Piercing tear preventers

Abstract

A tubular protector prevents the tearing and elongation of body piercing holes by heavy jewelry and decorative items which mount using small gauge wire or other sharp mountings. Several configurations of the protector are described as well as installation tools and methods.

1 . A device which can be inserted into body piercing holes to prevent the tearing and/or enlargement of the hole pierced in body flesh for attachment of jewelry or other decorative devices comprising:
 a tube having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of said pierced hole and having an inner diameter large enough to allow said jewelry or other decorative devices to be inserted through said tube.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tube is made of thermoplastic. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tube includes a ridge, washer or flare on one end which prevents said tube from being pushed all the way through said pierced hole. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said tube also includes a second ridge, washer or flare on the opposite end of said tube to hold the device captive in the pierced hole. 
   
   
       5 . A method for protecting body piercing holes from tearing and enlargement of the hole pierced in body flesh for attachment of jewelry or other decorative devices comprising:
 inserting a tube having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of said pierced hole and having an inner diameter large enough to allow said jewelry or other decorative devices to be inserted through said tube.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said tube is made of thermoplastic. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said tube includes a ridge, washer or flare on one end which prevents said tube from being pushed all the way through said pierced hole. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said tube also includes a second ridge, washer or flare on the opposite end of said tube to hold the device captive in the pierced hole. 
   
   
       9 . A method for forming the second ridge, washer or flare of  claim 8  by heating the second end of said tube to soften and spread the second end of said tube. 
   
   
       10 . The use of a tubular device to prevent body piercing holes from tearing and/or enlargement of the hole pierced in body flesh by jewelry or other decorative devices by:
 inserting said tube into the pierced hole to allow said jewelry or other decorative devices to be inserted through said tube without contacting the body flesh in a manner which would cause tearing or cutting.   
   
   
       11 . The use of a tubular device as in  claim 10  wherein said tube is made of thermoplastic. 
   
   
       12 . The use of a tubular device as in  claim 10  wherein said tube includes a ridge, washer or flare on one end which prevents said tube from being pushed all the way through said pierced hole. 
   
   
       13 . The use of a tubular device as in  claim 12  wherein said tube also includes a second ridge, washer or flare on the opposite end of said tube to hold the device captive in the pierced hole.