earrings

Abstract

To provide an earring realizing the improvement of a feeling of attachment and durability, or the like.SOLUTION: An earring comprises a first body half 10, a second body half 20, and a hinge pin 3 connecting them. In the vicinity of the hinge pin 3, the first body half 10 and the second body half 20 are formed with thickness removal groove parts 15, 25 opened at tip sides. The insides of the thickness removal groove parts 15, 25 are provided with a tension coil spring 5 whose each end is connected to the first body half 10 and the second body half 20, and which energizes the first body half 10 and the second body half 20 in a direction of closing around the hinge pin 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to earrings to be worn on the ears, and to a technique for improving the wearing comfort and durability. [Background technology]

[0002] While screw spring earrings have long been known for their ease of wearing and the small number of parts required, clip-on earrings have become more popular in recent years. Clip-on earrings are made up of a ring-shaped earring body consisting of a first and second body half, with the base ends of both body halves connected by a hinge pin, and are worn by clamping the ear with the tips of the two body halves. The two body halves are constantly biased in the closing direction by a leaf spring or torsion coil spring, or are kept closed by the frictional force of a washer (see Patent Documents 1 to 3 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3231885 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3233192 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6710420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the earrings of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the spring characteristics cause a large increase or decrease in the biasing force depending on the degree to which the two main body halves are opened, making it difficult to open the two main body halves when wearing them and to achieve both a comfortable fit and a good clamping force. Also, in the earrings of Patent Document 3, the sliding surface of the washer wears out over long periods of use, and there is a risk that the initial frictional force (i.e., clamping force) will no longer be maintained.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide earrings that achieve improved wearing comfort and durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The earring of the present invention comprises a first body half constituting a part of the body; a second body half constituting a portion of the body other than the first body half; a hinge pin connecting the base end portions of the first body half and the second body half, a lightening groove portion that is open to a tip end side is formed in each of the first body half and the second body half near the hinge pin, A tension coil spring is provided inside the lightening groove, and each end of the tension coil spring is connected to the first body half and the second body half, and the tension coil spring biases the first body half and the second body half in a direction to close them about the hinge pin. 、 the tension coil spring has a first distance from a first connection point with the first body half to the hinge pin, and a second distance from a second connection point with the second body half to the hinge pin, which is different from the first distance is less than the second distance; In the direction of a line connecting the center axis of the hinge pin and the midpoint of a pair of clamping surfaces formed at the tip portions of the first body half and the second body half, the first connecting point is located closer to the hinge pin than the second connecting point. It is characterized by the presence of [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, earrings can be provided that achieve improved wearing comfort and durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of how earrings according to an embodiment of the present application are worn. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an earring according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional front view of the main parts of the earring in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional front view of a key part of an earring according to an embodiment of the present application in an open state. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of a main portion of an earring according to a modified example of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention and some modifications thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0010] <Configuration of the embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1, the earring 1 has a circular earring body and is worn on the ear E of the wearer H. It can be worn on the earlobe, or by pinching the scaphoid fossa, antihelix, or other parts of the ear. As shown in FIG. 2, the earring body is composed of a first body half 10 and a second body half 20, each of which is substantially arc-shaped. The first body half 10 constitutes part of the body, and the second body half 20 constitutes the rest of the body excluding the first body half 10. The base ends of the two body halves 10 and 20 are connected by a hinge pin 3 so that they can be opened and closed. When closed, the earring is worn by pinching the ear E with the tips. The two body halves 10 and 20 can be manufactured by forming them using a lost-wax casting method or the like from precious metals (gold alloys, platinum, etc.) and then performing processes such as drilling and polishing.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the first body half 10 has a pair of hinge pin holders 11, 12 at its base end, and these hinge pin holders 11, 12 have hinge pin holes 13 formed therein, into which the hinge pin 3 is inserted. The second body half 20 has a hinge pin holder 21 at its base end that fits into the hinge pin holders 11, 12 of the first body half 10, and this hinge pin holder 21 also has a hinge pin hole 23 formed therein, into which the hinge pin 3 is inserted. The hinge pin 3 is cylindrical and made of the same precious metal as both body halves 10, 20. After being inserted into the hinge pin holes 13, 23 of both body halves 10, 20, both ends are preferably secured to the first body half 10 by crimping. Crimping facilitates maintenance.

[0012] Locking pin holes 14, 24 are drilled in both main body halves 10, 20 substantially parallel to the hinge pin holes 13, 23, and locking pins 4 are inserted into these locking pin holes 14, 24. The locking pin 4 is cylindrical and made of the same kind of precious metal as both main body halves 10, 20. After being inserted into the locking pin holes 14, 24 of both main body halves 10, 20, it is preferable that both ends be fixed to both main body halves 10, 20 by laser processing. Using laser processing can keep manufacturing costs low.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, a tension coil spring 5 is hung across the locking pin 4 inserted into the two main body halves 10, 20, urging the two main body halves 10, 20 in the closing direction. The tension coil spring 5 urges the two main body halves 10, 20 in the closing direction around the hinge pin 3. The urging force of the tension coil spring 5 is set to a value that does not excessively clamp the two main body halves 10, 20 and does not easily cause the earring 1 to fall off. The tension coil spring 5 is made of stainless steel wire or the like, and has hook portions 5a, 5b on both ends that engage with the locking pin 4.

[0014] Near the hinge pin 3, the main body halves 10, 20 are formed with lightening grooves 15, 25 having a generally U-shaped cross section that are open toward the tip ends of the main body halves 10, 20, and the tension coil spring 5 is provided within these lightening grooves 15, 25. Furthermore, the base ends of the main body halves 10, 20 are provided with closing-side stoppers 16, 26 on the inner periphery to restrict the opening and closing range on the closing side, and opening-side stoppers 17, 27 on the outer periphery to restrict the opening and closing range on the opening side.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, even when both main body halves 10, 20 are fully closed (when the closing side stopper portions 16, 26 are in contact), it is preferable that the tension coil spring 5 does not appear inside the inner periphery of both main body halves 10, 20 when viewed from the front, and that it does not come into contact with the hinge pin holding portion 21 even when both main body halves 10, 20 are fully open (when the opening side stopper portions 17, 27 are in contact) as shown in FIG.

[0016] The tips of both main body halves 10, 20 are formed with rectangular clamping surfaces 18, 28 that come into contact with the ears E, and the outer edges of these clamping surfaces 18, 28 are chamfered (so-called corners R), which allows the wearer H to enjoy a comfortable fit.

[0017] <Operation of the embodiment> When wearing the earring 1, the wearer H first grasps the earring body with one hand and opens the two main body halves 10, 20 with his or her fingertips. Because the tension coil spring 5 has a small load change relative to its displacement, the wearer H can open the two main body halves 10, 20 relatively easily. After placing the earring body on the desired part of the ear E, the wearer H gradually removes his or her fingers from the two main body halves 10, 20. This causes the biasing force of the tension coil spring 5 to close the two main body halves 10, 20, and the clamping surfaces 18, 28 at the tips clamp the ear E.

[0018] Since the two main body halves 10, 20 of the earring 1 have substantially the same shape, it is easy to realize a combination of metals (for example, one of the two main body halves 10, 20 is made of a gold alloy and the other is made of platinum).

[0019] [Partially modified] Although this partial modification also has a configuration substantially similar to the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the positions of the locking pins 4 on the two main body halves 10, 20 are different. That is, if the distance between the locking pin 4 (first connection point) on the first main body half 10 and the hinge pin 3 is D1 and the distance between the locking pin 4 (second connection point) on the second main body half 20 and the hinge pin 3 is D2, D1 and D2 are different, with D2 being set to be approximately twice D1. Furthermore, in the direction of the line connecting the center axis of the hinge pin 3 and the midpoint of a pair of clamping surfaces 18, 28 formed at the tips of the two main body halves 10, 20 (the vertical direction in Fig. 5), the locking pin 4 on the first main body half 10 is positioned closer to the hinge pin 3 than the locking pin 4 on the second main body half 20. It is preferable that the tension coil spring 5 is the same as that in the embodiment, and that it does not protrude inside the body halves 10, 20 even when the body halves 10, 20 are fully closed, and that it does not come into contact with the hinge pin holding portion 21 even when the body halves 10, 20 are fully open.

[0020] In the partial modification, when assembling the tension coil spring 5, the assembler first hooks one hook portion 5a onto the locking pin 4 on the first body half 10 side and grasps the other hook portion 5b with a tool T such as tweezers. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the assembler pulls the tension coil spring 5 and hooks the hook portion 5b onto the locking pin 4 on the second body half 20 side. At this time, the length of the tension coil spring 5 is longer on the second body half 20 side, making it easier to hook the hook portion 5b onto the locking pin 4.

[0021] <Effects of the embodiment> The earrings of this embodiment, thanks to the tension coil spring's characteristic of small load changes relative to displacement, ensure a stable clamping force regardless of the opening and closing of the first and second body halves, preventing a deterioration in wearing comfort due to excessive clamping force. Furthermore, the earrings of this embodiment allow for easy spring adjustment, and the restricting mechanism prevents the main body from opening more than necessary, preventing a deterioration in wearing comfort due to excessive clamping force. Furthermore, the first and second body halves are provided with lightening grooves in which the tension coil springs are installed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and weight while improving appearance. The earrings 1 are simple, consisting of only six parts. The two body halves 10 and 20 are formed using a lost-wax casting process, etc., and the lightening grooves 15 and 25 in the two body halves 10 and 20 reduce assembly time, product price, and weight, and are less susceptible to breakage over long periods of use. Furthermore, the tension coil spring 5 is installed in the lightening grooves 15, 25 of the two main body halves 10, 20 and does not protrude inside the halves when the main body halves 10, 20 are opened or closed, thereby ensuring a good appearance.

[0022] Furthermore, if the tension coil spring has a different distance from the hinge pin between the connection point on the first body half and the connection point on the second body half, the side that is farther from the hinge pin can be easily grasped with a tool, etc., thereby reducing the labor and time required for assembly work.

[0023] Furthermore, if the distance from the first connection point to the hinge pin is shorter than the distance from the second connection point to the hinge pin, and the first connection point is positioned closer to the hinge pin than the second connection point in the direction of the line connecting the midpoint of the pair of clamping surfaces and the central axis of the hinge pin, the labor and time required for assembly can be further reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, a device having a restricting means for restricting the opening and closing range of the first and second body halves can prevent damage and deformation caused by contact between the tips of the two body halves on the closing side, while preventing sagging (plastic deformation) of the tension coil spring due to excessive displacement on the opening side.

[0025] Furthermore, since the tension coil spring does not come into contact with the hinge pin holding portions of the first and second body halves within the opening and closing range, wear on both body halves due to sliding contact with the tension coil spring is prevented, the spring's original spring force is exerted, and wear on both body halves 10, 20 due to long-term use is prevented.

[0026] Although the specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, in the earrings of the above embodiments, the earring body, hinge pin, and locking pin are made of the same type of precious metal, but they may also be made of various metals other than precious metals. Furthermore, while the earring body of the above embodiments has a smooth surface (plain), the surface may be engraved or may have gemstones, pearls, or the like embedded therein. Furthermore, while the above embodiments apply the present invention to clip-on earrings, it may also be applied to hoop earrings, ear cuffs, and the like. Furthermore, the specific structure and shape of the earring body and tension coil spring may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0027] The present invention can be effectively used in earrings that are worn in the wearer's ears. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 earring 2 earrings 3 hinge pins 4 Locking pin 5. Tension coil spring 10 First body half 20 Second body half 11 Hinge pin holder 15,25 Lightening groove 16, 26 Closing side stopper portion (regulating means) 17, 27 Opening side stopper portion (regulating means)

Claims

1. a first main body half constituting a part of the main body; a second body half constituting a portion of the body other than the first body half; a hinge pin connecting the base end of the first body half and the base end of the second body half, a lightening groove portion that is open to a tip end side is formed in each of the first body half and the second body half near the hinge pin, a tension coil spring is provided inside the lightening groove, the tension coil spring having each end connected to the first body half and the second body half, and biasing the first body half and the second body half in a direction to close them about the hinge pin; the tension coil spring has a first distance from a first connection point with the first body half to the hinge pin, and a second distance from a second connection point with the second body half to the hinge pin, which is different from the first distance; the first distance is less than the second distance; An earring characterized in that, in the direction of a line connecting the midpoint of a pair of clamping surfaces formed at the tip of the first body half and the second body half, respectively, and the central axis of the hinge pin, the first connecting point is located closer to the hinge pin than the second connecting point.

2. 2. The earring according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting means for restricting the opening and closing range of said first main body half and said second main body half.

3. the first main body half or the second main body half has a hinge pin holding portion into which the hinge pin is inserted, The earring according to claim 2, characterized in that the tension coil spring is positioned within the opening and closing range so as not to come into contact with the hinge pin holding portions of the first body half and the second body half.

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