PORTABLE WIG CASE AND STAND

Abstract

A portable wig and hairpiece stand includes a substantially hollow box base having a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side wall; an inflatable support member for removably supporting a hairpiece, this support member being operably disposed within the top panel of the hollow box base; and a device in fluid communication with the inflatable support member for moving air into or out of it. Also included are provisions for accessing the interior space of the hollow box member, which can be disposed in one side wall or be a hinged top panel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/067,968 filed Mar. 3, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to wig and hairpiece stands and, more particularly, this invention relates to a portable stand and accessory case for displaying and working on wigs and hair pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, those working with or displaying wigs for themselves or clients have had numerous options, but all with one or more drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable wig and hairpiece stand which includes a substantially hollow box base having a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side wall; an inflatable support member for removably supporting a hairpiece, this support member being operably disposed within the top panel of the hollow box base; and a device in fluid communication with the inflatable support member for moving air into or out of it. Also included are provisions for accessing the interior space of the hollow box member, which can be disposed in one side wall or preferably be a hinged top panel.

In alternative embodiments, equally preferred, the box base is either rectangular or circular in general shape. In addition, removable legs are supplied for raising the stand to a more convenient height.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a portable work and display stand for wigs and hairpieces that is compact yet capable of carrying accessories.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a work and display stand for wigs that is readily expandable in height in at least two ways for convenient styling of longer hair.

Still another object of the present invention is to make available a portable inflatable work stand for wigs and hairpieces that requires no electrical power to set up for use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a travel hair mannequin for wigs that also serves as a carrying case for accessories.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable hairpiece stand that can transport the hairpiece and display it.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the present invention set up and in use.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an underside perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as 10. A hollow box base 12 is constructed of a material preselected from the group of plastic, metal, or wood. Typically, the box 12 will be rectangular, but it could be a squat cylinder as well. A key element of the present invention is the inflatable head mannequin 14 which is disposed in the top panel 21. Inflation for use is provided by hand pump 16 connected to the inflatable member 14 by a hollow tube 25. The air tube 25 has a connection 26 that allows separation of the hose 25 and hand pump 16 for deflating the head mannequin 14 and internal storage of the two. In this embodiment, the interior of the hollow box structure 12 is accessed by way of a drawer 18 with a pull handle. Detachable support legs 20 and other items can be stored in the drawer 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention set up and in use to support a wig 30. The inflatable support member or head 14 has been fully inflated. The drawer 18 has been closed within the box base 12. Optional support legs 20 have been attached to provide additional height if desired for working with longer hair.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The box-like structure 12 has a hinged lid 19 that can be held closed by the hinge 40 and the latch parts 30 and 36, for which there are numerous styles that will work. The collapsible inflatable head mannequin 14 is secured to an opening in the lid. A releasable hose connection 24 appends from the bottom side of mannequin 14 and is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable mannequin 14. A squeezable hand pump 16 can push air through hose 25, and end connection 26 mates removably with connection 24. The hose 25 lies in a notch 27 when the lid 19 is closed so that the head mannequin can be inflated as depicted in FIG. 2. Optional features of the preferred embodiment are a removable mirror 28, extension legs 20, and a carrying handle 42. The box-like structure 12 is sized adequately for also carrying a hairpiece or wig 30.

Referring next to FIG. 4, an upward looking perspective view is provided for an alternative embodiment wherein the predetermined shape of the box 12 is generally round and may be referred to as a squat cylinder. The top lid 19 is hinged and has the inflatable member 14 imbedded in the top lid 19. At least three round legs 20 are removably inserted into mating cylindrical sleeves 46. It should be obvious from the two alternatives depicted herein that the shape could also be hexagonal or octagonal.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable wig and hairpiece stand comprising:

a) a substantially hollow box base made from a first predetermined material and having a predetermined volume, and a first predetermined shape having a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side wall;

b) an inflatable support member of a second predetermined shape manufactured from a second predetermined material for removably supporting a hairpiece, said support member being operably disposed within said top panel of said hollow box base;

c) a means in fluid communication with said inflatable support member for moving air into or out of said inflatable support member; and

d) a means disposed in one of said top panel and said at least one side wall for accessing an interior space of said hollow box member.

2. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined material is one of wood, plastic, and metal.

3. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape is one of rectangular and a squat cylinder.

4. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined volume is between about 200 and 1000 cubic inches.

5. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined shape is of a human head and neck.

6. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving air is an elastomeric squeeze bulb fluidly connected to at least one hose section with an intermediate releasable connection.

7. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said hollow box base further includes at least three removable legs and mating sleeves secured to said bottom panel of said box member.

8. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said means for accessing an interior space is one of a removable drawer and a hinged said top panel.

9. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said wig and hairpiece stand further includes at least one mirror removably attached to said top panel.

10. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 1, wherein said wig and hairpiece stand further includes at least one carrying handle.

11. The portable wig and hairpiece stand, according to claim 8, wherein said hinged top panel further includes a first latching means engageable with a second latching means disposed on said box member.