Hair Accessory and Method of Styling Hair

Abstract

The presently disclosed technology teaches a hair accessory for receiving and restraining a bundle of hair, a method of making the hair accessory, and methods of styling hair and instructing others to style hair using the hair accessory. The hair accessory comprises a pair of opposing ductile metallic members. In one implementation, the ductile metallic members are generally rectangular and each has a pair of longitudinal ends. The ductile metallic members are covered by at least one backing member. The ductile metallic members are generally configured in an opposing relationship to each other with at least one closed end. The ductile metallic members may be separated from each other along a portion of their longitudinal lengths to define an opening for receiving a bundle of hair. The opposing ductile metallic members may also be closed about the bundle of hair to secure the hair accessory within a wearer's hair.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/559,445 entitled “Hair Accessory and Method of Styling Hair” filed on Sep. 14, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,774 filed Sep. 13, 2008 entitled “Hair Accessory and Method of Styling Hair,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. This application is also related to U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/157,232 filed Jun. 20, 2005 entitled “Hair Accessory and Method of Styling Hair,” and U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/033,552 filed Feb. 19, 2008, entitled “Hair Accessory and Method of Styling Hair,” each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The presently disclosed technology relates to a hair accessory, a method of making such a hair accessory, a method of styling hair using such a hair accessory, and a method of instructing others to style hair using such a method of styling hair.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A hair accessory that easily and securely maintains a wearer's hair in a decorative and/or functional configuration is provided. In one implementation, the presently disclosed technology comprises a hair accessory for receiving and retaining a bundle of hair.

A hair accessory for receiving and restraining a bundle of hair, a method of making such a hair accessory, and methods of styling hair and instructing others to style hair using such a hair accessory are provided. The hair accessory comprises a pair of opposing thin, resilient ductile metallic members. In one implementation, for example, the ductile metallic members comprise generally rectangular ductile metallic members each having a pair of longitudinal ends. As one would readily appreciate, a generally rectangular ductile metallic member, for example, may have one or more rounded corners or ends although the longitudinal side edges of the ductile metallic members are generally straight over the longer, longitudinal dimension. Rounded ends or curves, for example, may be curved, curvilinear, semicircular, elliptical or otherwise curved. The ductile metallic members are covered by at least one thin sheet-like backing member. The ductile metallic members are generally configured in an opposing relationship to each other and are generally configured with at least one closed end. The ductile metallic members may be separated from each other along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths to the distal ends of the ductile metallic members to define an opening for receiving a bundle of hair at the distal end of the hair accessory opposite the attached proximal ends of the ductile metallic members. The opposing ductile metallic members may also be closed about the bundle of hair to hold the hair accessory within a wearer's hair via frictional engagement with the at least one backing member 16 while the wearer is styling her hair with the hair accessory 10. As described below, this hair accessory may be used to provide a number of different and new hairstyles for a wearer.

In another implementation, the presently disclosed technology comprises a method of making such a hair accessory, and further comprises methods of styling hair and instructing others to style hair using such a hair accessory.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology will be apparent from reading the following description and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hair accessory according to a first implementation of the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an alternative implementation of a hair accessory of the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view depicting a step for assembling the hair accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view depicting another step for assembling the hair accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view depicting yet another step for assembling the hair accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a hair accessory according to a second implementation of the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view depicting a step for assembling the hair accessory of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view depicting another step for assembling the hair accessory of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is an isometric view of an implementation of a hair accessory used with a spacer.

FIG. 9 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in a first implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 11A is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 11B is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 12 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 13 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 14A is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation including options A and B.

FIG. 14B is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 15 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 16 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the first implementation.

FIG. 17 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in a second implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 18 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 19 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 20 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 21 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 22 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 23 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 24 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the second implementation.

FIG. 25 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in another implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 26 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 30A is a view depicting another step for a method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 31 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in yet another implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 32 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 35 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 36 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 37 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in another implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 38 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 41 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 42 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 43 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 44 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 45 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 46 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 47 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 48 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in yet another implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 49 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 52 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 53 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 54 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 55 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 56 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 48.

FIG. 57 is a view depicting a step for a method of styling hair in another implementation according to the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 58 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 60 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 61 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 62 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 63 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 64 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 65 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 66 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 67 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 68 is a view depicting another step for the method of styling hair in the implementation shown in FIG. 57.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first implementation of a hair accessory 10. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the hair accessory 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2. In this implementation, the hair accessory 10 comprises a pair of ductile metallic members 12, 14. Each of the pair of ductile metallic members 12, 14 is each wrapped in at least one backing member 16. The pair of opposing ductile metallic members is connected at least at a first end 18 of the hair accessory 10 and may be separated from each other to define an opening 20 for receiving a bundle of hair. The pair of opposing ductile metallic members 12, 14 may then be brought back together to hold the bundle of hair disposed between the opposing ductile metallic members 12, 14 via frictional engagement with the at least one backing member 16 while the wearer is styling her hair with the hair accessory 10.

In the particular implementation of FIG. 1, the hair accessory 10 comprises a pair of opposing ductile metallic members wrapped and fixedly attached within at least one backing member 16. The opposing ductile metallic members 12, 14 are generally disposed in an end-to end configuration within the at least one backing member 16. A portion 22 of the backing member 16 connects longitudinal ends 24, 26 of the pair of ductile metallic members 12, 14 at the first end 18 of the hair accessory 10. In another implementation, for example, the proximal longitudinal ends 24, 26 of the ductile metallic members 12, 14 are attached by a rivet and/or a coating that dries and/or cures to harden and hold the ends 24, 26 together. FIG. 1A shows an example of a hair accessory 15 in which a coating 27 extends around at least the proximal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members 12,14 and securing the proximal ends together. In other implementations, however, the longitudinal ends 24, 26 of the pair of ductile metallic members 12, 14 may be attached by any other method, such as a clamp, a bolt and nut, a staple, welding, soldering, heat staking, adhesive, tape, or the like.

In this particular implementation, the ductile metallic members 12, 14 are fixedly attached within at least one backing member 16 along at least a portion of a length of the ductile metallic members 12, 14. For example, the ductile metallic members 12, 14 may be fixedly attached within the backing member 16 along substantially the entire length of the ductile metallic members 12, 14. The ductile metallic members 12, 14, for example, may be affixed within at least one backing member 16 by an adhesive or tape 15 (e.g., two-sided tape), In other implementations, the ductile metallic members 12, 14 may be affixed within at least one backing member 16 by weld, fuse, heat stake, hook and loop fastener, or the like, or the backing member may be directly attached to the ductile metallic members such as by dipping, flocking or other coating. In this manner, movement of the affixed ductile metallic members 12, 14 with respect to the backing member 16 can be reduced and allow the hair accessory 10 to grasp a wearer's hair without slipping. In one implementation, for example, the backing member comprises a velvet, felt, leather (natural or artificial), suede, polymer (e.g., polyurethane or other polymer) material, although other materials may also be used. As discussed above, the backing member may be formed directly on the ductile metallic members, individually or connected together, such as coating or otherwise covering (e.g., dipping, spraying, flocking, painting or otherwise applying) the ductile metallic members using one or more substance such as rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic, polypropylene or the like. In some implementations the backing member comprises a material that aids in frictionally engaging the wearer's hair. For example, tacky, textured (e.g., fuzzy, fibrous, hairy or the like) materials and/or coatings can be used that assist the wearer by holding the hair in place while she secures the hair accessory in place in a hair style and once the hairstyle is completed. The ductile metallic members 12, 14 may comprise any ductile metallic materials, such as copper, aluminum, tin, lead, nickel or alloys of one or more.

FIGS. 3 through 5 show a method for assembling the hair accessory 10 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, for example, a pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members 12, 14 is provided disposed in a generally end-to-end configuration with a spacing between opposing longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic members 12, 14. A backing member 16 is then wrapped about the ductile metallic members 12, 14 as shown by arrows 28, 30 and is fixedly attached to the ductile metallic members 12, 14. The backing member 16, for example, may be fixedly attached to the ductile metallic members by any known attachment structure, such as adhesive, two-sided tape, weld, fuse, heat stake, hook and loop fastener, or the like. The backing member 16, for example, may comprise a material that covers the ductile metallic members 12, 14 and protects them from an external environment and/or protects a wearer from potentially sharp edges of the ductile metallic members. As discussed herein, a soft material, such as velvet, suede, or leather, for example, may be used as the backing member 16 in some implementations while in other implementations, a polymer such as polyurethane may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, a connecting portion 22 of the backing member 16 connects the longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic members 12, 14 at a first, proximal end 18 of the hair accessory 10. The generally rectangular ductile metallic members 12, 14 covered by the backing member 16, are disposed in an opposing relationship by bending the hair accessory 10 at the connecting portion 22 of the backing member 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The opposing ductile metallic members 12, 14 and the connecting portion 22 of the backing member 16 form an opening 18 for receiving a bundle of hair. The opposing ductile metallic members 12, 14 may be closed about the bundle of hair and worked into a hairstyle as described below.

In some implementations, the proximal longitudinal ends 24, 26 of the ductile metallic members are secured together, such as via a rivet and/or coating that dries and/or cures to harden and hold the ends 24, 26 together. In other implementations, the longitudinal ends 24, 26 of the pair of ductile metallic members 12, 14 may be attached to each other by any other method, such as a clamp, a bolt and nut, a staple, welding, soldering, heat staking, adhesive, tape or the like.

FIG. 6 shows another implementation of a hair accessory 40. The hair accessory 40 again comprises a pair of opposing generally rectangular ductile metallic members 42, 44 wrapped and fixedly attached within at least one backing member 46. In this particular implementation, for example, the pair of ductile metallic members 42, 44 are individually wrapped by separate backing members 46A and 46B.

In an alternative implementation, however, the ductile metallic members may be wrapped together as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 6. In this alternative implementation, the backing member may be cut at the end 48 of the hair accessory or merely folded over between the pair of ductile metallic members.

The pair of opposing ductile metallic members is connected at least at a first end 48 and may be separated from each other at an opposing end to define an opening 50 for receiving a bundle of hair. The pair of opposing ductile metallic members 42, 44 may then be brought back together to hold the bundle of hair disposed between the opposing ductile metallic members 42, 44 during formation of the hairstyle with the hair accessory 40. In this implementation, the pair of opposing ductile metallic members 42, 44 is connected together at the first end 48 of the hair accessory 40 by an attachment means, such as a rivet 60 (e.g., a self-piercing rivet with or without a cap), a bolt and nut, a clamp, a staple, welding, soldering, heat staking, dipping, injection molding or the like.

In one implementation, for example, the pair of opposing ductile metallic members are held together at a proximal end of the members and dipped, sprayed, painted or otherwise coated or covered together for a portion of the length of the ductile metallic members (e.g., ½ or ¾ inches) from a proximal end of the ductile metallic members. The ductile metallic members are held together and the coating is allowed to dry and/or cure to harden to hold the proximal ends of the ductile metallic members together. The coating or covering, for example, may comprise one or more substance such as rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic, polypropylene or the like.

In the particular implementation of FIG. 6, the hair accessory 40 comprises a pair of opposing ductile metallic members wrapped and fixedly attached within at least one backing member 46. In this particular implementation, the ductile metallic members 42, 44 are fixedly attached within at least one backing member 46 along at least a portion of a length of the ductile metallic members 42, 44. For example, the ductile metallic members 42, 44 may be fixedly attached within the backing member 46 along substantially the entire length of the ductile metallic members 42, 44. The ductile metallic members 42, 44, for example, may be affixed within at least one backing member 46 by adhesive, two-sided tape, weld, fuse, heat stake, stitch, hook and loop fastener, or the like. As discussed above, the backing member may be formed directly on the ductile metallic members, individually or connected together, such as coating or otherwise covering (e.g., dipping, spraying, painting, injection molding or otherwise applying) the ductile metallic members using one or more substance such as rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic, polypropylene or the like. In this manner, movement of the affixed ductile metallic members 42, 44 with respect to the backing member 46 can be reduced or even eliminated and allow the hair accessory 40 to grasp a wearer's hair without slipping. In one implementation, for example, the backing member comprises a velvet or suede material, although as discussed elsewhere herein other materials may also be used. The ductile metallic members 42, 44 may comprise any ductile metallic materials, such as copper, aluminum, tin, lead, nickel or alloys of one or more.

FIGS. 7 through 8 show a method for assembling the hair accessory 40 shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, for example, a pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members 42, 44 are individually wrapped as shown by arrows 58, 60 by and fixedly attached within backing members 46A and 46B. The ductile metallic members 42 44 are disposed opposing each other with longitudinal ends 54, 56 disposed adjacent to each other at a first end 48 of the hair accessory 40. In one implementation, the longitudinal ends may be secured (e.g., by an adhesive or two-sided tape 62 disposed between longitudinal ends) to prevent or reduce rotation (or sliding motion) of one ductile metallic member 42 with respect to the other ductile metallic member 44. In an alternative implementation, a second securing mechanism (e.g., a second rivet and cap) may be used to prevent or reduce rotation of one ductile metallic member 42 with respect to the other ductile metallic member 44. The second securing mechanism may comprise, for example, a second rivet, a second rivet and a cap, an adhesive, a tape (e.g., double sided tape disposed between the pair of ductile metallic members, a tape wrapped around the pair of ductile metallic members or the like), a coating (e.g., a dipped, sprayed, painted, injection molded or otherwise applied) that secures the ductile metallic members in addition to the rivet 60.

Where the means for connecting the longitudinal ends 54, 56 of the ductile metallic members 42, 44 comprises an attachment mechanism that allows the overlapping longitudinal end regions to rotate relative to each other (e.g., a rivet 60 or a bolt and a nut), an additional means for securing the longitudinal end regions to restrain the overlapping end regions from rotating relative to each other about the attachment mechanism may also be provided. A layer of two-sided tape or adhesive 62, for example, may be disposed between the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members to affix end regions to each other. In another implementation, a coating or covering that is allowed to dry and harden may also be used as a means for securing the longitudinal end regions to restrain the longitudinal end regions from rotating relative to each other about the attachment mechanism such as a rivet or bolt. It has been found that by restraining the longitudinal ends from rotating about this rivet or other connector, the ductile metallic member is less likely to fracture and potentially cause a failure of the hair accessory. In addition, by preventing or reducing rotation of the ductile metallic members with respect to each other, the relatively wider, adjacent, flat opposing surfaces of the ductile metallic members are kept in alignment such that they are not twisting with respect with each other and provide the user greater control of the hair accessory during and after styling the hair. Having the opposing surfaces of the ductile metallic members remain flat against a bundle of hair and adjacent to each other allows a larger surface of the backing member to stay in contact with the hair and, thus, increased frictional engagement between the backing member and the hair during and after styling. Another possible means for securing the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members together to restrain the ends from rotating relative to each other may comprise a piece of tape wrapped about end regions of the ductile metallic members to restrain the ductile metallic members from rotating with respect to each other. Where a rivet or other connector extends through the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members, the piece of tape may be wrapped about the overlapping longitudinal end regions before and/or after the rivet or other attachment mechanism is inserted through the overlapping longitudinal end regions. Again, wrapping the overlapping longitudinal end regions restrains the longitudinal end regions from rotating with respect to each other about the rivet or other connector extending through the longitudinal end regions. The means for securing the longitudinal end regions may also comprise at least one of a bond, weld, fuse, stitching, coating, covering or any combination thereof, otherwise securing the first longitudinal end region to the second longitudinal end region to restrain the overlapping end regions from rotating with respect to each other.

As shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal ends 54, 56 of the wrapped ductile metallic members 42, 44 are connected by a securing structure, such as a rivet 60 (e.g., a self-piercing rivet with or without a cap), a bolt and nut, a clamp, a staple, welding, soldering, heat staking, or the like. Further, the longitudinal ends 54, 56 may also be secured (e.g., by an adhesive or two-sided tape 62 disposed between longitudinal ends) to prevent or reduce rotation (or sliding motion) of one ductile metallic member 42 with respect to the other ductile metallic member 44. The opposing ductile metallic members 42, 44, the securing structure 60 and the backing member 46 form an opening 48 for receiving a bundle of hair in which the opposing ductile metallic members are arranged on either side of and define the opening 48. The opposing ductile metallic members 42, 44 may be closed about the bundle of hair and the hair accessory is worked into a hairstyle as described below.

Although examples of wrapping the ductile metallic members of the hair accessories by the backing member are described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 8, other methods of wrapping or covering the ductile metallic members may also be used. Many such methods, for example, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/157,232 and 12/033,552, which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

One particular implementation of connecting longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic members comprises the use of one or more rivet. In one particular implementation, a rivet may comprise a steel self-piercing rivet. In another implementation, a rivet may comprise a breakstem blind rivet fastener including a stem, a head, and a shank extending from the stem to the head. The head and the shank are extended through the longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic members. The end of the stem is pulled, retracting the head into the shank until the longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic members are connected, and the stem fractures and is removed from the rivet. Alternatively, the rivet may be a solid, blind, multi-grip, grooved, peel type blind, self-piercing, plastic, tubular type rivet, a multi-piece rivet with a cap, or any other type of rivet known in the art.

In example implementations, the ductile metallic members may comprise cold-rolled copper or alloys thereof comprised substantially of copper, in thicknesses between about 0.010″ and about 0.070″, to provide a combination of ductility and resistance to flexure for the ductile metallic member. Substantially pure cold-rolled annealed copper in thicknesses between about 0.0006″ and about 0.070″ provide an easily manually bendable member that possesses sufficient resilience to flexure to retain a bundle of hair in a desired configuration. Other metals possessing comparable ductility and resistance to flexure may also be used. The ductile metallic member may, for example, comprise a generally rectangular piece of metal having dimensions from about 6.5″ in length by .375″ in width to about 12″ in length by 1.5″ in width.

In one implementation, such as is readily apparent throughout the drawings, the ductile metallic members may comprise a generally planar ductile metallic member in which a longitudinal length dimension is substantially greater that a width dimension of the same ductile metallic member, and the width dimension is greater than a thickness dimension of the same ductile metallic member.

The backing member may comprise, for example, materials such as leather, imitation leather, suede, imitation suede, velvet, vinyl (such as polyvinyl chloride material), cotton, felt, polyester, rayon, silk, hemp, reptile skin, imitation reptile skin, open or closed-cell neoprene, polyethylene, or polyurethane, a polymer, rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic, polypropylene or a combination of any of these materials.

Methods of and Instructions for Styling Hair

Referring back to FIG. 1, in one example use of the hair accessory 10, a wearer may open the hair accessory 10 by separating the ductile metallic members 12, 14 at their distal ends to provide an opening 20 for receiving a bundle of hair. The opening 20 of the hair accessory 10 may then be closed by moving the ductile metallic members 12, 14 toward each other so that the sides are generally parallel and adjacent each other with the bundle of hair disposed between the ductile metallic members 12, 14 (e.g., centered between the proximal and distal ends of the ductile metallic members 12, 14). The hair accessory 10 can then be rolled up, with the bundle of hair, toward the wearer's head. The hair accessory 10 can then be folded over itself to form a circle that secures it in the wearer's hair and forms the wearer's hair into a bun. The wearer's hair can also be fanned out over the hair accessory to improve uniformity of the bun and further secure the hair accessory and the hair.

FIGS. 9-16 depict one example implementation of steps for styling hair into a bun according to the presently disclosed technology and a corresponding method of instruction for showing a wearer how to style hair according to the disclosed method. As shown in FIG. 9, a wearer's hair is gathered into a bundle 100 for forming the bun. The bundle 100 may comprise an upper portion, a lower portion, or substantially all of the wearer's hair (as shown in FIG. 9). Further, multiple bundles of hair may be gathered for forming multiple donuts. The hair accessory 102 has opposing ductile metallic members 112, 114 that may be separated from each other at their distal ends and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 103 to define an opening 104 for receiving the bundle of hair 100. The bundle of hair 100 is inserted or slid in the opening 104 of the hair accessory 102 as the hair accessory 102 is held close to the wearer's head, as shown in FIG. 9. In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bundle of hair 100 is centered along the longitudinal length 103 of the opening 104 of the hair accessory 102.

The ductile metallic members are closed around the bundle of hair 100, as shown in FIG. 10. The wearer slides the hair accessory 100 along the bundle of hair 100 away from the back of the wearer's head. In the example shown in FIG. 10, for example, the wearer grasps opposing longitudinal ends of the hair accessory keeping the opposing ductile metallic members closed around the bundle of hair 100 and slides the hair accessory 102 along the length of the bundle of hair away from the back of the wearer's head in the direction of arrow 108 (e.g., downward) to a desired position along a length of the bundle of hair 100 as illustrated by arrow 108 in FIG. 10.

In one implementation, for example, the wearer slides the hair accessory 102 slightly greater than fifty percent along the length of the hair in the bundle of hair 100 or to approximately eighty percent along the length of hair in the bundle of hair 100. For example, the wearer can slide the hair accessory 102 back on the hair so that the hair accessory can be rolled at least two complete 360 degree rolls to assist the hair accessory in staying in the hair.

Once the wearer is satisfied with the position of the hair accessory 102 and the distribution of the bundle of hair 100 within the opening 104, she may roll the hair accessory 102 upward toward her head as illustrated in FIG. 11A. The wearer's hair wraps around the hair accessory 102 forming a roll 106, at least partially obscuring the hair accessory 102 within the wearer's hair.

If before rolling the hair accessory 102 the desired position of the hair accessory 102 is closer to a free end of the bundle 100 rather than a root of the bundle 100 at the wearer's head, then substantially all of the bundle 100 will be contained within the roll 106 of the hair accessory 102. However, if the wearer desires a portion of the bundle 100 to extend out of the roll 106, for instance as a style variation, she may select a desired position of the hair accessory 102 closer to the root of the bundle 100 at the wearer's head than the free end of the bundle 100. When the bundle 100 is rolled up, a portion of the free end of the bundle 100 extends outward from the roll 106 as illustrated in the prior example and shown in FIG. 11B. In one particular implementation, the wearer draws the hair accessory far enough from the head to roll the hair accessory at least two 360 degree rolls in the bundle of hair toward the head to assist the hair accessory to stay in the hair when secured. In this particular implementation, the hair accessory can be rolled as many times as necessary but at least twice.

In order to form the roll 106 into a bun 110, the wearer grasps the ends of the hair accessory 102 within the roll 106 and bends the ends downward and together (see FIG. 12 in the direction of arrows 109) to form a generally round shape as shown in FIG. 15. In other implementations, the roll may be bent in other shapes (e.g., a square, triangle, and oval) to form the bun 210. Still further, the wearer may alternatively bend the ends of the hair accessory 102 upward to form the bun 110 if she began by rolling the hair accessory 102 under and up towards her head.

In one implementation, for example, the longitudinal ends of ductile metallic members and of the hair accessory 102 itself are overlapped to form a generally round shape of the bun 110. In a first option (13A), for example, the closed end of the hair accessory 102 is inserted between the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 102. In this option, not only are the open and closed ends of the hair accessory overlapping, but the closed longitudinal end of the hair accessory (and the individual ductile metallic members attached together to form the closed end of the hair accessory) is inserted in between the distal longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic member forming the open end of the hair accessory. Thus, a distal end of a first ductile metallic member is positioned inward of the closed end of the hair accessory and an opposing distal end of a second ductile metallic member (that forms the open end of the hair accessory along with the distal end of the first ductile metallic member) is positioned outward of the closed end of the hair accessory so that the closed end of the hair accessory is inserted into the opening defined by the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 102. In this option, the hair of the wearer can be fanned over and around the entire length of the hair accessory 202 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view. Where the hair is fanned out to completely obscure the hair accessory, for example, the hair more securely holds the hair accessory in the wearer's hair. Any errant or shorter loose hairs that were not captured may then be twisted around the bun tightly between the bun style and the head.

In a second option (FIG. 13B), the longitudinal ends are overlapped in a manner in which the pair of ductile metallic members of closed end are overlapped and juxtaposed in a side-by side arrangement. In this second option (FIG. 13B), the longitudinal ends of the hair accessory 102 are shown in which the closed end of the hair accessory is disposed inward of the open end of the hair accessory (i.e., the open end extends past and outside the closed end of the hair accessory 102), however, the opposite configuration is also possible (i.e., the closed end extends past and outside the open end of the hair accessory 102). As in the first option shown in FIG. 13A, the wearer can then fan her hair over the entire length of the hair accessory 102 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view.

As described with respect to both options shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the wearer is satisfied with the shape of the hair accessory 102 forming the bun 110, the wearer may re-distribute her hair around the hair accessory 102 to provide a uniform appearance of the bun 110 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory 102 to provide the appearance of a continuously formed bun 110, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 17-24 depict steps for styling hair into another bun style in which a portion of a wearer's hair is formed into a bun and another portion of the wearer's hair is free to hang naturally and a corresponding method of instruction for showing a wearer how to style hair according to the disclosed method. As shown in FIG. 17, a wearer's gathers a first portion of her hair in one hand away from the remaining hair at a desired height along her head where a bun is to be formed. The wearer draws the first portion of hair back away from her head and the remaining second portion of hair. The hair accessory 202 has opposing ductile metallic members 212, 214 that may be separated from each other at distal ends of the ductile metallic members and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 203 to define an opening 204 for receiving the bundle of hair 200. The wearer opens the hair accessory by separating the distal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members and inserts (e.g., centers) the first portion of the hair in the opening between the opposing ductile metallic members. The wearer then closes the opposing ductile metallic members on the first portion of hair and, holding one hand on either side of the hair accessory, slides the hair accessory back along the length of the bundle of hair away from her head in the direction of arrow 208 (e.g., downward) to a desired position along a length of the bundle of hair 200 as illustrated by arrow 208 in FIG. 19. In one implementation, the wearer slides the hair accessory 202 back on her bundle of hair 200 enough to allow her to roll the hair accessory 202 and her hair at least two complete 360 degree turns back toward her head.

FIG. 20 shows a first option in which the wearer rolls the hair accessory 202 over and up to her head. The wearer's hair of the bundle 200 wraps around the hair accessory 202 forming a roll 206, at least partially obscuring the hair accessory 202. In this option, the wearer then folds the proximal and distal ends of the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 202 down and around the bundle of hair in the direction of the arrow 209 as shown in FIG. 20.

In a second option, the wearer rolls the hair accessory under and up to her head. The wearer's hair wraps around the hair accessory 202 forming a roll 206, at least partially obscuring the hair accessory 202. In this second option, the wearer then folds the proximal and distal ends of the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 202 up and around the bundle of hair.

In order to form the roll 206 into a bun 210, the wearer grasps the ends of the hair accessory 202 within the roll 206 and bends the ends downward and together to form a generally round shape as shown in FIG. 22. In other implementations, the roll may be bent in other shapes (e.g., a square, triangle, heart, and oval) to form the bun 210 shown in FIG. 24. Still further, the wearer may alternatively bend the ends of the hair accessory 202 upward to form the bun 210 if she began by rolling the hair accessory under the bundle of hair and up to her head.

In one implementation, for example, the longitudinal ends of ductile metallic members and of the hair accessory 202 itself are overlapped to form a generally round shape of the bun 210. In a first option, for example, the closed end of the hair accessory 202 is inserted between the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 202. In this option, not only are the open and closed ends of the hair accessory overlapping, but the closed longitudinal end of the hair accessory (and the individual ductile metallic members attached together to form the closed end of the hair accessory) is inserted in between the distal longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic member forming the open end of the hair accessory. Thus, a distal end of a first ductile metallic member is positioned inward of the closed end of the hair accessory and an opposing distal end of a second ductile metallic member (that forms the open end of the hair accessory along with the distal end of the first ductile metallic member) is positioned outward of the closed end of the hair accessory so that the closed end of the hair accessory is inserted into the opening defined by the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 302. In this option, the hair of the wearer can be fanned over the entire length of the hair accessory 302 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view. Where the hair is fanned out to completely obscure the hair accessory, for example, the hair more securely holds the hair accessory in the wearer's hair.

In a second option, the longitudinal ends are overlapped in a manner in which the pair of ductile metallic members of closed end are overlapped and juxtaposed in a side-by side arrangement. In this second option, the longitudinal ends of the hair accessory 202 are shown in which the closed end of the hair accessory is disposed inward of the open end of the hair accessory (i.e., the open end extends past and outside the closed end of the hair accessory 202), however, the opposite configuration is also possible (i.e., the closed end extends past and outside the open end of the hair accessory 202). As in the first option, the wearer can then fan her hair over the entire length of the hair accessory 202 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view.

As described with respect to both options, when the wearer is satisfied with the shape of the hair accessory 202 forming the bun 210, the wearer may re-distribute her hair around the hair accessory 202 FIG. 23 in the direction of the arrow 213 to provide a uniform appearance of the bun 210 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory 202 to provide the appearance of a continuously formed bun 210, as illustrated in FIG. 24

In another implementation, the wearer may then take the remainder of the hair which has been left loose, see FIG. 25 and draw it up adjacent to the bun style. As shown in FIG. 26, the wearer can twist the loose hair into a tight twist in the direction of arrow 301, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, and then wrap it tightly around the bun style between the head and the bun style, as shown in FIG. 29, until the ends of the hair are left. The ends of the hair are then tucked inside the roll of the bun style to secure the hair in this style as shown in FIG. 30 .

In yet another implementation the wearer can do the bun described in FIGS. 19-24 and then gather the remainder of the hair (i.e., the loose hair). As shown in FIG. 31, a wearer gathers a first portion of her hair in one hand away from the remaining hair directly aligned with the bun that has been formed. The wearer draws the portion of hair back away from her head and the first bun style. The hair accessory 402 has opposing ductile metallic members 412, 414 that may be separated from each other at distal ends of the ductile metallic members and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 403 to define an opening 404 for receiving the bundle of hair 400. The wearer opens the hair accessory by separating the distal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members and inserts and centers the first portion of the hair in the opening between the opposing ductile metallic members. The wearer then closes the opposing ductile metallic members on the first portion of hair and, holding one hand on either side of the hair accessory, slides the hair accessory back along the length of the bundle of hair away from her head in the direction of arrow 408 (e.g., downward) to a desired position along a length of the bundle of hair 400 as illustrated by arrow 408 in FIG. 32. In one particular implementation, for example, after positioning the hair accessory 402 at the desired position, the wearer slides the hair accessory back on her bundle of hair enough to allow her to roll the hair accessory and her hair at least two complete 360 degree turns back toward her head.

In this option, the wearer rolls the hair accessory under and up to her head as shown in FIG. 33, in the direction of arrow 407. The wearer's hair rolls around the hair accessory 402 forming a roll 406, at least partially obscuring the hair accessory 402. In this option, the wearer then folds the proximal and distal ends of the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 402 up and into the previous bun style. In order to secure the second bun to the initial bun style and the hair within the hair accessory, the wearer grasps the ends of the hair accessory 302 within the roll 306 and bends the ends downward into the side of the other bun style as shown in FIG. 34 in the direction of arrows 408.

In this option, the hair of the wearer can be fanned over the entire length of the hair accessory 402 as shown in FIG. 35 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view as shown in FIG. 36.

FIGS. 37 - 471 depict steps for styling hair into yet another bun style and a corresponding method of instruction for showing a wearer how to style hair according to the disclosed method. As shown in FIG. 37, in one implementation, a wearer can optionally tease or mess up her hair to make it big by increasing the volume of the hair. The wearer then draws her hair straight up from the top of her head into a bundle of hair 500.

The hair accessory 502 has opposing ductile metallic members 512, 514 that may be separated from each other at distal ends of the ductile metallic members and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 503 to define an opening 504 for receiving the bundle of hair 500 such as shown in FIG. 38. Holding the hair accessory 502 with one hand, the wearer inserts or slides the bundle of hair 500 into the opening 504 of the hair accessory 502 as the hair accessory 502 near the distal end of the bundle of hair 500 as shown in FIG. 38. In the example shown in FIGS. 39, the bundle of hair 500 is centered along the longitudinal length 503 of the opening 504 of the hair accessory 502.

The ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 502 are closed around the bundle of hair 500, as shown in FIG. 39. The wearer rolls the hair accessory 502, loosely, to her head rolling her hair along with the hair accessory 502 leaving a slight gap between the head and the hair accessory, not making it tight to the head (e.g., about an inch or two from the head) as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.

In order to form the roll 506 into a bun 510, the wearer grasps the ends of the hair accessory 502 within the roll 506 and bends the ends downward and together to form a generally round shape as shown in FIG. 41 in the direction of arrows 511. In some implementations, the wearer can squeeze the hair accessory 502 to form an even, round shape. Still further, the wearer may alternatively bend the ends of the hair accessory 502 upward to form the bun 510 if they have rolled the hair under and up to the head.

In one implementation, for example, the longitudinal ends of ductile metallic members and of the hair accessory 502 itself are overlapped to form a generally round shape of the bun 510. In a first option, for example, the closed end of the hair accessory 502 is inserted between the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 502. In this option, not only are the open and closed ends of the hair accessory overlapping, but the closed longitudinal end of the hair accessory (and the individual ductile metallic members attached together to form the closed end of the hair accessory) is inserted in between the distal longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic member forming the open end of the hair accessory as shown in FIG. 42. Thus, a distal end of a first ductile metallic member is positioned inward of the closed end of the hair accessory and an opposing distal end of a second ductile metallic member (that forms the open end of the hair accessory along with the distal end of the first ductile metallic member) is positioned outward of the closed end of the hair accessory so that the closed end of the hair accessory is inserted into the opening defined by the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 502.

In a second option, the longitudinal ends are overlapped in a manner in which the pair of ductile metallic members of closed end are overlapped and juxtaposed in a side-by side arrangement. In this second option, the longitudinal ends of the hair accessory 502 are shown in which the closed end of the hair accessory is disposed inward of the open end of the hair accessory (i.e., the open end extends past and outside the closed end of the hair accessory 502), however, the opposite configuration is also possible (i.e., the closed end extends past and outside the open end of the hair accessory 502).

In either option, the hair of the wearer can be fanned over the entire length of the hair accessory 502 and completely obscure the hair accessory from view as shown in FIG. 44. Where the hair is fanned out to completely obscure the hair accessory, for example, the hair more securely holds the hair accessory in the wearer's hair.

In one implementation, the wearer, holding the hair together where the ends of the device are overlapped, pulls out hair around the bun to make the bun larger and looser, effectively tightening the hair on the head and the inch or two gap that was left between the head and the hair accessory as shown in FIG. 45. The wearer can then also squeeze the bun to assist the hair accessory to hold the bun securely in place as shown in FIG. 46.

FIGS. 50-56 depict steps for styling hair into another bun style in which a portion of a wearer's hair is formed into a bun and another portion of the wearer's hair is free to hang naturally and a corresponding method of instruction for showing a wearer how to style hair according to the disclosed method. As shown in FIG. 42, a wearer gathers her hair into a bundle of hair 600 at the back of her hair at a desired height and grasp it with one hand. The wearer holds a hair accessory 602 in the other hand.

The hair accessory 602 has opposing ductile metallic members 612, 614 that may be separated from each other at distal ends of the ductile metallic members 612, 614 and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 603 to define an opening 604 for receiving the bundle of hair 600. The wearer opens the hair accessory by separating the distal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members and inserts and centers the bundle of hair in the opening between the opposing ductile metallic members. The wearer then closes the opposing ductile metallic members on the first portion of hair and, holding one hand on the hair accessory, close to the head.

Using one hand to hold the hair accessory 602 in place, the wearer then uses the other hand to grasp the bundle of hair 600 and wraps it over a first end of the hair accessory 602 as shown in FIG. 44. The wearer then brings the bundle of hair 600 up and wraps the bundle around the opposite second end of the hair accessory in the form of a circle eight as shown in FIG. 45. In one implementation, for example, the tag end is approximately three inches of remaining hair, although other lengths are also possible.

The wearer then folds one end of the hair accessory down and around the bottom of the bundle of hair 600, trapping or catching the ends of the hair as shown in FIG. 53. The wearer also folds the other end of the hair accessory 602 down and around the bundle of hair 600 as shown in FIG. 54. The wearer can also squeeze the hair accessory flat to secure it and hold it in place as shown in FIG. 55. Grasping the hair accessory in both hands with the thumbs on the bottom the wearer can then shape the hair accessory in an upside down “u” shape to further secure it to the hair. The wearer then fans the ends of the bundle of hair out to form a bow shape and to further secure the hair accessory in the wearer's hair as shown in FIG. 56.

In another implementation of this style the wearer can continue to wrap her hair in this manner around the hair accessory until a tag end of the bundle of hair remains. The wearer then folds one end of the hair accessory down and around the bottom of the bundle of hair 600, trapping or catching the ends of the hair. The wearer also folds the other end of the device down and around the bundle of hair 600. The wearer can also squeeze the hair accessory flat to secure it and hold it in place. Grasping the hair accessory in both hands with the thumbs on the bottom the wearer can then shape the hair accessory in an upside down “u” shape to further secure it to the hair. (There are no pictures for this but we will call this the basket bun)

FIGS. 57 - 68 depict steps for styling hair into another bun style in which a portion of a wearer's hair is formed into a bun and another portion of the wearer's hair is free to hang naturally through the center of the bun style, a corresponding method of instruction for showing a wearer how to style hair according to the disclosed method. As shown in FIG. 57, a wearer gathers a first portion of her hair in one hand away from the remaining hair at a desired height along her head where a bun is to be formed. The wearer draws the first portion of hair back away from her head and the remaining second portion of hair. The hair accessory 702 has opposing ductile metallic members 712, 714 that may be separated from each other at distal ends of the ductile metallic members 712, 714 and along at least a portion of their longitudinal lengths 703 to define an opening 704 for receiving the bundle of hair 700. The wearer opens the hair accessory by separating the distal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members and inserts and centers the first portion of the hair in the opening between the opposing ductile metallic members as shown in FIG. 58. The wearer then closes the opposing ductile metallic members on the first portion of hair and, holding one hand on either side of the hair accessory, slides the hair accessory back along the length of the bundle of hair away from her head in the direction of arrow 708 (e.g., downward) to a desired position along a length of the bundle of hair 700 as illustrated by arrow 708 in FIG. 59. In one implementation, for example, the wearer slides the hair accessory back on her hair enough to allow her to roll the hair accessory and her hair at least two complete 360 degree turns back toward her head.

FIG. 60 shows the wearer rolling the hair accessory over and up to her head in the direction of the arrow 708. The wearer's hair wraps around the hair accessory 702 forming a roll 710, at least partially obscuring the hair accessory 702. In this option, the wearer then folds the proximal and distal ends of the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 702 down and around the bundle of hair into an upside down “u” shape FIG. 61, in the direction of the arrows 711.

Holding the hair accessory 702 in one hand the wearer grasps the remaining hair 712 with the remaining hand as shown in FIG. 62. The wearer then twists the hair loosely 714 in her hand and draws it up through the opening 715 shown in FIG. 63. In order to form the roll 710 into a bun , the wearer grasps the ends of the hair accessory 702 within the roll 710 and bends the ends downward and together in the direction of arrows 714 to form a generally round shape around the loose hair 712 as shown in FIG. 64.

In one implementation, for example, the longitudinal ends of ductile metallic members and of the hair accessory 702 itself are overlapped to form a generally round shape of the bun 715. In a first option, for example, the closed end of the hair accessory 702 is inserted between the longitudinal ends of the opposing ductile metallic members of the hair accessory 702. In this option, not only are the open and closed ends of the hair accessory overlapping, but the closed longitudinal end of the hair accessory (and the individual ductile metallic members attached together to form the closed end of the hair accessory) is inserted in between the distal longitudinal ends of the ductile metallic member forming the open end of the hair accessory. Thus, a distal end of a first ductile metallic member is positioned inward of the closed end of the hair accessory and an opposing distal end of a second ductile metallic member (that forms the open end of the hair accessory along with the distal end of the first ductile metallic member) is positioned outward of the closed end of the hair accessory so that the closed end of the hair accessory is inserted into the opening defined by the ductile metallic members of the hair accessory. The hair accessory is the squashed to mold the metallic ductile members into a circle shape as shown in FIG. 66. In this option, the hair of the wearer can be fanned over the entire length of the hair accessory 702 and completely or partially obscure the hair accessory from view as shown in FIG. 67. Where the hair is fanned out to completely obscure the hair accessory, for example, the hair more securely holds the hair accessory in the wearer's hair.

In a second option, the longitudinal ends are overlapped in a manner in which the pair of ductile metallic members of closed end are overlapped and juxtaposed in a side-by side arrangement. In this second option, the longitudinal ends of the hair accessory 702 are shown in which the closed end of the hair accessory is disposed inward of the open end of the hair accessory (i.e., the open end extends past and outside the closed end of the hair accessory 702), however, the opposite configuration is also possible (i.e., the closed end extends past and outside the open end of the hair accessory 702). As in the first option, the wearer can then fan her hair over the entire length of the hair accessory 702 and completely or obscure the hair accessory from view.

As described with respect to both options, when the wearer is satisfied with the shape of the hair accessory 702 forming the bun 715, the wearer may re-distribute her hair around the hair accessory 702 as shown in FIG. 67 in the direction of the arrow 716 to provide a uniform appearance of the bun 715 and obscure the hair accessory 702 to provide the appearance of a continuously formed bun 715, as illustrated in FIG. 68 around the second portion of the hair 712.

In yet another implementation, a spacer 70, 72 may be used with the hair accessory (e.g., hair accessory 40 shown in FIG. 8B) to increase a size of the bun formed. The spacer, for example, may comprise a generally cylindrical spacer (e.g., spacer 70) that is placed over one or both of the pair of ductile metallic members of the hair accessory. In this implementation, for example, generally cylindrical spacer 70 made from a piece of flexible cloth or material may be placed over one of the opposing pair of ductile metallic members before a bundle of hair is inserted into the opening between the pair of ductile metallic members. An irregular, non-cylindrical spacer (e.g., spacer 72) may also be used in which a generally flat portion of the spacer 72 is disposed adjacent an inner surface of one or both of the ductile metallic members, and a relatively more voluminous portion of the spacer 72 is disposed outward of an outer surface of one or both of the ductile metallic members. In this implementation, for example, the relatively less voluminous portion is disposed within the opening and does not interfere with the backing member of the hair accessory gripping a bundle of hair, while the relatively more voluminous portion is disposed outside of the opening and provides more volume within a hairstyle in which the hair accessory and the spacer are rolled with the bundle of hair. If the spacer is larger than the outer dimension of the ductile metallic member it is surrounding, the extraneous material of the spacer 70,72 may be accumulated on the outer portion of the ductile metallic member so that, while the flat inner surface of the ductile metallic member only has a single layer (or relatively few layers) of the spacer material in frictional contact with the bundle of hair disposed between the opposing ductile metallic members. The extraneous extra material of the spacer 70,72, however, adds volume within the rolled bundle of hair as the hair accessory is rolled up in the bundle of hair. Thus, when the bun is formed in any of the preceding hairstyle designs, the volume of the roll of hair and the corresponding finished bun is larger due to the spacer 70,72.

Although several implementations of example hair accessories and methods for styling hair and instructing others to style hair using such a hair accessory have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. In addition, certain features are described in various implementations for ease of understanding. These features may be interchanged with features of other implementations or may be added to other implementations. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A hair accessory comprising:

a pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members, each having a major dimension face corresponding to a width of the ductile metallic member and a minor dimension face corresponding to a thickness of the ductile metallic member, the width of the major dimension face being greater than the thickness of the minor dimension face, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally opposing each other along the major dimension faces and disposed within at least one backing member, wherein the ductile metallic members are fixedly attached within the at least one backing member along substantially the entire length of the ductile metallic member, each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members comprising a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally disposed in an end-to-end configuration in which the proximal longitudinal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are disposed adjacent each other and secured to each other such that the major dimension faces of each ductile metallic member are aligned with each other at the proximal longitudinal ends, and distal longitudinal ends of each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members being free from each other, wherein distal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are configured to be separated from each other to define an opening between the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members for receiving a bundle of hair, wherein the alignment of the ductile metallic members at the proximal ends and fixation via the rivet reduces rotation of the pair of ductile metallic members with respect to each other and maintain the pair of ductile metallic members in alignment,

wherein the pair of ductile metallic members are configured to be folded over themselves by bending the ends together to form a generally round shape to secure the accessory in a wearer's hair and allow the hair to be fanned over the hair accessory between the pair of ductile metallic members to the unattached distal longitudinal ends to obscure the hair accessory.

2. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the generally rectangular ductile metallic members comprise at least one rounded end or corner.

3. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the proximal longitudinal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members are secured to each other via a rivet.

4. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the proximal longitudinal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members are secured to each other via a coating.

5. The hair accessory of claim 4 wherein the coating extends around the attached proximal longitudinal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members to secure the proximal longitudinal ends together.

6. The hair accessory of claim 5 wherein the coating comprises at least one of rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic and polypropylene.

7. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the proximal longitudinal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members are secured to each other by a rivet and a coating that extends around the attached proximal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members.

8. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the backing member comprises a coating applied to each of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members.

9. The hair accessory of claim 8 wherein the coating comprises at least one of rubber, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, acrylic and polypropylene.

10. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the coating comprises a flocked layer applied to each of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members.

11. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein the ductile metallic members comprise copper.

12. A method of instructing a user to style hair, the method comprising:

providing instruction for creating a bundle of hair;

providing instruction for providing an opening at a distal end of a hair accessory comprising: a pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members, each having a major dimension face corresponding to a width of the ductile metallic member and a minor dimension face corresponding to a thickness of the ductile metallic member, the width of the major dimension face being greater than the thickness of the minor dimension face, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally opposing each other along the major dimension faces and disposed within at least one backing member, wherein the ductile metallic members are fixedly attached within the at least one backing member along substantially the entire length of the ductile metallic member, each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members comprising a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally disposed in an end-to-end configuration in which the proximal longitudinal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are disposed adjacent each other and secured to each other such that the major dimension faces of each ductile metallic member are aligned with each other at the proximal longitudinal ends, and distal longitudinal ends of each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members being free from each other, wherein distal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are configured to be separated from each other to define an opening between the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members for receiving a bundle of hair, wherein the alignment of the ductile metallic members at the proximal ends and fixation via the rivet reduces rotation of the pair of ductile metallic members with respect to each other and maintain the pair of ductile metallic members in alignment, wherein the pair of ductile metallic members are configured to be folded over themselves by bending the ends together to form a generally round shape to secure the accessory in a wearer's hair and allow the hair to be fanned over the hair accessory between the pair of ductile metallic members to the unattached distal longitudinal ends to obscure the hair accessory,

wherein the operation of providing instruction for providing an opening comprises separating the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members at their distal ends;

providing instruction for feeding the bundle of hair through the opening of the hair accessory between the separated distal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members;

providing instruction for closing the opening of the hair accessory by moving the generally rectangular ductile metallic members toward each other;

providing instruction for sliding the hair accessory downward along a length of the hair away from a wearer's head;

providing instruction for rolling the hair accessory with the bundle of hair towards the user's head;

providing instruction for rolling the bundle of hair onto the hair accessory by rolling the hair accessory toward the wearer's head;

providing instruction for folding the pair of ductile metallic members over themselves by bending ends of the hair accessory together to form a generally round shape and secure the hair accessory in a wearer's hair; and

providing instruction for fanning the hair over the hair accessory between the pair of ductile metallic members to the unattached distal longitudinal ends to further secure the hair accessory within the user's hair and to obscure the hair accessory within the hair.

13. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein in the operation of providing instruction for closing the bundle of hair within the hair accessory instructs that the bundle of hair is at least substantially centered between the proximal and distal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members.

14. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of providing instruction for rolling the hair accessory comprises instructing the user to roll the hair accessory at least two 360 degree turns toward the user's head.

15. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of providing instruction for creating a bundle of hair comprises providing instruction for gathering the bundle of hair and a second bundle of hair.

16. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of providing instruction for sliding the hair accessory comprises providing instruction for sliding the hair accessory at least fifty percent along a length of the hair in the bundle.

17. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein operation of providing instruction for sliding the hair accessory comprises providing instruction for sliding the hair accessory closer to a free end of the bundle of hair for a hairstyle containing relatively more hair of the bundle within a roll and for sliding the hair accessory closer to a root end of the bundle of hair for a hairstyle in which a portion of the bundle of hair extends outwardly from the roll.

18. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of folding the pair of ductile metallic members over themselves comprises inserting the connected proximal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members between the unconnected distal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members of the hair accessory.

19. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of folding the pair of ductile metallic members over themselves comprises juxtaposing the connected proximal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members in a side-by-side arrangement with the unconnected distal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members of the hair accessory.

20. The method of instructing of claim 12 further providing instruction for drawing up free hair not formed in the bundle adjacent to the formed bun hairstyle, twisting the free hair and wrapping the twisted hair around the bun hairstyle between the user's head and the bun hairstyle.

21. The method of instructing of claim 12 wherein the operation of rolling the hair accessory comprises instruction for leaving a gap between the user's head and the hair accessory.

22. The method of instructing of claim 21 further providing instruction for pulling hair out around the bun to make the bun larger and looser.

23. The method of instructing of claim 12 further providing instruction for drawing up free hair not formed in the bundle, twisting the free hair, drawing the free hair through an opening of the rolled up hair accessory and then folding the pair of ductile metallic members over themselves by bending ends of the hair accessory together to form a generally round shape and secure the hair accessory in a wearer's hair.

24. The method of instructing of claim 12 further providing instruction for providing a spacer over at least one of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members of the hair accessory, wherein the spacer increases a volume of the bundle of hair when rolled within the hair accessory.

25. A method of styling hair, the method comprising:

creating a bundle of hair;

providing an opening at a distal end of a hair accessory comprising: a pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members, each having a major dimension face corresponding to a width of the ductile metallic member and a minor dimension face corresponding to a thickness of the ductile metallic member, the width of the major dimension face being greater than the thickness of the minor dimension face, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally opposing each other along the major dimension faces and disposed within at least one backing member, wherein the ductile metallic members are fixedly attached within the at least one backing member along substantially the entire length of the ductile metallic member, each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members comprising a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end, the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members generally disposed in an end-to-end configuration in which the proximal longitudinal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are disposed adjacent each other and secured to each other such that the major dimension faces of each ductile metallic member are aligned with each other at the proximal longitudinal ends, and distal longitudinal ends of each of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members being free from each other, wherein distal ends of the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members are configured to be separated from each other to define an opening between the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members for receiving a bundle of hair, wherein the alignment of the ductile metallic members at the proximal ends and fixation via the rivet reduces rotation of the pair of ductile metallic members with respect to each other and maintain the pair of ductile metallic members in alignment, wherein the pair of ductile metallic members are configured to be folded over themselves by bending the ends together to form a generally round shape to secure the accessory in a wearer's hair and allow the hair to be fanned over the hair accessory between the pair of ductile metallic members to the unattached distal longitudinal ends to obscure the hair accessory,

wherein the operation of providing an opening comprises separating the pair of generally rectangular ductile metallic members at their distal ends;

feeding the bundle of hair through the opening of the hair accessory between the separated distal ends of the generally rectangular ductile metallic members;

closing the opening of the hair accessory by moving the generally rectangular ductile metallic members toward each other;

sliding the hair accessory downward along a length of the hair away from a wearer's head;

rolling the hair accessory with the bundle of hair towards the user's head;

rolling the bundle of hair onto the hair accessory by rolling the hair accessory toward the wearer's head;

folding the pair of ductile metallic members over themselves by bending ends of the hair accessory together to form a generally round shape and secure the hair accessory in a wearer's hair; and

fanning the hair over the hair accessory between the pair of ductile metallic members to the unattached distal longitudinal ends to further secure the hair accessory within the user's hair and to obscure the hair accessory within the hair.