U.S. patent application number 11/016714 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for hair extension attachment.
Invention is credited to Frazier, Carol W..
Application Number | 20050098191 11/016714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549105 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frazier, Carol W. |
May 12, 2005 |
Hair extension attachment
Abstract
Various embodiments of wefted hair extension attachments include
attachment strands extending from the weft edge of the attachment.
These attachment strands are braided or intertwined directly into
the braids formed in the native hair of the wearer as those braids
are being formed, without need for additional sewing and thread,
adhesives, or other attachment apparatus. Use of the present hair
extensions saves considerable time for both the person who is
installing the hair extensions on the wearer, as well as for the
wearer. This is due to the combining of the braiding of the
wearer's native hair into an attachment braid or braids, and the
securing of the hair extension(s) to the braid(s), in a single
step, rather than requiring the braids to be formed and then
attaching the hair extensions in a subsequent step, as is
accomplished conventionally.
Inventors: |
Frazier, Carol W.;
(Evanston, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dolph H. Torrence
Crystal City Station
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
34549105 |
Appl. No.: |
11/016714 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11016714 |
Dec 21, 2004 |
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10366008 |
Feb 13, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/201 ;
132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/155 20200101;
A41G 5/004 20130101; F21V 23/04 20130101; A41G 5/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/201 ;
132/053 |
International
Class: |
A41G 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A hair extension attachment, comprising: a wefted hair extension
having a bound weft edge with a plurality of hair strands extending
substantially unidirectionally therefrom; and a plurality of
flexible attachment strands extending from the weft edge of said
hair extension.
2. The hair extension attachment according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment strands are substantially coplanar with and extend from
the weft edge in a direction opposite said hair strands.
3. The hair extension attachment according to claim 1, wherein said
attachment strands are substantially coplanar with and extend from
the weft edge in a direction identical to said hair strands.
4. The hair extension attachment according to claim 1, wherein the
bound weft edge of said wefted hair extension comprises a single
weft.
5. The hair extension attachment according to claim 1, wherein: the
bound weft edge of said wefted hair extension comprises a plurality
of wefts overlappingly secured together; and said attachment
strands are secured between adjacent wefts of said plurality of
wefts.
6. The hair extension attachment according to claim 1, wherein:
said attachment strands are selected from the group consisting of
elastic and inelastic strands; and said hair strands are selected
from the group consisting of natural and synthetic fibers.
7. A method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native hair
of a wearer using the apparatus of claim 1, comprising the steps
of: (a) parting the native hair of the wearer, and defining a first
part line therein; (b) securing the wefted hair extension to the
native hair of the wearer, adjacent the part line; (c) parting the
native hair of the wearer adjacent the first part line, and
defining a second part line generally parallel to the first part
line and separated therefrom by a braidable section of native hair;
(d) combing the attachment strands of the hair extension into the
braidable section of native hair of the wearer; and (e) braiding
the braidable section of native hair of the wearer in an elongate
braid adjacent the scalp of the wearer, simultaneously capturing
and braiding the attachment strands of the hair extension
integrally therewith.
8. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, further
including the step of securing the end of the braid as it is
completed, preventing the completed braid from unraveling.
9. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, wherein the
step of braiding the braidable section of native hair of the wearer
is selected from the steps consisting of forming at least one
French braid, forming at least one corn row braid, and forming a
braid using other braiding techniques.
10. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, wherein the
step of braiding the braidable section of native hair of the wearer
comprises forming a sinusoidal braid pattern.
11. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, further
including the step of constructing the hair extension as a base
piece by installing the plurality of flexible attachment strands
extending from the weft edge of the hair extension substantially
coplanar with and extending from the weft edge in a direction
opposite the hair strands.
12. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, further
including the step of constructing the hair extension as a
finishing piece by installing the plurality of flexible attachment
strands extending from the weft edge of the hair extension
substantially coplanar with and extending from the weft edge in a
direction the same as that of the hair strands.
13. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 7, further
including the step of removing the hair extension from the native
hair of the wearer by unraveling the braid and separating the
attachment strands of the hair extension from the unbraided native
hair of the wearer.
14. A method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a wefted
hair extension having a bound weft edge with a plurality of hair
strands extending substantially unidirectionally therefrom; (b)
installing a plurality of flexible attachment strands extending
from the weft edge of the hair extension; (c) parting the native
hair of the wearer, and defining a first part line therein; (d)
securing the wefted hair extension to the native hair of the
wearer, adjacent the part line; (e) parting the native hair of the
wearer adjacent the first part line, and defining a second part
line generally parallel to the first part line and separated
therefrom by a braidable section of native hair; (f) combing the
attachment strands of the hair extension into the braidable section
of native hair of the wearer; and (g) braiding the braidable
section of native hair of the wearer in an elongate braid adjacent
the scalp of the wearer, simultaneously capturing and braiding the
attachment strands of the hair extension integrally therewith.
15. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, further
including the step of securing the end of the braid as it is
completed, preventing the completed braid from unraveling.
16. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, wherein the
step of braiding the braidable section of native hair of the wearer
is selected from the steps consisting of forming at least one
French braid, forming at least one corn row braid, and forming a
braid using other braiding techniques.
17. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, wherein the
step of braiding the braidable section of native hair of the wearer
comprises forming a sinusoidal braid pattern.
18. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, wherein the
step of installing a plurality of flexible attachment strands
extending from the weft edge of the hair extension comprises
forming a base piece by installing the flexible attachment strands
substantially coplanar with and extending from the weft edge in a
direction opposite the hair strands.
19. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, wherein the
step of installing a plurality of flexible attachment strands
extending from the weft edge of the hair extension comprises
forming a finishing piece by installing the flexible attachment
strands substantially coplanar with and extending from the weft
edge in a direction the same as that of the hair strands.
20. The method of attaching a wefted hair extension to the native
hair of a wearer according to the method of claim 14, further
including the step of removing the hair extension from the native
hair of the wearer by unraveling the braid and separating the
attachment strands of the hair extension from the unbraided native
hair of the wearer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices and
methods for adding supplemental hair to the natural or native hair
of a wearer, and more specifically to a series of embodiments of a
wefted hair extension, each having a series of attachment strands
extending therefrom. The attachment strands of the wetted
extensions are braided integrally into the wearer's hair to secure
the extension to the natural hair of the wearer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The addition of natural or artificial hair to the native
hair of a person, is a technique which has been known for a very
long time. Wigs and toupees of natural or artificial hair have been
manufactured and used for centuries for various reasons, e.g., to
enhance the appearance of the wearer, to cover flaws or
imperfections in the natural or native hair of the wearer, to
indicate profession, rank, or social status, etc. Most such
additions to the natural hair of the wearer result in an artificial
appearance, or at least are unsatisfactory in some manner. More
recently, the application of relatively smaller hairpieces and
extensions has been developed. Such smaller hair extensions are
often more satisfactory for the wearer, as they can be more
permanently attached to the scalp or native hair of the wearer, and
in many cases can be treated and cared for in the same manner as
the natural or native hair of the wearer of the hair extension.
[0005] A number of different types of hair extensions and
application or attachment techniques have been developed over the
years, but the basic types of hair extensions may be broadly
divided into two categories, i.e., loose hair strands which are not
attached to one another, and wefted hair extensions in which the
hair strands are bound or wefted together along a common line or
edge, with the hair extending from this weft or binding. These two
different types of hair extensions may be further divided by their
method of attachment to the native hair of the wearer. A large
number of different attachment or application principles or
techniques have been developed over the years, ranging from
mechanical attachment (clamps, clips, etc.) to adhesives (chemical
or heat setting, etc.) to braiding, weaving, sewing, tying, and/or
knotting the hair extension into the hair of the wearer.
[0006] Each of the above types of hair extensions and methods of
attachment to the head or hair of the wearer, have various
disadvantages. In the case of loose, unwefted hair, the attachment
process is extremely tedious and time consuming, and is thus
relatively costly to perform. The result can be a beautiful and
natural appearing hairdo if the hairdresser is talented, with the
supplemental hair extension capable of being treated as natural
hair and remaining in place for days or perhaps weeks.
[0007] The manufacture of bound or wefted hair was developed to
facilitate the application of hair extensions to the head of the
wearer, with the bound hair greatly shortening the time required
for such an operation or application. However, the various means of
attaching such wefts to the hair or scalp of the wearer all leave
something to be desired. In the case of adhesives, the chemicals
and/or heat applied to bond the adhesive can be injurious to the
scalp and/or native hair of the wearer. Mechanical attachments,
e.g., small clips and clamps, etc., tend to interfere with hair
care, as they can loosen during combing, brushing, or normal hair
care procedures and fall from the hair unexpectedly. Where wefted
hair extensions are sewn into the native hair braids of the wearer,
the process is quite time consuming and requires professional care
in removal of the hair extension at a later date, when removal is
desired.
[0008] The present invention responds to these various deficiencies
in the prior art by providing various embodiments of wefted hair
extensions, each of which includes a series of spaced apart
attachment strands extending from the weft or binding thereof. In
one embodiment, the strands extend opposite the natural direction
of the hair from the weft, i.e., to the opposite side of the weft
from the hair attached thereto. This embodiment is used primarily
over the central portions of the area to be covered. Another
embodiment secures the attachment strands so that their natural lie
is in the same direction as the hair, i.e., attachment strands and
hair extend to the same side of the weft. This embodiment is used
primarily along the hairline of the scalp and/or along parts where
the hair is combed back over the weft and its attachment to the
underlying braid to conceal the weft and further conceal the braid.
In each case, the attachment strands are braided integrally into
the flat, low lying braids which are formed adjacent the wearer's
scalp, thus precluding any requirement for additional materials
such as needle and thread to sew the weft binding to the underlying
braids, or glue, adhesive, and/or mechanical attachment means
(rings, clips, clamps, etc.) for attaching the hair wefts to the
native hair of the wearer. The present invention also facilitates
the removal of the wefted hair from the scalp, as one need only
release the secured end of the braid to allow the braid to become
unbraided, thereby releasing the hair weft attachment strands from
the braid as well.
[0009] A discussion of the related art of which the present
inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the
present invention, is provided below.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,663, issued on Dec. 16, 1952 to
Christina M. Jenkins, titled "Permanently Attaching Commercial Hair
To Live Hair," describes a method of attaching loose, unwefted hair
to the native hair of the wearer, using a series of strands or
fibers which are interwoven with the native and supplemental hair.
One end of each strand is attached to a support stand, with the
opposite ends of the strands being woven into the wearer's hair.
The Jenkins method is not used with wefted hair, nor is there any
disclosure of any provision of single or multiple laminations of
hair wefts with attachment strands extending therefrom, as in the
case of the present invention. The Jenkins method is extremely time
consuming and tedious, as a relatively small number of supplemental
hairs must be interwoven with the three strands of native hair,
with the operation being repeated innumerable times to complete the
operation. Moreover, the Jenkins method requires the wearer to use
a professional to remove the supplemental hair, as the attachment
strands must be cut, and the wearer cannot safely cut the
attachment strands herself without the near certainty that at least
some of her native hair will also be cut. There is no such risk
using the present hair wefts and methods of attachment, as the
braided attachment need only be unraveled to release the hair wefts
therefrom.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,380, issued on Dec. 23, 1958 to Princess
Mitchell, titled "Hairpieces And Method Of Hair Preparation,"
describes a two step process wherein a series of French plaits
(French braids) are formed transversely about the sides, back, and
upper portion of the wearer's scalp, to lie closely adjacent to the
scalp in the manner of cornrow type braids. After the braids or
plaits are formed, a corresponding series of wefted hair extensions
are sewn thereto. This process can take up to twice as long as the
present method (attaching hair wefts to native hair by braiding the
weft attachment strands into the braids simultaneously with braid
formation), as the Mitchell method requires that the braids or
plaits be completed first, and then that the extensions be sewn in
place along the braids in a separate, subsequent operation.
Moreover, the Mitchell method cannot be readily reversed by the
wearer, due to the difficulty in cutting the attachment threads
without cutting the native hair of the wearer. The Mitchell method
is essentially that described as "weaving with braid track" in the
His Or Her Hair website, noted further below.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,826, issued on Oct. 25, 1966 to
Christina M. Jenkins, titled "Hair Piece And Method Of Making And
Permanently Attaching Same," describes the use of garter-type clips
for the attachment of hair wefts to the native hair of the wearer.
While such clips are easily installed and removed, their bulk and
mass make hair care (particularly combing and brushing) difficult,
to say the least. The present system does not present such
problems, as the scalp surface braid attachment leaves the rest of
the hair free along its entire length.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,534, issued on Jan. 3, 1967 to Jess
Dorkin, titled "Hair Thickening Method," describes the use of a
urethane adhesive for the attachment of individual or multiple
strands of hair to the scalp or native hair of the wearer. This
type of supplemental hair attachment is also relatively time
consuming, due to the strand by strand (or relatively few strands)
securing at each step. The removal process is not appreciably
quicker, due to the need to carefully remove all of the adhesive,
either by chemical or other means. The chemicals can be harsh to
the scalp and hair of the wearer, and both the installation and
removal processes can damage the native or natural hair of the
wearer.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,330, issued on Feb. 8, 1983 to Charles
W. Nelson, titled "Method And Apparatus For Attachment Of Hair
Units," describes the use of filaments of fine wire or the like,
which are twisted about a relatively small number of grouped
strands of native hair of the wearer, and secured using an
adhesive. The strands are sewn in place using a needle, and
continue from strand group to strand group to form a continuous
chain. The result provides a base for the attachment of
supplemental hair thereto, but Nelson does not disclose any actual
supplemental hair configuration or structure in his patent. The
Nelson system suffers from the same problems as noted above when
supplemental hair extensions are sewn to braids or plaits, in that
the hair extensions must be removed by a professional in order to
minimize damage to the native hair of the wearer, and moreover, the
Nelson system consumes an inordinate amount of time for both
installation and removal, as the tedious twisting and gluing of the
filament to the native hair of the wearer must be accomplished
before the hair extensions may be attached thereto, and removed
after removal of the extensions.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,029, issued on May 16, 1989 to Raymond
F. Bird, titled "Method Of And Apparatus For Styling Hair,"
describes a manufactured hair weft having a pocket formed in the
weft or bound edge or "tape." A wire loop is installed in the
pocket, and is used to attach the hair extension to the native hair
of the wearer. While the Bird method does not require the braiding
or plaiting of the wearer's native hair, the specialized wire loop
and pocketed weft tape are relatively bulky and massive, and result
in some discomfort for the wearer when attempting to rest or sleep.
The use of a wire clip or loop to secure the hair extension to the
native hair, also creates some difficulty in hair care during
brushing, combing, etc.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,173, issued on Oct. 30, 1990 to Della L.
Russell, titled "Hairpiece For Compensation Of Hair Loss,"
describes a headband having supplemental hair disposed thereon. The
Russell headband is easily installed and removed by the wearer, but
is intended only to cover a relatively small patch. The Russell
band cannot support a relatively large and full hair extension,
with its relatively large mass, as can the present system with its
positive attachment to the native hair of the wearer.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,745, issued on Dec. 17, 1991 to Byung J.
Cheh, titled "Hair Extension Process," describes the use of hot
melted adhesive to bond small groups of strands of supplemental
hair extensions to the native hair of the wearer. Cheh does not
disclose the use of any form of wefted hair extension with his
process. The Cheh process, and the problems associated, therewith,
are more closely related to the process described in the Dorkin
'534 U.S. patent, described further above, than they are to the
present invention.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,867, issued on Apr. 28, 1992 to Mark C.
Barrington, titled "Process For Extending Human Hair," describes
the installation of a small plug to the ends of a relatively small
number of strands of supplemental hair. A heat shrink sleeve is
installed near the base of a relatively small number of strands of
the wearer's native hair, and the plug of the supplemental hair
group is placed in the heat shrink sleeve. The heat shrink sleeve
is then shrunk to grip the supplemental hair plug therein. This
technique results in the same problems as incurred with methods
wherein the supplemental hair is glued or mechanically fastened to
small tufts of the; wearer's native hair, i.e., the difficulty in
combing or brushing out the hair when a large number of relatively
small nodules are installed therein. Also, while Barrington states
that the supplemental hair plugs may be removed by reheating them,
this is a job for a professional. Such a task could not be readily
accomplished by the wearer of the Barrington hair supplements, by
herself.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,761, issued on Jun. 16, 1992 to Karen L.
Meister, titled "Method For Attaching Hair Extensions," describes
the use of a series of small sleeves which are crimped about
relatively small clumps or tufts of native hair, near the bases
thereof. A wefted hair extension is then sewn through the bases of
the tufts, using a needle and thread. The Meister method eliminates
the need to braid the native hair of the wearer, but substitutes a
series of small crimped sleeves, which must be removed
professionally when the wearer wishes to remove the hair
extensions. The Meister system, with the exception of its use of a
wefted hair extension, more closely resembles the supplemental hair
attachment method disclosed in the Barrington '867 U.S. patent,
discussed immediately above, than it does the present supplemental
hair attachment method.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,986, issued on Oct. 25, 1994 to Drucilla
W. Hargrett, titled "Hair Locking Process And Apparatus," describes
a braid assembly which is secured to tufts of the native hair of
the wearer, rather than braiding the native hair itself. The braid
attachment includes a series of small rings therein, with the weft
of supplemental hair also having a like series of rings. The weft
and braid rings are sewn together to secure the supplemental hair
weft to the braid attachment of the wearer. This process involves a
fair amount of time, as the braid material must be braided into the
hair of the wearer, before the wefted hair extension can be sewn to
the rings of the braid. This ring-to-ring attachment is relatively
loose in comparison to the present wefted hair extension
attachment, and moreover cannot be removed by the wearer, due to
the need to determine the location of the attachment thread
precisely in order to cut it without damaging the native hair of
the wearer.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,452, issued on Sep. 3, 1996 to Eslie O.
Barlow, titled "Hairpiece With Adjustable Support Loop," describes
a loop having a series of hair tufts extending therefrom. The loop
has an adjustable circumference, but is still placed relatively
loosely upon the head. No means for positively attaching the loop
or supplemental hair to the hair of the wearer is disclosed.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,298, issued on Nov. 19, 1996 to
Cassandra Hinton, titled "Apparatus And Method For Concealing
Attachments Of Hair Supplements," describes a relatively short and
narrow adhesive tape for concealing the braid line of a
conventional hair weave attachment braid, e.g., the weave
attachment braid as disclosed in the Mitchell '380 U.S. patent
discussed further above. The Hinton tape includes a covering of
relatively short hairs on the outer surface thereof, to camouflage
the underlying braid and weft attachment. The hair weft extension
disclosed in the Hinton U.S. patent is conventional, i.e., it does
not include any attachment strands, as provided by the hair weft
extensions of the present invention.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,819, issued on Apr. 21, 1998 to Janice
A. Hicks, titled "Process For Securing Supplemental Hair To The
Natural Hair Of An Individual," describes a relatively complex
process in which a wefted hair extension is bound by sewing a
series of blanket stitches therein adjacent to one end thereof,
with the bound portion of the weft then being sewn into a
previously formed braid in the wearer's native hair. The Hicks
method is quite complex in comparison to the present method, and
requires considerably more time to complete. Moreover, Hicks
requires professional care in the removal of hair extensions
attached using her method, due to the need to carefully sever the
strands of thread securing the hair extension wefts to the braids
without damaging the native hair of the wearer. This is not a
problem with the present hair weft extensions and method.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,107, issued on Feb. 1, 2000 to Tatiana
L. Overmyer et al., titled "Detachable Hairpiece," describes a
barrette type device having a hair extension permanently attached
thereto and extending therefrom. The barrette clips to the native
hair of the wearer, with the hair extension extending from the
barrette to provide the appearance of longer hair for the wearer.
No wefted hair extensions having attachment strands extending from
the wefted ends for attachment directly to the native hair of the
wearer, is provided by Overmyer et al. Moreover, the Overmyer et
al. barrette extension cannot be worn for extended periods of time,
as can the present wefted hair extensions.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,122, issued on Oct. 24, 2000 to Annie L.
Campbell et al., titled "Self Adhesive Hair Weft Extension And
Method Of Attaching Same," describes a wefted hair extension having
a contact adhesive strip applied to the wefted or bound end of the
hair extension. A release strip is removed from the adhesive, and
the hair extension is adhesively attached to the native hair of the
wearer for use. The adhesive principle also results in damage to
the hair when the tape is removed, with at least some hair being
torn, broken, and/or pulled out by the roots. Campbell et al. do
not disclose a hair weft extension having attachment strands
extending therefrom for intertwining into the native hair of the
wearer as that hair is French braided, as is done by means of the
present hair extension attachment.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,736, issued on Jun. 18, 2002 to Valerie
Townsend, titled "Method Of Using A Self Adhesive Hair Extension,"
describes a hair extension and process which are very closely
related to the disclosure of the Campbell et al. '122 U.S. patent
discussed immediately above. Townsend differs from Campbell et al.
in that Townsend sews a strip of adhesive material to the wefted
end of the hair extension, and adhesively attaches her hair
extension to the scalp of the wearer, rather than to the hair, as
is the case with Campbell et al. Townsend does not disclose any
attachment strands extending from the wefted end of the hair
extension for intertwining into braids as they are formed.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,636, issued on Sep. 10, 2002 to
Christine M. Vittallo, titled "Method Of Attaching Supplemental
Hair To Human Natural Hair," describes the application of a liquid
adhesive directly to the scalp or native hair of the wearer, and
then adhesively securing a weft of supplemental hair to the
adhesive area. This method is more closely related to the adhesive
attachment methods of the Campbell et al. '122 and Townsend '736
U.S. patents, than it is to the present invention with its
attachment strands extending from the weft portion of the hair
extension for intertwining with a braid formed of the wearer's
native hair.
[0028] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/35,192, published on Nov.
1, 2001, titled "Self Adhesive Hair Extension," describes a wefted
hair extension and method of attachment which closely resemble
those described in the '736 issued U.S. patent to the same
inventor, described further above. No non-adhesive attachment means
using strands of material extending from the hair weft, is
disclosed by Townsend.
[0029] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/37,813, published on Nov.
8, 2001, titled "Attachable Hair Extension," describes the use of
an adhesive strip disposed across the individual strands of a mass
of hair to form a wefted hair extension. Some of the adhesive is
exposed between the individual hair strands. A release sheet is
removed from the adhesive, and the weft is applied to the hair or
scalp of the wearer, with the exposed adhesive between the hair
strands serving to secure the weft to the hair or scalp of the
wearer. This hair extension and method are more closely related to
the various adhesively applied hair extensions of the Campbell et
al. '122 and Townsend '736. U.S. patents and the Townsend '192 U.S.
patent Publication, than it is to the present hair extension
attachment invention with its intertwining of the weft attachment
strands with the braiding of the wearer's native hair.
[0030] PCT Patent Publication No. WO 87/5783, published on Oct. 8,
1987, titled "A Method Of And Apparatus For Styling Hair,"
describes the same invention as that described in the '029 U.S.
patent to the same inventor, discussed further above. The points
raised in that discussion are seen to apply here, as well.
[0031] German Patent Publication No. DE 3,722,108, published on
Jan. 12, 1989, titled, "Device For Attaching Artificial Hair To
Natural Hair," describes (according to the drawings and English
abstract) a small cylindrical sleeve or clamp which is secured to
the native hair of the wearer, with a weft of hair having a
cooperating mechanical attachment device extending therefrom. The
assembly is somewhat related to that disclosed in the Barrington
'867 U.S. patent, discussed further above, in which a small heat
shrink sleeve is secured about a tuft of the native hair of the
wearer, and a plug forming the end of a hair extension. While the
'108 German Patent Publication discloses the mechanical attachment
of a complete weft of hair, no disclosure is made of provision for
a series of attachment strands from the weft, for interweaving with
the native hair.
[0032] European Patent Publication No. 876,773, published on Nov.
11, 1998, titled "Method, Apparatus And Hair Extension Product
Thereof," describes a method of forming hair weft extensions from
loose locks of hair, by applying a thermoplastic resin to the ends
of the hair strands to seal them together. The '773 patent
Publication is primarily directed to a tool for forming the, hair
wefts in the desired shape and sealing or adhesively attaching the
common ends together. No means is disclosed for attaching the
completed wefted hair extensions to the native hair of the wearer,
as described in the present disclosure.
[0033] British Patent Publication No. 2,327,605, published on Feb.
3, 1999, titled "Scalp Patch For Hair Extension," describes a patch
having hair extending from one surface for securing to the central
area of the scalp of a wearer. The edge of the patch is devoid of
hair, and provides a margin for sewing the patch to cornrow braids
formed in the native hair of the wearer. The Arogundada '605 patent
Publication further discloses the use of a plurality of parallel
cornrow braids formed in the native hair of the wearer, and
stitching one or more lengths of wefted hair extensions together in
a sinusoidal configuration for greater fullness. However, no
disclosure is made by Arogundada of any provision for attachment
strands extending from the weft or bound edge of a hair extension,
for interweaving or intertwining into braids formed in the native
hair of the wearer, as provided by the present invention.
[0034] In addition to the above patents and patent publications,
the present inventor is aware of certain web sites which also
describe wefted hair extensions and their attachment to the head or
hair of the wearer. The sites www.hisandher.com and
www.glamourhair.com are sites for commercial outlets which sell
loose and wefted hair extensions and materials for their
installation in and removal from the native hair of the wearer.
Each of the above sites describes various types of wefted hair
extensions and methods for braiding, adhesively bonding, weaving,
or mechanically attaching such wefted hair extensions to the native
hair of the wearer. However, neither of the above web sites
disclose any wefted hair extensions having attachment strands
extending therefrom, nor any means of intertwining such attachment
strands with the native hair of the wearer as it is braided.
[0035] None of the above inventions, patents, and disclosures,
taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the
instant invention as claimed. Thus a hair extension attachment
solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The present invention comprises various embodiments of
wefted hair extensions, with each of the extension embodiments
including a series of attachment strands extending from the wefted
or bound edge thereof. Methods of attaching the present wefted hair
extensions, comprising intertwining the attachment strands
integrally with the native hair of the wearer as it is braided, are
also disclosed. (The term "native hair" is used generally
throughout the present disclosure to describe the hair of the
wearer which is rooted naturally in and growing from the scalp of
the wearer of the present hair extensions. The term "native hair"
is used in order to differentiate from natural hair, as the hair
extensions themselves are commonly, and preferably, formed of
natural human hair, although not from the native hair of the
wearer.)
[0037] A first embodiment of the present hair extension comprises a
wefted hair extension including a series of attachment strands
extending from the weft edge, opposite the direction of the hair
extending therefrom. This hair extension may comprise a single
wefted row, or in a second embodiment may be sewn or otherwise
combined with similar extensions to provide multiple rows of
overlapping wefts, to create a fuller and more dense hair
extension. The attachment strands are preferably sewn between the
weft rows, where multiple wefts are secured together.
[0038] Another embodiment comprises a wefted extension similar to
the extension of the first embodiment, but having the attachment
strands extending from the weft edge in the same direction as the
hair extending from that edge. This embodiment is used as a
finishing piece, for installation along a part line or hairline as
desired. Another embodiment combines a series of finishing pieces
to provide two or more overlapping wefts, similar to the multiple
overlapping wefts of the second embodiment described briefly above.
Again, the attachment strands are preferably sewn between adjacent
weft edges in the multiple weft embodiment.
[0039] Various methods of securing and removing the wefted hair
extensions of the present invention to and from the native hair of
the wearer, are also disclosed herein. These methods all include
the common steps of providing a wefted hair extension having
attachment strands extending from the wefted edge thereof, and
intertwining or braiding the attachment strands integrally into a
braid as the braid is formed in the native hair of the wearer. The
above described method or process is considerably quicker and more
efficient than other braided attachment processes known to the
present inventor, as the braiding of the native hair of the wearer
and the attachment of the present wefted extensions by means of
their attachment strands, is accomplished in a single step. The
present hair extensions are easily removed by the wearer, merely by
unbraiding the braids. No delicate cutting of attachment threads,
removal of adhesives or numerous small fasteners, or other
operations requiring the assistance of a professional, are required
for the removal of the present hair extensions.
[0040] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a wefted hair extension having several embodiments, each of
which includes a series of flexible attachment strands extending
from the weft or bound edge thereof, for intertwining integrally
into a braid of native hair of the wearer of the present hair
extension.
[0041] It is another object of the invention to provide such wefted
hair extensions in a base piece configuration, having the
attachment strands extending from the weft edge in a direction
opposite the strands of hair extending therefrom, and in an
alternative finishing piece wherein the attachment strands extend
from the weft in the same direction as the hair strands.
[0042] It is a further object of the invention to provide both base
and finishing piece hair weft extensions comprising a single wefted
row or edge, and also comprising multiple, overlapping weft rows or
edges to provide fuller and more dense hair in the extension.
[0043] Still another object of the invention is to provide methods
of installing and removing the above described wefted hair
extensions, into and from the native hair of the wearer.
[0044] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0045] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of a first embodiment of a
hair extension attachment according to the present invention,
comprising a base piece having a single weft edge with attachment
strands extending from the weft edge opposite to the direction of
the hair strands.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a partially constructed
alternate embodiment of the wefted hair extension of FIG. 1,
illustrating the overlapping assembly of a plurality of hair wefts
to form a fuller and more dense hair extension.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the head of a wearer of
the present hair extension invention, showing a first step in the
installation of a hair extension to the native hair of the
wearer.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIG. 3, showing the second step in the hair extension installation
of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIGS. 3 and 4, showing the third step in the installation of the
present hair extension.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIGS. 3 through 5, showing the fourth step in the present hair
extension installation.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIGS. 3 through 6, illustrating the final step in the installation
of the present hair extension, immediately before applying the
finishing piece and/or combing the wearer's native hair over the
completed hair extension installation.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of
the present hair extension attachment, comprising a finishing piece
having attachment strands extending from the weft edge in the same
direction as the hair strands, for installation along a hairline or
part line of the wearer.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of a partially constructed
alternate embodiment of the wefted hair extension finishing piece
of FIG. 8, illustrating the overlapping assembly of a plurality of
hair wefts to form a fuller and more dense hair extension.
[0055] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the head of a wearer
of the present hair extension invention, showing a first step in
the installation of the finishing piece hair extension of FIG. 8 to
the native hair of the wearer.
[0056] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIG. 10, showing the second step in the finishing piece hair
extension installation of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIGS. 10 and 11, showing the third step in the installation of the
present finishing piece hair extension of FIG. 8.
[0058] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the wearer's head of
FIGS. 10 through 12, illustrating the final step in the
installation of the present finishing piece hair extension, the
wearer's native hair combed over the completed hair extension
installation.
[0059] FIG. 14 is a flow chart which briefly describes the basic
steps in the method of installation and removal of the present hair
extension attachments.
[0060] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0061] The present invention comprises a series of embodiments of a
wefted hair extension, and methods of attaching and removing the
hair extensions of the present invention to and from the native
hair of a wearer of a hair extension. The present hair extensions
provide numerous advantages over conventional hair extension
attachment by hair weaving, as the present extensions include
attachment strands for braiding directly into the native hair of
the wearer at the time the braids are formed. This eliminates the
two step process required for hair weaving, wherein a braid(s) must
be formed, and then the hair extension(s) is/are attached to the
braid(s) in a subsequent operation. Moreover, removal of the
present hair extensions may be accomplished by the wearer by merely
unbraiding the braided hair to allow the attachment strands of the
hair extensions to separate from the unbraided hair. No tedious
cutting of attachment threads, removal of adhesives, etc., is
required with the present hair extensions.
[0062] FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a short section of a
first embodiment of the present hair extensions, designated as hair
extension 10. The hair extension 10 includes a large number of
individual hair strands 12 having free ends 14 and opposite weft
attachment ends 16. The weft attachment ends are bound together in
a single, continuous weft edge 18, which spans the extension 10
from a first end 20 to an opposite second end 22. The hair strands
12 extend essentially unidirectionally from the bound weft edge 18,
and generally form a somewhat planar sheath of hair.
[0063] While the extension 10 of FIG. 1 is illustrated as a
relatively short and narrow section, it should be noted that the
extension 10 and other hair extensions disclosed herein would
typically include hair strands having significantly greater length,
e.g., eight or more inches, and wefts having substantially greater
spans, e.g., thirty six to eighty four inches. Both the weft span
and hair length of such extensive hair extensions may be cut or
trimmed as desired. The relatively small and short extension 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, as well as other extensions
disclosed herein, are shown as relatively short and narrow sections
for clarity in the drawing Figs. The hair strands 12 used in the
construction of the present hair extensions are preferably natural
human hair. Such hair may be straight, as shown, or may be curled,
kinky, or have any other pattern or form as desired. Such natural
hair may retain its natural color, or may be dyed or otherwise
treated as desired. Alternatively, the hair strands 12 may be
formed of synthetic fibers, if so desired.
[0064] Rather than being sewn into braids formed in the wearer's
hair, as is conventional in hair weaving, the present hair
extension 10 and other hair extensions of the present invention
include a series of flexible attachment strands 24 extending
therefrom. The strands 24 have attachment ends 26 sewn or otherwise
permanently and securely attached to the weft edge 18 of the
extension 10, and opposite free ends 28. The attachment strands 24
may be formed of any suitable flexible material, so long as the
strand material is compatible with braiding integrally into the
native hair of the wearer. Preferably, a fabric covered elastic
material is used, but other elastic or inelastic strands, strings,
cords, filaments, natural or synthetic hair, etc. may be used to
form the attachment strands of any of the hair extension
embodiments of the present invention. In the hair extension
embodiment 10 of FIG. 1, the attachment strands 24 extend from the
weft 18 generally coplanar with the plane of the hair strands 12,
but in a direction opposite that of the hair strands 12, i.e., to
the other side of the weft 18 from the hair strands 12. Spacing of
the strands 24 is not critical, and single or multiple strands may
extend from each attachment point. The extension 10 may be
considered as a "base piece," configured for attachment to the
wearer's native hair at any suitable area thereof FIG. 2
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the wefted hair extension
10 of FIG. 1, in which a plurality of such extensions are sewn or
otherwise permanently secured together along their wefted edges to
form a multiple weft extension 30 having a fuller and more dense
fall or extension of hair. In FIG. 2, a series of wefted extensions
10a, 10b, and 10c, each substantially identical to the extension 10
of FIG. 1, are assembled together to form the multiple weft
extension 30, by sewing or stitching their respective wefts 18a,
18b, and 18c together along their entire lengths. (The multiple
weft extension 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 is incomplete, with the
final stitching of the wefts 18a, 18b, and 18c shown uncompleted at
the second ends thereof, in order to show clearly the three
distinct wefts employed in the manufacture of the multiple weft
extension 30.) The wefts 18a, 18b, and 18c are secured together in
an overlapping configuration, with the upper edge of the weft 18b
secured slightly below the upper edge of the weft 18a, and the
upper edge of the weft 1.8c secured slightly below the upper edge
of the weft 18b. The weft attachment ends 26 of the attachment
strands 24 are preferably secured between the first and second
wefts 18a and 18b, i.e., those wefts which are disposed closest to
the scalp of the wearer when the multiple weft extension 30 is
installed on the head of a wearer, and extend in a direction
opposite the hair strands 12a, 12b, and 12c, similarly to the
configuration of the single weft extension 10 of FIG. 1.
[0065] FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate the basic procedure in the
installation of the single weft extension 10 of FIG. 1, to the
native hair of a wearer of the device. In FIG. 3, first and second
parts P1 and P2 have been formed transversely across the back of
the head of a wearer W1 of the present hair extension 10, defining
a transverse line or row of braidable native hair H1 between a
lower area of native hair H2 and a higher area of native hair H3 of
the wearer W1. Again, it should be noted that typically the hair
strands 12 of the hair extension 10 will be considerably longer
than shown in FIG. 3. They are shown relatively short in the
drawing Figs., for clarity in the drawings. Similarly, the width of
the hair extension would be considerably greater as well, for
folding back and forth through the wearer's hair for installing
multiple rows of a single hair extension.
[0066] The wefted hair extension 10 is placed along the first part
line P1, immediately adjacent the row of the wearer's native hair
H1 to be braided, preferably before forming the second part line
P2. The first end 20 of the weft 18 is placed at the beginning of
the first part line P1, and the extension 10 is secured in its
proper position covering the lower hair area H2 of the wearer,
using bobby pins or other suitable temporary fasteners F, generally
as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The attachment strands 24 are
arranged to extend upwardly, across or over the braidable hair row
H1, generally as shown in FIG. 3. The attachment strands 24 are
then combed into the native hair H1 between the two part lines P1
and P2, generally as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
[0067] At this point, a braiding pattern is initiated in the row of
hair H1 between the two part lines P1 and P2, generally as shown in
FIG. 5 of the drawings. The wefted hair extension attachment
strands 24 which have been entrained in the braidable hair H1
during the combing step illustrated in FIG. 4, are braided
integrally with the hair H1 during this step in the process. In
FIG. 5, the braiding process has been started from the first end 20
of the hair extension 10, working from right to left across the
back of the head of the wearer W1 to form the beginning of a first
braid row B1. It should be noted that the initiation of the
braiding sequence from the right side is not required, and that any
braiding pattern may be used as desired, depending upon the
orientation of the part lines P1, P2, etc. which may be formed in
the hair of the wearer. The braiding is accomplished by dividing
the strands of the native hair H1 between the two part lines P1 and
P2 into three sections to form multiple fingers T1 of the wearer's
native hair, and then braiding these fingers T1 together, along
with the wefted extension attachment strands 24 as they are
encountered with their entrainment in the braiding hair H1 of the
wearer. A French braid may be formed, as shown, or some other type
of braid may be formed as desired. The braiding is formed to lie
immediately adjacent the scalp of the wearer, as is customary in
the hair weaving art. The type or style of braid formed is similar
to that known as "cornrow" braiding, in which a number of fine
braids are formed in parallel rows to lie immediately adjacent the
scalp of the wearer.
[0068] The above described method of attaching the present wefted
hair extensions to the native hair of a wearer may be terminated at
the completion of a single braided row, if so desired, generally as
shown in FIG. 5 with its abbreviated weft span. If additional hair
extensions are desired, separate lengths may be added by repeating
the process illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5 and described in
detail above. However, it is anticipated that the wefted hair
extension would normally be provided with a weft span considerably
greater than that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings.
Such wider weft spans would permit a single wefted extension to be
folded back and forth over itself in multiple rows, and secured to
the native hair of the wearer in a corresponding number of braid
rows.
[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates the formation of a second braid row B2,
in which a third part line P3 is formed to define another row of
braidable hair which has been braided to form the second braid row
B2 in FIG. 6. When the first braid row B1 has been completed, the
unfinished braid end is secured temporarily (e.g., bobby pin,
etc.). The remaining weft 18 is folded over the preceding part line
P2, and a new part line P3 is formed above the part line P2, which
is just above the lower first braid B1. Once the new row of
braidable hair has been formed, the new row of hair and attachment
strands are combed together. The adjacent weft attachment strands
24 are entrained into the braidable hair of the new row. The
unfinished end of the braid B1 is braided into the new row, along
with the next weft attachment strand 24 extending from the weft 18,
to begin the next braid row B2. Braiding continues as described
further above for the first braid row B1, with braiding of the
second braid row B2 working in the opposite direction to the
braiding of the first braid row B1.
[0070] It will be seen that the above described process may be
continued to form as many braided rows as desired, with a
corresponding number of hair extension weft rows secured thereto by
means of the attachment strands braided integrally therewith. The
completed braid rows, and hair extension weft rows, form a
relatively wide sinusoidal pattern back and forth over the scalp of
the wearer W1, generally as shown in the completed three row braid
and weft pattern illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The end of
the braid B3 may be secured with a small rubber band R or the like,
as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, to complete the operation and prevent
the braid from unraveling. Depending upon the length of the native
hair of wearer W1, the distal end of the native braid may extend
several inches beyond the base of the braid. Any remaining braid
end is tacked inwardly to lie flat into the part P5 between braid
rows B4 and B5, as shown in FIG. 12, and the braid end is secured
in place by a hair pin or the like.
[0071] Finally, the uppermost portion or area H3 of the native hair
of the wearer W1 is combed or brushed back and downwardly over the
single or multiple hair extension wefts or weft rows, to complete
the operation. When wefts are chosen which closely match the color
and texture of the wearer's native hair, or the wearer's hair is
treated to match the wefts, the result is the appearance of a full
and lush head of hair which is virtually undistinguishable from a
full head of native hair of the wearer. The multiple weft overlay
of the above process, provides an extremely full and dense hair
extension, and serves to completely conceal the underlying braids
and weft edges.
[0072] The above described process or operation is particularly
suitable for creating the appearance of a full head of hair over
the majority of the scalp or head, as desired. However, the
construction of the base weft extensions used above, with their
attachment strands extending opposite the hair which extends from
the bound weft edge, result in the attachment braid being deployed
somewhat above the weft. This may result in the attachment braid
and/or weft edge not being completely concealed, depending upon the
amount of native hair available for combing over the braid and weft
edge. The above base extension configuration may not be
particularly suitable for use along a hairline or along a part line
where no adjacent weft is installed, due to the lack of hair
available opposite the attachment braid for concealing the braid
and weft edge.
[0073] Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention
comprises a finishing extension piece, a first embodiment of which
is illustrated in FIG. 8 and designated as wefted hair extension
finishing piece 50. The finishing extension piece 50 of FIG. 8 has
a configuration substantially the same as that of the base
extension 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 7, excepting the
orientation of the attachment strands. The wefted hair extension 50
of FIG. 8 includes a large number of individual hair strands 52
having free ends 54 and opposite weft attachment ends 56. The weft
attachment ends are bound together in a single, continuous weft
edge 58, which spans the extension 50 from a first end 60 to an
opposite second end 62. The hair strands 52 extend essentially
unidirectionally from the bound weft edge 58, and generally form a
somewhat planar sheath of hair.
[0074] The difference between the base weft extension embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 3 through 7 is strictly in the orientation of the
attachment strands 64 extending therefrom. The attachment ends 66
of the attachment strands 64 are permanently secured (e.g.,
stitched, etc.) to the weft edge 58, just as in the base weft
extension 10. However, the attachment strands 64 of the hair weft
50 of FIG. 8 are oriented to extend in the opposite direction from
the attachment strands 24 of the weft 10, with the attachment
strands 64 extending in the same direction from the weft edge 58 as
the hair strands 52, and the main lengths and free ends 68 of the
attachment strands 64 lying in the same general plane as the hair
strands 52. This provides certain advantages in concealing the weft
edge and more particularly the braid, when the hair weft extension
embodiment 50 of FIG. 8 is used along a part line or hairline. This
process is illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 13, and explained in
detail further below. As in the case of the wefted hair extension
10 of FIGS. 1 and 3 through 7, the extension 50 of FIG. 8 is
illustrated as a relatively short and narrow element. It will be
understood that the hair strands 52 would normally have a
significantly greater length, and the weft edge 58 would normally
be supplied in a span of a few to several feet, to be cut or
trimmed to length as desired. Preferably, natural human hair is
used for forming the hair strands 52 of the hair weft 50 of FIG. 8,
with the hair being straight, curled, kinky, or in any other
pattern or form as desired. Such natural hair may retain its
natural color, or may be dyed or otherwise treated as desired.
Alternatively, the hair strands 52 may be formed of synthetic
fibers, if so desired.
[0075] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the wefted
hair extension 50 of FIG. 8, in which a plurality of such
extensions are sewn or otherwise permanently secured together along
their wefted edges to form a multiple weft extension 70 having a
fuller and more dense fall or extension of hair, in a manner
similar to the multiple weft hair extension 30 of FIG. 2. In FIG.
9, a series of wefted extensions 50a, 50b, and 50c, each
substantially identical to the extension 50 of FIG., 8, are
assembled together to form the multiple weft extension 70, by
sewing or stitching their respective wefts 58a, 58b, and 58c
together along their entire lengths. (The multiple weft extension
70, illustrated in FIG. 9 is incomplete, with the final stitching
of the wefts 58a, 58b, and 58c shown uncompleted at the second ends
thereof, in order to show clearly the three distinct wefts employed
in the manufacture of the multiple weft extension 70.) The wefts
58a, 58b, and 58c are secured together in the same manner as that
used for the assembly of the multiple weft extension 30 of FIG. 2,
i.e. in an overlapping configuration, with the upper edge of the
weft 58b secured slightly below the upper edge of the weft 58a, and
the upper edge of the weft 58c secured slightly below the upper
edge of the weft 58b. The weft attachment ends 66 of the attachment
strands 64 are preferably captured and secured at the point where
the first and second wefts 58a and 58b are sewn together, i.e., as
in the multiple weft embodiment 30 of FIG. 2. However, the
attachment strands 64 extend from the wefts 58a through 58c in the
same direction as the hair strands 52a, 52b, and 52c, similarly to
the configuration of the single weft finishing extension 50 of FIG.
8.
[0076] The process by which the wefted hair finishing extensions
are installed in the hair of a wearer is illustrated in FIGS. 10
through 13, and described in detail below. Initially, first and
second part lines P4 and P5 are formed transversely across the head
of a wearer W2 of the finishing hair extension 50, defining a
transverse line or row of braidable native hair H4. (The lower part
line P4 is concealed by the overlying and downwardly extending
braidable hair row H4, in FIG. 10.) The hair 52 of the wefted hair
finishing extension 50 is temporarily secured to the underlying,
forwardly and upwardly combed hair H5 of the wearer W2 by means of
bobby pins or other suitable fasteners F, as shown in FIG. 10. The
hair 52 of the finishing piece 50, as well as the attachment
strands 64, thus extend upwardly and forwardly over the native hair
H5 of the wearer W2 in FIG. 10, with the part line P5 separating
the weft edge 58 of the extension 50 from the row of braidable hair
H4 extending downwardly below the part line P5.
[0077] At this point, a braiding pattern is initiated in the row of
hair H4 between the two part lines P4 and P5, generally as shown in
FIG. 11 of the drawings. The wefted hair extension attachment
strands 64 which have been pulled down and entrained in the
braidable hair H4, are braided integrally with the hair H4 during
this step in the process. In FIG. 11, the braiding process has been
started from the first end of the hair extension 50, to the right
side of FIG. 11, working from right to left across the head of the
wearer W2 to form the beginning of a finishing piece braid row B5.
As in the case of the installation of the base piece hair extension
10 shown in FIGS. 3 through 7, the initiation of the braiding
sequence from the right side is not required, and any braiding
pattern may be used as desired, depending upon the orientation of
the part lines formed in the hair of the wearer. The braiding is
accomplished by dividing the strands of hair H4 between the two
part lines P4 and P5 into three sections to form multiple fingers
T2 of the wearer's native hair, and then braiding these fingers T2
together, along with the wefted extension attachment strands 64 as
they are encountered with their entrainment in the braiding hair H4
of the wearer. As noted in the description of the installation of
the base weft piece 10 further above, a French or other type of
braid may be used as desired, with the braiding lying immediately
adjacent the scalp of the wearer.
[0078] It will be noted in FIG. 11, that since the attachment
strands 64 of the finishing piece hair extension 50 extend in a
generally upwardly direction, in the same direction as the hair
strands 52 extending therefrom, that the braiding of these strands
64 into the fingers of native hair formed from the hair row H4
disposed below the weft edge 58 of the finishing piece 50, will
draw the strands 64 downwardly over and across the weft edge 58 as
the braid B5 is formed. This is shown by the first three strands 64
extending between the weft edge 58 and the completed portion of the
braid B5 to the right side of FIG. 11. The tension on the
attachment strands 64 will tend to pull or roll the weft edge 58
over to a certain extent, thereby lifting the attachment ends of
the hair strands 52 somewhat away from the head of the wearer W2,
somewhat as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0079] When the braid B5 (and others) has been completed, the
otherwise free end is secured by some means, e.g., by wrapping
tightly with a small rubber band R or the like, as shown in FIGS.
11 and 12 for the earlier completed braid B4 to which the base
extension piece 10 has been secured. At this point, the newly
secured weft edge 58 extends along and above the newly completed
braid B5. However, it is desired that the hair weft strands 52
extend downwardly and rearwardly (in the illustrated example), and
merely combing or brushing them over, would result in the hair weft
strands initially extending upwardly before folding back downwardly
over the head of the wearer W2. A much more natural disposition of
the wefted hair strands 52 is achieved by rolling or folding the
weft edge 58 of the finishing hair extension 50, over the top of
the newly completed braid B5. This also has the advantage of
concealing the braid B5 beneath the weft edge 58 of the finishing
extension 50, as is the purpose of the finishing extension piece
50. This step is shown in its partially completed phase in FIG. 12
of the drawings, with the right side of the weft edge span 58
having been rolled or folded to lie flat over the top of the
underlying braid B5, with the corresponding hair weft portion
extending naturally downwardly over the underlying wefted hair 12
of the previously installed base extension piece 10. The opposite,
left portion of the weft edge span 58 is shown in essentially the
same orientation as shown in the previous FIG. 11, to clearly show
the difference in orientation of the two weft edge span 58 end
portions and the process of rolling or folding the weft edge 58
over the top of the associated braid B5.
[0080] As in the case of the installation of the base hair
extension pieces 10 (or 30) described further above, the process
for the installation of the finishing pieces 50 (or 70) may be
continued to form as many braided rows as desired, with a
corresponding number of hair extension weft rows secured thereto by
means of the attachment strands braided integrally therewith. The
completed braid rows, and hair extension weft rows, may form a
relatively wide sinusoidal pattern back and forth over the scalp of
the wearer W1, or may alternatively be installed as a series of
separate wefted hair extension pieces in separate rows, if so
desired.
[0081] FIG. 13 depicts the end result of the above described hair
extensions and integral attachment strands, and methods of
installation. In FIG. 13, the weft edge 58 of the finishing weft
extension 50 has been completely folded over to completely conceal
the underlying braid B5 (not shown in FIG. 13). The base piece 10
installed immediately below the finishing piece 50, extends below
its respective attachment braid B4. The weft edges 18 and 58 of the
two hair extensions 10 and 50, as well as the attachment braid B4
for the base extension 10, are concealed by combing or brushing the
native hair H5 of the wearer W2 over the weft edges and braids,
generally as shown in FIG. 13.
[0082] FIG. 14 provides a flow chart briefly summarizing the steps
in the method of installation and removal of the present wefted
hair extensions and their attachment strands. All of the methods of
installing the various embodiments of the present wefted hair
extensions begin by forming a part line along the location of the
wearer's head where the hair extension is to be installed, and
temporarily securing the hair extension to the native hair adjacent
the part line, generally as indicated in the first step 100 of FIG.
14. After this has been accomplished, a second part line is formed
slightly removed from the first part line, with the two generally
parallel part lines defining a row of the wearer's native hair to
be braided, generally as indicated in the second step 102 of FIG.
14.
[0083] At this point, the attachment strands extending from the
weft edge of the hair extension, piece are combed into the native
hair to be braided, as indicated by the third step 104 of FIG. 14.
The native hair along the row between the part lines is
progressively braided from one end to the other, with the hair weft
attachment strands braided into the wearer's native hair during the
braiding operation to produce a composite braid row comprising the
wearer's native hair and the weft attachment strands, generally as
indicated by the fourth step 106 of FIG. 14. This process is
continued as desired, with subsequent parts being formed in the
wearer's hair and braiding the native hair and weft attachment
strands continuing until the desired result is achieved, generally
as indicated in the fifth step 108 of FIG. 14. Alternatively, a
series of separate braids and hair weft extensions may be installed
to overlap one another, if so desired.
[0084] Once the braiding and weft strand attachment operation has
been completed, the free end of the braid is secured to prevent
unraveling, generally as indicated by the sixth step 110 of FIG.
14. The result is an attractive hairstyle of full bodied hair which
is very difficult to tell from the wearer's natural hair, when the
present attachment procedure is performed by a skilled
practitioner. The present hair extensions and integral attachment
strands, and methods of attachment to the wearer's native hair,
allow the extensions to be secured in place to the wearer's native
hair simultaneously with the braiding operation, thus saving time
otherwise required in a subsequent operation to attach the hair
wefts after the native hair has been braided. An additional
advantage of the present hair weft attachments is that the
attachment of the wefts to the wearer's native hair is as secure as
the more time consuming sewing methods, and more substantially
secure than the adhesive or mechanical hair attachment methods. The
present hair extensions and attachment methods allow the
supplemental wefted hair to be worn for up to several weeks at a
time, with only normal care (shampooing, brushing, etc.) being
required, just as in the case of the wearer's native hair. The
wearer of the present hair extensions can swim, change hair styles,
wash and otherwise care for their hair, and in general treat their
supplemental hair extensions in the same manner as they would their
native hair, yet the installation is quite cost effective, due to
the labor savings involved.
[0085] When the wearer desires to remove or replace the wefted hair
extensions of the present invention, it is only necessary to remove
the small band or other component securing the distal end of the
braid(s), and unravel the braid(s). The attachment strands of the
hair extensions will automatically separate from the braided
strands or fingers of the wearer's native hair, as the braid(s)
become(s) unraveled. This operation may be quickly and easily
accomplished by the wearer of the present hair extensions without
need for additional professional care or assistance, as is required
where hair extensions are sewn or otherwise mechanically or
adhesively fastened to the wearer's native hair. Removal of the
present hair extensions requires only on the order of thirty
minutes or so to accomplish, thus resulting in a relatively minor
expenditure even if the wearer decides to have a professional
remove the hair extensions.
[0086] Accordingly, the present hair extension attachments and
attachment methods will provide the wearer with considerably more
freedom in the care and treatment of their supplemental hair, as
well as considerably more options for changing styles as desired.
The economy provided by the present hair extensions and attachment
methods, as well as the security and longevity of installation,
enable the wearer to visit a hair professional more regularly than
might be the case with more time and labor intensive supplemental
hair procedures, thus allowing the wearer the option of economizing
through the time and labor saved, or enjoying greater freedom to
change hairstyles more frequently if so desired. Whatever the
desires of the wearer, the present hair extension attachments will
be greatly appreciated by anyone who has occasion to install
supplemental hair extensions in their native hair, whatever the
reason may be.
[0087] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *
References