The present invention relates generally to jewelry and more particularly to a pierced earlobe protector for location in a hole pierced through an earlobe or the like. The earlobe protector comprises a liner or tube disposable in the hole pierced through the tissue. The tube is positioned between the inner surface of the hole through the tissue and the stem or post of an earring for preventing the earring from irritating the tissue.

Background of the Invention

Common problems associated with the use of jewelry for pierced ears include the possibility of allergic response, adverse tissue reaction, trauma and/or infection. Most persons with pierced ears will suffer from some infection or trauma of the sensitive tissues of the earlobe at some time or other.

Many persons who suffer such adverse effects are forced to discontinue the wearing of earrings until the reaction or the infection subsides. Indeed many people are unable to wear earrings or are restricted to wearing only certain styles of earrings or earrings constructed from certain metals.

Such problems have been exacerbated in recent times with the increasing popularity, among both men and women, of having ears pierced for so-called fashion or costume jewelry. Such jewelry is usually made from relatively cheap materials.

In the case of irritation, adverse reaction or infection of the earlobe, it is usual to at least

te porarily refrain from wearing jewelry for the ears. This introduces a further problem in that during the period of non-use there is a tendency for the pierced hole to close or atrophy if not kept in continuous use, making subsequent insertion of earrings either impossible or painful.

Most persons with pierced ears wear studs or sleepers at night to maintain the integrity or continuity of the pierced hole, as there is the strong possibility that it may well close or atrophy - as part of the body's natural healing processes - if not kept in continuous use.

Further, because of the dangers and real possibility of cross-infection (including AIDS), there are either voluntary restrictions by retailers, or legislative restrictions by government authorities to prevent the practice of "trying on" of earrings before purchase at the retail point of sale. Thus, the intended purchaser is required merely to hold the jewelry up to the ear - but not to attach it thereto - in order to ascertain some idea of how it would appear when worn.

U.S. Patent No. 161,853 (Baker) discloses an earring guard, or earlobe hole reinforcement, consisting of a pair of telescoping, flanged hollow tubes adapted to fit into a hole through an earlobe. Such an arrangement, however, is of necessity bulky, the insertion of which into a hole pierced in the earlobe can be traumatic and painful.

U.S. Patent No. 113,031 (Edge) discloses a device for piercing and permanently lining an earlobe, with a soft metal tube which is "upset" or flared at each end to retain it in position in the earlobe. This has the disadvantage that such permanence is undesirable because of possible tissue reaction or infection during periods of extended use. Regular rotation of the tube, and removal for cleaning, are desirable. Further, the insertion of this device requires the assistance of an ear-piercing

technician; its removal may require the assistance of a medical practitioner or even a surgeon.

U.S. Patent No. 2713,863 (Henderson) discloses an earring incorporating ear-piercing means. The device comprises, in combination, an ear ornament, an ear^-piercing prong or stem carried by the ornament, and an outer detachable sheath or tube about the stem. The stem is pierced through the earlobe with the tube being retained in an embedded position in the earlobe upon withdrawal of the ornament and stem from the ear. The stem is provided with a threaded tip to receive a nut to retain the stemmed earring in position in the ear. Use of this device would cause considerable trauma to the earlobe and also has the disadvantage that the tube or liner is intended as a permanent fixture through the earlobe, which is undesirable.

U.S. Patent No. 4, 067,341 (Ivey) discloses an earring assembly comprising an earlobe protector in the form of a hollow tube component fabricated from a hypo-allergenic flexible plastic material (the example given is latex) which is functionally held on the earring stem or post such that the assembly must be inserted and removed, as an integral whole, in or from the pierced lobe in one single step. This has the disadvantage that each earring requires its own tube liner, and the potential for irritation, trauma or infection from frequent insertion into, or removal from, the pierced earlobe.

Australian Patent No. 567,640 (Kingsbury) discloses an article of jewelry for location in a hole pierced through an earlobe as an earlobe protector incorporation integral means which may be flared out after insertion through the earlobe to act as retaining means to hold the earlobe protector in position in the earlobe. This device is relatively complex and cumbersome and is not readily

adapted for regular insertion and removal from the earlobe for cleaning.

International Application No. PCT/AU88/00051 (Mintorn) - assigned to the present Applicant - corresponding to U.S. Serial No. 442,350 (U.S. National Phase Application, now abandoned) discloses a sleeve or cannula type of earlobe protector fabricated from an inert material, and having retaining means removably attachable to one end of its tubular body portion to facilitate retention of the sleeve or cannula in the earlobe, the retaining means being a spring ring incorporating means intended to engage the stem or post of the fitted earring to facilitate retention of the earring in the earlobe protector. In practice, the retaining means proved to be complex and expensive to manufacture and inadequate for its intended purpose - usually failing after one or two applications.

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The earring holder of the present invention is disposable in a hole pierced through the tissue of an earlobe or the like. It comprises a liner or tube disposable in the hole such that it is positioned between the inner surface of the hole and the post or stem of an earring or the like. It thus prevents the earring from irritating the tissue of the pierced earlobe. A retaining nut is utilized to secure the liner in position within the hole of the earlobe. The liner is fabricated from an inert material such as a plastic or high-grade metal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of jewelry which will serve as a protector for pierced earlobes and which at least minimizes some of the disadvantages referred to above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide protection for the tissues of pierced earlobes by prevention of contact with a post of an earring.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protector for pierced earlobes which includes means to retain the earrings in position that can be used with existing earrings. These and other objects are achieved by providing an article of jewelry comprising a sleeve, cannula, liner or tube fabricated from an inert material, adapted to be disposed in a hole pierced through an earlobe, said tube including a tubular body portion having a central bore extending axially therethrough, an annular flange at one end of said tubular body portion, and retaining means or nut removably attachable to the other end of said tubular body portion to facilitate retention of the sleeve or cannula in the earlobe, whereby adverse tissue reaction due to contact with a post of an earring or other item of jewelry is eliminated or, at least, substantially reduced. The removable retaining means comprises a first portion removably attachable to the other end of said tubular body portion, and a second portion associated with said first portion including means adapted to engage and to be removably attachable to the post of an earring or other item of jewelry which is inserted through said sleeve or cannula, and to thereby retain said earring or other item of jewelry in a required position in relation to the sleeve or cannula.

An extended nut flange or support washer may be disposed at the rear surface of the ear to provide increased support when heavy earrings are worn. The extended nut flange or support washer may be either permanently or detachably attached to the nut. Alternatively, it may not be attached to the nut, but rather merely disposed about the tube.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These, together with other objects and advantages of the invention, which will subsequently become apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the tube and associated retaining nut according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a further elevational view of the tube and associated retaining nut of Figure 1 illustrating a sectional view of the retaining nut;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the tube and associated retaining nut of Figure 1, including a post or closed-stem earring, assembled as intended to be worn;

Figure 4 shows a variation of the tube of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates a further variation of the tube of Figure 1;

Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the retaining means attachable to the tube with associated "butterfly" clip means for gripping and retaining the stem or post of an earring;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of an associated retaining nut, also illustrating the use of a washer; and Figure 8 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the tube and associated retaining nut wherein the retaining nut has an extended flange.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequence of steps

for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

As seen in Figures 1-8, inclusive, a sleeve, cannula, liner or tube in accordance with the illustrated embodiments of the present invention comprises a tubular portion 1 generally of circular cross-section and adapted to be disposed in a hole pierced through the tissue of an earlobe or the like. Tube 1 is fabricated from a biologically inert material such as inert plastics or high- grade metals. Suitable high-grade metals include, for example, surgical steel (which may be gold plated), gold, platinum, titanium, zirconium, niobium and white gold (i.e., alloys of gold and platinum or gold and palladium). As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, one end of the tubular body portion 1 is flared or machined to provide a generally annular or circular flange 2, adjacent said end. The outer surface 3 of the flange is concave or dished (countersunk) to accommodate the joint (e.j. solder spot) 4 where the stud post 5 joins the decorative motif 6 allowing the stud motif to sit flush against the flange 2. The flange 7 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 has an outer surface 8, which is domed or convex. This is suitable for use with closed stem earrings which do not have a prominent or raised joint between the post and the motif, e.g. where the post is set into a hole drilled into the motif. The cannula illustrated in Figure 4 is also suitable for use with soft-wire hook earrings, such as are found on drop earrings, wherein the hook is suitably molded or bent to be directly attached to and inserted through the cannula.

The embodiment of the cannula illustrated in Figure 5 has an enlarged flange 9, the purpose of which is to provide increased protection against contact with the material on the back of the motif of the earring. This embodiment is especially suitable for persons who are extremely sensitive to contact with non-inert or lesser quality materials used in some jewelry articles.

Through tube 1 of the cannula, there extends a longitudinal bore 10 (shown in broken outline in Figures 2 , 4 and 5) through which is removably insertable a stud post or pin 5 of an earring. On the end of the cannula remote from the flanges 2, 7, 9 is formed screw threaded 11, which is adapted to mate with a corresponding screw-threaded portion 12 of retaining nut 13. In order to limit the outer diameter of the cannula tube 1, the screw thread 11 used on the outer surface of the tube is preferably a metric diameter/metric pitch hybrid at a major diameter of about 1.3 mm (0.051 inches), with a metric pitch of about 0.25 mm. To ensure comfort for the wearer, the end of the screw- hreaded portion 12 is preferably rounded. This facilitates ease of insertion through the hold pierced in the earlobe.

In an alternative embodiment, the screw threaded portion 11, is replaced by corrugations (not illustrated) whereby the retaining nut 13 is frictionally but removably fitted over the corrugated portion of the cannula.

The face 14 of the retaining nut 13 abuts the back surface of the earlobe. The body of the nut 13 contains a cavity 15 which houses a resilient material 16, such as neoprene retained in position by a washer 17 at the rear or outer end of the nut. The neoprene material has a narrow channel 18 therethrough which is adapted to frictionally engage and retain the post 5 of an earring inserted into the cannula, while at the same time providing for simple

removal and interchange of earrings according to the requirements of the wearer.

The nut 17 can be staked and placed within the nut 13 by bending at least a portion of the distal end of the nut 13 over the washer 17. Alternatively, threads may be formed upon the outer diameter of the washer 17 and complimentary threads formed upon the inner diameter of the nut 13 such that the washer 17 may be screwed thereinto. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various other means for securing the washer 17 within the nut 13 are likewise suitable.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention with an alternative form of retaining means having a nut 19 internally threaded 12 and adapted to threadably engage the threaded portion 11 of the cannula tube 1. A butterfly clip 20 is soldered to the nut 19 as at 21. The spring rings of the butterfly clip 20 are adapted to engage and releasably retain the post or stem 5 of the earring inserted into the cannula tube 1. Where heavy earrings are worn, some users may find it useful to include support washers (not illustrated) against the rear surface of the ear between the end of the cannula and the face 14 of the retaining nut 13. Such washers are preferably manufactured from inert or hypo-allergenic plastic materials.

In use, the cannula tube 1 is inserted through a hole which has been pierced through an earlobe or other body portion. To facilitate insertion, the cannula is provided with a stemmed applicator with a rounded or "bullet" nose which is first inserted through the cannula and protrudes therefrom. The applicator, with the cannula threaded thereon, is inserted into and through the hole in the earlobe, facilitated by the rounded nose and smaller diameter of the applicator. Some wearers may find it convenient to use a closed stem earring as an applicator,

with the end of the post 5 extending beyond the threaded end 11 of the cannula tube 1 assisting the passage of the cannula through the earlobe.

With the cannula disposed in the hole in the earlobe, and the applicator extending from the rear end thereof, attachment of the nut 13 to the threaded portion 11 of the cannula is facilitated by threading the nut over the end of the applicator and up to the end of the cannula.

The cannula earlobe protector of the present invention is intended for long-term wearing by the user, during which time the protector fulfills the function of a conventional "sleeper" earring at night time. Although suitable for long-term wear, removal of the protector for cleaning is recommended after several weeks of continuous wear. Of course this will vary from one wearer to another.

Figure 7 shows the addition of a washer 30 about the cannula or tube 1 to provide added support when heavy earrings are worn. The washer 30 is disposed intermediate the rear or inner surface of the ear and the nut 13 such that an increased amount of the ear's surface area is utilized for support. The cannula or tube 1 passes through aperture 32 in the washer 30 and then into the nut 13.

Alternatively, an extended flange 34, preferably comprised of plastic, may be disposed about the nut 13, preferably comprised of titanium. A male detent 38 formed upon the inner surface of the extended flange 34 is preferably received within a complimentary female detent 36 formed upon the outer periphery of the nut 13. The extended flange 34 may be snapped into place or applied to the nut 13 by either the manufacturer or end user. A variety of sizes or outer diameters of extended flange 34 may be supplied. Alternatively, the extended flange 34 may be molded to the nut 13 such that an integral unit is formed. Those skilled in the art will recongize that

various means for forming or attaching an extended flange 34 to the nut 13 are likewise suitable.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the cannula protector are naturally dictated by the size and shape of the human ear or other body part, and in this regard, the following dimensions may be regarded as being typical:

Overall length of the cannula tube - about 5.1 mm to 7.37 mm (0.200 to 0.290 inches). Outside diameter of cannula tube - about 1.3 mm

(0.052 inches) .

Bore of tubular portion - about 0.86 mm (0.034 inches) .

Largest diameter of nut 13 (less flange) - about 5.2 mm (0.204 inches).

Diameter of flange (Figures 1-3) - about 3.8 mm (0.150 inches). Diameter of flange (Figure 5) - up to about 12.7 mm (0.50 inches).

Diameter of washer 30 (Figure 7) or extended flange 34 (Figure 8) 12.7 mm (0.500 inches).

From the above it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is understood that the exemplary earring holder described herein and shown in the drawings represents only presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Indeed, various modifications and additions may be made to such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various detent means may be utilized in place of threads to attach the nut to the tube.

Additionally, the nut, tube, and flange need not be generally circular in cross-section, but rather may be of various other shapes. Thus, these and other modifications and additions may be obvious to those skilled in the art

and may be implemented to adapt the present invention for use in a variety of different applications.