U.S. patent application number 10/790407 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for instant hair extention and method for attachment.
Invention is credited to Watts, Teresa Yvette.
Application Number | 20050194015 10/790407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34911537 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050194015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watts, Teresa Yvette |
September 8, 2005 |
Instant hair extention and method for attachment
Abstract
An improved hair extension having snap-lock attaching clips
useful for instantly attaching or detaching the hair extension or
track to the wearer's natural hair. The hair extension comprises 2
to 3 layers of human or synthetic hair tracks sewn together to
create one thicker layer and 3 snap-lock clips, all sewn onto the
base of the lead extension along the top inside edge. The wearer
can quickly and easily apply the extension to their natural hair
with the confidence of a firm and secure grip and enjoy the
appearance of fuller, longer, more natural looking hair, while
maintaining a completely unnoticeable appearance to the
on-looker.
Inventors: |
Watts, Teresa Yvette;
(Anchorage, AK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Teresa Y. Watts
P.O. Box 91702
Anchorage
AK
99509
US
|
Family ID: |
34911537 |
Appl. No.: |
10/790407 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/0073
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/053 |
International
Class: |
A41G 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An instant, self-applicable hair extension or track, useful for
adding human hair to a persons natural hair, said extension
comprising, (a) multiple layers of hair tracks and snap-lock
attaching clips useful for attaching the hair extension to a
wearer's natural hair, (b) said hair extension defined in claim 1
has single layers of human or synthetic hair tracks sewn together
at the base or manufactured seam, to create one fuller track, (c)
said hair extension base or seam is flexible and works
simultaneously with the base of the snap-lock clips at the point in
which they are sewn together.
2. The snap-lock attaching clips defined in claim 1 are sewn onto
the base of the hair track along the top inside edge, the clips are
useful for enabling the wearer to instantly and firmly attach or
detach the extension to their natural hair, (a) said clips defined
in claim 2 are typically formed of a thin metal having a slightly
curved base with small holes through the bar of the base, these
holes are useful for sewing the clips onto the base of the hair
tracks along the top inside edge, (b) said clip defined in claim 2
has a resilient coated clamping bar extending slightly above the
base bar and a single row of small comb-like teeth also having a
resilient coating on the free ends of the teeth, useful for sliding
the extension onto the wearer's natural hair and firmly locking it
in place, (c) said clip defined in claim 2 is in the open position
when the base is pressed forward causing the comb-like teeth to
expand and move slightly forward and away from the clamping bar,
when the clip is pressed in the opposite direction or in the closed
position, the comb-like teeth converge and snap over-center,
pressing the teeth firmly against the clamping bar, this allows the
instant hair extension to be snap-locked and firmly grip onto the
wearer's natural hair.
3. When the instant hair extension is properly applied the wearer
is able to comb or brush a portion of their natural hair onto the
hair extension, repeating this process for as many layers as are
desired, this method produces a completely natural and
inconspicuous appearance to the on-looker while promoting freer
flowing hair.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to hair extensions and method of
attachment, more specifically to an instant self-applicable means
of firmly and inconspicuously securing hair extensions to a
person's natural hair.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Simplicity, convenience, and versatility are very important
elements in today's society. Time is of the essence and concern
over personal appearance is practically a universal trait, with
style and the appearance of the hair being a vital aspect of this
concern.
[0005] Many people both men and women dream of having long, thick,
and healthy hair, but unfortunately few can grow their hair past a
certain length or volume. As a result, hair extensions have become
extremely popular, not only to aid those interested in altering the
length, volume and or color of their hair, but also to serve as an
alternate for hair loss.
[0006] Although exotic methods and techniques such as hair
transplants, surgically implanted hairpieces, medications, etc. are
available, they are nonetheless costly and inconvenient.
[0007] More practical methods have been proposed to attach hair
extensions to a person's natural hair through various processes
such as, bonding, fusion, loose-end-braiding, etc. However, a
process commonly known in the prior art as hair weaving, has by far
become the most popular hair extension method to date. This method
consists of attaching switches, locks or tracks of human or
synthetic hair onto a person's natural hair, then blending and
concealing the artificial hair with the person's natural hair.
Consumers somewhat object to these methods because they are
expensive and extremely time consuming and even worse, there is
tremendous damage to a person's natural hair during the removal of
these techniques.
[0008] Examples of such hairpieces and methods are illustrated in
the following Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,380 divulges a hairpiece
formed of an elongated thin flexible member with strands of hair
sewn or braided thereto, to use this device one must sew a
plurality of hairpieces through plaits on a wearer's head using a
needle or a similar device.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,029 divulges a hairpiece comprising a
plurality of individual hairs adjustably secured about an endless
circular filament or filaments to be placed on the head whereby the
filaments encircle the upper forward portion of the head beneath
and above layers of a wearer's natural hair, the hairpiece being
sandwiched between.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,761 divulges a means for the attachment
of extensions or wefts of hair to existing hair of a person by
gathering the natural hair together in small clumps, a crimped
anchor device is connected to each clump of hair, positioned along
the wearer's hair near the top and sewn to the clumps of natural
hair using a needle and thread to secure it.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,986 divulges a hair locking process with
a device consisting of a flexible material with rings woven in to
the hairpiece forming a flat braid, a weft of hair with rings,
communicate with the rings in the flat braid, which correspond with
rings on a weft of hair, and tightly lock together with needle and
thread.
[0012] As fitting as the above cited prior arts may appear they
have not proven entirely satisfactory and for various reasons still
hold some disadvantages. For example, the user alone could not
easily apply or remove many of the abovementioned devices and
techniques even with the aide of a professional hairdresser or
weaver, without causing undesired damage to their natural hair.
[0013] In most cases there is an obvious bulk in the location where
the artificial hairpiece is attached which can cause an unnatural
appearance to the on-looker, thus causing the wearer to feel a bit
self-conscious when wearing the hairpiece in public.
[0014] Furthermore the arrangement for attaching these devices have
often been deficient in allowing the person to wear the hairpiece
for an extended period of time, particularly during sleep, while
swimming, or in a more practical sense taking a shower, without
causing the hair extension to lose it's natural texture and shape.
Thus greatly reducing the life of the human hair and more so that
of the synthetic.
[0015] U.S. Pub. No. 2003/0159705, attempts to alleviate this
problem, creating an elongated carrier strand and means at each end
portion for attaching and detaching the strands to the wearer's
head with hair switches each folded and tied to form a loop at one
end, a support ring linked through the closed loop, a second
carrier ring supporting the first two to provide a freely moving
chain-link to support the switches on the strand.
[0016] Though this method may permit a means for the wearer to
apply the extension to their natural hair without assistance, it
nevertheless creates a few problems. For example, the means for
attaching the hairpiece to a person's head are located at each end
of the carrier strand, leaving no support for the middle section.
Thus through forces generated either by the weight of the hairpiece
itself or by the wearer combing or brushing their natural hair onto
the switches of the hairpiece, there is great risk of snagging the
carrier strand and forcing the attachment devices to pull away from
the wearer's hair. This can cause the natural hair strands that
were used to support the hairpiece to be severed from the wearer's
scalp, thus resulting in instant damage to the wearer's natural
hair.
[0017] Moreover, the switches are supported at spaced intervals
along the carrier strand and connected by means of two individual
rings interlocked using thread, or the like. These switches can
easily be disconnected from the carrier strand as the wearer combs
or brushes their natural hair onto the switches of the hairpiece,
thus damaging the hairpiece and ultimately result in regular
replacements of the hairpiece on the part of the wearer.
[0018] In spite of great efforts to devise an effective means for
attaching extensions to one's existing hair while maintaining a
natural appearance and making the application of the extension
affordable, self-applicable, quick and convenient, there has yet to
be a satisfactory design fashioned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] My invention relates to an improved instant hair extension
and its method of use. It is a particular object of this invention
to provide a quick, convenient, and self-applicable means of firmly
securing human hair extensions, also known in the hair weaving art
as tracks, to a person's natural hair and yet maintain the most
inconspicuous and natural appearance to the on-looker.
[0020] It is another object of this invention to eliminate the
time, effort, expenses, and inconveniences of obtaining a
professional hair weave which will be described subsequently in
greater detail.
[0021] It is yet another object of this invention to provide
comfort security, and satisfaction to the wearer, as the wearer
them self is able to: (1) "Instantly" attach and detach human hair
extensions to their natural hair in just seconds. (2) Exercise
versatility and creativity as they style their natural hair,
blended and concealed with the hair extensions as desired, devoid
of damage to either. (3) Obtain the appearance of a professionally
applied hair weave, without the extreme costs and inconveniences
associated with this highly preferred art.
[0022] Still another object of this invention is that the hair
extension can be instantly and securely attached to a person
natural hair while providing an inconspicuous appearance of fuller,
longer, more natural looking hair.
[0023] To accomplish this, my invention generally comprises a
detachable hair extension including two or more single layers of
human or synthetic hair, known in the art of hair weaving as
tracks. The single layer tracks are relatively thin and as a result
are sewn together at the base to create the appearance of one
fuller track. Added to the sewn tracks of hair are three snap-lock
attaching clips with small comb-like teeth that rest firmly against
a clamping bar when the clip is in it's closed and locked position.
The clips are sewn onto the base of the hair track at three points.
(a) The center point (b) The far left end point and (c) The far
right end point, along the top inner edge as shown in FIG. 4 of the
illustrations.
[0024] It is a specific object of this invention that the wearer is
able to successfully apply the instant hair extension completely
free of assistance, by following a five-step process:
[0025] (1) Part the hair in a straight line as shown in the
illustration FIG. 5-A.
[0026] (2) Snap the clips to the open position as seen in
illustration FIG. 3-A.
[0027] (3) Insert the clips near the root of the wearer's natural
hair with the teeth pointing downward along the scalp beginning
with the center clip.
[0028] (4) Once in place each clip can be snapped closed which
cause the comb-like teeth to grip firmly onto the wearer's existing
hair, locking it in place, refer to FIG. 5-B.
[0029] (5) The wearer can then comb or brush a portion of their
existing hair over the applied hair extension, repeating this
process for as many layers as are desired. This method will permit
a natural looking blend with the wearer's hair, and facilitate
freer flowing hair.
[0030] It is a more specific object of this invention to assure
that when the hair extension is applied properly, it will lie flat
to the wearer's scalp as shown in FIG. 5-B, thus eliminating the
appearance of bulk, which make added hair extensions appear
unnatural to the on-looker as aforementioned concerning the prior
arts.
[0031] It is another object of this invention that the hair
extension can only be removed from the wearer's existing hair by
snapping the firmly gripped clips to the open position as shown in
FIG. 3-A, thus unlocking them, then lifting them off of the
wearer's hair in an upward direction. As a result the wearer,
without cutting or damaging their natural hair can easily and
readily remove the extensions at will. Doing so will preserve the
life of the hair extension and will ultimately prove to be a
positive economic investment on the part of the wearer.
[0032] It is yet another object of this invention that the
snap-lock and grip method assures that the wearer can be confident
as they wear the instant hair extension in public. Because the
extensions are firmly and securely fastened to the wearer's natural
hair, regardless of the force generated either by the wearer, the
weight of the extension itself, or by outside forces, the extension
will maintain a firm grip to the wearer's own hair.
[0033] It is a further object of this invention to provide the
wearer with the capacity to exercise personal style and versatility
by enabling them to select various colors, textures and lengths to
match one or more characteristics of the wearer's own hair.
[0034] It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a
new, improved, instant hair extension (hair weave) method which has
many of the advantages of the prior art hairpieces mentioned above
and many novel features that result in a durable, versatile,
reliable, and easily self-applied human hair extension which is not
anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of
the prior art hairpieces, either alone or in any combination
thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Referring now to the illustrations in detail. The foregoing
and other features and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the detailed descriptions contained herein below.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a plain front view of the hair extension complete
and ready for use.
[0037] FIG. 2 a three-part illustration of the thin, single layer
tracks in position to be sewn together to create one fuller track
resulting in the plain view of FIG. 1. This process will be
described subsequently in greater detail. A portion is broken away
for ease of illustration.
[0038] FIG. 3 a plain view of the snap-lock clip used as the device
for attaching the hair extension to the wearer's natural hair.
[0039] FIG. 3-A an isometric view of the snap-lock clip in its open
position.
[0040] FIG. 3-B an isometric view of the snap-lock clip in its
closed and locked position.
[0041] FIG. 4 a detailed back view of the hair extension with the
tracks sewn together and the snap-lock clips sewn along the top
edge of the hair track. This view is therefore the reverse side of
the plain front view in FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 5-A. is a perspective view showing the preparation of a
wearer's hair for application of the hair extension or track. This
process will be described subsequently in greater detail.
[0043] FIG. 5-B is a perspective view of the hair extension
properly attached to the wearer's natural hair. This process will
be described subsequently in greater detail.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0044] 06 complete hair extension or track
[0045] 07 hair track body
[0046] 08 lead track base
[0047] 09 second track
[0048] 010 third track
[0049] 011 snap-lock clip
[0050] 012 clip base
[0051] 013 clip base holes
[0052] 014 clamping bar
[0053] 015 comb-like teeth
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Referring now to the illustrations in detail, an instant
hair extension also referred to as hair track, having snap-lock
clips useful for attaching the instant hair firmly to the natural
hair of a wearer. Descriptions will refer specifically to FIGS. 1
through 5-B with additional reference to numbers, 06 through
015.
[0055] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the instant hair extension or
track 06, complete and ready for use. The base 08 of the hair
extension appears flat with only one obvious seam, this being the
lead track and the foundation for the attaching clips 011 and
additional tracks 09 and 010. From this view there are no obvious
signs of the inside attachments. The body 07 of the extension
consists of multiple single layer tracks, average two to three,
which have been sewn together to make the track fuller. This
process will be described subsequently in greater detail.
[0056] FIG. 2 is an illustration of three single layers of the hair
tracks 06 in position to be sewn together to make the hair
extension fuller, yet still appear as one. A portion is broken away
for ease of illustration and (the white dots in the upper left
corners of each track are for illustration purposes only and form
no part of the claimed invention). The first of the single layer
tracks is the lead track 06, which is the foundation for the
additional tracks and the snap-lock clips 011. The lead track 06 is
cut at the base 08, (also referred to as the seam) in various
widths ranging from 3 to 14 inches. These various widths enable the
tracks to be placed in different locations throughout the wearer's
natural hair. The second track, 09 is cut approximately 1 inch
shorter than the lead track 06 and is sewn onto the lead track
towards the bottom edge of its base 08 or manufactured seam. It is
sewn approximately one-half inch away from either end of the lead
track. This method allows the lead track 06 to maintain a flat
contour after the additional tracks and clips 011 have been added.
The third and final track 010 is cut and applied to the second
track 09 in the same manner that the second track is to the lead
track 06. The three individual tracks ultimately become one fuller
track, as shown in the plain front view of FIG. 1 of the
illustrations.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a detailed plain view of the snap-lock clip 011
used on the hair extension 06 to attach the extension to a wearer's
existing hair. The clip 011 is typically formed of a thin metal
having a slightly curved base bar 012, with small holes 013,
throughout. The holes 013 at the base of the clip 011 are useful
for connecting the clip 011 to the top inner edge of the lead track
06, along it's base 08. A resilient coated clamping bar 014 extends
slightly above the clip base bar 012 with a single row of small
comb-like teeth 015 also having a resilient coating on the free
ends thereof. When the center of the clip 011 is pressed forward at
the base 012 it causes the clip to bend backwards, allowing the
comb-like teeth 015 to expand and move slightly forward and away
from the clamping bar 014. Refer to FIG. 3-A. This allows the clip
011 to be attached to the wearer's existing hair. However, when the
clip 011 is pressed in the opposite direction, it causes the teeth
015 to converge and snap over-center, pressing them firmly against
the clamping bar 014. Refer to FIG. 3-B. This allows the instant
hair extension 06 to be snap-locked and firmly grip onto the
wearer's existing hair. To remove the clip 011 the wearer must
press the clip to its open position FIG. 3-A and lift it off of
their natural hair in an upward direction.
[0058] FIG. 3-A is the isometric view of the clip 011 in the open
position, the base 012 is pressed forward causing the comb-like
teeth 015 to expand and move slightly forward and away from the
clamping bar 014.
[0059] FIG. 3-B is the isometric view of the clip 011 in the closed
and locked position the clip base 012 is pressed in the opposite
direction of the description in FIG. 3-A or in the closed position,
the comb-like teeth 015 converge and snap over-center, causing them
to press firmly against the clamping bar 014, this allows the hair
extension to be snap-locked and firmly grip onto the wearer's
natural hair.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a plain back view of the hair extension 06. This
is the reverse side of the view in FIG. 1. After the single layer
tracks have been sewn together, as described in the detailed
description of FIG. 2, the snap-lock clips 011 are sewn onto the
hair track base 08. The clips 011 are sewn along the top inside
edge of the lead track base 08 and positioned so that the comb-like
teeth 015 are pointing away from the track base 08. This process
allows the clip 011 to be opened and closed with ease, as the lead
track base 08 becomes one with the clip base 012 resulting in the
two working together simultaneously.
[0061] FIG. 5-A is a perspective view of a wearer with the hair
parted and prepared for the hair extension or track to be placed on
the bottom portion thereof. The snap-lock clips 011 should be
inserted near the root of the wearer's natural hair with the teeth
015 pointing downward along the scalp, beginning with the center
clip 011 then proceeding with the end clips. The wearer can then
comb or brush a portion of their natural hair over the hair
extension, repeating this process for as many layers as are
desired. This method will permit a more natural looking blend with
the wearer's natural hair, while facilitating freer flowing hair.
(The sketch of the human form is for illustrative purposes only and
forms no part of the claimed invention).
[0062] FIG. 5-B. is a perspective view of the wearer with the hair
extension 06 applied. The extension is firmly attached to the
bottom portion of the wearer's existing hair with no evidence of
the added layers or the snap-lock clips, which are sewn along the
top inside edge as described in the detailed illustration of FIG.
4. Therefore the end result of the hair extension having been
properly applied to the wearer's natural hair is represented in
this illustration. (The sketch of the human form is for
illustrative purposes only and forms no part of the claimed
invention).
[0063] Other and more specific objects of the present invention
have been disclosed and described and should be apparent that the
invention is not so limited, but is intended to cover all
embodiments which would be obvious to one skilled in the art and
which come within the spirit and scope of the invention. Though the
descriptions above contain many specifics, these should not be
interpreted as restricting the scope of the invention but as merely
providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred
embodiments of this invention. For example, the hair extension can
be made up of human or synthetic hair and can come in a variety of
colors, lengths, textures, etc. Thus the scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *