Hoop earring closure construction and method of making

Abstract

A novel bracket assembly for a hinge bar for a hoop type earring in which the pivot pin is integrally formed with a bracket formed of hollow tubing. Hollow tubing is used to form the hinge bar as well.

1 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring comprising:
 a unitary bracket to hold a hinge bar comprising:   a central section terminating in opposite ear elements,   a first of said opposite ear elements having an aperture therethrough and a second of said opposite ear elements having a pin of a size to permit it passing through said aperture of said first ear element,   said unitary bracket formed of a hollow cylindrical metal tube in which said aperture and pin are integrally formed therewith and said hollow cylindrical metal tube is first stamped as a flat plate,   said ear element is formed of said flat plate by stamping,   said bracket being of sufficient thickness to be bent into a position so that said pin of said second ear element is aligned with said aperture of said first ear element,   said hoop type earring having at a top a pair of opposite ends separated by a gap,   a hinge bar having one end hingedly connected to said bracket and the other end comprising an aperture, said bracket secured to one of said pairs of opposite ends of said earring,   a clasp plate connected at the top of said hoop type earring to the other of said pair of opposite ends of said hoop type earring to receive and hold said hinge bar closed to secure said hoop type earring to the user's ear,   said aperture of said hinge bar being aligned with said pin and aperture of said bracket when said bracket is bent in position to capture said pin in said aperture of said first ear element,   and solder applied to said pin of said second ear element when said pin is in said aperture of said first ear element to capture said hinge bar and fixedly connect said first and second ear elements.   
     
     
         2 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring according to  claim 1 , wherein said bracket is soldered to one of said top of said pair of ends of said hoop earring. 
     
     
         3 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring according to  claim 1 , wherein said pin of said second ear element passes through said aperture of said first ear element as said bracket is bent to assume a substantially U shape. 
     
     
         4 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring according to  claim 2 , wherein said pin of said second ear element passes through said aperture of said first ear element as said bracket is bent to assume a substantially U shape. 
     
     
         5 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring according to  claim 1 , wherein said central section of said bracket is formed from said hollow cylindrical metal tube and comprises a substantially straight center section and said first and second ear elements comprise circular shapes. 
     
     
         6 . A hinge structure for a hoop type earring according to  claim 5 , wherein the size of said ear elements is substantially equal. 
     
     
         7 . The invention as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said hinge bar is formed of a hollow cylindrical tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The invention as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said hinge bar is closed at one end to close the end and form an enlarged outer end.