IMPROVED EARRING OR BROOCH BACK

Abstract

An earring or brooch back for receiving a post includes a housing having a bottom shell and a top shell. The bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post. A first and a second pressing element are positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, and the first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the housing. The passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, and the second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the housing. The passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, and at least one spring is provided for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element.

Claims

1. An earring or brooch back for receiving a post which is provided with at least one groove, comprising: a housing comprising a bottom shell and a top shell, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post; a first and a second pressing element between the bottom shell and the top shell, wherein the first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, and wherein the second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, wherein the first and second stop lie on either side of a post to be inserted; at least one spring for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element; wherein the bottom shell is formed on the inner side with a first internal guide part for guiding the first pressing element and with a second internal guide part for guiding the second pressing element, wherein the first and second internal guide part lie on either side of the passage for the post.

2. The black according to claim 1, wherein the bottom shell is provided on an inner side thereof with at least one protruding positioning part for positioning the at least one spring.

3. The back according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second pressing element are provided with, respectively at least a first and a second guide wall against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward, which first guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part and which second guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance between the first stop and the second stop can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part inward.

4. The back according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second pressing element are provided with respectively at least a first and a second guide groove for the at least one spring, wherein the first guide wall is a wall of the first guide groove and the second guide wall is a wall of the second guide groove.

5. The back according to claim 1, wherein the first internal guide part has a first guide wall which is parallel to a second guide wall of the second internal guide part.

6. The back according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pressing element are each formed integrally.

7. The back according to claim 1, wherein the bottom shell, including the first and second internal guide part and the at least one positioning part, are formed integrally.

8. The back according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring consists of one single spring.

9. The back according to claim 3, wherein the at least one spring has a first spring-mounted leg against the first guide wall and a second spring-mounted leg against the second guide wall.

10. The back according to claim 9, wherein the first and second leg extend substantially along a V-shape, a circular periphery or a round U-shape around the passage.

11. The back according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring comprises a spiral-shaped part or a wave-shaped part which is preferably arranged around or against the positioning part.

12. The back according to claim 11, wherein the first and the second pressing element are provided with respectively at least a first and a second guide wall against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward, which first guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the first protruding part and which second guide wall lies substantially between the passage and the second protruding part, such that the distance between the first stop and the second stop can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part inward; wherein the at least one spring has a first spring-mounted leg against the first guide wall and a second spring-mounted leg against the second guide wall; and wherein the first and second spring-mounted leg and the spiral-shaped part or the wave-shaped part are formed integrally.

13. The back according to claim 3, wherein the first and second guide wall are configured to support the first and second leg at two contact points each in the different positions of the first and second pressing elements.

14. The back according to claim 1, wherein the first pressing element extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a first leg which forms the first stop, and wherein the second pressing element extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a second leg which forms the second stop, wherein the first leg lies partially in the U-shaped part of the second pressing element and the second leg lies partially in the U-shaped part of the first pressing element.

15. The back according to claim 2, wherein the at least one protruding positioning part comprises at least one pin around which a part of the at least one spring is received; or wherein the at least one protruding positioning part comprises at least one deepened portion or recess in which a part of the at least one spring is received.

16. The back according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a wire spring.

17. The back according to claim 1, wherein the bottom shell is provided with a first and a second stepped peripheral part on which the top shell is mounted, wherein the first and second pressing element extend between the first and second stepped peripheral part.

18. A method for manufacturing a back for receiving a post which is provided with at least one groove, comprising of: providing a bottom shell and a top shell, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post; wherein the bottom shell is formed on the inner side with a first internal guide part for guiding a first pressing element and with a second internal guide part for guiding a second pressing element, and wherein the first and second internal guide part lie on either side of the passage for the post; arranging a first and a second pressing element in the bottom shell between the first and second internal guide part, wherein the first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the bottom shell, wherein the passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, wherein the second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the bottom shell, wherein the passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, and wherein the first and second stop lie on either side of a post to be inserted; arranging at least one spring in a compressed state on the first and second pressing element such that the at least one spring acts against the first and the second pressing element and presses them outward; and arranging the top shell over the at least one spring and connecting the top shell to the bottom shell.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the top shell and the bottom shell are manufactured from metal by turning and/or milling

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first and the second pressing element are manufactured by lasering.

21-24. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] The above stated and other advantageous features and objects of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, on the basis of the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1A is a schematic cut-away perspective view of a first embodiment of a back;

[0040] FIG. 1B is a top view of the back of FIG. 1A without the top shell;

[0041] FIG. 1C is a side view of the back of FIG. 1A;

[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B are respective perspective views of the bottom shell of FIG. 1A, looking at an inner side and at an outer side;

[0043] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of a first pressing element of the back of FIG. 1A, looking at respectively an upper and an underside;

[0044] FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective schematic perspective views of the top shell of the back of FIG. 1A, looking at respectively an upper side and an underside;

[0045] FIG. 5A is a schematic cut-away perspective view of a second embodiment of a back;

[0046] FIG. 5B is a top view of the back of FIG. 1A without the top shell; FIG. 5C is a side view of the back of FIG. 5A;

[0047] FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective perspective views of the bottom shell of FIG. 5A, looking at an inner side and at an outer side;

[0048] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic perspective views of a first pressing element of the back of FIG. 5A, looking at respectively an upper and an underside;

[0049] FIGS. 8A and 8B are respective schematic perspective views of the top shell of the back of FIG. 5A, looking at respectively an upper side and an underside;

[0050] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic top view of a third embodiment of a back;

[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of a back;

[0052] FIG. 11 is a schematic cut-away perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a back;

[0053] FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic top views of the back of FIG. 11 without the top shell, respectively in the non-pressed-in position and in the pressed-in position; and

[0054] FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic cross-sections of the back of FIG. 11, respectively in the non-pressed-in position and in the pressed-in position.

DETAILED FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B illustrate a first embodiment of an earring back 100 according to the invention. Earring back 100 is intended for the purpose of receiving a post 200 with at least one groove 210. Earring back 100 comprises a housing with a bottom shell 110 and a top shell 120, a first and a second pressing element 130, 140 between the bottom shell and the top shell, and a spring 150 for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element.

[0056] Bottom shell 110 and top shell 120 are provided with mutually aligned openings 111, 121 for forming a passage P for post 200. First pressing element 130 is provided with a first stop 131 for post 200 and a first protruding part 132 which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage P lies between first stop 131 and first protruding part 132. The second pressing element 140 is provided with a second stop 141 for post 200 and with a second protruding part 142 which protrudes from the housing, wherein the passage P lies between second stop 141 and second protruding part 142. The first and second stop lie on either side of a post 200 to be inserted, and are intended to engage in groove 210.

[0057] Bottom shell 110 is formed on the inner side with a first internal guide part 113 for guiding first pressing element 130 and with a second internal guide part 114 for guiding the second pressing element 140, wherein the first and second internal guide part 113, 114 lie on either side of the passage for the post. Bottom shell 110 is further provided on an inner side thereof with, and preferably formed with, a protruding positioning part 115 for positioning the at least one spring 150. In the shown embodiment guide part 113 and positioning part 115 are mutually adjoining, wherein guide walls 113′ fulfil a guiding function of the pressing elements and positioning walls 115′ fulfil the positioning function. The first internal guide part 113 has a first guide wall 113′ which is parallel to a second guide wall 114′ of the second internal guide part 114, and is parallel to the pressing/pushing direction in which the first and second pressing elements can be pressed/pushed inward.

[0058] The first and the second pressing element 130, 140 are provided with, and preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide wall 135, 145 against which the at least one spring acts for the purpose of pressing respectively the first and second protruding part outward. First guide wall 135 lies substantially between the passage P and first protruding part 132 and second guide wall 145 lies substantially between the passage P and second protruding part 142, such that the distance d between first stop 131 and second stop 141 can be increased by pressing the first and second protruding part 132, 142 inward.

[0059] The first and the second pressing element 130, 140 are provided with, and preferably formed with, respectively at least a first and a second guide groove 136, 146 for the spring 150. The first guide wall 135 is a wall of the first guide groove 136 and the second guide wall 145 is a wall of the second guide groove 146.

[0060] The first and second pressing element 130, 140 are each formed integrally. Bottom shell 110, including the first and second internal guide part 113, 114 and the positioning part 115, are also formed integrally.

[0061] Spring 150 comprises a first spring-mounted leg 153 against first guide wall 135 and a second spring-mounted leg 154 against second guide wall 145. First and second leg 153, 154 extend substantially along a circular periphery or round U-shape around the passage P. Spring 150 comprises a wave-shaped part 152 which is arranged against positioning part 115. First and second spring-mounted leg 153, 154 and wave-shaped part 152 are formed integrally. First and second guide wall 135, 145 are configured to support first and second leg 153, 154 at two contact points P1, P2 each in the different positions of the first and second pressing elements 130, 140. Protruding positioning part 115 comprises a recess with positioning walls 115′ in which a part of spring 150 is received. Spring 150 is a wire spring.

[0062] First pressing element 130 extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a first leg which forms the first stop 131. Second pressing element 140 extends substantially U-shaped around the passage with a second leg which forms the second stop 141. First leg 131 lies partially in the U-shaped part of second pressing element 140 and second leg 141 lies partially in the U-shaped part of first pressing element 130.

[0063] First stop 131 lies opposite second stop 141 as seen in a pressing direction of the first and second pressing element 130, 140, which pressing direction is perpendicular to an axis of the passage P in which the post can be received. When the first and second pressing element 130, 140 are pressed in, the distance between the first and second stop 131, 141 will increase so that a post 200 can be inserted. When first and second pressing element 130, 140 are released, first and second stop 131, 141 move toward each other for fixedly clamping post 200 therebetween. First and second stop 131, 141 are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to the axis of the passage P. First and second stop 131, 141 preferably have the same thickness as measured in the direction of the axis A of the passage. First and second pressing element 130, 140 are embodied such that when the first and second protruding element are pressed inward, first pressing element 130 comes to a stop against second stop 141 and second pressing element 140 comes to a stop against first stop 131.

[0064] Bottom shell 110 is provided with a first and a second stepped peripheral part 116, 117 on which top shell 120 is mounted. First and second pressing element 130, 140 extend between the first and second stepped peripheral part 116, 117.

[0065] Earring back 100 according to the first embodiment can be assembled by means of the following steps: [0066] providing bottom shell 110 and top shell 120; [0067] arranging a first and a second pressing element 130, 140 in the bottom shell between the first and second internal guide part 113, 114; [0068] arranging spring 150, in a compressed state, on the first and second pressing element such that the spring acts against the first and the second pressing element and presses

##STR00001## [0069] arranging the top shell over the spring and connecting the top shell to the bottom shell.

[0070] The top shell and the bottom shell can be manufactured from metal by turning and/or milling The first and the second pressing element can be manufactured by lasering.

[0071] The spring 150 is arranged against the at least one protruding positioning part 115, and spring 150 is arranged on the first and second pressing element such that the spring acts against the first and the second guide wall and presses them outward.

[0072] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B illustrate a second embodiment of a back according to the invention. The back according to the second embodiment is similar to the back according to the first embodiment, with the difference that the positioning element for positioning the spring is formed by a pin, wherein a spiral-shaped part 151 is arranged around the pin. The other parts of the back are identical or similar and will not be described again.

[0073] FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of a back. Once again, similar parts are designated with the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be discussed below. In the back of FIG. 9 two springs 150a, 150b are provided instead of one spring. The two springs are provided with a spiral-shaped part 151a, 151b. In this embodiment the first and second pressing element are guided only by the peripheral parts 116, 117, and no internal guide parts are provided. The skilled person will however appreciate that these can be added so as to further improve the guiding. The skilled person will further appreciate that the two springs of the embodiment of FIG. 9 can fulfil the same function as the singular spring of the first and second embodiment.

[0074] FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of a back. In the embodiment of FIG. 10 one single spring 150 is used, which has the shape of a round U. Two positioning elements 115a, 115b are provided for the purpose of positioning the spring 150. These positioning elements 115a, 115b are formed integrally with bottom shell 110. The first and second pressing element are here also guided only by peripheral parts 116, 117. The skilled person will however appreciate that, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, at least two additional internal guide elements are preferably provided for the purpose of guiding the movement of the first and second pressing element 130, 140.

[0075] FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, 13A and 13B illustrate schematically a fifth embodiment of a back, which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C. Similar components are designated with the same reference numerals and will not be further elucidated here.

[0076] As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B and 13A and 13B, first stop 131 lies opposite second stop 141 as seen in a pressing direction R of the first and second pressing element 130, 140, which pressing direction R is perpendicular to an axis A of the passage P in which the post can be received. When first and second pressing element 130, 140 are pressed in, the distance between the first and second stop 131, 141 will increase so that a post 200 can be inserted. When first and second pressing element 130, 140 are released, first and second stop 131, 141 move toward each other for fixedly clamping the post therebetween. First and second stop 131, 141 are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to the axis of the passage P. Upper surface 131a, 141a of first and second stop 131, 141 preferably lie in the same plane. The lower surface 131b, 141b of the first and second stop 131, 141 preferably also lie in the same plane. First and second stop 131, 141 preferably have the same thickness d as measured in the direction of the axis A of the passage P, see FIGS. 13A and 13B. This thickness d is preferably smaller than 0.6 mm, more preferably smaller than 0.5 mm. In the fully pressed-in position the distance a2 between the first and second stop 131, 141 can for instance lie between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm, see FIG. 12B. In the non-pressed-in position the distance a1 can for instance lie between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, see FIG. 12A.

[0077] The first and second pressing element 130, 140 are embodied such that when the first and second protruding element are pressed inward, first pressing element 130 comes to a stop against second stop 141 and second pressing element 140 comes to a stop against first stop 131, see FIG. 12B.

[0078] More specifically, first stop 131 has an inner side which is directed toward the passage and is intended to come into contact with a post 200, and an outer side which is directed toward the protruding part 142 of second pressing element 140, wherein the outer side of first stop 131 is intended to form a stop for second pressing element 140. The same applies to the second stop 141, wherein second stop 141 has an outer side which is directed toward the protruding part 132 of first pressing element 130, wherein the outer side of second stop 141 is intended to form a stop for the first pressing element 130.

[0079] Spring 150 comprises a first spring-mounted leg 153 against first guide wall 135 and a second spring-mounted leg 154 against second guide wall 145. First and second leg 153, 154 extend substantially V-shaped around the passage P. Spring 150 is preferably manufactured from metal, for instance titanium. The diameter of spring 150 is preferably smaller than 1 millimetre, more preferably smaller than 0.5 mm. The length of the spring preferably lies between 7 and 10 mm, more preferably between 6 and 11 mm. The diameter D of the bottom shell preferably lies between 5 mm and 9 mm, more preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm.

[0080] The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the following claims.