FRESH FLOWER RETAINER HAIR CLASP
A hair clasp configured for retaining at least one fresh flower includes a receptacle capable of holding water. A hair clasp is attached to the receptacle for temporary attachment of the clasp to the hair of a user. An end cap is coupled to an open end of the receptacle. The end cap includes interior flower stem retaining structures configured for gripping a flower stem to retain the flower stem within the receptacle and for forming at least a partial seal between the flower stem and the cap to help prevent water contained in the elongated receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/263,731, filed on Nov. 23, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by this reference.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hair barrettes and more specifically to a hair clasp that is configured for retaining fresh flowers.
2. State of the Art
It is very popular, especially in many island cultures, for women to wear fresh flowers in their hair. Typically, flowers are simply cut and placed in the hair. Unfortunately, such flowers do not last very long and tend to wilt rather quickly because of a lack of water. In addition, because the flowers are simply placed in the hair, they are easily dislodged and damaged or lost.
It would be desirable to provide a device for attaching fresh flowers to the hair that secures the flower to the hair to help prevent loss or damage to the flower and that provides a source of water to the flower to prolong the life of the flower without significantly wilting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention overcomes many of the deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a hair clasp having a receptacle for receiving a stem of a flower, the receptacle being capable of retaining a quantity of water therein and an end cap that is secured to an open end of the receptacle and is configured for sealing against the flower stem to help prevent water from passing between the stem and the cap and to retain the flower within the receptacle. A clasp is attached to the receptacle for temporary attachment of the clasp to the hair of a user. An end cap is coupled to the open end of the elongated receptacle. The cap forms a substantially water tight seal between the open end of the receptacle and the cap and includes an interior flower stem retaining structure defining an aperture through the cap. The flower stem retaining structure is configured for gripping a flower stem to retain the flower stem within the receptacle and for forming at least a partial seal between the flower stem and the cap to help prevent water contained in the receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
In one embodiment, the elongate receptacle defines an inner groove proximate the open end thereof and the end cap includes an outer circumferential protrusion for engaging with the inner groove when the end cap is inserted within the receptacle to retain the end cap on the receptacle.
In another embodiment, the clasp comprises a first elongate prong and a second elongate prong, the first elongate prong having a plurality of teeth disposed thereon.
In yet another embodiment, a clasp retaining structure is integrally formed with the receptacle. The retaining structure defines at least one aperture oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. The plurality of teeth of the clasp engages with the clasp retaining structure.
In still another embodiment, the first and second prongs of the clasp are biased toward one another to grasp a lock of hair of a user.
In another embodiment, the end cap includes a plurality of inwardly extending and radially spaced tabs depending at an angle toward the closed end of the elongate receptacle. The plurality of radially spaced tabs defines an inner aperture within the end cap for receiving a flower stem there through.
In yet another embodiment, the plurality of tabs are formed of a flexible material so as to be inwardly biased to grip the sides of the flower stem inserted therein and for forming at least a partial water seal between the plurality of tabs and the flower stem to help prevent water contained in the receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
In still another embodiment, each of the plurality of tabs have a generally triangular shape with a base of the generally triangular shape depending from an inner surface of an outer wall of the end cap and the tip of the generally triangular shape extending toward a longitudinal center of the end cap.
In yet another embodiment, the plurality of tabs have inwardly extending sides that are substantially parallel to each adjacent tab of the plurality of tabs, with the tips of the plurality of tabs defining an inner aperture that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall of the end cap.
In still another embodiment, the plurality of tabs are inwardly biased to be capable of gripping flower stems of various diameters from a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall of the end cap to a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner aperture.
In another embodiment, the clasp retaining structure defines a second clasp receiving aperture perpendicularly oriented relative to the at least one clasp receiving aperture for receiving the first prong of the first elongate prong therein.
The foregoing advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. The above-described features and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional features and advantages, will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the detailed description that follows and in the appended claims. The novel features which are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth in the attached claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present invention may be learned by the practice of the invention, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons.
In use, water is poured into the receptacle 12. The stem 24 of the flower 26 is inserted through the aperture 20 into the receptacle 12. The stem 24 is inserted so as to be at least partially immersed in the water contained in the receptacle. A seal is formed between the stem 24 of the flower 26 and the end cap 18 to prevent the water from leaking from the receptacle during use. In addition, the tabs 22 of the end cap 18 press against the stem 24 to prevent the flower 26 from inadvertently falling out of the receptacle. The water contained in the receptacle 12 provides water to the fresh flower 26 to prolong the freshness of the flower while being worn and thus significantly increasing the time before the flower 26 noticeably begins to wilt.
Referring now to
As shown in
Radially and evenly spaced around the interior aperture 80 defined by the inner rim 74 is a plurality of inwardly depending flanges or tabs 82. Each tab 82 is attached to and depends from the inner rim 74 proximate a front end 34 thereof and cantilevered at an inward angle to define an inner aperture 86. Because the cap 70 and thus the tabs 82 are formed from a flexible, resilient material, the tabs can outwardly flex to allow the stem of a flower to pass therethrough and are biased in a direction toward its resting position to press against the stem of the flower thereby holding it in place. The tabs 82 are generally triangular or pie-shaped structures that are angled toward the back of the receptacle when the cap 70 is attached thereto with a base of each tab 82 from an inner surface of an outer wall of the end cap and the tip of the tab 82 extending toward a longitudinal center of the end cap 70. Thus, the distal ends 83 of each tab will engage the stem of the flower and prevent the flower from being easily pulled from the cap, in effect locking the stem of the flower to the cap 70. In addition, because the tabs 82 are pie-shaped and closely spaced or touching, water contained in the receptacle is substantially prevented from flowing out through the cap.
As illustrated in
Referring now to
As previously described with reference to other embodiments herein, the end cap 210 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending tabs 220 that are inwardly tapered and angled from proximate the proximal end 222 to the insertion end 216. Each tab 220 is inwardly angled at approximately 30 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the end cap 210 with the distal ends 224 of each tab 220 defining an inner aperture 226 that defines the smallest flower stem that can be adequately held within the flower holder 200. Each tab 220 is attached in a cantilever manner to the inner surface 228 of the end cap 210. Because the end cap 210 is formed from a resilient material, such as a plastic, the tabs 220 are inwardly biased when a stem of a flower having a diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture 226 is inserted there through.
The receptacle 202 is provided with a clasp attachment structure 230 that is integrally formed with the receptacle 202 on an outer surface 232 thereof. The attachment structure is configured for receiving one prong 234 of a clasp 240. The clasp 240 has an arcuate shape with the prong 234 provided with teeth 236 on an inner grasping surface thereof. The prong 234 has a height that is sized so as to be received within an aperture 242 defined by the attachment structure 230 with a friction fit. In addition, the serrated edge 238 of the clasp 240 engages with the attachment structure 230 so as to hold the clasp within the attachment structure 230 to prevent the clasp 240 from becoming disconnected from the attachment structure 230. The attachment structure 230 forms a first elongate, generally rectangular aperture 242 therethrough for receiving the prong 234. The aperture 242 has a width to accommodate the width of the prong 234 when inserted therein and is provided with a laterally extending wall 244 that has a slightly arcuate shape so as to flex away from the receptacle 202 when the prong 234 is inserted therein. This provides a biasing of the wall 244 against, the teeth 236 of the prong 234 to hold the clasp 240 within the attachment structure. As will be shown in more detail, the attachment structure 230 defines a second aperture 250 that is transverse to and intersects the first aperture 242.
As shown in
As shown in
As further illustrated in
Because the tabs 220 of the end cap 210 can flex inwardly when a stem 350 is inserted, the end cap and thus the flower holder 200 can accommodate flower stems of various sizes as will be the case as a result of the variation of such stems from flower to flower. As illustrated in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that some other configurations of a fresh flower hair barrette could be made without departing from the inventive concepts herein. For example, the shape of the receptacle and/or the type of clasp or clip could be modified as desired. Thus, while there have been described various embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without department from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. It is also understood that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. While various methods and structures of the present invention are described herein, any methods or structures similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. In addition, while the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages including combinations of components of the various embodiments. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Claims
1. A hair clasp configured for retaining at least one fresh flower, comprising:
- an elongate receptacle having an open end and a closed end and defining an interior chamber capable of holding water;
- a clasp attached to the receptacle for temporary attachment of the clasp to the hair of a user; and
- an end cap coupled to the open end of the elongated receptacle, the cap forming a substantially water tight seal between the open end and the cap and including interior flower stem retaining structure defining an aperture through the cap, the flower stem retaining structure configured for gripping a flower stem to retain a flower stem within the elongated receptacle and for forming at least a partial seal between the flower stem and the cap to help prevent water contained in the elongated receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
2. The hair clasp of claim 1, wherein the elongate receptacle defines an inner groove proximate the open end and the end cap includes an outer circumferential protrusion for engaging with the inner groove when the end cap is inserted within the receptacle to retain the end cap on the receptacle.
3. The hair clasp of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises a first elongate prong and a second elongate prong, the first elongate prong having a plurality of teeth disposed thereon.
4. The hair clasp of claim 3, further comprising a clasp retaining structure integrally formed with the receptacle, the retaining structure defining at least one clasp receiving aperture, the aperture being oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle with the plurality of teeth of the clasp engaging with the clasp retaining structure.
5. The hair clasp of claim 4, wherein the first and second prongs are biased toward one another to grasp a lock of hair of a user.
6. The hair clasp of claim 1, wherein the end cap includes a plurality of inwardly extending and radially spaced tabs depending at an angle toward the closed end of the elongate receptacle, the plurality of radially spaced tabs defining an inner aperture within the end cap for receiving a flower stem there through.
7. The hair clasp of claim 6, wherein the plurality of tabs are formed of a flexible material so as to be inwardly biased to grip the sides of the flower stem inserted therein and for forming at least a partial water seal between the plurality of tabs and the flower stem to help prevent water contained in the elongated receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
8. The hair clasp of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of tabs have a generally triangular shape with a base of the generally triangular shape depending from an inner surface of an outer wall of the end cap and the tip of the generally triangular shape extending toward a longitudinal center of the end cap.
9. The hair clasp of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of tabs have inwardly extending sides that are substantially parallel to each adjacent tab of the plurality of tabs, with the tips of the plurality of tabs defining an inner aperture that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall of the end cap.
10. The hair clasp of claim 9, wherein the plurality of tabs are inwardly biased to be capable of gripping flower stems of various diameters from a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall to a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner aperture.
11. The hair clasp of claim 4, wherein the clasp retaining structure defines a second clasp receiving aperture perpendicularly oriented relative to the at least one clasp receiving aperture for receiving the first prong of the first elongate prong therein.
12. A hair clasp configured for retaining at least one fresh flower, comprising:
- an elongate substantially cylindrical receptacle having an open end and a closed end and defining an interior chamber capable of holding water;
- a clasp retaining structure integrally formed with the receptacle, the retaining structure defining at least one clasp receiving aperture, the aperture being oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle;
- a clasp having first and second prongs biased toward one another, the first prong having teeth with the first prong inserted into the at least one aperture of the clasp retaining structure so that the teeth engage the clasp retaining structure, the second prong and the first prong configured to grasp a lock of hair of a user; and
- an end cap coupled to the open end of the elongate receptacle, the cap forming a substantially water tight seal between the open end and the cap and including a plurality of inwardly extending and radially spaced tabs depending at an angle toward the closed end of the elongate receptacle, the plurality of radially spaced tabs defining an inner aperture within the end cap for receiving a flower stem therein between, the plurality of tabs being formed of a flexible material so as to be inwardly biased to grip the sides of the flower stem inserted therein and for forming at least a partial water seal between the plurality of tabs and the flower stem to help prevent water contained in the elongated receptacle from passing between the cap and the flower stem.
13. The hair clasp of claim 12, wherein the elongate receptacle defines an inner groove proximate the open end and the end cap includes an outer circumferential protrusion for engaging with the inner groove when the end cap is inserted within the receptacle to retain the end cap on the receptacle.
14. The hair clasp of claim 12, wherein the end cap includes a plurality of inwardly extending and radially spaced tabs depending at an angle toward the closed end of the elongate receptacle, the plurality of radially spaced tabs defining an inner aperture within the end cap for receiving a flower stem therein between.
15. The hair clasp of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of tabs have a generally triangular shape with a base of the generally triangular shape depending from an inner surface of an outer wall of the end cap and the tip of the generally triangular shape extending toward a longitudinal center of the end cap.
16. The hair clasp of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of tabs have inwardly extending sides that are substantially parallel to each adjacent tab of the plurality of tabs, with the tips of the plurality of tabs defining an inner aperture that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall of the end cap.
17. The hair clasp of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tabs are inwardly biased to be capable of gripping flower stems of various diameters from a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the outer wall to a flower stem diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner aperture.
18. The hair clasp of claim 12, wherein the clasp retaining structure defines a second clasp receiving aperture perpendicularly oriented relative to the at least one clasp receiving aperture for receiving the first prong of the first elongate prong therein.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2010
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Inventor: Shelley J. Wills (Capt. Cook, HI)
Application Number: 12/952,400
International Classification: A45D 8/12 (20060101);