Earring in two parts with optimised guiding means of one part into the other

Abstract

The earring (1) has a pointed post (2) adapted to be inserted reversibly into a receiving housing equipped with a guide (10) for the post (2), the cylindrical housing also having at least one seal (15). The guide is formed by a concavity (10) with an open bottom (12), the diameter (D) of the open base (11) of the concavity (10) being at least 30% greater than the external diameter of the cylindrical housing, the depth (P) of the concavity (10) being equal to half the length (L) of the cylindrical housing. The post (2) has at least two circular grooves (16) adapted to temporarily receive two annular seals (15) when the post is inserted into the slots of the seals.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-part earring with an optimized means of guiding one part into the other.

[0002] Here, the expression "earring" designates any piece of jewelry worn on at least one ear by a person, regardless of the shape, size, nature and / or color of the decorative part of the jewelry. The invention relates to earrings whose position on the ear is maintained by a rod inserted into a piercing made in the lower part of the ear called the lobule. The rod is, on one side of the lobule, integral with the decorative part of the earring and, on the other side of the lobule, removably connected to a securing element preventing any accidental exit of the rod from the piercing.

[0003] It is understood that the connection between the securing element and the rod must, on the one hand, be sufficient to ensure that the earring is held in place regardless of the activity of the person and, on the other hand, allow the earring to be easily put in place and removed by the person, whether or not the latter has a mirror. FR-B-3 104 912 discloses an earring in which the securing element receiving the rod is equipped with a means for guiding the rod in the securing element. The guiding means is configured in a cone and formed of two parts of similar shapes and fitted coaxially into each other. A cylinder equipped in its internal volume with rings and seals extends the conical part and ensures that the rod is held in the securing element.Although such a solution, thanks to the guiding means, allows for easy placement of the earring on the earlobe, without the person needing to look or fumble, the fact remains that such an earring comprises a significant number of parts. In addition, a conical shape for the guiding means is not optimal because the person must position the rod correctly in the center of the cone for easy insertion. The rings and seals ensure effective retention of the rod in the securing element, but offer relatively significant resistance to the rod's exit, which does not allow for easy detachment when the person wishes to remove the earring. Therefore, in addition to complex and relatively expensive manufacturing, the use of such a solution is not optimal.

[0004] It is these needs that the invention proposes to address by offering an earring that is easy and quick to put in place thanks to a simple guiding means while having a reduced number of parts.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an earring comprising a male part configured as a pointed rod, one end of which opposite the tip is provided with a decorative element, the pointed end being adapted to be inserted reversibly into a receiving housing provided in a female part of the earring, the receiving housing being cylindrical and provided, at its opening, with a means for guiding the rod in the receiving housing when the rod is inserted into the housing, the cylindrical housing also comprising at least one seal, the guiding means being formed by a concavity at one end of the cylindrical receiving housing, the bottom of which is open and defining an opening for access to the housing, the diameter of the open base of the concavity being at least 30% greater than the external diameter of the cylindrical housing,the depth of the concavity being equal to half the length of the cylindrical housing and in that at least part of the rod is provided with at least two circular grooves, parallel and oriented perpendicular to a main longitudinal axis of the rod, said grooves being adapted to temporarily receive two annular seals when the rod is inserted into the lumen of the seals themselves inserted into the cylindrical housing, the concavity,

[0006] being in the shape of a parabola or in the shape of a double-sloped cone and the receiving housing being equipped with a perforated plate in its center and arranged parallel to the bottom of the housing, said plate ensuring the separation between the seals arranged in the receiving housing while allowing the free passage of the rod in the receiving housing.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible, with a simple guiding means and with a minimum of parts, to position the rod precisely and quickly in the receiving housing. The person ensuring the fitting of the earring, whether or not the wearer of the earring, can not only easily put the earring in place, without fumbling, but also easily remove it without effort and without pulling on the earlobe.

[0008] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such an earring may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0009] One end of the rod is shaped into a blunt-pointed ogive.

[0010] The bottom of the rod receiving housing is provided with an orifice for the passage of the ogive end of the rod when the latter is in the holding position in the housing.

[0011] The bottom of the receiving housing with the hole is removable.

[0012] The seals are provided with a flat external face adapted to rest against the internal face of the receiving housing.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates a perspective view of an earring according to an embodiment which is not part of the invention, in the mounted position, the decorative part of the earring not being illustrated nor the earlobe, [ Fig. 2 ] is a longitudinal sectional view, at another scale, of the loop of the figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] is a perspective view, on another scale, of only the female part, therefore of the cylindrical receiving housing according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] is a longitudinal sectional view at another scale of the female part illustrated in the figure 3 And [ Fig. 5 ] is a partial perspective view of a loop according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0014] There figure 1 is an illustration of an earring 1 according to a first embodiment which is not part of the invention. An earring 1 comprises a so-called male part 2 removably inserted into a so-called female part 3 defining a receiving housing. Hereinafter the expression receiving housing will preferably be used. Here the so-called male part 2 is configured as a rod. This term will preferably be used hereinafter. The rod 2 is shown without a decorative element of the earring 1 fixed on a free end 4 of the rod 2. The rod 2 is shown inserted into the female part 3 of the earring 1, therefore in the configuration of the earring 1 when the latter is in place on the lobule of an ear, not illustrated. It is understood that in such a configuration a rectilinear part 5 of the rod 2, visible at figure 1 , is inserted into a piercing of the earlobe. Thus on one side of the lobule is the female part 3 comprising a housing for receiving a pointed end 6 of the rod 2 and on the other side of the lobule is the decorative part of the earring 1.

[0015] The material constituting such an earring 1 is preferably a metal, for example gold. Alternatively, it may be another material or even a composite material. Similarly, the external dimensions and / or the shape of the female part 3 may be different from those illustrated. As can be seen in the figure 1 , the rod 2 comprises, opposite its free end 4 which is normally connected to the decorative element of the earring 1, a blunt pointed end 6. This pointed end 6 is advantageously in the shape of a bullet or a shell with a rounded tip. The point 6 of the rod 2 passes through the entire receiving housing 3, in a central position in the latter. Only the point 6 of the rod 2 opens outside the receiving housing 3. A part 7 of the body of the rod 2 extends into the receiving housing 3, over the entire length of the latter and beyond, from an outlet opening 13 of the receiving housing 3.

[0016] The receiving housing 3 is configured as a cylinder with a circular base. The term cylinder will also be used subsequently to designate the receiving housing or female part 3 of the earring 1. Alternatively, the external shape of the receiving housing is different from those illustrated in figures 1 à 4 . For example, it may be octagonal, faceted, rectangular or square. In all cases, as will be detailed later, the internal volume V of the receiving housing 3 is, in the present example, cylindrical with a circular base.

[0017] Substantially in the central part, along the length, of the external face of the cylinder 3 a flat relief 9 extends radially towards the outside of the cylinder 3 over the entire circumference of the latter. Alternatively, the dimensions of this relief are different as is its position. According to another embodiment, these are tabs which extend radially towards the outside of the cylinder 3. In all cases, whatever the shape and / or dimensions of this relief or these tabs, it is a member for gripping the earring 1 more precisely the female part 3 constituting the receiving housing. Such a gripping member allows the female part 3 of the earring 1 to be held easily when putting in place and removing the rod 2, the latter being preferably manipulated from the decorative element fixed to its end 4.It is easy to understand that the dimensions and / or weight of the assembly are sufficient to allow its handling while remaining within values avoiding any traction on the earlobe.

[0018] The open portion 10 of one end of the cylindrical receiving housing 3 through which the rod 2 is inserted and removed is concave. The open circular base 11 of the concavity 10 is of dimensions such that its diameter D is at least 30% greater than the external diameter of the cylinder 3 defining the receiving housing of the rod 2. The depth P of the concavity 10, therefore the distance between the circular base 11 and the open apex or bottom 12 of the concavity 10 which connects the latter to the internal volume V of the cylinder 3, is equal to approximately half the length L of the cylinder 3. In other words, the dimensions of the concave opening 10 of the cylinder 3 are such that when the rod 2 is presented for insertion, it is obligatory to pass through the concave opening 10 while being guided in this movement.There is therefore no risk of hitting the outside of the receiving housing 3 or missing the opening 10 of the receiving housing 3 when presenting the rod 2 in front of the receiving housing 3.

[0019] There figure 2 is a longitudinal section of loop 1 of the figure 1 according to a plane comprising a main longitudinal axis AA of the receiving housing 3. As is apparent from the figure 2 this axis AA is merged with the longitudinal axis of the rod 2 when the latter is inserted into the receiving housing 3. It is noted that the internal volume V of the receiving housing 3 is here configured as a hollow cylinder with a circular base, like the external configuration of the receiving housing. Alternatively, it may have another shape and / or other dimensions. In all cases, the internal volume V of the receiving housing 3 comprises an access opening defined by the open bottom 12 of the concave part 10 and an orifice 13 arranged in a central position on the bottom wall 14 of the cylinder 3, therefore an orifice 13 coaxial and opposite the opening 12. This orifice 13 defines an outlet from the cylinder 3 for the tip 6 of the rod 2.

[0020] The internal volume V of the cylinder 3 receives at least two annular seals 15 whose dimensions and shape are adapted to those of the internal volume V. Thus the lumen of the seals 15 delimits a central part of the volume. This central part - and therefore the lumen of the seals 15 - is cylindrical with a circular base with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the openings 12 and 13, the seals 15 also occupying the entire available length of the volume V of the cylindrical housing 3 by being arranged parallel to the bottom 14. Such a configuration allows the rod 2, when inserted into the volume V from the concave opening 10, to pass through the cylindrical housing 3 over the entire length L of the latter by passing through the lumen of the annular seals 15 and emerging, by its tip 6, through the orifice 13 formed in the bottom 14 of the cylinder 3.This bottom 14 of the cylinder 3 is, advantageously, constituted by a plate fixed on the cylinder 3 once the seals 15 are in place in the volume V. Advantageously the plate defining the bottom 14 is inserted by force by clipping or crimping so that it can be removed in order to access the internal volume V to, if necessary, change the seals 15 or carry out any type of intervention in the volume V. Alternatively, the bottom 14 is fixed on the cylinder 3 permanently by welding, gluing or other technique known per se.

[0021] As is evident from the figure 2 , the part 7 of the rod 2 located generally between the rear of the pointed tip 6 and the part 5 of the rod 2 extending outside the opening 10 of the cylinder 3 has grooves 16 with rounded bottoms. In other words, the part 7 of the rod 2 adapted to be removably inserted into the housing 3 is provided with grooves 16 giving a notched appearance to this part 7 and at least two in number. The grooves 16 are arranged radially on the rod 2, over the entire circumference of the rod 2. Several parallel grooves 16 are thus produced over the length of a part of the rod 2, here the part 7 of the rod. The dimensions, shape and arrangement of the grooves 16 are complementary to those of the joints 15. A temporary connection is thus produced by cooperation of shapes between the rod 2 and the joints 15.

[0022] When the rod 2 is forcibly inserted into the receiving housing 3, in a translational movement oriented parallel to the axis AA of the cylinder 3, the seals 15 are crushed when the zone 17 of the rod 2 located between two grooves 16 comes into contact with the seals 15 and the seals 15 are released in the grooves 16 when the translational movement continues and the grooves 16 and the seals 15 are opposite each other. Due to the cooperation of shape and the number of seals 15 in position in the grooves 16, any accidental translational movement of the rod 2 intended to remove the rod 2 from the housing 3 is avoided when the rod 2 is in place in the volume V.

[0023] The rod is held in position in the cylinder and is optimal when the pointed tip 6 is out of the orifice 13 of the bottom 14 of the cylinder 3. In this case, the rear 18 of the tip 6 is supported on the external edge of the orifice 13 and a maximum of seals 15 is in place in the grooves 16 of the rod 2. The rod 2 is extracted from its housing 3 by pulling the rod 2, therefore with a translational movement in the opposite direction to that carried out to insert the rod into the cylinder. The insertion and removal movement of the rod 2 is facilitated by the flat relief 9 or gripping member which allows the person to have an optimal grip on the female part 3 of the earring 1, the operation of the rod 2 being carried out by taking the decorative part fixed on the end 4 of the rod 2.

[0024] As noted in the figure 2 , the internal part of the concave opening 10 is here configured as a parabola which allows when the tip 6 of the rod 2 is presented that the latter slides in a guided manner on the internal wall up to the opening 13 for access to the interior of the cylinder 3. The parabolic shape of the interior of the concavity 10 allows so-called automatic guidance of the rod, in the sense that a person can carry out the maneuver without looking at what he is doing. Similarly, the centering of the rod 2 in the opening 13 and therefore in the volume V and the joint light 15 is obtained automatically by the parabolic shape of the opening 10. The diameter D of the parabolic opening 10 is sufficiently large, including in the vicinity of the bottom 14 of the parabola, so that there is no jamming phenomenon during the movement of the rod 2 towards the housing 3.Alternatively, the inner wall of the parabola is coated with a non-adherent material, for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in order to facilitate the sliding of the tip 6 in the parabolic opening 10.

[0025] There figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. Elements having functions similar to those of the elements of the figures 1 et 2 have the same references multiplied by ten Here, the gripping member 90 of the housing is formed by two flat tabs extending radially outwards from the external wall of the cylinder 30 and diametrically arranged. In this embodiment, the concave opening 100 is configured, at least on the inside, as a double-sloped cone as can be seen more particularly in the figure 4 . The production of a rectilinear internal wall with a double slope for the concavity 100 is technically simpler to produce than a curved wall in the shape of a parabola. The break in slope in the vicinity of the access orifice 120 to the cylinder 3 optimizes the guidance of the rod 2 during its insertion into the housing 3.

[0026] We also note the presence of a pierced plate 19 positioned between two seals 150 and oriented perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis AA of the cylindrical housing 3, therefore parallel to the bottom 14 of the receiving housing 3. The opening and the position of the plate 19 allow the free passage of the rod 2 in the cylindrical housing 3. This plate 19 has the function of separating the seals 150 and of avoiding any phenomenon of sticking between the seals 150, these remaining independent and held in place in the volume V. In addition, the holding in place of these seals 150 is facilitated by the fact that they have a flat external face 20 and not rounded to come to bear against the rectilinear internal wall of the cylinder 3. The only possible movements of the seals 150 are crushing and releasing movements in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the housing 3. There is no possibility of moving the seals 150 in the housing 3.

[0027] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 5 is particularly suitable for relatively heavy and bulky earrings which are held not only on one end of a rod, but also on an articulated tab or racket resting on the back of the ear. In this way, any stress and deformation of the earlobe is avoided. A decorative part, not illustrated, is fixed on the one hand to the end 4 of the rod 5 and, on the other hand, to one end of a flat tab 21. The other end of the tab 21 comprises two reliefs 22 each provided with a through hole. The reliefs 22 thus define a hinge adapted to receive a pin 23. The rest of the earring is that illustrated in figures 3 et 4 , so with 90 legs, it being understood that it could be that of the figures 1 et 2 .

[0028] An element 24 is configured in the shape of an omega or a racket whose central part is empty. The free ends 25 of the element 24 are each pierced with a through orifice, similar to the orifices of the reliefs 22. As can be seen in the figure 5 , when the ends 25 are positioned between the reliefs 22 and the pin 23 is in place, the element 24 and the tab 21 are articulated relative to each other, a movement of relative approach or separation of these elements then being possible according to the double arrow F.

[0029] The rounded portion 26 of the element 31 is adapted, in dimensions and geometry, to receive the concave portion 100. Thus, the internal face of the portion 26 which defines the limits of the central orifice of the portion 26 is beveled, so as to be of a shape complementary to the external wall of the concavity 100.

[0030] Thus, when the earring is put in place, the concavity 100 is first positioned in the part 26 then the decorative part and the element 24 are placed on either side of the earlobe, by pivoting the tab 21 and the element 24 according to the double arrow F, the rod 2 is then presented in the concavity 100 and, as described previously, the rod 2 is secured in the cylinder 30. This ensures that a relatively large and heavy earring is held in position without effort on the earlobe and with simple placement.

[0031] In all cases, whatever the embodiment, the concavity 10; 100 has dimensions such that it allows, by its open base, a support of the female part 3; 30 forming the housing for receiving the rod 2 against a face of the lobule with a support surface such that the pressure exerted on the lobule by the female part 3 or 30 is low and substantially balanced with the pressure exerted by the decorative part mounted on the rod 2 on the opposite face of the lobule, which contributes to reducing the feeling of crushing and improves the comfort of the person wearing the earring 1.

Claims

1. A ring (1) including a male part (2) configured as a pointed pin the end of which (4) opposite the point (6) is provided with a decorative element, the pointed end (6) being suitable for inserting reversibly into the receiving housing arranged in a female part (3; 30) of the ring (1), the receiving housing (3; 30) being cylindrical and equipped at the opening thereof, with a means of guiding (10; 100) of the pin (2) into the receiving housing (3; 30) during the insertion of the pin (2) into the housing, the cylindrical housing (3; 30) also including at least two seals (15), the means of guiding being formed by a concavity (10; 100) at one end of the cylindrical receiving housing (3; 30) the bottom (12) of which being open and defining an access opening to the housing, the receiving housing (30) being equipped with a plate (19) perforated at the center thereof and disposed parallel to the bottom of the housing, said plate (19) ensuring the separation between the seals (15) disposed in the receiving housing (30) while authorizing the free passage of the pin (2) into the receiving housing (30), characterized in that the diameter (D) of the open base (11) of the concavity (10; 100) is at least 30% greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical housing (3; 30), the depth (P) of the concavity (10; 100) being equal to half of the length (L) of the cylindrical housing (3; 30) in that at least one part (7) of the pin (2) is provided with at least two circular grooves (16), parallel and oriented perpendicularly to a main longitudinal axis (AA) of the pin (2), said grooves (16) being suitable for temporarily receiving two annular seals (15) when the pin (2) is inserted into the light of the seals (15) themselves inserted in a cylindrical housing (3; 30), and in that the concavity (10, 100) is in the form of a parabola or in the form of a double slope cone.

2. The ring according to claim 1, characterized in that one end (6) of the pin (2) is configured with ribs towards a blunt point.

3. The ring according to claim 2, characterized in that the bottom (14) of the receiving housing (3; 30) for the pin (2) is provided with an orifice (13) for the passage of the ribbed end (6) of the pin (2) when the latter is in a holding position in the housing (3; 30).

4. The ring according to claim 3, characterized in that the bottom (14) of the receiving housing provided with an opening (13) is removable.

5. The ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the seals (15) are provided with an outer flat face (20) suitable for bearing against the inner face of the receiving housing (30).

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