HAIR RETAINING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Abstract

A hair retaining device (1) includes a resiliently deformable closed loop (2) extending a predetermined length between opposing end members (3,4) and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members (5,6). Device (1) has a resiliently deformable end retaining member (7) being closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member (3,4) where each resilient end retaining member (7) is substantially parallel to each respective opposing end member (3,4). In one preferred embodiment, the device (1) includes a pair of parallel intermediate retaining members (8) extending between opposing side members (5,6) intermediate the opposing end members (3,4) where the intermediate retaining members (8) are resiliently deformable and closely adjacent to or contiguous with each other. In other preferred embodiments, the end retaining members (7) and one of the opposed intermediate retaining members (8) is formed from a substantially rigid material relative to the end retaining members (3,4) and the resiliently deformable intermediate retaining member (8).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to retaining hair and, in particular, to a device for retaining hair and the method of using same.

The invention has been developed primarily to simply and securely retain locks of hair in a layered hair style similar to but not the same as a French braid or other hairstyles and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices and apparatus for retaining head hair are very well known. Many people tend to spend relatively significant amounts of time preparing and retaining hair whether it be for a formal occasion, to go to work or to just go about their day. As briefly described below, common methods for retaining hair in place can sometimes be relatively complex or difficult to those of limited dexterity. For example, a French braid which requires locks or tresses of hair to be individually gathered, moved and retained in place relative to other locks or tresses, or even applying and maintaining a simple looped ponytail hairstyle is not without challenges.

Whilst some people have the ability to be able to place and retain hair in a desired style based on simply visualising the hair movements required, this is not possible for many people. Such people at least require the assistance of a mirror imaging the back of their head and some people simply do not have the manual dexterity to achieve the task with desired accuracy so as to achieve a desired appearance.

As such, devices for retaining particularly relatively long hair such as that extending below a person's shoulders are well known, as are those devices for assisting in forming and retaining hair in a preferred style. A simple apparatus is an elastic band which is simply looped a predetermined number of times around a ponytail or the like at the rear or side of a head until sufficient tension is provided to retain the hair. Whilst an elastic band reliably retains hair, it can “pinch” by gripping to the hair when trying to manipulate it and it suitable mostly for simple ponytail hair arrangements.

To overcome the pinching effect, the elastic band was enclosed in a fabric sheet. In one form, an elastic strip is sheathed in a fabric and the ends of the strip and sheath are attached via a metal connecting clip or the like, or to each other to form a secured loop. The fabric on the outside of the elastic prevents the elastic gripping hair preventing any pinching effect but is relatively bulky. However, use of an elastic band or band with a fabric sheath can be impractical particularly when a ponytail is provided and as such protrudes substantially perpendicular from a user's head. This does not allow a user to lay flat on the back of their head, or to sit with the back of their head perched against an object when seated such as a vehicle or aircraft seat headrest, a wall or a lounge chair headrest, for example, which is disadvantageous.

The fabric sheathed elastic loops are also known to be varied by providing a relatively loose fitting sheath about the elastic and this is known as a “scrunchie” or in some countries a bobble or hair binder, for example. It will be appreciated that different names are used for hair ties in different places.

The scrunchie fabric hair tie having a particularly loose fitting sheath does not overcome the problem of a protruding ponytail and they can be difficult to attach to relatively small locks of hair. As noted above, they can be bulky when in use.

In respect of the many prior known hair retaining devices, some are of note. For example, U.S. Design No. 348,331 provides three scrunchies attached in series and disposed in substantially the same plane to form a line. In use, hair is looped through each of the scrunchie holes in turn. This hair tie is additionally designed to also be worn about a body part such as an ankle. However, when used for retaining hair it is necessary to make the hole in the middle of each scrunchie relatively small or to loop each scrunchie around each lock of hair as it is passed therethrough. This effectively operates as a single scrunchie although it is formed from three in series.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,285 discloses a pair of parallel elastic strands having a plurality of beads slidably mounted along the strands. The beads are separable and are moved apart to increase an aperture size to allow the feeding of one or more hair locks therebetween. The beads are then moved back. In this way, the beads are used to adjust the size of the apertures, however, if the beads move the hair retained can become unevenly disposed. This method of application requires a multitude of manual actions which increase complexity of application significantly.

The alternative design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,792. Here a plurality of rigid loops are interconnected longitudinally in series and are disposed in the same plane. The loops are maintained in series by means of spaced apart connectors and one or more hair locks are fed through alternative loops. However, the hair accessory is required to be locked near a top of the retained hair and the loops themselves provide very limited retention of the locks. As a result, the whole apparatus can slip down those locks.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,669,399 and 5,857,468 provide similar hair forming devices. In the 468' patent, there is provided three longitudinally spaced apart parallel rings through which one or more locks or braids of hair are passed through. The spaced apart rings are interconnectable by means of pins and corresponding apertures however in the 399' patent the loops are not separable and instead are formed from one piece with ‘teeth’ used to retain the hair. In use, these hair forming devices are substantially rigid and are disadvantageous by being prone to moving so as not to maintain the hair as retained.

A French braiding tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,445. The tool comprises a flexible serpentine or zigzag shaped web that extends between ends adapted to be locked together so as to form hair in a bun. However, when braiding hair, locks of hair are passed through alternate descending loops of the serpentine (20 to 40 loops) each of which is sized to receive a lock of hair when forming a French-braid hair style, and hair extending below the tool is tied off in a braid or ribbon to stop the device from slipping down. It will be appreciated that even with a rear mirror it can be difficult to apply this device and tie off the end of the hair in a braid or ribbon.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,666 disclosed a conceptually similar device to the 445' patent where one or more locks of hair are woven through apertures retaining the hair.

However, the hair is only relatively loosely retained in such and additional means are required to properly secure it.

The hair accessory disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,882 is similar to that disclosed in the abovementioned 285' US patent except that a non-elastic cord is folded and fasteners are disposed in a spaced apart manner along the length of the folded cord to form apertures therebetween. Unfortunately, the fasteners cannot be moved to retain the locks in the loop where a smaller hair lock size is used. Creating smaller loops requires twisting the device resulting in multiple smaller loops between the fasteners. U.S. Design No. 509,320 provides a similar device except that the cord is wrapped around the lock and tied off at the ends to secure it in place. Similarly to the 445' US patent, it is difficult to tie off the ends of the cord as well as to wrap it at points along the length of retained hair.

Another type of hair accessory is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,795 which provides a hair braiding tool including at least six elastic loops connected in series. In use, individual locks of hair are passed through sequential loops requiring the crossing over of two separate strands of hair passing through successive loop, one strand over the other so as to form a French-braid hairstyle. However, it is not particularly easy to uniformly feed a plurality of hair locks through the same loop or hole in the manner as envisioned by the 795' patent and, in any event, the top and bottom ends of the hair braiding tool need to be affixed or tied off to the hair to properly retain it. This obviously increases the degree of difficulty for various users.

Similar are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,892 where a hair pin is attached to a lock of hair and cords are wrapped around the lock of hair to retain it neatly. The end of the hair is tied off and an ornamental cap or clip is attached to the end. Unfortunately, this is relatively impractical for many users and is best suited only to using the relatively thin locks of hair. Other more complicated methods include the use of needle type elements to thread or intertwine a cord with locks of hair to retain the hair. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,245 and 6,782,896. Whilst these produce securely retained hair, they are very difficult for some users to apply on their own as tying off the retained hair is necessary as is threading via a needle.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,898 discloses a rigid French braiding template in which an upper section is secured to an upper portion of the retained hair and hair is simply tied around the template to provide a French braid effect. Unfortunately, there is very little to secure the template to a user and once the securing means of the upper end disengages or loses secure contact with the user's head, the braid can become loosened.

Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,550 includes a pair of interlocking comb elements that are attached together once a series of discrete bundles or locks of hair are formed and moved into position. Whilst it is of utility, it will be appreciated that it can be difficult for some users to both arrange their hair and engage the device.

GENESIS OF THE INVENTION

The genesis of the present invention is a desire to provide a hair retaining device and method of using same that overcomes a substantially or substantially ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hair retaining device comprising:

• • a resiliently deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;
  • a resiliently deformable end retaining member being closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member, each resilient end retaining member being substantially parallel to each respective opposing end member; and
  • a pair of parallel intermediate retaining members extending between opposing side members intermediate the opposing end members, the intermediate retaining members being resiliently deformable and closely adjacent to or contiguous with each other.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hair retaining device comprising:

• • a resiliently deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;
  • a resiliently deformable end retaining member being closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member, each resilient end retaining member being substantially parallel to each respective opposing end member.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hair retaining device comprising:

• • a resilient deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;
  • an elongate rigid end retaining member being disposed closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member wherein each rigid retaining member is substantially parallel to each respective opposing end and is contiguous substantially along its length therewith.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hair retaining device comprising:

• • a resilient deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;
  • an elongate rigid end retaining member being disposed closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member wherein each rigid retaining member is substantially parallel to each respective opposing end and is contiguous substantially along its length therewith; and
  • a pair of parallel intermediate retaining members extending between opposing side members intermediate the rigid end retaining members wherein one of the pair of parallel intermediate retaining member is elongate and rigid and the other is resilient and deformable such that the parallel intermediate retaining members are contiguous with each other.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a hair retaining device comprising a length of resiliently deformable material and a rigid elongate member connected at each end thereof so as to form a loop such that said resiliently deformable length is greater than half the loop circumference and less than three quarters of the closed loop circumference, the resiliently deformable length being tensions to provide a predetermined pressure substantially along the length of the rigid member.

It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously provided a hair retaining device an method of using same which is relatively easy to use and can be formed from a unitary material. Further, the hair retaining device prevents retained hair extending substantially perpendicularly from the back of the head allowing use when a user wishes to engage a helmet or hat or otherwise require a substantially flat bound hair potion at the back of the head such as when doing exercises such as yoga for example. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, a clip can be used to provide lateral strength to the hair retaining device or to simply provide ornamental benefit or to connected two or more of the hair retaining devices in series.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is front view of a hair retaining device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 in a moved configuration;

FIG. 6 is front view of a hair retaining device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is front view of a hair retaining device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the device of FIG. 8 showing embedding of elongate rigid retaining members;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a hair retaining device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows various views of a clip for use with the device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 9;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram setting out preferred steps in the use of a hair retaining device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 9;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the application of the steps of the flow chart of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that like reference numerals have been used to denote like components or features unless expressly denoted otherwise. Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the hair retaining device 1. As best seen in FIG. 1 or 4, the hair retaining device 1 includes a resiliently deformable loop 2.

The resiliently deformable loop 2 as shown is a closed loop having a substantially rectangular form. Ends of the loop 2 are defined by end member 3 at one end and opposing end member 4. The rectangular loop 2 extends a predetermined width intermediate a side member 5 and an opposing side member 6 each extending intermediate the end members 3 and 4. Disposed closely adjacent to end member 3 and opposed end member 4 are respective end retaining members 7. Each end retaining member 7 extends substantially parallel with the respective adjacent end member 3 or 4 whereby each end retaining member 7 extends between side member 5 and the opposing side member 6. The end retaining members 7 are resiliently deformable in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

The hair retaining device 1 further includes a pair of intermediate retaining members 8. The intermediate retaining members 8 extend between side member 5 and the opposing side member 6 and are substantially parallel to each other and, in the preferred embodiment, to the end retaining members 7. The intermediate retaining members 8 are disposed approximately half way between end members 3 and 4 and as best seen in FIG. 1 the intermediate retaining members 8 are closely adjacent each other. The intermediate retaining members 8 are resiliently deformable in the first preferred embodiment.

The hair retaining device 1 of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is formed from a unitary elastomeric material. The hair retaining device 1 is formed by injecting an elastomeric material into a mould at a relatively high temperature and pressure and the device 1 is then removed from the mould. In practice, the elastomeric material is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer such as includes a thermoplastic polymer; thermoplastic polyamide; thermoplastic polyurethane; a polyolefin blend; a styrene block copolymer or an elastomeric alloy. It will be appreciated, however, that other classes of thermoplastic elastomers such as polyolefin elastomers can be used as desired such as rubber and latex mixtures.

Similarly, any other preferred elastomeric material or a natural or synthetic rubber can be used as desired such that the deformable parallel intermediate retaining members 8 and deformable end members 3,4 and respective end retaining members 7 are sufficiently adapted to be moved against the resilience of the elastic material to allow a lock or tress of hair to pass therethrough. The loops then are allowed to return to a rest state from the deformed position with the truss or lock of hair between end member 3 or opposed end member 4 and corresponding end retaining members 7, and in between intermediate retaining members 8 so that the hair is retained therebetween.

This is described further below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 and it is further noted that in FIGS. 1-4 at least in that embodiment indicia 9 is included or formed with the hair retaining device 1 when moulded. The indicia is preferably a brand name or other identifying mark and is shown to be projecting from a surface of the hair retaining device 1 at various (visible) points in the first preferred embodiment. Although not illustrated, however, it will be appreciated that the indicia can be depressed within the hair retaining device 1 rather than project from it.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, it will be appreciated that the spacing between side member 5 and opposing side member 6 does not need to be constant as shown in the first preferred embodiment and could vary uniformly or otherwise therealong. For example, the length of end member 3 and corresponding end retaining member 7 may be longer than the length of the intermediate retaining members 8 which themselves may be longer than opposed end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7. In this way, the width of the hair retaining device 1 decreases or tapers from the end member 3 toward the opposing end member 4. However, it will be appreciated that instead of a taper, whether uniform or not, the distance between side members 5 & 6 may simply vary in a regular or irregular manner whereby the length of the both the end members 3 & 4 are substantially the same.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the hair retaining device 1. This embodiment is similar to the first preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 except that the intermediate retaining members 8 are not included.

In the second preferred embodiment, resiliently deformable loop 2 is in the form of a slightly elongate square. The loop 2 includes end member 3 and opposing end member 4 as well as interconnecting side member 5 and opposing side member 6. End member 3 includes an opposed end retaining member 7 disposed closely adjacent and parallel thereto. The opposed end member 4 likewise includes a parallel closely adjacent retaining member 7 where each end retaining member 7 extends intermediate side member 5 and opposing side member 6. As in the first preferred embodiment, end members 3 and 4 and corresponding end retaining members 7 are adapted to be deformed to allow a lock or tress of hair to pass therethrough and the members 3, 4 and 7 and then to return to the positions as substantially shown in FIG. 6 only with hair retained therebetween, as described further below.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown two front views of a third preferred embodiment of the hair retaining device 1 similar to that of FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 8 shows a front view of a hair retaining device 1 including a resiliently deformable loop 2. Device 1 also includes an end member 3 and opposing end member 4 as well as side member 5 and opposing side members 6 which are all integrally formed from an elastomeric material, most preferably a thermoplastic elastomer similarly to the first preferred embodiment. The hair retaining device 1 further includes a single intermediate retaining member 8 also being integrally formed with the side members 5 and 6 and being substantially parallel with end members 3 and 4. In this way, end members 3 and 4 and one intermediate retaining member 8 are resiliently deformable as opposed to adjacent member additionally.

The end retaining members 3 & 4 and the respective adjacent end members 7 are not formed from a resiliently deformable material in this preferred embodiment but are instead formed from a relatively rigid or stiff material (relative to the end members 3 & 4 or intermediate retaining member 8 for example). Such materials can include a plastics material, a metal or alloy thereof, or even a relatively stiff elastomeric material. The rigid end retaining members 7 extend substantially parallel to the respective end members 3 & 4 and are closely adjacent thereto. The rigid end retaining members 7 are preferably integrally formed with the elastomer of the deformable loop 2, end members 3 and 4 and the single intermediate retaining member 8 as well as side members 5 & 6. This is indicated schematically in FIG. 9 where the ends of the rigid end retaining members 7 are shown as being embedded in or otherwise formed as part of side members 5 and 6.

This embodiment further includes a rigid intermediate retaining member 10 that extends between side members 5 and 6. Rigid intermediate retaining member 10 is disposed both substantially parallel with the intermediate retaining member 8 and closely adjacent therewith. As with the end retaining members 7, the rigid intermediate retaining member 10 is integrally formed with or anchored into side members 5 and 6 shown in FIG. 9.

This embodiment varies from that shown in FIG. 1, for example, in that the rigid end retaining members 7 and the rigid intermediate retaining member 10 are not able to be resiliently deformed in any meaningful way. That purpose or function can, in this embodiment, be achieved by the resilient deformable end members 3 and 4 and the one intermediate the retaining member 8 formed from the resiliently deformable material, for example injection moulded from a thermoplastic elastomer as mentioned above.

The rigid end retaining members 7 and rigid intermediate retaining member 10 may be profiled or have surface detail (eg grooves or a pattern over the surface thereof) to assist in gripping hair intermediate when adjacent end member 3 or 4 or the intermediate retaining member 8. In use, end members 3 and 4 and intermediate retaining member 8 are elastically resiliently deformable and able to be moved to allow a tress or lock of hair to be passed in the space between end member 3 or 4 or retaining member 8 and corresponding rigid end retaining member 7 and rigid intermediate retaining member 10.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a fourth preferred embodiment of the hair retaining device 1. This embodiment is similar in part of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in that the hair retaining device 1 is formed from a resiliently deformable strip material 14. Each end 15 of the resiliently deformable strip 14 is attached to a respective end 16 of a rigid end member 17. The rigid member 17 is substantially parallel with and closely adjacent or contiguous with resiliently deformable strip 14. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the rigid member 17 is integrally formed with or embedded in the ends 15 of the resiliently deformable strip 14 in a manner analogous with the embedded members of FIGS. 8 & 9.

It will be appreciated that the resiliently deformable strip length is more than half of the total loop circumference 18 of the hair retaining device 1 where the loop circumference 18 is formed by the connection of the rigid member 17 and ends 15 of the resiliently deformable strip 14. It will be appreciated that the length of the resiliently deformable strip 14 is preferably at least half of the total loop circumference 18 and extends up to three quarters of the loop circumference 18. This provides a sufficient length for the rigid member 17 to retain hair between it and the strip 14.

It noted that whilst the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 8, for example, include a pair of closely adjacent intermediate retaining members 8, a second or further pair of parallel intermediate retaining members 8 longitudinally spaced apart along the side members 5 and 6 can also be provided. Preferably, the second pair parallel intermediate retaining members are preferably equi-spaced along the side members 5 and 6 between end members 3 & 4.

In this way, the resiliently deformable loop 2 would include both end members and corresponding end retaining members 7 to retain a lock or tress of hair as well as each of the two pairs of intermediate retaining members 8 being also able to retain a lock or tress of hair. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any preferred number of spaced apart intermediate retaining members 8 that are parallel to each other can be provided, and they are preferably equi-spaced intermediate the end members 3 & 4. However, it will be appreciated that the intermediate retaining members 8 need not be uniformly spaced intermediate the end members 3 and 4 if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a flow chart setting out the preferred steps in using the hair retaining device 1 according to the first preferred embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 13 are schematic representations of the application of the hair retaining device 1 of FIG. 1 to the hair of a user following the steps of FIG. 12.

More particularly, FIG. 12 sets out the steps of retaining a hair using device 1 according to the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 and gathering a discreet tress or lock of hair 31. The end member 3 and the adjacent end retaining member 7 are elastically deformed to form a separation therebetween. This temporality forms a loop under the resilient bias through which to pass the tress or lock of hair 31. Tension is released on the separated end member 3 and adjacent end retaining member 7 to allow those members 3 and 7 to return to their normal position and to more closely fit about the tress or lock 31 of hair passed therethrough to form retained hair 32.

A portion of the tress or lock 31 of hair is then gathered together with a portion of unretained hair 33. The intermediate retaining members 8 are resiliently deformed away from each other to provide a loop through which to feed the tress or lock 31 of hair and unretained hair 33. Once the hair 32 and 33 is passed therethrough, tension is released on the loop and the intermediate retaining members 8 return more closely adjacent each other to retain hair 32 and 33 therebetween.

Finally, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the opposing end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7 are then elastically deformed to separate them and to provide a loop therebetween through which to pass the retained tress or lock of hair 32 together with a further portion of adjacent unretained hair 33.

In the particular embodiment of FIG. 13, a discreet tress or lock 31 of hair are retained progressively with other unretained hair 33. In this way, a simple ponytail type arrangement may be formed except that the ponytail will extend substantially downwardly rather than protrude substantially perpendicularly from the back of the head as is conventionally the case. It can also be seen in FIG. 13 that a first tress or lock 31 of hair is passed intermediate the end member 3 and corresponding end retaining member 7 then through the intermediate retaining members 8 and finally also through the opposed end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7. Additional unretained tresses or locks of hair 33 are then fed between the intermediate retaining members 8 together with the retained tress or lock 32. Similarly, retained hair 32 and a further portion of unretained hair 33 are fed through the opposed end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7 so that those tresses or locks of hair are likewise retained. In the preferred embodiment, tress or lock 31 is retained then a portion of this and an unretained portion 33 are retained by members 8. All this retained hair 32, then retained with a further unretained portion of hair 33 between opposing end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7.

It will be appreciated, of course, that more than tress or lock of hair 31 and unretained hair 33 need not be passed between the intermediate retaining members 8 or the opposed end member 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7 if desired.

As can be seen in FIG. 13H, when using the hair retaining device 1 according to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 the hair is retained substantially parallel to the back of the user's head. Three anchor points are provided where tresses or locks of hair are retained and it is noted that the dotted lines of FIG. 13H indicate portions of the hair retaining device 1 that would otherwise be obscured by retained hair.

As noted above, hair is retained in a manner that does not protrude from a rear of a user's head such as would be the case with a conventional ponytail. This offers a significant advantage to users that must wear pushbike or motorbike helmets, for example, as any ponytail is not needed to be fed through a solid part of the hat or helmet. This increases practicality of retained hair using the device 1 especially in the case of children in outdoor environments where hats should always be worn but are otherwise not adapted to allow a conventional ponytail to extend through a portion of the hat such as in the case of a broad brimmed hat. It can also be seen that the hair is relatively securely retained. In the case of hair retained by the preferred embodiment of FIG. 10, for example, the not insignificant size of the rigid member 17 provides a sufficient pressure against the resiliently deformable strip 14 when hair is retained therebetween. Yet further, the device 1 is relatively simple to use and is able to be sequentially applied when hair is retained at a plurality of points.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a clip 20. As noted below, the clip 20 is adapted to be retained by the hair device 1 and to either to provide an ornamental or decorative effect, to provide a predetermined tension or pressure causing side member 5 and opposing side member 6 together, or to longitudinally connect two or more hair retaining devices 1.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 11, the clip 20 includes a body 21. The body has a length defined by the distance between clip body ends 23. The clip body 21 extends a width terminating at a downwardly extending arm 24 on each side. The clip body 21 includes an outer face 22 that preferably includes or is adapted to receive ornamental or decorative indicia.

The clip body width intermediate ends 23 is substantially the same or slightly less than the distance between a side member 5 and opposing side member 6 of a hair retaining device 1 such as shown in any one of FIGS. 1-9. The arms 24 in this preferred embodiment are curved to more closely conform to the circular nature of the side member and opposing side member 5 and 6 cross-section.

Particularly preferred, a pair of hands 25 are disposed on an end of the arms 24 distal body 21 where each hand 25 extends inwardly a predetermined distance facing an opposing hand 25. This provides additional grip or engagement strength between the clip 20 and the side member 5 and opposing side member 6 when engaged. It will be appreciated that the clip 20 is relatively rigid compared to the material which the hair retaining device 1 of FIG. 1, for example, is formed from. The clip body 21 and/or arms 24 and hands 25 are preferably able to be slightly deformed to allow movement about side member 5 or opposing side member 6 when engaging with clip 20 to the hair retaining device 1.

Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that in addition to attaching the clip 20 to side member 5 and opposing side member 6, it can also be attached to one or both intermediate retaining members and adjacent end member 3 or 4 and corresponding end retaining member 7. In other words, the clip 20 can attach longitudinally or transversely to the hair retaining device 1. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the arms 24 and hands 25 can each engage with an end member 3 and an opposed end member 4 of another hair retaining device 1 placed longitudinally adjacent therewith. In this way, the top end of one hair retaining device 1 is attached to the clip via one arm and the other hair retaining device via its opposed end member 4 is attached to the other arm 24 of the clip 20 serially or longitudinally attached to hair retaining devices 1. It will be appreciated that any preferred number of hair retaining devices can be retained and further, that the clip arms 24 can engage with both an end member 3 or 4 individually or together with its respective adjacent end retaining member 7.

Lastly, it will be appreciated that the ends of a hair retaining device 1 can be attached together using clip 20. For example, one or more hair retaining devices are moved so that the end member 3 is adjacent the furthest opposed end member 4 and the clip 20 is engaged with end members 3 and 4 via respective clip arms 24. This secures the hair retaining device in a loop and in addition to being able to be disposed about a wrist or an ankle, for example, it also allows a closed loop to be formed providing for hair buns or such similar hair styles.

Other hairstyles such as various up do styles can be created, with the device 1 by looping hair through vertically downwards through one or more of the loops formed by resiliently deforming the end members 3,4 and respective end retaining members 7 and intermediate retaining members 8 and subsequently looping hair either horizontally or vertically upwards.

The foregoing describes only preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.

Claims

1. A hair retaining device comprising:

a resiliently deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;

a resiliently deformable end retaining member being closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member, each resilient end retaining member being substantially parallel to each respective opposing end member; and

a pair of parallel intermediate retaining members extending between opposing side members intermediate the opposing end members, the intermediate retaining members being resiliently deformable and closely adjacent to or contiguous with each other.

2. A device according to claim 1 including a second pair of parallel intermediate retaining members longitudinally spaced apart from each other and extending between opposing side members intermediate the opposing end members, the intermediate retaining members being resilient and closely adjacent to or contiguous with each other.

3. A device according to claim 1 including a plurality of pairs of parallel intermediate retaining members, the pairs being substantially longitudinally equip-spaced intermediate the opposing end members.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the pair of parallel intermediate retaining members are disposed half way between the opposing end members.

5. A device according to claim 1 being integrally formed from a unitary material.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the device is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber or an elastomeric material.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the device is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic copolymer, polyamide or polyurethane; polyolefin blends; styrenic block copolymers; and elastomeric alloys.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the resilient closed loop is rectangular and elongated between the opposing end members.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein the width between the opposing side members decreases from one opposing end to the other.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the respective end retaining members and opposing ends, and the intermediate retaining members are each adapted to retain a block or tress hair passed therethrough.

11. A hair retaining device comprising:

a resiliently deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;

a resiliently deformable end retaining member being closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member, each resilient end retaining member being substantially parallel to each respective opposing end member.

12. A hair retaining device comprising:

a resilient deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;

an elongate rigid end retaining member being disposed closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member wherein each rigid retaining member is substantially parallel to each respective opposing end and is contiguous substantially along its length therewith.

13. A hair retaining device comprising:

a resilient deformable closed loop extending a predetermined length between opposing end members and extending a predetermined width between opposing side members;

an elongate rigid end retaining member being disposed closely adjacent to or contiguous with each opposing end member wherein each rigid retaining member is substantially parallel to each respective opposing end and is contiguous substantially along its length therewith; and

a pair of parallel intermediate retaining members extending between opposing side members intermediate the rigid end retaining members wherein one of the pair of parallel intermediate retaining member is elongate and rigid and the other is resilient and deformable such that the parallel intermediate retaining members are contiguous with each other.

14. A hair retaining device according to claim 12 wherein the rigid retaining members have ends integrally formed with or embedded in opposing side members.

15. A clip for a hair retaining device according to claim 1, the clip comprising:

a body having a clip length extending between opposing ends and a clip width extending between opposing downwardly extending arms, the clip width being the same or less than the closed loop width wherein the arms are adapted to removably engage the respective opposing side members.

16. A clip according to claim 15, wherein the opposing arms are curved or shaped to conform to the shape of the opposing side members.

17. A clip according to claim 15 including a pair of inwardly facing engagement hands disposed on said arms distal the body.

18. A clip according to claim 15 wherein the body and/or arms are resiliently deformable.

19. A clip according to claim 15 wherein the body intermediate the arms includes an ornamental or decorative face.

20. A hair retaining device comprising a length of resiliently deformable material and a rigid elongate member connected at each end thereof so as to form a loop such that said resiliently deformable length is greater than half the loop circumference and less than three quarters of the closed loop circumference, the resiliently deformable length being tensioned to provide a predetermined pressure substantially along the length of the rigid member.

21. A method of using a hair retaining device according to claim 1 including the step of feeding at least one lock or tress of hair between an opposing end member and a respective end retaining member, and between the opposing end member and respective retaining member thereby retaining hair in place.

22. A method according to claim 21 further including the step of feeding one or more further locks or tresses of hair independently of other locks or tresses of hair between the member.