Twisty

Abstract

“The Twisty” is an improved and gentler hair accessory for people who wish to gather their afro/coily textured micro, small and standard sized locs and loose afro into a ponytail, pigtail or headband without the use of elastics and plastics found in many traditional hair accessories that can fray this hair type. The Twisty compromises of 4 to 6 chenille stems braided lengthwise into one long stem (10 inches (short version) or 34 inches (long version) with each opposite end sealed to prevent the metal ends from poking out and fraying the fabric sleeve. That braided chenille stem is then sewn into a thin fabric sleeve ensuring that the ends do not poke out. The Twisty can then be looped from the front or back around any section of locs then twisted at the base once or twice to grip the locs without knotting the Twisty.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention is an improved and gentler way to secure micro, small and standard hair locs and loose afro without the damage that the elastics and plastics used in traditional ponytail holders like scrunchies, hair elastics, bubble ponytail holders i.e and others can do to this hair type. Locs are gripped with the Twisty, a beautiful sleeve fabric ponytail/pigtail/headband holder. Users can secure their locs with the Twisty without fear of loc or hair breakage.

2. Description of Related Art

The hair accessory gives wearers of micro, small and standard hair locs and loose afro the option of wearing their locs in ponytails, pigtails and headband with a thin beautiful fabric sleeve referred to as “The Twisty.” Used to give hairstyle decorative options besides wearing the locs down and keeps the locs out of the face as they grow longer and prevents loc breakage while using the hair product.

Traditional ponytail holders on the market are typically made of elastic, plastic, velcro, rubber, synthetic bands and some are covered by cloth (scrunchies i.e) in order to secure a ponytail, pigtail or hair off the face hairstyle. However, while the traditional hair accessories may work well for people who have straight textured hair types, it does not work well for people with afro/coily textured hair especially those who wear micro, small and standard sized locs or wear loose afro as this hair texture is easily prone to fraying and breakage with the wrong hair accessories. Traditional hair elastics and hair accessories can weaken locs and hairlines because of the tension needed to grip the locs in a certain way. Many of these traditional hair accessories and hair ties may be pretty and have an elegant finishing, however these products are not widely tested on people who have afro/coily textured locs or afro/coily loose natural hair. In addition, people with small, micro and standard sized locs want options besides wearing their hair down daily or may want to wear their hair off their face for work, fashion, special occasions, sports or convenience. Traditional scrunchies and ponytail holders can either over time weaken and cause breakage to locs or cause a massive amount of breakage even after one day of usage because many of these hair accessories are not designed to hold the bulk of locs or support afro/coily-textured hair. Some hair accessories on the market for locs are geared towards those who have bulkier and freeform locs that can handle a bit more weight however this is not the case for micro, small and traditional sized locs that require carefully handling especially when wet or pulled into an updo or hair style. Even those who wear thicker bulkier and freeform locs must be mindful that many of the present traditional hairties on the market can eat away at their locs. People with locs also like to use hair accessories that adorn the hair in an attractive manner and not put lint onto their locs.

Many who wear the traditional hair elastics and scrunchies and have locs have to double them (double helix style) in order to hold the bulk of the locs which can cause severe damage that cannot be fixed once the hair follicles are pulled too tight. Unlike the traditional scrunchies or ponytail holders which have a permanent O shape or the shape of an horizontal 8 like the traditional bubble ponytail holders, the Twisty is straight and can be manipulated into an O shape to create a loop around the locs and a twist or two at the base of the Twisty to hold it into place. With the Crown Act so far enacted in 13 US States and 29 Municipalities (with more expected), many people of afro descent are now free to wear their natural hair in office settings and therefore the popularity of locs has grown. The Twisty is a game changer in the hair market allowing women, children and men with locs to access hair accessories that are gentler to their hair without fear of breakage and the ability to wear various trendy hair styles and also keep their hair in a professional look especially for those who work in industries that they are expected to wear their hair off their face. This hair accessory is great for locs of any length. The user may wear several Twisty's depending on the look they are trying to achieve. The Twisty also comes in two lengths (10 inches & 34 inches) and various widths (which will be explored but for now 4 to 6 chenille stems), various fabric colors and decorations (bows/ribbons/flowers).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the Twisty is a hair accessory made of chenille stems (four to six pieces) that are braided together to create one stem with each opposite end bonded (to prevent it from fraying the fabric sleeve at the ends), then that braided chenille stem is sewn into a thin fabric sleeve, however the twisty isn't sewn into a O shape. The Twisty when completed will be in a straight shape, however will end up curving naturally. The user will take the Twisty and loop it around from the front or back (depending on their preference) a section of their locs to create a ponytail, pigtail or headband look and the twist the base to secure in place. To keep the Twisty clean one can rinse the Twisty into a mixture of cold water and liquid soap for about 20 minutes, rinse off with cold water and then air dry only (do not machine dry). The Twisty is reusable, however one may buy multiple colors and lengths to color coordinate with their wardrobe and have multiple hairstyle options.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying black and white drawings showing the alternative ways to wear the hair invention (Twisty) wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention shown as it can be worn;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention as it can be worn;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention as it can be worn into a side pigtail with a ribbon adornment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention as it can be worn;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention as it can be worn;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention as it can be worn turned into a headband with the back, sides and front of locs lifted by the present invention and the front portions are twisted up from the front then turned into a bow;

FIG. 7 is another close up view of the invention untwisted;

FIG. 8 is another close up view of the invention untwisted;

FIG. 9 is a close up view of the invention 34 inches/headband style untwisted;

FIG. 10 is a close up view of the invention twisted at the ends;

FIG. 11 is a close up view of the invention twisted at the ends;

FIG. 12 is a close up view of the invention with a bow added;

Claims

1. The Twisty is an improved and gentler hair accessory that allows wearers of micro, small and standard sized hair locs to gather their afro locs and loose natural into a ponytail (side, front, back), pigtails or off their face (headband). The Twisty comprises of four to six chenille stems braided into one big stem from 10 inches (short version) to 34 inches (long version); sealing the ends of the that braided chenille stem (to prevent the ends of poking out and fraying the ends of fabric sleeve) sewing that chenille stem into a thin fabric sleeve. When completed the Twisty will have a straight appearance that can be shaped into a curve. Wherein the Twisty can then be looped (from the front or back) into a section of the locs and twisted at the base to secure the Twisty into place. The Twisty is washable and reusable.

2. The Twisty of claim 1 wherein said comprises of four to six chenille stems braided into one stem (two lengths: 10 inches and 34 inches)

3. The Twisty of claim 1 wherein said comprises of a thin fabric sleeve surrounding the braided chenille stem

4. A method of creating a hair accessory using four to six chenille stems (depending on thickness) sewn into a thin fabric sleeve with the opposite ends of the fabric sleeve also bonded or sewn together to prevent the ends from sticking out of the sleeve with the intention of holding the chenille stems into place with the fabric sleeve.

5. A method of looping a section of locs into a non elastic ponytail, pigtail and/or headband holder and securing the Twisty to the locs and then twisting the base of two ends together to the desired tension thus keeping the style in place without slippage or damage.

6. A method for using chenille stems encased or sewn into a thin fabric sleeve, said method comprising of steps a) braiding four to six chenille stems into one big stem b) sealing the very ends of the chenille stems so the metal ends don't poke out c) sewing the braided chenille stem into a thin fabric sleeve ensuring all sides are secure and nothing is sticking out from the opposite ends e) taking the Twisty from the front or back and securing it around a section of locs f) Taking the two base ends of the Twisty and twisting them together once or twice from the base to secure the hair accessory to the desired tension point g) simply untwist the base ends to undo the Twisty. Depending on the hairstyle, the user can wear one or more Twisty's. The Twisty is washable, reusable and the fabric sleeve is permanent.