Enhancing Device and Method for Hair

Abstract

An enhancing device for hair comprises a rigid track comprising an opening and at least two substantially linear sections around the opening, a first tooth bracket rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines, a second tooth bracket rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines, a band connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track and stretched across the opening to define a hole, and a section of hair connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track and having a length of at least approximately eight inches. The first and second tooth brackets may be rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines of the first tooth bracket engage with the tines of the second tooth bracket.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/615,617, filed Mar. 26, 2012, entitled “Pon-N-Tail.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an enhancing device and method for hair, such as an artificial ponytail.

The usage of bobby pins, nets and drawstrings can be problematic. Further, with other artificial ponytails on the market the drawstrings sometimes become visible, and most of them use bobby pins, which put extra stress on the scalp.

As can be seen, there is a need for solutions to these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an enhancing device for hair comprises: a rigid track comprising an opening and at least two substantially linear sections around the opening; a first tooth bracket rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines; a second tooth bracket rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines; a band connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track and stretched across the opening to define a hole; and a section of hair connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track and having a length of at least approximately eight inches, wherein the first and second tooth brackets are rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines of the first tooth bracket engage with the tines of the second tooth bracket.

In one aspect, the section of hair comprises human hair. In one aspect, the section of hair comprises synthetic hair. In one aspect, the section of hair has a length of at least approximately twelve inches. In one aspect, the band comprises an elastic material.

In one aspect, a method of enhancing hair comprises: providing the enhancing device as described; bunching hair of a user into a ponytail; inserting the ponytail into the opening of the rigid track; tucking the ponytail around the band so that the ponytail is not exposed outside the section of hair; and engaging the first and second tooth brackets.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2: is a perspective detail view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3: is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4: is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention applied with device ponytail 14 shown in phantom between band 20 and existing natural ponytail 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

One embodiment of the present invention provides people with a smooth, sleek, long-haired ponytail that can securely stay in place. Referring now to the figures, the following reference numbers may refer to elements of the invention:

10: is the exemplary operator.

12: is the existing natural ponytail of an exemplary operator.

14: is the device ponytail or section of hair, which may comprise real hair (e.g., human hair) or synthetic hair, as known in the art, and may have a length of 8-40 inches, such as 14-32 inches.

16: are the first and second tooth brackets.

18: is the track.

20: is the band, which may be elastic.

22: is the enhancing device for hair.

24: is the opening of the track 18.

26: are the substantially linear sections of the track 18.

28: are the tines of the first and second tooth brackets 16.

30: is the hole within the band 20.

One embodiment of using a device 12 will be described here, without limitation. To apply, the user can stick their natural ponytail 12 through the opening 24 in the center top of the ponytail, then secure the two device tooth brackets 16 on top and bottom of the opening 24 to their hair. Next she may tuck her natural ponytail 12 back through the bottom small hair band 20 across the opening 24 in the device 22 to secure the natural ponytail 12 down. She can then comb and smooth out the section of hair 14.

One embodiment of making a device 12 will be described here, without limitation. To make the device 12 one may obtain a length of hair 12-16 inches in width and fold it once, then sew the top of the folded track together. Once this step is done the maker may then sew the top of the track 18 in a circular motion leaving a two to three inch hole to thereby produce track 18. One may then sew in the small band 20 across the hole, as shown in FIG. 2. The two small stick combs or device tooth brackets 16 may then be sewn to the track 18 on the top and the bottom of the opening 24. A piece (such as 2.5 inches in length) of hair from the track 18 may be sewn onto the small hair band 20. A small portion of hair from the bottom of the device ponytail 14 may be braided or not and sewn around the outer core of the device ponytail 14.

In one aspect of the present invention, an enhancing device 22 comprises: a rigid track 18 comprising an opening 24 and at least two substantially linear sections 26 around the opening 24; a first tooth bracket 16 rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections 26 and comprising a plurality of tines 28; a second tooth bracket 16 rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections 26 and comprising a plurality of tines 28; a band 20 connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track 18 and stretched across the opening 24 to define a hole 30; and a section of hair 14 connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track 18 and having a length of at least approximately eight inches, wherein the first and second tooth brackets 16 are rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines 28 of the first tooth bracket 16 engage with the tines 28 of the second tooth bracket 16.

The track 18 may comprise any rigid material, such as metal or plastic. The section of hair 14 may be attached to most or all of the track 18 so as to give an appearance of fullness in the hair and to cover the interior of the device 22, which may contain a user's natural ponytail 12. The substantially linear sections 26 need not be linear, but the tooth brackets 16 may be rotatably connected to the sections 26 so that they can open (disengage) and close (engage) so as to disconnect and connect, respectively, to a user's natural ponytail 12. The tines 28 need not be fork-like or sharp and are configured only to help connect to or engage with the user's natural ponytail 12; any device known in the art for connecting to a user's natural ponytail 12 is within the scope of the present invention. The band 20 may or may not be elastic (e.g., comprising rubber) and may be used to tuck the user's natural ponytail 12 into and/or under the device 22 so that it is not seen.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An enhancing device for hair, comprising:

a rigid track comprising an opening and at least two substantially linear sections around the opening;

a first tooth bracket rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines;

a second tooth bracket rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines;

a band connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track and stretched across the opening to define a hole; and

a section of hair connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track and having a length of at least approximately eight inches,

wherein the first and second tooth brackets are rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines of the first tooth bracket engage with the tines of the second tooth bracket.

2. The enhancing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section of hair comprises human hair.

3. The enhancing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section of hair comprises synthetic hair.

4. The enhancing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section of hair has a length of at least approximately twelve inches.

5. The enhancing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the band comprises an elastic material.

6. The enhancing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section of hair has a ponytail configuration.

7. A method of enhancing hair, comprising:

providing the enhancing device as claimed in claim 1;

bunching hair of a user into a ponytail;

inserting the ponytail into the opening of the rigid track;

tucking the ponytail around the band so that the ponytail is not exposed outside the section of hair; and

engaging the first and second tooth brackets.