Earring clutch mechanism and safety shield

Abstract

A clutch mechanism and a load distribution member for releasably gripping the pin of an earring is provided with a safety shied for preventing any earring post portion at the posterior side of the wearer's earlobe from coming into contact with the head and neck surface adjacent the earlobe to thereby prevent discomfiture or injury to the wearer.

I therefore claim:  
     
         1 . A clutch mechanism for use with earrings of the type having a pin adapted to pass through the user's earlobe with a portion of the pin extending beyond the posterior surface of the earlobe when the earring is worn, said clutch mechanism comprising: 
 A circular cross sectional shape housing which varies in size at different points along its longitudinal axis, a load distribution member, and a parti-hollow spheroid configuration safety shield.    Said circular cross sectional shape housing which varies in size at different points along its longitudinal axis of  claim 1  further includes a resilient insert that exerts a rather firm griping or frictional force around said pin and is positioned therein that it is enclosed or surrounded by said housing a longitudinal bore extends there through and has a cross section slightly less than that of said pin an indentation is positioned at smaller end of said housing connecting to a knob allowing the wearer to conveniently grip said housing said pin is introduced through centrally disposed aperture then through said bore and finally through second aperture.    Said load distribution member of  claim 1  mounted to the larger end of said housing comprising said centrally disposed aperture on the end wall of said load distribution member which serves to receive said pin of said earring said end wall confronts the inner side of said earlobe and is co-planar with a radially directed flange said flange has a circular outer edge confronting a greater surface portion of said pierced earlobe than would be confronted by only that of said clutch mechanism whereby distributing the force or load so that the pressure per unit is reduced increasing the comfort level to wearer.    Said part-hollow spheroid configuration safety shield of  claim 1  is mounted to said smaller end of housing arranged transversely to the axis of said passage is slightly broader than the expanse of said passage with convex surface facing away from said smaller end of said housing said pin extends beyond said second aperture and nest in said shield whereby preventing said pin at posterior side of said earlobe from coming into contact with the head and neck surface adjacent said earlobe thereby preventing discomfiture or injury to the wearer.