Pony tail wrap

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and method for creating a hairstyle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of devices and methods for shaping human hair, and more particularly to devices and methods for binding human hair in a styled position.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Interpretation Considerations

This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.

Discussion

Because hair receives a great deal of attention in the human quest for beauty and attention, inventors frequently look for new ways to style hair. In that quest, a number of mechanical devices, such as hair-clips, and a number of styling methods, such as braiding, have been developed. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for styling human hair in a new manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings and tables, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive pony tail wrap.

FIG. 2 shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the strip member shown in a first extended open position.

FIG. 3 shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the strip member shown in a second cylindrical position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pony tail wrap with the pony tail looped back through the pony tail wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Interpretation Considerations

When reading this section (which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.

Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”).

Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for—functioning—” or “step for—functioning—” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise.

It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like names are performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated. Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise. The numerous innovative teachings of present application are described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive hair wrap 100. The hair wrap 100 is generally comprised of a hair tie 110 that is coupled to a strip member 130. Generally, a hair tie (or ponytailer, ponytail holder, or hair band) is a small, stretchy band used to fasten hair, particularly long hair, into a hairstyle (usually a ponytail). Typically, a hair tie comprises an elastic interior and a cover of cloth or other material to reduce the tendency of hair to get caught in the elastic and pulled out of one's scalp. Accordingly, it can be said that the hair tie 110 typically has an elastic interior portion and a non-abrasive covering such as nylon, silk, or fabric, for example.

The strip member 130 is a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position. When in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member is said to have an interior surface 132 and an exterior surface 134 which is in some embodiments ornamental, and the hair tie 110 is attached to the interior surface 132 of the strip member. The strip member 130 may be made of any material that has anisotropic properties, and is preferably metal or a plastic.

Accordingly, a user may perceive the strip member 130 to be similar to a slap-bracelet (or snap bracelet). Generally, a slap bracelet is a bracelet consisting of layered, flexible stainless steel or plastic bistable spring bands sealed within a fabric or plastic cover. The bracelet can be straightened out, creating tension within the springy metal bands. The straightened bracelet can be slapped against the wearer's wrist, causing the bands to spring back to form a cylindrical shape that wraps around the wrist.

The hair tie 110 and the strip member 130 are attached via an attachment 120, such as an adhesive. However, in alternative embodiments the attachment 120 is an attaching member that may be separately glued to the interior surface 132 of the strip member 130, or may be integrally formed with the strip member 130 on the interior surface 132. In one embodiment the attaching member includes a hook.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of creating hair styles. FIG. 2 shows the hair wrap 100 attached to hair 200 (a pony tail) with the strip member 130 shown in a first extended open position. To get to this position a user grasps a hair wrap 100 and secures hair 200 to the hair wrap 100 by pulling hair through the hair tie 110. Next, the strip member 130 is articulated into the second generally cylindrical position. FIG. 3 shows the hair wrap 100 attached to hair 200 with the strip member 130 shown in the second cylindrical position to create a pony tail.

Alternatively, a user may pull their hair 200 through the strip member 130 portion of the hair wrap 100 while in the second generally cylindrical position. FIG. 4 illustrates the pony tail wrap 100 with hair 200 of the pony tail looped back through the hair wrap 100.

Though the invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. Specifically, the invention may be altered in ways readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims and their equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. An apparatus for creating a hairstyle, comprising:

a hair tie, the hair tie comprising elastic interior portion and having a non-abrasive covering;

a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip member positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position;

when in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member has an interior surface and an exterior surface;

the hair tie being attached to the interior surface of the strip member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member comprises a metal strip.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member comprises a plastic strip.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is nylon.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is silk.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-abrasive covering is a fabric.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hair tie and the strip member are attached via an adhesive.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hair tie and the strip member are attached via an attaching member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member interior surface has a hair tie attachment feature integrally formed thereon.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the attachment feature comprises a hook.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strip member interior surface has a hair tie attachment feature glued thereto.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface comprises ornamental decoration.

13. A method of creating a hair style, comprising:

grasping a hair wrap, the hair wrap comprising a hair tie, the hair tie comprising elastic interior portion and having a non-abrasive covering; a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip member positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position; when in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the hair tie being attached to the interior surface of the strip member;

the strip member being in the first generally planar position;

securing the hair wrap to hair by pulling hair through the hair tie; and

articulating the strip member into the second generally cylindrical position.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising pulling the hair through the strip member in the second generally cylindrical position.