DEVICE FOR SELECTIVELY PARTING STRANDS OF HAIR

Abstract

A device for selectively parting strands of hair is provided. The parting device may have an annular body dimensioned and adapted to removably receive and secure a tip of a human wearer. A strand arm extends from the annular body parallel to its longitudinal axis. The strand arm tapers to a rounded distal end so that a user wearing the parting device on their fingertip can manipulate and engage strands of hair with the strand arm during various hair treatment processes requiring selectively parting single strands of hair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair treatment devices and, more particularly, to a device worn on the finger of a user for selectively parting strands of hair for facilitating the insertion of single strand hair extensions.

A strand of human hair can range from 17 to 181 μm (millionths of a meter). Hair extension placement often requires hundreds of repetitions of picking up and putting down a comb to take a single strand of hair to place the extension thereon, which consumes time and energy, and is uncomfortable for both the stylist and recipient.

The current device used is a tip of a comb or a rat-tail comb that has to be put down and picked back up between usages, meaning it can fall, be misplaced, or be out of reach, as well as be difficult to grip and awkward to use. Furthermore, the use of a comb is not effective because this repetition causes fidgeting while grabbing the comb and properly placing in the hand of the stylist. Such current devices cause the stylist to also use poor ergonomics as they must bend, lift and reach back and forth with the comb, straining their back, neck, shoulders wrists and arms. Moreover, during the lengthy hair extension process, customers can grow inpatient and stop getting extensions, which is less profit for the stylist and company.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device worn on the finger of a user for selectively parting strands of hair for facilitating the insertion of single strand hair extensions. Such a ring-like device enables a hair-parting process that is smoother, faster, more efficient and comfortable for both the recipient and the stylist because the user skips the step of picking up and putting down a comb, allowing the stylist to stay in one position and continuously place extensions. The tool allows for more accuracy and precision, resulting in cleaner, better looking results. The customer is happy because she saves time when this tool is utilized-up to approximately 20-30%, or several hours—off the extension application process, which can take as long as 10-12 hours on a full head of hair with a rat tail comb. The salon is happy because they see more clients and more clients equals more money.

In use, the present invention remains comfortably on a user's fingertip to part hair, essentially allowing the finger to act as a comb. This also helps with ergonomics, as stylist do not have to bend, lift or pick up the comb, and so sparing back, neck arm, shoulder and wrist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device worn on the finger of a user for selectively parting strands of hair for facilitating hair treatments, the device including an annular body defining a finger hole, wherein the finger hole is dimensioned and adapted to removably secure to a tip of a human finger; and a strand arm extending from the annular body in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, wherein the strand arm tapers as it extends to its distal end.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device worn on the finger of a user for selectively parting strands of hair for facilitating hair treatments, the device including an annular body defining a finger hole, wherein the finger hole is dimensioned and adapted to removably secure to a tip of a human finger, wherein the annular body extends between two opposing finger arms that define a void therebetween, and wherein the annular body is approximately one to twelve millimeters thick; and a strand arm extending from the annular body in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, wherein the strand arm tapers as it extends to its rounded distal end, wherein the strand arm extends approximately quarter cm to two and a half inches beyond the tip of the human finger removably secured for some purposes and up to five inches and beyond the tip of the human finger removably secured for highlighting and other uses.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device facilitates hair treatment process by first sliding the device onto the tip of the removably secured finger so that the strand arm extends beyond said tip; and selectively engaging single strands of hair for creating a straight precise part.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device for selectively parting strands of hair during hair treatment processes and single cylinder extension application. The parting device may have an annular body dimensioned and adapted to removably receive and secure a tip of a human wearer. A strand arm extends from the annular body parallel to its longitudinal axis, in certain embodiments an inch- and four inches for highlighting. The strand arm tapers to a rounded distal end so that a user wearing the parting device on their fingertip can manipulate and engage strands of hair with the strand arm during various hair treatment processes requiring selectively parting single strands of hair. The curved end on the strand arm is unique in that it helps grasp the hair, allowing for more precision and, thus, is more functional in this process than a comb. Raised rounded ridges on the interior of the body may be added as needed for a better secure fit to prevent the device from slipping. They may range from one to five mm in diameter and one to five mm in height extending from the inside surface body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a parting device 10. The parting device 10 may provide an annular body 11 defining a finger hole 13 dimensioned and adapted to removably receive and secure a portion of a human finger 18, such as a fingertip. The body 11 may be a unitary or continuously construction that defines the finger hole 13; alternatively, the body 11 may terminate in opposing body arms 12 that face each other in a spaced-apart manner, providing a void 15 therebetween, as illustrated in the Figures. The void 15 may enable tolerance for different sizes of finger portions 18 among different users.

A strand arm 14 may extend from the body 11 in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the finger hole 13. The strand arm 14 may taper down as it extends to its distal end 17. The distal end 17 may be rounded. The body 11 and so the strand arm 14 may be approximately one to twelve mm thick. The strand arm 14 may extend, in certain embodiments, for approximately quarter cm to five inches; typically, one inch for single strand extensions, while four inches may be for highlight applications. The parting device 10 may be made of various plasticized material, or the like, such as aluminum, ceramics, wood, stainless steel, copper, sterling silver, heated acrylic, stone, brass, bronze, titanium, epoxy, silver, gold, metals, nickel free metal, nylon, lexan, copper PLA, silicon, glass, brass, polyvinyl chloride, sintered steel, frosted acrylic, iron, resin, transparent metal, precious stones, plaster, thermoplastic. The material may be capable of resisting bending stresses experienced during the use contemplated herein. The parting device 10 may be strong enough to withstand wear and tear but not so thick that it would be heavy or uncomfortable for the user. It would have some give to it so that it can be somewhat flexible in its use. Furthermore, the parting device 10 may feel smooth to the touch and light to the finger.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The parting device 10 disclosed above may be provided. A user may slide the parting device 10 on their finger portion 18. The user may use the strand arm 14 to manipulate and engage single strands of hair 16 for hair extensions applications, including but not limited to cylinder applications. The finger or finger portion 18 may essentially functions like a comb, especially a rat tail comb, so no comb is needed, and hair strands 16 are sectioned off free of hassle. Thereby, the user may apply the hair extension cylinder as usual, following standard procedure.

During the first step of parting the hair into a single strand 16 the present invention would be used to part the hair without the use of the comb. The present invention would stay on any finger of choice throughout the application process. The finger of choice may be the thumb, pointer, middle, ring or pinky finger on the right or left hand and more than one can be worn at once. The parting device 10 works by making the stylist finger essentially the comb, enabling the stylist to focus on the detail of the delicate task of applying a small extension that requires weaving hair through a tiny cylinder tube, including using the parting device 10 to create a straight part to the scalp before securing a top portion of the hair. The present invention simplifies this process.

Alternatively, the present invention may be used in other hair applications such as dreads and corn rolls and locks, braiding and weaving, highlights, hair treatments, medicinal hair replacement surgery (sterile), animal removal of infestations, or treatments of human hair with lice, infestations, and the like. Furthermore, the parting device 10 may be used as a paring knife when sharpened.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an annular body defining a finger hole, wherein the finger hole is dimensioned and adapted to removably secure to a tip of any human finger; and

a strand arm extending from the annular body in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, wherein the strand arm tapers as it extends to its distal end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the strand arm extends for approximately one quarter cm to two and a half inches.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the strand arm extends for approximately two and a half to five inches.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the annular body extends between two opposing finger arms that define a void therebetween.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the annular body is approximately one to twelve millimeters thick.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the strand arm extends beyond the tip of the human finger removably secured.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end is rounded.

8. A device, comprising:

an annular body defining a finger hole, wherein the finger hole is dimensioned and adapted to removably secure to a tip of a human finger, wherein the annular body extends between two opposing finger arms that define a void therebetween, and wherein the annular body is approximately one to twelve millimeters thick; and

a strand arm extending from the annular body in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, wherein the strand arm tapers as it extends to its rounded distal end, wherein the strand arm extends for approximately a quarter cm to five inches and beyond the tip of the human finger removably secured.

9. A method of facilitating hair treatment process using the device of claim 1, comprising:

sliding the device of claim 1 onto the tip of the removably secured finger so that the strand arm extends beyond said tip; and

selectively engaging single strands of hair for creating a straight part.