Pierced Earring Locking System with Pivot Bar and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pierced earring holding systems require uncomfortable and unnatural manipulative movements for insertion and often suffer from locking mechanism failures, leading to potential earring loss due to slippage or improper engagement.
Innovation Solution
A pierced earring holding system featuring a shaft with pivotally engaged locking bar and a spring or interlocking surface projections that impedes the locking bar's movement between locked and unlocked configurations, ensuring secure retention without requiring excessive user dexterity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded locking nut system is used, then secure engagement is achieved, but fabrication difficulty and expense increase, and user assembly becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The earring shaft is divided into two functional segments: a smooth elongated shaft for insertion and a separate locking nut with a non-circular inner bore for secure engagement. This segmentation eliminates the need for threading while maintaining reliability and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external threading on the shaft, the patent inverts the approach by placing the engagement feature on the locking nut itself through a non-circular inner bore that matches a corresponding feature on the shaft, reversing where the complexity resides.
2Ease of manufacture
If a slidable lock nut is used, then threaded construction is eliminated, but the locking mechanism wears over time causing slippage and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the wear problem by moving the engagement feature from the shaft to the locking nut's inner bore. The non-circular geometry creates positive mechanical engagement that resists wear and slippage, eliminating the gradual degradation seen in slidable lock nuts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking nut employs asymmetric non-circular geometry in its inner bore that corresponds to an asymmetric feature on the shaft. This asymmetric engagement prevents rotation and slippage while distributing wear evenly, solving the durability issue of conventional slidable locks.
3Device complexity
If a convoluted shaft design is used, then locking functionality is integrated, but user manipulation becomes difficult and dexterity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the insertion function (smooth shaft) from the locking function (locking nut with non-circular bore), allowing each component to be optimized independently. This segmentation maintains integrated functionality while dramatically simplifying user manipulation during insertion and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking nut is designed to be dynamically adjustable by the user, allowing easy engagement and disengagement through simple rotational movement. The non-circular bore provides tactile feedback and mechanical stops that guide the user through the locking process without requiring complex manipulation.
4Reliability
If a threaded shaft system is used, then secure mounting is achieved, but assembly time and user skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shaft into a smooth insertion portion and a separate locking nut with pre-formed non-circular engagement features, the patent eliminates time-consuming threading operations. The locking nut can be quickly engaged and secured without requiring precise rotational alignment or threading expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-circular engagement features are pre-formed during manufacturing, eliminating the need for现场 threading or complex assembly steps. The user simply needs to insert the shaft and rotate the pre-designed locking nut into its secured position, dramatically reducing assembly time and skill requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for easy and secure earring attachment and detachment without the risk of locking mechanism failure, providing a stable and comfortable wearing experience by preventing unwanted detachment and ensuring the earring remains securely locked.
Implementation Method 1
a spring or interlocking surface projections that impedes the locking bar's movement between locked and unlocked configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A pierced earring holding and locking system is provided that securely retains the locking system in both locked and unlocked configurations by providing an engagement mechanism in the body of the locking system, such as a spring or interlocking surface projections and depressions. The body of the locking system may include a shaft, arms extending from the shaft, and a recess formed between the arms. A locking bar is pivotally engaged with the body section and movable between a first position with the locking bar substantially parallel to the shaft, and a second position with the locking bar substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The body section further may include a spring biased towards the locking bar, the spring being compressed by the locking bar when the locking bar is in the first position.