Comfortable, Secure Headband Hair Accessory

Abstract

A decorative headband hair accessory having a flexible band with clips at each end of the band, or alternatively at intervals along the length of the band, which hold the headband hair accessory comfortably, securely, and fashionably in the desired position on the wearer's head. The clips attach the headband hair accessory to the wearer's hair without poking, pressing or squeezing the wearer's head, holding the decorative headband hair accessory securely in its desired position on the wearer's head without causing pain or discomfort. The clips have two discrete positions: an open position, so hair may pass into the open clip, and a closed position, which secures the hair into the headband hair accessory, securing the hair accessory.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative headband hair accessory that maintains a secure position on the head without causing discomfort to the wearer.

BACKGROUND

The use of decorative headbands as hair accessories is well known and much desired both as a fashion accessory and also as an attractive and fashionable way of keeping one's hair pulled away from one's face. Conventional hair accessories that include one or more headbands often do not stay securely in place when worn and either move from the desired position or fall off entirely. Various solutions have been attempted to solve this problem by adapting the hair accessory to squeeze, press or grip the wearer's head tightly, causing headaches and discomfort. Other solutions have attempted to solve this problem by adding protrusions, such as rigid prongs or teeth oriented toward the wearer's head, causing discomfort. Still other attempts combine squeezing and protrusions, causing even more discomfort.

As such, there is a need in the art for a decorative headband hair accessory that stays in place securely where desired without causing discomfort when worn. As used in this document, “headband” means any band or strip of material that when worn spans a portion of the wearer's hair, and “accessory” means the apparatus in its entirety, meaning the headband portion as well as any combs, clips and/or other features for securing the accessory in place when worn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet the need in the art for a headband hair accessory that stays in place securely where desired without causing discomfort when worn, the present invention was devised. It relates to a unique headband configuration having a band, which preferably is made of fabric, ribbon, leather, vinyl, rubber, plastic or other flexible or semi-flexible material. The headband may feature various colors, patterns or other ornamentation that the wearer may choose per individual taste. Furthermore, the headband has at least one clip or other attachment means at each end, preferably clips incorporating combs with teeth oriented lateral to the length of the band, but may include any number of clips disposed at intervals along the length of the band. Any clips which may be opened and closed may be used, including but not limited to snap clips as in the preferred embodiment. The clips may be nonremovably affixed to the band by conventional fasteners such as rivets or staples, or by stitching, adhesive or other known means, or they may be integral to the band. The clips attach to the wearer's hair and in this way hold the headband hair accessory in place without producing discomfort to the wearer. Instead of snap clips, the attachment means could be spring-biased clips, including butterfly-type jaw clips or pincurl clips, which are biased in a closed position, spring-biased clips that are biased in an open position, barrettes or any other attachment means that may be opened and closed.

The wearer places the headband hair accessory on her head in the desired position, for example on the top of the head with the ends just behind or above each ear, and uses the attachment means at each end of the headband to attach the accessory to her hair. The attachment means may be snap clips as are known, clips of flexible metal which “snap” closed when the wearer flexes the ends of the clip toward the head and snap open when the wearer flexes the ends of the clip away from the head. The snap clips of the preferred embodiment each have a part that bends to snap the clip open and closed (the flexing member) and a part that remains stationary relative to the flexing member and is the surface against which hair is trapped when the clip is closed in use (the stationary member). In the preferred embodiment, the flexing member has a plurality of teeth laterally disposed relative to the length of the band, forming a comb-like element, to enhance secure attachment to the hair.

The attachment means may be toggled between two discrete positions: open and closed. The attachment means may be a clip having a moving member which opens and closes the clip and a stationary member which is nonremovably affixed to the band. The wearer places the attachment means into their open position, places the headband where desired on her head and secures the hair accessory in place by inserting hair into the attachment means and placing the attachment means in the closed position, trapping the hair. In the case of the snap clips of the preferred embodiment, the hair is placed between the flexing member and the stationary member when the snap clip is in the open position and then the clip is snapped to the closed position, trapping the hair securely between the members. To enhance secure attachment of the hair accessory without causing the wearer discomfort, the attachment means are nonremovably affixed preferably to the bottom side of the headband as flush with the headband as possible such that the attachment means remains close to the headband and the head and does not tug at or pull on the hair when used. Moreover, affixing the attachment means to the bottom side of the headband, as disclosed in the preferred embodiment, hides the attachment means from view resulting in a sleeker and more fashionable appearance.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front right isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention on a wearer's head.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken from FIG. 1 as shown in that Figure.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged rear elevation cross-sectional view of the attachment means of a preferred embodiment in its closed position taken from FIG. 2 as shown in that Figure.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged rear elevation cross-sectional view of the attachment means of a preferred embodiment in its open position.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention taken from FIG. 1 as shown in that Figure.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged rear elevation cross-sectional view of the attachment means of a preferred embodiment in its closed position taken from FIG. 2 as shown in that Figure.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged rear elevation cross-sectional view of the attachment means of a preferred embodiment in its open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 through 2B, is a decorative, comfortable, secure headband hair accessory 10 as seen in FIG. 1 having a band 1 made of flexible material, preferably fabric or ribbon, but also possibly leather, vinyl, plastic, rubber or other flexible or semi-flexible material. The band functions as the decorative “headband” portion on the current headband hair accessory as further depicted in FIG. 1. The band 1 may feature various colors, patterns or other ornamentation that the wearer may choose per individual taste. Preferably, at least one attachment means 2 is affixed at each end of the band 1 on its bottom side. In the preferred embodiment shown, each attachment means 2 is nonremovably affixed to the band 1 via rivets 20 well known in the art, but they may be nonremovably affixed to the band 1 by other known means such as adhesive, stitching, staples or other known fasteners, or the attachment means 2 may be integral to the band 1, or the stationary member 5 of the attachment means 2 may be integral to the band 1. Furthermore, there is no limitation on the number of attachment means that may be affixed to the band 1; a plurality of attachment means may be affixed along the length of the band 1 at intervals. The greater the number of attachment means, the more secure the headband hair accessory 10 is on the wearer's head.

FIG. 1 illustrates a full view of the preferred headband hair accessory 10 on the wearer's head. FIG. 1 depicts the bottom side of the band 1 in substantial abutment with the wearer's hair and the top side of the band 1 in plain view where its decorative qualities may be seen for fashionable effect.

The snap clip 3 of the preferred embodiment has a flexing member 4 and a stationary member 5 at least one of which is nonremovably affixed to preferably the bottom side of said band 1 or is integral to the band 1. The flexing member 4 has an arcuate shape at rest and is attached to the stationary member at at least two points such that in the open position it arcs away from the stationary member, defining a space 7 through which a volume of hair may pass. When the flexing member 4 is flexed, it snaps to reverse its arcuate shape, causing it to snap closed against the stationary member 5, closing the space and achieving the closed position. The resulting tension holds the flexing member 4 in substantial abutment with the stationary member 5, in the closed position, until it is again flexed, causing it to reverse its arcuate shape away from the stationary member 5 and achieving the open position. In this way, the attachment means 2 of the preferred embodiment toggles between the two discrete positions, open and closed. FIGS. 1 through 2B further illustrate the preferred embodiment in which the snap clip 3 incorporates a plurality of teeth 6 which extend laterally from the flexing member 4, forming a comb-like element.

As previously mentioned, each snap clip 3 has an open position, depicted in FIG. 2B, in which the flexing member 4 snaps open, defining a space 7 between the flexing member 4 and the stationary member 5. Once in the open position, the wearer may place the hair accessory 10 on her head in the desired position. Preferably, the plurality of teeth 6 of the comb should be oriented laterally to the length of the band 1 and facing backward as depicted in FIG. 1. The wearer inserts some of her hair into the space 7, through the plurality of teeth 6, and flexes the snap clip closed.

In the preferred embodiment, the closed position—the second distinct position—in which the snap clip 3 flexibly snaps closed, secures the wearer's hair between the flexing member 4 of the snap clip 3 and the stationary member 5 of the snap clip 3, thereby securing the headband in place on the wearer's head. The snap clip 3 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 2A. To place the snap clip 3 in the closed position, the wearer flexes the ends of the snap clip 3 toward the head while pulling the center of the snap clip 3 away from the head. This will reverse the arcuate shape of the flexing member 4 and snap the flexing member 4 into place with the inserted hair now firmly secured in the plurality of teeth 6. When the attachment means 2 is in the closed position, the flexing member 4 is biased against and in direct abutment with the stationary member 5, separated only by the amount of hair inserted into space 7 of the attachment means 2 and trapped there.

In the preferred embodiment, each attachment means 2 preferably is nonremovably affixed to the bottom side of the headband such that when the headband hair accessory 10 is worn the attachment means 2 are not visible, resulting in a sleeker and more fashionable appearance.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross section of the preferred embodiment of the headband hair accessory 10 as taken from FIG. 1. Here, the snap clips 3 incorporate a plurality of teeth 6 which extend laterally to the length of the band 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the snap clips 3 are in the closed position showing the plurality of teeth 6 biased against and in direct abutment to the band 1. Note that due to the cross-sectional view, the stationary member 5 cannot be seen in FIG. 2, although the flexing member 4 with its plurality of teeth 6 would be shown substantially abutting against the stationary member 5 if it were shown.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment is shown. Band 1 includes a tab portion 25 at each end to which attachment means 2 are affixed. The tab portion 25 is nonremovably affixed to each end of the band 1 by known means such as stitching. The seam between each end of the band 1 and each tab portion 25 may be covered by affixing a lateral piece of ribbon, cloth, seam binding or other finished-edge material over and around the seam as shown so that no ragged or unfinished edges are exposed. By covering unfinished edges, a neat, finished appearance is achieved and edges are protected from friction which can cause fraying.

In alternate embodiments, the attachment means may be integral to the band, or alternatively the stationary member of the attachment means may be integral to the band. Alternatively, the attachment means may be nonremovably affixed to the band using glue, stitching, rivets, staples, heat fusing or other known means for fastening hardware to fabric, ribbon, leather, vinyl or other materials. The attachment means may be a snap clip with or without incorporated teeth, may be a clip spring-biased in the closed position, a clip spring-biased in the open position, or any clip with an open position and a closed position, such as a barrette.

The embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative, not limiting. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that there are equivalent types and positions of attachment means, including various clips, combs or other attachment means which could be used to enhance secure attachment of the accessory to the hair, as well as a multitude of materials from which the headband could be made, including fabric, ribbon, elastic, flexible plastic or rubber, to name but a few. As such, the scope of the invention is not limited to what is explicitly delineated herein, but rather encompasses a range of equivalent structures.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A decorative hair accessory comprising:

a band having a first end and a second end, a top side and a bottom side;

at least snap clips, each moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein at least one said snap clip is positioned at said first end and at least one said snap clip is positioned at said second end, at least two snap clips are affixed to said bottom side of said band;

at least two snap clips are integral to said band;

said band is made of fabric or ribbon; and

said snap clip further comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said plurality of teeth is laterally disposed relative to the length of the band.

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16. A decorative hair accessory comprising:

a band having a first end and a second end, a top side and a bottom side;

at least two barrettes, each moveable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein at least one said barrettes is positioned at said first end and at least one said barrettes is positioned at said second end; at least two barrettes are affixed to said bottom side of said band; at least two barrettes are integral to said band;

said band is made of fabric or ribbon; and

said barrette further comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said plurality of teeth is laterally disposed relative to the length of the band.

17. A decorative hair accessory comprising:

a band having a first end and a second end, a top side and a bottom side;

at least two spring biased attachment means, each moveable between an open position

and a closed position, wherein at least one said spring biased attachment means is positioned at said first end and at least one said spring biased attachment means is positioned at said second end; at least two spring biased attachment means are affixed to said bottom side of said band; at least two spring biased attachment means are integral to said band; said band is made of fabric or ribbon; and said spring biased attachment means further comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said plurality of teeth is laterally disposed relative to the length of the band.