Ear nut with handles and handle separator

Abstract

An ear-nut or jewelry clasp for gripping a post extending from the back of an earring or other piece of jewelry or ornament. The clasp has an added pair of gripping tabs which are preferably longer and/or wider or otherwise distinctive from the friction fingers which secure the post of the earring. These added gripping tabs facilitate gripping by the user when removing the clasp from the post. To further facilitate the gripping of these tabs, a metal separator in a round shape (or any open-shape that allows it to clear the post with room to spare, such as in the shape of an animal, an oval, a rectangle, square, sphere, or star, etc.) is affixed between the tabs to prevent them from being squeezed together by the pressure of the user's fingers.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . An ear nut comprising: 
 a. a base plate having an opening for receiving a post of an earring;    b. first and second friction fingers for gripping the earring post, said gripping fingers extending from substantially opposing positions on said base plate;    c. first and second gripping tabs, wherein: 
 i. each of said tabs being a single strut, each tab having a first end connected to said base plate, on substantially opposing positions of said base plate, offset from said friction fingers;  
 ii. each of said tabs having a second end extending away from said first end; and  
   d. a separator attached to the second end of each of said tabs, said separator having a shape that clears the post of an earring.    
   
   
       20 . The ear nut of  claim 19 , where said opening in said base plate having a funnel shaped depression.  
   
   
       21 . The ear nut of  claim 20 , where said opening in said base plate being threaded to receive a threaded post.  
   
   
       22 . The ear nut of  claim 20 , where each of said friction fingers having two curved projections extending toward said base plate opening.  
   
   
       23 . The ear nut of  claim 22 , where each of said gripping tabs having rectangular or circular cross section, wherein the cross sectional area of each tab is smaller than or equal to the cross sectional area of said friction fingers.  
   
   
       24 . The ear nut of  claim 23 , where the length of said gripping tabs being dependent on the material of said gripping tabs.  
   
   
       25 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where said separator having a circular or oval shape.  
   
   
       26 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where each of said base plate, said friction fingers, said gripping tabs, and said separator being stamped from the same material, whereby being interconnected.  
   
   
       27 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where each of said base plate, said friction fingers, said gripping tabs, and said separator being cast separately, where said separator being soldered to said tabs, and where said tabs and said fingers being soldered to said base plate.  
   
   
       28 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where said friction fingers, said gripping tabs and said separator being wire formed, where said separator being soldered to said gripping tabs, and where said tabs and fingers being soldered to said base plate.  
   
   
       29 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where the length of each of said tabs being essentially equal, the length of each of said tabs projecting beyond said friction fingers.  
   
   
       30 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where said separator being capable of preventing said tabs from being squeezed together by a grip of a user.  
   
   
       31 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where said opening in said base plate being smooth to receive a smooth post.  
   
   
       32 . The ear nut of  claim 24 , where said tabs having a surface capable of being gripped, said surfaces being smooth, fluted, corrugated, hatched or being a raised stippled surface.  
   
   
       33 . The ear nut of  claim 23 , where the second end of each tab extending away from said first end in a substantially indented, curved or straight line.