Method and device for applying hair extensions

Abstract

An improved wefted hair extension method and device that is an improvement upon the standard weft with any grade, shade or texture of hair attached. Extending from the top of the weft are pairs of threads going exactly through the center of the weft. Each pair of threads has a round tipped guide in place of a needle and thread to navigate the thread through the braid. The time spent in application of the wefted hair to the person's natural hair is greatly reduced by use of precisely positioned and pre-threaded attachment threads that can be placed along the length of the wearers braid and quickly secured.

Description

RELATED TO U.S. APPLICATION DATA

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hair supplementation, and more specifically relates to welted hair extensions and methods of application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weaving Hair is manufactured and distributed in two forms: with and without a weft. Non welted hair is called “bulk hair” and is used for such methods as braiding and stranding. Wefted hair or “tracks” are extensions held together with a band of fine threads. The term “native hair” is used to refer to the hair that is naturally growing from the scalp of the wearer. Supplemental hair refers to the weave or additional hair that is being added to the hair of the wearer. When forming the braided native hair (or base), supplemental hair may be added to the native hair of the wearer.

There are currently four main methods by which wefted hair is applied. The two most common are by sew-in and glue-in (or bonding). The sew-in method entails braiding (or corn rowing) a person's natural hair and sewing the wefted extensions directly on top of the braid. The glue-in (or bonding method) uses an adhesive to glue the weft to a person's scalp or on top of their hair. Recently, two more methods of application have emerged. They are the flexi-strand and skin weft. The flexi-strand method (created by Carol Frazier) seeks to combine the two steps of the sew-in method while eliminating the need for needles, thread or a bonding agent. The flexistrand has extensions extending from both sides of the weft. The person's hair is parted as it would be to do a traditional cornrow and the extension is braided into the person's own hair. The skin weft method uses a self adhesive to apply the weft to the person's hair or scalp similar to the bonding method but essentially with double sided tape.

Each of these methods has its own flaws:

The sew-in method is time consuming and often can only be done by a salon professional. For this reason it is often costly. Every time you start a new portion of a person's head or whenever you run out of thread (whichever is sooner) you must re-thread the needle. Also, this method has minimal security. If the knot securing the end of the thread comes loose or is damaged, the entire length of the weft is compromised, and may unravel. In addition, to be properly applied the needle must go precisely through the middle of the weft and the middle of the braid in the natural hair below. This is very hard to accomplish and is almost impossible to accomplish consistently throughout the entire weaving process. Also with a sew-in, the direction that the hair is sewn in is the direction that the hair will fall/lay in. It allows for very little range of motion (i.e. brushing hair forward or putting up into a ponytail). Also, the quality of the hair purchased and the weft of the hair determine the ease with which the hair can be applied. Generally speaking, the more expensive the hair, the thinner the weft (is the standard correlation). Stylists and individuals applying extensions to their hair via the sew-in method often spend a large portion of their time simply trying to get the needle through the weft of the hair. This is time consuming and often strenuous on the fingers and hands. Also if your hands are moist or oily it makes sewing in the weave almost impossible. For this reason people often neglect oiling their scalps before or during the weaving process.

The glue in or (bonding method) does not last as long as the sew-in method, and is completed using a rubberized adhesive substance. You cannot apply any form of oil or a substantial amount of hair to the person's hair or scalp once the weave has been applied. This is because the bonding agent will relinquish its hold of the hair upon the application of such agents. It breaks down easily with both oils and shampoos. Also removal is difficult often leaving a tacky film or residue and many times damaging and pulling out the person's natural hair. For this reason, this method is often avoided. However, this method is sometimes used because it is the more economical of the two. Also, because oils cannot be applied with this method, people often neglect and damage their natural hair and scalp.

The flexistrand method requires that multiple braids be applied. With a traditional sew-in there are an optimal number of braids, but to apply a sew-in, as few as five rows of braids may be used. With this method it is hard or almost impossible to apply extensions to a small portion of a person's hair. Also with the flexistrand, the quality and directions of these braids determines the quality and direction of the weave application. That is why this method is not commonly used and often requires a training session or instructional course. This method is only offered in a limited number of salons and is costly.

The Skin Weft is not a secure method, and it carries the same disadvantages as its predecessor, the glue-in or bonding method. The main difference is that with the Skin Weft the adhesive has already been applied to the weft in advance, whereas, the glue-in method adds the glue to the weft at the time of application onto the hair.

Various wefted hair extensions are known in the art. Typical of such devices are the ones shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,320,327; 6,832,614, and 6,446,636, which all use various methods for attaching wefted hair extensions. There remains a need for an improved and affordable wefted hair extension that allows the owner greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to complete hair extensions while maintaining and improving the security of the welted hair to the natural hair.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of prior hair extensions and provide a wefted hair extension that is affordable, and easy to use. It is a further object of this invention to provide a wefted hair extension that is more securely attachable to natural hair.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a weft wherein the thread has been placed precisely through the middle of the weft to eliminate insecurity, and the time-consuming and seemingly unattainable task of consistently hand stitching through the weft.

It is also an object of this invention to eliminate the possible bulging and bulking up of the weft that occurs when the weft is unevenly and incorrectly attached to the natural hair.

It is also an object of this invention to preclude the requirement of purchasing additional materials such as a needle, thread, or an adhesive to attach the weft to the braided hair.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a wefted hair extension that can be attached more quickly than prior art wefted hair without compromising the security of the attachment.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a wefted hair method that is simple in its application, thereby eliminating the need for technical training or professional application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves a number of the problems presented by the prior art methods of weft application. An additional benefit of this method is its simplicity. Since it does not require technical training or a professional, it can be done at home, thus reducing the cost of weave application immensely.

One large advantage is that this process is quicker than the traditional sew-in (today's most commonly used method). While the present invention and method does require the person's hair to be braided in rows before application, the length, direction, and size of the braids does not play as large of a role as in the traditional sew-in method. And unlike the flexistrand method, the quality and direction of the braids are not directly correlated to the quality and direction of the weave.

As mentioned before, a large advantage is that this method is easier for the individual to do themselves. The thread is already placed precisely at the middle of the track and the rounded tip of the guide allows you to smoothly push through the wearer's braided natural hair. Also because oils will not interfere with the application process, a person can oil their hair and scalp before, during and after application. This aids in the maintaining of healthy hair. Without the need to struggle with pushing the needle through the weft over and over again, a large amount of time is saved.

Another huge benefit of this method is that you do not have to thread a needle. Threading the needle takes time and requires a great deal of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. With this method you can simply tie a knot or even glue the threads together.

Another benefit of this method is that it is more secure. Unlike a traditional sew-in, if one thread or sections of threads come loose the entire track is still secure. With the traditional method if a portion of the thread is damaged or perforated the entire length of that track and any other tracks secured by that thread is compromised because the thread is only secured at the end of the track. Unlike the glue in method this method requires no chemicals. It is not damaging to the hair or scalp and is a lot less messy.

The prior art devices or methods have not alleviated the need for threading the needle and sewing the thread through the weft. Also no other product had a pre threaded weft. Some prior art products currently available such as the flexistrand use no thread at all. Unlike the dull needles used for a traditional sew-in, the hard end of the present invention is rounded in order to prevent damage to the scalp and hair. The traditional sew in cannot do this because the needle must be pushed through the track so the safety of the scalp and hair is compromised.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The device and method of the present invention enable a person to quickly and easily attach welted hair to their natural hair in a manner that is secure. The device of the present invention comprises a large number if individual strands of hair bound together to a weft that has been pre-threaded with thread pairs connecting through the middle of the weft at predetermined distances. Each thread pair has a substantially rigid curved guide with a rounded tip attached to one thread of the thread pair. The rounded tip on the guide is used to enable the wearer to pass the thread through their braided native hair without risk of injury to their scalp or hair. Once the guide has been pulled through the braided native hair, it can be tied together with the second string of the thread pair. After the thread pair has been tied into a knot, the thread above the knot can be cut off with a pair of scissors. This process is repeated for each thread pair along the weft until the weft has been attached to the entire length of the row of braided native hair of the wearer. When the end of the braided row is reached, the weft can be cut off and the process repeated on the next row of braided native hair until the hair extension device has been attached to all of the braided rows of the wearer.

The pre-threaded weft of the present invention eliminates a great deal of the time and effort previously required to add supplemental hair to a wearers head. Since a pre-threaded weft with attached guides is provided, the user no longer has to thread a needle, and then attempt to force the needle through the weft repeatedly along the weft, while attempting to keep the spacing even, and the thread going through the exact middle of the weft for optimum security of the attachment to the weft.

Since the hard parts of attaching the weft to the native hair have been resolved by the present invention, even a novice can purchase the hair extensions and follow the steps for attaching a whole new length or style of hair. The method of application comprises the following steps:

• • 1. Form a part line in the wearer's hair.
  • 2. Braid/cornrow or twist parted segment of the hair.
  • 3. Place hair weft along the base of the cornrow or twist.
  • 4. Insert the guide through the cornrow to begin the attachment of the weft to the native hair.
  • 5. Tie the thread with the guide attached in a knot with the second part of the thread pair.
  • 6. Cut both pieces of thread as close to the top of the knot as possible without unraveling or severing the knot
  • 7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 along the length of the wearers braided cornrow to attach the entire weft to their native hair.
  • 8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 until all of the parts of the wearer's native hair have been done.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention, together with other objects, features, aspects and advantages thereof, will be more closely understood from the descriptions, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 provides a front perspective view of the wefted hair extension.

FIG. 2 provides a side view of the wefted hair extension.

FIG. 3 illustrates the various steps of tying the thread into a knot.

FIG. 4 illustrates the completed knot and the removal of excess thread.

FIG. 5 illustrates the completed attachment of a weft to the braided hair.

FIG. 6 illustrates the completed weft of FIG. 5 as seen on the head of a person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the hair extension device 20, which is comprised of a large number of individual strands of supplemental hair bound together by a continuous wefted edge 15 that is to be added to the native hair of the wearer. Numerous pairs of thread 5 extend from the center of the weft 15. Every pair of thread 5 has a round tipped guide 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the progression of the thread pair 5 being secured into a knot from right to left. On the far right, the guide 10 has been inserted through the braided native hair 30 of the wearer. In the second thread pair from the right, the guide 10 has been both inserted through the native braided hair 30 and looped once with the thread pair 5. In the third thread pair 5 from the right, the guide 10 has been inserted through the native braided hair 30, looped once with the thread pair 5, and crossed the thread pair 5 again. In the fourth thread pair 5 from the right, the guide 10 has been inserted through the native braided hair 30 and looped twice with the thread pair 5 and is ready to be tightened into a knot, firmly securing the weft 15 to the native hair 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates the completed attachment of the weft 15 to the braided native hair 30, along with the actual knot 35 that is formed, and then scissors 40 can be used to cut the thread pair 5 and guide 10 above the knot 35.

FIG. 5 illustrates hair extension device 20 attached to the braided native hair 30 of the wearer by the completed knots 35.

FIG. 6 illustrates the hair extension device 20 in relation to the braided native hair 30 as it is seen on the wearer's head.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment the welted hair extension has been pre-threaded with a curved guide attached to the front end of the thread pair. The thread pair has been attached to the weft in the middle of the weft for maximum stability and security. The thread pair and the attached guide can be used to attach the device to the wearer's native braided hair. In another embodiment the hair extension device can be attached to a hair net that is worn on top of the native hair of the wearer. In an alternative embodiment the hair extension device may be attached to a cap or hat to be used as a wig.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Although the description above contains much specificity, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, other types of guide materials can be used; and varied spacing between threads could be added. Additionally the weft can be manufactured in a wide variety of thicknesses to accommodate longer or thicker hair. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A hair extension device comprising:

A weft wherein hair extensions are fixedly attached;

a guide for insertion and navigation through hair; and

one or more pieces of threadlike material fixedly attached to the weft, having a front and back end, with said guide attached to an end for securing the weft to the wearer's hair.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each piece of threadlike material is fixedly attached at the center of the weft for optimal placement.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide has a rounded tip for protection of the scalp and natural hair during insertion and navigation.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide is comprised of a semi-rigid polycarbonate.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the guide is curved to avoid poking the scalp of the wearer during navigation through the hair.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the pieces of threadlike material are spaced 1.5 centimeters apart.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the weft has a predetermined width and a bound edge.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the threadlike materials extend from the weft in a direction opposite that of the hair extension.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second guide fixedly attached to the remaining end of the threadlike material.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the threadlike materials are attached to the weft with an adhering agent.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the threadlike materials are sewn directly into the weft as the method of attachment.

12. A hair extension attachment device comprising:

one or more pieces of thread having a front and back end to form a thread pair;

a guide fixedly attached to an end of said thread pair; and

a weft with fixedly attached groups of individual hair strands.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the guide is fixedly attached to the front end of the thread pair through an adhesive bonding method.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the thread pair is comprised of two separate pieces of thread that are fixedly attached to the weft.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the thread pieces are fixedly attached to the center of the weft.

16. A method for applying hair extensions comprising the steps of:

(a) Braiding or twisting a person's hair into rows along the head.

(b) Placing the hair extension device along the row of braided hair.

(c) Using the guide attached to each thread pair to push the thread through the wearers braided hair.

(d) Holding the hair extension device in continuous contact with the wearers braided hair and securing the weft to the braided hair with the thread pair.

(e) Removing the extraneous thread above the thread secured location.

(f) Repeat steps b thru e for each row of braided hair.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the attachment of the hair extension device is made to a hair net that can be worn on top of the native braided hair of the wearer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the thread pair is secured to the braided hair by tying a knot in the thread pair after the guide has been inserted through the braided hair.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the thread pair is secured to the braided hair by an adhering means after the guide has been inserted through the braided hair.