Earring

Abstract

An earring involves a first, second, and third segment, wherein the second segment couples the first segment to the third segment, maintains a spaced-apart relationship between the first and third segments, and overlays at least a part of one of the antihelix or scapha. An alternative earring involves a helix engagement segment having an inflection point, an earlobe engagement segment having a terminal end, and a decorative segment between the helix engagement segment and earlobe engagement segment. None of the helix engagement segment, earlobe engagement segment, or decorative segment pass through a piercing of the helix or scapha, and the inflection point and terminal end are separated from each other at a linear distance in the range between 54 mm and 85 mm. An item of jewelry involves means for engaging the ear helix, means for engaging the earlobe, and means for separating and coupling the respective means for engaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An earring for wearing via a human ear, the earring comprising:
 a first segment;   a second segment; and   a third segment;   wherein the second segment couples the first segment to the third segment, maintains a spaced-apart relationship between the first and third segments, and, when worn, overlays at least a part of one of the antihelix or scapha;   wherein the first segment is shaped so that, when worn, it will wrap around the superior helix of the ear at a location within a range of 0 mm to 20 mm from the apex of the helix such that the first segment
 a) will have at least two points of contact with the superior helix, at least one of which will be on the exterior surface of the interior side of the helix, and 
 b) does not pass through a piercing in the helix or scapha; 
   wherein, when the earring is worn, the third segment will pass through a piercing in the earlobe from an exterior side to an interior side of the earlobe, such that the earlobe will exert a force on the third segment that will be transferred to the first segment, as a torque force, via the second segment.   
     
     
         2 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment is straight. 
     
     
         3 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment is curved along at least a portion of its length. 
     
     
         4 . The earring of  claim 3 , wherein part of the curve at least partially conforms to a longitudinal curvature of part of the auricular cartilage of a wearer's helix. 
     
     
         5 . The earring of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one of a jewel or finding coupled to the second segment. 
 
     
     
         6 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein a part of the first segment is co-linear with part of the second segment. 
     
     
         7 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein a part of the first segment is parallel to part of the second segment. 
     
     
         8 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein the third segment has an angular offset. 
     
     
         9 . The earring of  claim 8 , wherein
 a) if the second segment is a straight line, the angularly offset portion is oriented at an angle from the second segment, and   b) if the second segment is curved in a plane, the angularly offset portion is oriented at an angle from the plane.   
     
     
         10 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment has a location where its widest cross sectional dimension is wider than any cross sectional dimension of at least one of the first section or the third section. 
     
     
         11 . The earring of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment comprises at least one feature that allows for modification of the second segment length. 
     
     
         12 . An earring for wearing via a human ear, the earring comprising:
 three segments
 a helix engagement segment having an inflection point; 
 an earlobe engagement segment having a terminal end; and 
 a decorative segment located between, and coupled to, each of the helix engagement segment and earlobe engagement segment; 
   wherein none of the helix engagement segment, earlobe engagement segment, or decorative segment pass through a piercing of the helix or scapha;   wherein the inflection point and terminal end are separated from each other by the decorative segment at a linear distance in the range of between 54 mm and 85 mm; and   wherein the earlobe engagement segment has a cross sectional width, at its widest point, in the range of 0.3211 mm to 1.0237 mm.   
     
     
         13 . The earring of  claim 12 , wherein the linear distance is between 65 mm and 80 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The earring of  claim 12 , wherein the helix engagement segment has an outward-facing portion, and the earring further comprises:
 a decorative element, coupled to at least one of the decorative segment or the outward facing portion of the helix engagement segment, wherein the decorative element includes at least one jewel or finding.   
     
     
         15 . The earring of  claim 12 , wherein the decorative segment comprises a straight portion. 
     
     
         16 . The earring of  claim 12 , wherein the decorative segment comprises a curved portion. 
     
     
         17 . The earring of  claim 12 , wherein the helix engagement segment comprises:
 a first section which, when worn, will be on the interior side of the helix, and   a second section which, when worn, will be on the interior side of the helix,   wherein the first section and the second section are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of 6.5 mm to 7.5 mm, measured perpendicular to one of the first section or the second section.   
     
     
         18 . An item of jewelry, for wearing via a human ear, comprising:
 means for engaging the ear helix;   means for engaging the earlobe; and   means for separating and coupling the means for engaging the ear helix from the means for engaging the earlobe;   wherein neither the means for engaging the ear helix nor the means for separating and coupling are arranged to pass through any piercing in the ear helix or scapha.   
     
     
         19 . The item of jewelry of  claim 18 , wherein the means for engaging the earlobe has a first cross sectional width in its widest direction and the means for separating and coupling has a second cross sectional width in its widest direction, and wherein the first cross sectional width and second cross sectional width are different. 
     
     
         20 . The item of jewelry of  claim 18  wherein the means for separating and coupling includes at least one decorative element coupled to it comprising at least one jewel or finding.