INTERCHANGEABLE HEADBAND
A headband includes a hair band and a band insert. The hair band has a generally arcuate configuration with opposed free ends. The hair band defines a hair contacting surface positionable against a wearer's head, an opposed outer surface, and an aperture extending therethrough. The band insert is adapted to be releasably mounted into the aperture of the hair band.
The present invention relates to hair styling accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to headbands.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTHeadbands, are well known in the art. Typically, these hair styling accessories incorporate a flexible band dimensioned for positioning about a wearer's head. The bands may be fabricated from a variety of materials and come in varying shapes and sizes. Headbands are used for both functional and aesthetic purposes. For practical purposes, headbands hold a wearer's hair back and away from the face and eyes. Headbands are also fashion accessories that may feature decorative ornamentation.
It would be advantageous to provide a headband having versatility in styling. It would further be advantageous to provide a headband capable of conveying multiple looks. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a headband having adjustable sizing by changing the material of the band insert.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to hair styling accessories, particularly headbands. The headband includes a hair band and a band insert. The hair band has a generally arcuate shape with opposed free ends and is adapted for positioning on a wearer's head. The hair band has an inner band or hair contacting surface positionable against the wearer's head, an outer surface opposed thereto, and an aperture extending through both the inner and outer band surfaces. The band insert is adapted to be releasably mounted within the aperture of the hair band.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:
The present disclosure is directed to a hair styling accessory, i.e., a headband, for styling hair in order to achieve a desired look. The headband includes a hair band and a band insert and is capable of achieving different looks by changing the band insert within the hair band. Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical or substantially similar parts throughout the several views,
With reference to
Free ends 112 may be rounded, squared tapered, pointed, scalloped, or any shape within the purview of those skilled in the art. Free ends 112 may also be capped. Cap 113 (not shown) may be a fabric, plastic, or material that can pad or add comfort to the wearer.
Hair band 110 defines a width “w” transverse to the central axis “x”. The width “w” may be constant along the length of hair band 110. Alternatively, hair band 110 may define a width “w” that is greatest at the apex “a” or crown of hair band 110 and decreases in dimension toward free ends 112. The width “w” of hair band 110 may decrease in a linear manner as depicted in
Hair band 110 defines inner and outer band surfaces, 114 and 116, respectively (
Aperture 118 is aligned with hair band 110 along central axis “x”. Aperture 118 may encompass any portion of the length of hair band 110. Additionally, aperture 118 may encompass any portion of the width of hair band 110. Aperture 118 may be linear and of a constant width or may be shaped. One skilled in the art will understand that more than one aperture 118 may be present on hair band 110. It is also envisioned that the aperture may assume a variety of configurations which are randomly or systematically placed about hair band 110.
Aperture 118 defines an internal dimensions “b” sufficient in size to receive band insert 150. Band insert 150 may be secured to hair band 110 by any suitable method including, but not limited to, friction fitting or snap fitting, as well as slot and peg or tongue and groove configurations.
Aperture 18 has first and second ends 119, 120. First and second ends 119, 120 may oppose each other or be asymmetric to each other along a length of hair band 110. Aperture 118 may have slot 122 at first and second ends 119, 120 extending into hair band 110 for receiving first and second ends 151, 152 of band insert 150.
Aperture 218 has a pair of lips 224 along periphery 227 of aperture 218 for supporting and/or securing band insert 250 with aperture 218 of hair band 210. Recesses 226 may be arranged across width “w” of aperture 218 or may be located on lips 224. Each recess 226 defines a mating structure which interacts with mating structure 256 on band insert 250 to secure band insert 250 to hair band 210. Hair band 210 may have more than one recess. Two or more recesses may be used. Further, recesses 226 may be spaced substantially evenly about aperture 218.
Each recess 226 of hair band 210 may be snap fit with a corresponding projection 256 of band insert 250. The shape of recess 226 and projection 256 may vary. For example, recess 226 may be circular, rectangular, square, star-shaped, or other geometric shape cut-out as known to those skilled in the art. Projection 256 has a corresponding shape in the form of a protrusion. It should be known to those skilled in the art that the mating structures may also be in reverse position such that recesses may be on the band insert and projections on the hair band.
Referring again to
With reference to
As illustrated in
The hair bands and band inserts described above may be fabricated from suitable rigid or flexible material. In embodiments, the hair bands may be made from a polymeric material manufactured via known injection molding techniques. Such hair bands may be adapted to flex outwardly whereby the free ends may be displaced from an unbiased position to a biased position to fit about the wearer's head. Alternatively, the hair bands may also be fabricated from a fabric, metal, or combinations thereof.
Similarly, the band inserts may be made of fabric, polymeric, or metal materials which may provide additional structure, stiffness, or flexibility to the headband to assist in sizing the opening between the free ends.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as an exemplification of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A headband comprising:
- a hair band having a generally arcuate configuration with opposed free ends, the hair band defining a hair contacting surface positionable against a wearer's head, an opposed outer surface, and an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture being positioned about a central axis of the hair band; and
- a band insert adapted to be releasably mounted into the aperture of the hair band.
2. The headband of claim 1 wherein the hair contacting surface of the hair band includes teeth adapted to assist in engaging the wearer's head.
3. The headband of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the hair band has a first end and a second end.
4. The headband of claim 3 wherein the first end and second end of the aperture of the hair band each have a slot for receiving the band insert.
5. The headband of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the hair band has a pair of lips running along a portion of the periphery of the aperture.
6. The headband of claim 5 wherein each of the lips of the aperture has a recess.
7. The headband of claim 6 wherein the band insert has a pair of projections corresponding to and for mating with the recesses of the aperture in order to mount the band insert onto the hair band.
8. The headband of claim 7 wherein the lips of the aperture each have at least two recesses and the band insert has at least two pairs of projections.
9. The headband of claim 8 wherein the recesses and the projections are substantially evenly spaced along the lips and the band insert, respectively.
10. The headband of claim 4 wherein the aperture of the hair band has a pair of lips running along a portion of the periphery of the aperture.
11. The headband of claim 10 wherein each of the lips of the aperture has a recess.
12. The headband of claim 11 wherein the band insert has a pair of projections corresponding to and for mating with the recesses of the aperture in order to mount the band insert onto the hair band.
13. The headband of claim 12 wherein the lips of the aperture each have at least two recesses and the band insert has at least two pairs of projections.
14. The headband of claim 5 wherein the hair band has a recess across the width of the aperture.
15. The headband of claim 14 wherein the band insert has a projection for mating with the recess of the hair band.
16. The headband of claim 15 wherein hair band has at least two recesses and the band insert has at least two projections.
17. The headband of claim 16 wherein the recesses and the projections are substantially evenly spaced along the hair band and the band insert, respectively.
18. The headband of claim 1 wherein the hair band has a recess across the width of the aperture.
19. The headband of claim 18 wherein the band insert has a projection for mating with the recess of the hair band.
20. The headband of claim 19 wherein the hair band has at least two recesses and the band insert has at least two projections.
21. The headband of claim 20 wherein the recesses and the projections are substantially evenly spaced along the hair band and the band insert, respectively.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 7, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 11, 2009
Inventors: THERESE ELISE SAPONARO (Jenkintown, PA), Carla Natasha Joseph (Trevose, PA)
Application Number: 11/952,655
International Classification: A45D 8/00 (20060101); A45D 44/00 (20060101);