GB2074841A - Earrings - Google Patents

Abstract

A screw stud fitting earring has a decorative portion 1 mounted on a threaded stem 2. In assembly, the threaded stem 2 is passed through a guide ring 7 of a retaining member 6 and is screwed into a threaded ring 9 of the retaining member 6. The ring 9 is secured to the guide ring 7 by two wings 10. The provision of the guide ring 7 facilitates assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Earrings This invention relates to a screw stud fitting earring.

It is known to provide a screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem intended to pass through a hole formed in the ear. The threaded stem screws into a threaded retaining member and the wearer rotates the retaining member into which the stem is screwed in relation to the decorative portion with its stem until the lobe of the ear is caught firmly between the decorative portion and the retaining member. The retaining member may be in the form of a ring provided with wings to facilitate rotation of the retaining member whilst holding the decorative portion stili. The decorative portion may be a jewel mounted in a setting or any other decorative element.In practice, it is difficult for the wearer to insert the threaded stem into the threaded retaining member without damaging the thread, either of the stem or of the retaining member, or without the aid of someone else.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved screw stud fitting earring, in which the stated problem is alleviated.

According to this invention there is provided a screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem and a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a guide portion and a retaining portion, the guide portion having an aperture having a diameter slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of the threaded stem, the threaded portion having a threaded aperture in register with the aperture of the guide portion and into which the stem can be screwed and being connected to the guide portion.

Preferably, the retaining portion of the retaining member is connected to the guide portion by wings which also facilitate rotation of the retaining member.

In use, the wearer inserts the stem through a hole in his or her ear and inserts the threaded stem through the aperture in the guide portion and engages the thread of the aperture in the retaining portion. Rotation of the retaining member is then carried out until the lobe of the ear is firmly clamped between the guide portion of the retaining member and the decorative portion.

The provision of the guide portion facilitates insertion of the threaded stem into the threaded aperture of the retaining portion and makes it less likely that the wearer will damage the thread.

Further, the provision of the guide portion means that the ear lobe is accommodated between the guide portion and the decorative portion and consequently it is possible to ensure that, on tightening, even the thinnest ear lobe will be adequately clamped between the guide portion and the decorative portion.

The part of the stem nearest to the decorative portion is preferably not threaded and preferably carries a hallmark.

A screw stud fitting earring in accordance with this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a side elevation, partly in section, of the earring.

Referring to the drawing, the earring has a decorative portion generally indicated at 1 to which a threaded stem 2 is secured. The decorative portion 1 is illustrated as consisting of a base 3 which carries a jewel setting 4 in which a jewel 5 is secured. The portion 5 of the threaded stem 2 adjacent to the base 3 is left unthreaded and may carry a hallmark.

A retaining member generally indicated at 6 has a guide ring 7, the aperture 8 of which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the threaded stem 15, and also has a retaining ring 9 into which the threaded stem 2 can be screwed.

The retaining ring 9 is rigidly secured to the guide ring 7 in this instance by two wings 10.

The distance between the face of the retaining ring 9 facing the guide ring 7 and the face of the guide ring 7 facing away from the retaining ring 9 is approximately 3 mm. This distance is sufficiently large to ensure that the provision of the guide ring 7 permits ready engagement of the thread of the retaining ring 9 by the thread of the stem 2. Although there is no legal requirement for a single gold earring below 1 gram in weight to carry a hallmark, nevertheless, due to the design feature making the distance bewteen faces of the guide ring 7 and the retaining ring 9 approximately equal to the length of the unthreaded portion 5, halimarking is possible. This facility also enables any thickness of earlobe to be accommodated by the earring which can be considered on easy screw stud fitting earrings.

1. A screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem and a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a guide portion and a retaining portion, the guide portion having an aperture having a diameter slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of the threaded stem, the threaded portion having a threaded aperture in register with the aperture of the guide portion and into which the stem can be screwed and being connected to the guide portion.

2. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining portion of the retaining member is connected to the guide portion by wings which facilitate rotation of the retaining member.

3. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the guide and retaining portions are in the form of rings.

4. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the part of the stem nearest to the decorative portion is not threaded.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Earrings This invention relates to a screw stud fitting earring. It is known to provide a screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem intended to pass through a hole formed in the ear. The threaded stem screws into a threaded retaining member and the wearer rotates the retaining member into which the stem is screwed in relation to the decorative portion with its stem until the lobe of the ear is caught firmly between the decorative portion and the retaining member. The retaining member may be in the form of a ring provided with wings to facilitate rotation of the retaining member whilst holding the decorative portion stili. The decorative portion may be a jewel mounted in a setting or any other decorative element.In practice, it is difficult for the wearer to insert the threaded stem into the threaded retaining member without damaging the thread, either of the stem or of the retaining member, or without the aid of someone else. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved screw stud fitting earring, in which the stated problem is alleviated. According to this invention there is provided a screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem and a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a guide portion and a retaining portion, the guide portion having an aperture having a diameter slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of the threaded stem, the threaded portion having a threaded aperture in register with the aperture of the guide portion and into which the stem can be screwed and being connected to the guide portion. Preferably, the retaining portion of the retaining member is connected to the guide portion by wings which also facilitate rotation of the retaining member. In use, the wearer inserts the stem through a hole in his or her ear and inserts the threaded stem through the aperture in the guide portion and engages the thread of the aperture in the retaining portion. Rotation of the retaining member is then carried out until the lobe of the ear is firmly clamped between the guide portion of the retaining member and the decorative portion. The provision of the guide portion facilitates insertion of the threaded stem into the threaded aperture of the retaining portion and makes it less likely that the wearer will damage the thread. Further, the provision of the guide portion means that the ear lobe is accommodated between the guide portion and the decorative portion and consequently it is possible to ensure that, on tightening, even the thinnest ear lobe will be adequately clamped between the guide portion and the decorative portion. The part of the stem nearest to the decorative portion is preferably not threaded and preferably carries a hallmark. A screw stud fitting earring in accordance with this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a side elevation, partly in section, of the earring. Referring to the drawing, the earring has a decorative portion generally indicated at 1 to which a threaded stem 2 is secured. The decorative portion 1 is illustrated as consisting of a base 3 which carries a jewel setting 4 in which a jewel 5 is secured. The portion 5 of the threaded stem 2 adjacent to the base 3 is left unthreaded and may carry a hallmark. A retaining member generally indicated at 6 has a guide ring 7, the aperture 8 of which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the threaded stem 15, and also has a retaining ring 9 into which the threaded stem 2 can be screwed. The retaining ring 9 is rigidly secured to the guide ring 7 in this instance by two wings 10. The distance between the face of the retaining ring 9 facing the guide ring 7 and the face of the guide ring 7 facing away from the retaining ring 9 is approximately 3 mm. This distance is sufficiently large to ensure that the provision of the guide ring 7 permits ready engagement of the thread of the retaining ring 9 by the thread of the stem 2. Although there is no legal requirement for a single gold earring below 1 gram in weight to carry a hallmark, nevertheless, due to the design feature making the distance bewteen faces of the guide ring 7 and the retaining ring 9 approximately equal to the length of the unthreaded portion 5, halimarking is possible. This facility also enables any thickness of earlobe to be accommodated by the earring which can be considered on easy screw stud fitting earrings. CLAIMS

1. A screw stud fitting earring comprising a decorative portion mounted on a threaded stem and a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a guide portion and a retaining portion, the guide portion having an aperture having a diameter slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of the threaded stem, the threaded portion having a threaded aperture in register with the aperture of the guide portion and into which the stem can be screwed and being connected to the guide portion.

2. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining portion of the retaining member is connected to the guide portion by wings which facilitate rotation of the retaining member.

3. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the guide and retaining portions are in the form of rings.

4. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the part of the stem nearest to the decorative portion is not threaded.

5. A screw stud fitting earring as claimed in claim 4, wherein the part of the stem nearest to the decorative portion carries a hallmark.

6. A screw stud fitting earring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.