Earring ornamentation mechanism and methods for use

Abstract

A mechanism and/or method for embellishing an earring by way of the inclusion of a mechanism body which may be added over the earring post or connected to another portion of an earring. The method and mechanism may include one or more ornamental charms, may be adjustable, and may utilize magnets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An earring ornamentation mechanism configured to detachably, slidably engage a pre-existing earring to allow the pre-existing earring to receive additional ornamentation, the pre-existing earring having a post having first and second ends, a stud is affixed to the first end of the post, and a fastener is detachably affixed to the second end of the post, the earring ornamentation mechanism comprising:
 a mechanism body having first and second sides;   the mechanism body defining a passageway therethrough between the first and second sides, the passageway is configured for the post of the pre-existing earring to be inserted therethrough, the mechanism body being further configured to be slidably located on the post between the stud and fastener when the earring is in use; and   the mechanism body being configured to detachably secure at least one charm to the pre-existing earring, the at least one charm not being a fixed portion of the pre-existing earring such that the earring ornamentation mechanism facilitates providing additional ornamentation to the pre-existing earring.   
     
     
         2 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism body further comprises an upper portion and an elongate portion, wherein the at least one charm and the elongate portion are configured such that the at least one charm is engaged with the elongate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate portion defines at least one hole and wherein the at least one charm is engaged with the at least one hole such that a distance from a post outer surface to the charm is greater than the distance from the post outer surface to a stud outer surface, as measured radially relative to an elongated axis defined by the post. 
     
     
         4 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate portion defines at least one hole and wherein the at least one charm is further configured to be detachably affixed to the at least one hole such that a distance from a post outer surface to the charm is greater than the distance from the post outer surface to a stud outer surface, as measured radially relative to an elongated axis defined by the post, the at least one charm further comprises at least one flange configured to hold the at least one charm within the at least one hole. 
     
     
         5 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one hole further comprises a keyway and the at least one flange is configured to lock into the key way such that the at least one charm is detachably secured within the at least one hole. 
     
     
         6 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate portion and the at least one charm are configured such that the at least one charm can be magnetically engaged with the elongate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the passageway comprises a rack formed by a plurality of resting places and a plurality of constricted regions, such that the post can be inserted through the passageway and can be adjusted to different heights relative to the post without removing the post from the passageway, at least part of the upper portion of the mechanism body proximate the rack being elastic to facilitate adjustment of the post therein. 
     
     
         8 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion generally defines a first plane and the elongate portion generally defines a second plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first plane, the elongate portion further comprises at least one hole and wherein the at least one charm is further configured to be detachably affixed to the at least one hole such that a distance from a post outer surface to the charm is greater than the distance from the post outer surface to a stud outer surface, as measured radially relative to an elongated axis defined by the post. 
     
     
         9 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion generally defines a first plane and the elongate portion generally defines a second plane that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first plane, the elongate portion and the at least one charm being configured such that the at least one charm is detachably secured to the elongate portion via a magnetic connection. 
     
     
         10 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion of the mechanism body comprises a plurality of passageways such that the post can be inserted through any one of the plurality of passageways, allowing the mechanism body to be held at different heights relative to the post. 
     
     
         11 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the passageway comprises a rack formed by a plurality of resting places and a plurality of constricted regions, such that the post can be inserted through the passageway and can be adjusted to different heights relative to the post without removing the post from the passageway. 
     
     
         12 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism body is configured such that the distance from a post outer surface to an outer surface of the ornamentation mechanism is larger than the distance from the post outer surface to a stud, as measured radially relative to an elongated axis defined by the post. 
     
     
         13 . The earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanism body comprises at least one magnet and wherein the at least one charm is further comprised of magnetic materials such that the at least one charm may be magnetically affixed to the mechanism body. 
     
     
         14 . An earring comprising
 the earring ornamentation mechanism of  claim 1 ;   the earring having a first presentation mode and a second presentation mode, wherein the first presentation mode comprises the earring ornamentation mechanism being located between the stud and the fastener, and wherein the second presentation mode comprises the earring only comprising the post, the stud, and the fastener, such that the earring ornamentation mechanism is separate from the earring.   
     
     
         15 . A method of retrofitting a pre-existing earring to include additional design elements comprising the following steps;
 providing the pre-existing earring, having a post having first and second ends, a stud is affixed to the first end of the post, and a fastener is detachably affixed to the second end of the post;   providing an earring ornamentation mechanism, comprising a mechanism body having first and second sides; the mechanism body defining a passageway therethrough between the first and second sides, the passageway is configured for the post of the pre-existing earring to be inserted therethrough, at least one charm is disposed on the earring ornamentation mechanism, the at least one charm not being a fixed portion of the pre-existing earring; and   inserting the post of the pre-existing earring through the passageway of the mechanism body such that the earring ornamentation mechanism positions the at least one charm to provide additional ornamentation to the pre-existing earring, the mechanism body being slidably located on the post between the stud and fastener when the earring is in use.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising providing a kit comprising a plurality of different charms to allow retrofitting of the pre-existing earrings to coordinate with an item of apparel apparel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a kit comprising a plurality of different charms; and   selecting one of the plurality of different charms to detachably secure to the earring attachment mechanism to accessorize the pre-existing earring.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing an earring ornamentation mechanism further comprises the at least one charm being detachably engaged with the mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A method of retrofitting a pre-existing earring to include additional design elements comprising the following steps;
 providing the pre-existing earring, having a post having first and second ends, a stud is affixed to the first end of the post, and a fastener is detachably affixed to the second end of the post;   providing an earring ornamentation mechanism, comprising a mechanism body having first and second sides; the mechanism body defining a passageway therethrough between the first and second sides, the passageway is configured for the post of the pre-existing earring to be inserted therethrough, the first side of the mechanism body comprising an ornamental element; and   inserting the post of the pre-existing earring through the passageway of the mechanism body such that the earring ornamentation mechanism positions the first side of the mechanism body to provide additional ornamentation to the pre-existing earring, the mechanism body being slidably located on the post between the stud and fastener when the earring is in use.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a kit comprising a plurality of different mechanism bodies; and   selecting one of the plurality of different mechanism bodies to detachably secure to and to embellish the pre-existing earring.