US20170079387A1

US20170079387A1 - Decorative stopper and decorative fixture

Info

Publication number: US20170079387A1
Application number: US15/126,614
Authority: US
Inventors: Hidetaka Dobashi
Original assignee: Crossfor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Crossfor Co Ltd; Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2014-03-18
Filing date: 2014-03-18
Publication date: 2017-03-23
Also published as: KR20160135169A; CN106061314A; WO2015140828A1; JPWO2015140828A1

Abstract

On an end side of a post, along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, there are formed ring-shaped recess portions (grooves) each having a diameter smaller than those at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the grooves are formed at two positions. The stopper is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including the ring-shaped recess portions (grooves). Along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, there is formed a ring-shaped projection portion. The ring-shaped projection portions are configured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a decorative stopper of an ornament to be put, for example, on an earlobe of a wearer, and relates to the ornament.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, in general ornaments such as an earring, a decorative stem portion (such as post) is connected to a decorative body portion, and a part of the decorative stem portion, which passes through a wearing subject (such as earlobe), is held by a stopper (back piece). In this case, normally, the stopper by holding the part with, the decorative stem portion can be prevented from dropping off the wearing subject.
Specifically, the ornament disclosed in Patent Literature (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-209674) includes a post connected to the decorative body portion and configured to be inserted into a through-hole formed through the wearing subject, and the stopper configured to hold a part of the post, the part passing through the through-hole. The post includes an insertion stem portion having one end connected to the decorative body portion, and an engagement portion formed at another end of the insertion stem portion and having a diameter larger than that of the insertion stem portion in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the insertion stem portion. Further, the stopper is made of an elastic material, and has an insertion hole conforming to a shape of the engagement portion and of a part of the insertion stem portion, the part corresponding to a predetermined length from the engagement portion.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Incidentally, in the ornament according to Patent Literature 1, the diameter of the another end of the post is larger than that of the insertion stem portion, and the insertion hole of the stopper has a size in accordance therewith.
However, posts of, for example, general widespread earrings may include ring-shaped grooves that are formed near the another end of the insertion stem portion, and each have a diameter smaller in horizontal cross-section than those at positions therearound in the longitudinal direction. Thus, there is a problem of inconvenience in that the stopper cannot be used as stoppers for other ornaments.
Further, there is a request for holding the post more stably with the stopper such that the post is prevented from dropping off.
The present invention has been made in view of the related-art problems described above, and to achieve an object of providing a decorative stopper and an ornament, the decorative stopper being capable of effectively preventing a post connected to a decorative body portion and configured to pass through a wearing subject from dropping off, and being capable of holding posts of other general widespread accessories.

Solution to Problem

According to the present invention, there is provided a decorative stopper configured to hold another end of a post having one end connected to a decorative body portion, the another end being configured to pass through a through-hole formed through a wearing subject, the decorative stopper including a stopper body that is made of an elastic material and is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including a recess portion formed on the another end side of the post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller than diameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction, the stopper body including a projection portion that is formed along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, and is configured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.
It is preferred that, in the decorative stopper according to the present invention, the second position in the insertion hole in the insertion direction include a plurality of second positions in the insertion hole in the insertion direction, and the projection portion be formed along an inner periphery at each of the plurality of second positions.
It is preferred that the decorative stopper according to the present invention further include a guide portion configured to guide the post into an opening portion of the insertion hole on a side where the post is inserted, the guide portion being formed around the opening portion.
It is preferred that the decorative stopper according to the present invention further include a decorative member fixed to the stopper body.
It is preferred that the insertion hole of the decorative stopper according to the present invention be formed through the stopper body.
It is preferred that the insertion hole of the decorative stopper according to the present invention be formed within the stopper body.
It is preferred that the elastic material according to the present invention be silicone rubber.
According to the present invention, there is provided an ornament including: a decorative body portion; a post configured to pass through a through-hole formed through a wearing subject; and a stopper configured to hold a part of the post, the part passing through the through-hole, the post having one end connected to the decorative body portion, and including a recess portion formed on another end side of the post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller than diameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction, the stopper including a stopper body that is made of an elastic material and is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including the recess portion, the stopper body including a projection portion that is formed along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, and is configured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a decorative stopper and an ornament can be provided, the decorative stopper being capable of effectively preventing a post connected to a decorative body portion and configured to pass through a wearing subject from dropping off, and being capable of holding posts of other general widespread accessories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which an ornament according to a first embodiment of the present invention is put on a wearing subject.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a vicinity of a distal end of a post illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a stopper illustrated in FIG. 1 (without the post 3 to be attached thereto).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according to a second embodiment of the present invention (without the post to be attached thereto).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, ornaments according to embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which an ornament 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is put on a wearing subject 5. FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a vicinity of a distal end of a post 3 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a stopper 4 illustrated in FIG. 1 (without the post 3 to be attached thereto).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ornament 1 includes a decorative body portion 2, specifically, the post 3 (insertion portion) and the stopper (stopper body, that is, back piece) 4. The ornament 1 is put on through a through-hole 5 a formed through the wearing subject 5.
The decorative body portion 2 serves as a decorative part located on a front side of the wearing subject 5, that is, located on a most visible part of the ornament 1. The wearing subject 5 is, for example, an earlobe of a wearer.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the post 3 has one end connected to the decorative body portion 2 through, for example, integral formation or welding.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, on another end side of the post 3, along outer peripheries at first positions in a longitudinal direction of the post 3, there are formed ring-shaped recess portions (grooves) 21 each having a diameter smaller than those at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped recess portions 21 are formed at two positions.
A shape of the post 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a general shape widespread worldwide.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the stopper 4 has an insertion hole 4 a capable of allowing the post 3 to be inserted thereinto by a predetermined length of a region including the ring-shaped recess portions 21. In the stopper 4, the insertion hole 4 a is formed through the stopper body.
Along inner peripheries at second positions in the insertion hole 4 a in an insertion direction of the post 3, there are formed ring-shaped projection portions 41. The ring-shaped projection portions 41 are configured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 under a state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 4 a. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped projection portions 41 are formed at four positions in the insertion hole 4 a.
The stopper 4 is made of an elastic material (such as silicone rubber).
Depending on a thickness of the wearing subject 5, an insertion position of the post 3 in the insertion hole 4 a is determined.
When the wearing subject 5 is thick, a length of a part of the post 3, which is located in the insertion hole 4 a, is small. Thus, the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 are fitted into ones of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, the ones being closer to an opening portion 4 a 1 on an insertion side in the stopper 4.
Meanwhile, when the wearing subject 5 is thin, the length of the part of the post 3, which is located in the insertion hole 4 a, is large. Thus, the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 are fitted into ones of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, the ones being farther from the opening portion 4 a 1 on the insertion side in the stopper 4.
Near the opening portion 4 a 1 on the insertion side in the insertion hole 4 a of the stopper 4, there is formed a guide surface (tapered surface) 4 b configured to guide the post 3 into the opening portion 4 a 1. By virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, at the time of the insertion, the distal end of the post 3 abuts against the guide surface 4 b and is guided into the opening portion 4 a 1. In this way, the post 3 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 4 a of the stopper 4.
Further, by virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, the post 3 can be inserted even when an inner diameter of the insertion hole 4 a is reduced. Thus, the post 3 can be more stably held in the insertion hole 4 a, and hence the post 3 can be effectively restrained from dropping off the insertion hole 4 a.
As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 is fixed to a decorative member 47 such as a pearl. A type of the decorative member 47 is not particularly limited.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 is fixed to the decorative member 47 in a manner that the guide surface 4 b is located on an outside of the decorative member 47. With this, the post 3 is easily inserted into the insertion hole 4 a with use of the guide surface 4 b.
According to the configuration of the ornament 1, the post 3 is easily inserted into the stopper 4, and the post 3 is less liable to drop off the stopper 4. With this simple configuration, the ornament 1 can be prevented from dropping off the wearing subject 5. Specifically, by virtue of the formation of the guide surface 4 b near the opening portion 4 a 1 of the stopper 4, at the time of the insertion, the distal end of the post 3 abuts against the guide surface 4 b and is guided into the opening portion 4 a 1. In this way, the post 3 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 4 a of the stopper 4. Further, by virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, the post 3 can be inserted even when the inner diameter of the insertion hole 4 a is reduced. Thus, a stability of the post 3 held in the insertion hole 4 a is increased. With this, the post 3 can be effectively restrained from dropping off the insertion hole 4 a.
Further, according to the ornament 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the ring-shaped projection portions 41 in the insertion hole 4 a of the stopper 4 were formed in conformity with the general widespread shape of the post 3.
With this, also when the stopper 4 is used in a large number of general ornaments widespread worldwide, the post can be stably held. As described above, according to the ornament 1, the post 3 can be prevented from dropping off the wearing subject, and can be used for holding posts of other general widespread accessories.
Further, according to the ornament 1, the distal end of the post 3 does not protrude to the rear of the wearing subject 5. Thus, damage to the neck of a wearer, an object, or the like located on the rear can be prevented.
In this way, with the simple configuration of the ornament according to this embodiment, drop-off can be prevented, and safety can be enhanced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a stopper (stopper body) 104 of an ornament according to a second embodiment of the present invention (without the post 3 to be attached thereto).
The stopper 104 is provided with an insertion hole 104 a capable of allowing a part of the post 3, which corresponds to a predetermined length of a region including the ring-shaped recess portions 21, to be inserted thereinto. The insertion hole 104 a is formed within the stopper body.
Along inner peripheries at second positions in the insertion hole 104 a in the insertion direction of the post 3, there are formed ring-shaped projection portions 141. The ring-shaped projection portions 141 are configured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 under a state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 104 a. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped projection portions 141 are formed at four positions in the insertion hole 104 a.
The decorative member 47 is not fixed to the stopper 104 unlike, for example, the first embodiment. Thus, the stopper 104 is used while being exposed to the outside.
Also according to this embodiment, advantages similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
Specifically, also in the stopper 104, a guide surface 104 b is formed near an opening portion 104 a 1. With this, at the time of the insertion, the distal end of the post 3 abuts against the guide surface 104 b and is guided into the opening portion 104 a 1. In this way, the post 3 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 104 a of the stopper 104. Further, by virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 104 b, the post 3 can be inserted even when an inner diameter of the insertion hole 104 a is reduced. Thus, the post 3 can be more stably held in the insertion hole 104 a, and hence the post 3 can be effectively restrained from dropping off the insertion hole 104 a.
Further, according to this embodiment, the distal end of the post 3 does not protrude to the rear of the wearing subject 5. Thus, damage to the neck of a wearer, an object, or the like located on the rear can be prevented.
In this way, with the simple configuration of the ornament according to this embodiment, drop-off can be prevented, and safety can be enhanced.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.
Specifically, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations of the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or the equivalents thereof.
More specifically, there may be employed, for example, a stopper 204 having a shape illustrated in FIG. 5. The stopper 204 is provided with an insertion hole 204 a formed through the stopper 204. The post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 204 a.
Further, as in the first embodiment, the stopper 204 is provided with a guide surface 204 b. In addition, ring-shaped projection portions 241 are formed along an inner periphery of the insertion hole 204 a.
Still further, there may be employed, for example, a stopper 304 having a shape illustrated in FIG. 6. The stopper 304 is provided with an insertion hole 304 a formed through the stopper 304. The post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 304 a.
Further, as in the second embodiment, the stopper 304 is provided with a guide surface 304 b. In addition, ring-shaped projection portions 341 are formed along an inner periphery of the insertion hole 304 a.
Yet further, for example, the number and the shape of the ring-shaped grooves 21 of the post 3, and the numbers and the shapes of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, 141, 241, and 341 of the stoppers 4, 104, 204, and 304 are not particularly limited to those in the scope of the present invention, the scope being specified in “Claims.”
Yet further, in the cases exemplified in the embodiments described above, heights of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, 141, 241, and 341 to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 under the state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 4 a, 104 a, 204 a, or 304 a are set equal to each other. However, for example, heights of ones of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, 141, 241, and 341, which are closer to the opening portion on the insertion side, may be set larger.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is an ornament to be put, for example, on an earlobe of a wearer.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 ornament
2 decorative body portion
3 post
4, 104, 204, 304 stopper
4 a, 104 a, 204 a, 304 a insertion hole
41, 141, 241, 341 ring-shaped projection portion
5 wearing subject
5 a through-hole
21 ring-shaped recess portion

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A decorative stopper configured to hold another end of a post having one end connected to a decorative body portion, the another end being configured to pass through a through-hole formed through a wearing subject, the decorative stopper comprising:

a stopper body that is made of an elastic material and is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including a recess portion formed on another end side of the post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller than diameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction, the stopper body including a projection portion that is formed along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, and is configured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.

10. The decorative stopper according to claim 9,

wherein the second position in the insertion hole in the insertion direction includes a plurality of second positions in the insertion hole in the insertion direction, and

wherein the projection portion is formed along an inner periphery at each of the plurality of second positions.

11. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, further comprising a guide portion configured to guide the post into an opening portion of the insertion hole on a side where the post is inserted, the guide portion being formed around the opening portion.

12. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, further comprising a decorative member fixed to the stopper body.

13. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein the insertion hole is formed through the stopper body.

14. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein the insertion hole is formed within the stopper body.

15. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein the elastic material is silicone rubber.

16. An ornament, comprising:

a decorative body portion;

a post configured to pass through a through-hole formed through a wearing subject; and

a stopper configured to hold a part of the post, the part passing through the through-hole,

the post having one end connected to the decorative body portion, and including a recess portion formed on another end side of the post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller than diameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction,

the stopper including a stopper body that is made of an elastic material and is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including the recess portion, the stopper body including a projection portion that is formed along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, and is configured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.