Headband
A novel form of a headband is provided which, in its preferred embodiment, consists of a substantially cylindrical band of flexible material with an elongated slit provided along a portion of the circumference. In use, the user first puts it on in the manner of an ordinary headband; she subsequently pulls her hair through the slit. Thus the headband achieves the dual tasks of acting as a headband as well as a ponytail retainer.
A design patent application, Ser. No. 29/167,956 for this invention was filed on Sep. 24, 2002 for inventor Priti Srivastava. The benefit of the filing date of Sep. 24, 2002 is requested for the current patent application with the term of the current application being reduced accordingly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an improved headband particularly one that can be worn simultaneously as a headwrap and a ponytail retainer. The headband of this invention has several advantages over existing prior art devices that are described in the following paragraphs.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,585 inventor Stroup describes a headband that can be used to include a ponytail. Stroup's headband consists of an elongated member with Velcro closures. This design of Stroup's headband is likely to make it expensive to manufacture. More importantly Stroup's headband will be hard to use because of its linear design. Just as it is easier to secure a ponytail with a circle of elastic than with an elongated string of elastic, likewise it is easier to wear a circular headband as compared to an open-ended headband such as Stroup's.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,422 by Henderson describes a headband and hair-retainer where the hair-retaining device is made of a rigid material. Such a rigid material will most likely be uncomfortable for the wearer especially when she is leaning against a back rest or lying down. Additionally, the design of Henderson's device lacks the simplicity and finesse of the headband of the current invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 443,954 inventors Blum et al describe a combined headband and hair retainer. Their hair retainer has the disadvantage that it bunches up the wearer's hair into a small bundle thereby forming a kink at the point of constriction. Additionally, Blum et al's hair retainer appears contrived and does not have the simplicity and elegance of the device of the current invention.
Thus, it is the object of this invention to provide a combined headband and hair retainer that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is also the object of this invention to provide a combination headband and hair retainer that is easy to use.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a headband that is attractive in appearance.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a headband that can be used as a cosmetic wrap to keep the wearer's hair out of her face while washing or applying cosmetics.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a headband that can be used as an ear warmer as well as a ponytail retainer and headband.
A further object of this invention is to provide a device that can be worn around the neck of the wearer in place of a scarf or a muffler. The slit in the device can be used to gently retain the wearer's hair thus making it the ideal accessory for winter sports such as skating or skiing.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact hair accessory that can easily be packed into a ladies purse.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an aesthetic hair accessory that can be also be used in the manner of an ordinary headband when the slit is discretely hidden under the hair of the wearer.
Other and still further objects, features and advantages of the headband will become obvious from a reading of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a combined headband and ponytail retainer. Methods for using such a device are also included.
In its simplest embodiment the device of the current invention consists of a cylindrical band of material that includes an elongated slit along a portion of its circumference. The slit acts as a ponytail pull-through. The design of the current invention presents several advantages.
The headband of the current invention can be used in the manner of an ordinary, everyday head wrap. Then, when desired, the ponytail can be pulled through the slit for a new and convenient hairstyle.
The headband of this invention can be used as a cosmetic wrap for keeping the wearer's hair out of her face while washing or applying cosmetics. However, depending on the material of construction it can also be used as a stylish hair accessory.
The split headband of this invention can be an ideal cold weather accessory. It can be used as a neck warmer or ear warmer while also being used as a hair retainer.
The simple and intuitive design of the headband will allow for easy commercial introduction since there will be no learning curve for the user. A simple illustration of the headband in use will show the user all he or she needs to know about using the headband.
The headband is very compact and can be easily carried in a purse without adding either bulk or weight. It can easily be packed for travel.
The headband is a great gift item for anyone with medium to long hair.
Thus the headband of this invention has great potential for market success.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWING
- 1 first embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 2 elongated slit formed in the first embodiment of the headband
- 3 non-slit band region of the headband
- 4, 6 regions of the headband forming slit 2
- 8 hair of wearer
- 10 second embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 11 non-slit region of headband that goes over the crown
- 12 slit formed in the second embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 14, 16 bands of material forming slit 12
- 20 third embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 22 slit formed in the third embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 24, 26 regions of the headband forming slit 22
- 28 non-slit region of the headband that goes over the crown of the wearer's head
- 30 fourth embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 32 slit formed in the fourth embodiment of the headband of this invention
- 34, 36 regions of the fourth embodiment of the headband forming slit 32
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
The style illustrated in
Thus, aside from the different headbands and methods of wearing shown in the above figures, many others are possible by making minor adjustments to the headband. Elements of the various embodiments may be mixed and matched. For instance, element 16 of
Thus, modifications may be made to the headband of this invention without taking away from the spirit of the invention. All such modifications are to be regarded as within the scope of this application.
Operation of the Invention
The headband of this invention is as easy to use as it is to manufacture.
For instance, to achieve the look shown in
Once the wearer is wearing the headband of this invention in the manner of an ordinary headband, she can then reach into the slit of the headband and pull her hair through the slit. The headbands shown in
To achieve the look shown in
In order to achieve the look shown in
While certain novel features and uses of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTIONThus the reader will see that the headband of this invention provides a simple hair accessory for achieving a variety of stylish and practical looks. This band is an improvement over existing prior art devices because it is not only simple in construction and use but also very versatile.
One use of this headband is as a cosmetic wrap. When washing her face, a user needs to keep her hair from getting wet. If she uses an ordinary headband to keep her hair from falling forward over the forehead, then she will also need to use a ponytail elastic or some other means to keep the lower portions of her hair from falling forward. Having to use two separate hair accessories for a simple task such as washing ones face is a nuisance. Additionally, the use of a ponytail elastic to keep her hair back can result in a kink in her hair thus ruining a fresh blow-dry. The headband of this invention offers a simple solution by not only keeping hair away from the forehead but by also gently acting as a ponytail retainer.
Other uses of the headband of this invention include its use as a cold weather accessory. It provides a good alternative to a cap especially since, unlike a cap, it does not flatten a user's hairstyle. As shown in
The headband can also be used as a neck warmer as shown in
Depending on the material and construction of the headband it can be a career accessory, a school accessory as well as an accessory for dressy occasions.
From the preceding discussion, the reader will see that the headband of this invention has many advantages over prior art devices including those of ease of manufacturing, ease of use, versatility, compact structure, and aesthetic appeal.
It is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. While this description is directed to particular embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations which fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included as well. Thus even though the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A combined headband and ponytail retaining device, said device including:
- a. a substantially cylindrical band portion
- b. said cylindrical band portion having a circumference and a width
- c. said circumference being stretchable so as to allow placement of said device around the head of a wearer
- d. said cylindrical band portion incorporating an opening
- e. said opening being of a dimension to allow the wearer's hair to be pulled through said opening whereby the headband can be used as a combined headband and ponytail retaining device.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said opening is created by making an elongated slit in the material of the cylindrical band portion with said slit being parallel to the circumference of said cylindrical band.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said opening is created by attaching two ends of a substantially rectangular band of material to two regions along the circumference of the cylindrical band portion.
4. A method of wearing a headband with an opening along its band, said method including
- a. placing the headband around the head of the wearer in the manner of an ordinary headband
- b. reaching into the opening of the headband
- c. pulling the hair of a wearer through the opening of the headband thus constraining the hair of the wearer within the opening of the headband whereby the headband can be used as a ponytail retainer.
5. A method of wearing a substantially cylindrical neck warmer, said method including:
- a. wearing the neck warmer around the neck with an opening in the neck warmer positioned at the back of the wearer's neck
- b. reaching through the opening and pulling the wearer's hair through the opening whereby the neck warmer can also double as a ponytail retainer.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 24, 2003
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2005
Inventor: Priti Srivastava (White Plains, NY)
Application Number: 10/669,195