HAIR ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A hair adornment accessory having an attachment structure that selectively envelops and grips the natural hair of a user, and an esthetic device coupled to the attachment structure. The attachment structure may be a tube, optionally having a slot along its entire length, into which a plug having a streamer or the like may be inserted so as to pinch the natural hair. An aesthetic member such as a streamer, tassel, etc. may be fixed to the plug, the attachment structure, or to both. In other embodiments the hair adornment accessory may be a tube which is longitudinally split and hinged to selectively open to receive the natural hair and then close and lock to retain the natural hair. The esthetic device may also include flexible filamentary members or other ancillary decorative features. No ancillary tools are needed to install the hair adornment accessory.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/066,981 filed Apr. 29, 2011 for Hair Attachment that is in turn a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/404,463 filed Oct. 4, 2010 and claims priority thereto in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to accessories for adorning the hair, and more particularly to devices which are removably attached to the hair and which include members which impart artificial esthetic effects to the natural hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People have long sought to adorn their natural hair by placing removable articles and materials in the hair. Such removable articles and materials may include beads, streamers, feathers, and other devices, to name but a few.

One of the technical problems which must be solved in providing such adornments lies in the mounting of the esthetic member to the hair. Preferably, the mounting element should engage the hair in a secure and durable manner, yet be readily installable and readily removed. Ideally, such installations and/or removals should be effected without the cost or time investment required when utilizing the services of a salon stylist and without the need for tools. Structure for engaging the hair should also be minimally conspicuous so as not to interfere with the esthetic effect being imparted. At the same time, the structure should be effective in securing the esthetic member to the hair while still being relatively easy to don and remove by the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above needs by providing a self-administered hair attachment which is readily installed in and removed from the hair without the need for tools or professional assistance (i.e., the assistance of a salon stylist or similar person). The hair attachment mechanically engages the hair itself, rather than relying upon engagement with the scalp, ears, or other parts of the anatomy and using adhesives, crimping or weaving, etc. Engagement is by encircling or sandwiching the hair in a manner that avoids potential damage to the wearer's hair while still securing the adornment. The structure which engages the hair remains minimally conspicuous, and in some instances may contribute to the esthetic effect being imparted by its associated hair attachment.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the attachment structure includes a hollow tube and a plug which fits into the tube. Hair may be inserted into the tube and held by pinching the hair between the wall of the tube and the plug. An esthetic member such as a streamer, tassel, or other device may be fixed to the plug, to the tube, or to both. Adhesion between the attachment structure and the esthetic member is strong enough to prevent unintended disengagement or slippage.

An advantage of the above arrangement is that the tube remains parallel to hair when used with straight hair. This characteristic may be exploited for esthetic effect, for example by imparting the outer surface of the tube with ornamental features. Also, the esthetic device enables mounting of a streamer or tassel at the distal end of the tube, so that the streamer or tassel may project a relatively great distance from the scalp. In addition, pulling hair through the tube does not typically require extra tools or professional assistance.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the attachment structure may comprise a longitudinally split tube, the resultant two members being hinged together and if desired, biased to the closed position. Hair may be entrapped between the two members of the split tube. A streamer, tassel, or other esthetic device may be coupled to any part of the attachment structure, including one or both of the two members of the split tube. In some embodiments a streamer or other adornment may be attached to a plug inserted into and retained by the tube. An optional latch mechanism disposed on the outside surface of the tube may be used to facilitate securing the split tube in a closed position thus entrapping the wearer's hair thereby securing the adornment thereto.

In still other alternate embodiments the attachment structure includes a resilient tube spilt along its entire length and a plug for retention within the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a first embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the invention, and is rendered partly in cross section;

FIG. 2 is an environmental side elevational view of the hair adornment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are end elevational schematic views of the hair adornment device of FIG. 3 in an open and a closed and locked orientation, respectively;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device having a rectangular split tube; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device having a circular split tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown an exploded side elevational view and an environmental side elevational view of a first embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the present invention, generally at reference number 100.

Hair adornment device 100 is adapted to be readily installed to and removed from the natural hair 200 of a wearer, not shown. Hair adornment device 100 comprises an attachment structure 106 that is disposed to releasably grip the natural hair 200, and an esthetic device 108 which imparts visible characteristics for enhancing the appearance of the natural hair 200.

The hair adornment device 100 typically comprises a hollow tube 102 having an interior region 104, and a plug 106 which is dimensioned and configured to be received within the hollow interior region 104 and held or secured by the tube 102. An esthetic device such as a streamer 108 may be coupled to the plug 106. Streamer 108 may be retained to the plug 106 by being adhered by means of an adhesive, by sonic welding, by clamping, by tying, by crimping, etc. to tube 102, or in any other suitable way. Methods and/or systems for retaining esthetic device 108 within plug 106 are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently, are not further discussed herein.

In the hair adornment device 100, tube 102 in cooperative interaction with plug 106 may be regarded as collectively providing the attachment structure which releasably grips the natural hair 200. This function may be implemented for example by passing some of the natural hair 200, for example, as a few strands 200A of the natural hair 200 through the hollow interior 104 of tube 102, then inserting plug 106 into the hollow interior 104, thereby retaining hair 200 within tube 102. Plug 106 may be fabricated from a resilient material such as a synthetic resin, so that a snug yet releasable fit between the tube 102 and the plug 106 ensues. In alternate embodiments, plug 106 may be formed from a resilient material that may be compressed for insertion into tube 102. After insertion, plug 106 then expands to provide a gripping force against an inner wall, not specifically identified, of tube 102. Tube 102 may also be formed from a somewhat flexible or elastic material. Regardless of the chosen constituent materials, including metals and other relatively rigid materials, there will be a clearance between the tube 102 and the plug 106. This clearance is disposed to capture and pinch some of the natural hair 200 such as the strands 200A between the tube 102 and the plug 106. As used herein, the term “clearance” should not be construed to imply that there is a discernible gap, not shown, between tube 102 and plug 106, although a gap may be provided if desired. Rather, the term “clearance” should be understood to encompass accommodation of the natural hair 200 such as the strands 200A such that anchorage of the tube 102 to the natural hair 200 results.

In the example of FIG. 1, the attachment structure has a length 110 extending from left to right as depicted in FIG. 1, as well as a width and depth, not specifically identified. Tube 102 may be circular and annular in cross section, so that a diameter 112 indicates both the width and the depth of the tube 102. The diameter 112 of tube 102 cooperates with the diameter 114 of plug 106 to assure snug yet releasable fit of plug 106 within tube 102.

Because of orientation of the length 110 of tube 102 to the natural hair strands 200A, it may be said that the attachment structure is substantially parallel to the natural hair 200 when the attachment structure 102/106 grips the natural hair 200. However, it will be recognized that minor deviations from a true parallel relationship may occur due to flexibility of the natural hair 200 and of any flexibility of tube 102.

Streamer 108 may comprise plural flexible filamentary members 116 such as metallic filaments, one or more beads, fabric, leather, ribbon, feathers, filaments formed from synthetic resins, or filaments formed in still other ways. The flexible filamentary members 116 may impart hue and other optical effects such as sparkle, reflection, and refraction. In still other embodiments, streamer 108 may be formed from fabric or ribbon displaying sports team colors or logos as well as other prints and textures.

Hair adornment device 100 may further comprise flexible filamentary members 118 similar to flexible filamentary members 116 that may be coupled to tube 102 instead of or in addition to those coupled to plug 106. It will be recognized that filamentary members 118 may be attached to tube 102 anywhere along length 110 as well as anywhere around the perimeter of tube 102. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the filament 118 attachment points chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include the optional attachment of filaments 118 at any point on tube 102.

In addition, hair adornment device 100 may optionally further comprise elements 120 of different nature than filamentary members 116, 118, instead of or in addition to filamentary members 116, 118. Regardless of their specific nature, some of those elements 120 which impart esthetic effect may be disposed on the tube 102. Still other adornments may be disposed on the plug 106. For example, the tube 102 may be coated with sparkling particles or hue imparting coatings 120, only a small area shown for drawing clarity, while plug 106 bears filamentary members 116.

It must be stressed that the esthetic device such as the streamer 108 of FIG. 1 is shown in only representative capacity herein. The invention may be utilized with many other different esthetic devices, not shown. The same holds true for other hair adornment devices described herein, such as the hair adornment device 400, to be described hereinafter.

Some of the natural hair 200 may pass entirely through the tube 102, for example, hair strands 200A, as seen in FIG. 2. It would also be possible to arrange the tube 102 and the plug 106 so as to entrap the strands 200A such that the free ends of the strands 200A do not project outside the tube 102. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to a particular length of hair strands 200A left protruding from tube 102. It will be recognized that in some cases no hair strands 200A need be protruding for tube 102 to be firmly secure to the hair 200 of a wearer.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, there is shown a hair adornment device 400, wherein the attachment structure comprises a longitudinally split tube 402. Split tube 402 comprises a first section 404, a second section 406, and a hinge 408 pivotally joining the first section 404 to the second section 406. Hinge 408 may pivot about an axis 409 which is longitudinally oriented relative to the longitudinally split tube 402. In other embodiments, hinge 408 may be a so called “live” hinge. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that hinge 108 may be implemented in a wide variety of ways. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the hinge 408 example chosen for purposes of disclosure. The first section 404 and second section 406 may be arranged to close over a plug 410. The plug 410 may have the structural and functional characteristics of plug 106 of FIG. 1. Illustratively, the plug 410 may comprise a body 412 and a streamer 414 coupled to the body 412, the structure thereof being similar to plug 106 and streamer 108 of FIG. 1.

The longitudinally split tube 402 may fit together by so-called snap action, or friction fit if desired. Alternatively, the longitudinally split tube 402 may comprise a spring arrangement, not shown, or may use a clip or other apparatus, neither shown, to maintain the closed position.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4a and 4b, there are shown end elevational schematic views of hair adornment device 400 in an open and a closed and locked orientation, respectively. A two-part latch mechanism is disposed on each of the exposed edges 416, 418 of first and second sections 404, 406, respectively. A tongue portion 420 of the two-part latch is disposed at edge 416 of first section 404. A receiving portion 422 adapted to receive tongue portion 420 is disposed at edge 418 of second section 406. Tongue portion 420 may selectively be retained and released by receiver portion 422 so that split tube 402 may be opened to receive hair 200 as seen in FIG. 2 and then closed and locked to retain split tube 402 around hair strands 200. Once closed, split tube 402 functions identically to tube 102 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 described hereinabove.

The body 412 of the plug 410 may be considerably smaller than the interior of the longitudinally split tube 402, provided that there is sufficient capacity to entrap or otherwise engage the natural hair, such as the strands 200A.

Referring now also to FIG. 5, there is shown an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device, generally at reference number 500.

Hair attachment device 500 has an elongated, hollow, rectangular body 502 having a slot 504 along one of the sides thereof, typically along one of its broad sides. Elongated body 502 has a length, not specifically identified, measured along a major axis thereof. Elongated rectangular body 502 is typically formed from a resilient material such that body 502 can “stretch” or expand to accept an attachment device such as plug 508 being inserted into interior space 506. Once plug 508 is inserted, rectangular body 502 can relax, thereby snuggly entrapping plug 508 and strands of hair 200a best seen in FIG. 2, within rectangular body 502.

Plug 508 is rectangular and sized to fit removably and retainably into interior space 506 of elongated split rectangular body 502

Plug 508 has an opening 510 formed in a lower surface 512. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, opening 510 is rectangular and adapted to directly receive a proximal end of an adornment 516. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that opening 510 may have other shapes (e.g., square, circular, polygonal, etc.) assuming that a compatibly shaped adornment 516 is provided. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the rectangular opening chosen or purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all suitable opening shapes.

Further, adornment 516 is shown schematically and the invention is not considered limited to the particular shape, length or illustrated decorative pattern. Rather, the invention is intended to include any adornment suitable for attachment to hair attachment device 500.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device, generally at reference number 520.

Hair attachment device 520 has an elongated, hollow, split cylindrical body 522 having a slot 524 completely along the side thereof and parallel to a major axis, not specifically identified, of split cylindrical body 522. Elongated split cylindrical body 522 has a length, not specifically identified, measured along a major axis thereof. Elongated split cylindrical body 522 is typically formed from a resilient material such that body 522 can “stretch” or expand to accept an attachment device such as plug 528 being inserted into interior space 526. Once plug 528 is inserted, cylindrical body 522 can relax, thereby snuggly retaining plug 528 as well as strands of hair 200a best seen in FIG. 2, within cylindrical body 522.

Plug 528 is also cylindrical and sized to fit removably and retainably into interior space 526 of elongated split cylindrical body 522.

Plug 528 has an opening 530 formed in a lower surface 532 thereof. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, opening 530 is rectangular and adapted to directly receive a proximal end 534 of an adornment 536. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that opening 530 may have other shapes (e.g., square, circular, polygonal, etc.) assuming that a compatibly shaped adornment 536 is provided. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the rectangular opening chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all suitable opening shapes.

Further, adornment 536 is shown schematically and the invention is not considered limited to the particular shape, length or illustrated decorative pattern. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable adornment suitable for attachment to hair attachment device 520.

The invention may be regarded as a hair adornment device such as the hair adornment device 100 for example, wherein there is only one esthetic device, such as the streamer 108. However, it will be recognized that it would be possible to provide a plurality of similar or different esthetic devices. Where different, the appearance imparted by a hair adornment device according to any aspect of the present invention could be changed at will by substituting one esthetic device for another. In this aspect of the invention, it is contemplated that only one hair engaging element, such as the tube 102, be provided, with a plurality of esthetic devices also being provided. The actual change may entail selecting a substitute esthetic device and changing only the selected esthetic device. Alternatively, the esthetic device in combination with a connector member for coupling the esthetic device to the hair engaging element, such as the plug 106 with the streamer 108 coupled thereto, may be provided in the plural and changed at will.

The operation of the hair attachment embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 is now discussed. First, hollow tube 102 is slid over a gathered section 200A of the wearer's hair 200. Typically, hollow tube 102 is then drawn up to be in close proximity to the wearer's scalp, not shown. Once in a desired position, plug 106 is snugly inserted into interior region 104 of hollow tube 102 thus creating a secure attachment of streamer 108 or any other adornment affixed to plug 106 and/or hollow tube 102 to the wearer's hair at a desired position.

When desired, the wearer may remove the adornment by gently pulling plug 106 from interior region 104 of hollow tube 100 while gripping the body of hollow tube 102. Once removed, tube 100 may be withdrawn from hair portion 200A of the wearer's hair 200.

The operation of the embodiment the hair attachment device of FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b is slightly different. Once a portion 200A of the wearer's hair 200 has been gathered, tube 402 is disposed in an open position (FIG. 4a) and moved into position proximate gathered hair portion 200A. Tube 402 is then pivoted into a closed position (FIG. 4b) thus enclosing wearer's gathered hair portion 200A. Latch portions 420/422 then secure tube 402 in a closed position. Once closed, plug 412 is inserted into tube 402 in a manner similar to that described hereinabove.

Removal is effected by opening latch 420/422, pivoting tube 402 to an open position (FIG. 4a) and sliding tube 402 away from the wearer's hair 200 while withdrawing plug 412.

The operation of the embodiment of the hair attachment devices of FIGS. 5 and 6 is again slightly different. Once a portion 200A of the wearer's hair 200 has been gathered, rectangular or cylindrical elongated bodies 502, 522, respectively, are either slid over gathered hair portion 200A or, alternately, gathered hair portion 200A is slipped through slot 504/524. While hair portion 200A is held against an inside surface of body 502/522, respective plug 508/528 is placed into body 502/522. Adornments 514/534 are typically attached and secured to respective plugs 508/528 prior to attaching body 502/522 to a wearer's hair 200. Split tube 502/522 is secured to a wearer's hair by respective plug 508/528.

Removal of hair attachment devices 500/520 is effected by removing (i.e., withdrawing) respective plug 508/528 from respective elongated body 502/522. Once plug 508/528 is withdrawn from respective body 502/522, body 502/522 is pulled out of hair 200.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A hair adornment device for selective installation to and removal from the natural hair of a person, comprising:

a) an attachment structure disposed to releasably envelop said natural hair, said attachment structure having length, width, and depth, wherein said attachment structure is dimensioned and configured such that said length may be oriented substantially parallel to said natural hair when said attachment structure envelops said natural hair; and

b) at least one esthetic device coupled to said attachment structure;

whereby said adornment may be self-administered without need for tools.

2. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachment structure comprises a tube having a hollow interior, and a plug which is dimensioned and configured to be received and retained within said hollow interior of said tube.

3. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

c) an esthetic device attached to said plug.

4. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 2, wherein said esthetic device comprises a flexible member having a length oriented parallel to said natural hair when said attachment structure grips said natural hair.

5. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 4, wherein said esthetic device comprises plural flexible filamentary members.

6. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 5, wherein plural flexible filamentary members are selected from the group: at least one ribbon, at least one fabric strip, at least one leather strip, at least one string of beads, and at least one feather.

7. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 2, wherein there is a clearance disposed between said interior region of said tube and said plug, said clearance being sized to capture and retain at least a portion of said natural hair between said plug and said interior region of said tube.

8. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachment structure comprises a longitudinally split tube further comprising a first section, a second section, and a hinge pivotally joining said first section to said second section.

9. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 8, wherein said hinge comprises a living hinge.

10. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said first section and said second section comprise a proximal edge adjacent said hinge and a distal edge opposite said proximal edge, said proximal edges and said distal edges being disposed parallel to a major axis of said longitudinally split tube.

11. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

c) a first portion of a two-part latch mechanism disposed along said distal edge of said first section; and

d) a second portion of a two-part latch mechanism disposed along said distal edge of said second section;

said first and said second portions of said two-part latch mechanism being adapted for selective engagement with one another.

12. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of said first and said second portions of said two-part latch mechanism comprises a tongue portion and wherein an alternate one of said first and said second portions of said two-part latch mechanism comprises a tongue receiving portion.

13. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

c) additional adornment disposed on at least a portion of an outside surface of said attachment structure.

14. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 8, wherein there is a clearance disposed between said interior region of said tube and said plug, said clearance being sized to capture and retain at least a portion of said natural hair between said plug and said interior region of said tube.

15. A hair adornment device for selective installation to and removal from the natural hair of a person, comprising: whereby said adornment may be self-administered without need for tools.

a) an attachment structure disposed to releasably envelop said natural hair, said attachment structure having length and a slot disposed completely along said length, wherein said attachment structure is dimensioned and configured such that said length may be oriented substantially parallel to said natural hair when said attachment structure envelops said natural hair; and

b) at least one esthetic device coupled to said attachment structure;

16. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 15, wherein said attachment structure comprises a tube having a hollow interior, and a plug that is dimensioned and configured to be received and retained within said hollow interior of said tube.

17. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 16, wherein said tube has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group: a rectangle, a polygon, and a circle.

18. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 17, wherein said esthetic device comprises a flexible member having a length oriented parallel to said natural hair when said attachment structure grips said natural hair.

19. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 18, wherein said esthetic device comprises plural flexible filamentary members selected from the group: at least one ribbon, at least one fabric strip, at least one leather strip, at least one string of beads, and at least one feather.

20. The hair adornment device as recited in claim 16, wherein there is a clearance disposed between said interior region of said tube and said plug, said clearance being sized to capture and retain at least a portion of said natural hair between said plug and said interior region of said tube.