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 earring having a post, the backing being configured for securement to the post and further configured to secure the earring to a user's ear by way of the post in use with a part of the user's ear lobe sandwiched between the earring and the backing, the backing having a hole which is sized to accommodate the post and to be a frictional fit upon the post, the backing having a side wall and 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 backing having a trough with an end at the approximate centre of the substantially planar surface, the trough extending to the side wall, the hole extending from the end of the trough at the approximate centre of the substantially planar surface to the side wall and being open at the side wall. 
     
     
         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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the end of the trough surrounding the hole is inclined towards the hole. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the trough has side walls, and in which the side walls taper towards the hole. 
     
     
         9 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the trough extends only part-way through the backing. 
     
     
         10 . The backing according to  claim 1  in which the hole has an edge and in which the edge of the hole is aligned with the bottom of the trough. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         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.