Integrated hair piece and method of using same
A hair piece assembly has a two part construction that covers bald or thinning areas of a person's scalp. Natural hair of the person wearing the hair piece is utilized and interwoven with synthetic hair and natural hair portions of the hair piece so that the hair piece assembly is well blended, unnoticeable and not readily detected by others. A first portion of the hair piece assembly has a first attachment means integrated therein. The first portion is adapted to be placed on a head and attached thereto by way of the first attachment means. After being attached, the first portion is covered with natural hair on the head. A second portion of the hair piece comprises an entangled member having random entangled construction with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end terminates at an edge and the proximal end gradually terminates the entangled construction to yield free unbraided hairs, which extend therefrom to thereby forming a flowing hair member.
This is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/506,902 filed May 23, 2012 for “Integrated Hair Piece and Method of Using Same”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hair pieces; and, more particularly, to hair piece arrangements which provide coverage for thinning hair or bald areas of the scalp.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Baldness implies the partial or complete lack of hair and is best understood as part of the wider topic of “hair thinning”. The degree and pattern of hair thinning can vary greatly, but its most common cause is male and female pattern baldness. Hair thinning involves different degrees and patterns. Pattern balding commonly involves patchy hair loss. Although baldness in women is not as common as in men, it is relatively prevalent. Typically with women, the frontal hairline is preserved but the density of hair is decreased on all areas of the scalp. Female hair loss has become a growing problem which is estimated to affect around 30 million women in the United States. Although hair loss in females normally occurs after the age of 50 or even later when it does not follow events like pregnancy, chronic illness, crash diets, and stress among others, it is now occurring at earlier ages with reported cases in women as young as 15 or 16. Generally, female pattern thinning or baldness is diffuse and goes around the whole top of the head and can affect women at any time. There are other instances in which the actions of hormones may also cause female hair loss. Some examples are: pregnancy, menopause, presence of ovarian cysts, some birth control pills, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, anemia, chronic illness and some medications.
Currently there is no way to instigate permanent re-growth of hair that has been lost through genetic or hormonal causes. Treatments may include a variety of medications to slow hair thinning, help grow new hair or enlarge existing hairs to create better coverage. However, most require long-term and if stopped, hair loss returns. Another method of treatment involves hair transplant surgery wherein healthy hair is moved from the back and sides of the head to areas of thinning. However, the procedure can take anywhere between four and eight hours, with additional sessions usually need to be carried out to make hair appear thicker, is invasive, and can be costly. Furthermore, transplanted hair falls out within a few weeks, but re-grows permanently within months. Other than treatments, individuals often attempt to hide hair loss. Attempts at hiding hair loss may involve restyling remaining hair to cover the balding area. However, as the hair loss increases, this method becomes less effective. Another method is to wear a hat or a hairpiece—a wig or toupee. Typically, the wig is a layer of artificial or natural hair made to resemble a typical hair style. In most cases the hair is artificial and wigs vary widely in quality and cost, with real hair or those that look like real hair costing up to tens of thousands of dollars. Further, generally unless the hair piece is a toupee, the wig covers the entire scalp and is placed on the head with the risk of being blown or otherwise falling off during wear.
There is a need in the art for a hair piece that provides the look and feel of natural hair, that can readily blend in with a user's natural hair, and that can be readily secured and fastened to a user's head in a discrete, reliable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a hair piece having a first portion integrated with a second portion that operates to removably attach the hair piece upon a person's head. The device may be used for individuals with thinning hair, or the device may be used for individuals with normal hair growth, non-thinning hair, simply as a styling device for the hair.
In a most preferred embodiment, generally stated, the hair piece comprises a a first portion having first attachment means integrated therein; preferably the attachment means comprise comb members with elastic properties. In turn, the first portion is preferably integrated within a second portion and is adapted to be utilized to secure the second portion in place on a head and attached by way of the first attachment means. It is noted that in an alternative embodiment, the first portion may be unattached from the second portion, however, in a most preferred embodiment the first portion is integrated within the second portion. The second portion is constructed having a distal end terminating at an edge and a proximal end terminating to yield a plurality of free hair strands forming a flowing hair member. In one embodiment the distal end of the second portion is constructed as a braided member. In a more preferred embodiment, the distal end of the second portion is constructed as an entangled hair mass. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that the entangled hair mass is preferable over a braid construct because the tangled hair mass provides a more efficient mass for insertion into a person's existing hair. The random hair mass allows for better anchoring and securement to the existing hair. Additionally, it has been found that the entangled hair mass blends better within the existing hair as the existing hair is wrapped around the entangled hair mass. Preferably, the distal end/entangled hair mass is composed of synthetic material and is sown to or attached to the flowing hair member. The flowing hair member is preferably composed of natural hair that can be cut, curled, straitened, and or styled as desired.
In operation, the distal end of the second portion, i.e. the entangled hair mass, is placed at or near the back of the wearer's head and the natural hair is wrapped around the entangled hair mass upon securement of the first attachment means of the first portion or synthetic portion to the existing hair on the wearer's head so that the entangled hair mass of the second portion is held securely in place. In turn, the natural hair or natural looking hair of the flowing hair member is placed to rest on the top of the wearer's head and is styled as desired. Additional attachment means may be further utilized and provided for further securement to the head. Alternatively, an additional portion is provided similar to the first portion integrated within the entangled member.
In another embodiment, the first portion is provided as a portion that is separate or non-attached to the second portion. In this embodiment, the first portion is positioned on the back of the wearer's head and the second portion is then secured between the head and the first portion. Additional attachment means may be further utilized and provided for further securement to the head.
A method of using the hair piece assembly is also provided. The method includes the step of first selecting a hair piece assembly based on a hair color, texture and length. The hair piece assembly includes a first portion having first attachment means integrated therein. The first portion is adapted to be placed on a head and attached by way of the first attachment means. Natural hair on the head is then wrapped over or moved to cover the first portion and second portion's entangled hair mass so that the second portion's proximal end comprised as a plurality of free hair strands forming a flowing hair member flows from the entangled mass and wrapped hair. Next, the first portion is secured on a head region and the user's hair is then wrapped around or used to cover the first and second portion's entangled hair mass so that it is integrated it within the hair. Insertion of the distal end of the second portion takes place by securing the distal end with the first portion to rest between the first portion and the head. Lastly, the free flowing hair of the second portion is arranged over the hair on the head. The free flowing hair may be dyed, cut, blown dry, washed, curled or straightened to achieve the desired style.
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention is directed to a hair piece kit or assembly having at least a two part construction that is integrated into a wearer's natural hair and function to cover bald or thinning spots. It is noted that the subject hair assembly may be used with regular, non-thinning hair, as a styling device. Natural hair of the person wearing the hair piece is utilized and interwoven with the synthetic hair and a natural hair portion so that the hair piece assembly is well blended and unnoticeable and undetectable to others.
Construction of the subject hair assembly is accomplished through the formation of the second portion's flowing hair member by tightly spooling or attaching approximately one yard of human hair to a substrate or thin fiber swatch. Synthetic hair of the same color and preferably similar texture is intertwined in a random order to form an entangled hair mass having a cone shape with a generally shallow thickness or depth and preferably is about 5 inches in length. In one aspect of the invention a net is used surrounding or encompassing the entangled hair mass so as to facilitate retention of the cone shape of the entangled hair mass.
The top wall of the cone shaped entangled hair mass is attached to the flowing hair member at the fiber hair interface. Attachment is preferably achieved by tightly sowing the flowing hair member to the top wall of the cone shaped entangled hair mass. Hot glue or other attachment means may be utilized to achieve the subject hair assembly. In formation of the first portion, preferably elastic comb members are formed. This may be achieved by having comb members themselves that are elastic or flexible, or alternatively, there may be a small comb member attached to a small elastic fiber swatch that is sown or otherwise attached to the second member's entangled hair mass, forming the first portion's first attachment means. Alternatively, clips or barrette type structures may be utilized in addition to or in place of combs. At least one first portion is preferably integrated within the body of the second member's entangled hair mass. Alternatively, an additional first portion may be added to the entangled hair mass (See
In a first embodiment, the hair piece assembly generally comprises: (i) a first portion having at least one attachment means associated with a second portion adapted to be placed at a back of a person's head through attachment means and adapted to be covered with natural hair on said head; (ii) said second portion comprises an entangled hair member having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end terminating at an edge and said proximal end gradually terminating from the entangled construction to yield free hairs extending therefrom forming a flowing hair member. In a more preferred embodiment, the second portion includes an entangled hair mass. Most preferably the entangled hair mass is constructed as intertwined randomly arranged hair strands or masses, synthetic material/natural hair material. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that the random entangled hair mass arrangement provides more efficient wrapping within a person's existing hair and provides a better anchor point for securing pin or clips discretely into the hair and entangled mass for securing the second portion within the existing hair. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion is integrated within the second portion and the attachment means preferably comprises two comb members having elasticity and being attached to opposing side walls of the entangled hair mass/member of the second portion. In operation, the distal end of the second portion, i.e. the entangled hair mass, is placed at or near the back of the wearer's head and the natural hair is wrapped around the entangled hair mass upon securement of the first attachment means of the first portion or synthetic portion to the existing hair on the wearer's head so that the entangled hair mass of the second portion is held securely in place. In turn, the natural hair or natural looking hair of the flowing hair member is placed to rest on the top of the wearer's head and is styled as desired. Additional attachment means may be further utilized and provided for further securement to the head. Alternatively, an additional portion is provided similar to the first portion integrated within the entangled member.
In another embodiment, the hair piece assembly includes a first portion that is placed on a person's head and wrapped by a person's hair and a second portion that is a hair piece that attaches to the first portion. The hair piece assembly generally comprises: (i) a first portion adapted to be placed at a back of a person's head through attachment means and adapted to be covered with natural hair on said head; (ii) a second portion adapted to be inserted between said first portion and said head and/or attached to said first portion; (iii) said second portion comprising an entangled member having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end terminating at an edge and said proximal end gradually terminating from the entangled construction to yield free hairs extending therefrom forming a flowing hair member. In one embodiment the second portion includes a braided member. In a more preferred embodiment, the second portion includes an entangled hair mass. Most preferably the entangled hair mass is constructed as intertwined randomly arranged hair strands or masses, synthetic material/natural hair material. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that the random entangled hair mass arrangement provides more efficient wrapping within a person's existing hair and provides a better anchor point for securing pin or clips discretely into the hair and entangled mass for securing the second portion within the existing hair.
Optional embodiments involve, for example, the flowing hair member being formed as a hair main with a plurality of hairs extending from an entangled member. The flowing hair member may be curly, straight, wavy, or have a variety of hair textures. Moreover, the flowing hair member may be provided as a plurality of colors and textures to match or closely match a variety of hair colors to accommodate a wearer's natural hair color. The first portion may be composed of a synthetic material or fibrous material and is structured in a manner so as to be placed at the back of the head. The second portion may be composed of natural hair and/or natural looking hair or combinations thereof, and is removably attached to the first portion so that the second portion rests on the top of the wearer's head. Preferably the entangled member is composed of a synthetic material while the free flowing/flowing hair member is preferably composed of natural hair.
Referring to
Second portion 25 is constructed having an entangled member 26 having a distal end 26a and a proximal end 26b. Distal end 26a is preferably thinner in diameter than proximal end 26b to form a cone like shaped structure. Distal end 26a terminates at 26a′. Proximal end 26b gradually terminates from its entangled construction leaving long hairs extending therefrom forming flowing hair member 27. Entangled construction is formed through a random arrangement of fibers matte fibers so that and entangled dense mass is formed. In one embodiment, entangled member 26 is appointed to be slipped behind or under first portion 21 so that it is contained and secured behind first portion 21 between first portion 21 and head 11. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 21 is integrated within second portion 25 as shown in
Flowing hair member 27 is formed as a hair main with a plurality of hairs extending from entangled member 26. Flowing hair member 27 may be curly, straight, wavy, or a variety of hair textures. Moreover, flowing hair member 27 may be provided as a plurality of colors and textures to match or closely match a variety of hair colors to accommodate a wearer's natural hair color. The first portion is composed of a synthetic portion that is appointed to be placed at the back of the head of a person. The natural hair of the person is wrapped around the first portion or synthetic portion to hold it in place. The flowing hair member is composed of natural hair or/natural looking hair, and is attached to the entangled hair mass which is composed of synthetic hair fibers, so that the flowing hair member rests on the top of the wearer's head and the natural hair is visible.
Due to Applicant's band construction of the first portion, the first portion can be readily stretched to secure the second portion onto the user's hair on the back of the head and covered with neighboring hair strands. When the first and second portions are not attached, the first portion can be secured properly without the hair of the second portion getting in the way or weighing down on the first portion during placement and attachment onto the user's head. Once the first portion is placed securely and in the proper location, the user can easily slide the entangled member of the second portion down between the head and the first portion. This then allows the flowing hair member to flow over the user's head and blend in with the user's hair, making it appear thicker and covering any thinning hair regions. On the other hand, when the first portion is integrated within the second portion, the first step is negated and thus the device can be applied to the hair in with a minimal of steps. Furthermore, due to the integration within the entangled hair member at the top area and/or central of the entangled hair mass, the weighing down of the hair assembly is avoided and thus optimal securement and stability is achieved throughout wearing.
Optionally, the second portion 225 may include further attachment means. The attachment means are preferably located so that is can attach to the first portion and/or to local hair clumps. Alternatively, rather than on the proximal end 226b, or in conjunction with the proximal end 226b, the edge 226a′ of the distal end 226a may include attachment means. The attachment means may be a clip, barrette, combs, pins, or band, etc.
Referring to
Referring to
Optionally, the second portion 625 may include attachment means, such as those shown at proximal end 626b, shown generally at 630. The attachment means 230 is preferably located so that is can attach to the first portion and/or to local hair clumps. Alternatively, rather than on the proximal end 626b, or in conjunction with the proximal end 626b, the edge 626a′ of the distal end 626a includes attachment means. The attachment means may be a clip, barrette, combs, pins, or band, etc.
Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
Claims
1. A hair piece assembly comprising:
- a. first portion having first attachment means integrated therein adapted to be placed on a head attached by way of said first attachment means and further adapted to be covered with natural hair on said head;
- b. said first portion being constructed as a band having a top wall, bottom wall and side walls and a front face and back face;
- c. a second portion having an entangled member having a random entangled construction with a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end terminating at an edge and said proximal end gradually terminating said entangled construction to yield a free flowing member with hairs extending therefrom;
- wherein said first portion and said second portion are separate portions and said entangled member of said second portion is adapted to be secured with said first portion of said head and said flowing hair member being adapted to extend therefrom.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is attached to said second portion.
5. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said second portion comprises attachment means.
6. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said entangled member of said second portion comprises attachment means.
7. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said edge of said distal end of said entangled member of said second portion comprises attachment means.
8. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is constructed from a synthetic material.
9. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is constructed from a fibrous, thin, and elastic, expandable or flexible material.
10. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portion is constructed having first attachment means integrated within each of said side walls, said first attachment means comprising comb members that have a spine parallel and abutting said side walls and prongs adjacent to said side walls.
11. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 10, wherein said first attachment means of said first portion are located on each of said side walls and at least one secondary attachment means is located on a front face of said band.
12. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 10, wherein at least one of said first attachment means located on said side walls is located on said back face of said band.
13. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said entangled member of said second portion includes a top surface having an attachment means thereon appointed to attach to a back face of said first portion.
14. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said entangled member's distal end is thinner in diameter than said proximal end and wherein said entangled member is appointed to be slipped behind or under said first portion so that it is contained and secured behind said first portion.
15. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said flowing hair member is formed from natural hair strands.
16. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 1, wherein said flowing hair member is composed of natural hair selected from the group consisting of curly, straight, waived, and a variety of hair textures.
17. A hair piece assembly comprising:
- a. a first portion having first attachment means integrated therein adapted to be placed on a head attached by way of said first attachment means and further adapted to be covered with natural hair on said head;
- b. said first portion being constructed as a band having a top wall, bottom wall and side walls and a front face and back face;
- c. a second portion having an entangled member having a random entangled construction with a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end terminating at an edge and said proximal end gradually terminating said entangled construction to yield a free flowing member with hairs extending therefrom;
- d. said first portion and said second portion being separate portions and said braided member of said second portion being adapted to be inserted between said first portion and said head and said flowing hair member extends therefrom
- wherein said first portion and said second portion are separate portions and said entangled member of said second portion is adapted to be secured with said first portion on said head and said flowing hair member being adapted to extend therefrom.
18. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 17, wherein said cone shaped member is constructed as an entangled hair member.
19. A hair piece assembly as recited by claim 17, wherein said cone shaped member is constructed as a braided hair member.
20. A method of using a hair piece assembly, comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting said hair piece assembly based on a hair color, texture and length, said hair piece assembly comprising: i. a first portion having first attachment means integrated therein adapted to be placed on a head attached by way of said first attachment means and further adapted to be covered with natural hair on said head; ii. said first portion being constructed as a band having a top wall, bottom wall, side walls and a front face and back face; iii. a second portion adapted to be received by said first portion when said first portion is placed on said head, said second portion having an entangled member having a random entangled construction with a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end terminating at an edge and said proximal end gradually terminating said entangled construction to yield a free flowing member with hairs extending therefrom; iv. said first portion and said second portion being separate portions and said entangled member of said second portion being adapted to be secured with said first portion on said head and said flowing hair member being adapted to extend therefrom; wherein said first portion and said second portion are separate portions and said Entangled member of said second portion is adapted to be secured with said first portion of said head and said flowing hair member being adapted to extend therefrom.
- b. placing said first portion on a head region and wrapping thinning hair or hair near said region around said first portion to cover said first portion and thereby integrate said first portion with said hair;
- c. inserting and securing said distal end of said second portion's entangled member behind said first portion to rest between said first portion and said head;
- d. arranging said flowing hair member of said second portion on said head.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 9, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2015
Inventor: Hattie M. Murphy (Newark, NJ)
Application Number: 13/999,062