Indian Patents. 233044:AN EARRING NUT AND AN APPARATUS FOR PIERCING AN EAR .

Title of Invention	AN EARRING NUT AND AN APPARATUS FOR PIERCING AN EAR .
Abstract	An earring nut, comprises: a front plate (11) having a hole to receive a stud post (1); and a shield (13) aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer.

Full Text	BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an earring nut for ear-piercing devices and, also to an apparatus for piercing an ear incorporating the earring nut as well as an ear- piercing cartridge and stud gun system with a stackable packing box for the cartridge. The present invention has been divided out of Indian patent application No. IN/PCT/2002/00682. 2. Description of the Related Art Ear piercing, an increasingly commonplace fashion statement, is rapidly becoming a routine procedure, often performed by laypersons without medical experience or training. Today a number of manually operated devices that allow for the safe, hygienic, user-friendly piercing of ears are available. Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,343 issued to Reil on March 5, 1996, Application Ser. No. 292,249 filed August 18, 1994, U.S. Patent No. 5,792,170 issued to Reil on August 11, 1998, Application Ser. No. 754,411 filed November 21,1996, and U.S. Patent No. 5,868,774 ("the '774 Patent") issued to Reil on February 9, 1999,' Application Ser. No. 008,763 filed January 19, 1998, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The various ear-piercing systems that exist today essentially comprise a stud (also called an earring or a piercing earring) with a post (also called a pin or a piercing pin) and a nut (sometimes called a clasp or an earring clasp) that are mounted in an earring cartridge. During the ear piercing process, the ear is placed between the post and the nut and the cartridge is squeezed, either manually or by placing it in a stud gun, which causes the post to pierce the ear and engage the nut. From a fashion standpoint, one of the most desirable earring designs is in the form of a hoop but, heretofore, hoop earrings have not been commonly used with ear-piercing systems. By and large, the studs in use today have designs that are symmetrical about the post. A primitive hoop earring ear-piercing system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,004,471 ("the '471 Patent") but the disclosed design is not a fully closeable hoop thereby creating an unsightly design. The stud post (or piercing pin) is engaged by the nut (or clasp), leaving the hoop open. This is because the stud post is rigidly attached to the hoop of the stud, which implies that the hoop cannot be rotated to engage the piercing pin. Further, the open end of the hoop is not adapted to engage the piercing pin (or stud). Apart from its untoward appearance, the design disclosed in the '471 Patent also poses a danger of scratching and injury to the wearer because of the open end of the hoop. Therefore, there exists a need today for a hoop earring that is fully closeable. Additionally, the existing designs for earring nuts (or clasps) are such that the open end of the stud post sticks out of the nut after the stud post is engaged by the nut. This presents a potential for injury to the wearer of the earring because the open end of the stud post can scratch the wearer's neck behind the ear. Therefore, there is a need for an improved earring nut that will remove this potential for injury. Further, the existing ear-piercing cartridges suffer from a number of drawbacks. To illustrate these drawbacks, consider the 774 Patent, which represents the state-of-the-art in ear-piercing design. The 774 Patent describes an ear-piercing apparatus that is comprised of an earring cartridge which holds an earring stud and an earring nut in two opposed jaws, i.e., an earring jaw and a nut jaw. The stud is held within a stud post holder assembly (also called "pierced-ear earring cartridge" in the Reil 774 Patent), which is a module that disassembles into two pieces. One of these pieces has a frangible and breakable tab at its rear. Although, the 774 Patent describes a simple, easy to use ear-piercing system, when it is used to pierce an ear, the two pieces of the stud post holder assembly may stay attached to the stud and, therefore, sometimes require manual removal from the earring. Even when the two pieces come off the stud, they fall out of the assembly, sometimes into the ear or onto the body of the subject whose ears are being pierced and at other times onto the floor. Moreover, the reliance of the 774 Patent on the frangible tab has design limitations. First, the breaking of the tab causes an unwanted noise that is often a source of distress or concern for the customer. Second, the use of the frangible tab leads to only discrete control over the ear-piercing process. In the invention of the 774 Patent, when the earring assembly is squeezed, either holding it in a hand or mounted in an ear-piercing gun, the presence of the frangible tab implies that once the earring assembly is squeezed to the point of breaking the tab, the ear is pierced automatically. Thus, it prevents continuous control of the exact location and timing of the ear-piercing process. Because of the lack of continuous control over the location and timing of the ear-piercing process, the technician who is piercing the ear has to use guesswork to line the stud post with the desired piercing area. This causes him to sometimes miss the exact spot that he wanted to pierce. Additionally, the ear-piercing system of the 774 Patent and its predecessors have not been designed for use with the novel hinged hoop earrings described above. Finally, the 774 Patent discloses a sterilizable blister pack for storing and transporting the earring cartridge. While such a packing is a convenient, effective sterilizable packing for the cartridge, it does not provide rigid, vertical stackable storage for earring cartridges. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a freely rotatable hinged hoop earring ear-piercing system that is closeable. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more effective means by which ears may be pierced. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide an ear-piercing system in which the stud holding module separates from the stud cleanly after the ear is pierced. Further, the present invention provides a system whereby the components of the stud holder module remain within the earring cartridge after an ear is pierced. This eliminates the possibility of the module components falling into the ear or body of the subject being pierced or onto the floor, forcing the ear piercer to look for them following the ear piercing operation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a higher level of accuracy for ear-piercing by means that are more controllable and more expertly handled by persons without the requirement of a high degree of training. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide an ear-piercing system that can be finely controlled by the ear-piercer whereby the ear-piercer need not commit to piercing an ear until he is certain of piercing the precise spot that he wants to. Additionally, the invention seeks to provide a safe earring nut for use with traditional style ear-piercing earrings that protects the wearer from being scratched by the open end of the stud post. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ear-piercing methodology that creates, protects and maintains sterile ear-piercing instruments prior to the actual piercing. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide sterilizable and sterile means by which the disposable, one-use, ear- piercing cartridges may be transported and stored in a sterile condition until ready for use. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sterilizable and sterile stackable packing boxes that facilitates engagement and disengagement of an earring cartridge with a stud gun and which earring cartridge is resistant to reuse to ensure that the same is not reused. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hand-held stud gun that can engage the earring cartridge of the invention to better control the cartridge during the ear-piercing process. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-said problems, representing a quantum improvement in the design and operation of ear-piercing systems. The present invention provides an earring nut, comprising : a front plate having a hole to receive a stud post; and a shield aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer; wherein the intervening surface of the shield comprises extensions from the front plate, the extensions being curved back from the front plate and having overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a second extension end comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the second extension end when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of the stud post and the extensions are springless elements forming a substantially stable structure when the intervening surface of the second extension end is contacted by the open end of the stud post. This invention thus provides an improved earring nut for use with the traditional ear-piercing earring. The improved nut design also ensures correct spacing between the head of the stud and the nut, preventing the nut from traveling too far down the stud post and squeezing the pierced area, which can inhibit healing. This invention also provides an improved hoop ear-piercing earring design that is fully closeable and that is hinged to allow for free rotation of the hoop. Application No. IN/PCT/2002/00687 discloses an ingenious earring cartridge system that can be adapted for use with hinged hoop earrings of the present invention as well as with traditional symmetrical ear piercing earrings and that provides for complete and instantaneous release of the cartridge assembly from the stud and nut once the ear is pierced. Additionally,the earring cartridge allows the technician to exercise continuous control over the ear-piercing process, thereby allowing him to align the stud post and the location to be pierced right up to the point of piercing. This leads to greatly increased accuracy of the ear-piercing process as compared to the prior art. Said application No. IN/PCT/2002/00687 also discloses an earring cartridge and stud gun system for providing sterile ear piercing comprising an earring cartridge carrying a stud having a post in a stud post holder assembly and a nut in slidably aligned, spaced apart, and oppositely opposed placement so that an ear part may be placed between the post and the nut for piercing wherein a torque-like force is produced on the stud post holder assembly causing the assembly to rotatably open after the earring cartridge is compressed to bring the stud towards the nut for engaging the post with the nut. The rotatable opening of the stud post holder assembly facilitates the disengagement of the assembly from the earring stud after the stud has connected to the nut, eliminating the need to touch the ears of the customer to confirm the stud-nut connection or to remove the assembly after the ear piercing is completed. In a preferred embodiment, the earring cartridge comprises a nut jaw for holding the nut and an earring jaw for holding the stud post holder assembly, which carries the stud. The assembly is in two halves with each half having a front stud head adaptor, a main body and an L-shaped terminal member having a base and a leg. The terminal members ride in intermediate channels in the earring jaw and when the earring cartridge is squeezed the main body of the post holder assembly moves relative to the flexible tang, engaging it, and the bases of the terminal members slide over a hump juxtaposed with the tang. The invention also provides for convenient hygienic transport and storage of the cartridge in the form of a stackable packing box which contains a robust seal to maintain the cartridge in a sterile environment. If the invention is used with a stud gun, the earring cartridge is used by placement while loading within the cradle of the gun, the cradle receiving and removing the earring cartridge from the stackable packing box to provide and maintain the stud and the nut assembly in an aligned position for piercing the ear without any necessity of coming in direct contact with the sterile earring cartridge with the hands of the operator. After the ear is pierced, the stackable packing box can be used to unload the cartridge from the stud gun. Thus, the packing box allows the operator to load and unload the cartridge from the stud gun without touching the cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Referring now to these drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: FIGs. 1A and 1B present open and closed front views of the hinged hoop earring and FIGs 1C and 1D show the end views of the earring of FIGs 1B and 1A respectively ; FIGs. 2A and 2B present two elevational views of the safety clasp of the invention ; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ear-piercing system of the present invention ; FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of the ear-piercing cartridge ; FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of nut jaw ; FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of the earring jaw with the stud post holder assembly; FIG. 5B is a front cross-sectional view of the earring jaw and stud post holder assembly; FIG. 6A presents a top view of the earring cartridge as the stud is being driven toward the clutch; FIG. 6B shows the stud engaged with the clutch; FIG. 6C shows the sequential action of the stud post holder assembly opening up to release the stud; FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a stud gun; FIG. 8 is a three dimensional view of a stud gun loaded with an earring cartridge; FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of an earring cartridge inside a stackable packing box; FIGS. 10A and 10B are the plan and elevation views of the packing box lid; FIGS. 11A and 11B are the plan and elevation views of the packing box bottom; and FIGS. 12A and 12B show two alignments of a hinged hoop earring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Generally, the figures show the construction and operation of the ear- piercing system of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1A, the hinged hoop earring of the present invention is comprised of a stud hoop 3 that has a first terminal 6A and a second terminal 6B. The hinged hoop earring is further comprised of stud post 1 that has a first pointed end 9 and a second end 8 that encloses a hole 5, a hinge 4 attached to the first terminal 6A of the stud hoop 3 and a latch 2 attached to the second terminal 6B of the stud hoop 3. As shown in Figure 1C, latch 2 is a V-shaped member that is adapted to receive stud post 1, which snaps into place when it is pushed into latch 2. The distance between the two arms of latch 2 is somewhat less than the diameter of stud post 1 but the arms flex when stud post 1 is pushed through them, which causes stud post 1 to snap into its resting position. The hinged hoop earring is shown in the open position in Figure 1A and in a closed position in Figure 1B. To go from the open to the closed position, latch 2 and stud post 1 are rotatably moved relative to each other around hinge 4 until stud post 1 snaps into latch 2. Figure 1C provides further details of hinge 4. Referring to Figure 1D, hinge 4 is comprised of two substantially flat vertical members 10. The second end 8 of stud post 1 is hinged between vertical members 10 by a pivot pin 7 that is received through hole 5 of the stud post 1 and attached at either end to the vertical members 10 whereby stud post 1 and stud hoop 3 are free to rotate around the axis of pivot pin 7. Referring to Figure 2 earring nut (or clasp) of the invention comprises a front plate 11 that contains a hole sizeably adapted to receive stud post 1 and a shield 13 aligned with the hole in the front plate such that shield 13 forms an intervening surface between open end 9 of stud post 1 and the earring wearer. Shield 13 comprises extensions from the front plate, the extensions curved back from the front plate and having overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a second extension end comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the second extension end when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of the stud post. The first and second extensions are springless elements forming a substantially stable structure when the intervening surface of the second extension is contacted by the open end of the stud post. The second extension end further comprises a dimple for receiving the open end 9 of the stud post 1. Shield 13 also prevents the nut from sliding along the stud post towards the ear, thereby maintaining enough distance between the nut and the ear to promote healing. The earring nut is for use with traditional ear-piercing earrings. Referring to Figures 3-8, the earring-cartridge-and-stud gun system of the present invention is comprised of earring-cartridge stud gun 12, and earring cartridge 14 that is preferably adaptable to fit in the cradle of stud gun 12. Figure 4A depicts a vertical section through earring cartridge 14 that is loaded with a stud P and a nut N. When used with traditional-style ear-piercing earrings, nut N is generally a metallic component that may have an ornamental purpose. In this case the nut usually is left on the stud post after the ear-piercing process is completed. However, when used with hinged hoop earrings, nut N is a disposable nut usually made of a plastic material or the like. Once a subject's ear is pierced with a hinged hoop earring, the stud hoop is swung around the ear and the stud post is snapped into the latch. The disposable nut is then removed from the stud post. Initially, stud P is fitted within a stud post holder assembly 116, which is then fitted within earring cartridge 14. Earring cartridge 14 fits within cradle 74 of earring-cartridge stud gun 12 so that a person's entire hand, not just the fingers, may be used to wield and control the pierced-ear earring prior to and during the ear-piercing process. The cartridge is also provided with a plurality of ribs 180, 181 on its outside surface so that the cartridge itself maybe used without the stud gun for ear piercing, if so desired. As shown in FIG. 4A, generally, earring cartridge 14 comprises a stud post holder assembly 116 for holding stud P, an earring jaw 112 for movably carrying stud post holder assembly 116, and a nut jaw 114 for alignedly holding nut N opposite stud P, nut jaw 114 having a nut jaw extension 154 for slidably engaging nut jaw 114 with earring jaw 112. The two slidably connected portions of earring cartridge 14, nut jaw 114 and earring jaw 112, are also shown in Figures 4B and 5, respectively. Nut jaw extension 154 and stud post holder assembly 116 interact to produce a torque-like force on the stud post holder assembly 116 causing it to rotatably open after earring cartridge 14 is compressed to bring earring jaw 112 towards nut jaw 114, engaging post P with nut N. Referring to Figures 5-6, stud post holder assembly 116 for holding the stud is in two halves, 113, 115 each half comprising main body 121, 123, front stud head adaptors 117, 119 attached to the front side of the body and L-shaped terminal members with legs 125, 127 and bases 204, 205 attached to the rear side of the body 121, 123. Front stud head adaptors 117, 119 are recessed to receive, in one embodiment, the stud head or, in another embodiment, the hinge of the hinged hoop earring. Stud post holder assembly 116 may be modified to accommodate the hinged hoop earring by making a through hole 1200, 1202 in the stud post holder assembly, adaptably sized to hold a hinged hoop earring stud (FIGS. 12A and 1B, respectively). In one embodiment, when the stud post holder assembly is used with a hinged hoop earring, it may not include the front stud head adaptor. In a preferred embodiment, when the stud head adaptors are included for use with hinged hoop earrings, they are recessed to receive the hinge of the hinged hoop earring. Further, the top surface of the earring jaw can be provided with a radial cavity such that a stud post holder assembly carrying a hinged hoop can be accommodated in it. Enough room is provided so that a hinged hoop earring can be held within the stud post holder assembly such that the hoop can curve away from the stud (FIG. 12B) or, in an alternative arrangement, curve towards the stud (FIG. 12A). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, stud post holder assembly 116 fits within a top channel 201 of earring jaw 112. The body of each half of stud post holder assembly 116 is held within the top channel such that stud post holder assembly 116 can slide in and out of earring jaw 112. A bottom channel 120 within earring jaw 112 is adapted for slidably engaging nut jaw extension 154 (see Figure 5B). Bottom channel 120 with its base 152 serves as a guidance and alignment means for nut jaw extension 154. Earring jaw 112 further comprises a nut jaw retention system comprising a bottom side 152 of earring jaw 112 adjacent the bottom channel and defining an opening 155 between an interior and an exterior of earring jaw 112. Opening 155 is parallel to a length of the bottom side and extends from a rear portion of earring jaw 112 to a point just past a midpoint between the rear portion and a front portion of earring jaw 112 and accommodates an extending tongue 168 with a hook coupled to nut jaw 114. When tongue 168 is introduced into opening 155 the hook may travel along opening 155 and maybe caught at a forward end thereof at the point just past the midpoint. Earring jaw 112 also comprises a biasing engagement mechanism for engaging earring jaw 112 and nut jaw 114 that tends to urge earring jaw 112 away from nut jaw 114. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5A, the mechanism comprises a spring post 140 which is coupled centrally to an interior rear wall of the bottom channel, and extends into the bottom channel generally parallel to a bottom side approximately one-quarter the distance between a rear and a front of earring jaw 112. A spring is disposed around the spring post 140. Additionally, earring jaw 112 comprises a plurality of ribs 180, which are present on an exterior of earring jaw 112, generally opposite the bottom channel, ribs 180 providing means by which secure manual engagement may be made of the exterior of earring jaw 112. Nut jaw 114 optionally comprises nut holding means for holding a nut corresponding to an earring post in alignment with earring post, extension means for extending the nut holding means away from earring jaw 112 and slidable engagement means for slidably engaging earring jaw 112, the slidable engagement means coupled to the extension means. As shown in Figure 4B, in a preferred embodiment, the nut holding means further comprise a nut holder 191 and support means 199 for supporting the nut holder in a spaced apart relationship with extension means 154. Further, nut holder 191 may define first and second nut grooves within which an earring nut N may fit. The first nut groove 192 is perpendicular to second nut groove 193; and a finger 190, rises up from the floor of block 191 in the first groove, which is capable of engaging with slight compression a nut fitted in the first and second nut grooves whereby the nut may be securely held in place by finger 190 in the first and second grooves of the block yet easily disengaged from the block. Also, support means 199 for supporting the nut holder may comprise an upright portion 194 supporting the block away from extension means 154 whereby a void is defined between the upright portion, the extension means, and earring jaw 112 to provide room for an ear, the upright portion having a width approximately the same as the width of earring jaw 112 to provide means by which nut jaw 114 may be manually engaged. As with earring jaw 112, a plurality of ribs 181 is present on an outward facing portion of upright portion 194 opposite the void, and provides means by which secure manual engagement 15 may be made of the exterior of nut jaw 114. The extension means comprise a base portion which is coupled to the nut holding means. The base portion has a width approximately the same as the width of earring jaw 112 to provide means by which the nut holding means may be sturdily supported and provides a means by which nut jaw 114 may be engaged by earring jaw 112 thereby obstructing further slidable travel of nut jaw 114 into earring jaw 112. Further, a neck portion is coupled to the base portion and has a width approximately the same as the width of bottom channel 120 so that the neck portion may slide into bottom channel 120. The extension means may further comprise a tongue portion 168, which extends from the neck portion and terminates in a hook. Tongue portion 168 descends at an angle from the neck portion whereby the catch may engage a terminal end of opening 155 present in a bottom side of earring jaw 112. In one embodiment, the slideable engagement means comprise an elongated portion slidably engaging the interior of the bottom channel. The elongated portion may define a bore wherein the bore is defined by first and second nut jaw extension 169,170, first nut jaw extension 169 defining the upper part of the bore and the second nut jaw extension 170 defining the lower part of the bore. The first and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170 have oppositely opposed curved sections that serve to retain the biasing means within the bore and that serve to define corresponding gaps between the first and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170 and wherein the biasing means is a spring (not shown). Referring to Figure 4B, nut jaw 114 also comprises a flexible tang 160 and a hump 161 juxtaposed with flexible tang 160 such that when the rear end of the body of stud post holder assembly 116 is located ahead of the front of the flexible tang 160, bases 204,205 of the terminal members are forced up onto hump 161. The rear end of the body of the stud post holder assembly is the end that has the terminal members attached to it. The front of the tang is the end of the tang that is closest to the nut jaw in the assembled configuration of the earring cartridge. In one embodiment, the length of flexible tang 160 is shorter than that of legs 125, 127 of the terminal members. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, flexible tang 160 is moldably attached to the hump 161. Further, hump 161 may be attached to the upper surface of nut jaw extension 169. As can be seen in Figure 4B, the invention also provides that flexible tang 160 is flared upward to engage the underside of post holder assembly 116 pushing up on said assembly in a spring-like fashion. The engagement of tang 160 with post holder assembly 116 causes relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw, causing body parts 121, 123 (Figure 6B) to slide out of the earring jaw after the ear is pierced. This allows the assembly 116 to open once assembly 116 moves past tang 160 because until the body parts of the assembly move out of the earring jaw, the two halves of the assembly are constrained together, holding the stud in place. Even when tang 160 is absent, the engagement of nut N with stud P causes relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw causing body parts 121, 123 (Figure 7B) to slide out of the earring jaw after the ear is pierced and the nut is engaged by the stud. Referring to Figure 5A and 5B, earring jaw 112 may further comprise two intermediate channels 208 configured to adaptably receive legs 125, 127 of the terminal member of each haif of stud post holder assembly 116 whereby the legs slide within intermediate channels 208 when stud post holder assembly 116 slides in and out of earring jaw 112. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a peg and hole alignment system for the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116 comprising a peg jutting out of the outer surface of one body and the other body having a cavity sized to adaptably receive the peg such that when the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116 are assembled together in alignment the peg is received within the cavity. The operation of the earring cartridge can be understood by reference to Figures 6A-6C. Normally, the earring cartridge spring or other biasing means forces the nut jaw away from the earring jaw as far as the bottom slot and the hooked tongue will allow. Ample room is provided between the nut jaw and the earring jaw for the insertion of an ear to be pierced. Once the ear is placed between the nut jaw and the earring jaw, and necessarily between earring stud or post P and earring nut N, earring cartridge 14 is compressed manually or for example, by squeezing an earring cartridge stud gun, described below, within which the earring cartridge can be placed. The compression of earring cartridge 14 brings the base of L-shaped terminal members 203 over the hump causing a torque-like force to be applied on the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116. At this point, if the ear piercer is satisfied and ready to pierce the ear, he firmly squeezes earring cartridge 14 (or the stud gun) causing the flexible tang to move past the back end of assembly 116, which leaves the flexible tang free to rise up and above the plane of the post holder assembly bottom. This drives earring stud or post P through the ear and into the flanged aperture and through the earring nut. In so doing, the elongated portion of the nut jaw compresses the earring cartridge spring and travels to the rear of the earring jaw. During this operation, stud post holder assembly 116 is held in place, the flexible tang (moving with the elongated nut jaw portion) moves along the bottom side of stud post holder assembly 116 until it finally reaches the back end of stud post holder assembly 116. Upon full compression of earring cartridge 14, the ear has been pierced; and earring post P has engaged nut N. Pressure is then released from the hand upon earring-cartridge 14 (or upon the earring-cartridge stud gun), pierced-ear earring cartridge halves 113 and 115 open up away from pierced-ear earring E pierced-ear earring nut N is disengaged from nut jaw 114, the ear has been pierced, and the earring-cartridge stud gun with earring cartridge 14 may then be removed from the area adjacent the pierced ear. Because of termini portions 125 and 127 being retained, as seen in FIG. 6C, stud-holder halves 113 and 115 do not fall away, and preclude reloading of the cartridge to negate sterility. That is, the right-angle protuberances at the ends of termini portions 125 and 127 captively retain cartridge halves 113 and 115 to prevent reloading of a stud and reuse of the earring cartridge. The earring-cartridge stud gun 12 is shown in FIGS. 7-8 and fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,868,774 but is also described here for the sake of completeness. Figures 7 and 8 show that two inter-fitting portions comprise earring-cartridge stud gun 12: grip 20 and plunger 22. Plunger 22 fits within grip 20 and slidably travels there-through, a generally short distance, namely, that distance necessary to pierce the ear with the stud portion of the pierced-ear earring. That distance of travel is approximately one-half inch and plunger 22 is easily controlled by the hand of the operator. The length of the plunger-grip assembly is approximately two-and-one-half inches taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 7, plunger 22 is biased by biasing means, such as spring 24, away from grip 20. Oppositely disposed stud-gun spring posts 26a, b serve to hold spring 24 in place between grip 20 and plunger 22 in a normally- opposed position. Plunger 22 is held in captive association with grip 20 as set forth in more detail below. Plunger 22 may be hollow in order to conserve cost, weight and to allow for greater ease of manufacturing. On the inside of plunger 22 within grip 20, lower abutment stop 28 and an upper abutment stop 30 serve to limit the forward travel of plunger 22 into the interior of grip 20. The distance between the contact surfaces of abutment stops 28, 30, and grip 20 is approximately one-half inch. Abutment stops 28, 30 maybe formed of the same material as plunger 22 and may be molded as an integral unit with plunger 22. Upper abutment stop 30 is formed in. an L-shape (in cross section) so as to accommodate traveling portion 40 of cradle 74 provided by earring-cartridge stud gun 12 for earring cartridge 14. Traveling portion 40 has a depending projection 42 that fits within notch 44 provided between upper abutment stop 30 and plunger 22. Tongue 46 projects laterally forward and away from plunger 22 to act as an additional travel limiting stop as will be seen. A cradle backstop 48 serves to provide the retaining support and abutment at the back of earring cartridge 14 once it is fitted into earring-cartridge stud gun 12 and more specifically, cradle 74 thereof. Traveling portion 40 is molded as one piece with plunger 22 or may be welded thereto so as to be integral with plunger 22. Traveling portion 40 travels with plunger 22 due to its connection with upper abutment stop 30 via depending portion 42. Along with plunger 22, traveling portion 40 slidably travels along any surface of grip 20 with which it may come into contact except where abutment occurs. Grip portion 20 has a front-curved surface 60 adapted to fit against the fingers of the hand. In conjunction with rear-curved surface 62 of plunger 22, the portion of earring cartridge stud gun 12 engaged by a person's hand fits comfortably within the hand due to complementary curved surfaces 60, 62. Grip portion 20 is approximately two inches in height, about three inches in overall width, and defines upper slot 64 through which cradle backstop 48 travels. An abutment or end wall 66 of slot 64 of grip portion 20 serves to prevent the rearward travel of cradle backstop 48 beyond that shown. Abutment 66 between cradle backstop 48 holds plunger 22 in sliding association with grip 20, even though biasing means 24 normally urges them apart. Projecting forwardly from the top of grip 20 is a cradle extension 70 that terminates in a cradle forestop 72. The area defined between cradle forestop 72 and cradle backstop 48 serves to define a cradle 74 within which earring cartridge 14 may fit and be telescopically compressed during the ear-piercing process. Provided beneath upper surface 76 and above lower surface 78 of cradle extension 70 is a tongue groove 80. Tongue groove 80 provides travel room for tongue 46 as it travels forward. As tongue 46 is captively retained between upper surface 76 and lower surface 78 of cradle extension 70, greater stability and alignment is provided during the ear-piercing process as cradle 74 maintains its relative geometry and shape during the piercing process. In order to provide additional support to cradle extension 70, integrally molded cradle extension support 90 extends forward of tongue groove 80 and terminates below forestop 72. Cradle extension support 90 provides additional support to cradle extension 70. The interior of cradle 74 has additional means by which earring cartridge 14 is held and maintained in position. Thus, oppositely disposed across cradle 74 adjacent forestop 72 are two side supports 1O0a, b. Cradle side supports 1O0a, b project upwardly approximately an eighth of an inch and provide additional side securement and positioning for earring cartridge 14. The interior of backstop 48 and forestop 72 may have notches or ridges by which to engage ribs 180, 181 present on earring cartridge 14. In one embodiment, a small extension or finger (not shown) may extend upwardly from upper surface 76 of cradle extension 70 adjacent forestop 72 to frictionally engage the front end of earring cartridge 14. Both backstop 48 and forestop 72 may have side flange projections 82 to better engage and secure earring cartridge 14 in cradle 74. The earring-cartridge and the earring-cartridge stud gun may be made of lightweight but durable plastics that are easily formed into the appropriate shapes for use as set forth above. In preferred embodiments, the stud gun and/or the cartridge may be made from one or more plastic materials including, but not limited to, the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate, paper, foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and acrylomitrite- butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers. Alternatively, the stud gun and/or the cartridge may be made from nonplastic materials such as metal or paper. Referring to Figure 9, earring cartridge 14 with earring stud P and nut N fits within stackable box 16. Earring-cartridge box 16 is a sealable container within which earring cartridge 14 and pierced-ear earring (N and P) may be transported and stored until ready for use. Box 16 allows and maintains sterilization of earring cartridge 14, and pierced-ear earring (N and P). As shown in Figure 9, earring cartridge box 16 is constructed to conform to the top of earring cartridge 14. Conforming top 300 of box 16 conforms to the top exterior of earring cartridge 14 for a close but not constricting fit. Internal indentations 301, 302 provide gripping means by which top 300 grips earring cartridge 14 inside. As earring cartridge 14 may take a variety of shapes, including shapes that accommodate hinged hoops, the shape achieved by conforming top 300 of box 16 may also take the same variety of shapes in order to accommodate earring cartridge 14. The plan and elevation views of conforming top 300 are shown in Figures 10A and 10B, respectively. The packing box design allows the cradle of the earring-cartridge stud gun to fit within box 16 past flange 304. This allows the earring-cartridge stud gun to engage earring cartridge 14 and remove it from box 16. This provides means by which the sterile nature of earring cartridge 14 and pierced-ear earring (N and P) may be maintained once the seal on earring- cartridge box 16 has been broken. Additionally, earring cartridge 14 may be reinserted back into box 16 after the ear-piercing process has been performed by fitting earring-cartridge box 16 over earring cartridge 14 and removing earring cartridge 14 from the cradle of the earring-cartridge stud gun. During manufacture and prior distribution, earring cartridge 14 is fitted with a pierced ear earring (N and P) within a stud post holder assembly 116. The earring cartridge is then fitted within conforming top 300 of earring cartridge box 16. The bottom of earring cartridge 14 is above flange 304 and within the confines of box 16. Sterilizing gas or the like may be introduced into the confines of the earring-cartridge box 16 so as to sterilize its entire contents and any exposed surfaces, including earring cartridge 14 and pierced-ear earring E. Medical-grade Tyvak paper backing or the like (not shown) may be adhesively or otherwise sealingly attached to flange 304. If desired, sterilizing gas may be trapped within earring-cartridge box 16 to preserve and maintain the sterile environment previously established. Obviously, other sterilizing procedures may be used. The bottom of box 16 is sealed with a lid 310, which is shown in plan and elevation views in Figures 11A and 11B respectively. Lid 310 snaps shut over flange 304, thereby providing protection for the paper backing used to seal conforming top 300. Lid 310 is provided with pegs 311 which can fit into corresponding holes 305 of the conforming top of another packing box. Thus, this peg and hole arrangement can be used to vertically stack the packing box on top of each other. Once the lid is snapped onto the flange of top 300, sealed, earring- cartridge box 16 may then be transported and stored until ready for use, maintaining earring cartridge 14 and its pierced-ear earring (N and P) in a sterile condition until ready to use. Generally, earring-cartridge packing box 16 is made of clear or other see- through plastics or materials so that earring cartridge 14 and its pierced-ear earring (N and P) may be easily visible prior to the ear-piercing process. However, it may also be made of opaque or translucent material. In preferred embodiments, the packing box may be made from one or more plastic materials including, but not limited to, the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate, paper, foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and acrylomitrite-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers. Alternatively, the box may be made from non-plastic materials such as metal or paper. In operation, earring-cartridge box 16 with sterilized earring cartridge 14 is used in conjunction with the earring-cartridge stud gun as follows. Earring- cartridge box 16 is opened by snapping apart lid 310. The paper backing is then removed from its adhesive attachment with flange 304. This exposes the bottom of earring cartridge 14 and provides access to the cradle to the interior of earring-cartridge box 16. The cradle of the stud gun is then brought into the confines of earring-cartridge box 16 to engage the bottom of earring cartridge 14. Once the cradle has securely engaged earring cartridge 14, box 16 is then removed from the top of earring cartridge 14. The ear to be pierced may then be pierced by placing the ear between the nut jaw and post P of the earring E. The plunger and the grip of the stud gun are then pressed together to force the earring post into earring nut N, piercing the ear lobe, as described more fully above. Conforming top 300 may then be re-fitted over the used earring cartridge whereby earring cartridge 14 may be engaged within top 300 and removed from cradle 74. Following that top 300 may be sealed shut by snapping its lid 310 back on. By using packing box 16, earring cartridge 14 need never be touched by human hands or other contaminating surface prior to, during, or after the ear- piercing process because the operator can load and unload the stud gun by holding the packing box, without touching the cartridge. Thus, in the instant invention a cartridge 14 is now designed not merely as a container for the pierced-ear earring and earring Nut N, but also acts as a loading tool by which the earring-cartridge stud gun may be loaded. Moreover, cartridge 14 is stored and transported in stackable packing boxes 300, which provide sealed secure storage for the cartridge before and after use and which are adapted for convenient vertical stacking. It can be readily seen that by using the system disclosed that sterility and ease of handling for user of the system is accomplished. While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept of the invention as herein claimed. I CLAIM : 1. An earring nut, comprising : a front plate having a hole to receive a stud post; and a shield aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer; wherein the intervening surface of the shield comprises extensions from the front plate, the extensions being curved back from the front plate and having overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a second extension end comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the second extension end when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of the stud post and the extensions are springless elements forming a substantially stable structure when the intervening surface of the second extension end is contacted by the open end of the stud post. 2. The earring nut as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield is operable to prevent the earring nut from sliding along the stud post toward a pierced ear of the earring wearer. 3. The earring nut as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield maintains a distance between a pierced ear of the earring wearer and the earring nut to promote healing of the pierced ear. 4. An apparatus for piercing an ear, said apparatus comprising the earring nut as claimed in claim 1, an earring cartridge, and a stud gun, wherein the earring nut is disposed in the earring cartridge for fitting in a cradle of the stud gun for piercing. 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the earring cartridge comprises a nut jaw for alignedly holding the earring nut opposite the stud post for piercing. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stud gun can be loaded and unloaded using a packing box of the earring cartridge in such a way that an operator need not touch the earring cartridge during loading and unloading. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the earring cartridge with the earring nut is transported and stored in a packing box which maintains a sterile environment. 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein operating the stud gun with the earring cartridge produces a piercing closed with the earring nut. 9. An earring nut substantially as herein described, particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings. An earring nut, comprises: a front plate (11) having a hole to receive a stud post (1); and a shield (13) aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer.

Full Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an earring nut for ear-piercing devices and, also to
an apparatus for piercing an ear incorporating the earring nut as well as an ear-
piercing cartridge and stud gun system with a stackable packing box for the
cartridge.
The present invention has been divided out of Indian patent application No.
IN/PCT/2002/00682.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ear piercing, an increasingly commonplace fashion statement, is rapidly
becoming a routine procedure, often performed by laypersons without medical
experience or training. Today a number of manually operated devices that allow for
the safe, hygienic, user-friendly piercing of ears are available. Examples of such
systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,343 issued to Reil on March 5, 1996,
Application Ser. No. 292,249 filed August 18, 1994, U.S. Patent No. 5,792,170
issued to Reil on August 11, 1998, Application Ser. No. 754,411 filed November
21,1996, and U.S. Patent No. 5,868,774 ("the '774 Patent") issued to Reil on
February 9, 1999,' Application Ser. No. 008,763 filed January 19, 1998, all of which
are incorporated herein by this reference.
The various ear-piercing systems that exist today essentially comprise a stud
(also called an earring or a piercing earring) with a post (also called a pin or a
piercing pin) and a nut (sometimes called a clasp or an earring clasp) that are
mounted in an earring cartridge. During the ear piercing process, the ear is
placed between the post and the nut and the cartridge is squeezed, either
manually or by placing it in a stud gun, which causes the post to pierce the ear
and engage the nut.
From a fashion standpoint, one of the most desirable earring designs is in
the form of a hoop but, heretofore, hoop earrings have not been commonly used
with ear-piercing systems. By and large, the studs in use today have designs that
are symmetrical about the post. A primitive hoop earring ear-piercing system is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,004,471 ("the '471 Patent") but the disclosed
design is not a fully closeable hoop thereby creating an unsightly design. The
stud post (or piercing pin) is engaged by the nut (or clasp), leaving the hoop
open. This is because the stud post is rigidly attached to the hoop of the stud,
which implies that the hoop cannot be rotated to engage the piercing pin.
Further, the open end of the hoop is not adapted to engage the piercing pin (or
stud). Apart from its untoward appearance, the design disclosed in the '471
Patent also poses a danger of scratching and injury to the wearer because of the
open end of the hoop. Therefore, there exists a need today for a hoop earring
that is fully closeable.
Additionally, the existing designs for earring nuts (or clasps) are such that
the open end of the stud post sticks out of the nut after the stud post is engaged
by the nut. This presents a potential for injury to the wearer of the earring
because the open end of the stud post can scratch the wearer's neck behind the
ear. Therefore, there is a need for an improved earring nut that will remove this
potential for injury.
Further, the existing ear-piercing cartridges suffer from a number of
drawbacks. To illustrate these drawbacks, consider the 774 Patent, which
represents the state-of-the-art in ear-piercing design. The 774 Patent describes
an ear-piercing apparatus that is comprised of an earring cartridge which holds
an earring stud and an earring nut in two opposed jaws, i.e., an earring jaw and a
nut jaw. The stud is held within a stud post holder assembly (also called
"pierced-ear earring cartridge" in the Reil 774 Patent), which is a module that
disassembles into two pieces. One of these pieces has a frangible and
breakable tab at its rear.
Although, the 774 Patent describes a simple, easy to use ear-piercing
system, when it is used to pierce an ear, the two pieces of the stud post holder
assembly may stay attached to the stud and, therefore, sometimes require
manual removal from the earring. Even when the two pieces come off the stud,
they fall out of the assembly, sometimes into the ear or onto the body of the
subject whose ears are being pierced and at other times onto the floor.
Moreover, the reliance of the 774 Patent on the frangible tab has design
limitations. First, the breaking of the tab causes an unwanted noise that is often
a source of distress or concern for the customer. Second, the use of the
frangible tab leads to only discrete control over the ear-piercing process. In the
invention of the 774 Patent, when the earring assembly is squeezed, either
holding it in a hand or mounted in an ear-piercing gun, the presence of the
frangible tab implies that once the earring assembly is squeezed to the point of
breaking the tab, the ear is pierced automatically. Thus, it prevents continuous
control of the exact location and timing of the ear-piercing process. Because of
the lack of continuous control over the location and timing of the ear-piercing
process, the technician who is piercing the ear has to use guesswork to line the
stud post with the desired piercing area. This causes him to sometimes miss the
exact spot that he wanted to pierce.
Additionally, the ear-piercing system of the 774 Patent and its
predecessors have not been designed for use with the novel hinged hoop
earrings described above.
Finally, the 774 Patent discloses a sterilizable blister pack for storing and
transporting the earring cartridge. While such a packing is a convenient, effective
sterilizable packing for the cartridge, it does not provide rigid, vertical stackable
storage for earring cartridges.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a freely rotatable hinged hoop
earring ear-piercing system that is closeable.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more effective
means by which ears may be pierced. In particular, the present invention seeks
to provide an ear-piercing system in which the stud holding module separates
from the stud cleanly after the ear is pierced. Further, the present invention
provides a system whereby the components of the stud holder module remain
within the earring cartridge after an ear is pierced. This eliminates the possibility
of the module components falling into the ear or body of the subject being
pierced or onto the floor, forcing the ear piercer to look for them following the ear
piercing operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a higher level of
accuracy for ear-piercing by means that are more controllable and more expertly
handled by persons without the requirement of a high degree of training. In
particular, the present invention seeks to provide an ear-piercing system that can
be finely controlled by the ear-piercer whereby the ear-piercer need not commit
to piercing an ear until he is certain of piercing the precise spot that he wants to.
Additionally, the invention seeks to provide a safe earring nut for use with
traditional style ear-piercing earrings that protects the wearer from being
scratched by the open end of the stud post.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ear-piercing
methodology that creates, protects and maintains sterile ear-piercing instruments
prior to the actual piercing. It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide sterilizable and sterile means by which the disposable, one-use, ear-
piercing cartridges may be transported and stored in a sterile condition until
ready for use. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
sterilizable and sterile stackable packing boxes that facilitates engagement and
disengagement of an earring cartridge with a stud gun and which earring
cartridge is resistant to reuse to ensure that the same is not reused.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hand-held
stud gun that can engage the earring cartridge of the invention to better control
the cartridge during the ear-piercing process.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above-said problems, representing a
quantum improvement in the design and operation of ear-piercing systems.
The present invention provides an earring nut, comprising :
a front plate having a hole to receive a stud post; and
a shield aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening
surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer;
wherein the intervening surface of the shield comprises extensions from the
front plate, the extensions being curved back from the front plate and having
overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a second extension end
comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the second extension end
when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of the stud post and the
extensions are springless elements forming a substantially stable structure when
the intervening surface of the second extension end is contacted by the open end of
the stud post.
This invention thus provides an improved earring nut for use with the
traditional ear-piercing earring. The improved nut design also ensures correct
spacing between the head of the stud and the nut, preventing the nut from traveling
too far down the stud post and squeezing the pierced area, which can inhibit
healing.
This invention also provides an improved hoop ear-piercing earring design
that is fully closeable and that is hinged to allow for free rotation of the hoop.
Application No. IN/PCT/2002/00687 discloses an ingenious earring cartridge
system that can be adapted for use with hinged hoop earrings of the present
invention as well as with traditional symmetrical ear piercing earrings and that
provides for complete and instantaneous release of the cartridge assembly from
the stud and nut once the ear is pierced. Additionally,the earring cartridge allows the
technician to exercise continuous control over the ear-piercing process, thereby
allowing him to align the stud post and the location to be pierced right up to the
point of piercing. This leads to greatly increased accuracy of the ear-piercing
process as compared to the prior art.
Said application No. IN/PCT/2002/00687 also discloses an earring
cartridge and stud gun system for providing sterile ear piercing comprising an
earring cartridge carrying a stud having a post in a stud post holder assembly
and a nut in slidably aligned, spaced apart, and oppositely opposed placement
so that an ear part may be placed between the post and the nut for piercing
wherein a torque-like force is produced on the stud post holder assembly
causing the assembly to rotatably open after the earring cartridge is compressed
to bring the stud towards the nut for engaging the post with the nut. The rotatable
opening of the stud post holder assembly facilitates the disengagement of the
assembly from the earring stud after the stud has connected to the nut,
eliminating the need to touch the ears of the customer to confirm the stud-nut
connection or to remove the assembly after the ear piercing is completed.
In a preferred embodiment, the earring cartridge comprises a nut jaw for
holding the nut and an earring jaw for holding the stud post holder assembly,
which carries the stud. The assembly is in two halves with each half having a
front stud head adaptor, a main body and an L-shaped terminal member having
a base and a leg. The terminal members ride in intermediate channels in the
earring jaw and when the earring cartridge is squeezed the main body of the post
holder assembly moves relative to the flexible tang, engaging it, and the bases of
the terminal members slide over a hump juxtaposed with the tang.
The invention also provides for convenient hygienic transport and storage of
the cartridge in the form of a stackable packing box which contains a robust seal to
maintain the cartridge in a sterile environment.
If the invention is used with a stud gun, the earring cartridge is used by
placement while loading within the cradle of the gun, the cradle receiving and
removing the earring cartridge from the stackable packing box to provide and
maintain the stud and the nut assembly in an aligned position for piercing the ear
without any necessity of coming in direct contact with the sterile earring cartridge
with the hands of the operator. After the ear is pierced, the stackable packing box
can be used to unload the cartridge from the stud gun. Thus, the packing box
allows the operator to load and unload the cartridge from the stud gun without
touching the cartridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Referring now to these drawings in which like reference numbers represent
corresponding parts throughout:
FIGs. 1A and 1B present open and closed front views of the hinged hoop
earring and FIGs 1C and 1D show the end views of the earring of FIGs 1B and 1A
respectively ;
FIGs. 2A and 2B present two elevational views of the safety clasp of the
invention ;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ear-piercing system of the
present invention ;
FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of the ear-piercing cartridge ;
FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of nut jaw ;
FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of the earring jaw with the stud post
holder assembly;
FIG. 5B is a front cross-sectional view of the earring jaw and stud post
holder assembly;
FIG. 6A presents a top view of the earring cartridge as the stud is being
driven toward the clutch;
FIG. 6B shows the stud engaged with the clutch;
FIG. 6C shows the sequential action of the stud post holder assembly
opening up to release the stud;
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a stud gun;
FIG. 8 is a three dimensional view of a stud gun loaded with an earring
cartridge;
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of an earring cartridge inside a
stackable packing box;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are the plan and elevation views of the packing box
lid;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are the plan and elevation views of the packing box
bottom; and
FIGS. 12A and 12B show two alignments of a hinged hoop earring.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Generally, the figures show the construction and operation of the ear-
piercing system of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1A, the hinged hoop
earring of the present invention is comprised of a stud hoop 3 that has a first
terminal 6A and a second terminal 6B. The hinged hoop earring is further
comprised of stud post 1 that has a first pointed end 9 and a second end 8 that
encloses a hole 5, a hinge 4 attached to the first terminal 6A of the stud hoop 3 and
a latch 2 attached to the second terminal 6B of the stud hoop 3.
As shown in Figure 1C, latch 2 is a V-shaped member that is adapted to
receive stud post 1, which snaps into place when it is pushed into latch 2. The
distance between the two arms of latch 2 is somewhat less than the diameter of
stud post 1 but the arms flex when stud post 1 is pushed through them, which
causes stud post 1 to snap into its resting position. The hinged hoop earring is
shown in the open position in Figure 1A and in a closed position in Figure 1B. To
go from the open to the closed position, latch 2 and stud post 1 are rotatably moved
relative to each other around hinge 4 until stud post 1 snaps into latch 2. Figure 1C
provides further details of hinge 4. Referring to Figure 1D, hinge 4 is comprised of
two substantially flat vertical members 10. The second end 8 of stud post 1 is
hinged between vertical members 10 by a pivot pin 7 that is received through hole 5
of the stud post 1 and attached at either end to the vertical members 10 whereby
stud post 1 and stud hoop 3 are free to rotate around the axis of pivot pin 7.
Referring to Figure 2 earring nut (or clasp) of the invention comprises a front
plate 11 that contains a hole sizeably adapted to receive stud post 1 and a shield 13
aligned with the hole in the front plate such that shield 13 forms an intervening
surface between open end 9 of stud post 1 and the earring wearer. Shield 13
comprises extensions from the front plate, the extensions curved back from the
front plate and having overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a
second extension end comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the
second extension end when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of
the stud post. The first and second extensions are springless elements forming a
substantially stable structure when the intervening surface of the second extension
is contacted by the open end of the stud post. The second extension end further
comprises a dimple for receiving the open end 9 of the stud post 1. Shield
13 also prevents the nut from sliding along the stud post towards the ear,
thereby maintaining enough distance between the nut and the ear to promote
healing. The earring nut is for use with traditional ear-piercing earrings.
Referring to Figures 3-8, the earring-cartridge-and-stud gun system of the
present invention is comprised of earring-cartridge stud gun 12, and earring
cartridge 14 that is preferably adaptable to fit in the cradle of stud gun 12. Figure
4A depicts a vertical section through earring cartridge 14 that is loaded with a
stud P and a nut N. When used with traditional-style ear-piercing earrings, nut N
is generally a metallic component that may have an ornamental purpose. In this
case the nut usually is left on the stud post after the ear-piercing process is
completed. However, when used with hinged hoop earrings, nut N is a
disposable nut usually made of a plastic material or the like. Once a subject's ear
is pierced with a hinged hoop earring, the stud hoop is swung around the ear and
the stud post is snapped into the latch. The disposable nut is then removed from
the stud post.
Initially, stud P is fitted within a stud post holder assembly 116, which is
then fitted within earring cartridge 14. Earring cartridge 14 fits within cradle 74 of
earring-cartridge stud gun 12 so that a person's entire hand, not just the fingers,
may be used to wield and control the pierced-ear earring prior to and during the
ear-piercing process. The cartridge is also provided with a plurality of ribs 180,
181 on its outside surface so that the cartridge itself maybe used without the
stud gun for ear piercing, if so desired.
As shown in FIG. 4A, generally, earring cartridge 14 comprises a stud post
holder assembly 116 for holding stud P, an earring jaw 112 for movably carrying
stud post holder assembly 116, and a nut jaw 114 for alignedly holding nut N
opposite stud P, nut jaw 114 having a nut jaw extension 154 for slidably
engaging nut jaw 114 with earring jaw 112. The two slidably connected portions
of earring cartridge 14, nut jaw 114 and earring jaw 112, are also shown in
Figures 4B and 5, respectively. Nut jaw extension 154 and stud post holder
assembly 116 interact to produce a torque-like force on the stud post holder
assembly 116 causing it to rotatably open after earring cartridge 14 is
compressed to bring earring jaw 112 towards nut jaw 114, engaging post P with
nut N.
Referring to Figures 5-6, stud post holder assembly 116 for holding the
stud is in two halves, 113, 115 each half comprising main body 121, 123, front
stud head adaptors 117, 119 attached to the front side of the body and L-shaped
terminal members with legs 125, 127 and bases 204, 205 attached to the rear
side of the body 121, 123. Front stud head adaptors 117, 119 are recessed to
receive, in one embodiment, the stud head or, in another embodiment, the hinge
of the hinged hoop earring.
Stud post holder assembly 116 may be modified to accommodate the
hinged hoop earring by making a through hole 1200, 1202 in the stud post holder
assembly, adaptably sized to hold a hinged hoop earring stud (FIGS. 12A and
1B, respectively). In one embodiment, when the stud post holder assembly is
used with a hinged hoop earring, it may not include the front stud head adaptor.
In a preferred embodiment, when the stud head adaptors are included for use
with hinged hoop earrings, they are recessed to receive the hinge of the hinged
hoop earring. Further, the top surface of the earring jaw can be provided with a
radial cavity such that a stud post holder assembly carrying a hinged hoop can
be accommodated in it. Enough room is provided so that a hinged hoop earring
can be held within the stud post holder assembly such that the hoop can curve
away from the stud (FIG. 12B) or, in an alternative arrangement, curve towards
the stud (FIG. 12A).
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, stud post holder assembly 116 fits within a
top channel 201 of earring jaw 112. The body of each half of stud post holder
assembly 116 is held within the top channel such that stud post holder assembly
116 can slide in and out of earring jaw 112. A bottom channel 120 within earring
jaw 112 is adapted for slidably engaging nut jaw extension 154 (see Figure 5B).
Bottom channel 120 with its base 152 serves as a guidance and alignment
means for nut jaw extension 154.
Earring jaw 112 further comprises a nut jaw retention system comprising a
bottom side 152 of earring jaw 112 adjacent the bottom channel and defining an
opening 155 between an interior and an exterior of earring jaw 112. Opening 155
is parallel to a length of the bottom side and extends from a rear portion of
earring jaw 112 to a point just past a midpoint between the rear portion and a
front portion of earring jaw 112 and accommodates an extending tongue 168
with a hook coupled to nut jaw 114. When tongue 168 is introduced into opening
155 the hook may travel along opening 155 and maybe caught at a forward end
thereof at the point just past the midpoint.
Earring jaw 112 also comprises a biasing engagement mechanism for
engaging earring jaw 112 and nut jaw 114 that tends to urge earring jaw 112
away from nut jaw 114. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5A, the mechanism
comprises a spring post 140 which is coupled centrally to an interior rear wall of
the bottom channel, and extends into the bottom channel generally parallel to a
bottom side approximately one-quarter the distance between a rear and a front
of earring jaw 112. A spring is disposed around the spring post 140.
Additionally, earring jaw 112 comprises a plurality of ribs 180, which are
present on an exterior of earring jaw 112, generally opposite the bottom channel,
ribs 180 providing means by which secure manual engagement may be made of
the exterior of earring jaw 112.
Nut jaw 114 optionally comprises nut holding means for holding a nut
corresponding to an earring post in alignment with earring post, extension means
for extending the nut holding means away from earring jaw 112 and slidable
engagement means for slidably engaging earring jaw 112, the slidable
engagement means coupled to the extension means. As shown in Figure 4B, in
a preferred embodiment, the nut holding means further comprise a nut holder
191 and support means 199 for supporting the nut holder in a spaced apart
relationship with extension means 154. Further, nut holder 191 may define first
and second nut grooves within which an earring nut N may fit. The first nut
groove 192 is perpendicular to second nut groove 193; and a finger 190, rises up
from the floor of block 191 in the first groove, which is capable of engaging with
slight compression a nut fitted in the first and second nut grooves whereby the
nut may be securely held in place by finger 190 in the first and second grooves
of the block yet easily disengaged from the block.
Also, support means 199 for supporting the nut holder may comprise an
upright portion 194 supporting the block away from extension means 154
whereby a void is defined between the upright portion, the extension means, and
earring jaw 112 to provide room for an ear, the upright portion having a width
approximately the same as the width of earring jaw 112 to provide means by
which nut jaw 114 may be manually engaged.
As with earring jaw 112, a plurality of ribs 181 is present on an outward
facing portion of upright portion 194 opposite the void, and provides means by
which secure manual engagement 15 may be made of the exterior of nut jaw
114.
The extension means comprise a base portion which is coupled to the nut
holding means. The base portion has a width approximately the same as the
width of earring jaw 112 to provide means by which the nut holding means may
be sturdily supported and provides a means by which nut jaw 114 may be
engaged by earring jaw 112 thereby obstructing further slidable travel of nut jaw
114 into earring jaw 112. Further, a neck portion is coupled to the base portion
and has a width approximately the same as the width of bottom channel 120 so
that the neck portion may slide into bottom channel 120. The extension means
may further comprise a tongue portion 168, which extends from the neck portion
and terminates in a hook. Tongue portion 168 descends at an angle from the
neck portion whereby the catch may engage a terminal end of opening 155
present in a bottom side of earring jaw 112.
In one embodiment, the slideable engagement means comprise an
elongated portion slidably engaging the interior of the bottom channel. The
elongated portion may define a bore wherein the bore is defined by first and
second nut jaw extension 169,170, first nut jaw extension 169 defining the upper
part of the bore and the second nut jaw extension 170 defining the lower part of
the bore. The first and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170 have oppositely
opposed curved sections that serve to retain the biasing means within the bore
and that serve to define corresponding gaps between the first and second nut
jaw extensions 169, 170 and wherein the biasing means is a spring (not shown).
Referring to Figure 4B, nut jaw 114 also comprises a flexible tang 160 and
a hump 161 juxtaposed with flexible tang 160 such that when the rear end of the
body of stud post holder assembly 116 is located ahead of the front of the
flexible tang 160, bases 204,205 of the terminal members are forced up onto
hump 161. The rear end of the body of the stud post holder assembly is the end
that has the terminal members attached to it. The front of the tang is the end of
the tang that is closest to the nut jaw in the assembled configuration of the
earring cartridge.
In one embodiment, the length of flexible tang 160 is shorter than that of
legs 125, 127 of the terminal members. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment,
flexible tang 160 is moldably attached to the hump 161. Further, hump 161 may
be attached to the upper surface of nut jaw extension 169. As can be seen in
Figure 4B, the invention also provides that flexible tang 160 is flared upward to
engage the underside of post holder assembly 116 pushing up on said assembly
in a spring-like fashion. The engagement of tang 160 with post holder assembly
116 causes relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw,
causing body parts 121, 123 (Figure 6B) to slide out of the earring jaw after the
ear is pierced. This allows the assembly 116 to open once assembly 116 moves
past tang 160 because until the body parts of the assembly move out of the
earring jaw, the two halves of the assembly are constrained together, holding the
stud in place. Even when tang 160 is absent, the engagement of nut N with stud
P causes relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw causing
body parts 121, 123 (Figure 7B) to slide out of the earring jaw after the ear is
pierced and the nut is engaged by the stud.
Referring to Figure 5A and 5B, earring jaw 112 may further comprise two
intermediate channels 208 configured to adaptably receive legs 125, 127 of the
terminal member of each haif of stud post holder assembly 116 whereby the legs
slide within intermediate channels 208 when stud post holder assembly 116
slides in and out of earring jaw 112.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a peg and hole
alignment system for the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116
comprising a peg jutting out of the outer surface of one body and the other body
having a cavity sized to adaptably receive the peg such that when the two halves
of stud post holder assembly 116 are assembled together in alignment the peg is
received within the cavity.
The operation of the earring cartridge can be understood by reference to
Figures 6A-6C. Normally, the earring cartridge spring or other biasing means
forces the nut jaw away from the earring jaw as far as the bottom slot and the
hooked tongue will allow. Ample room is provided between the nut jaw and the
earring jaw for the insertion of an ear to be pierced. Once the ear is placed
between the nut jaw and the earring jaw, and necessarily between earring stud
or post P and earring nut N, earring cartridge 14 is compressed manually or for
example, by squeezing an earring cartridge stud gun, described below, within
which the earring cartridge can be placed. The compression of earring cartridge
14 brings the base of L-shaped terminal members 203 over the hump causing a
torque-like force to be applied on the two halves of stud post holder assembly
116.
At this point, if the ear piercer is satisfied and ready to pierce the ear, he
firmly squeezes earring cartridge 14 (or the stud gun) causing the flexible tang to
move past the back end of assembly 116, which leaves the flexible tang free to
rise up and above the plane of the post holder assembly bottom. This drives
earring stud or post P through the ear and into the flanged aperture and through
the earring nut. In so doing, the elongated portion of the nut jaw compresses the
earring cartridge spring and travels to the rear of the earring jaw.
During this operation, stud post holder assembly 116 is held in place, the
flexible tang (moving with the elongated nut jaw portion) moves along the bottom
side of stud post holder assembly 116 until it finally reaches the back end of stud
post holder assembly 116.
Upon full compression of earring cartridge 14, the ear has been pierced;
and earring post P has engaged nut N. Pressure is then released from the hand
upon earring-cartridge 14 (or upon the earring-cartridge stud gun), pierced-ear
earring cartridge halves 113 and 115 open up away from pierced-ear earring E
pierced-ear earring nut N is disengaged from nut jaw 114, the ear has been
pierced, and the earring-cartridge stud gun with earring cartridge 14 may then be
removed from the area adjacent the pierced ear. Because of termini portions 125
and 127 being retained, as seen in FIG. 6C, stud-holder halves 113 and 115 do
not fall away, and preclude reloading of the cartridge to negate sterility. That is,
the right-angle protuberances at the ends of termini portions 125 and 127
captively retain cartridge halves 113 and 115 to prevent reloading of a stud and
reuse of the earring cartridge.
The earring-cartridge stud gun 12 is shown in FIGS. 7-8 and fully
described in U.S. Patent No. 5,868,774 but is also described here for the sake of
completeness. Figures 7 and 8 show that two inter-fitting portions comprise
earring-cartridge stud gun 12: grip 20 and plunger 22. Plunger 22 fits within grip
20 and slidably travels there-through, a generally short distance, namely, that
distance necessary to pierce the ear with the stud portion of the pierced-ear
earring. That distance of travel is approximately one-half inch and plunger 22 is
easily controlled by the hand of the operator. The length of the plunger-grip
assembly is approximately two-and-one-half inches taken along line 5-5 shown
in FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 7, plunger 22 is biased by biasing means, such as
spring 24, away from grip 20. Oppositely disposed stud-gun spring posts 26a, b
serve to hold spring 24 in place between grip 20 and plunger 22 in a normally-
opposed position. Plunger 22 is held in captive association with grip 20 as set
forth in more detail below.
Plunger 22 may be hollow in order to conserve cost, weight and to allow
for greater ease of manufacturing. On the inside of plunger 22 within grip 20,
lower abutment stop 28 and an upper abutment stop 30 serve to limit the forward
travel of plunger 22 into the interior of grip 20. The distance between the contact
surfaces of abutment stops 28, 30, and grip 20 is approximately one-half inch.
Abutment stops 28, 30 maybe formed of the same material as plunger 22 and
may be molded as an integral unit with plunger 22.
Upper abutment stop 30 is formed in. an L-shape (in cross section) so as
to accommodate traveling portion 40 of cradle 74 provided by earring-cartridge
stud gun 12 for earring cartridge 14. Traveling portion 40 has a depending
projection 42 that fits within notch 44 provided between upper abutment stop 30
and plunger 22. Tongue 46 projects laterally forward and away from plunger 22
to act as an additional travel limiting stop as will be seen. A cradle backstop 48
serves to provide the retaining support and abutment at the back of earring
cartridge 14 once it is fitted into earring-cartridge stud gun 12 and more
specifically, cradle 74 thereof.
Traveling portion 40 is molded as one piece with plunger 22 or may be
welded thereto so as to be integral with plunger 22. Traveling portion 40 travels
with plunger 22 due to its connection with upper abutment stop 30 via depending
portion 42. Along with plunger 22, traveling portion 40 slidably travels along any
surface of grip 20 with which it may come into contact except where abutment
occurs.
Grip portion 20 has a front-curved surface 60 adapted to fit against the
fingers of the hand. In conjunction with rear-curved surface 62 of plunger 22, the
portion of earring cartridge stud gun 12 engaged by a person's hand fits
comfortably within the hand due to complementary curved surfaces 60, 62. Grip
portion 20 is approximately two inches in height, about three inches in overall
width, and defines upper slot 64 through which cradle backstop 48 travels. An
abutment or end wall 66 of slot 64 of grip portion 20 serves to prevent the
rearward travel of cradle backstop 48 beyond that shown. Abutment 66 between
cradle backstop 48 holds plunger 22 in sliding association with grip 20, even
though biasing means 24 normally urges them apart.
Projecting forwardly from the top of grip 20 is a cradle extension 70 that
terminates in a cradle forestop 72. The area defined between cradle forestop 72
and cradle backstop 48 serves to define a cradle 74 within which earring
cartridge 14 may fit and be telescopically compressed during the ear-piercing
process. Provided beneath upper surface 76 and above lower surface 78 of
cradle extension 70 is a tongue groove 80. Tongue groove 80 provides travel
room for tongue 46 as it travels forward. As tongue 46 is captively retained
between upper surface 76 and lower surface 78 of cradle extension 70, greater
stability and alignment is provided during the ear-piercing process as cradle 74
maintains its relative geometry and shape during the piercing process.
In order to provide additional support to cradle extension 70, integrally
molded cradle extension support 90 extends forward of tongue groove 80 and
terminates below forestop 72. Cradle extension support 90 provides additional
support to cradle extension 70.
The interior of cradle 74 has additional means by which earring cartridge
14 is held and maintained in position. Thus, oppositely disposed across cradle
74 adjacent forestop 72 are two side supports 1O0a, b. Cradle side supports
1O0a, b project upwardly approximately an eighth of an inch and provide
additional side securement and positioning for earring cartridge 14. The interior
of backstop 48 and forestop 72 may have notches or ridges by which to engage
ribs 180, 181 present on earring cartridge 14. In one embodiment, a small
extension or finger (not shown) may extend upwardly from upper surface 76 of
cradle extension 70 adjacent forestop 72 to frictionally engage the front end of
earring cartridge 14. Both backstop 48 and forestop 72 may have side flange
projections 82 to better engage and secure earring cartridge 14 in cradle 74.
The earring-cartridge and the earring-cartridge stud gun may be made of
lightweight but durable plastics that are easily formed into the appropriate
shapes for use as set forth above. In preferred embodiments, the stud gun
and/or the cartridge may be made from one or more plastic materials including,
but not limited to, the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate, paper,
foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and acrylomitrite-
butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers. Alternatively, the stud gun and/or the
cartridge may be made from nonplastic materials such as metal or paper.
Referring to Figure 9, earring cartridge 14 with earring stud P and nut N
fits within stackable box 16. Earring-cartridge box 16 is a sealable container
within which earring cartridge 14 and pierced-ear earring (N and P) may be
transported and stored until ready for use. Box 16 allows and maintains
sterilization of earring cartridge 14, and pierced-ear earring (N and P).
As shown in Figure 9, earring cartridge box 16 is constructed to conform
to the top of earring cartridge 14. Conforming top 300 of box 16 conforms to the
top exterior of earring cartridge 14 for a close but not constricting fit. Internal
indentations 301, 302 provide gripping means by which top 300 grips earring
cartridge 14 inside. As earring cartridge 14 may take a variety of shapes,
including shapes that accommodate hinged hoops, the shape achieved by
conforming top 300 of box 16 may also take the same variety of shapes in order
to accommodate earring cartridge 14.
The plan and elevation views of conforming top 300 are shown in Figures
10A and 10B, respectively. The packing box design allows the cradle of the
earring-cartridge stud gun to fit within box 16 past flange 304. This allows the
earring-cartridge stud gun to engage earring cartridge 14 and remove it from box
16. This provides means by which the sterile nature of earring cartridge 14 and
pierced-ear earring (N and P) may be maintained once the seal on earring-
cartridge box 16 has been broken. Additionally, earring cartridge 14 may be
reinserted back into box 16 after the ear-piercing process has been performed
by fitting earring-cartridge box 16 over earring cartridge 14 and removing earring
cartridge 14 from the cradle of the earring-cartridge stud gun.
During manufacture and prior distribution, earring cartridge 14 is fitted with
a pierced ear earring (N and P) within a stud post holder assembly 116. The
earring cartridge is then fitted within conforming top 300 of earring cartridge box
16. The bottom of earring cartridge 14 is above flange 304 and within the
confines of box 16. Sterilizing gas or the like may be introduced into the confines
of the earring-cartridge box 16 so as to sterilize its entire contents and any
exposed surfaces, including earring cartridge 14 and pierced-ear earring E.
Medical-grade Tyvak paper backing or the like (not shown) may be adhesively or
otherwise sealingly attached to flange 304. If desired, sterilizing gas may be
trapped within earring-cartridge box 16 to preserve and maintain the sterile
environment previously established. Obviously, other sterilizing procedures may
be used.
The bottom of box 16 is sealed with a lid 310, which is shown in plan and
elevation views in Figures 11A and 11B respectively. Lid 310 snaps shut over
flange 304, thereby providing protection for the paper backing used to seal
conforming top 300. Lid 310 is provided with pegs 311 which can fit into
corresponding holes 305 of the conforming top of another packing box. Thus,
this peg and hole arrangement can be used to vertically stack the packing box on
top of each other.
Once the lid is snapped onto the flange of top 300, sealed, earring-
cartridge box 16 may then be transported and stored until ready for use,
maintaining earring cartridge 14 and its pierced-ear earring (N and P) in a sterile
condition until ready to use.
Generally, earring-cartridge packing box 16 is made of clear or other see-
through plastics or materials so that earring cartridge 14 and its pierced-ear
earring (N and P) may be easily visible prior to the ear-piercing process.
However, it may also be made of opaque or translucent material. In preferred
embodiments, the packing box may be made from one or more plastic materials
including, but not limited to, the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate,
paper, foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and
acrylomitrite-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers. Alternatively, the box may be
made from non-plastic materials such as metal or paper.
In operation, earring-cartridge box 16 with sterilized earring cartridge 14 is
used in conjunction with the earring-cartridge stud gun as follows. Earring-
cartridge box 16 is opened by snapping apart lid 310. The paper backing is then
removed from its adhesive attachment with flange 304. This exposes the bottom
of earring cartridge 14 and provides access to the cradle to the interior of
earring-cartridge box 16. The cradle of the stud gun is then brought into the
confines of earring-cartridge box 16 to engage the bottom of earring cartridge 14.
Once the cradle has securely engaged earring cartridge 14, box 16 is then
removed from the top of earring cartridge 14. The ear to be pierced may then be
pierced by placing the ear between the nut jaw and post P of the earring E. The
plunger and the grip of the stud gun are then pressed together to force the
earring post into earring nut N, piercing the ear lobe, as described more fully
above.
Conforming top 300 may then be re-fitted over the used earring cartridge
whereby earring cartridge 14 may be engaged within top 300 and removed from
cradle 74. Following that top 300 may be sealed shut by snapping its lid 310
back on. By using packing box 16, earring cartridge 14 need never be touched
by human hands or other contaminating surface prior to, during, or after the ear-
piercing process because the operator can load and unload the stud gun by
holding the packing box, without touching the cartridge.
Thus, in the instant invention a cartridge 14 is now designed not merely as
a container for the pierced-ear earring and earring Nut N, but also acts as a
loading tool by which the earring-cartridge stud gun may be loaded. Moreover,
cartridge 14 is stored and transported in stackable packing boxes 300, which
provide sealed secure storage for the cartridge before and after use and which
are adapted for convenient vertical stacking. It can be readily seen that by using
the system disclosed that sterility and ease of handling for user of the system is
accomplished.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present
invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept of the
invention as herein claimed.
I CLAIM :
1. An earring nut, comprising :
a front plate having a hole to receive a stud post; and
a shield aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an intervening
surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer;
wherein the intervening surface of the shield comprises extensions from the
front plate, the extensions being curved back from the front plate and having
overlying ends such that a first extension end overlies a second extension end
comprising the intervening surface to contact and support the second extension end
when the intervening surface is contacted by the open end of the stud post and the
extensions are springless elements forming a substantially stable structure when
the intervening surface of the second extension end is contacted by the open end of
the stud post.
2. The earring nut as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield is operable to
prevent the earring nut from sliding along the stud post toward a pierced ear of the
earring wearer.
3. The earring nut as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield maintains a
distance between a pierced ear of the earring wearer and the earring nut to promote
healing of the pierced ear.
4. An apparatus for piercing an ear, said apparatus comprising the earring nut
as claimed in claim 1, an earring cartridge, and a stud gun, wherein the earring nut
is disposed in the earring cartridge for fitting in a cradle of the stud gun for piercing.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the earring cartridge comprises
a nut jaw for alignedly holding the earring nut opposite the stud post for piercing.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stud gun can be loaded
and unloaded using a packing box of the earring cartridge in such a way that an
operator need not touch the earring cartridge during loading and unloading.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the earring cartridge with the
earring nut is transported and stored in a packing box which maintains a sterile
environment.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein operating the stud gun with the
earring cartridge produces a piercing closed with the earring nut.
9. An earring nut substantially as herein described, particularly with reference to
the accompanying drawings.

An earring nut, comprises:
a front plate (11) having a hole to receive a stud post (1); and
a shield (13) aligned with the hole such that the shield forms an
intervening surface between an open end of the stud post and an earring wearer.

Documents:

293-KOL-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

293-KOL-2004-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

293-KOL-2004-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

293-KOL-2004-FORM 27-1.1.pdf

293-KOL-2004-FORM 27.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-claims.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-correspondence.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-examination report.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-form 18.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-form 2.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-form 3.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-form 5.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-gpa.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

293-kol-2004-granted-specification.pdf

293-KOL-2004-OTHERS DOCUMENTS 1.1.pdf

293-KOL-2004-OTHERS.pdf

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Patent Number

233044

Indian Patent Application Number

293/KOL/2004

PG Journal Number

13/2009

Publication Date

27-Mar-2009

Grant Date

25-Mar-2009

Date of Filing

01-Jun-2004

Name of Patentee

REIL VLADIMIR

Applicant Address

521 WEST ROSECRANS AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	REIL VLADIMIR	521 WEST ROSECRANS AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90248-1514

PCT International Classification Number

A61B 17/00

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	09/929, 508	2001-08-14	U.S.A.
2	09/690, 311	2000-10-17	U.S.A.