Decorative hair accessory

Abstract

A hair accessory for decorating and supplementing a user's natural hair. The hair accessory comprises a cylindrical member having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair wrapped there around. The cylindrical member has a first end, a second end, and a body portion extending between the first and second end. A first ornamental member, such as a flower, ribbon, beads, and the like, is secured to at least one of the first and second end of the cylindrical member. A second ornamental member, such as simulated hair, is secured to the body portion of the cylindrical member. A securing means is provided for securing a length of one's hair about the body portion of the cylindrical member to achieve a desired hairstyle. A method of fabricating a hair accessory is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/702,387, filed Jul. 25, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a hair accessory for holding and decorating one's hair, and more particularly to a hair accessory that not only decorates and hold's one's hair in a particular style but also supplements one's hair to provide a fuller appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair accessories are well known in the art. These devices are used to decorate one's hair and/or to hold it in a particular style. U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,955 to Grooms and U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,838 to St. James show hair rolling fashion accessories that allow the user to decorate the hair while wearing curling devices such as hair rollers or to decorate the hair while held in a particular style. Hair accessories have also been developed which allow a user having thinner hair to present a fuller appearance to the hair. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,629,546 and 6,513,535 to Lane show hair holding devices having hair strands secured thereto so as to conceal the holding device and produce a fuller appearance to the hair. The Lane devices do not allow for the attachment of any ornamental features.

There is a need in the art for a hair accessory that provides ornamentation to the hair, holds the hair in a variety of styles, and presents a fuller appearance to thin, hard-to-style hair.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hair accessory that can be used to create a variety of beautiful decorative hairstyles.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair accessory that can provide a fuller appearance to thin, hard-to-style hair.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hair accessory that is easy to use.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a hair accessory that can include a variety of decorations so that it can be worn with any type of attire.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hair accessory in a variety of colors to match almost any preferred hair color.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of fabricating a hair accessory that provides ornamentation to the hair, holds the hair in a variety of styles, and presents a fuller appearance to thin, hard-to-style hair.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method of fabricating a hair accessory that is easy to use.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method of fabricating a hair accessory that can include a variety of ornaments, as well as, come in a variety of colors to achieve a desired look.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objectives, the invention comprises a hair accessory for decorating and supplementing a user's natural hair. The hair accessory comprises a cylindrical member having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair wrapped there around. The cylindrical member has a first end, a second end, and a body portion extending between the first and second end. A first ornamental member is secured to at least one of the first and second end of the cylindrical member. A second ornamental member is secured to the body portion of the cylindrical member. A securing means is provided for securing a length of one's hair about the body portion of the cylindrical member. A method of fabricating a hair accessory is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the hair accessory of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a hair style using a plurality of hair accessories of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative hair style using the hair accessory of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown the hair accessory of the invention, generally indicated as 10, decorating and supplementing a user's natural hair. The hair accessory comprises a cylindrical member 12 having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair 30 wrapped there around, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cylindrical member 12 has a first end 14, a second end 16, and a body portion 18 extending between the first 14 and second end 16. A first ornamental member 20 is secured to at least one of the first 14 and second 16 end of the cylindrical member 12. A second ornamental member 22 is secured to the body portion 18 of the cylindrical member 12. A securing means, such as a coordinating clip 24, is provided for securing the length of one's hair 30 about the body portion 18 of the cylindrical member 12.

The first ornamental member 20 can comprise at least one ornamental member or a plurality of ornamental members secured to each of the first 14 and second 16 ends of the cylindrical member 12. This first ornamental member 20 can comprises any well known decorative article such as a flower, ribbon, bow, beads, or a combination thereof.

The second ornamental member 22 can comprise one of synthetic, natural, and a combination of synthetic and natural hair, which can supplement a user's natural hair and provide the user with the appearance of a fuller head of hair for those user's who have thin hair. It is preferred that the second ornamental member comprises silk hair which can be provided in a plurality of colors and/or shades to match a variety of user's hair colors and/or shades. Alternatively, the second ornamental member 22 can be formed from a felt material or a furry or plush material having a color and/or shade to match a user's hair color and/or shade.

The securing means 24 can be in the form of any well known securing means. For example, the securing means can comprise a coordinating clip of pin that can be separated from the cylindrical member 12. Alternatively, the securing means can comprises a closable clip assembly attached to an end 14, 16 of the cylindrical member 12 or hook and loop fasteners 28 formed integrally on the cylindrical member 12. FIG. 1 shows these alternative securing means. One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these are alternative embodiments and that only one type of securing means is necessary for securing the user's hair around the cylindrical member 12.

A method of fabricating a hair accessory 10 to decorate and supplement one's natural hair is also provided. This method comprises the steps of providing a cylindrical member 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1, having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair 30 wrapped there around. The cylindrical member 12 has a first end 14, a second end 16, and a body portion 18 extending between the first 14 and second 16 end. Attaching at least a first ornamental member 20 to at least one of the first 14 and second 16 end of the cylindrical member 12. Attaching a second ornamental member 22 to the body portion 18 of the cylindrical member 12. Providing securing means 24, 26, or 28 for securing a length of one's hair 30 about the body portion 18 of the cylindrical member 12.

The step of attaching at least a first ornamental member 20 comprises attaching at least one ornamental member or a plurality of ornamental members to each of the first 14 and second 16 end of the cylindrical member 12. As discussed above, this first ornamental member 20 can comprise any well known decorative article such as a flower, ribbon, bow, beads, and a combination thereof.

The step of attaching the second ornamental member 22 comprises attaching a plurality of hair strands to the body portion 18 of said cylindrical member 12. These hair strands can comprise a synthetic, natural, or a combination of synthetic and natural hair. Preferably, the hair strands are formed from a silk material. Alternatively, a length of plush or furry material may be wrapped around the body portion 18 of the cylindrical member 12. The second ornamental member 22 is provided in a plurality of colors and/or shades to match a variety of user's hair colors and/or shades.

The step of providing a securing means comprises providing a well known securing means. The means can comprise a member such as a coordinating clip or pin that can be separated from the cylindrical member 12. Alternatively, this securing means can comprise a member that is integrally attached with the cylindrical member 12 such as a well known hook and loop fastener 28 and a closable clip assembly 26 attached to either the first 14 or second 16 end of the cylindrical member 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hair accessory 10 of the invention may be used to create a variety of hair styles to achieve a desired look whether such look is casual with a T-shirt and jeans or elegant/glamorous with dressy evening attire. The accessory is easy to use for both the accomplished hairstylist and the novice. A single accessory or a plurality of accessories may be used and a variety of ornamental members may be employed to coordinate with a particular style of clothing. The hair accessory 10 of the invention may also be provided in a variety of predetermined shapes and sizes to accommodated hair of any thickness and/or length.

The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A hair accessory for use in one's hair, said hair accessory comprising:

(a) a cylindrical member having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair wrapped there around, said cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, and a body portion extending between said first and second end;

(b) a first ornamental member secured to at least one of said first and second end of said cylindrical member;

(c) a second ornamental member secured to said body portion of said cylindrical member; and

(d) securing means for securing a length of one's hair about said body portion of said cylindrical member.

2. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said first ornamental member comprises at least one ornamental member secured to each of said first and second end of said cylindrical member.

3. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said first ornamental member comprises one of a flower, ribbon, bow, beads, and a combination thereof.

4. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said second ornamental member comprises one of synthetic, natural, and a combination of synthetic and natural hair.

5. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said second ornamental member comprises a length of a plush material or a furry material wrapped around said body portion of said cylindrical member.

6. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said second ornamental member is provided in a plurality of colors and/or shades to match a variety of user's hair colors and/or shades.

7. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a member that can be separated from said cylindrical member.

8. A hair accessory as recited in claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises one of a clip and a pin.

9. A hair accessory as recited in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a one of a hook and loop fastener and a closable clip assembly that is integrally attached with said cylindrical member.

10. A method of fabricating a hair accessory to decorate and supplement one's natural hair, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a cylindrical member having a predetermined size and shape capable of supporting one's hair wrapped there around, said cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, and a body portion extending between said first and second end;

(b) attaching at least a first ornamental member to at least one of said first and second end of said cylindrical member;

(c) attaching a second ornamental member to said body portion of said cylindrical member; and

(d) providing securing means for securing a length of one's hair about said body portion of said cylindrical member.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of attaching at least a first ornamental member comprises attaching at least one ornamental member to each of said first and second end of said cylindrical member.

12. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said first ornamental member comprises one of a flower, ribbon, bow, beads, and a combination thereof.

13. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of attaching said second ornamental member comprises attaching a plurality of hair strands to said body portion of said cylindrical member.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of hair strands comprises one of synthetic, natural, and a combination of synthetic and natural hair.

15. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of attaching said second ornamental member comprises wrapping a length of plush or furry material around said body portion of said cylindrical member.

16. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said second ornamental member is provided in a plurality of colors and/or shades to match a variety of user's hair colors and/or shades.

17. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a securing means comprises providing a member that can be separated from said cylindrical member.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said securing means comprises one of a clip and a pin.

19. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a securing means comprises providing a member that is integrally attached with said cylindrical member.

20. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein said securing means comprises one of a hook and loop fastener and a closable clip assembly.