U.S. patent application number 11/330026 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for hair retention device.
Invention is credited to Angela B. Stephens.
Application Number | 20060150997 11/330026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36652015 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060150997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephens; Angela B. |
July 13, 2006 |
Hair retention device
Abstract
A device for styling hair is disclosed. The device includes a
wire threaded into a flexible hollow tube which is covered by
flexible material. The ends of the hollow tube are either joined by
a closure device into a circle or independently closed by separate
closure devices to form a cylindrical device. The device can be
used to form hairstyles with different lengths and textures of hair
and can form multiple hairstyles.
Inventors: |
Stephens; Angela B.;
(Headland, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAMS MULLEN
FOUNTAIN PLAZA THREE, SUITE 200
721 LAKEFRONT COMMONS
NEWPORT NEWS
VA
23606
US
|
Family ID: |
36652015 |
Appl. No.: |
11/330026 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60642856 |
Jan 11, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20130101; A45D
8/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/273 |
International
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20060101
A45D008/34 |
Claims
1. A hair styling device, comprising: a flexible, hollow elongate
body having an inner diameter and a longitudinal axis; a flexible
elongate internal element having a longitudinal axis which has a
diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the elongate body and
which is threaded into the elongate body; a flexible covering which
covers the elongate body and the internal element subsequent to
threading the internal element into the elongate body.
2. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
elongate body is made from a material which is flexible, capable of
returning to an original configuration and which will not cause
damage to a user's hair.
3. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
elongate body is made from vinyl tubing.
4. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
internal element is made from a material which is flexible, which
is capable of retaining a desired orientation such that a hair
style is maintained and which is capable of returning to an
original configuration.
5. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
internal element is made from a metal.
6. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
internal element is made from insulated copper wire.
7. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
flexible material is selected from the group consisting of fabric
and synthetic hair.
8. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
flexible material is fabric which is formed into a cylinder into
which the elongate body and the threaded internal element are
placed.
9. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising the ends of the flexible material being secured such
that the elongate body and the threaded internal element are
entirely covered.
10. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the
ends of the flexible material are secured by a means selected from
the group consisting of stitches and adhesive.
11. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising a connection means for connecting the ends of the
elongate body to each other.
12. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the
connection means is a dowel which has an outer diameter smaller
than the inner diameter of the elongate body and which is placed
into the ends of the elongate body such that the ends of the
elongate body are connected and the internal element is retained
within the elongate body.
13. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 12 wherein an
adhesive is applied to dowel prior to placing the dowel into the
ends of the elongate body.
14. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising a closing means for closing the ends of the elongate
body.
15. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 14 wherein the
closing means is a pair of dowels which have an outer diameter
smaller than the inner diameter of the elongate body and wherein
each dowel is placed into one end of the elongate body such that
the ends of the elongate body are closed and the internal element
is retained within the elongate body.
16. The hair styling device as set forth in claim 15 wherein an
adhesive is applied to dowels prior to placing the dowels into the
ends of the elongate body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/642,856, filed Jan. 11,
2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to hairstyling devices, namely
devices that form ponytails, French twists, buns, flips and the
like.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Medium and long hairstyles that hold the hair firmly are
popular with people of all ages and hair textures and types,
particularly with women. Because of this desire to have hair held
secure and with adorning styles, many devices have been invented.
Examples include hair ties, combs, barrettes and ornamental
hairpins.
[0005] Of the hairstyling devices/tools invented, there are not
many that are currently known to have the diversity and flexibility
to style medium and long hair as well as multi-textured hair into
various styles, such as French twists, buns, flips, ponytails and
other various styles.
[0006] The present invention provides a solution to the various
needs of multi-textured hair of different lengths. There are many
hair retaining devices made of various materials that limit the
degree of tension; therefore, they are not adjustable and cannot be
used in the retention of the various textures and lengths of hair.
Struggling with and needing an accessory to hold hair resulted in
the present invention. The need for a device that allows control
over the tension placed on hair was clear. The present invention
provides the exact flexibility needed for various degrees of
tension.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,494 discloses a hair styling device for
forming long hair into a bun or a French knot. The device is strap
shaped with a longitudinal slit. In use, the device is deformed to
force the slit open. Hair is placed in the slit opening and the
device is rotated to twist the hair around the device. The device
is only functional to form buns or French knots and is recommended
for long hair only.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a hair
retention device which works on medium or long hair of any
texture.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a hair
retention device which can be used to arrange hair in numerous
styles.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a hair
retention device which provides sufficient tension to retain hair
of all lengths and textures.
[0011] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to
accomplish the foregoing objectives in a simple and cost effective
manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention addresses these needs by providing a
hair styling device formed from a flexible, hollow elongate body
such as plastic or vinyl tubing. The elongate body can be bent
around hair without breaking and without damaging the hair. A
flexible elongate internal element is threaded into the elongate
body. The internal element can be bent into a fixed position to
maintain a desired hairstyle and can be unbent to release the
hairstyle. The internal element is can be made from a metal
material such as insulated copper wire. After threading the
internal element into the elongate body, the resulting combination
is covered by a flexible covering such as fabric or synthetic hair.
To cover the combination with fabric, the fabric is sewn into a
cylinder which is then placed over the elongate body and the
threaded internal element combination. In the preferred embodiment,
the ends of the elongate body are then connected, preferably by an
adhesive treated dowel, such that the ends remain connected
throughout used of the device and such that the internal element
remains within the elongate body. The fabric is then secured,
preferably by any appropriate method such as stitching or adhesive,
such that the elongate body, internal element and dowel are
completely covered. In an alternate embodiment, rather than
connecting the ends of the elongate body to each other, the ends of
the elongate body are separately closed, preferably using adhesive
treated dowels. Again, the flexible covering is secured such that
the elongate body, internal element and dowel are completely
covered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A more complete description of the subject matter of the
present invention and the advantages thereof, can be achieved by
the reference to the following detailed description by which
reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
a hair retention device according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of a hair
retention device according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
of a hair retention device according to the present invention taken
across line III-III in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
of a hair retention device according to the present invention taken
across line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
of a hair retention device according to the present invention taken
across line V-V in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of an alternate
embodiment of a hair retention device;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention in use; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention in use.
ELEMENT LIST
[0022] 100 hair retention device [0023] 101 flexible hollow
elongate body [0024] 102 flexible internal element [0025] 103 dowel
[0026] 104 flexible covering [0027] 106 seam
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the
invention.
[0029] The present invention provides a device used in retaining
hair into various positions while providing the proper degree of
tension needed for each individual hair texture and type. The said
present invention allows individuals to create hairstyles for
themselves at various degrees of tension. The preferred embodiment
of the present invention is comprised of an outer covering of
fabric of different textures and blends or synthetic hair of
various shades and textures, hollow tubing, wire, a closure element
and adhesive, all formed and sealed into a preferably circular
embodiment. The materials used in the present preferred embodiment
of said invention have many advantages. The preferred wire placed
within the tubing provided the necessary tension to retain hair and
can be flexed again and again and returned back into a circular
shape without breaking. The hollow tubing allows pressure to be
applied to hair of different textures without causing breakage
because there are no pinched pressure points on the hair. The outer
covering placed over the hollow tubing and wire, either fabric or
synthetic hair, allows another level of protection. All the
materials used together provide a new level of flexibility,
durability and protection for hair, and particularly for
multi-textured hair. The materials used in the present preferred
embodiment allow the device to be bent into a flat elongated shape.
The elongated shape holds with enough tension so that hair can be
placed in the middle of the elongated shape and held in place while
the elongated form of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is pulled down the length of the hair and rolled up or
under the base of the hair, then each end of the elongated shape is
bent in the opposite direction of the rolled hair to hold hair in
place. Many styles can be created by pulling the present invention
down a length of hair at different points and then rolling to the
base of the hair. The amounts of hair to be left out of the roll
may be styled in various forms (curled, straight, braided, etc.).
The present invention has been invented to provide people with
different hair lengths and textures a workable accessory/tool, so
as to create different styles while remaining durable and safe for
multiple uses in the hair.
[0030] The preferred embodiment of the hairstyling device of the
present invention illustrated generally at 100 in FIGS. 1-5
includes a flexible internal element 102 which is cut to a desired
length, preferably eleven inches, fifteen inches or seventeen
inches. The flexible internal element 102 is preferably a metal
wire and more preferably, fourteen gauge solid insulated copper
wire. Other materials which are flexible and which retain a desired
orientation until forced to an alternate orientation could also be
used as this internal element 102.
[0031] The flexible wire element 102 is placed through the center
of a flexible hollow elongate body 101, preferably made from
flexible vinyl tubing with an outer diameter of 0.25 inches and an
inner diameter of 0.17 inches. The hollow body 101 is made from a
material which can flex without breaking and is preferably cut to a
length approximately an inch longer than the flexible wire element
102. The combination of the hollow body 101 and the centrally
located flexible wire element 102 gives the device 100 flexibility
and stability so that the device 100 will hold its shape when bent
or twisted.
[0032] The hollow body 101 and flexible wire element 102
combination is then covered by a flexible covering 104, preferably
a piece of fabric or real or synthetic hair, which is preferably
twenty-three to twenty-eight inches long and approximately two and
one quarter inches wide and formed into a cylindrical shape. The
flexible covering 104 can be any type of fabric such as cotton,
poly, poly-cotton blend or any satin material. Synthetic or real
hair of different colors can be used in place of fabric to give a
more blended look with different hair colors and textures. The
flexible covering 104 preferably has a seam 106 on one end which is
seen on the finished device 100. To form the cylindrical shape,
flexible covering 104 is preferably sewn inside-out with a seam to
form a piece of material which is two inches wide. The sewn
flexible covering 104 is then inverted so that the seam is hidden,
thus forming a cylindrical shape to cover the hollow body 101 and
flexible wire element 102 combination.
[0033] Following placement of the hollow body 101 and flexible wire
element 102 combination into the cylindrically shaped flexible
covering 104, the ends of the hollow body 101 are closed by a
closure device 103. Preferably a small dowel 103, which closely
approximates the internal diameter of the hollow body 101, is
treated with an adhesive. Each end of the hollow body 101 is forced
onto an end of the dowel 103 and the adhesive acts to retain the
ends of the hollow body 101 on the dowel 103, thus enclosing the
flexible wire element 102 entirely. Once the ends of the hollow
body 101 are in place on the ends of the dowel 103, the ends of the
flexible covering 104 are attached so that the flexible covering
104 covers the hollow body 101 and flexible wire element 102
combination completely. To accomplish the attachment, preferably,
the end of the flexible covering 104 which was prepared with a
finished seam 106 is placed over the opposite end of the flexible
covering 104 such that only the finished seam 106 end is visible
and the ends overlap by approximately one and one half inches. The
ends of the flexible covering 104 are then secured by any
appropriate means such as a closing stitch, pin stitch or adhesive.
The hollow body 101, in combination with the flexible wire element
102, make the device 100 effective for securing hair in many
different styles while holding its shape and contour.
[0034] In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 6, rather than
joining the two ends of the hollow body 101 with a single closure
element 103, two closure elements 103 are used to close each end of
the hollow body 101 independently. This results in a device 100
which is a strip which can be wrapped around hair rather than the
circular shape of the preferred embodiment.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the device 100 in use in two of the
possible hairstyles which can be created. Hair can be wrapped
around the device 100 as shown in FIG. 7 or the device 100 can be
twisted around hair as shown in FIG. 8. Many other hairstyles are
possible with the device.
[0036] Many improvements, modifications, and additions will be
apparent to the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as described herein and defined
in the following claims.
* * * * *