Hair extension, clasping mechanism for a hair extension, and method of using the same
A hair extension, a clasping mechanism, and a method of using the hair extension are provided herein. The hair extension may include a hair extension body formed of a plurality of strands of hair, and a clasping mechanism attached at an end portion of the hair extension body, the clasping mechanism having a first engaging part and a second engaging part disposed adjacent to one another, each of the first and second engaging parts being securely fixed flat on the hair extension body, the clasping mechanism being closable by folding the end portion of the hair extension body over to couple the first and second engaging parts together.
The present invention is directed to a hair extension, a clasping mechanism for a hair extension, and a method of using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious types of hair extensions are known. These hair extensions are used to give users who wear them the appearance of having different hair styles or hair colors without the commitment of either having to grow real hair and/or having to dye one's real hair. In view of these benefits, hair extensions have gained widespread use.
However, conventional hair extensions need to be typically applied and removed to and from a user's hair or scalp by a professional beautician or hair stylist. This application and removal process results in an inconvenience and a high cost to the user.
Additionally, the conventional hair extensions are typically glued, sewn, and/or crimped to the user's natural hair and/or scalp. This application process results in discomfort and pain to the user and can cause damage to the user's natural hair and scalp.
Accordingly, a hair extension with an improved structure and attachment mechanism is necessary to overcome these problems associated with the conventional hair extensions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a hair extension having a clasping mechanism that is easily secured to a line of hair.
The present invention also provides a method of using the clasping mechanism to apply the hair extension to the line of hair.
The present invention also provides a method of using the clasping mechanism to remove the hair extension from the line of hair.
Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be known to those of skill in the art from the following description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by providing a hair extension attachable to a line of hair, the hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of strands of hair, and a clasping mechanism attached at an end portion of the hair extension body, the clasping mechanism having a first engaging part and a second engaging part disposed adjacent to one another, each of the first and second engaging parts being securely fixed flat on the hair extension body, the clasping mechanism being closable by folding the end portion of the hair extension body over to couple the first and second engaging parts together.
The clasping mechanism may include a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts to hingedly connect the first and second engaging parts together.
The holding member and sides of the first and second engaging parts may form a space in which the line of hair is received. The line of hair may be secured in the space by closing the clasping mechanism.
The hair extension body may include wires woven among the hairs on said end portion of the hair extension body, and the first and second engaging parts may each include at least one hole by which the first and second engaging parts are attached to the wires.
The wires may include a first group of wires woven in between the hairs of the hair extension body and a second group of wires wound around both the at least one hole in the first and second engaging parts and the first wires to couple the first and second engaging parts to the end portion of the hair extension body.
Each of the first and second engaging parts may have a substantially flat circular shape with a plurality of holes arranged around a peripheral portion thereof.
The first engaging part may include a coupling protrusion extending from a top middle portion thereof, and the second engaging part may include a receiving recess in which the coupling protrusion is disposed when the clasping mechanism is closed by coupling the top middle portion of the first and second engaging parts together.
The coupling protrusion may be shaped like a bulb.
The hair extension body may have a flat shape including a top end portion, a bottom end portion, and side end portions extending along lengths of the hairs, and the clasping mechanism may be closable by folding the side end portions near the top end portion together.
The first and second engaging parts may have a button configuration.
The hair extension body may extend along a first direction, the first and second engaging parts may be arranged adjacent to one another along a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the hair extension body may be foldable along the first direction to securely couple the first and second engaging parts to one another.
The first and second engaging parts may be sewn into the hair extension body.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a hair extension, including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs, and a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part sewn to one side of the end portion, a second engaging part sewn to another side of the end portion, a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts. The first engaging part, the second engaging part, the holding member, and the hair extension body define a space to receive a line of natural hair, and the clasping mechanism is movable between a closed position in which the hair extension body is folded such that top portions of the first and second engaging parts are coupled to each other and an open position in which the hair extension body is substantially flat such that the first and second engaging parts are adjacent to each other on the hair extension body and are not coupled to each other.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a hair extension attachable to a line of hair, the hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of strands of hair, a plurality of extension wires woven in between and across the strands of hair at an end portion of the hair extension body, and a clasping mechanism. The clasping mechanism may include a first engaging part having a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the first engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a coupling protrusion extending from a top middle portion of the first engaging part; a second engaging part having a relatively flat shape disposed adjacent to the first engaging part, at least one hole extending through the second engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a receiving recess disposed in a top middle portion of the second engaging part; a plurality of attachment wires wound around the holes in the first and second engaging parts and the extension wires in the hair extension body, the attachment wires coupling the first and second engaging parts to the end portion of the hair extension body; and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts under which a line of hair is disposable. The clasping mechanism is closable by coupling the coupling protrusion of the first engaging part with the receiving recess of the second engaging part such that the end portion of the hair extension body is folded over.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a clasping device usable to attach a hair extension having a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs to a line of hair of a user, the clasping device including a first engaging part disposable on a top end portion of the hair extension body, the first engaging part including a coupling protrusion extending away from a major plane of the first engaging part, a second engaging part disposable on the top end portion of the hair extension body adjacent to the first engaging part, the second engaging part including a receiving recess in which the coupling protrusion is secured when the clasping device is closed, and an elongated holding member hingedly connected between the first and second engaging parts.
The coupling protrusion may have a bulbous shape, and the receiving recess may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the coupling protrusion.
The first engaging part may have a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the first engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a plurality of attachment wires wound around the at least one hole to couple the first engaging part to the hair extension body. Additionally, the second engaging part has a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the second engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a plurality of attachment wires wound around the at least one hole to couple the first engaging part to the hair extension body.
At least one of the first and second engaging parts may include a peripheral hole around which the elongated holding member is wound, and the other one of the first and second engaging parts may include a crimped bead having ends of the holding member bound therein.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a method of applying a hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs, a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part disposed on one side of the end portion, a second engaging part disposed on another side of the end portion, and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts. The method includes collecting a line of hair, arranging the line of hair in a hole of a needle, transferring the needle between the hair extension body and the holding member such that the line of hair remains therebetween, and folding the end portion of the hair extension body and coupling the first engaging part to the second engaging part around the line of hair.
The arranging of the line of hair in the hole in the needle includes arranging the line of hair in a first needle having a first hole which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, and transferring the first needle through a second hole in a second needle such that the line of hair remains in the second hole of the second needle.
The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention are also achieved by providing a method of removing a hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs, and a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part disposed on one side of the end portion, a second engaging part disposed on another side of the end portion, and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts. The method may include opening the clasping mechanism by disengaging the first and second engaging parts from one another, applying a detangling agent to a line of hair disposed between the holding member and the hair extension body, running a comb through the line of hair to detangle the line of hair, and removing the line of hair from the clasping mechanism by sliding the line of hair out from between the holding member and the hair extension body.
As best shown in
The first engaging part 14 includes a coupling protrusion 20 extending therefrom in a direction away from the hair extension 10. The second engaging part 16 includes a receiving recess 22 in which the coupling protrusion 20 is received when the first and second engaging parts 14 and 16 are coupled together by folding the top portion of the hair extension 10.
As best shown in
The hair extension 10 includes the hair strands 27 extending from top to bottom (i.e., vertically) in
Extension wires 25 are arranged among the strands of hair 27 in the hair extension 10. For example, the extension wires 25 may be woven horizontally in between the strands of hair 27. As illustrated in
Attachment wires 24 couple the first engaging part 14 to the hair extension 10 via the peripheral holes 26 and the extension wires 25. That is, the attachment wires 24 are wound around both the peripheral holes 26 of first engaging part 14 and the extension wires 25 of the hair extension 10 to secure the first engaging part 14 to the hair extension 10.
As best shown in
The second engaging part 16 may have a similar arrangement as the first engaging part 14. In particular, a body 16 of the second engaging part includes peripheral holes 28 arranged around an outer periphery thereof. The second engaging part 16 is secured to the extension wires 25 by winding the attachment wires 24 around both the peripheral holes 28 and the extension wires 25.
The holding member 12 is wound around the peripheral holes 26 and 28 of the first and second engaging parts 14 and 16, respectively. A line of hair (not shown) of a user is inserted under the holding member 12 such that the first and second engaging parts 14 and 16 of the clasping mechanism 18 are clasped together to maintain the hair line in position. Additionally, the hair line may be wound around the holding member 12 one or more times for added security.
As can be seen in
As best shown in
Additionally, the receiving recess has a graduated shape that corresponds to the coupling protrusion 20 in that the receiving recess 22 increases in width toward a bottom thereof.
Arrow B in
For added security, adhesive may be applied to the receiving recess 22 to adhere the coupling protrusion 20 therein.
The holding member 12 may be a nylon coated, multiple-strand stainless steel wire having a brass crimped bead disposed at ends thereof. Of course, the invention should not be limited to this preferred material as other suitable materials will be known to those of skill in the art.
Although the first and second engaging parts 14 and 16 are shown and described as having the coupling protrusion 20 and the receiving recess 22, it should be understood that this configuration is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The coupling protrusion 20 may be disposed on the second engaging part 16 instead of the first engaging part 14, and the receiving recess 22 may be disposed on the first engaging part 14 instead of the second engaging part 16.
At this point, the clasping mechanism 18 can be closed by engaging the coupling protrusion 20 and the receiving recess 22 in the manner illustrated in
It should be noted that although
It should be noted that although
First, a user collects the line of hair 48 at step S100. Here, the user may moisten the collected line of hair to make the line of hair 48 easier to manage.
Next, the user arranges the line of hair 48 in the first needle 40 at step S110.
At step S120, the first needle 40 is then transferred through the hole 52 in the second needle 50 such that the line of hair 48 is positioned in the hole 52 in the second needle 50.
Once the line of hair 48 is secured in the second needle 50, the second needle 50 is transferred along the hair extension 10 under the holding member 12 at step S130. The line of hair 48 remains in a hinge formed by the holding member 12 and the first and second engaging parts 14 and 16. Also, in step S1130, the clasping mechanism 18 may be adjusted to a desired position on the root section of the line of hair 48. The clasping mechanism 18 may be positioned so as not to be flush with a user's scalp.
At step S140, the line of hair 48 is wound around the holding member 12 of the clasping mechanism 18 for added security.
At step S150, the clasping mechanism (clamping attachment) 18 is closed by inserting the coupling protrusion 20 of the first engaging part 14 into the receiving recess 22 of the second engaging part 16. Here, the clasping mechanism 18 and the hair extension 10 lay flat on the user's head.
At this point, the method of attachment of the hair extension 10 and the clasping mechanism 18 is complete. Now, the hair extension 10 may be positioned and angled as desired on the user's head.
As set forth above, it should be noted that other variations of this method may alternatively be used. For example, the first needle 40 may be applied directly to the clasping mechanism 18 without using the second needle 50. In this case, the steps S120 and S130 would be combined and modified to omit use of the second needle 50.
The method of
First, in step S200, the clasping mechanism 18 is opened by removing the coupling protrusion 20 of the first engaging part 14 from the receiving recess 22 of the second engaging part 16. Here, side ends of the top portion of the hair extension 10 may be pulled apart from each other to disengage the clasping mechanism 18.
In step S210, a detangling agent is applied along the length of the line of hair 48. The detangling agent may be PAUL MITCHELL® detangler. The detangling agent may be applied along the length of the line of hair including a root section thereof.
In step S220, a comb is run along the length of the line of hair 48. Here, the comb may be run along the length of the line of hair excluding the root section of the line of hair 48. A fine tooth comb may be used in step S220.
In step S230, the clasping mechanism 18 is removed from the line of hair 48 by transferring the hair extension 10 along the line of hair 48 until the hair extension 10 is pulled from an end of the line of hair 48.
The method of
According to the embodiments of the present invention, the hair extension 10 can be applied and removed to/from a user's natural hair an unlimited number of times. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that the hair extension 10 need not be glued, crimped, or sewn to the user's natural hair or scalp. The hair extension 10 can be worn comfortably by the user 1.
Additionally, the hair extension 10 may be applied and removed by the user his or herself, without the aid of a beautician due to the ease with which the clasping mechanism 18 can be used.
The hair extension 10 may be made any length, color, or texture according to a user's needs.
Finally, the clasping mechanism 18 of the previous embodiments of the present invention secures the hair extension 10 to a user's hair such that the hair extension 10 can be worn during all different types of activity.
Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents
Claims
1. A hair extension attachable to a line of hair, the hair extension comprising:
- a hair extension body formed of a plurality of strands of hair; and
- a clasping mechanism attached at an end portion of the hair extension body, the clasping mechanism having a first engaging part and a second engaging part disposed adjacent to one another, each of the first and second engaging parts being securely fixed flat on the hair extension body, and the clasping mechanism being closable by folding the end portion of the hair extension body over to couple the first and second engaging parts together.
2. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the clasping mechanism includes a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts to hingedly connect the first and second engaging parts together.
3. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the holding member and sides of the first and second engaging parts form a space in which the line of hair is received.
4. The hair extension of claim 3, wherein the line of hair is secured in the space by closing the clasping mechanism.
5. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein:
- the hair extension body includes wires woven among the hairs on said end portion of the hair extension body; and
- the first and second engaging parts each include at least one hole by which the first and second engaging parts are attached to the wires.
6. The hair extension of claim 5, wherein the wires include a first group of wires woven in between the hairs of the hair extension body and a second group of wires wound around both the at least one hole in the first and second engaging parts and the first wires to couple the first and second engaging parts to said end portion of the hair extension body.
7. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second engaging parts has a substantially flat circular shape with a plurality of holes arranged around a peripheral portion thereof.
8. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein:
- the first engaging part includes a coupling protrusion extending from a top middle portion thereof, and
- the second engaging part includes a receiving recess in which the coupling protrusion is disposed when the clasping mechanism is closed by coupling the top middle portion of the first and second engaging parts together.
9. The hair extension of claim 8, wherein the coupling protrusion is shaped like a bulb.
10. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the hair extension body has a flat shape including a top end portion, a bottom end portion, and side end portions extending along lengths of the hairs, and the clasping mechanism is closable by folding the side end portions near the top end portion together.
11. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the first and second engaging parts have a button configuration.
12. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the hair extension body extends along a first direction, the first and second engaging parts are arranged adjacent to one another along a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the hair extension body is foldable along the first direction to couple the first and second engaging parts together to one another.
13. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the first and second engaging parts are sewn into the hair extension body.
14. A hair extension, comprising:
- a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs; and
- a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part sewn to one side of the end portion, a second engaging part sewn to another side of the end portion, a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts,
- wherein the first engaging part, the second engaging part, the holding member, and the hair extension body define a space to receive a line of natural hair, and the clasping mechanism is movable between a closed position in which the hair extension body is folded such that top portions of the first and second engaging parts are coupled to each other and an open position in which the hair extension body is substantially flat such that the first and second engaging parts are adjacent to each other on the hair extension body and are not coupled to each other.
15. A hair extension attachable to a line of hair, the hair extension comprising:
- a hair extension body formed of a plurality of strands of hair;
- a plurality of extension wires woven in between and across the strands of hair at an end portion of the hair extension body;
- a clasping mechanism including a first engaging part having a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the first engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a coupling protrusion extending from a top middle portion of the first engaging part, a second engaging part having a relatively flat shape disposed adjacent to the first engaging part, at least one hole extending through the second engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a receiving recess disposed in a top middle portion of the second engaging part, a plurality of attachment wires wound around the holes in the first and second engaging parts and the extension wires in the hair extension body, the attachment wires coupling the first and second engaging parts to the end portion of the hair extension body, and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts under which a line of hair is disposable,
- wherein the clasping mechanism is closable by coupling the coupling protrusion of the first engaging part with the receiving recess of the second engaging part such that the end portion of the hair extension body is folded over.
16. A clasping device usable to attach a hair extension having a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs to a line of hair of a user, the clasping device comprising:
- a first engaging part disposable on a top end portion of the hair extension body, the first engaging part including a coupling protrusion extending away from a major plane of the first engaging part;
- a second engaging part disposable on the top end portion of the hair extension body adjacent to the first engaging part, the second engaging part including a receiving recess in which the coupling protrusion is secured when the clasping device is closed; and
- an elongated holding member hingedly connected between the first and second engaging parts.
17. The clasping device of claim 16, wherein the coupling protrusion has a bulbous shape, and the receiving recess has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the coupling protrusion.
18. The clasping device of claim 16, wherein:
- the first engaging part has a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the first engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a plurality of attachment wires wound around the at least one hole to couple the first engaging part to the hair extension body; and
- the second engaging part has a relatively flat shape, at least one hole extending through the second engaging part around a peripheral portion thereof, and a plurality of attachment wires wound around the at least one hole to couple the first engaging part to the hair extension body.
19. The clasping device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second engaging parts includes a peripheral hole around which the elongated holding member is wound, and the other one of the first and second engaging parts includes a crimped bead having ends of the holding member bound therein.
20. A method of applying a hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs, a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part disposed on one side of the end portion, a second engaging part disposed on another side of the end portion, and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts, the method comprising:
- collecting a line of hair;
- arranging the line of hair in a hole of a needle;
- transferring the needle between the hair extension body and the holding member such that the line of hair remains therebetween; and
- folding the end portion of the hair extension body and coupling the first engaging part to the second engaging part around the line of hair.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the arranging of the line of hair in the hole in the needle comprises:
- arranging the line of hair in a first needle having a first hole which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position; and
- transferring the first needle through a second hole in a second needle such that the line of hair remains in the second hole of the second needle.
22. A method of removing a hair extension including a hair extension body formed of a plurality of hairs, and a clasping mechanism attached to an end portion of the hair extension body and having a first engaging part disposed on one side of the end portion, a second engaging part disposed on another side of the end portion, and a holding member connected between the first and second engaging parts, the method comprising:
- opening the clasping mechanism by disengaging the first and second engaging parts from one another;
- applying a detangling agent to a line of hair disposed between the holding member and the hair extension body;
- running a comb through the line of hair to detangle the line of hair; and
- removing the line of hair from the clasping mechanism by sliding the line of hair out from between the holding member and the hair extension body.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2008
Inventor: Cheryl Richman (Nashville, TN)
Application Number: 11/730,893
International Classification: A41G 5/00 (20060101); A45D 24/00 (20060101);