Hair braiding apparatus
Apparatus having three hinged arms for separating portions of a person's hair during a French-braiding process. The two elongated outer arms attach to a connector body via pivots while the middle elongated arm attaches via rivets, allowing the elongated outer arms to open and close. The elongated outer arms each include a set of prongs extending towards the middle elongated arm. The middle elongated arm includes apertures or grooves in which the prongs of the elongated outer arms can nest. The elongated outer arms also include a securing mechanism such that they can fasten to the middle elongated arm via a post, for example, to maintain the hair braiding apparatus in a closed position. In preferred embodiments, the third or middle arm of the device uniquely separates the hair (e.g. at a part) to effect simplified braiding.
This invention relates to an apparatus having three hinged arms for separating portions of a person's hair during a French-braiding process. In preferred embodiments, the third or middle arm of the device uniquely separates the hair (e.g. at a part) to effect simplified braiding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHair braiding has been practiced throughout the world for many centuries. Various braid types, such as French braids, have become quite popular in the United States as hair styles in themselves or simply as recreational activities for young girls, for example.
In a typical braiding operation, hair is separated into distinct sections, and, thereafter, the sections are interwoven to form distinctive ornamental designs or appearances. Because maintaining separate hair sections while simultaneously weaving the sections together is a complex task, braiding hair without assistance is difficult and requires considerable manual dexterity and practice. Heretofore, in order to overcome this difficulty as well as the need for hair braiding experience or practice, various apparatus have been developed in the art which are insertable into a persons hair to assist in braiding type operations.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,550, issued Aug. 12, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,343, issued Jul. 7, 1998, each disclose devices which are insertable into a persons hair for assisting in the separation of hair into sections during braiding processes. As such, the devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents both employ a pair of opposing comb-like structures which interlock one to the other to effect a separation of hair portions in preparation for braiding. Employing such devices, however, due to the inability of the devices to separate the hair prior to the locking together of the comb structures, uneven separation of hair sections often results. Consequently, uneven, less visually attractive braids are typically achieved.
In view of the above-enumerated drawbacks, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for apparatus which overcomes at least one of the above drawbacks. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill these needs in the art, as well as other needs which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once given the above disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONGenerally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing:
A hair braiding apparatus comprising:
a connector body having first and second pivots;
a first elongated outer arm connected to the first pivot and having a first set of prongs extending therefrom;
a second elongated outer arm connected to the second pivot and having a second set of prongs extending therefrom;
a middle elongated arm connected to the connector body intermediate the first and the second pivots and located between the first and the second elongated outer arms;
the first and the second sets of prongs extending generally towards the middle elongated arm.
In one embodiment, each elongated outer arm contains a set of prongs extending perpendicularly from the elongated outer arms toward the middle elongated arm. The middle elongated arm contains grooves in which the prongs from the elongated outer arms may rest such that separated hair sections will remain separate. However, alternative methods can be used in place of the prongs and grooves.
In an alternative embodiment, each elongated outer arm contains a securing mechanism allowing the elongated outer arms to fasten to the post of the middle elongated arm thereby effectively holding the hair braiding apparatus in a closed position. The middle and outer elongated arms are substantially parallel to one another when the apparatus is in a closed position, and all three arms are generally curved to conform to the crown of the human head.
One objective of this invention is to more evenly divide the hair for easier braiding operation.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description of various illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features.
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In preferred embodiments, such as illustrated in
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In yet a further preferred embodiment illustrated in
Although various materials may be used to construct the subject invention, it is noted that a plastic-type material is thought to be most efficacious as well as cost effective (e.g. for manufacturing, etc.). Nevertheless, the invention as described herein is not intended to be limited to any specific material or combination thereof and may, alternatively, be constructed of wood, for example.
Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications, and improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such other features, modifications, and improvements are therefore considered to be part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims:
Claims
1. A hair braiding apparatus comprising:
- a connector body having first and second pivots;
- a first elongated outer arm connected to said first pivot and having a first set of prongs extending therefrom;
- a second elongated outer arm connected to said second pivot and having a second set of prongs extending therefrom;
- a middle elongated arm connected to said connector body intermediate said first and said second pivots and located between said first and said second elongated outer arms;
- said first and said second sets of prongs extending generally towards said middle elongated arm.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second elongated outer arms are pivotable towards and away from said middle elongated arm between closed and open positions, respectively.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said middle elongated arm includes a plurality of receiving structures so located and shaped so as to seat said first and said second sets of prongs when said first and said second elongated outer arms are oriented in said closed position.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said middle elongated arm and said first and said second elongated outer arms are substantially parallel one to another when said apparatus is in a closed configuration.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said middle elongated arm and said first and said second elongated outer arms are generally curved to conform to the crown region of a human head.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said middle elongated arm is non-pivotally connected to said connector body.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said prongs comprising said first and said second prong sets are so spaced one from another such that said prongs are capable of separating generally vertically spaced sections of hair in preparation for a braiding operation.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said middle elongated arm is so located and oriented with respect to said first and said second elongated outer arms such that said middle elongated arm is capable of separating left and right sections of hair in preparation for a braiding operation.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said first and said second elongated outer arms includes a securing mechanism for maintaining said first and said second elongated outer arms in a closed position.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 further including means for securing said apparatus in a closed position.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said middle elongated arm includes a post such that said securing mechanism located on at least one of said first and said second elongated outer arms can fasten to said post on said middle elongated arm.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2007
Inventor: Judy H. Adams (Milford, DE)
Application Number: 11/451,336
International Classification: A45D 24/06 (20060101);