HAIR ORNAMENTATION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

A hair ornamentation system for use by a wearer is disclosed. The system includes a hair track, a plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments connected to the hair track, and a releasably securable connector connected to the hair track. The releasably securable connector serves to mount it on the head of the wearer, so that a portion of the hair track faces away from the scalp and is visible. That portion of the hair track is itself ornamented to provide an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface. The system can include at least one or several different ornamentation members for releasable securement to the hair track to provide various different aesthetically pleasing ornamented surfaces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/885,233 filed on Oct. 1, 2013, entitled Hair Ornamentation System and Methods of Use. The entire disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL

SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention relates to systems and methods for ornamenting the hair of a person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices and techniques are commercially available and in the patent literature for improving the appearance of a wearer's hair. For example, the prior art includes various devices for extending or thickening the appearance of one's hair. One such type of device is an attachment, which make use of self-adhesive tape or some other releasably securable fastener to which a quantity of natural or synthetic hair, e.g., an extension, is attached so that the extension can be releasably secured to the hair of the wearer. Examples of such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,405,736 (Townsend); 7,533,676 (Sthair); and 7,753,057 (Kallabat et al.) and in U.S. Published Application No. 2009/012451 (Kenna). Hair extensions including some ornamentation are also found in the prior art. See for example: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,390,778 (Goldman); 1,519,107 (Breslauer); and U.S. Published Application No. 2011/0006115 (Croes-Stoffer).

While the foregoing may be suitable for their intended purposes they nevertheless leave something to be desired from one or more standpoints, wide applicability, adaptability, ease of use, simplicity of construction, etc. Thus a need exists for a hair ornamentation system which can be readily adapted for a wide variety of applications, is easy to use, effective, provides an aesthetically appearance and is simple in construction. The subject invention addresses those needs.

All references cited and/or identified herein are specifically incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a hair ornamentation system for use by a wearer. The system basically comprises a hair track member, a plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments, and a releasably securable connector. The hair track member is a generally planar member, e.g., a somewhat flexible strip, having a first side and a second side. The releasably securable connector, e.g., a clip, an adhesive strip, etc., is disposed on the second side of the hair track member for securement to the hair or scalp of the wearer with the first side of the hair track member confronting the scalp of the wearer. The plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments is secured to the hair track member, e.g., is secured to one edge portion of the track member. The second side of the track member faces away from the scalp of the wearer to be readily visually perceived by others in the vicinity of the wearer and comprises an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface.

In one preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention the system includes a first ornament member, which is arranged to be releasably secured to the hair track member, whereupon the first ornament member forms the aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface when secured to the hair track member.

In accordance with another preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention the system includes a second ornament member, which is arranged to be releasably secured to the hair track member, whereupon the second ornament member forms the aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface when secured to the track member.

The releasable securement of either ornament member to the track member can be accomplished by means of a hook and loop fastening system or other releasably securable fastening means.

In accordance with another preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention the system additionally comprises an ornament suspended from the track member and with the track member being arranged to be disposed on the wearer adjacent the forehead of the wearer or the back of the head of the wearer, whereupon the ornament connected is suspended over either the forehead of the wearer or the back of the head of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of the head of a person onto which one exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device forming a portion of a hair ornamentation system constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in the process of being placed and attached;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the hair ornamentation device after it has been secured in place;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of one exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of still another exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device constructed in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like parts there is shown at 20 in FIG. 1 one exemplary embodiment of a hair ornamentation device forming a portion of a hair ornamentation system constructed in accordance with this invention. The device 20 is arranged to be secured to the hair 10 or scalp 12 of a person and basically comprises a hair track member 22, a connector 24 and a plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments making up a hair extension 26. The track member is a generally planar strip-like member having an inner surface 22A and an outer surface 22B. In the exemplary disclosed embodiment the track member is of generally rectangular shape having a pair of opposed long side edges 22C (FIG. 1) and a pair of opposed short end edges 22D. The hair filaments of the hair extension 26 are secured to one of the side edges 22C to form a hair track. It should be pointed out that while the hair filaments shown in the figures of the drawing are straight, that is merely exemplary. Thus, the hair filaments may be curly, braided or arranged in any configuration that a person may do his/her natural hair. Moreover, the hair filaments can be colored, tinted, dyed in any manner.

The hair track 22 can be formed of any suitable material and may be of any color, style or texture and is arranged to be secured to the hair or scalp of the user so that its hair extension 26 will serve to enhance the appearance of the wearer's hair, e.g., give it additional fullness, or length, or color or styling or any combination thereof. Moreover, the appearance of hair track 22 itself serves as a source of ornamentation for the wearer's hair, e.g., its outer surface serves as an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface. To that end, as will be seen in FIG. 5 the outer surface 22B of the hair track 22 can be ornamented with a permanent ornamentation, e.g., be of any color, style, texture. Moreover, that surface can, if desired, include gems, jewels, beads, stones, flowers, spikes or any ornamental item or art secured thereon by any means, e.g., an adhesive, stitches, snaps, etc., all of which are shown schematically by the layer 32 to form an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface.

Alternatively, the outer surface 22B of the hair track 22 may be arranged to be changed to provide various ornamental appearances. To that end, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer surface 22B of the track member is arranged to releasably mount thereon a separate ornamentation member 34 so that the member 34 forms the aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface. That separate ornamentation member 34 may be of any color, style, texture and can, if desired, include gems, jewels, beads, or any ornamental item secured thereon. The separate ornamentation member 34 can be releasably secured to the outer surface 22A of the track member 22 by any suitable means, e.g., cooperating VELCRO® hook and loop fastening strips 36A and 36B, whereupon the outer surface of the member 34 forms the aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface of the system 20.

To provide wide versatility for the system, plural differently appearing ornamentation members 34 may be included in the system. For example, one of such member 34 can be releasably mounted on the track member to provide a particular ornamented appearance when desired. Then that member can be readily removed from the hair track and a different ornamentation member can be attached to the hair track in a matter of seconds to change the ornamental appearance of the device 20 and thus provide a new look.

In the interest of versatility and in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of this invention the ornamentation device 20 is arranged to be releasably secured to the hair 10 or to the scalp 12 of the wearer so that it can be readily put on and taken off whenever desired. To that end, the connector may be in the form of a mini-comb 38, like shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for engaging the hair of the wearer at the location of the wearer's part or at some other location. Alternatively, the connector 24 may be in the form of a strip of self-adhesive tape, like shown in FIG. 3, or may be some other type of adhesive or releasably securable member arranged to be releasably secured to the wearer's scalp at the wearer's part.

With respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the mini-comb 38 comprises a plurality of teeth which extend parallel to each other. The mini-comb 38 is fixedly secured on the inner surface 22A of the track member 22 so that the teeth are generally parallel to the plane of the track member 22. Thus, the teeth of the mini-comb can engage the hair of the user in a conventional manner to hold the mini-comb with the attached track member in place.

It must be pointed out at this juncture, that the hair track 22 can, if desired, be secured to the person's head by being glued directly to the scalp at the person's part in lieu of the releasable securement provided by the mini-comb or adhesive tape discussed above. For example, the track member can glued directly to wearer's part with the outer side of the track member including a connector, e.g., VELCRO® connector, for releasably securing any desired ornamentation member 32 thereto.

The hair track can be of any length. Thus, it can be sufficiently long to extend the full length of the wearer's part to ornament it. Alternatively, the hair track can be shorter so that plural short hair tracks can be used along the part for a “scattered” look.

In FIG. 6 there is shown another alternative embodiment of a hair ornamentation device constructed in accordance with this invention. That device can be of the same basic construction as those described above, except that it includes a suspended ornament 40, which is connected to the front edge 22D of the hair track 22 or to the rear edge of the hair track. That ornament can take any desired form and may be suspended from the hair track by any suspension means 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown the ornament is in the form of a decorated heart and the suspension means is in the form of a chain. Any type of chain which could be found in a necklace or bracelet can be used. The ornament 40 can be releasably connected to the chain 42 by means of a conventional S-hook (not shown) or some other releasably securable mount to enable the ornament to be readily changed. The connection of the ornament to the suspension means may be permanent, if desired. In any case, with the ornamentation device 20 of FIG. 6 in place on the part 12 of the wearer the heart ornament can be suspended over the wearer's forehead to provide additional ornamentation for the wearer's head. Alternative, the device 20 may be applied to the wearer's head so that the ornament hangs down over the back of the wearer's head instead of the wearer's forehead. With this embodiment, any type of ornament or charm that can be on a bracelet or necklace can be added to the front or back of the hair track to hang down onto the forehead or the back of the head.

As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the foregoing the ornamentation provided by the system of the subject invention can be from basic to elaborate and the location of the hair ornamentation device on the wearer's head can be at any desired position, although the most likely position is along that person's part. That part can be done straight down the middle or side of the person's head and may, if desired, be a zigzag part. If the person's hair is braided (full head, as in micro-braids, partial or in ponytails) any showing part can be decorated with a device constructed in accordance with the subject invention. The length of the track member making up the device can be as long or short as the user desires. For example, it can be long enough encompass all of the user's part or only a portion of the user's part. While the subject invention is most likely to be used by females, it can also be used by men. In this connection the ornamentation provided by the ornamentation device 20 can be in the form of a “Rockstar/Tattoo Artist” type of design. To that end, the track member alone could be placed with spikes on top to give the illusion that spikes are coming out of the wearer's scalp. For a more scattered look the track member can be cut into small pieces for individual spikes or gems. Such an arrangement is a viable alternative to anything permanent (tattoo, piercing) and still allows self-expression through body art.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

Claims

1. A hair ornamentation system for use by a wearer, said system comprising a hair track member, a plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments and a releasably securable connector, said hair track member being a generally planar member having a first side and a second side, said releasably securable connector being disposed on said second side of said hair track for securement to the hair or scalp of the wearer with said first side confronting the scalp of the wearer, said plurality of natural or synthetic hair filaments being secured to said hair track member, said second side of said hair track member facing away from the scalp of the wearer to be readily visually perceived by others in the vicinity of the wearer and comprising an aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said releasably securable connector comprises a clip.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said releasably securable connector comprises an adhesive.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said adhesive comprises an adhesive tape.

5. The system of Claim I additionally comprising a first ornament member, said first ornament member being arranged to be releasably secured to said hair track member, whereupon said first ornament member forms said aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface when secured to said hair track member.

6. The system of claim 5 additionally comprising a second ornament member, said second ornament member being arranged to be releasably secured to said hair track member, whereupon said second ornament member forms said aesthetically pleasing ornamented surface when secured to said track member.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said first ornament member is arranged to be releasably secured to said hair track member by a hook and loop fastening system.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said first ornament member is arranged to be releasably secured to said track member by a hook and loop fastening system and wherein said second ornament member is arranged to be releasably secured to said hair track member by a hook and loop fastening system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said hair track member is arranged to be disposed on the wearer adjacent the forehead of the wearer or the back of the head of the wearer and wherein said system additionally comprises an ornament connected to said hair track member for suspension over the forehead of the wearer or the back of the head of the wearer.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said system comprises a chain for suspending said ornament from said hair track member.