HAIR EXTENSION SYSTEM

Abstract

A hair extension may include a first weft having a band and strands of artificial hair extending from the band. The hair extension may also include a second weft having strands of artificial hair, where the second weft may be attached to a front side of the band of the first weft. The hair extension may further include at least one attachment mechanism attached to a rear side of the band of the first weft, where the attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the hair extension to the scalp or natural hair of a user.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure pertains to hair accessories and more particularly, to a hair extension and a method of assembling the hair extension.

BACKGROUND

A variety of hair accessories have been developed to adorn the human hair in order to enhance one's beauty. Many of these hair accessories include adding ornaments to the hair as a fashion accessory. Some fashion accessories include use of clips, pony tail holders, and other artificial members in order to further adorn the human hair.

It has also been desirable to adorn the human hair with artificial hair from others so as to provide varied colorations that are distinct from the natural human head of hair. It has also been desirable to provide both natural and artificial hair in the form of hair extensions that a user can use to adorn their existing head of hair. Some methods of attaching these hair extensions have included taping strands of auxiliary hair to the natural hair of the human head. It has been found that this type of attachment mechanism can fail when the adhesive degrades thus no longer providing its holding characteristics.

Other hair extension systems involve a third party to install the hair extension, for example by weaving the natural hair into the hair extension or vice versa, which may further require the use of specialized tools, as well as increased time for scheduling such installation. Such hair extension systems tend to be more permanent and more costly, as the user has to pay for the hair extension and the installation.

However, some users may desire to use a hair extension for a single occasion, in which the permanency of a hair extension system installed by a hair stylist is unnecessary and excessive. Accordingly, there exists a need for a simplified hair extension that maintains a natural look and feel for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view illustrating a hair extension being installed to the back of a person's head;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are rear and front perspective views, respectively, of the hair extension of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are rear and front views, respectively, of the hair extension of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for assembling the hair extension of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A hair extension is provided that may be easily installed by a user without any tools or aid from another person, and that may maintain a natural look at the point of attachment with the scalp of the user. An exemplary hair extension generally may include a first weft and a second weft, each having strands of artificial hair. The first weft may include a band from which the strands of artificial hair may extend. The second weft may be affixed to a front side of the band such that the strands of artificial hair of the second weft conceal at least a portion of the band. In addition, the second weft overlaid with the first weft provides more strands of artificial hair for a given width of the hair extension, thereby providing for a more voluminous look and feel with the hair extension. The hair extension may also include at least one attachment mechanism attached on a rear side of the band such that the hair extension may be installed to the scalp of the user.

An exemplary method for assembling the hair extension described above may include first providing the first weft. The method may then include attaching at least one attachment mechanism to the rear side of the band of the first weft. The method may then include affixing the second weft to the front side of the band. It should be appreciated that the second weft may be attached prior to the at least one attachment mechanism.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary hair extension 10 being installed to the head 12 or scalp of a user. While the hair extension 10 generally may be installed under natural hair of the head 12, it may be possible that portions of the hair extension 10 may still be visible through the natural hair. The hair extension 10 is configured such that the hair extension 10 may maintain a natural look even in such situations, as described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the hair extension 10 may include a first weft 14 and a second weft 16, each having strands of artificial hair 26. The artificial hair 26 may be natural hair cut from a person's head, synthetic hair, or a combination thereof. The first weft 14 generally may have a band from which the strands of artificial hair 26 may extend, for example with a skin weft. The band may be made of a flexible, resilient skin-like material or fabric, such as polyurethane, or other thin gauze-like material, transparent or translucent materials that may be difficult to see, or the like. With the second weft 16, the strands of artificial hair 26 may be sewn at or near an end of the strands, for example by a sewing machine with a machine weft, or by hand.

The second weft 16 may be attached to a front side 20 of the band of the first weft 14. The second weft 16 may be attached such that a top of the second weft 16 and a top of the first weft 14 are substantially aligned. In addition, the first weft 14 and the second weft 16 may have the same or substantially the same widths, w1 and w2, respectively, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The strands of artificial hair 26 from the second weft 16 generally may overlay the first weft 14 to conceal at least a portion of the band of the first weft 14, thereby providing a more natural look in the area of the band. By having the tops of the first weft 14 and the second weft 16 substantially aligned, and by having the widths of the first weft 14 and the second weft 16 substantially the same, the strands of artificial hair 26 of the second weft 16 may conceal as much of the band of the first weft 14 as possible.

The first weft 14 and the second weft 16 each may have a set number of strands of artificial hair 26, which may or may not be the same for both wefts 14 and 16. In addition, the length of the strands of artificial hair 26 for each weft 14 and 16 may or may not be the same across the width of the respective weft 14 or 16, and may or may not be the same length as the strands of artificial hair 26 from the other weft 14 or 16. Further, the color of the strands of artificial hair 26 for each weft 14 and 16 may or may not be the same across the width of the respective weft 14 or 16, and may or may not be the same as the strands of artificial hair 26 from the other weft 14 or 16. In general, the strands of artificial hair 26 from the second weft 16 overlaying the strands of artificial hair 26 from the first weft 14 may provide for more volume across a given width of the hair extension 10 than a hair extension incorporating just a single weft. The possible variations in length and color of the strands of artificial hair 26 of the first weft 14 and/or the second weft 16 may allow for different styles and looks suited to the desires of the particular user or the particular occasion.

The hair extension 10 may also include attachment mechanisms 22 attached to a rear side 18 of the band of the first weft 14. The attachment mechanisms 22 generally enable the user of the hair extension 10 to easily and securely install the hair extension 10 to the user's head 12 without the use of any tools or assistance from another person, such as a hair stylist. Other hair extensions often require a hair stylist to install the hair extension at a salon. Thus, the user has to take time to schedule an appointment, and pay for the service in addition to the hair extension itself. The hair extension 10, with the attachment mechanisms, removes the extra time and costs associated with such other hair extensions, and therefore allows a user to install the hair extension 10 more on a whim. Such other hair extensions are also more permanent, or at least longer lasting, and also may require a hair stylist to remove them. However, a user may want to wear the hair extension 10 for a single occasion, and therefore may want to remove the hair extension 10 after the occasion is done. The attachment mechanisms 22 also enable the hair extension 10 to be easily removed by the user in such a scenario. As such, the hair extension 10 does not have the permanency of other hair extensions that are on the market. Furthermore, the attachment mechanisms 22 allow for multiple re-uses of the hair extension 10. While two attachment mechanisms 22 are shown in the figures, it should be appreciated that the hair extension 10 may include any number of attachment mechanisms 22 that may practically fit on the rear side 18 of the band, and that the number of attachment mechanisms 22 may vary with different widths of the band. Further, while comb-type attachment mechanisms are shown, it should be appreciated that the attachment mechanisms 22 may be any type of mechanism capable of being affixed to the band of the first weft 14 and attaching the hair extension to the scalp of the user, including, but not limited to, alligator or crocodile clips, bobby pins, prong clips, claw or jaw clips, duck bill clips, butterfly clamps, snap clips, barrettes, and the like, and further may be made of any material, including, but not limited to, metal or plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary method 100 for assembling a hair extension is shown. While method 100 is described with respect to hair extension 10 described above, it should be appreciated that method 100 may be applied to any variation of hair extension 10 or any other hair extension with similar components. At step 105, a first weft 14 may be provided. As explained above, the first weft 14 may include a band made of a flexible, resilient skin-like material, and may have strands of artificial hair 26 extending from the band. The first weft 14 may be assembled by first placing a first layer or rear side 18 of the band on a flat surface. At least one layer of glue or other type of adhesive may then be placed on at least a portion of the first layer 18. The strands of artificial hair 26 may then be placed across the first layer 18, with the tops of the strands 26 in contact with the glue. It should be appreciated that the glue may be applied to the strands 26 in addition to or in lieu of the first layer 18. At least one layer of glue or other adhesive may then be applied to a second layer 20 of the band and/or to the strands of artificial hair 26, and the second layer 20 may then be applied to the strands 26 and to the first layer 18 of the band, thereby securing the strands of artificial hair 26 between the two layers 18 and 20. It should be appreciated that there may be additional or less layers, and further that the hair may be affixed to the band by any process known in the art.

At step 110, at least one attachment mechanism 22 may be attached to the first layer or rear side 18 of the band. As explained above, there may be any number of attachment mechanisms, which may be dependent upon the type of attachment mechanism and/or the width of the band. The attachment mechanism 22 may be sewn to the first layer 18. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment mechanism 22 may be attached by any other process known in the art, including, but not limited to, stapling, gluing, taping, or any other adhesive.

At step 115, the second weft 16 may be attached to the second layer or front side 20 of the band. This may include first positioning the top of the second weft 16 to be substantially aligned with the top of the first weft 14. The second weft 16 may be attached by sewing, for example with Dacron thread. Additionally or alternatively, the second weft 16 may be attached by any other process known in the art, including, but not limited to, stapling, gluing, taping, or any other adhesive. It should be appreciated that the attaching of the attachment mechanism 22 in step 110 and the attaching of the second weft 16 in step 115 may be switched.

In addition, prior to attaching the second weft 16 to the second layer or front side 20 of the band, the second weft 16 may be made by sewing the artificial strands of hair 26 at or near one end of the strands 26. This may be done by machine or by hand. Then, glue or any other adhesive may be applied to at least portions of the strands at the seam to ensure that the seam is secure. Finally, an additional thread, such as Dacron thread, may be applied to provide at or near the top at the seam to provide a more natural look of the second weft 16.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

It will be appreciated that the aforementioned method and devices may be modified to have some components and steps removed, or may have additional components and steps added, all of which are deemed to be within the spirit of the present disclosure. Even though the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. The specification and the drawings are to be regarded as an illustrative thought instead of merely restrictive thought.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

Claims

1. A hair extension comprising:

a first weft including a band and strands of artificial hair extending from the band;

a second weft having strands of artificial hair, the second weft being attached to a front side of the band of the first weft; and

at least one attachment mechanism attached to a rear side of the band of the first weft, the attachment mechanism being configured to attach the hair extension to the scalp or natural hair of a user.

2. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the first weft is a skin weft.

3. The hair extension of claim 2, wherein the band is made of a flexible, resilient skin-like material or fabric.

4. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the second weft is a machine weft.

5. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein a top of the first weft is substantially aligned with a top of the second weft.

6. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein a width of the first weft and a width of the second weft are substantially the same.

7. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the first weft and at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the second weft differ in at least one of length and color.

8. A method comprising:

providing a first weft having a band and strands of artificial hair extending from the band;

attaching a second weft having strands of artificial hair to a front side of the band of the first weft such that the strands of artificial hair of the second weft overlay at least a portion of the band and the strands of artificial hair of the first weft; and

attaching at least one attachment mechanism to a rear side of the band of the first weft.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the attaching of the second weft to the front side of the band of the first weft includes substantially aligning a top of the second weft to a top of the first weft.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the attaching of the second weft to the front side of the band of the first weft includes sewing the second weft to the front side of the band of the first weft.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the sewing is done using Dacron thread.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first weft is a skin weft.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the strands of artificial hair of the second weft are sewn together.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second weft is a machine weft.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein a width of the first weft and a width of the second weft are substantially the same.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the first weft and at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the second weft differ in at least one of length and color.

17. A hair extension comprising:

a skin weft including a band and strands of artificial hair extending from the band;

a machine weft having strands of artificial hair, the machine weft being attached to a front side of the band of the skin weft; and

at least one attachment mechanism attached to a rear side of the band of the skin weft, the attachment mechanism being configured to attach the hair extension to the scalp or natural hair of a user;

wherein a top of the machine weft is substantially aligned with a top of the skin weft.

18. The hair extension of claim 17, wherein a width of the first weft and a width of the second weft are substantially the same.

19. The hair extension of claim 17, wherein at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the first weft and at least a subset of the strands of artificial hair of the second weft differ in at least one of length and color.

20. The hair extension of claim 17, wherein the band is made of a flexible, resilient skin-like material or fabric.