U.S. patent application number 10/794747 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for hairstyle enhancement device.
Invention is credited to Knight, Peggy L..
Application Number | 20040211436 10/794747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32994458 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knight, Peggy L. |
October 28, 2004 |
Hairstyle enhancement device
Abstract
A hairstyle enhancement apparatus includes a flexible peripheral
frame and a grid of filaments supported by the frame. Clumps of
hair are attached to filaments of the grid of filaments and the
wearer's existing hair extends through open areas between the
filaments to obscure the filaments and peripheral wire frame. The
clumps of hair may differ from the wearer's existing hair in color,
length and/or texture. The clumps of hair attached to the hair
enhancement apparatus may themselves include hair of different
colors, lengths, and textures. The clumps of hair may be designed
to extend in different directions or they may be flexibly attached
to the filaments such that they can be combed in any desired
direction. A double crown design enables the wearer to comb the
hair in any desired direction and to part his or her hair on either
side.
Inventors: |
Knight, Peggy L.; (Mill
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Howard Chen
Duane Morris LLP
Spear Tower, Suite 2000
One Market Street
San Francisco
CA
94105-1104
US
|
Family ID: |
32994458 |
Appl. No.: |
10/794747 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60452638 |
Mar 7, 2003 |
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60476019 |
Jun 5, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/00 20130101; A41G
5/0006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/054 |
International
Class: |
A41G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hairstyle enhancement apparatus comprising: a peripheral
flexible wire frame; a grid of filaments coupled to and supported
by said frame and forming a double-crown pattern; and a plurality
of clumps of hair attached to filaments of said grid of filaments
at a plurality of locations.
2. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
frame is a closed loop.
3. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 2, wherein said
apparatus covers approximately two-thirds of a wearer's scalp.
4. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of clumps of hair include clumps of hair of different
colors.
5. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least
one clump of hair consists of hair of multiple colors.
6. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of clumps of hair include clumps of hair of one of
different lengths and different volumes.
7. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of clumps of hair include clumps of hair that extend in
different directions.
8. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
clumps of hair are flexibly coupled to said filaments such that
said clumps of hair may be combed in any desired direction.
9. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 8, wherein said
clumps of hair are attached to filaments of said grid of filaments
using glue.
10. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of locations are randomly arranged with respect to said
grid of filaments.
11. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
grid of filaments and said wire frame are obscurable by natural
hair of said wearer extending through said apparatus.
12. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
wire frame is a metal wire.
13. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
flexible wire frame is formed of an elastic material.
14. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein
filaments of said grid of filaments are formed of an elastic
material.
15. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, wherein
filaments of said grid of filaments are convex monofilaments.
16. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising at least one fastening member attached to said frame and
fastenable to a wearer's existing hair.
17. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus of claim 16, wherein said
fastening member comprises a comb clip that is lockable to said
wearer's existing hair.
18. A hair support structure for use in fashioning and maintaining
a hairstyle on a wearer's head while in place thereon, said hair
support structure comprising: a peripheral flexible wire loop
frame, and a grid of filaments coupled to and supported by said
frame and forming a double crown pattern, said grid of filaments
adapted to receive hair attached thereto.
19. The hair support structure of claim 18, wherein filaments of
said grid of filaments comprise convex monofilaments and said wire
comprises a metal wire.
20. The hair support structure of claim 18, wherein said apparatus
fits snugly and directly on a wearer's scalp and is obscurable by
natural hair of said wearer which is extendable through said grid
of filaments.
21. A hairstyle enhancement apparatus to be worn on a wearer's head
comprising: a peripheral frame; a grid of filaments disposed within
and supported by said frame; and a plurality of clumps of hair
attached to said grid of filaments in a random pattern at a
plurality of non-ordered locations and including clumps of hair of
at least one of different volumes, different colors, and different
lengths.
22. A hairstyle enhancement apparatus to be worn on a wearer's head
comprising: a peripheral frame; a plurality of filaments joined to
said frame; and a plurality of clumps of hair rotatably attached to
said plurality of filaments.
23. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
said peripheral frame comprises a partial loop and includes an open
part positionable toward a front part of a wearer's head and said
plurality of filaments include filaments of different lengths.
24. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
said peripheral frame comprises a closed loop.
25. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
said filaments are movably attached to said frame.
26. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 25, wherein
said filaments are further lockable with respect to said frame.
27. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
each of said clumps of hair is rotatable within a plane tangential
to a wearer's head.
28. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
each of said clumps of hair include an attachment with a
protuberance receivable in an opening formed in a corresponding
filament of said plurality of filaments.
29. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 28, wherein
said protuberance snaps into said opening.
30. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
each of said clumps of hair is rotatable about a circumference of
said corresponding filament.
31. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
each of said clumps of hair includes a socket attachable to a
corresponding trough formed between a set of ridges on a
corresponding filament of said plurality of filaments.
32. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus as in claim 22, wherein
said clumps of hair include hair that is directly attached to said
filaments by being folded around a corresponding filament and said
folded hair is bunched in a group by one of a string and a wire.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/452,638 entitled Hair Highlight Device
filed on Mar. 7, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/476,019 entitled Hair Highlight Device filed on Jun. 5, 2003,
the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference
as if set forth in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to hairpieces and is
particularly directed to hairpieces that provide additional hair to
enhance existing hair and provide hair styling alternatives.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Individuals often find it desirable to highlight or enhance
their existing hair by introducing hair of a different color within
their existing hair. This is generally achieved by dying or
bleaching strands of the existing hair to a different color whereby
the strands of hair run through the individual's existing hair to
highlight the individual's existing, or natural hair.
[0004] A common method used to dye or bleach strands of hair
without changing the color of all of the existing hair includes
placing a rubberized swimming-type cap containing numerous small
openings or holes, over the head. Clumps of the existing hair are
drawn through the small openings with a small hook or other similar
instrument and then dyed or bleached individually such that the dye
or bleach does not contact the bulk of the existing hair.
[0005] There are several problems with this method. One problem is
that the pulling of the hair through the small openings in the cap
is quite painful and requires a great deal of time. An additional
problem is that the harsh chemicals used to bleach or dye hair can
cause severe reactions and irritation to the scalp. Individuals who
have strong reactions to the bleaches and dyes are not able to
highlight their hair and alter their hairstyle using this method.
Furthermore, the bleaching or dyeing of particular clumps of hair
is only temporary and to maintain this highlighting effect, the
method must be repeated every few months. Of course, it is
particularly difficult and time consuming to isolate and bleach or
dye all of the particular clumps of hair that were previously
treated. Moreover, this time consuming method is not easily
reversible or alterable. If the individual desires to have his or
her original hair color restored, it requires a great deal of time
for the natural hair color to grow out. Similarly, if an individual
desires to change the color of the bleached or dyed hair it would
entail another time-consuming process.
[0006] In general, current methods for highlighting an individual's
hair by coloring or bleaching portions of the individual's own hair
are painful, time-consuming process that are not readily reversible
or alterable.
[0007] In addition to bleaching or dyeing their existing hair,
individuals may also find it desirable to highlight or enhance
their existing hair by introducing additional hair of a different
length or texture within their existing hair.
[0008] Various hairpieces and caps have been produced in the
industry to enhance the look of an individual's existing hair by
providing additional hair to supplement the individual's existing
hair. There are various shortcomings associated with the various
hairpieces and caps available in the industry, however, and a more
natural look with styling flexibility is needed. It would therefore
be desirable to provide an improved device that highlights or
enhances a wearer's existing hair, provides a head of hair that can
be easily styled, produces various different enhancement effects,
and provides an enhanced hairstyle that is easily reversible or
alterable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] To address these and other objects and in view of its
purposes, the invention provides a hairstyle enhancement apparatus
comprising a peripheral flexible wire frame, a grid of filaments
coupled to and supported by the frame and forming a double-crown
pattern and a plurality of clumps of hair attached to filaments of
the grid of filaments at a plurality of locations.
[0010] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hair support
structure for use in fashioning and maintaining a hairstyle on a
wearer's head while the support structure is in place on the user's
head. The hair support structure includes a peripheral flexible
wire loop frame and a grid of filaments coupled to and supported by
the frame and forming a double crown pattern, the grid of filaments
adapted to receive hair attached thereto.
[0011] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hairstyle
enhancement apparatus to be worn on a wearer's head. The apparatus
includes a peripheral frame and a grid of filaments disposed within
and supported by the frame. A plurality of clumps of hair are
attached to the grid of filaments in a random pattern at a
plurality of non-ordered locations and include clumps of hair of
different volumes, different colors, and/or different lengths.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a
hairstyle enhancement apparatus to be worn on a wearer's head. The
apparatus includes a peripheral frame and a plurality of filaments
joined to the frame. A plurality of clumps of hair are rotatably
attached to the plurality of filaments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction of the accompanying drawing.
It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various
features of the drawing are not necessarily to scale. The
dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or
reduced for clarity. Like numerals denote like features throughout
the specification and drawing. Included in the drawing are the
following figures:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of the hairstyle enhancement
apparatus of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the hairstyle enhancement
apparatus of the invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective elevation views of another
exemplary hairstyle enhancement apparatus of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exemplary rotatable clump of hair including an
attachment with a protuberance;
[0018] FIGS. 5A-5C are various views of another exemplary hairstyle
enhancement apparatus of the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a clump of hair
connecting to a filament using an exemplary socket;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a further connection
embodiment connecting a clump of hair to a filament; and
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
hairstyle enhancement apparatus of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The invention provides a hairstyle enhancement apparatus to
be worn on the head of a wearer. The apparatus may highlight the
wearer's existing hair, that is, give the impression that some of
the wearer's hair is of a different color, texture and/or length,
or it may clearly supplement the wearer's existing or natural
hair.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a hairstyle
enhancement apparatus according to the invention. Hairstyle
enhancement apparatus 1 includes frame 4 which may be a peripheral
flexible wire frame. In the illustrated embodiment, frame 1 forms a
closed loop, i.e., a halo, but in other exemplary embodiments,
frame 4 may include an opening. Frame 4 is generally round and in
one exemplary embodiment, frame 4 may be circular, while in other
exemplary embodiments, frame 4 may take on other shapes such as an
oval or ellipse. Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 is designed to
fit flexibly and comfortably on the head of the wearer. Frame 4 may
be a metal wire, a plastic wire or a wire formed of a resiliently
deformable material. Frame 4 is designed to fit snugly and
comfortably on the wearer's head.
[0024] A grid of filaments 6 is coupled to and supported by frame 4
and is disposed internally with respect peripheral frame 4.
Filaments 6 that make up the grid of filaments are designed to be
thin and may be formed of various materials and in one exemplary
embodiment, filaments 6 may each be formed of a convex
monofilament. In various exemplary embodiments, filaments 6 may be
formed of various suitable materials such as elastic materials.
Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 may be sized so that frame 4
extends substantially circumferentially around the wearer's head
and in another exemplary embodiment, frame 4 may extend about
approximately two-thirds of the wearer's scalp. The grid
arrangement is intended to be exemplary only and in other exemplary
embodiments, the grid may take on other shapes.
[0025] The grid of filaments 6 is woven to contour to the wearer's
head and advantageously includes two crowns. In the illustrated
arrangement, the grid of filaments include left crown 14 and right
crown 16. Applicants have discovered that the double-crown
arrangement advantageously enables hairstyle enhancement apparatus
1 to fit comfortably in following the contours of the wearer's head
and provides a natural look.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiment, hairstyle enhancement apparatus
1 includes a plurality of fastening members, comb clips 18 that are
attached to frame 4 and fastenable to a wearer's existing hair.
Although three comb clips 18 are shown disposed on the sides and
rear of hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 in the exemplary
embodiment, more or less than three fastening members may be used
in other exemplary embodiments and they may be positioned
differently and may be devices other than comb clips 18. Comb clips
18 each include self locking bar 20 which provides for locking the
comb clips to the wearer's existing hair and for securing frame 4
to the wearer's scalp. In an exemplary embodiment in which frame 4
is made of an elastic material and/or if frame 4 fits snugly and
comfortably on the wearer's head without a fastening member, a
fastening member such as comb clips 18 may not be needed.
[0027] At a plurality of locations on filaments 6 of the grid of
filaments, a tuft or clump of hair is attached to the grid. The
clumps of hair may be attached in an ordered pattern or they may be
attached in a random or non-ordered manner. Clumps of hair 8A-8J
are examples of the plurality of clumps of hair attached to
filaments 6 in various embodiments. The clumps of hair may include
human hair or artificial hair. Synthetic fibers such as Eleura,
Dynal, or Kane Kaion may be used for example. The clumps of hair
may be of any color which may differ from, or be the same as, the
wearer's existing hair. In an exemplary embodiment, the clumps of
hair attached to the grid of filaments 6, may include hair of
different color. Within this arrangement, each clump of hair may
include hair of one color and clumps of different color may be
used, or different color hairs may be provided within each clump of
hair, i.e. multiple colors of hair within a clump. The clumps of
hair may include hair of different lengths, for example, length 28
of exemplary clump of hair 8A is shown to be greater than length 26
of another exemplary clump of hair 8B. The volume or density of the
clumps of hair may also differ. Still referring to FIG. 1, the
volume of clump of hair 8F is shown to be greater than the volume
of clump of hair 8G. In another embodiment, the clumps of hair may
include clumps of hair of different textures. In one embodiment,
clumps of hair may be fastened to the grid such that they fixedly
extend in different directions. For example, clump of hair 8I
extends along direction 22 which differs from direction 20 along
which clump of hair 8J extends. In another exemplary embodiment,
the clumps of hair may be rotatably attached to filaments 6 such
that the clump of hair has the ability to swivel from side to side
or rotate around filament 6. Such flexibility at attachment point
10 may be provided in a number of ways. In one exemplary
embodiment, special glues may be used to provide flexibility at
attachment point 10. The special glues may include various epoxies,
or other suitable glues that provide flexibility. According to the
embodiment in which flexibility is provided at attachment point 10,
any of the clumps of hair 8A-8J may be brushed or combed in any
desired direction. Therefore, different clumps of hair 8A-8J
attached to the grid at different locations may be brushed or
combed in different directions. According to this exemplary
embodiment, the double crowned structure of hairstyle enhancement
apparatus 1 is particularly advantageous as it enables the
different clumps of hair 8A-8J of hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1
to be parted on the left or right.
[0028] Although the exemplary hair enhancement apparatus shown in
FIG. 1 only includes ten exemplary clumps of hair 8A-8J, it should
be understood that this plurality of clumps of hair, their relative
positions, relative lengths, relative volumes, and so on, are
intended to be exemplary only. The hairstyle enhancement apparatus
of the invention may include various numbers of additional or
lesser clumps of hair attached at various random or ordered
locations in various exemplary embodiments. In one exemplary
embodiment, a number of clumps of hair may be located in one
location in close proximity to one another.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a rear view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2
shows left crown 14 and right crown 16. The double crown
arrangement provided by left crown 14 and right crown 16 is
intended to be exemplary only and the two crown areas may be
positioned differently with respect to one another in other
exemplary embodiments.
[0030] Referring again to FIG. 1, when hairstyle enhancement
apparatus 1 is placed on the wearer's head, the wearer's existing
or natural hair is maneuvered to extend through openings in the
grid of filaments 6. This is shown in section 32 of FIG. 1. In
section 32, the wearer's existing hair 34 extends through hairstyle
enhancement apparatus 1 and obscures frame 4 as well as filaments
6. If fastening members are used, they will be sized and positioned
such that the wearer's hair obscures the fastening members as well.
This provides a head of hair with a hairstyle that includes the
wearer's existing hair in combination with clumps of hair of
hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1. In the exemplary embodiment in
which the clumps of hair include hair of a different color than the
wearer's existing hair, the hairstyle may give the perception that
the wearer has had his or her hair highlighted by conventional
chemical methods, i.e. includes hair of a highlighted color. In
exemplary embodiments wherein the clumps of hair are a different
length or texture than the wearer's existing hair, a different
styling effect is produced. The additional hair provided by
hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 may be styled together with the
wearer's existing hair using conventional gels and sprays and other
treatments and it may be trimmed professionally to blend in with
the wearer's existing hair as desired.
[0031] Although described in terms of a peripheral wire frame and a
grid of filaments, hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 may be formed
entirely of one whole piece of material which may be plastic,
rubber or other suitably comfortable materials. In one exemplary
embodiment, the entire device may be formed from a solitary piece
of plastic material with portions thereof punched out to provide
the grid and frame. Materials other than plastic or rubber may also
be used if they provide strength and flexibility to the device.
[0032] Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 1 is easily removable and
replaceable. It can therefore be adorned or removed rapidly. As
such, the wearer can switch between various hairstyles rapidly.
[0033] Another exemplary hairstyle enhancement apparatus is shown
in FIGS. 3A-3D. Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 40 is
advantageously worn with frame 41 extending around the rear of a
wearer's head and includes a plurality of filaments 43 extending
forward over the wearer's scalp and frontward toward the wearer's
face. Although five filaments 43 are shown in the exemplary
embodiment, this is exemplary only. Frame 41 and filaments 43 are
formed to fit comfortably and snugly on a wearer's head and to be
easily removable. Filaments 43 may be formed to include different
lengths 47 as illustrated, or lengths 47 may be the same. Frame 41
may be formed of metal or various plastics and filaments 43 may be
formed of metal and various plastics that are resiliently
deformable to provide a snug but comfortable fit. In one exemplary
embodiment, the entire hair enhancement apparatus 40 may be formed
of a unitary piece of molded plastic. Filaments 43 are attached to
frame 41 at attachment points 49 and may be fixed in position or
movable and lockable with respect to frame 41. Filaments 43 each
include a plurality of openings 45 that are adapted to receive a
corresponding clump of hair. Although openings 45 are shown to be
formed in a regular pattern in FIGS. 3A-3D, such is exemplary only
and in other exemplary embodiments, openings 45 may be randomly
positioned. Openings 45 are exemplary only and in other exemplary
embodiments, other receiving or attachment members may be provided
to receive a corresponding clump of hair. The clumps of hair that
are attached to filaments 43 may include clumps of hair of
different colors, different volumes, different lengths, and
different textures as describe in conjunction with FIG. 1. A single
clump of hair attachable to hair enhancement apparatus 40 may also
include hair of multiple colors. Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 40
may also include one or more attachment members such as a lockable
comb (not shown) to attach frame 41 to the wearer's head. Hairstyle
enhancement apparatus 40 including frame 41 and filaments 43 is
designed to have a snug fit on the wearer's scalp such that the
wearer's natural hair extends between filaments 43 and obscures
filaments 43 and frame 41.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary clump of hair and attachment to be
used in conjunction with hairstyle enhancement apparatus 40 shown
in FIGS. 3A-3D. Clump of hair 53 includes hair 55 which may be
natural or synthetic as previously described. Hair 55 is coupled to
attachment member 57 which includes protuberance 59 and may be
formed of plastic or other suitable materials. Fastening member 61
may be a wire or other filament used to group and secure hair 55.
In other exemplary embodiments, hair 55 may be glued to attachment
member 57. Protuberance 59 is designed to snap into a corresponding
opening 45. With protuberance 59 snapped into a corresponding
opening 45, clump of hair 53 is rotatable about the opening within
the plane tangential to the wearer's head at the point of
attachment.
[0035] FIGS. 5A-5C show exemplary hairstyle enhancement apparatus
63 that includes band 65 and filaments or tines 67. Hairstyle
enhancement apparatus 63 is designed to fit snugly and comfortably
on a wearer's scalp and may be formed of an integrally molded
plastic designed to be resiliently deformable. Band 65 may include
ribs 69 to aid in securing and positioning hairstyle enhancement
apparatus 63 in a desired position on a wearer's head. Hairstyle
enhancement apparatus 63 may additionally or alternatively include
other fastening members for securing the apparatus to a wearer's
hair or scalp. Tines 67 include a plurality of troughs 71 formed
between ribs 73 shown in further detail in FIG. 6. The three tines
67 are intended to be exemplary only and in other exemplary
embodiments, hairstyle enhancement apparatus 63 may include various
pluralities of tines 67. Hairstyle enhancement apparatus 63 is
advantageously worn with band 65 extending around the rear of a
wearer's head.
[0036] FIGS. 6A and 6B show one exemplary attachment device for
securing a clump of hair to a corresponding tine 67 in a rotatable
relationship. Clump of hair 75 includes fastening member 77 which
includes socket 79. Socket 79 snaps into place in corresponding
trough 71 formed between a set of ribs 73 on tine 67. In this
manner, clump of hair 75 is circumferentially rotatable with
respect to tine 67. Fastening member 77 may be formed of various
suitable materials such as plastic and may simply snap into place
to surround trough 71.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows another exemplary technique and arrangement for
rotatably fastening a clump of hair to a corresponding filament or
tine. Clump of hair 81 is folded over itself in portion 83 and
grouped and secured by wire 85 or other monofilament wrap. Clump of
hair 81 is secured to a trough 71 of tine 67. In the exemplary
attachment arrangements shown in FIGS. 6A-6B and FIG. 7, the clump
of hair is rotatably attached to the corresponding tine and
therefore can be brushed or combed in different directions along
with the wearer's natural hair.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows another exemplary hairstyle enhancement
apparatus 100 including frame, or headband 102 and attachment lines
or filaments 104. Headband 102 and filaments 104 may be made of
metal, plastic or other suitable flexible materials. The three
filaments 104 are exemplary only and each filament 104 includes a
plurality of clumps of real or artificial hair 110 attached by
joints 108. Joints 108 may be either of the aforedescribed
attachments for rotatably attaching clump of hair 110 to filament
104. In order to enhance the attachment of headband 102 to the
natural hair of the wearer's head, headband 102 may include a
securing mechanism such as one more groups of small teeth 112
disposed along the inner edge of headband 102. The location and
number of groups of teeth 112 is exemplary only. In one embodiment,
filaments 104 may be fixedly attached to headband 102 at a
plurality of fixed locations and in another exemplary embodiment,
filaments 104 may be movable with respect to headband 102 to
provide added versatility of the apparatus. In the exemplary
embodiment in which filaments 104 are movable with respect to
headband 102, they may be slidable and may include self locking
mechanism 106 to lock filaments 104 into the desired locations on
headband 102. Filaments 104 and headband 102 may be formed of
various suitable plastic or metal materials. As in the
aforedescribed embodiments, clumps of hair 110 may include hair of
different colors, textures, lengths, and volumes and a clump of
hair 110 may include multiple colors of hair.
[0039] The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the
invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the
art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the
invention and are included within its spirit and scope. For
example, a feature described in conjunction with one hairstyle
enhancement apparatus may be used in conjunction with other of the
hairstyle enhancement apparatus embodiments. Furthermore, all
examples and conditional language recited herein are principally
intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes and to aid
the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the
concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and
are to be construed as being without limitation to such
specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all
statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of
the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended
to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.
Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both
currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the
future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same
function, regardless of structure.
[0040] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to
be read in connection with the figures of the accompanying drawing,
which are to be considered part of the entire written description.
In the description, relative terms such as "lower," "upper,"
"horizontal," "vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down," "top"
and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the
orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in
a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling
and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
[0041] Although the invention has been described in terms of
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other
variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range
of equivalents of the invention.
* * * * *