Pierced earring locking and holding system

Abstract

A pierced earring holding and locking system is provided that securely retains the locking system in both locked and unlocked configurations by providing an engagement mechanism in the body of the locking system, such as a spring or interlocking surface projections and depressions. The body of the locking system may include a shaft, arms extending from the shaft, and a recess formed between the arms. A locking bar is pivotally engaged with the body section and movable between a first position with the locking bar substantially parallel to the shaft, and a second position with the locking bar substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The body section further may include a spring biased towards the locking bar, the spring being compressed by the locking bar when the locking bar is in the first position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A locking and holding system for an earring comprising:
 a body section comprising:
 a shaft comprising two twisted interlocking members and having a cylindrical shape; 
 a pair of arms, each of the pair of arms extending from a respective one of the two twisted interlocking members of the shaft; and 
 a recess formed between the pair of arms; and 
   a locking bar pivotally engaged with the body section and movable between a first position with a longitudinal axis of the locking bar substantially parallel to a central axis of the shaft, and a second position with the longitudinal axis of the locking bar substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft;   wherein the body section and the locking bar are integrally connected at a pivot point about which the locking bar pivots between the first position and the second position; and   wherein the body section further comprises a spring biased towards the locking bar, the spring being compressed by the locking bar when the locking bar is in the first position.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft further comprises a chamber housing the spring. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the body section further comprises a cap member disposed on a first end of the spring positioned nearest to the locking bar, wherein the cap member extends into the recess such that it impedes pivoting of the locking bar into the first position when the spring is in a decompressed form. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the cap member comprises a channel disposed on a surface proximal to the recess, the channel being dimensioned for receiving an edge of the locking bar in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the two intertwining members of the shaft are opposing ends of a single coiling member that is wound into the cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of arms are integrally formed with intertwining members of the shaft;
 wherein the pair of arms contact each other at distal ends of the pair of arms; and   wherein the locking bar comprises a hole formed therethrough configured to fit over each of the pair of arms to secure the locking bar to the body section, such that the locking bar is configured to pivot about the distal ends of the pair of arms.   
     
     
         7 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the body section further comprises a base configured to be secured to the earring. 
     
     
         15 . A locking and holding system for an earring comprising:
 a body section comprising:
 a shaft comprising two twisted interlocking members and having a cylindrical shape; 
 a pair of arms, each of the pair of arms extending from a respective one of the two twisted interlocking members of the shaft; and 
 a recess formed between the pair of arms; and 
   a locking bar pivotally engaged with the body section and movable between a first position with a longitudinal axis of the locking bar substantially parallel to a central axis of the shaft, and a second position with the longitudinal axis of the locking bar substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft;   wherein the body section and the locking bar are integrally connected at a pivot point about which the locking bar pivots between the first position and the second position; and   wherein the body section further comprises an internal engagement means configured to engage with the locking bar in the first position and impede pivoting of the locking bar from the second position into the first position.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the internal engagement means comprises a spring biased towards the locking bar, the spring being compressed by the locking bar when the locking bar is in the first position, and wherein the shaft further comprises a chamber housing the spring. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the body section further comprises a cap member disposed on a first end of the spring positioned nearest to the locking bar, wherein the cap member extends into the recess such that it impedes pivoting of the locking bar into the first position when the spring is in a decompressed form. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the cap member comprises a channel disposed on a surface proximal to the recess, the channel being dimensioned for receiving and retaining an edge of the locking bar in the first position. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the two intertwining members of the shaft are opposing ends of a single coiling member that is wound into the cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the pair of arms are integrally formed with intertwining members of the shaft;
 wherein the pair of arms contact each other at distal ends of the pair of arms; and   wherein the locking bar comprises a hole formed therethrough configured to fit over each of the pair of arms to secure the locking bar to the body section, such that the locking bar is configured to pivot about the distal ends of the pair of arms.