Improved Hair Accessory
An improved decorative hair accessory that comprises a bow or ribbon, an accessory cord that is fixed to the bow or ribbon with the cord being slidably connected with a sleeve. An elastic band is threaded through the sleeve and provides a loop through which the user may twist, as necessary, and pull the user's ponytail through the loop to secure the entire decorative hair accessory to the user's ponytail. The exposed band can be twisted as much as desired by the user. The length of hair can then optionally be inserted through the fabric opening. After repeated usage, the user can use a new elastic band without having to discard the hair accessory due to the loss of elasticity or breakage of the band.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an improved decorative ponytail holder and method for securing the hair of a user in a relatively tight and secure manner.
2. Description of Related Art
Elastic ponytail ties are an effective means to secure hair in ponytails or pigtails. Similarly, ponytail holders with elastic bands and surrounding decorative fabric or ribbons, sometimes referred to as “scrunchies”, are often used to keep one's hair neat and out of the way while simultaneously providing fashion to one's overall appearance.
A traditional scrunchie or elastic-only ponytail tie can be placed on a ponytail by pulling the ponytail through the scrunchie, twisting the scrunchie into a “figure 8” and then pulling the ponytail through the newly created opening or opposite end of the figure 8. This process can be repeated until the ponytail is securely fastened. Scrunchies and elastic ponytail bands, however, have a tendency to become loose and slide out of the hair. Such undesirable movement can become more pronounced if a person is playing a sport, such as tennis or soccer, where rapid movement of the head in different directions can cause the scrunchie to loosen. Moreover, repeated uses of the ponytail band can eventually lead to the elastic band breaking, thereby rendering the band and entire decorative hair accessory useless. As a result, the entire accessory must be discarded and a new one purchased. Consequently, a need exists for a decorative hair accessory that can be reused indefinitely by replacing the elastic ponytail band. Further, a need exists for an improved hair accessory with a replaceable elastic ponytail band which will not compromise the decorative and functional qualities of the decorative hair accessory when a new elastic ponytail band is utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention, an improved decorative hair accessory comprises a bow or ribbon, an accessory cord that is fixed to the bow or ribbon with a sleeve being slidably connected to the accessory cord. An elastic ponytail band is threaded through the sleeve and provides a loop through which the user may twist, as necessary, and pull the user's ponytail through the loop to secure the entire decorative hair accessory to the user's ponytail. The exposed band can be twisted as much as desired by the user. The length of hair can then optionally be inserted through the fabric opening. After repeated usage, the user can use a new elastic ponytail band without having to discard the hair accessory due to the loss of elasticity or breakage of the ponytail band. The above as well as additional features and advantages will become apparent in the following written detailed description.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
As shown in
One advantage of the present invention is that the sleeve 16 provides a protective housing for the portion of band 18 that is subject to stress produced by the user wearing the accessory 12. Likewise, a distinct advantage of the present invention is that sleeve 16 provides a reusable connection point for band 18 in case band 18 is broken or loses elasticity over repeated wearing of the hair accessory assembly. The user has the option of replacing band 18 with an entirely new elastic band at anytime or, alternatively, if the band 18 breaks the user may simply take the broken band, insert it through the sleeve and form a new loop by tying a knot in the band 18. The user may then position the band with the knot secured in the sleeve 16 and reattach the hair accessory assembly to the user's ponytail or, alternatively, insert the pony tail through both loops of the band 18 to secure the hair accessory to the user's pony tail.
The instant invention provides several advantages over the prior art. First, it provides a way to replace the elastic pony tail band cord that secures the decorative hair accessory to the user's ponytail. As a result, the user does not have to dispose of the hair accessory if the elastic pony tail band loses its elasticity or breaks. A new band or length of elastic cord may be attached to the sleeve and hair accessory may then be reused. Alternatively, the user may reuse the broken band by simply knotting it. The Slidable sleeve provides a protective enclosure which protects the elastic ponytail band, and knotted portion thereof, from the stresses of use by the user and from sight by spectators.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A reusable decorative hair accessory for securely holding the hair of a user comprising:
- a decorative accessory with an elastic accessory band secured thereto;
- a sleeve slidably secured to the accessory band, wherein a portion of an elastic ponytail band is inserted into the sleeve and forming at least one loop to provide a ponytail holder which secures the decorative hair accessory to the user's ponytail.
2. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said decorative accessory comprises a fabric bow.
3. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said decorative accessory comprises at least one fabric ribbon.
4. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of flexible plastic.
5. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of wood.
6. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of metal.
7. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of glass.
8. A method of reusing a decorative hair accessory comprising:
- removing the broken elastic pony tail band from the slidable sleeve;
- inserting a free end of an elastic pony tail band through a slidable sleeve and knotting the free ends of said elastic pony tail; and,
- securing the knotted portion of the elastic pony tail band within the slidable sleeve.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
- inserting a pony tail through the elastic pony tail; and,
- securing the decorative hair accessory to the pony tail.
10. A method for securing a decorative hair accessory to a ponytail, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) joining a decorative accessory to an accessory cord with a sleeve slidably secured to said accessory cord;
- b) inserting an elastic ponytail band through the sleeve;
- c) threading one end of the ponytail band through the opposite protruding end of the ponytail band and forming one ponytail loop; and,
- d) inserting a ponytail through the ponytail loop.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 21, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 27, 2008
Inventor: Sandra J. Shidler (Highland Village, TX)
Application Number: 11/534,111
International Classification: A45D 8/12 (20060101);