a precious
metal or precious metal alloy.
11-14. (canceled)
15. An enhancement for an earring comprising: a curved strut,
having a first and a second end, a front and a rear, wherein the
first end provides a sleeve configured to receive an earring
attachment member, and wherein the second end provides an
attachment for a decorative element; and wherein the strut is
configured for attachment to an earring during use, in which when
the first end is attached to an earring behind the ear lobe of a
wearer the front of the sleeve faces the back of the ear lobe, and
wherein the strut extends in a generally downward direction from
the first end to a distance below the ear lobe of a wearer, and
curves in the forward direction for a distance substantially equal
to the width of a wearer's ear lobe and terminates in the second
end.
16. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the earring attachment
member is a post of an earring for wear in pierced ears.
17. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the earring attachment
member is a portion of a hoop earring.
18. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the second end of the
strut is attached to a hanger such that the decorative element
dangles below the strut.
19. The enhancement of claim 18, wherein the hanger is attached to
the strut with interlocking rings.
20. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the decorative element
comprises one or more precious or semi-precious stones.
21. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the enhancement comprises
a precious metal or precious metal alloy.
22. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the enhancement comprises
gold, silver, iridium, ruthidium, paladium, or platinum.
23. The enhancement of claim 15, wherein the enhancement comprises
a non-precious metal having a metal surface composed of a precious
metal or precious metal alloy.
Description
[0001] The present application claims benefit of priority of a U.S.
Provisional Application S.N. 60/______ (unassigned), filed Aug. 13,
2004, and entitled, "Interchangeable Hoop Earring and Enhancer
Mechanism" by Zoltan David, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to the field of jewelry and
in particular to earrings. More particularly, the present invention
to relates to enhancements of hoop earring designs.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Hoop earrings have been in use throughout history in various
cultures of the world. Hoop earrings of gold, silver, and bronze
have been found in ancient graves in Crete, dating to about 2000
B.C. Although buryingjewels along with the dead was customary at
the time, the everyday use of earrings has been well documented,
too, thanks to enduring images on coins, vase paintings, and
terra-cotta figures.
[0006] Today, hoop earrings are available in a variety of styles
that include hoops of various sizes and thickness of the hoop
material, or hoops enhanced by the addition of one or more precious
or semi-precious stones, set in the outer surface of hoop. There
are also styles of hoop earrings in which various attachments may
hang from the bottom or lower part of the hoop to dangle below the
earring, for example. Additionally, various designs may be engraved
into the surface of the hoop, or the hoop may incorporate designs
such as hearts or crosses within the hoop structure.
[0007] In spite of the enhancements over the millennia, the hoop
earring has remained basically an empty hoop, and no effective way
has been found to add interest and beauty to the center of the hoop
earring. This problem is exacerbated by the necessity to attach the
hoop to the ear lobe, typically directly or substantially directly
above the center of the hoop so that the hoop dangles directly
below the ear lobe. One attempt to address the problem is described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,481, in which a monofilament is stretched
horizontally across the opening of the hoop and various ornaments
may then be attached to the wire to hang within the hoop. The '481
patent discloses that various ornaments such as a girl on a swing
or animal figures may be attached to the filament in such a way
that the attached ornament would swing within the earring by
twisting the filament. Unfortunately, the '481 patent does not
describe a way to provide easily interchangeable ornaments to an
earring because it appears the ornaments are permanently crimped
onto the filament. Additionally, there appears to be no way the
described device could be used to present a precious stone setting
or other decorative element dangling within the center of the
hoop.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present disclosure provides a system for the enhancement
of a hoop earring. The disclosed system enables different and
various hanging design elements to be secured and optionally,
removed from hoop earrings of various sizes.
[0009] The disclosure further provides methods and devices for
attaching a hanging design element to a hoop earring such that the
design is attached to the portion of the hoop designed to be behind
the ear lobe when worn by a wearer. When worn by a wearer, the
attachment curves around beneath the ear lobe and, in preferred
embodiments dangles to the center area of the hoop.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following drawings form part of the present
specification and are included to further demonstrate certain
aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better
understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in
combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments
presented herein.
[0011] FIG. 1. is an embodiment of a hoop earring and
enhancement.
[0012] FIG. 2. is an embodiment of an earring enhancement.
[0013] FIG. 3. is an alternative view of an embodiment of an
earring enhancement.
[0014] FIG. 4. is an embodiment of a spring flap that includes a
spring clasp on the top thereof to hold an earring post.
[0015] FIG. 5. is an embodiment of a hoop earring and enhancement
with a combination spring flap and spring clasp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present disclosure is directed to a system of unique
enhancements for hoop earrings. In its preferred embodiments the
earring enhancement is a decorative element such as a stone setting
or metal design that dangles into the center of a hoop earring. The
dangling element preferably attaches to the hoop behind the ear
lobe of a wearer and through a J-shaped or curved strut, dangles
such that the design element is near the center of the hoop. It is
also understood that the enhancements described herein can also be
attached to the post of any type of earring and their use is not
limited to hoop earrings.
[0017] Preferred embodiments may be described, therefore, as
earring enhancements, the enhancements including an attachment
member, configured to attach to an earring at a location behind the
ear lobe of a wearer, and including a strut attached to the
attachment member and configured to provide a hanger attachment for
a hanger such that the hanger attachment is positioned beneath or
beneath and slightly in front of the ear lobe of a wearer, and
above the center of a hoop earring. A hanger is attached to the
strut at one end and provides a decorative element at its opposite
end, wherein the decorative element hangs to a positioned near the
center of the hoop, when a hoop earring is worn. Because of the
nature of the disclosed enhancements, it is understood that the
position of the decorative element is under the control of gravity,
and when the terms hang or dangle are used, it is assumed that the
earring is in an upright position with the earring post at
approximately the top of the ring, or "12 o'clock" position.
[0018] It is also understood, in light of the present disclosure,
that the design element "dangles" from the hanger attachment as
that word is normally understood. Dangles is taken to mean that the
hanger is loosely suspended so that it sways under the influence of
gravity or motion. Thus when it is stated that the design element
is positioned near the center of the hoop, it is assumed that the
hoop is positioned with the earring post at the top of the circle
so that gravity pulls the hanger down to about the center of the
hoop. It is also understood that the hanger may be shorter or
longer than required to reach the exact center of the circular
earring, but that preferably the hanger is aligned with the center
when the earring is in the upright position as it would be when
worn in an ear lobe.
[0019] In preferred embodiments, the enhancement is reversibly
attached to the earring, although the attachment can be permanent,
as a soldered or crimped attachment, for example. In certain
preferred embodiments, however, the enhancement is easily attached
and removed such that a plurality of enhancements may be
interchangeably attached to a hoop or other type of earring. A most
preferred embodiment includes a sleeve that is sized to slide over
the hoop on the back side of the earring pin where the pin or post
closes, and the sleeve is attached by a mechanism on the hoop
earring, such as a spring flap. In certain embodiments, the
enhancement may be attached to the post of an earring and held by
the catch or clutch.
[0020] The sleeve, or other attachment mechanism is affixed to a
strut or an angle strut that includes a curve such that strut
curves around beneath the ear lobe of a wearer and positions a
hanger attachment over the position where the center of a hoop
earring is when worn. In preferred embodiments, the hanger is
loosely attached to the hanger attachment element so that the
hanger is free to sway or move with the movement of the wearer. One
method of achieving a loose connection is by using two interlocking
rings, or one ring passing through the center of a second ring,
thus allowing the hanger to move loosely with respect to the
strut.
[0021] The hanger is preferably an elongated member that extends
from the hanger attachment to a design element located at its
opposite end. It is understood that the hanger is also part of the
design element and may include engraved designs, one or more
precious or semi-precious stones, or other decorative elements
known in the art. Preferred embodiments of the earring enhancers
may include virtually any appropriate design element known in the
jewelry arts attached to the lower end of the hanger. Design
elements may include settings of precious or semi-precious stones,
or a decorative element formed of metal or glass, for example. The
enhancement is preferably composed of a material that matches or
complements the material of the earring, and may be a precious
metal or a precious metal alloy. Enhancements may also be composed
of non-precious metals or a non-precious metal having a metal
surface composed of a precious metal or precious metal alloy, or
even of non-metallic materials. Preferred metals or metal alloys
include but are not limited to, gold (including 24, 22 18 or 14
carat gold), silver, iridium, ruthidium, paladium, platinum
(including platinum 1000 and platinum 950), copper, or steel.
[0022] In certain preferred embodiments, the present disclosure may
also be described as a hoop earring with an enhancement. The hoop
earring may be of any size and of any material or design known to
those in the art. The hoop earring will generally include a post or
pin for attachment to the lobe of a wearer. The post is typically
oriented with a front and a rear side, such that the pin is placed
into the pierced ear lobe from the front and protrudes from the
rear where a catch or clasp holds the pin in place. In preferred
embodiments of the present invention, an attachment mechanism is
affixed to the earring near where the post or pin is clasped behind
the ear lobe. Any type of clasp that will accept a pin may be used
in the practice of the present disclosure.
[0023] In the most preferred embodiment, the enhancement includes a
sleeve that slips over the earring and comes to rest against an
attachment mechanism such as a spring flap, which is generally a
curved element that is disposed generally parallel to the tangent
of the hoop and is biased toward the hoop. A sleeve may be pushed
into the flap and is held in place by the spring bias. In this way,
enhancers are easily attached and removed. Such an earring is then
configured to be used with any of the interchangeable enhancers as
described herein.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the earring post may be held in
place by a spring clasp 40. The spring clasp is generally made of
two roughly parallel curved members that are biased towards each
other and in which a pin may be pushed through a narrow neck region
and held within the clasp by the spring bias of the members. In
certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring clasp 40
may be attached or affixed to the spring flap 42 that holds the
sleeve of the enhancement.
[0025] The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred
embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of
skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples
which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to
function well in the practice of the invention. However, those of
skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure,
appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific
embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar
result without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0026] An example of a hoop earring with enhancement is shown in
FIG. 1. An exemplary hoop earring 10 is a hoop of approximately 2
inches diameter, made of platinum. The enhancement 20 in this
example is attached to the hoop earring by a spring flap 12. The
spring flap acts as a clasp or holder to secure the enhancement to
the earring. In this example, the enhancement is removable and
interchangeable enhancements may be attached to the earring.
[0027] The enhancement of this example is shown in more detail in
FIGS. 2 and 3. The enhancement includes a sleeve 14, which is a
flat walled tube that slips over the open end of the hoop earring
and slides under the spring flap 12. A strut 16 is attached to the
sleeve and positions the hanger connection substantially aligned
with or slightly to the front of the ear lobe. The hanger 18 is
attached to the strut by interlocking rings 22, which allows the
decorative diamond setting 24 to dangle near the center of the
hoop.
[0028] All of the objects and methods disclosed and claimed herein
can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of
the present disclosure. While the objects and methods of this
invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it
will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may
be applied to the objects and/or methods and in the steps or in the
sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing
from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such
similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled
in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *