Backing for an earring, and earring with a backing

Abstract

The invention relates to a backing for an earring, and to an earring with a backing. The backing is particularly suitable for a stud earring but is not limited to those applications and can also be used for a drop earring or hook earring if desired. The backing has a hole which is sized to accommodate a post of the earring and to be a frictional fit upon the post, the backing having a substantially planar surface which lies against the user's ear lobe in use, the hole extending in a direction which is substantially aligned with the substantially planar surface. The earring has a post with a first portion, a second portion and a bend between the first portion and the second portion. The backing is designed to fit to the second portion.

1 . A backing for an earring, the backing having a hole which is sized to accommodate a post of the earring and to be a frictional fit upon the post, the backing having a substantially planar surface which lies against the user's ear lobe in use, the hole extending in a direction which is substantially aligned with the substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         2 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the hole extends in a direction which is less than 30° away from precisely parallel with the substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         3 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the hole is linear. 
     
     
         4 . The backing according to  claim 1  having a second surface which opposes the substantially planar surface, and in which the second surface is domed. 
     
     
         5 . The backing according to  claim 1  having a trough, in which the hole extends from an end of the trough. 
     
     
         6 . The backing according to  claim 5  in which the end of the trough surrounding the hole is inclined towards the hole. 
     
     
         7 . The backing according to  claim 5  in which the trough extends from the approximate centre of the backing to the peripheral edge of the backing. 
     
     
         8 . The backing according to  claim 5  in which the trough has side walls, and in which the side walls taper towards the hole. 
     
     
         9 . The backing according to  claim 5  in which the trough extends only part-way through the backing. 
     
     
         10 . The backing according to  claim 5  in which the hole has an edge and in which the edge of the hole is aligned with the bottom of the trough. 
     
     
         11 . The backing according to  claim 1  having a side wall, in which the hole is open at the side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The backing according to  claim 1  made of silicone. 
     
     
         13 . An earring with a backing according to  claim 1 , the earring having a post with a first portion, a second portion and a bend between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         14 . The earring according to  claim 13  in which the bend is an approximate right angle. 
     
     
         15 . The earring according to  claim 13  in which the length of the second portion is greater than the length of the hole.