Braided hair weft

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus designed to reduce the length of time it takes to add hair extensions and braid individual braids to a person's head. The present invention requires anchoring hair fibers to a weft creating an apparatus for quickly adding the look of individual braids without requiring one to individually braid strands of a person's hair. Creating this apparatus requires: (1) Braiding individual braids from hair fibers; (2) Using thread to stitch the individual braids together creating a horizontal anchor of Singles stitched together forming an apparatus we'll call a Braided Hair Weft. The present invention is a single apparatus that does not have multiple parts. It requires no preparatory work to make ready to apply to one's head because the individual braids come pre-braided and application is simple requiring a single step which is to sew it onto the cornrows on the client's head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The invention disclosed in this application relates to the invention disclosed in provisional patent application 60/879,633, which was filed on Jan. 10, 2007. Accordingly, this application claims the benefit of the priority afforded by provisional patent application 60/879,633.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a braided hair weft.

2. Background

There are inventions and products currently on the market that relate to braids and hair wefts. These inventions currently are deficient for a variety of reasons. Some require multiple steps and methods to create their look, and these multiple steps become tedious and laborious. Other inventions currently on the market are undesirable because they look less authentic, and still others require that the user manage the whole unit in its entirety, which results in the wearer having to have the same look each day they wear it. The stylist would have to manage the unit as a whole piece due to its design. The way it's designed does not allow for variation. Units like this are developed to be applied to one's head in its whole form (i.e. it can't be separated, cut into smaller pieces, applied in a variety of ways, while wearing the unit it's not washable, and it doesn't have multiple outcomes in design once applied to the wearer's head) because by doing so would ruin the unit.

Another major flaw with what's already on the market is in its design. Current designs require having to use the entire unit as a single unit resulting in the same look each day worn, as stated above, and these whole units do not allow the wearer to be able to wash it while wearing it. Other problems with inventions currently on the market are that they look less authentic, they are stiff and less free flowing, some don't securely attach to the wearer's scalp, those that do are not apparatus' that have strands of free flowing braids that can be applied in sections, and with what's currently on the market, to get the look of free flowing braids one has to manipulate pre-manufactured braids one at a time securing it to cornrows, and this repetition is extremely tedious. Still further, those inventions and products on the market that do address having braids as a finished product are not flexible in application, do not have an authentic look and prohibit freedom in design choice.

The market is missing an invention that addresses the wearer having individual braids as a finished product without the ability to add multiple pre-manufactured braids in a single application. The market also lacks an invention that is an individual unit comprised of individual braids created in a loose and free flowing fashion and designed to be applied in sections or as a holistic unit, which when using our invention, allows you to wear multiple styles while maintaining a look of authenticity. The market is still further missing an invention that has variation to how it can be worn.

Therefore, what is needed is a braided hair weft that does not suffer from the aforementioned problems, and which (1) reduces the cost to the consumer to create an overall look of individual braids; (2) provides a greater look of authenticity and cosmetic quality; (3) increases flexibility in application while simplifying the application process; (4) increases design options and creativity in the way artificial braids can be worn; (5) is easier to duplicate and less tedious to replicate which is simpler for the stylist when applying; (6) allows you to manage it in pieces, small parts, or as a holistic unit; (7) successfully hides the appearance of new growth; (8) minimizes the time it takes a stylist to create an overall look of individual braids on the wearer's head; (9) minimizes the length of time required for the consumer to sit idle and still while the braids are being created; (10) minimizes the length of time the braids can be worn before needing to be undone; and (11) minimizes the time it takes someone to undo each braid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a braided hair weft made of individual braids to create the look of individual/single/or micro style braids. This invention solves three critical problems, the first and most critical one being time. Typically, to braid ones hair in micro/individual/or single style braids, it often takes 16 hours or longer (unless multiple stylists are braiding the same client's hair). With the present invention, the same look can be accomplished in two-three hours or even shorter depending on the competency of the stylist. The second problem is cost; because the present invention is such a time saver, it would drastically reduce the cost of styling due to the significant reduction of labor. Third, the present invention will address “wear ability” and cosmetic quality.

More specifically, the present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a braided weft that (1) reduces the cost to the consumer to create an overall look of individual braids; (2) provides a greater look of authenticity and cosmetic quality; (3) Increases flexibility in application while simplifying the application process; (4) increases design options and creativity in the way artificial braids can be worn; (5) is easier to duplicate and less tedious to replicate which is simpler for the stylist when applying; (6) allows you to manage it in pieces, small parts, or as a holistic unit; (7) successfully hides the appearance of new growth; (8) minimizes the time it takes a stylist to create an overall look of individual braids on the wearer's head; (9) minimizes the length of time required for the consumer to sit idle and still while the braids are being created; (10) maximizes the length of time the braids can be worn before needing to be undone; and (11) minimizes the time it takes someone to undo each braid.

The present invention can be best characterized as an apparatus designed to reduce the length of time it takes to add hair extensions and braid individual (Single) braids to a person's head. The present invention requires anchoring hair fibers to a weft creating an apparatus for quickly adding the look of individual braids without requiring one to individually braid strands of a person's hair. Creating this apparatus requires: (1) Braiding individual braids (we'll refer to as Singles) from hair fibers; (2) Using thread to stitch the individual braids together creating a horizontal anchor of Singles stitched together forming an apparatus we'll call a Braided Hair Weft. This Braided Hair Weft is flexible, durable, less stiff, less bulky, it is easier to manipulate, less cumbersome for a stylist to duplicate, tremendously quicker to add and remove, and looks more authentic when attached to the scalp.

In one embodiment of the present invention, individual braids would be preferably braided from strands of manufactured hair by a machine to ensure each braid was measured to specification ensuring that each braid is the same size and length. The pre-manufactured braids would then be sewn together by a machine along the tops of each braid allowing the braids to flow perpendicular to the stitching and the machine would ensure accuracy in measurement affirming each braid is evenly spaced apart, braided to the same length, and securely fastened to the wefted stitch pattern. Of course, the braids could be made by hand as well. To braid individual braids from scratch, one would take strands of pre-manufactured hair, separate the strands in three parts, weave the three strands together free hand to form a braid. The woven process begins at the top of the strands in a downward motion until the length of the pre-manufactured hair is braided. This process would be repeated until enough individual braids are braided to create a track in preparation for sewing them together to form the braided weft.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the preferred way to use the invention is to have the client's head corn rowed first. Once the cornrows are in place, apply the present invention preferably in small pieces, (12″ lengths or smaller is recommended, but not required, it can be cut to any desired length) applying the stitched (wefted) end (parallel to the braid is recommended, but not required) to the corn rows, starting at the edge of the braided weft and finishing at the opposite end of the braided weft. The process for applying the braided weft is straight forward. The preferred application process for the braided weft is to cut it into smaller sections, take a sectioned piece by one corner and with a needle and thread, sew it from one corner onto the cornrow, along the length of the weft, until the sectioned piece of the weft is securely stitched to the cornrow. This process is repeated until all the cornrows are covered, thus allowing multiple individual free flowing braids to be attached to the scalp in one application.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the creation of individual braids sewn together creating a weft of Singles (which can be commonly referred to as a track of individual braids) for hair weaving Singles/Micro Braids/Individual braids onto a person's head.

It is another object of the present invention to provide simplicity of creation, which will allow stylists to creatively use it to accent hairstyles they create with woven braid designs without actually having to braid the client's hair, but utilizing the present invention to create a braided look.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an invention that has the overall natural appearance of individual braids, but which can be achieved in a fraction of the time.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows strands of pre-manufactured hair being braided to form an individual.

FIG. 2 shows multiple individual pre-manufactured braids lined up waiting to be stitched together to form the weft track.

FIG. 3 shows individual braids stitched together forming a Braided Hair Weft.

FIG. 4 shows cornrows on the client's head, (client's hair prepped for the application process of our invention).

FIG. 5 shows a side view of our invention being applied to the client's head by the stylist.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of our invention being applied to the client's head by the stylist.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following are reference numerals that correspond to the numerals associated with the attached drawings:

• • 2 top of individual strand of a single hair braid
  • 4 bottom of individual strand of a single hair braid
  • 6 loose strands of unbraided hair
  • 12 individual strand of hair braided to form an individual braid
  • 15 hair weaving material, preferably hair weaving thread
  • 16 attachment hair weaving material, preferably hair weaving thread
  • 18 braided hair weft
  • 20 wearer's head
  • 22 cornrows
  • 24 hair weaving needle

The present invention is directed to a braided hair weft 18, which when compared to solutions presently available, is less stiff, less cumbersome, less bulky, looks more real when applied to the wearer's head, is easier to manipulate, is easier to duplicate and less tedious through repetition, and simpler for the stylist to apply.

The use of the invention requires one to take strands of hair, preferably pre-manufactured hair, which can be made of but is not limited to being made with pre-treated human hair fibers and/or a synthetic material, and weave them together to create an individual braid 12. The invention requires one to repeat these steps creating multiple individual braids 12 aligning them up horizontally with the braided ends pointing upwards and the loose strands of unbraided hair 6 pointed downward. Once multiple individual braids are created, one then connects the individual braids 12 together along the top 2 creating a Braided Hair Weft 18. To apply the Braided Hair Weft 18, one must corn row 22 the wearer's natural hair in preferably small, narrow corn rows to prepare the wearer head 20 for the application of the Braided Hair Weft 18. Once the wearer's hair is fully corn rowed (design of the cornrows can vary), the Braided Hair Weft 18 is ready to be applied. To apply, one needs to pick up the Braided Hair Weft 18 by the stitched seam 16 and use needle 24 and thread 15, or other material such as string, twine, yarn or other similar material, to sew the Braided Hair Weft 18 onto the wearer's head 20. The Braided Hair Weft 18 is laid across the corn rows 22 either parallel to or perpendicular to the corn rows, and then stitched onto the cornrows. This process is preferably repeated until all the cornrows are fully covered, but does not need to be carried out this far. The process can be repeated until as much as desired is covered.

Now referring specifically to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an individual strand of a hair braid 12, having a top 2 and a bottom 4. This hair braid 12 uses three individual strands of hair 6 in equal parts to be braided together to create the individual strand of hair braid 12. Although only 3 individual strands of hair 6 are shown in this and other illustrations, it is within the scope of the invention to have more strands of hair weaved together to form one or more of the individual strands of hair braid 12 that will ultimately be combined to form the braided hair weft 18.

FIG. 2 depicts multiple individual hair braids 12 all braided to equal widths and lengths. Although these multiple individual hair braids 12 are shown to be of equal widths and lengths it is within the scope of this invention to have individual hair braids 12 be of a variety of widths and lengths. There is no particular requirement for uniformity of width and length, although such uniformity is ordinarily preferable.

FIG. 3 shows the multiple individual hair braids 12 being lined up in a horizontal row, the tops 2 of each braid being preferably evenly separated and preferably parallel to each other and the length of each braid freely flowing vertically allowing the bottoms 4 of each braid to also be parallel with each other so that the tops can be stitched along a straight line in a horizontal line. This stitching is preferably accomplished through the use of a length of hair weaving thread 15, with the hair weaving thread 15 being preferably doubled back through the top 2 of the individual braids 12 after the first stitch is sewn along all the tops 2 of the braids creating the braided hair weft 18. The length of the hair weaving thread necessary to create the braided hair weft 18 varies depending upon the number of corn rows 22, the spacing between the corn rows, the spacing between the individual hair braids 12, the size of the wearer's head and the desired coverage of the wearer's head. Ordinarily the length of the hair weaving thread or material will fluctuate depending on the length of the Braided Hair Weft being applied to the wearer's head. The hair weaving thread or material ordinarily comes in spool of thread/material/yarn etc and will need to be cut down to size. Sizes vary depending on the type of application. For repeated applications of a 12″ braided hair weft section, the typical length of thread ranges between 24-36 inches in length. Of course, alternative lengths required or desired by the user are intended to be and in fact are within the scope of this invention.

Not shown in FIG. 3, but within the scope of the present invention, is the addition of decorative embellishments or ornamental objects being sewn in between two or more of the individual hair braids 12 to create a distinguished look that can be personalized. Such embellishments or ornamentation may include, but are not limited to, ribbons, jewelry items, using portions of the Braided Hair Weft to wrap around pony tails, or cut into small pieces and attached with hair bonding glue to quickly but temporarily upgrade a hairstyle, or temporarily attached and worn over hair clips, designed with hair pins, adorned with hair barrettes, worn with hair bobbles, attached and worn with hair scrunchies, arranged and worn with hair rubberbands, worn with decorative hair combs, accentuated by scarves, decorated with head bands, and more.

FIG. 4 shows the wearer's head 20 already with corn rows 22 created in preparation for the application of the braided hair weft 18. These corn rows 22 are secured with natural strands from the client's scalp forming a braided pattern and base for our application to be added to it.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the proposed application of the braided hair weft 18 using a hair needle 24 and an attachment hair weaving material 16 to sew braided hair weft 18 onto the corn rows secured by natural hair onto the wearer's head 20. The hair weaving thread 16 may be, but does not necessarily have to be the same hair weaving material 15 used to connect the individual stands of hair braid.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the proposed application of our invention using a hair needle 24 and hair weaving thread 15 to sew the braided hair weft 18 onto the corn rows 22 secured by natural hair onto the wearer's head 20.

While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings for guidance.

Claims

1. A method of making a braided hair weft comprising:

creating a plurality of individual strands of hair braid by weaving at least three individual strands of hair together;

connecting the individual strands of hair braid together to form a braided hair weft.

2. A method of attaching a braided hair weft comprising:

corn rowing the hair of an individual;

creating a plurality of individual strands of hair braid by weaving at least three individual strands of hair together;

connecting the individual strands of hair braid together to form a braided hair weft;

laying the braided hair weft across the corn rows of the individual's head;

connecting the hair weft to the wearer's head creating a track of free flowing braids.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of cutting the individual braided hair strands into smaller lengths.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the individual braided hair strands are cut to a uniform length.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising repeating the laying and sewing steps until all the exposed corn rows are covered.

6. A braided hair weft comprising:

a plurality of individual strands of hair braid, with each individual strand of hair braid having atop and further having at least three individual strands of hair weaved together to form the plurality of individual strands of hair braid; and

a length of hair weaving material;

whereby the plurality of individual strands of hair braid are sewn together by the length of hair weaving material being inserted through the top of each of the individual strands of hair braid.

7. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the individual strands of hair are pre-manufactured hair.

8. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the pre-manufactured hair is made of synthetic material.

9. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the pre-manufactured hair is made of pretreated and manufactured human hair material.

10. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the length of hair weaving material is between 24 to 36 inches.

11. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the length of hair weaving material is double sewn back through the tops of the individual strands of hair braid.