Knot helper

Abstract

A knot helper utilizing a sleeve open at the top end as well as the bottom end. A partially or fully exposed elastic circle is used at the top end to tighten the knot helper around the top of a wearer's ponytail. In use, the wearer encloses her ponytail into the cylindrical sleeve of the knot helper. She then secures the top end over her ponytail with the aid of an exposed elastic or other grabbing means in order to prevent the knot helper from slipping off her ponytail. Finally, she twists and wraps the knot helper along with the enclosed sleeve forming a knot or other related hair styles. The finished knot may be anchored securely by tucking the bottom end of the sleeve under the knot or by looping a circle of elastic provided at the bottom end of the sleeve around the knot.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] A provisional patent application, No. 60/249,328 for this invention was filed on Nov. 16, 2000 for inventor Priti Srivastava. The benefit of the filing date of Nov. 16, 2000 is requested for the current patent application.

[0002] This application is related to application Ser. No. 09/148,352, filed Sep. 4, 1998, now patent number U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991, granted Oct. 26, 1999.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] Not Applicable

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention an improved knot helper is provided comprising a sleeve of flexible material that can be readily twisted and wrapped, that has a grabbing means for securing and tightening one end of the sleeve on the wearer's ponytail, and that has a length that substantially encloses the entire length of the ponytail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention relates generally to hair accessories and more specifically to a novel means for putting up a ponytail into a hair knot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0007] Several varieties of hair accessories exist on the market. Many are intended to help a user put her hair into a knot. However, most of these existing prior art devices have one or more of the following shortcomings:

[0008] First of all, a majority of the devices do not work well with layered hair-styles. In a layered hair-style, the wearer's hair ends at different lengths. Attempting to use prior art devices such as the Whirl-a-bun (TM) or Hairdini (TM) to make a knot with a layered hair-style causes a number of loose strands to escape. Attempt to use a hair-net to secure a hair knot to contain these strands results in the knot getting covered up thus detracting from the overall appearance of the knot. Additionally, hair knots result in a very dated look.

[0009] Most prior art devices require that the wearer's pony-tail be fairly long in order for it to be put up into a knot. This precludes wearers with short pony-tails from using them.

[0010] Additionally, many prior art devices require the use of hair-pins or clips for anchoring the knot to a wearer's head. The use of hair-pins is not only inconvenient, but it also adds a potential for hurting the wearer's scalp either through scratching or, in extreme cases, through puncturing the skin.

[0011] Most prior art devices require a skilled person to make an elegant and stable knot.

[0012] Many prior art devices for making knots are bulky and difficult to carry in a wearer's handbag.

[0013] Frame et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,003, created a hair retainer for the decoration and protection of a pony-tail. The retainer claimed by Frame et al comprises a first loop and a second loop, a means for gathering their sleeve intermediate the first loop and the second loop, and a first and second bloused portions. The retainer of Frame et al while consisting of a cylindrical sleeve is not intended to help knot a ponytail. Additionally, because of the presence of bloused portions, Frame et al's hair retainer would not work well as a knot helper.

[0014] Sidelman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,637 described a chignon-foundation comprising a knit sleeve rolled into itself so as to have a central through opening. The chignon-foundation of Sidelman has a rolled-up form (similar to a toroidal form) instead of an extended tubular form of the current invention. Sidelman's chignon-foundation, in use, remains contained inside a wearer's hair. The purpose of Sidelman's chignon-foundation is to make the wearer's chignon appear full while maintaining the soft and resilient feeling of a chignon formed wholly of the wearer's hair. Thus Sidelman's chignon acts as a filler for a chignon. The chignon maker of U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 by the same inventor as the current invention is not provided with a tightening mechanism. As a result of this, the chignon sleeve cannot be further tightened once it has been placed on the pony-tail of the wearer. The current invention allows tightening of the sleeve after it has been placed over the pony-tail of the user. Additionally, the prior art device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 teaches that once the chignon maker has been wrapped, the free end of the chignon maker may be tucked into the base of the pony-tail or anchored by use of a hair-pin, comb, etc. However, an alternative solution is provided with the knot helper of the current invention. An exposed elastic at the lower free end of the knot helper of this invention allows for ease in securing the finished knot.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a versatile hair accessory to help make hair knots.

[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide a knot helper for wearers with layered hair-cuts. The disadvantage of most prior art devices when applied to layered hair-cuts is that unattractive loose strands of hair escape out of the chignon. Prior art devices further result in unstable chignons or knots due to their inability to confine all the loose strands into the chignon. The knot helper of the present invention keeps stray hair confined while still maintaining the spiral appearance of a knot.

[0017] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device that enables wearers with short hair-lengths to wear their hair in knots. The only constraint is that the wearers be able to pull their hair into a ponytail.

[0018] A further object of this invention is to provide a device that allows the wearer to make a stable knot. The invention does not require any hair-pins for securely anchoring the knot.

[0019] Another object of this invention is to provide a knot making device that can be tightened by the wearer when required. This provides a significant variation from the chignon maker of prior art device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 by the same inventor as the current invention.

[0020] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a knot making device that provides a means of anchoring the finished knot by means of an elastic provided at the bottom end around the knot. This provides an additional feature as compared to the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 by the same inventor.

[0021] An additional object of this invention is to provide a device that enhances the spiral structure of a knot.

[0022] A further object of this invention is to provide a knot making device that is simple and easy to use.

[0023] A still further object is to provide a knot making device that is economical in cost to manufacture.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide a means for protecting the wearer's hair.

[0025] Another object is to provide a flexible hair accessory that can be worn to look like an ordinary pony-tail holder when worn in its scrunched state and can, if and when desired, be quickly used to convert the pony-tail into a chignon.

[0026] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for making chignons that can easily fit into a lady's handbag without adding too much bulk.

[0027] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the knot helper of this invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the top elevational view of the knot helper of this invention.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a cylindrical sleeve with a casing at its top end and a length of elastic that may be threaded through the casing.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a knot helper with a length of elastic included in the casing at its top end.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of an embodiment of the knot helper having a band of elastic attached externally to the cylindrical sleeve.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a front view of an embodiment of the knot helper carrying a sliding tightening mechanism on the elastic at its top end.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a front view of an embodiment of the knot helper with drawstrings included as a tightening mechanism.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a a front view of an embodiment of the knot helper with a comb attached to the top end.

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a ponytail at the back of a wearer's head.

[0037] FIG. 10 shows the ponytail of a wearer fully enclosed within the cylindrical tube of the knot helper.

[0038] FIG. 11 shows the exposed elastic at the top end of the knot helper stretched out and encircling the knot helper so as to tighten the top end of the knot helper on the ponytail.

[0039] FIG. 12 illustrates the action of twisting the sleeve of the knot helper along with the enclosed ponytail.

[0040] FIG. 13 shows the completed knot formed by wrapping the twisted knot helper sleeve in a spiral fashion around the top of the ponytail.

[0041] FIG. 14 shows how an elastic circle can be snapped around a knot to anchor the knot securely.

[0042] FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of a knot helper in which both the upper end and the lower end are elasticized by partially folding-in an elastic circle.

[0043] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a knot helper where a double-pull mechanism is included in the top end of the knot helper.

[0044] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a knot helper where an elastic circle is loosely attached to each of the upper and lower ends of the knot helper.

[0045] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the knot helper where the lower end is cut at an angle to the length of the knot helper.

[0046] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the knot helper that consists of a narrow flexible tube with a circle of elastic loosely attached to the top end.

[0047] FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the knot helper with a tightening strip of material being used to tighten the knot helper in conjunction with a snap-closure mechanism.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0048] 30 top elasticized end of knot helper

[0049] 31 opening in casing at top end

[0050] 32 bottom end of sleeve

[0051] 34 knot helper

[0052] 35 sleeve

[0053] 37 twisted sleeve

[0054] 38 piece of elastic

[0055] 39 direction of twisting

[0056] 40 wearer

[0057] 41 partially enclosed elastic at bottom end of sleeve

[0058] 42 ponytail

[0059] 43 elastic attached loosely at bottom end of sleeve

[0060] 44 band of elastic

[0061] 45 comb

[0062] 46 sliding tightening mechanism

[0063] 47 drawstrings

[0064] 48 knot

[0065] 49 elastic loosely attached at top end of sleeve

[0066] 50 bead

[0067] 51 double-pull tightening mechanism

[0068] 52 strip for tightening top end of sleeve in conjunction with snap-closure mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.

[0070] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of knot helper 34. In this figure, the knot helper can be seen to consist of a flexible sleeve 35 that has a a top end 30 and a bottom open end 32. The top end 30 is meant to be placed securely over the ponytail of a wearer. In order for the top end to grip the ponytail firmly, it needs to have a suitable grabbing mechanism. In FIG. 1, top end 30 can be seen to enclose a partially exposed elastic 38. Because elastic 38 is partially exposed, it can be grabbed and pulled by the wearer in order to tighten the knot helper on the ponytail. If elastic 38 is fully enclosed, then it will need to be of a fairly small circumference. But if it is partially exposed, then it can be of a greater circumference since it can then be looped around a ponytail and tightened. The advantages of an exposed elastic are that it makes it easier to place the knot helper on the ponytail by virtue of its larger diameter. Additionally, a larger elastic makes it easier to manufacture the knot helper. Another advantage of using an exposed elastic is that because of its larger diameter it allows the knot helper to also be used as a scrunchy. Elastic 38 can carry a bead 50 on it in order to make it easier for the wearer to grab elastic 38 and pull on it. FIG. 2 shows the top view of the knot helper 34.

[0071] FIGS. 3 and 4 show one way how knot helper 34 can be elasticized. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 by the same inventor showed a way of enclosing a circle of elastic into the top end 30 of knot helper 34. However, an alternative way to enclose a circle of elastic is provided here. The top end of sleeve 35 is first folded over forming a casing leaving opening 31. This will allow elastic 38 to be threaded into the opening. The two ends of elastic 38 are then joined together forming elasticized open end 30. This is shown in FIG. 4.

[0072] FIGS. 5 to 8 show some different embodiments of the knot helper. The knot helper in FIG. 5 is elasticized at the top end by means of a wide band of elastic 44 that is externally attached to sleeve 35. This is different from the preferred embodiment which has an enclosed elastic.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a knot helper that carries a sliding mechanism 46 at its top end to help tighten the knot helper on a weaer's ponytail. Mechanism 46 carries an element that, when pressed allows the sliding element to move freely on elastic 38. When released, mechanism 46 stays firmly on elastic 38 as positioned.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the knot helper where drawstrings 47 have been provided to allow a wearer to tighten the knot helper on her ponytail.

[0075] In FIG. 8, comb 45 has been attached to knot helper 34 in order to allow the knot helper to firmly grip the ponytail of the wearer.

[0076] FIGS. 9 to 13 shows how the knot helper is used to put up a ponytail into a knot.

[0077] FIG. 9 shows wearer 40 and her ponytail 42. FIG. 10 shows the knot helper of this invention placed over the ponytail of the wearer. The top end 30 of the knot helper is placed on the top end of ponytail 42. The remainder of the ponytail is contained inside the tube of the knot helper.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows how elastic 38 can be used to further tighten the top end of knot helper 34 on the top end of ponytail 42. The wearer grabs elastic 38 and pulls on it. She then twists it into a FIG. 8 configuration and loops it around her ponytail as she would when tightening an ordinary ponytail holder.

[0079] FIG. 12 shows the wearer twisting her ponytail along with the knot helper. The direction of twisting is shown by arrow 39. The result is a twisted ponytail 37 shown in FIG. 12.

[0080] FIG. 13 shows the twisted ponytail 37 wrapped in a spiral fashion forming knot 48. End 32 (not shown in this figure) of knot helper 34 has been tucked firmly under the knot to help hold the knot securely and prevent it from unraveling.

[0081] FIG. 14 shows how an elastic circle 43 present at the bottom end of the knot helper can be used to anchor the knot. After the twisted ponytail 37 of FIG. 12 has been wrapped in a tight spiral, elastic 43 can be looped around the knot in order to hold the knot in place.

[0082] FIGS. 15 to 20 show some more embodiments of knot helper 34.

[0083] In FIG. 15, the knot helper is elasticized at both its ends. The exposed elastic 41 at the bottom end can be used to secure a finished knot in the manner of elastic 43 of FIG. 14.

[0084] FIG. 16 shows a knot helper 34 in which a double-pull tightening mechanism 51 is provided. Mechanism 51 is similar to that provided on many pouch bags. Two rounds of elastic or drawstrings are used. Each round of elastic is exposed at two opposite ends. When the wearer pulls on these two exposed rounds of elastic simultaneously, the opening gets tightened by that action.

[0085] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the knot helper where both the top end and the bottom end of knot helper 34 carry substantially exposed rounds of elastic. The round of elastic 49 attached to top end 30 can be used to tighten the knot helper on the ponytail while the round of elastic 43 attached to the bottom end can be used to help anchor a completed knot.

[0086] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the knot helper where the bottom end of sleeve 35 is cut at an angle to the length of the sleeve. This design can help prevent bulk when end 32 is tucked under finished knot to prevent the knot from unraveling.

[0087] FIG. 19 shows an elastic tube of material that can be used as a knot helper provided it has the right amount of flexibility so that it can be slipped onto a ponytail and then twisted and wrapped into a knot. An elastic circle 49 can be loosely attached to the top end to help tighten the knot helper of this embodiment over a ponytail.

[0088] FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a knot helper where the tightening mechanism consists of a strip of material 52 carrying one half of a snap-button closure. The other half of the snap closure is directly attached to sleeve 35.

[0089] The knot helper of this invention can be created in different colors, fabric textures and materials. Open end 30 may be finished by hemming, trimming or other equivalent means. It could include a partially exposed elastic 38 or a loosely attached elastic 49. Alternatively it may have both elastic 38 and elastic 49. It may also use other means such as drawstrings, Velcro, buttons, hair-clips and other equivalent means to anchor top end 30 to the top end of ponytail 42. Likewise, open end 32 could be finished in a variety of ways including hemming, trimming or other equivalent means. It may include a partially exposed elastic 41 or a loosely attached elastic 43. Alternatively it may include both elastic 41 and elastic 43. In alternative embodiments, the upper end may be self elasticized like the open end of socks. Also, the casing at the top end or the bottom end or both may be fully closed after enclosing a circle of elastic within. Elastic circles 38, 41, 43 and 49 may carry a bead 50 or other equivalent means to allow for easy grasping. The use of a bead, jump-ring or equivalent means will provide tactile feedback to the wearer and help her grab the elastic.

[0090] The bottom end 32 of sleeve 35 can also carry a hair clip, a chopstick pin, a hair net or other equivalent means to help anchor the completed knot in place.

[0091] Fabric sleeve 35 can be created in various lengths depending upon the length of the wearer's hair. Alternatively, sleeve 35 could be made in one-length with cut-away sections allowing wearers to shorten the sleeve based on the lengths of their pony-tails. In the case of materials that unravels easily, the sleeve may include cut-away panels thereby allowing the wearer to cut away discrete lengths without causing the sleeve to unravel.

[0092] While, in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0093] To apply knot helper 34 to wearer's hair the following steps should be taken:

[0094] 1. Make a pony-tail 42 as shown in FIG. 9 using any of a rubber-band, ribbon, pony-tail holder, etc. This step is not essential because the knot helper itself can help hold together a ponytail.

[0095] 2. Choose the right size of knot helper 34 for the length of the pony-tail so that the knot helper fully encloses the pony-tail. Alternatively, users may buy a generic 12.0 inch long or so knot helper.

[0096] 3. Wear the knot helper on ponytail 42 enclosing the ponytail. Align elasticized end 30 over the top end of ponytail 42. Pull on the exposed elastic 38. Twist the pulled elastic into a FIG. 8 configuration and loop it around the ponytail as when tightening an ordinary ponytail elastic. Other tightening mechanisms may be used to tighten the elastic. Alternatively, no tightening may be needed as in case of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0097] 4. Use one hand to firmly grasp the top end 30 of the knot helper over the top end of ponytail 42. Use the other hand to twist sleeve 35 along with the enclosed pony-tail thereby forming a twisted sleeve 37. Twist as many times as necessary to create a slight tension.

[0098] 5. Wrap twisted sleeve 37 firmly around the top end of the ponytail. The wrapping action will result in a knot. If an elastic is used at the lower end of the knot helper, it may be stretched and snapped around the knot to further anchor the knot at the base of the pony-tail. The end of the knot helper is tucked under the base of the pony-tail. The wrapping action that is used to make the knot can either be a spiral winding of the sleeve around the pony-tail as shown in FIG. 13 or it can be any of several knotting methods used by those skilled in the art of making chignons. Example, in one method of making a knot, the wearer first folds the sleeve in half forming a loop at the middle of the sleeve. She then grabs this loop with one hand and the two ends of the folded sleeve with the other. Finally she twists the loop in one direction until it forms a tight noose. This noose is then slipped over the base of the pony-tail forming a knot.

[0099] 6. Open end 32 can also be pushed out through the center of the knot so that any decorations attached to end 32 will emerge through the knot at the center.

[0100] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of the art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0102] Accordingly the reader will see that the knot helper of this invention provides a convenient and reliable device that can be used by wearers of any age to create elegant knots and other related hair-styles.

[0103] Unlike many prior art devices available commercially, the knot helper allows wearers with layered hair-cuts to wear their hair in knots. The disadvantage of most prior art devices when applied to layered hair-cuts is that unattractive loose strands of hair escape out of the knot. The prior art devices further result in unstable chignons due to their inability to confine said loose strands into the chignon. The present invention keeps stray hair confined within the knot helper while still enhancing the spiral appearance of the knot.

[0104] The knot helper also provides a device that enables wearers with short hair-lengths to wear their hair in knots. Since the knot helper acts as a hair extension, even wearer's with pony-tails as short as a few inches can still use the current invention to make a stable knot.

[0105] The knot helper provides a means for creating a stable knot. The invention does not require any hair-pins for securely anchoring the chignon on the wearer's head.

[0106] The current invention adds another item to be utilized as a wearer's hair accessory. The knot helper is extremely decorative. Depending upon the materials employed and additional decorations used, the knot helper can result in a variety of looks including professional, day-time hair-styles and elegant, evening looks.

[0107] The knot helper provides a knot making device that is simple and easy to use.

[0108] The knot helper is economical in cost to manufacture.

[0109] The knot helper can be scrunched or folded into a small package thereby allowing it to be carried easily in a handbag without adding bulk to it.

[0110] The knot helper also provides a means for protecting the wearer's hair. Additionally, the knot helper allows the user to add conditioning creams to the pony-tail while preventing the said treated pony-tail from attracting dust.

[0111] The knot helper provides alternative designs and method to that provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,991 by the same inventor.

[0112] Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.

Claims

1. A hair accessory for a wearer's ponytail comprising:

a. a sleeve for enclosing the ponytail

b. said sleeve having a top open end and a bottom end to permit the ponytail to extend into the sleeve

c. said top open end in said sleeve incorporating a grabbing means at said top open end to securely position the sleeve on the ponytail

d. said sleeve being of sufficient length to substantially contain the ponytail

e. said sleeve being of sufficient flexibility to allow it to be twisted and wrapped along with the enclosed ponytail

2. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes a partially exposed elastic at said top end to allow said top end to be tightened over the ponytail.

3. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is a cylindrical piece of material.

4. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said bottom open end is decorated by the application of any decorative objects selected from a group consisting of: fringes, beads, metallic threads and embroidered decorations.

5. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said bottom end carries an elastic means to secure said bottom end around the knot

6. The hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said top and said bottom end each carry an elastic circle

7. A method of creating a hairstyle with a ponytail, said method comprising:

a. placing a sleeve of resilient material having a top open end and a bottom end over the ponytail

b. securing the sleeve over the pony-tail with the help of a grabbing means present at the top end of said sleeve

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the sleeve and the ponytail are twisted several times as a single unit in one direction and then wrapped around the top end of the ponytail in a spiral fashion forming a knot followed by tucking the bottom end of said sleeve such as to secure a knot.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the sleeve and the ponytail are twisted several times as a single unit in one direction and then wrapped around the top end of the ponytail in a spiral fashion forming a knot followed by snapping an elastic present at the bottom end around the knot so as to secure the knot.