HAIR EXTENSION HOLDING APPARATUS
A hair extension holding apparatus that is configured to receive and retain a plurality of hair extensions so as to hold and make available to a hair stylist performing an installation of hair extensions. The present invention includes a body having a longitudinal support member extending the length thereof. The longitudinal support member has formed on one side thereof a multitude of extension support members. Intermediate each adjacent extension support member is a void wherein the void and extension support members function to hold hair extensions. A plurality of clip members are secured to the longitudinal support member opposite the extension support members. The clip members are configured to secure the body to a suitable support structure. In a preferred embodiment the clip members maintain the extension support members at a forty-five degree angle with respect to the support structure.
The present invention relates generally to hair styling accessories, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a hair extension holding apparatus that is configured to be secured to a tray or other suitable structure and receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions wherein the hair extensions are positioned in a vertical orientation.
BACKGROUNDHair extension sales recently have achieved over a billion dollars and sales of hair extensions are expected to increase another twenty percent. As is known in the art hair extensions are available being made from human hair, known as Remy hair, as well as synthetic hair. Remy hair can be treated as the person's own hair with an ability to wash, color heat and style the hair. There are many methods for installing hair extensions. One conventional method of installing semi-permanent hair extensions is where the stylist sews wefts of hair to attached micro braids. Though this method is most often applied to natural hair, it is also possible to sew extensions into finer, straighter hair. Another installation method utilizes two thin layers of wefts intermediate natural strands and then heated to seal the bond. A further example of hair installation extensions is clip-in. This style does not require stylist installation.
For all of the hair installation methods that require a stylist, the process is somewhat cumbersome and can be time consuming. One issue with installation is the management of the hair extensions that are staged to be installed. Currently, a stylist will either have an assistant help maintain the extensions in proper order and untangled or the stylist will lay the extensions on a tray or other surface. The latter can cause tangling issues which results in either damaging the extensions or adding to the time required for hair extension installation.
It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a hair extension holding apparatus that can be placed adjacent to a stylist wherein the present invention retains a multitude of hair extensions in a vertical orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is the object of the present invention to provide a hair extension holding apparatus configured to be secured to a suitable support structure and retain hair extensions wherein the present invention includes a body manufactured from plastic or other suitable material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions and maintain the hair extensions in a vertical orientation wherein the body of the present invention includes a longitudinal support member.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a hair extension holding apparatus configured to be secured to a suitable support structure and retain hair extensions wherein the longitudinal support member has a plurality of clip members secured thereto on one side thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions and maintain the hair extensions in a vertical orientation that further includes a plurality of extension support members.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hair extension holding apparatus configured to be secured to a suitable support structure and retain hair extensions wherein the extension support members extend outward from the longitudinal support member and are perpendicular thereto.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions and maintain the hair extensions in a vertical orientation wherein a void is present intermediate each adjacent extension support member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair extension holding apparatus configured to be secured to a suitable support structure and retain hair extensions wherein the body can be provided in alternate lengths.
An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions and maintain the hair extensions in a vertical orientation wherein the body can include alternate quantities of clip members.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device configured to receive and retain a multitude of hair extensions and maintain the hair extensions in a vertical orientation wherein the clip members can be configured to place the extension support members at a forty-five degree angle to the support surface to which the body is secured.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a hair extension holding apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Now referring to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the hair extension holding apparatus 100 includes a body 10. The body 10 is manufactured from a lightweight rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be manufactured in alternate lengths in order to offer different capacities for holding exemplary hair extensions 99. The body 10 includes a longitudinal support member 20. The longitudinal support member 20 extends the entire length of the body 10. The longitudinal support member in a preferred embodiment has a square shaped profile providing a first side 21 and a second side 22 that are flat so as to provide a surface for the clip members 30 and the extension support members 25 to be secured. While the preferred embodiment of the longitudinal support member 20 is to have a square profile, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the longitudinal support member 20 could be provided in alternate shapes and achieve the desired objective discussed herein.
The extension support members 25 are secured to the first side 21 of the longitudinal support member 20. The extension support members 25 extend outward from the longitudinal support member 20 and are perpendicular thereto. While a preferred embodiment of the extension support members 25 are two inches in length, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the extension support members 25 could be provided in lengths less than or greater than two inches. A void 26 is present between each extension support member 25. The voids 26 and extension support members 25 function together to receive and retain a hair extension 99 wherein the hair extension 99 is maintained in a vertical orientation with the hair hanging downwards from the hair extension holding apparatus 100.
Secured to the second side 22 of the longitudinal support member 20 are clip members 30. The clip members 30 are disposed along the length of the longitudinal support member 20 and are operable to releasably secure the hair extension holding apparatus 100 to a work tray 98. In a preferred embodiment, the clip members 30 position the hair extension holding apparatus 100 such that the extension support members 25 are at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect to the work tray 98 as this angle provides good access to the top of the hair extension 99. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the clip members 30 could be configured to place the extension support members 25 at alternate angles with respect to the work tray 98. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the clip members 30 could be constructed to secure the body 10 to alternate support structures in place of a work tray 98. While four clip members 30 are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hair extension holding apparatus 100 could have as few as one clip member 30 or more than four clip members 30. Furthermore, while a particular style of clip members 30 are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the clip members 30 could be constructed in numerous alternate manners and achieve the desired objective discussed herein.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A hair extension holding apparatus configured to receive and retain hair extensions wherein the hair extensions are maintained in a vertical orientation wherein the hair extension holding apparatus comprises:
- a body, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having a longitudinal support member, said longitudinal support member extending intermediate said first end and said second end of said body;
- at least one clip member, said at least one clip member being secured to said longitudinal support member, said at least one clip member configured to releasably secured said body to a suitable support structure; and
- a plurality of extension support members, said plurality of extension support members being secured to said longitudinal support member opposite said at least one clip member, said plurality of extension support members extending outward from said longitudinal support member, said plurality of extension support members having a void intermediate each adjacent extension support member.
2. The hair extension holding apparatus configured to receive and retain hair extensions as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one clip member is configured to orient the extension support members at a forty-five degree angle with respect to the support structure.
3. The hair extension holding apparatus configured to receive and retain hair extensions as recited in claim 2, wherein said body is rectangular in shape.
4. The hair extension holding apparatus configured to receive and retain hair extensions as recited in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal support member has a square profile.
5. The hair extension holding apparatus configured to receive and retain hair extensions as recited in claim 4, wherein said body is manufactured from plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 9, 2022
Publication Date: Jun 13, 2024
Inventor: Aftab Ali (Maple)
Application Number: 18/063,707