HAIR EXTENSION FOUNDATION CAP SYSTEM

Abstract

A foundation cap system for attaching hair extensions, the foundation cap system including an elastomeric cap defining an outside surface and an opening into an inner chamber defined by an inside surface of the elastomeric cap; and at least one flat sewing strand extending along the outside surface to define a plurality of generally parallel strand portions over at least a portion of the outer surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair extensions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cap system which defines a foundation for sewing or weaving hair extensions to the wearer's head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hair weave is human or artificial hair, i.e. hair extension, utilized for the integration with one's natural hair. Weaves can alter one's appearance for long or short periods of time by adding further hair to one's natural hair or by covering the natural hair all together with human or synthetic hairpieces. Weaving additional human or synthetic pieces can enhance one's hair by giving it volume, length and adding color without the damage of chemicals or adopting a different hair texture than that of their own.

With weave or sew-in hair extensions, the wearer's natural hair is typically braided in “tracks” and wefts of hair are woven (with thread) onto the braids. The tracks are usually cornrows, braided in the direction of how the hair will fall. Toward the face or away, with or without a part, the tracks build the foundation of how the end result will look. The wefts are then sewn onto the braids, usually with a specially made, blunt-ended needle.

The process of braiding the hair to form the tracks is time consuming and often is expensive. Additionally, prolonged braiding of the user's hair may have negative effects which may be exacerbated when the hair is braided at a high level of tension. Furthermore, the weight of extensions can put additional stress on the roots. As such, it may be necessary to avoid areas along the hairline or the back of the neck, where hair is the most fragile.

It is further noted that some potential users do not have sufficient hair density to form the tracks, for example, a person with naturally thin hair or a person that has lost their hair, either naturally or as a result of, for example, chemotherapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a foundation cap system for attaching hair extensions, the foundation cap system including an elastomeric cap defining an outside surface and an opening into an inner chamber defined by an inside surface of the elastomeric cap; and at least one flat sewing strand extending along the outside surface to define a plurality of generally parallel strand portions over at least a portion of the outer surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a foundation cap system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the foundation cap system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foundation cap system of FIG. 1 turned inside out.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternative connection element associated with the foundation cap system.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another alternative connection element associated with the foundation cap system.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a foundation cap system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the foundation cap system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foundation cap system of FIG. 6 turned inside out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a foundation cap system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will be described. The cap system 10 includes a cap 12 having a generally hemispherical shape with an outside surface 16 and an opening 14 into an internal chamber defined by the inside surface 18 of the mesh net 12. While the cap 12 is described as generally hemispherical in shape, it is recognized that the shape may be more or less than half of a spherical shape. Additionally, the shape does not have to be exactly spherical, but may have variations, for example, flatter sides such that the width between the sides is less than the distance between the front F and back B. The specific shape may be adjusted based on the shape of the intended user's head. It is further noted that the cap 12 is made of an elastomeric material such that the cap 12 is stretchable both side to side and from front F to back B. In the illustrated embodiments, the cap 12 is made from an elastomeric mesh net, however, other materials may be utilized.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an elastomeric band 20 extends along the inside surface 18 along the opening 14. The elasticity of the elastic band 20 is selected such that it is it made be stretched about the user's head and return toward its original shape such that it provides a sufficient tension to retain the cap 12 on the user's head. Additional connection elements may be included to further assist in maintaining the cap on the user's head.

In the embodiment of the cap system 10′ illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart contact ribs 22 are attached to the elastic band 20 and serve as the additional connection elements. The contact ribs 22 are less elastic than the elastic band 20 and are configured to be biased into engagement with the user's head by the elastic band 20. The contact ribs 22 may be semi-rigid and manufactured from polyurethane, rubber or the like. Additionally, the contact ribs 22 may be in the form of double-sided tape which is another alternative connection element. Since the elastic band 20 extends in between the contact ribs 22, the band 20 still has the ability to stretch over the user's head.

In the embodiment of the cap system 10″ illustrated in FIG. 5, the additional connection elements are defined by one or more combs 24 which are attached to the inside surface 18 of the cap 12, preferably at the front F and back B of the cap 12 although they may otherwise be positioned. FIG. 5 shows the front comb 24 with a plurality of bristles 26 configured to engage the user's hair and assist in maintaining the cap 12 on the user's head. While the back comb is not illustrated, it generally has the same configuration and function as the front comb 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, a flat sewing strand 30 extends along the outer surface 16 of the cap 12. By flat, it is meant that the sewing strand 30 has a width, generally parallel to the surface of the mesh net, which is larger than a thickness, generally perpendicular to the surface of the mesh net, of the sewing strand 30. The sewing strand 30 preferably has a braided configuration including a plurality of natural or synthetic strands braided with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the sewing strand 30 extends continuously from a first end 32 along one side of the cap 12 to a second end (not shown) along the opposite side of the cap 12. The sewing strand 30 extends in a back-and-forth configuration such that a series of generally parallel strand portions 34 extend from front F to back B of the cap 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or the generally parallel strand portions 35 may extend from side-to-side of the cap (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). With the continuous nature of the strand 30, return portions 36 extend between adjacent strand portions 34. While the sewing strand 30 is illustrated as a continuous strand, it is possible that the strand portions 34 may be defined by two or more separate elements rather than a continuous strand. The sewing strand 30 may be stitched, glued, bonded or otherwise secured to the outer surface 16 of the cap 12.

The sewing strand 30 provides a sewing or weaving foundation for hair extensions. A user may simply position the cap system 10 on their head and begin the sewing process. Such eliminates the time and expense of braiding the user's own hair and also the potential disadvantages of continuously keeping their hair in braids. Additionally, the tension applied by the hair extensions is not applied to the user's roots, but instead is applied to the cap 12 and thereby more evenly distributed to the user's entire head through engagement of the elastic band 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a cap system 10′″ in accordance with another embodiment of the invention will be described. The cap system 10′″ is similar to the previous embodiment and includes an elastomeric cap 12 having an outside surface 16 and an inside surface 18 with an opening 14. The cap system 10′″ includes a sewing strand 30, however, in the present embodiment the first end 32 of the sewing strand 30 is secured along the front F of the cap 12 and the second end (not shown) is secured along the back B of the cap 12. The sewing strand 30 extends in a side-to-side configuration with U-shaped portions 35 extending from side-to-side of the cap 12. Again, return portions 36 join adjacent U-shaped portions 35. To allow the wearer the option to cut a small opening in the cap and pull some of their own hair through to blend with the extensions, a piece of lace fabric 28 or the like, with lower elasticity than the cap 12, is secured to either the outer surface 16 or inner surface 18 or both surfaces 16, 18 of the cap 12. In all other aspects, the cap system 10′″ is the same as the previously described embodiment. Additionally, the cap system 10′″ may include additional connection elements as described above.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A foundation cap system for attaching hair extensions, the foundation cap system comprising:

an elastomeric cap defining an outside surface and an opening into an inner chamber defined by an inside surface of the elastomeric cap; and

at least one flat sewing strand extending along the outside surface to define a plurality of generally parallel strand portions over at least a portion of the outer surface, wherein the at least one flat sewing strand includes a plurality of braided strands.

2. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein the braided strands are braided in a cornrow configuration.

3. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein the elastomeric cap is stretchable between adjacent strand portions.

4. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein the strand portions extend from a front of the cap to a rear of the cap.

5. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein the strand portions extend from a first side of the cap to a second, opposite side of the cap.

6. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein a piece of fabric having an elasticity less than that of the elastomeric cap is secured along the inner and/or outer surface of the elastomeric cap adjacent an end of the at least one flat sewing strand.

7. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein the strand portions are defined by a single, continuous flat sewing strand.

8. The foundation cap system according to claim 1 wherein an elastic band extends along the inner surface about the opening.

9. The foundation cap system according to claim 8 wherein at least one additional connection element is secured adjacent the elastic band.

10. The foundation cap system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one additional connection element includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart contact ribs positioned along the elastic band.

11. The foundation cap system according to claim 10 wherein the contact ribs are semi-rigid.

12. The foundation cap system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one additional connection element includes at least one comb secured to the inside surface of the cap.

13. The foundation cap system according to claim 12 wherein a first comb is secured along a front of the cap and a second comb is secured along a back of the cap.