Spring lock mechanism for hinged pierced earring

Abstract

A spring lock mechanism for a hinged earring in which the earring parts meet at the hinge but meet in such a way that there is a slight force required to close the pin in the catch which produces a compressive force between the earring parts joined at the hinge tending to separate the hinged parts. As the pin is released from its catch, the hinged hoop earring springs open, facilitating its removal from the ear The hinged hoop earring is closed by a simple push pin mechanism, which when opened releases the upper hoop earring connection allowing it to easily be opened and removed from the ear by the wearer.

1 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings for a pierced ear comprising:
 said earring comprising two earring parts connected at a hinge location and closed together through a pin connected to one of said earring parts cooperating with a catch formed in said other of said earring parts so as to catch said pin to close said earring or to be separated from said pin to permit said earring to be opened,   said earring parts at said hinge location comprising mating surfaces which bear against each other to form a boundary therebetween, said mating surfaces comprising a portion between said mating surfaces being in compression when said earring is closed to provide a compressive force therebetween, said earring parts biased toward opening said earring when said earring is closed, and   said earring parts being sprung open responsive to said compressive force as said pin is disengaged from said catch.   
     
     
         2 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings as in  claim 1 , wherein said hinge location comprises one end each of said earring parts connected together by a hinge pin, one of said earring parts comprising an extending finger and the other of said earring parts comprises a recess in which said extending finger rotates about said hinge pin, said extending finger comprising a hardened material having a surface which bears directly against a matching surface in said recess to produce a compressive force therebetween when said earring is closed. 
     
     
         3 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings as in  claim 1 , wherein each of said earring parts comprise earring halves. 
     
     
         4 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings as in  claim 2 , wherein each of said earring parts comprise earring halves. 
     
     
         5 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings as in  claim 1 , wherein said hardened material comprises hardened metal. 
     
     
         6 . A mechanism to assist in the putting on and taking off of hinged earrings as in  claim 2 , wherein said hardened material comprises hardened metal.