Tools to enable marking of objects for piercings thereof or piercing of objects therethrough and methods of manufacture and use thereof
The tool facilitates efficient and precise marking and piercing of objects by utilizing a bar with a guide and gap, addressing the laborious nature of traditional marking methods.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2024/047810
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-27
AI Technical Summary
Marking objects, such as ear lobes, for piercings is a laborious and time-consuming task, especially when aiming for precise leveling.
A tool comprising a bar with a guide at one end portion and a gap between the end portions, allowing an object to be positioned between the end portions, enabling marking or piercing through the guide.
The tool streamlines the marking and piercing process, reducing time and effort while ensuring precision, allowing for efficient preparation of objects for piercings.
Smart Images

Figure US2024047810_27032025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TITLETOOLS TO ENABLE MARKING OF OBJECTS FOR PIERCINGS THEREOF OR PIERCING OF OBJECTS THERETHROUGH AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOFCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims a benefit of priority to US Provisional Patent Application 63 / 539,393 filed on 20 September 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to various tools to enable marking of objects for piercings thereof or piercing of objects therethrough and methods of manufacture and use thereof.BACKGROUND
[0003] A person may desire to have a lobe of an ear pierced for receiving a post of a hoop earring, such that the hoop earring can be worn in a forward-facing manner to an observer facing the person, face-to-face. Therefore, a piercer may mark the lobe with a writing implement (e.g., a pen, a marker) and then pierce the lobe as marked. However, marking the lobe with the writing implement, especially for such piercing to be level, is a laborious and time-consuming task.SUMMARY
[0004] Generally, this disclosure enables various tools to enable marking of objects for piercings thereof or piercing of objects therethrough and methods of manufacture and use thereof. For example, some of such objects may include an animate matter, an inanimate matter, a body part or an organ of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., a pet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), an ear of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., apet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), or another suitable matter, whether animate or inanimate.
[0005] In an embodiment, there may be a method, comprising: enabling a user to: access a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion, such that the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced apart from each other thereby forming a gap therebetween, wherein the first end portion hosts a guide; position an object having a first side and a second side between the first end portion and the second end portion in the gap, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion; and insert a tip of an implement through the guide as the object extends in the gap, such that the object is markable or pierceable at the first side through the guide by the tip .
[0006] In an embodiment, there may be a device, comprising: a guide; and a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion, such that the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced apart from each other thereby forming a gap therebetween, wherein the first end portion hosts the guide, wherein an object having a first side and a second side can be positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion in the gap, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion and a tip of an implement can be inserted through the guide as the object extends in the gap, such that the object is markable or pierceable at the first side through the guide by the tip .DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 8 depicts a front view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear for piercing therethrough or before the ear is marked therethrough for piercing whether therethrough or not according to this disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear for piercing therethrough or before the ear is marked therethrough for piercing whether therethrough or not according to this disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 10 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear as a piercer is getting ready to pierce therethrough with a tip of a piercing implement or mark the ear via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1 1 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear as a piercer marks the ear via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 12 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is being removed from the ear by a piercer after the ear is marked for piercing via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 13 depicts a rear view of an ear that is marked for piercing according to this disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 14 to FIG. 20 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 21 to FIG. 27 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 28 to FIG. 34 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 35 to FIG. 41 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 42 to FIG. 48 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 49 to FIG. 55 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 56 to FIG. 62 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 63 to FIG. 69 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 70 to FIG. 76 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 77 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 78 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 79 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] As explained above, this disclosure enables various tools to enable marking of objects for piercings thereof or piercing of objects therethrough and methods of manufacture and use thereof. For example, some of such objects may include an animate matter, an inanimate matter, a body part or an organ of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., a pet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), an ear of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., a pet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), or another suitable matter, whether animate or inanimate. This disclosure is now described more fully with reference to Drawings, in which some embodiments of this disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to various embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys various concepts of this disclosure to skilled artisans. Note that like numbers or similar numbering schemes can refer to like or similar elements throughout.
[0027] Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected" or "coupled" to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present, including indirect or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0028] Various singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include various plural forms (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, tens, hundreds, thousands) as well, unless specific context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0029] Various presence verbs "comprises," “includes” or "comprising," “including” when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.
[0030] As used herein, a term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of a set of natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
[0031] As used herein, a term "or others," "combination", "combinatory," or "combinations thereof" or another conceptually similar terminology refers to all permutations and combinations of listed items preceding that term. For example, "A, B, C, or combinations thereof" is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAG, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. Skilled artisans understand that typically there is no limit on number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise contextually apparent.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Various terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in a context of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.
[0033] Relative terms such as "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientation depicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example, if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turned over, then various elements described as being on a "lower" side of other elements would then be oriented on "upper" sides of other elements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures were turned over, thenvarious elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would then be oriented "above" other elements. Therefore, various example terms "below" and "lower" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
[0034] As used herein, a term "about" or "substantially" refers to a + / - 10% variation from a nominal value / term. Such variation is always included in any given value / term provided herein, whether or not such variation is specifically referred thereto.
[0035] Although the terms first, second, can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from various teachings of this disclosure.
[0036] Features described with respect to certain example embodiments can be combined and sub-combined in or with various other example embodiments. Also, different aspects or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, can be combined and sub-combined in a similar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whether individually or collectively, can be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures can take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps can be required before, after, or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any or all methods or processes, at least as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity in any manner.
[0037] Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of this disclosure. As such, variations from various illustrated shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, various example embodiments of this disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to various particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
[0038] Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary or monolithic, or be separatelymanufactured or connected, such as being an assembly or modules. Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, chiseling, cutting, and so forth.
[0039] Hereby, all issued patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications that are mentioned or referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes, to a same extent as if each individual issued patent, published patent application, or non-patent publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To be even more clear, all incorporations by reference specifically include those incorporated publications as if those specific publications are copied and pasted herein, as if originally included in this disclosure for all purposes of this disclosure. Therefore, any reference to something being disclosed herein includes all subject matter incorporated by reference, as explained above. However, if any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and such disclosures conflict in part or in whole with this disclosure, then to an extent of the conflict or broader disclosure or broader definition of terms, this disclosure controls. If such disclosures conflict in part or in whole with one another, then to an extent of conflict, the later-dated disclosure controls.
[0040] FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 100, which includes a bar 102, a guide 110, a first elongated member 1 12 (e.g., a crossbar), and a second elongated member 118 (e.g., a crossbar). The first elongated member 112 has a first section 1 14 (e.g., a leveling portion) and a second section 116 (e.g., a leveling portion). The second elongated member 118 has a third section 120 (e.g., a leveling portion) and a fourth section 122 (e.g., a leveling portion).
[0041] The bar 102 has a first end portion 104 and a second end portion 106. The bar 102 is solid, but may be perforated. The bar 102 has an external surface that is smooth, but can be textured (e.g., rough, knurled). The bar 102 is configured, such that the firstend portion 104 and the second end portion 106 are spaced apart from each other, thereby forming a gap 108 therebetween.
[0042] The first end portion 104 hosts the guide 110 that extends away from the bar 102. The bar 102 hosts the first elongated member 1 12 and the second elongated member 118 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106.
[0043] The bar 102 may formed of a material that is suitable to position an object between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. For example, the bar 102 may form the gap 108, such that the bar 102 encloses the object between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. Some examples of the material include a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material that may have a property that enables the material to have the object positioned between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106 in the gap 108. The material may be rigid (e.g., unable to be manually bent a healthy adult without usage of any tools) or flexible (e.g., able to be manually bent a healthy adult without any tools). For example, when the material is flexible, the gap 108 may be widened or narrowed as needed, to enable the object to be positioned between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, which may include the bar 102 enclosing the object between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106.
[0044] The bar 102 may have a shape between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The shape may be an open-shape, an arcuate shape, a rainbow shape, a C-shape, a U-shape, a V-shape, or another suitable shape, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical.
[0045] The tool 100 may be positioned, such that the first elongated member 112 or the second elongated member 118 are parallel to a horizontal plane. Therefore, a vertical plane that intersects (e.g., perpendicularly) the horizontal plane may intersect (e.g., bisect) the bar 102 at a point between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, whether symmetrically or asymmetrically.
[0046] The bar 102 is monolithic (e.g., cast, injection molded, chiseled), but can be an assembly (e.g., fastening, adhering, magnetizing, interlocking). For example, the bar 102 may include a first piece (e.g., a segment) hosting the first end portion 104, a secondpiece (e.g., a segment) hosting the second end portion 106, and a hinge (e.g., a physical hinge, a living hinge) joining or attached to the first piece and the second piece, whether the first piece and the second piece are substantially identical to each other in length (e.g., the hinge is centrally positioned on the bar 102) or not substantially identical to each other in length (e.g., the hinge is not centrally positioned (off-center) on the bar 102), where the hinge may enable the bar 102 to selectively switch (e.g., move) between an open position (e.g., 3-shaped) and a closed position (e.g., C-shaped), as disclosed herein. For example, the hinge may include a spring to cause the bar 102 to urge to the open position or the closed position, depending on how the spring is configured. Regardless, the first piece may be identical or non-identical to the second piece in shape, size, proportion, thickness, structure, material, or another parameter or property. The hinge may enable the first piece or the second piece to move, such that the bar 102 may be arranged in an open position (e.g., 3-shape) before or after marking or piercing, as disclosed herein, or a closed position (e.g., a C-shape), during marking or piercing, as disclosed herein. The hinge may be configured to persist in the open position or the closed position by default, until a user moves the first piece or the second piece to arrange the bar 102 in the open position or the closed position. Note that the hinge may be omitted and the first piece and the second piece may be attached to each other (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding). For example, with respect to FIGS. 1 -7, although the bar 102 is shown as a single monolithic piece (e.g., longitudinally continuous), this configuration is not required. As such, the bar 102 may be an assembly formed from a plurality of pieces, to collectively enable the bar 102, whether the bar 102 is longitudinally continuous (e.g., - shape similar to a solid line) or discontinuous (e.g., - shape similar to a dashed or broken line). For example, the bar 102 may be formed (e.g., longitudinally continuously) from at least a pair of pieces, each open-shaped (e.g., C- shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped), sequentially and pivotally connected to each other via a pivot (e.g., a pin, a dowel, a screw, a bolt) extending therethrough to enable pivoting, similar to a jewelry cuff bracelet with a pivot (e.g., between a 3-shape in an open position and a C-shape in a closed position), as disclosed herein. For example, the bar 102 may be formed (e.g., longitudinally continuously or discontinuously) from at least a pair of pieces, each open-shaped (e.g., C-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped) and extending from anarm (e.g., rectilinear, non-rectilinear), where those arms are connected to each other (e.g., intersecting) via a pivot (e.g., a pin, a dowel, a screw, a bolt) extending therethrough to enable pivoting, similar to a forceps instrument, as disclosed herein. For example, the bar 102 may be formed (e.g., longitudinally continuously or discontinuously) from at least a pair of pieces, each open-shaped (e.g., C-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped) and extending from an arm (e.g., rectilinear, non-rectilinear), where those arms are connected to each other at a single point (e.g., a joint) to enable positioning (e.g., grasping), similar to a tongs / tweezer instrument, as disclosed herein.
[0047] The first end portion 104 may be disposed opposite the second end portion 106, such that the gap 108 spans therebetween. For example, the gap may be about 5 inches, about 4 inches, about 3 inches, about 2 inches, about 1 inch or less, including intermediate values (e.g., by halves, thirds, quarters, tenths).
[0048] The first end portion 104 hosts the guide 110. Although the guide 110 is monolithic with the first end portion 104, the guide 1 10 may be assembled with the first end portion 104. For example, the tool 100 may include a hinge (e.g., a physical hinge, a living hinge) attached to the first end portion 104 and the guide 1 10. Therefore, the hinge may enable the first end portion 104 or the guide 110 to move, such that the guide 1 10 may be arranged in a marking position (as shown in FIG. 1 ) during marking, as disclosed herein, or a non-marking position (e.g., folded onto the first end portion 104 or oriented towards the first elongated member 112 or 118), before or after marking, as disclosed herein. The hinge may be configured to persist in the marking position or the non-marking position by default, until a user moves the first end portion 104 or the guide 110 to arrange the guide 110 in the marking position or the non-marking position. Note that the hinge may be omitted and the first end portion 104 and the guide 1 10 may be attached to each other (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding).
[0049] The guide 110 is monolithic (e.g., cast, injection molded, chiseled), but can be an assembly (e.g., fastening, adhering, magnetizing, interlocking). The guide 110 may be of a shape, such that the guide 1 10 is able to receive or guide a tip of a writing implement (e.g., a feather, a reed, a pencil, a pen, a marker, a crayon, a highlighter, a brush, a sticker, a stamp, a directed energy beam, a laser) to mark an object for piercing, as explained below. Likewise, the guide 1 10 may be of a shape, such that the guide 1 10 isable to receive or guide a tip (e.g., a needle, a cone, a cannula) of a piercing implement (e.g., a piercing gun) to pierce an object, as explained below. For example, the shape may be a closed-shape, an open-shape, a symmetrical shape, an asymmetrical shape, an O-shape, a 0-shape, a D-shape, a P-shape, a B-shape, a U-shape, a C-shape, a V- shape, a Y-shape, or another suitable shape. For example, the guide 1 10 may be a jump ring. For example, the guide 110 may be not a jump ring. For example, the guide 1 10 may be formed by wrapping a wire around a tool (e.g., a mandrel) and cutting a ring from the wire that is wrapped around the tool. For example, the guide 1 10 may host the writing implement, as explained above.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the guide 1 10 extends from the first end portion 104 along a guide plane. The guide plane is non-parallel to the vertical plane when the first elongated member 11 or the second elongated member 118 extends parallel to the horizontal plane, where the vertical plane intersects (e.g., perpendicularly) the horizontal plane and intersects (e.g., bisects) the bar 102 at the point between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, whether symmetrically or asymmetrically. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the guide 110 is positioned, such that the guide 1 10 is angled or inclined toward the second end portion 106 (e.g., toward the vertical plane). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide plane may lean or tilt toward the vertical plane (e.g., between about 12 o’clock and about 3 o’clock). For example, such tilt may be oriented at an angle between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, including intermediate values (e.g., by halves, thirds, quarters, tenths), relative to the first end portion 104. For example, the angle may be between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, including intermediate values (e.g., by halves, thirds, quarters, tenths). For example, the guide 1 10 may be inclined toward the vertical plane. However, note that this configuration is not required and the guide plane may be parallel to the vertical plane when the first elongated member 112 or the second elongated member 1 18 extends parallel to the horizontal plane, where the vertical plane intersects (e.g., perpendicularly) the horizontal plane and intersects (e.g., bisects) the bar 102 at the point between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, whether symmetrically or asymmetrically.
[0051] The guide 1 10 has an internal opening 124, whether closed-shaped (e.g., O- shaped, 0-shaped, D-shaped) or open-shaped (e.g., U-shaped, C-shaped, J-shaped), to enable marking the object by the tip of the writing implement for piercing through the internal opening 124 or piercing the object by the tip of the piercing implement through the internal opening 124, as disclosed herein. Therefore, the guide 110 may be arranged to be oriented (or rotated) relative to the first end portion 104 such the internal opening 124 is visible when the tool 100 is positioned for a profile view, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. For example, the guide 110 may be laterally angled relative to the first end portion 104. However, such arrangement is not required and the guide 110 may be arranged to be oriented (or rotated) relative to the first end portion 104 such the internal opening 124 is not visible when the tool 100 is positioned for a profile view, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. For example, the guide 110 may be laterally angled relative to the first end portion 104. Note that the guide 110 may be oriented or pivoted on the vertical axis when the tool 100 is upright and level for marking or piercing, as disclosed herein, which may enable the guide 110 to be positioned at a 0 degree angle such that the internal opening 124 is not visible from a profile view of the tool 100 or to be positioned at another angle (e.g., 15 degree angle, 30 degree angle, 45 degree angle, 60 degree angle) such that the internal opening 124 is visible from a profile view of the tool 100.
[0052] Although FIG. 1 -7 show the guide 110 as a tail extending from the first end portion 104, this configuration is not required. As such, the first end portion 104 or the second end portion 106 may define (e.g., internally) the guide 110 as a section within the first end portion 104 or the second end portion 106, where the section has a shape that is closed (e.g., O-shape, 0-shape, D-shape) or open (e.g., U-shape, C-shape, V-shape), thereby enabling the section to be the guide 1 10 or function as the guide 1 10, as disclosed herein.
[0053] The bar 102 may host the first elongated member 112 that includes the first section 1 14 and the second section 1 16. The first elongated member 112 may be monolithic with the bar 102 (e.g., same or different material like a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material), but this configuration is not required and the first elongated member 112 maybe assembled with the bar 102 (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding). The first section 1 14 extends away from the bar 102 in a first direction, such that the bar 102 does not enclose the first section 114 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The second section 116 extends away from the bar 102 in a second direction, such that the bar 102 encloses the second section 1 16 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The first direction may be opposite the second direction. The first section 1 14 and the second section 1 16 may be co-aligned or co-planar, but can be offset relative to each other, along the vertical plane, as explained above.
[0054] The first elongated member 112 may include a first intermediate member 128 (e.g., an oval piece although other shaping is possible), which may host (e.g., engraved, embossed, adhered, inked) a marketing indicia (e.g., a brand name, an instruction for use) or an instructive indicia for marking or piercing (e.g., a diagram, a schematic diagram, a photo, an illustration, a textual description, a tactile description), as disclosed herein, although the marketing indicia or the instructive indicia may be omitted. For example, the first intermediate member 128 can host (e.g., front or back) the instructive indicia indicative or informative of an estimated degree (e.g., an angle) of forward-facing orientation for an earring (e.g., a hoop earring) relative to an ear when the earring would be worn on the ear after marking the ear or piercing the ear, as marked, as disclosed herein. For example, the first intermediate member 128 can host (e.g., front or back) the instructive indicia indicative or informative of a left orientation (e.g., for a left ear facing a proposed wearer) or a right orientation (e.g., for a right ear facing a proposed wearer), if the guide 1 10 is rear or frontal when marking the ear or piercing the ear, as disclosed herein. The first section 114 or the second section 116 may extend from the first intermediate member 128, whether monolithically (e.g., same or different material like a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material) or assembled (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding), but this configuration is not required. As such, the first intermediate member 128 may be omitted and the first section 1 14 or the second section1 16 can extend from each other or the bar 102 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106.
[0055] The bar 102 may host the second elongated member 1 18 that includes the third section 120 and the fourth section 122. The second elongated member 1 18 may be monolithic with the bar 102 (e.g., same or different material like a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material), but this configuration is not required and the second elongated member 1 18 may be assembled with the bar 102 (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding). The third section 120 extends away from the bar 102 in a third direction, such that the bar 102 encloses the third section 120 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The fourth section 122 extends away from the bar 102 in a fourth direction, such that the bar 102 does not enclose the fourth section 122 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The third direction may be opposite the fourth direction. The third section 120 and the second section 122 may be co-aligned or co-planar, but can be offset relative to each other, along the vertical plane, as explained above.
[0056] The second direction may be oriented towards the third direction or vice versa. The first direction may be oriented opposite the fourth direction or vice versa. The second section 116 may be extending toward the third section 120 or vice versa. The first section 1 14 may be extending away from the fourth section 122 or vice versa.
[0057] The second elongated member 1 18 may include a second intermediate member 126 (e.g., an oval piece although other shaping is possible), which may host (e.g., engraved, embossed, adhered, inked) a marketing indicia (e.g., a brand name, an instruction for use) or an instructive indicia for marking or piercing (e.g., a diagram, a schematic diagram, a photo, an illustration, a textual description, a tactile description), although the marketing indicia or the instructive indicia may be omitted. For example, the second intermediate member 126 can host (e.g., front or back) the instructive indicia indicative or informative of an estimated degree (e.g., an angle) of forward-facing orientation for an earring (e.g., a hoop earring) relative to an ear when the earring would be worn on the ear after marking the ear or piercing the ear, as marked, as disclosedherein. For example, the second intermediate member 126 can host (e.g., front or back) the instructive indicia indicative or informative of a left orientation (e.g., for a left ear facing a proposed wearer) or a right orientation (e.g., for a right ear facing a proposed wearer), if the guide 1 10 is rear or frontal when marking the ear or piercing the ear, as disclosed herein. The third section 120 or the fourth section 122 may extend from the second intermediate member 126, whether monolithically (e.g., same or different material like a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material) or assembled (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding), but this configuration is not required. As such, the second intermediate member 126 may be omitted and the third section 120 or the fourth section 122 can extend from each other or the bar 102 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the guide 1 10 may extend over the third section 120. For example, the third section 120 may have a tip portion distal to the intermediate member or the bar 102, where the guide 110 may extend or overlap the third section 120, which may include the tip portion. However, note that this configuration is not required and the guide 110 may not extend or not overlap the third section 120, which may include the tip portion 120. For example, this configuration may occur when the third section 120 is not sufficiently elongated from the bar 102 (or omitted), such that the guide 110 does not extend or not overlap the third section 120, which may include the tip portion 120.
[0059] The bar 102 may host a leveling instrument between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106 designed to indicate whether an orientation is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb). For example, the leveling instrument may include a spirit level or a bubble level. For example, the spirit level or the bubble level may be of a tubular (or linear) form or a bullseye (or circular) form. The leveling instrument may be analog or digital (e.g., with an electronic display). As such, the bar 102 may have a window (e.g., a plate, a glass plate, a plastic plate, an electronic display) to the leveling instrument, to provide (e.g., visually) leveling guidance similar to the first elongated member 1 12 or the second elongated member 118. If the leveling instrument is digital, then the bar 102 may host an suitable energy source (e.g., a battery, a capacitor). Additionally or alternatively,at least one of the first elongated member 1 12 or the second elongated member 1 18 may host the leveling instrument, as described above.
[0060] FIG. 8 depicts a front view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear for piercing therethrough or before the ear is marked therethrough for piercing whether therethrough or not according to this disclosure. FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear for piercing therethrough or before the ear is marked therethrough for piercing therethrough or not according to this disclosure. FIG. 10 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear as a piercer is getting ready pierce therethrough with a tip of a piercing implement or to mark the ear via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure. FIG. 1 1 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is worn on the ear as a piercer marks the ear via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure. FIG. 12 depicts a rear view of an ear of a wearer of the tool of FIGS. 1 -7, where the tool is being removed from the ear by a piercer after the ear is marked for piercing via the tool with a tip of a writing implement according to this disclosure. FIG. 13 depicts a rear view of an ear that is marked for piercing according to this disclosure.
[0061] In particular, FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 depict a method 800 to pierce an object (e.g., a surface of a rear side or a front side of an ear) with a tip (e.g., a needle, a cone, a cannula) of a piercing implement (e.g., a piercing gun) or to mark an object (e.g., a surface of a rear side or a front side of an ear) by a tip (e.g., a ballpoint) of a writing implement 804 (e.g., a pen, a marker) via the tool 100 to enable piercing the object thereafter based on such marking, whether through the internal opening 124 or not through the internal opening 124, whether for wearing an item (e.g., an earring, an ear tag) or another purpose. For example, some of such objects may include an animate matter, an inanimate matter, a body part or an organ of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., a pet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), an ear of a person, a mannequin, a doll, a showcase object, an animal (e.g., a pet, a wild animal, a domesticated animal, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a goat), or another suitable matter, whether animate or inanimate. For example, the showcase object may be an artificial organ (e.g., an ear). However, for brevity and simplicity, the process 800is further described in context of piercing a lobe of an ear of a human. As such, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show how the tool 100 is positioned or worn on the ear of the human, FIG. 10 and FIG. 1 1 show how the ear is marked by the tip of the writing implement via the tool 100, and FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show the ear with the tool 100 being removed after the ear has been marked by the tip of the writing implement via the tool 100. Note that the method 800 can be performed by all embodiments of tools disclosed herein, whether for marking a side of an object through the internal opening 124 or for piercing a side of an object through the internal opening 124. Likewise, note that piercing a side of an object through the internal opening 124 can be performed similarly to marking a side of an object through the internal opening 124, as disclosed herein.
[0062] The process 800 may include a second person (e.g., a marker, a piercer) attempting to pierce or mark a lobe of an ear 802 of a first person (e.g., a markee, a wearer), as disclosed herein, before piercing the lobe to receive a post of an earring (e.g., a hoop earring). Therefore, after the lobe is pierced based on the ear 802 being marked by the tip of the writing implement 804 via the tool 100, the earring can be worn in a forward-facing manner to an observer (e.g., a piercer, a bystander) facing the first person, face-to-face. If desired, then the tool 100 may also be used by the second person to enable the tip of the writing implement 804 to mark the ear 802 for piercing to enable the earring to be worn in a rear-facing manner to the observer, with the tool 100 being positioned (e.g., oriented) accordingly. However, note that the second person may be omitted and the lobe of the ear 802 may be self-marked or self-pierced, as disclosed herein. Alternatively, there may be a third person, where the second person may mark and the third person may pierce, as disclosed herein.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the ear 802 may be moved (e.g., up, down, right, left) relative to the tool 100 or the tool 100 may be moved (e.g., up, down, right, left) relative to the ear 802, such that (a) the ear 802 extends in the gap 108 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, (b) the first elongated member 112 and the second elongated member 118 extend parallel to a ground surface on which the first person or the second person is supported or positioned, (c) the guide 1 10 faces the lobe (rear side), (d) the bar 102 encloses the ear 802 (from its front side and from its rear side) between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106, and (e) the bar 102 isoriented to simulate the earring being worn in the forward-facing manner, which may include the first elongated member 112 being oriented in the forward-facing manner. For example, the guide 110 may contact, lean, or rest on the lobe (rear side), or may avoid contacting, leaning, or resting on the lobe (rear side). Therefore, the tool 100 may be positioned to simulate how the earring can be worn in the forward-facing manner to the observer facing the first person, face-to-face. Such simulation may be guided by the second person handling the tool 100 to be positioned or adjusted, such that the first elongated member 1 12 and the second elongated member 118 extend parallel to the ground surface on which the first person or the second person is supported or positioned.
[0064] The gap 108 may be sized to have a first width and the lobe may have a thickness sized to have a second width, that is less than the first width, such that the lobe is freely insertable into the gap 108 and removable from the gap 108. However, the gap 108 may have the first width that is equal to or less than the second width, such that the lobe is forcibly insertable into the gap 108 and removable from of the gap 108. For example, the lobe may be insertable into the gap 108 by manually bending or unbending the bar 108 without usage of any hand tools (e.g., pliers), such that the gap 108 can be manually widened or narrowed to accommodate the lobe.
[0065] When the tool 100 is positioned or worn on the ear 802, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the tool 100 persists or remains on the ear 802 based on the guide 1 10 or the second end portion 106 exerting an inward force (e.g., an inward pressure) towards the lobe, such that the tool 100 is persists or remains snug on the ear 802, without falling off the ear 802. Likewise, when the tool 100 is worn on the ear 802, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the ear 802 avoids contact with the first elongated member 1 12 or the second elongated member 1 18 or extending between the first elongated member 112 and the second elongated member 118. However, note that this configuration is not required and the ear 802 may contact the first elongated member 112 or the second elongated member 1 18 or extend between the first elongated member 112 and the second elongated member 118 or contact the bar 102 below the first elongated member 112 or the second elongated member 1 18.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , once the tool 100 is positioned on the ear 802, the guide 1 10 faces the lobe (rear side) and the second person operates the writingimplement 804 (e.g., a tip portion) to write, cause, enable, or deposit a mark 806, as shown in FIG. 13, on the lobe (rear side) through the internal opening 124 of the guide 1 10. For example, the mark can be written, caused, enabled, or deposited through the guide 110. For example, the mark 806 can include an ink, a paint, a dye, a stain, a burn, a sharp edge (e.g., a knife), or another suitable writing medium. For example, the writing implement may include a tip portion that is configured to be received or guided by the guide 1 10 to write or deposit the mark 806 on the lobe. For example, when the writing implement has a tip portion, the second person places the writing implement 804 in proximity of the guide 110 (e.g., less than two inches) to align the tip portion to the guide 1 10. The second person applies pressure to the writing implement 804 and the tip portion physically contacts the lobe to write or deposit the mark 806 on the lobe (rear side). Likewise, once the tool 100 is positioned on the ear 802, the guide 1 10 faces the lobe (rear side) and the second person operates the piercing implement (e.g., a tip portion) to pierce or puncture the ear 802 similar to marking shown in FIG. 13, on the lobe (rear side) through the internal opening 124 of the guide 1 10. For example, the piercing implement may include a tip portion that is configured to be received or guided by the guide 110 to pierce the lobe. For example, when the piercing implement has a tip portion, the second person (e.g., a marker or a piercer) may place the piercing implement 804 in proximity of the guide 1 10 (e.g., less than two inches) to align the tip portion to the guide 1 10. The second person applies pressure to the piercing implement or causes (e.g., by pressing a button or a trigger or manually pushes by hand) the piercing implement to move the tip portion to physically contact the lobe to pierce or puncture the lobe (rear side). Note that the second person may be omitted.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, after the second person writes or deposits the mark 806 on the lobe (rear side) or pierces the lobe, the second person withdraws the tip of the writing implement 804 or the tip of the piercing implement and removes the tool 100 from the ear 804 or the ear 804 from the tool 100. As such, the mark 806 remains on the lobe (rear side) or the piercing mains on the ear, such that the second person may now similarly mark the lobe (front side) or pierce the lobe (e.g., in a direction from a front side to a rear side or a rear side to a front side) from the mark 806 or toward the mark 806, to enable the earring to be worn in the front-facing manner based on the lobe aspierced. Although the process 800 has been described in context of writing or depositing the mark 806 on the lobe (rear side) or piercing the lobe (from rear side), this modality is not limiting and the second person may write or deposit the mark 806 on the lobe (front side) or pierce the lobe (from front side), whether additionally (before marking its rear side or after marking its rear side or not marking its rear side at all) or alternatively. For example, if the lobe is marked on its front side and its rear side, then the lobe may be pierced from its front side to its rear side or from its rear side to its front side, in any order, although marking the lobe is optional and the lobe may pierced from its front side to its back or vice versa via the tool 100, regardless of marking via the tool 100. Likewise, although the process 800 has been described in context of the lobe, this modality is not limiting and a non-lobe portion of the ear 802 can be marked with the mark 806 when using the tool 100, as disclosed herein, or pierced with a tip of a piercing implement when using together with the tool 100, as disclosed herein. For example, the non-lobe portion may include a helix portion, a conch portion, an outer edge portion, or another suitable portion.
[0068] If the lobe (or the ear 804) hosts an item (e.g., an earring) thereon, then the bar 102, the guide 110, the first elongated member 112, or the second elongated member 1 18 may avoid interfering with the item while positioning the tool 100 in proximity of the ear 804 or putting on the tool 100 on the ear 804, positioning the tool 100 not in proximity of the ear 804 or removing the tool 100 from the ear 804, or while the tip of the writing implement 806 writes or deposits the mark 806 on the ear 804 or while the tip of the piercing implement piercing the ear 804.
[0069] FIG. 14 to FIG. 20 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 1400, which is similar to the tool 100 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the first elongated member 1 12 and the second elongated member 118 being absent. In such scenario, the bar 102 may host a visual marker (e.g., a written, adhered, magnetized or embossed indicia, a painted or inked text or sign) or the leveling instrument between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106 to provide at least some leveling guidance. However, this configuration is not required and the visual marker or the leveling instrument may be absent. The tool 1400 may perform the method 800.
[0070] FIG. 21 to FIG. 27 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 2100, which is similar to the tool 100 or 1400 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the first elongated member 112 being absent and the second elongated member 118 being present. In such scenario, the bar 102 may host a visual marker (e.g., a written, adhered, magnetized or embossed indicia, a painted or inked text or sign) or the leveling instrument between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106 to provide at least some leveling guidance. However, this configuration is not required and the visual marker or the leveling instrument may be absent. Likewise, the third section 118 or the second section 120 may be omitted. The tool 2100 may perform the method 800.
[0071] FIG. 28 to FIG. 34 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 2800, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, or 2100 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the first elongated member 1 12 being present and the second elongated member 1 18 being absent. In such scenario, the bar 102 may host a visual marker (e.g., a written, adhered, magnetized or embossed indicia, a painted or inked text or sign) or the leveling instrument between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106 to provide at least some leveling guidance. However, this configuration is not required and the visual marker or the leveling instrument may be absent. Likewise, the first section 114 or the second section 116 may be omitted. The tool 2800 may perform the method 800.
[0072] FIG. 35 to FIG. 41 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 3500, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, or 2800 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the first elongated member 112 and the second elongated member 1 18 being a single elongated member 3502 spanning across the bar 102 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The single elongated member 3502 may be monolithic (e.g., same or different material like a metal (e.g., copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, titanium), an alloy (e.g., bronze, carbide, ceramic), an organic or synthetic polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a shape-memory material, or another suitable material) or assembled (e.g., by fastening, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing, bonding). The single elongated member 3502 may host an intermediate member 3504, which may host a marketing indicia (e.g.,a brand name, an instruction for use) or an instructive indicia for marking or piercing (e.g., a diagram, a schematic diagram, a photo, an illustration, a textual description, a tactile description), as disclosed herein, although the marketing indicia or the instructive indicia may be omitted, as enclosed by the bar 102 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. However, this configuration is not required and the intermediate member 3504 may be absent. The guide 110 may avoid extending over or overlapping the intermediate member 3504, but this configuration is not required and the guide 1 10 may extend over or overlap the intermediate member 3504. The tool 3500 may perform the method 800.
[0073] FIG. 42 to FIG. 48 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 4200, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, or 3500 and similarly manufactured and used, other than there being a first guide 110A and a second guide 1 10B. The first end portion 104 hosts the first guide 110A, similar to the guide 110, as explained above, and the second end portion hosts the second guide 1 10B, similar to the guide 1 10, as explained above. The first guide 1 10A and the second guide 1 10B may be structured, constituted, oriented, tilted, textured, sized, dimensioned, perforated, or otherwise identical to each other or not identical to each other, whether in structure or functionality. As shown in FIG. 47 and FIG. 48, the first guide 110A and the second guide 110B are oriented or tilted to be parallel to each other, to allow the ear 804 to be pierced at the lobe (or another area) or marked for piercing the lobe (or another area) to enable the earring to be worn in the front-facing manner. However, this configuration is not required and the first guide 1 10A and the second guide 1 10B may be oriented or tilted not to be parallel to each other, which may include orientation or angling on the vertical axis, as explained in context of FIGS. 1 -7. Regardless, when the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, or 4200 has the first guide 1 10A and the second guide 110B, the second person may pierce the ear from its front side to its rear side or vice versa, or mark the ear 804 at its front side and then its rear side or vice versa, without repositioning or removing the tool 100 from the ear 804. The tool 4200 may perform the method 800.
[0074] FIG. 49 to FIG. 55 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 4900, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400,2100, 2800, 3500, or 4200 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 4900 having the bar 102 hosting the first elongated member 1 12 or the second elongated member 118 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The tool 4900 may perform the method 800.
[0075] FIG. 56 to FIG. 62 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 5600, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, 4200, or 4900 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 5600 having the bar 102 hosting the first elongated member 1 12 or the second elongated member 118 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The tool 5600 may perform the method 800.
[0076] FIG. 63 to FIG. 69 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 6300, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, 4200, 4900, or 5600 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 6300 having the bar 102 hosting the first elongated member 112 and the second elongated member 118 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The tool 6300 may perform the method 800.
[0077] FIG. 70 to FIG. 76 depict various views of an embodiment of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 7000, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, 4200, 4900, 5600, or 6300 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 6300 having the bar 102 hosting the first elongated member 1 12 and the second elongated member 1 18 as a single elongated member spanning across the bar 102 between the first end portion 104 and the second end portion 106. The tool 7000 may perform the method 800.
[0078] FIG. 77 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 7700, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, 4200, 4900, 5600, 6300, or 7000 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 7700 having a forceps-like form factor. Specifically, the tool 7700 has a first arm 7702, a second arm 7704, a first handle 7706, a second handle 7708, a pivot 7710, a first bar portion 7712 (a first piece), and a second bar portion 7714 (a second piece). The first handle 7706 extends from the second arm 7704, whether as a monolith or as an assembly. The second handle 7708 extends from the first arm 7702, whether as amonolith or as an assembly. The first bar portion 7712 extends from the first arm 7702, whether as a monolith or as an assembly. The second bar portion 7714 extends from the second arm 7704, whether as a monolith or as an assembly. The pivot 7710 (e.g., a pin, a dowel, a shaft) extends through the first arm 7704 and the second arm 7704 between the first bar portion 7712 and the second handle 7708 and between the second bar portion 7714 and the first handle 7706 to form the forceps-like form factor, such that the first arm 7702 and the second arm 7704 can be pivoted via the pivot 7710, in a forceps like movement (e.g., a scissor like movement). As such, a user (e.g., a marker, a piercer, a self-user) can hold the tool 7700, similar to a forceps, and operate the first handle 7706 and the second handle 7708 in a forceps like manner (e.g., a scissor like manner) to move the first handle 7706 and the second handle 7708 proximal or distal to each other as needed, similar to a forceps, to enable the first arm 7702 and the second arm 7704 respectively move the first bar portion 7712 and the second bar portion 7714 to be operatively proximal to each other (e.g., in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13) or operatively distal to each other (e.g., not in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13). Note that the first bar portion 7712 and the second bar portion 7714 may contact each other when positioned in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13, although this configuration is not required and the first bar portion 7712 and the second bar portion 7714 may avoid contacting each other when positioned in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13. Likewise, note that the first bar portion 7712 and the second bar portion 7714 may collectively enable the bar 102 to be a discontinuous bar 102. Similarly, note that although the first bar portion 7712 or the second bar portion 7714 has its respective guide 110 to be open-shaped, this is configuration is not required and any of the guides 1 10 may be, whether alternatively or additionally, closed-shaped (e.g., O-shape, 0-shape, D-shape), whether identical or not identical to each other. Also, note that at least one of the guides 1 10 may be absent. Additionally, note that the first elongated member 1 12 (or any portion thereof) or the second elongated member 114 (or any portion thereof) or both may be absent, as described above. The tool 7700 may perform the method 800.
[0079] FIG. 78 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 7800, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500,4200, 4900, 5600, 6300, 7000, or 7700 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 7700 having a tweezer-like form factor. Specifically, the tool 7800 has a first arm 7802, a second arm 7804, a joint area 7806 (e.g., a single point), a first bar portion 7808 (a first piece), and a second bar portion 7810 (a second piece). The first arm 7802 and the second 7804 are joined to each other at the joint area 7806 (e.g., resiliently, elastically) to form the tweezer-like form factor. The first bar portion 7808 extends from the first arm 7802. The second bar portion 7810 extends from the second arm 7804. As such, a user (e.g., a marker, a piercer, a self-user) can hold the tool 7800, similar to a tweezer, and operate the first arm 7802 and the second arm 7804 in a tweezer like manner (e.g., to press inward towards each other) to move the first bar portion 7808 and the second bar portion 7810 proximal or distal to each other as needed, similar to a tweezer, to be operatively proximal to each other (e.g., in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13) or operatively distal to each other (e.g., not in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13). Note that the first bar portion 7808 and the second bar portion 7810 may contact each other when positioned in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13, although this configuration is not required and the first bar portion 7810 and the second bar portion 7810 may avoid contacting each other when positioned in a marking position or a piercing position shown in FIGS. 8-13. Likewise, note that although the first bar portion 7808 and the second bar portion 7810 collectively enable the bar 102 to be continuous like the bar 102. Similarly, note that the first bar portion 7810 or the second bar portion 7810 has its respective guide 1 10 to be open-shaped, this is configuration is not required and any of the guides 1 10 may be, whether alternatively or additionally, closed-shaped (e.g., O-shape, 0-shape, D- shape), whether identical or not identical to each other. Also, note that at least one of the guides 110 may be absent. Additionally, note that the first elongated member 112 (or any portion thereof) or the second elongated member 114 (or any portion thereof) or both may be absent, as described above. The tool 7800 may perform the method 800.
[0080] FIG. 79 depicts a perspective view of a tool according to this disclosure. In particular, there is a tool 7900, which is similar to the tool 100, 1400, 2100, 2800, 3500, 4200, 4900, 5600, 6300, 7000, 7700, or 7800 and similarly manufactured and used, other than the tool 7900 having a jewelry bracelet-like form factor. Specifically, the tool 7900has a first bar portion 7902 (a first piece), a second bar portion 7904 (a second piece), and a pivot 7906 (e.g., a pin, a dowel, a screw) where the pivot 7906 extends through the first bar portion 7902 and the second bar portion 7904 to enable the first bar portion 7902 or the second bar portion 7904 to pivot between a use position (e.g., for piercing or marking) and a non-use position (e.g., not for piercing or marking). The use position is shown in FIG. 79 as a C-shape position and the non-use positions can be when the tool 7900 appears in a 3-shape. Likewise, note that the first bar portion 7808 and the second bar portion 7810 collectively enable the bar 102 to be continuous like the bar 102. Similarly, note that although the first bar portion 7902 or the second bar portion 7904 has its respective guide 1 10 to be closed-shaped, this is configuration is not required and any of the guides 110 may be, whether alternatively or additionally, open-shaped (e.g., U- shape, C-shape, J-shape), whether identical or not identical to each other. Also, note that at least one of the guides 1 10 may be absent. Additionally, note that the first elongated member 1 12 (or any portion thereof) or the second elongated member 1 14 (or any portion thereof) or both may be absent, as described above. The tool 7900 may perform the method 800.
[0081] Regardless of how a tool, as disclosed herein, is shaped, the tool may host an indicia (e.g., a medium, a paper, a graphic) externally thereon (e.g., printed, embossed, adhered, attached, looped) to instruct a user on how to use the tool, or a user may be supplied (or provided or sent by mail or courier in a package or not in a package) the tool and then instructed on its manufacture or use. For example, such form of instruction may include a printed manual, a presentation, a portable document format (PDF) file, a wizard, a webpage, a mobile app, a video content, an audio content, an augmented reality (AR) content, a link to an instructional content, a barcode to an instructional content, or another suitable instructional form factor, which may be provided simultaneous with the tool or separate therefrom. For example, there may be a package containing the tool or a set of tools, whether each member is structurally identical or not structurally identical, or a set of tools, whether each member is structurally identical or not structurally identical, whether including or not including an instructional content therewith (e.g., a manual, a diagram, a pictorial diagram, a schematic diagram).
[0082] Various corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in various claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Various embodiments were chosen and described in order to best disclose various principles of this disclosure and various practical applications thereof, and to enable others of ordinary skill in a pertinent art to understand this disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to a particular use contemplated. This detailed description has been presented for various purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive or limited to this disclosure in various forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques and structures will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from a scope and spirit of this disclosure as set forth in various claims that follow. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure. Scope of this disclosure is defined by various claims, which include known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at a time of filing of this disclosure.
Claims
CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A method, comprising: enabling a user to: access a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion, such that the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced apart from each other thereby forming a gap therebetween, wherein the first end portion hosts a guide; position an object having a first side and a second side between the first end portion and the second end portion in the gap, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion; and insert a tip of an implement through the guide as the object extends in the gap, such that the object is markable or pierceable at the first side through the guide by the tip.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar has a C-shape.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar has a U-shape.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar has a V-shape.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is monolithic with the guide.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide is a jump ring.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide is not a jump ring.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar hosts an elongated member between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the elongated member extends along aplane parallel to a ground surface as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion, wherein the leveling portion is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion, wherein the leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.1 1 . The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion spanning the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
12. The method of claim 1 1 , wherein the leveling portion is a first leveling portion, wherein the elongated member has a second leveling portion coaligned with the first leveling portion, wherein the second leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the elongated member has a third leveling portion coaligned with the first leveling portion, wherein the third leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the third leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated member is a first elongated member, wherein the bar hosts a second elongated member between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second elongated member extends along the plane as the object is pierced or marked at the first side through the guide, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are spaced apart from each other and coaligned with each other.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first elongated member has a first section and a second section, wherein the second elongated member has a third section and a fourth section, wherein the first section is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second section is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the third section is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the fourth section is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is monolithic with the bar.
19. The method of claim 8, wherein the elongated member is monolithic with the bar.
20. The method of claim 8, wherein the plane is a first plane, wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a second plane, wherein the second plane intersects thebar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first plane intersects the second plane.21 . The method of claim 20, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is an animate object.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the animate object is an organ.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the organ is an ear.
25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is an inanimate object.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the object is a showcase object.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the showcase object is an artificial ear.
28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is moved relative to the object, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion.
29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is moved relative to the bar, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion.
30. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a plane, wherein the plane intersects the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the guide is parallel to the plane.31 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a plane, wherein the plane intersects the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the guide is inclined towards the plane.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the guide is inclined towards the plane at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees.
33. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is pierceable where marked through the guide from the first side to the second side .
34. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is pierceable where marked through the guide from the second side to the first side.
35. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: enabling the user to: marking the second side by the tip through the guide such that the object is pierced between the first side and the second side.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first side is marked through the guide before the second side.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the first side is marked through the guide after the second side.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the object is pierceable from the first side to the second side through the guide.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein the object is pierceable from the second side to the first side through the guide.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein the second side is marked through the guide before the object is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion.41 . The method of claim 35, wherein the second side is marked through the guide after the object is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion.
42. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is manually bendable without usage of any hand tools, such that the gap can be widened or narrowed.
43. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar or the guide includes a material containing a metal or an alloy.
44. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar or the guide includes a material containing a plastic or a rubber.
45. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide is laterally angled relative to the first end portion.
46. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object hosts an item thereon, wherein the bar or the guide avoid interfering with the item as the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion or the object is pierced or marked at the first side.
47. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is solid between the first end portion and the second end portion.
48. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is perforated between the first end portion and the second end portion.
49. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gap has a first width, wherein the object has a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, such that the object is freely insertable into the gap and out of the gap.
50. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gap has a first width, wherein the object has a second width, wherein the first width is equal to or less than the second width, such that the object is forcibly insertable into the gap and out of the gap.51 . A device, comprising: a guide; and a bar having a first end portion and a second end portion, such that the first end portion and the second end portion are spaced apart from each other thereby forming a gap therebetween, wherein the first end portion hosts the guide, wherein an object having a first side and a second side can be positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion in the gap, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion and a tip of an implement can be inserted through the guide as the object extends in the gap, such that the object is markable or pierceable at the first side through the guide by the tip.
52. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar has a C-shape.
53. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar has a U-shape.
54. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar has a V-shape.
55. The device of claim 51 , wherein the first end portion is monolithic with the guide.
56. The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide is a jump ring.
57. The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide is not a jump ring.
58. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar hosts an elongated member between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the elongated member extends along a plane parallel to a ground surface as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
59. The device of claim 58, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion, wherein the leveling portion is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
60. The device of claim 58, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion, wherein the leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
61. The device of claim 58, wherein the elongated member has a leveling portion spanning the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
62. The device of claim 61 , wherein the leveling portion is a first leveling portion, wherein the elongated member has a second leveling portion coaligned with the first leveling portion, wherein the second leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
63. The device of claim 62, wherein the elongated member has a third leveling portion coaligned with the first leveling portion, wherein the third leveling portion is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the third leveling portion extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide.
64. The device of claim 58, wherein the elongated member is a first elongated member, wherein the bar hosts a second elongated member between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second elongated member extends along the plane as the object is marked or pierced at the first side through the guide, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are spaced apart from each other and coaligned with each other.
65. The device of claim 64, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
66. The device of claim 64, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
67. The device of claim 64, wherein the first elongated member has a first section and a second section, wherein the second elongated member has a third section and a fourth section, wherein the first section is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second section is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the third section is enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the fourth section is not enclosed by the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion.
68. The device of claim 64, wherein the first elongated member or the second elongated member is monolithic with the bar.
69. The device of claim 58, wherein the elongated member is monolithic with the bar.
70. The device of claim 58, wherein the plane is a first plane, wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a second plane, wherein the second plane intersects thebar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first plane intersects the second plane.71 . The device of claim 70, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.
72. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object is an animate object.
73. The device of claim 72, wherein the animate object is an organ.
74. The device of claim 73, wherein the organ is an ear.
75. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object is an inanimate object.
76. The device of claim 75, wherein the object is a showcase object.
77. The device of claim 76, wherein the showcase object is an artificial ear.
78. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is moved relative to the object, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion.
79. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object is moved relative to the bar, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion.
80. The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a plane, wherein the plane intersects the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the guide is parallel to the plane.81 . The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide extends from the first end portion along a plane, wherein the plane intersects the bar between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the guide is inclined towards the plane.
82. The device of claim 81 , wherein the guide is inclined towards the plane at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees.
83. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object is pierceable where marked through the guide from the first side to the second side.
84. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object is pierceable where marked through the guide from the second side to the first side.
85. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object can be positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion in the gap, such that the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion and the second side can be marked by the tip through the guide as the object extends in the gap, such that the object is pierceable between the first side and the second side.
86. The device of claim 85, wherein the first side is marked through the guide before the second side.
87. The device of claim 85, wherein the first side is marked through the guide after the second side.
88. The device of claim 85, wherein the object is pierceable from the first side to the second side through the guide.
89. The device of claim 85, wherein the object is pierceable from the second side to the first side through the guide.
90. The device of claim 85, wherein the second side is marked through the guide before the object is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion.
91. The device of claim 85, wherein the second side is marked through the guide after the object is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion.
92. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is manually bendable without usage of any hand tools, such that the gap can be widened or narrowed.
93. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar or the guide includes a material containing a metal or an alloy.
94. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar or the guide includes a material containing a plastic or a rubber.
95. The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide is laterally angled relative to the first end portion.
96. The device of claim 51 , wherein the object hosts an item thereon, wherein the bar or the guide avoid interfering with the item as the bar encloses the object along the first side and the second side between the first end portion and the second end portion or the object is pierced or marked at the first side.
97. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is solid between the first end portion and the second end portion.
98. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is perforated between the first end portion and the second end portion.
99. The device of claim 51 , wherein the gap has a first width, wherein the object has a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, such that the object is freely insertable into the gap and out of the gap.
100. The device of claim 51 , wherein the gap has a first width, wherein the object has a second width, wherein the first width is equal to or less than the second width, such that the object is forcibly insertable into the gap and out of the gap.101 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is longitudinally continuous as the object is pierced or marked at the first side through the guide.
102. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is longitudinally discontinuous as the object is pierced or marked at the first side through the guide.
103. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is monolithic.
104. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bar is assembled.
105. The method of claim 104, wherein the bar includes a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece has the first end portion, wherein the second piece has the second end portion.
106. The method of claim 105, wherein the bar includes a hinge coupled to the first piece and the second piece.
107. The method of claim 105, wherein the bar includes a pivot coupled to the first piece and the second piece.
108. The method of claim 105, wherein the first piece extends from a first arm, wherein the second piece extends from a second arm.
109. The method of claim 108, wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to each other via a pivot.1 10. The method of claim 108, wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to each other at a single point.1 11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide tails away from the bar by extending from the first end portion.1 12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first end portion defines the guide.1 13. The device of claim 51 wherein the bar is longitudinally discontinuous as the object is pierced or marked at the first side through the guide.1 14. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is monolithic.1 15. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is assembled.1 16. The device of claim 1 15, wherein the bar includes a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece has the first end portion, wherein the second piece has the second end portion.1 17. The device of claim 1 16, wherein the bar includes a hinge coupled to the first piece and the second piece.1 18. The device of claim 116, wherein the bar includes a pivot coupled to the first piece and the second piece.1 19. The device of claim 1 16, wherein the first piece extends from a first arm, wherein the second piece extends from a second arm.
120. The device of claim 119, wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to each other via a pivot.
121. The device of claim 119, wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to each other at a single point.
122. The device of claim 51 , wherein the guide tails away from the bar by extending from the first end portion.
123. The device of claim 51 , wherein the first end portion defines the guide.
124. The device of claim 51 , wherein the bar is longitudinally continuous as the object is pierced or marked at the first side through the guide.
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