Multi-clip for attaching an artificial hair piece to a person's natural hair

Abstract

An apparatus for removably affixing an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair includes a first member. A second member is connected to the first member. The second member and the first member form a first space for removably affixing an artificial hair piece. A third member is connected to the second member. The third member and the second member form a second space for removably affixing the apparatus to the wearer's hair.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/626,193, filed Nov. 9, 2004, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to hair clips and, more specifically, to multi-clip for attaching or affixing an artificial hair piece to a person's natural hair.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Traditional hair clips, such as barrettes, may be worn to achieve a desired hair style by clipping a wearer's hair into a desired position. These hair clips commonly comprise a top arch and a hinged bottom arch that may be locked in place with the desired hair locked between the top and bottom arch. Other forms of hair clips utilize opposable sides or jaws that meet in the middle, often under a spring loaded force. Such hair clips may have one or more sets of teeth to hold a portion of the user's hair in place.

[0006] Artificial hair pieces have been used to augment the wearer's natural hair. Examples of artificial hair pieces include, but are not limited to, ponytails, falls, pigtails, ratails, braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, hair extensions, hair weaves, and any other piece of natural or synthetic hair, and any decorative item such as beads, ribbons, etc., and any other decorative item worn in or on a person's hair. Artificial hair pieces may be difficult and time consuming to properly place and often require the services of a professional hair stylist.

[0007] Artificial hair pieces integrated with hair clips may be prefabricated. For example, an artificial hair piece may be affixed to a hair clip using a permanent adhesive. Common examples of hair clips with integrated artificial hair pieces include artificial hair pieces sewn or otherwise permanently attached to a hair clip, banana clip, comb or drawstring pouch. Such artificial hair piece/hair clip combinations suffer from a lack of versatility as the wearer must use the same hair clip every time the user chooses to use the artificial hair piece. Additionally, such arrangements may require maneuvering and adjustment to sit correctly, comfortably and properly blend in with the user's own hair.

[0008] It is therefore desirable to use a hairclip that can easily and removably attach an artificial hair piece to the wearer's natural hair and provide the user with the versatility to mix and match hair clips with artificial hair pieces.

SUMMARY

[0009] An apparatus for removably affixing an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair includes a first member. A second member is connected to the first member. The second member and the first member form a first space for removably affixing an artificial hair piece. A third member is connected to the second member. The third member and the second member form a second space for removably affixing the apparatus to the wearer's hair.

[0010] A method for clipping an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair includes grasping or containing a detachable artificial hair piece between a first member and a second member. All or a portion of the wearer's hair is grasped between the second member and a third member.

[0011] A method for applying a clip for removably attaching an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair includes placing the artificial hair piece between a first member of the clip and a second member of the clip. The clip is positioned on the wearer's head such that same of the wearer's hair extends between the second member of the clip and a third member of the clip. The third member of the clip is locked to the first member of the clip such that the artificial hair piece is held between the first member of the clip and the second member of the clip and some of the wearer's hair is held between the third member of the clip and the second member of the clip.

[0012] An apparatus for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair to artificial hair or natural hair includes a first member, a second member connected to the first member, the second member and the first member forming a first space for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair, a third member connected to the second member, the third member and the second member forming a second space for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a planar view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 shows perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of one example the clasp-of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for sake of clarity. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention may utilize multiple hinged members for the clasping of a wearer's natural hair between a combination of two of the hinged members and for the clasping of an artificial hair piece between a combination of two of the hinged members.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention may serve a dual purpose, functioning both as a clip for attaching artificial hair to a wearer's natural hair thereby increasing hair length and fullness, and/or as a regular barrette to keep the wearer's natural hair in a desired position.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention may therefore be used as a standard hairclip for the fashioning of a wearer's natural hair and/or as a means of attaching an artificial hair piece such as, for example, an artificial ponytail or artificial hair extensions to the wearer's natural hair. It is a feature of the present invention that the artificial hair piece is easily detachable and readily interchanged with other artificial hair pieces so that various artificial hair pieces may be freely mixed and matched.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-clip 10 may comprise a top member 11. The top member 11 may be curved and/or flat. The top member 11 may include one or more teeth 12 to facilitate the clasping the artificial hair piece. According to one embodiment of the present invention, there may be two rows of teeth 12, for example, five teeth on each row. The teeth 12 may run the whole length of the top member 11. Alternatively, the top member 11 may be without teeth.

[0025] One or more middle members 17 may be connected to the top member 11, for example at a hinge 13. The hinge 13 may have a metal pin acting as an axis of rotation for the members that are connected to it. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a single middle member 17 may be used in conjunction with a single hinge for the middle and bottom members. Alternatively, the middle member and bottom member can each use their own hinge. The artificial hair piece may be removably affixed or clipped between the bottom face of the top member 11 and the top face of the middle member 17 such that, for example, the artificial hair is grasped by the teeth 12 of the top member 11 and thus held in place. A proximal end of the middle member 17 may be attached to the top member 11 at the hinge 13. A distal end of the middle member 17 may clasp with the top member 11 or may simply be held in place by friction of a lower member 14 as it locks into place. Alternatively, the distal end of the middle member 17 may engage with a slot in the bottom face of the top member 11.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the middle member 17 may act as a guard holding the artificial hair piece in place and may prevent it from slipping. The top face of the middle member 17 may optionally have one or more teeth, ridges, bumps (not shown) or some other means of increased friction. The bottom face of the middle member 17 may have one or more teeth, ridges, bumps (18) or some other means of increased friction. For example, the bottom face of the middle member 17 may have a plurality, for example 7, short, wide, and blunt ridges that act to minimize slip. A center area of the middle member 17, for example, the area comprising the ridges, may be bowed down in the direction of the bottom member 14 to further maximize friction.

[0027] The bottom face of the middle member may act to clasp the wearer's natural hair, for example, in association with a top face of a bottom member 14. Alternatively, there may be two middle members, a first middle member pushing up against the top member 11 to secure the artificial hair piece and a second middle member pushing down against the bottom member 14 to secure the wearer's natural hair.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the teeth 12 of the top member 11 may be long enough to engage with the wearer's natural hair thereby providing increased friction for the clasping of the artificial hair piece and/or the wearer's natural hair. Moreover, the top member 11 may be wider than the middle member(s) 17 and/or the bottom member 14 so that the middle member(s) 17 and the bottom member 14 may remain hidden from view. The top member 11 may be decorated, colored, shaped, adorned, and/or molded to enhance style.

[0029] The bottom member 14 may be connected to the top member 11 and/or the middle member(s) 17, for example, the proximal end of the bottom member 14 may be connected at the hinge 13. The distal end of the bottom member 14 may interlock with the top member 11, for example using an engaging clasp or another form of interlock 16. The bottom member 14, for example, at the center, may bow downwards, for example, such that a groove or half-moon shape is formed between the middle member 17 and the bottom member 14.

[0030] The top face of the bottom member, for example, at the center, may have one or more teeth, ridges, bumps or some other means of increased friction. For example, the top face of the bottom member may have, at the center, one or more, for example 5, sharp teeth 15. The teeth may be, for example, 1/4 of an inch in length.

[0031] The space between the middle member 17 and the bottom member 14 may be used to secure the wearer's natural hair, for example, when in a ponytail. Thus the anti-slip portion 18 of the middle member 17 and the groove with teeth 15 in the bottom member 14 may serve to hold and grip the wearer's natural ponytail. The multi-clip may therefore be used as a barrette to style the wearer's natural hair and/or to hold the artificial hair piece in place.

[0032] While the multi-clip 10 may be made to any size to accommodate large or small artificial hair pieces, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-clip 10 may measure 13/4 inches at its widest part and 4 inches at its longest part. The 3 members 11, 17 and 14 may divide the multi-clip 10 into two compartments--a top compartment between the bottom face of the top member 11 and the top face of the middle member 17 and a bottom compartment between the bottom face of the middle member 17 and the top face of the bottom member 14.

[0033] The top compartment may hold the artificial hair piece. The top member may be shaped like an arc and may measure 51/2 inches long, one inch wide and may have 5 sets of 2 teeth on its bottom face. The middle 3 sets of teeth may measure 7/8 of an inch. The outer two sets of teeth closest tot he hinge and clasp may measure 3/4 inch. Each set of teeth may be 3/4 of an inch apart.

[0034] The middle member may be the slimmest of the three members. It may be of a wave shape, dipping gently in the middle. The middle member may be 31/2 inch in length and 3/7 inch wide. The middle member may be able to flex upwards and/or downwards to securely accommodate a varying amount of natural hair and/or different sized artificial hair pieces.

[0035] The bottom compartment may measure 5/8 inch at its widest and 3/8 inch at its narrowest point. The bottom member may be wave shaped with a dip in the middle that may be steeper than the dip in the middle of the middle member. The dip of the bottom member may have 5 short, sharp teeth. The anti-slip/grip part of the middle member and the teeth of the bottom member may serve to hold the wearer's natural hair in place within the bottom compartment.

[0036] The teeth on the top member, the anti-slip/grip on the middle member, the teeth in the grove of the bottom member and the clasp may serve to hold the multi-clip in place.

[0037] The clasp may comprise, for example, a square protrusion located at the distal end of the top member. A tab with a square hole may be attached to the bottom member and may interlock with the square protrusion when the clasp is closed.

[0038] The multi-clasp may be used to affix an artificial hair piece such as an artificial ponytail to the wearer's natural hair as follows: The wearer's hair may first be pulled back into a tight ponytail and held in place, for example, using an elastic band, piece of natural or artificial hair. The artificial hair may be, for example, a hair weave or hair extension of any length. The multi-clip may be held upside-down and open as one side of the artificial hair piece is placed in the arch of the top member between the teeth. The teeth may hold the artificial hair piece in place.

[0039] The middle member may act as a retaining bar or guard as it is closed over the artificial hair piece and engages into the grove. The clip may then be positioned onto the wearer's head as the natural hair of the wearer is slipped in place. The teeth of the top member may engage the hair in front of the elastic band so that the wearer's ponytail is securely in the grove of the bottom member, allowing the clasp to close. The clasp may be closed by gently depressing the top member and allowing the square protrusion of the top member to engage the tab of the bottom member. With the clasp in place, the artificial hair may cover the wearer's natural hair.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a planar view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows perspective view of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of one example the clasp of the multi-clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. Any clasping and/or interlocking mechanism may be used. According to this example, the top member 11 may have a protrusion 19. The protrusion may be any shape, for example, it may be rectangular. The protrusion 19 may interlock with a tab 20 that is attached to the bottom member 14. The tab 20 may have a hole that is shaped to accommodate and securely hold the protrusion 19 when it is in the closed position.

[0042] Multi-clips according to embodiments of the present invention may also be used to affix artificial hair to artificial hair, for example, to affix an artificial ponytail to a wig. Similarly, embodiments of the present invention may be used to affix natural hair to natural hair, for example one segment of a wearer's natural hair to another segment of the wearer's natural hair.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably affixing an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair, comprising: a first member; a second member connected to the first member, the second member and the first member forming a first space for removably affixing the artificial hair piece; a third member connected to the second member, the third member and the second member forming a second space for removably affixing the apparatus to the wearer's hair.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more teeth are attached to the first member pointing down in the direction of the third member, the one or more teeth for facilitating the containment of the artificial hair piece.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more teeth are arranged in two rows positioned along the lengthwise sides of the first member such that when the system is in a closed position, teeth are not obstructed by the second member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member is curved or straight.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more teeth, ridges, bumps or area of increased friction is attached to the bottom surface of the third member to facilitate the grasping of the wearer's hair.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the second member bows down in the direction of the third member for facilitating the grasping of the wearer's hair.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third member interlocks with the first member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third member interlocks with the first member by a clasp that is located on one end of the first member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more teeth, ridges, bumps or area of increased friction is attached to the top face of the third member for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the third member bows down for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

11. A method for clipping a detachable artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair, comprising: grasping or containing the detachable artificial hair piece between a first member and a second member; and grasping all or a portion of the wearer's hair between the second member and a third member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more teeth are attached to the first member pointing down in the direction of the third member, the one or more teeth for facilitating the grasping or containment of the artificial hair piece.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more teeth are arranged in two rows positioned along the lengthwise sides of the first member such that when the system is in a closed position, teeth are not obstructed by the second member.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first member is curved or straight.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more teeth, ridges, bumps or area of increased friction is attached to the bottom surface of the second member for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least a section of the second member bows down in the direction of the third member for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the third member interlocks with the first member.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the third member interlocks with the first member by a clasp on one end of the first member.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more teeth, ridges, bumps or area of increased friction is attached to the top face of the third member for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein at least a section of the third member bows down for facilitating the grasping or containment of the wearer's hair.

21. A method for applying a clip for removably attaching an artificial hair piece to a wearer's hair, comprising: placing the artificial hair piece between a first member of the clip and a second member of the clip; positioning the clip on the wearer's head such that same of the wearer's hair extends between the second member of the clip and a third member of the clip; and locking the third member of the clip to the first member of the clip such that the artificial hair piece is held between the first member of the clip and the second member of the clip and some of the wearer's hair is held between the third member of the clip and the second member of the clip.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus may be used to keep the wearer's natural hair in a desired position without the use of an artificial hair piece.

23. An apparatus for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair to artificial hair or natural hair, comprising: a first member; a second member connected to the first member, the second member and the first member forming a first space for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair; a third member connected to the second member, the third member and the second member forming a second space for removably affixing artificial hair or natural hair.