HAIR PIECE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A hairpiece wearable by a wearer includes a central portion of real hair extendable from a forehead of the wearer to a top portion of a head of the wearer; and a pair of side portions of real hair each extendable from a respective temple of the head of the wearer to the ears of the wearer; wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates in a generally M-shape.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/562,838, filed on Sep. 25, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair pieces, more specifically to a multi-piece hairpiece and method of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Wigs and other hairpieces are natural or synthetic hairs attached to a foundation that is worn on the head to fully or partially cover the scalp. Wigs may cover bare scalps or scalps with existing natural hair. Wigs can be more securely attached by clipping or sewing the wig onto existing hair.

Typically, wigs are manufactured with the foundation of the wig being fully or partially made of thin lace, which allows the wig to sit closer to the scalp when installed on a human head, allows the foundation to blend in appearance with the scalp, and allows the scalp to breathe.

During manufacturing of the wig, the wig hair may be attached to the foundation by a machine weft or hand-tying. A machine weft creates tracks of hair whereas hand-tying creates a more disbursed and natural distribution of wig hair that allows it to sit closer to the scalp.

One of the disadvantages of full wigs is that a personalized fit requires a custom wig to be designed for the individual wearer. This is costly and time consuming. In addition, it is very difficult to securely attach a full wig as it must be attached as a single piece.

A traditional wig also poses problems in that the installation and removal process is difficult and time-consuming. For example, it might take hours to install a wig and therefore, the user will likely wear the wig for days if not weeks. The removal process may take much time as well. That is, it might not be feasible for the user to remove the wig after wearing it for a few hours.

Therefore, a need exists for a full wig that is more personalized yet cheaper and faster to manufacture. Also, a full wig that is easier to securely install and remove is needed. Furthermore, a hair piece that provides a more natural look is needed.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The hairpiece and method of the present invention solves the problems of the prior art described above and provides additional advantages.

The hairpiece of the present invention comprises a plurality of hairpieces corresponding to different areas of the scalp with portions of the hairpieces along the edge of the scalp being hand-tied to a lace foundation.

In the exemplar embodiment, the four hairpieces correspond to the lower portion of the back of the scalp, the upper portion of back of the scalp, the top of the scalp, and the front of the scalp.

The method of use of the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) attaching a first hairpiece to a lower portion of the back of the scalp; (ii) attaching a second hairpiece to an upper portion of the back of the scalp above the first hairpiece; (iii) attaching a third hairpiece to the top of the scalp above the second hairpiece; (iv) trimming the exposed lace; (v) attaching a frontal closure to the front of the scalp between the forehead and the third hairpiece; and (iv) trimming the exposed lace of the frontal closure.

In an alternative embodiment, a hairpiece of the present invention is wearable by a wearer and includes a central portion of hair extendable from a forehead of the wearer to a top portion of a head of the wearer; and a pair of side portions of hair each extendable from a respective temple of the head of the wearer to the ears of the wearer. The hair of the central portion is longer than the hair of the side portions. A front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion includes at least one curved portion. Alternatively, the front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates, and is generally M-shaped. The hairs of at least one of the central portion and the side portions are mounted to a mesh. The hairs are real hairs, and may be hand-stitched or tied to the mesh, or are mounted to the mesh by adhesive.

In another alternative embodiment, a hairpiece of the present invention is wearable by a wearer and includes a central portion of real hair extendable from a forehead of the wearer to a top portion of a head of the wearer; and a pair of side portions of real hair each extendable from a respective temple of the head of the wearer to the ears of the wearer; wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates. The hair of the central portion is longer than the hair of the side portions. The front contour is generally M-shaped. The hairs of at least one of the central portion and the side portions are mounted to a mesh. The hairs are real hairs, and may be hand-stitched or tied to the mesh, or are mounted to the mesh by adhesive.

In a further alternative embodiment, a method of the present invention is for mounting a hairpiece to a wearer and includes mounting a central portion of real hair to a forehead of the wearer; extending the central portion of real hair to a top portion of a head of the wearer; mounting a pair of side portions of real hair to a respective temple of the head of the wearer; and extending each side portion to the ears of the wearer; wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates. The central portion and side portions are secured on a mesh, and the central portion and side portions are mounted to the head of the wearer by hand-stitching the mesh to existing hair of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a first hairpiece of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a second hairpiece of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a third hairpiece of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a frontal closure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the frontal closure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the first step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the second step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the third step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the fourth step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the fifth step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a second illustration of the fifth step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the sixth step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the result of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the result of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a frontal closure of the present invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the frontal closure of FIG. 15 in a folded configuration.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale but are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, side, upper, lower, front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the exemplar embodiment, the first hairpiece corresponds to a lower portion of the back of the scalp as shown for example in FIG. 6. The foundation of the first hairpiece is convex at its top end and hair is hand-tied to at least the bottom end. Hair can be machine-wefted or hand-tied to the rest of the first hairpiece. Hand-tying the bottom end allows the bottom end to lie flatter against the scalp and look more natural. Because it is important for the edges of hairpieces to blend in appearance with the scalp, hand-tying is preferable to a machine weft at least on the edges of the hairpiece.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the exemplar embodiment, the second hairpiece corresponds to an upper portion of the back of the scalp above the first hairpiece and extending approximately from the left ear to the right ear as shown for example in FIG. 7. The foundation of the second hairpiece is concaved at its bottom end to accommodate the first hairpiece. The top edge of the foundation is longer than the bottom edge to account for the longer distance along the scalp between the ears nearer the top of the scalp compared to the back of the scalp. The hair attached to the left and right ends of the second hairpiece is hand-tied to give the left and right ends a more natural look where it meets the scalp.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the exemplar embodiment, the third hairpiece corresponds to the top of the scalp above the second hairpiece as shown for example in FIGS. 8 and 9. The foundation of the third hairpiece is in the shape of a half circle. The circle may be elongated from left to right to account for the longer distance along the scalp between the left and right of the scalp compared to the distance between the top of the scalp to the second hairpiece. As the third hairpiece is intended for the top of the scalp and not an edge of the scalp, hand-tying is not necessary to blend the edges of the third hairpiece to the scalp.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, shown are two embodiments of the fourth hairpiece or frontal closure corresponding to the front of the scalp between the forehead and the third hairpiece as shown for example in FIGS. 10-12.

FIG. 4 shows a frontal closure that extends across the entire distance of the forehead. The hair attached to the frontal closure is hand-tied to more naturally blend with the forehead. The width of the foundation is approximately 13 inches and the length of a hand-tied hair portion is approximately 4 inches.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal closure that extends across only a portion of the forehead at the top of the forehead. The frontal closure of FIG. 5 is intended for use when the first, second, and third hairpieces provide ample coverage of the sides of the scalp so that only the top of the forehead is exposed and requires coverage by the smaller frontal closure. The hair attached to the frontal closure is hand-tied to more naturally blend with the forehead. The width of the foundation is approximately 4 inches and the length of a hand-tied hair portion is approximately 4 inches.

The foundations in each piece described above are constructed of a light-weight, breathable material known in the art. An example of such material is synthetic polyester fiber or fabric such as Terylene and could be constructed as Swiss lace, French lace and other styles of various densities.

In other embodiments, the hairpiece may comprise fewer or more intermediate hairpieces. Also, each piece described above could be constructed with different dimensions depending on the demographics of consumers targeted. In other embodiments, the hairpieces may comprise different shapes and sizes.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the first step of the method of use, the first hairpiece shown in FIG. 1 is sewn or clipped onto a lower portion of the rear of the scalp of the user. The first hairpiece can be sewn or clipped onto existing hair. Also, a hair net or wig cap can be installed on the user's head prior to installation of the hairpieces and the first hairpiece could be sewn on the wig cap as well. If sewn onto existing hair, the existing hair can be braided into tracks onto which the hairpieces are sewn. If clipped on the scalp of the user, the user's hair could be braided into tracks prior to installing the hairpieces. A clip, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0112213, which is incorporated by reference, could be used. Any excess foundation or lace from the first hairpiece could be trimmed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the second hairpiece shown in FIG. 2 is sewn or clipped to an upper portion of the back of the scalp above the first hairpiece. The installation method of the second hairpiece is the same as described above with respect to the first hairpiece. Any excess foundation or lace from the second hairpiece could be trimmed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the third hairpiece shown in FIG. 3 is sewn or clipped to the top of the scalp above the second hairpiece. The installation method of the second hairpiece is the same as described above with respect to the first hairpiece. Any excess foundation or lace from the third hairpiece could be trimmed as shown for example in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, the frontal closure, shown in FIG. 4 or 5, is sewn or clipped to the front of the scalp between the forehead and the third hairpiece. The installation method of the frontal closure, shown in FIG. 4 or 5, is the same as described above with respect to the first hairpiece. Referring to FIG. 12, any exposed lace from the frontal closure, shown in FIG. 4 or 5 is trimmed.

Referring to FIG. 13-14, the final result is a natural looking hairpiece installation.

In an alternative embodiment to the frontal closure in FIG. 4, a frontal closure or hairpiece 100 is shown in FIGS. 15-16, which includes a central portion 102 with side portions 104, 106 positioned on either side of the central portion 102. The central portion 102 and side portions 104, 106 are composed of real or fake hairs mounted on a foundation or mesh (described above), for example, by tying, by stitching, or by any known adhesive. By stitching real hairs to the frontal closure 108, for example, by hand-stitching, the fabrication of the hairpiece 100 is advantageous in allowing the real hairs of the hairpiece 100 to be dyed, bleached, and combed in a natural manner. As described herein, the hairpiece 100 is easy to apply to the head of the wearer.

As shown in FIG. 15, the lengths of the hairs of the central portion 102 are longer than the lengths of the hairs of the side portions 104, 106, such that the central portion 102 forms the main part of the hairpiece extending from the upper forehead of the wearer to the top of the head of the wearer, while the side portions 104, 106 form extensions of the hairpiece 100 extending from about the temples of the wearer to or near the ears of the wearer. The shape of the hairpiece 100 at the front of the portions 102, 104, 106 forms a contour 110 which undulates in a manner imitating the natural shape of a person's front hairline. As shown in FIG. 15, the contour 110 at the central portion 102 forms a general M-shape when viewed frontally, as shown in FIG. 16, which appears more natural than hairpieces or wigs with straight contours in the front thereof.

Referring to FIG. 16, a bottom view of the hairpiece 100 shows the central portion 102 and the pair of side portions 104, 106 on the mesh 108, with the undulating contour line 110 of the hair portions 102, 104, 106 forming the general M-shape with a more natural appearance of the front hairline of a person's hair.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, manufacturing cost is reduced as less hair is attached to foundation or mesh because the side portions 104, 106 are thin and cover less area on the foundation or mesh. Furthermore, when installing the frontal closure or hairpiece 100 in this embodiment, less effort is required by a stylist because the front hair line is accurately established. That is, less adjusting is necessary to form a natural look.

As described above, if the frontal closure or hair piece 100 of the present invention is installed with clips, the user is able to install and remove the hair piece 100 with relative ease. As such, the hair piece 100 could be used short term if desired.

In other embodiments with fewer or more intermediate hairpieces, the method of use would have correspondingly fewer or more steps of attachment.

Also, in other embodiments, the method of use may further comprise the step of cutting one or more of the hairpieces, before or after attaching, to better match the shape and size of the scalp. For example, the third hairpiece may be shortened at its left or right end if it is longer than the scalp.

In other embodiments of the method of use, the order of attaching the hairpieces may vary. For example, the step of attaching the first hairpiece may be followed by the step of attaching the frontal closure, which is followed by the step of attaching the other hairpieces.

Also, in other embodiments, the first, second and third hairpieces could take on other forms. For example, those hairpieces could be traditional hair extensions instead of the foundation or mesh backing type of hairpieces described herein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention will be, therefore, indicated by claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A hairpiece wearable by a wearer comprising:

a central portion of hair extendable from a forehead of the wearer to a top portion of a head of the wearer; and

a pair of side portions of hair each extendable from a respective temple of the head of the wearer to the ears of the head of the wearer.

2. The hairpiece of claim 1 wherein the hair of the central portion is longer than the hair of the side portions.

3. The hairpiece of claim 1 wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion includes at least one curved portion.

4. The hairpiece of claim 1 wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates.

5. The hairpiece of claim 4 wherein the front contour is generally M-shaped.

6. The hairpiece of claim 1 wherein the hairs of at least one of the central portion and the side portions are mounted to a mesh.

7. The hairpiece of claim 6 wherein the hairs are real hairs.

8. The hairpiece of claim 6 wherein the hairs are hand-stitched to the mesh.

9. The hairpiece of claim 6 wherein the hairs are tied to the mesh.

10. The hairpiece of claim 6 wherein the hairs are mounted by adhesive.

11. A hairpiece wearable by a wearer comprising:

a central portion of real hair extendable from a forehead of the wearer to a top portion of a head of the wearer; and

a pair of side portions of real hair each extendable from a respective temple of the head of the wearer to the ears of the head of the wearer;

wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates.

12. The hairpiece of claim 11 wherein the hair of the central portion is longer than the hair of the side portions.

13. The hairpiece of claim 12 wherein the front contour is generally M-shaped.

14. The hairpiece of claim 11 wherein the hairs of at least one of the central portion and the side portions are mounted to a mesh.

15. The hairpiece of claim 14 wherein the hairs are real hairs.

16. The hairpiece of claim 14 wherein the hairs are hand-stitched to the mesh.

17. The hairpiece of claim 14 wherein the hairs are tied to the mesh.

18. The hairpiece of claim 14 wherein the hairs are mounted by adhesive.

19. A method for mounting a hairpiece to a wearer comprising:

mounting a central portion of real hair to a forehead of the wearer;

extending the central portion of real hair to a top portion of a head of the wearer;

mounting a pair of side portions of real hair to a respective temple of the head of the wearer; and

extending each side portion to the ears of the head of the wearer;

wherein a front contour of a hairline of at least the central portion undulates.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the central portion and side portions are secured on a mesh, and the central portion and side portions are mounted to the head of the wearer by hand-stitching the mesh to existing hair of the wearer.