Adjustable and convertible hair holding device
The invention discloses a novel hair holding device that facilitates attachment of a section of hair into a ponytail while also reducing the difficulty with which it can be tighten or removed. The device is a band made of a flexible non-slippery material, preferably silicone, containing equidistant apertures at each extremity. These apertures are used to insert a dumbbell-shape attachment component in order to fasten and tighten hair in a ponytail or other hairstyles. The attachment portion of the device also is hollow allowing for the insertion of decorative signs or accessories. The device can also be converted into a fashionable bracelet and more rugged versions can be used to bundle cords or other miscellaneous objects.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No., filed Mar. 21, 2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to hair accessories. More specifically to the field of hair holder that efficiently and easily holds hair in place in a ponytail or other hairstyles. More particularly, the invention relates to a device that can be used as a hair tie and that can convert into a bracelet or that can be used to bundle various objects together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNumerous devices have been designed to hold, tie or fasten hair in a ponytail or other hairstyles. For examples see hair holding devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,743,587; 3,595,249; 6,089,240; 6,257,249 and 6,311,699. Those devices range from elastic bands to more elaborate holding means such as clips, sticks, barrettes etc. In spite of the abundance of hair holding devices on the market, not many can efficiently hold hair in place while being easy to use. in addition few holders are aesthetically pleasing while being capable of efficiently, securely and adjustably hold hair in place. One of the most common and utilized device for fastening hair is a simple elastic band. The process requires the twisting and multiple re-insertion of the section of hair through the elastic bands in order to obtain the correct tension. This is not only difficult to achieve efficiently but it also causes, in the process, the pulling and tugging of the section of hair which can be very unpleasant. In addition, one of the most common issue with almost all the devices is their propensity to move off of their original positioning after being used for a while thus losing their hair holding capabilities. Barrettes often become unfastened during use and elastic bands loosen during movement, sport activities or when the hair gets wet. Some others devices which contain springs, claws and complex mechanisms are just too cumbersome especially when performing sports and aquatic activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn contrast to hair holding devices of the prior art, the hair holding device of the present invention is composed of a flexible non-slippery band, preferably made of silicone, containing multiple opening along its surface and a hollow symmetrical dumbbell-shape attachment component. The dumbbell shape protrusions or discs at each end of the attachment portion are inserted in openings along the band in order to form a loop. This loop is used to fasten hair or other material in a bundle. The attachment component is hollow and can be decorated with the insertion of small ornamental designs or small three-dimensional objects to which small rods were attached.
The fastening process is simple and easy. It requires the insertion of one end of the dumbbell-shape attachment portion into an opening at one extremity of the band, folding over the band around the hair portion manually squeezed together in a pony-tail shape or bundle and then inserting the other end of the attachment in another opening located at the other extremity of the band. The band portion of the device possesses a natural curved shape which facilitates the folding over during the process of tying and allows for the easy insertion of the attachment. Adjustments can be achieved readily by inserting one of the attachment end to an opening closer or further from the extremity of the band. The unique and adjustable tightening system, as well as the non slippery nature of the silicone band, allow the section of hair to be effectively and very tightly secured in all circumstances and for a longer period of time without all the tugging and pulling of hair.
The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
With reference to the accompanying figures, the invention is a device that is used as a stable hair tie while providing an aesthetically pleasing piece of apparel. It can also convert into a bracelet or can be used to secure elongated objects into bundles.
The device described here consists of two detachable parts: an attachment component and a band component. As described in the embodiment detailed in
The second embodiment of the device is an open yet curved shape band made of silicon or similar stretchy material. As depicted in
As shown on
The attachment component of the hair holding device can also be permanently affixed to the band by having a protruding stem capped with a toroid as part of the band itself as depicted in
Claims
1. A hair holding device that is used for fastening hair or other elongated material into a tight bundle comprising of essentially two components, a flexible narrow band and an dumbbell-shape attachment device
2. Said the band in claim 1 can be of various lengths and thickness and possesses multiple equidistant circular or oval apertures located at each extremity.
3. Said the dumbbell-shape attachment device of claim 1 is composed of essentially four components: a hollow cylindrical portion onto which three toroids are attached, one in the medial portion of the cylinder and two capping the extremities of the cylinder.
3. Said the capping portions of the dumbbell-shape attachment device of claim 1 are toroids of revolution that can be flat (a pierced disc) or a ring torus (doughtnut-shape) facilitating the insertion into the apertures of the band.
4. Said the insertion of the capping-toroids of the attachment device of claim 1 in the apertures near both ends of the band is used to affix the attachment device onto the band component and to close the band into a loop.
5. Said the attachment device described in claim 1 is hollow which permits the insertion of small decorative ornaments.
6. Said the ends of the band of claims 1 can be joined into a loop and adjusted to wider or narrower sizes by inserting the capping-toroids of the dumbbell-shape attachment into distal or proximal apertures located at each extremity of the band.
7. Said the band portion of claim 1 can be made of silicone or similar flexible and non-slippery light material that would be obvious to an artisan.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2015
Inventor: Robert Pinard (Andover, MA)
Application Number: 14/200,418