U.S. patent application number 11/451336 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for hair braiding apparatus.
Invention is credited to Judy H. Adams.
Application Number | 20070283976 11/451336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820640 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070283976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams; Judy H. |
December 13, 2007 |
Hair braiding apparatus
Abstract
Apparatus having three hinged arms for separating portions of a
person's hair during a French-braiding process. The two elongated
outer arms attach to a connector body via pivots while the middle
elongated arm attaches via rivets, allowing the elongated outer
arms to open and close. The elongated outer arms each include a set
of prongs extending towards the middle elongated arm. The middle
elongated arm includes apertures or grooves in which the prongs of
the elongated outer arms can nest. The elongated outer arms also
include a securing mechanism such that they can fasten to the
middle elongated arm via a post, for example, to maintain the hair
braiding apparatus in a closed position. In preferred embodiments,
the third or middle arm of the device uniquely separates the hair
(e.g. at a part) to effect simplified braiding.
Inventors: |
Adams; Judy H.; (Milford,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HALL, VANDE SANDE & PEQUIGNOT, LLP
1636 R STREET N.W., THIRD FLOOR
WASHINGTON
DC
20009
US
|
Family ID: |
38820640 |
Appl. No.: |
11/451336 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/133 |
International
Class: |
A45D 24/06 20060101
A45D024/06 |
Claims
1. A hair braiding apparatus comprising: a connector body having
first and second pivots; a first elongated outer arm connected to
said first pivot and having a first set of prongs extending
therefrom; a second elongated outer arm connected to said second
pivot and having a second set of prongs extending therefrom; a
middle elongated arm connected to said connector body intermediate
said first and said second pivots and located between said first
and said second elongated outer arms; said first and said second
sets of prongs extending generally towards said middle elongated
arm.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and said
second elongated outer arms are pivotable towards and away from
said middle elongated arm between closed and open positions,
respectively.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said middle elongated arm
includes a plurality of receiving structures so located and shaped
so as to seat said first and said second sets of prongs when said
first and said second elongated outer arms are oriented in said
closed position.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said middle elongated arm
and said first and said second elongated outer arms are
substantially parallel one to another when said apparatus is in a
closed configuration.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said middle elongated arm
and said first and said second elongated outer arms are generally
curved to conform to the crown region of a human head.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said middle elongated arm
is non-pivotally connected to said connector body.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said prongs comprising
said first and said second prong sets are so spaced one from
another such that said prongs are capable of separating generally
vertically spaced sections of hair in preparation for a braiding
operation.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said middle elongated arm
is so located and oriented with respect to said first and said
second elongated outer arms such that said middle elongated arm is
capable of separating left and right sections of hair in
preparation for a braiding operation.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said
first and said second elongated outer arms includes a securing
mechanism for maintaining said first and said second elongated
outer arms in a closed position.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 further including means for
securing said apparatus in a closed position.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said middle elongated
arm includes a post such that said securing mechanism located on at
least one of said first and said second elongated outer arms can
fasten to said post on said middle elongated arm.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus having three hinged
arms for separating portions of a person's hair during a
French-braiding process. In preferred embodiments, the third or
middle arm of the device uniquely separates the hair (e.g. at a
part) to effect simplified braiding.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hair braiding has been practiced throughout the world for
many centuries. Various braid types, such as French braids, have
become quite popular in the United States as hair styles in
themselves or simply as recreational activities for young girls,
for example.
[0003] In a typical braiding operation, hair is separated into
distinct sections, and, thereafter, the sections are interwoven to
form distinctive ornamental designs or appearances. Because
maintaining separate hair sections while simultaneously weaving the
sections together is a complex task, braiding hair without
assistance is difficult and requires considerable manual dexterity
and practice. Heretofore, in order to overcome this difficulty as
well as the need for hair braiding experience or practice, various
apparatus have been developed in the art which are insertable into
a persons hair to assist in braiding type operations.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,550, issued Aug. 12, 1997
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,343, issued Jul. 7, 1998, each disclose
devices which are insertable into a persons hair for assisting in
the separation of hair into sections during braiding processes. As
such, the devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents both
employ a pair of opposing comb-like structures which interlock one
to the other to effect a separation of hair portions in preparation
for braiding. Employing such devices, however, due to the inability
of the devices to separate the hair prior to the locking together
of the comb structures, uneven separation of hair sections often
results. Consequently, uneven, less visually attractive braids are
typically achieved.
[0005] In view of the above-enumerated drawbacks, it is apparent
that there exists a need in the art for apparatus which overcomes
at least one of the above drawbacks. It is a purpose of this
invention to fulfill these needs in the art, as well as other needs
which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once given the
above disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the
above-described needs in the art by providing:
[0007] A hair braiding apparatus comprising:
[0008] a connector body having first and second pivots;
[0009] a first elongated outer arm connected to the first pivot and
having a first set of prongs extending therefrom;
[0010] a second elongated outer arm connected to the second pivot
and having a second set of prongs extending therefrom;
[0011] a middle elongated arm connected to the connector body
intermediate the first and the second pivots and located between
the first and the second elongated outer arms;
[0012] the first and the second sets of prongs extending generally
towards the middle elongated arm.
[0013] In one embodiment, each elongated outer arm contains a set
of prongs extending perpendicularly from the elongated outer arms
toward the middle elongated arm. The middle elongated arm contains
grooves in which the prongs from the elongated outer arms may rest
such that separated hair sections will remain separate. However,
alternative methods can be used in place of the prongs and
grooves.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment, each elongated outer arm
contains a securing mechanism allowing the elongated outer arms to
fasten to the post of the middle elongated arm thereby effectively
holding the hair braiding apparatus in a closed position. The
middle and outer elongated arms are substantially parallel to one
another when the apparatus is in a closed position, and all three
arms are generally curved to conform to the crown of the human
head.
[0015] One objective of this invention is to more evenly divide the
hair for easier braiding operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of one
embodiment of a hair braiding apparatus illustrated in an example
environment in which the embodiment finds utility.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a three dimensional perspective view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrated in a "closed" position with
certain parts shown in x-ray.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a three dimensional perspective view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrated in an "open" position.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a profile view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
of hair braiding apparatus illustrating a preferred configuration
in which the hair braiding apparatus is curved to match the shape
of a person's head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0020] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
description of various illustrative and non-limiting embodiments
thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numbers indicate like features.
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, therein is
illustrated one embodiment of hair braiding apparatus 1 according
to the subject invention. As illustrated, hair braiding apparatus 1
generally comprises a connector body 3 having a first elongated
outer arm 5 attached at one end via pivot 11 and a second elongated
outer arm 7 attached at the opposite end via pivot 13. Middle arm 9
is connected to connector body 3 via rivets 15 at a location
intermediate arms 5 and 7 and is preferably rigidly (i.e.
non-pivotally) attached thereto. Arms are preferably parallel to
one another while in a closed position to ensure that separated
hair sections are relatively equal in size for obtaining uniform
looking braids.
[0022] As may be seen in FIG. 3, each elongated outer arm 5 and 7
includes a plurality of prong sets 6 and 8, respectively, each set
extending outwardly from the elongated outer arms towards middle
arm 9. These prongs preferably extend generally perpendicularly
from arms 5 and 7 and are the mechanism by which vertical
separation of hair sections is effected such as will be discussed
in further detail below. Via their pivot-type connections, outer
arms 5 and 7 are pivotable towards and away from middle arm 9 and,
as such, are positionable alternately in open and closed positions
as will be discussed when describing the operation of the invention
below.
[0023] In preferred embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 3,
middle arm 9 includes a plurality of apertures 17 (or grooves 17'
as illustrated in an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 5)
which are so located and positioned so as to receive and "nest"
prong sets 6 and 8 when outer arms 5 and 7 are in the closed
position. In this manner, the spaces between individual prongs are
effectively closed-off or sealed thus ensuring that separated hair
sections remain separate from adjacent sections when apparatus 1 is
inserted in a person's hair for braiding purposes. Although the
illustrated embodiment employs apertures 17 for this purpose, other
embodiments employing alternative mechanisms or structures for
receiving prong sets 6 and 8 are, of course, contemplated (such as
shown in FIG. 5, for example).
[0024] In preferred embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 3,
elongated outer arm 5 includes a securing mechanism 10 and
elongated outer arm 7 includes a securing mechanism 12. Via
securing mechanisms 10 and 12, elongated outer arm 5 and elongated
outer arm 7 can fasten to the middle elongated arm 9 at post 14,
thereby effectively holding the hair braiding apparatus in a closed
position while a user braids hair. Although the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 shows securing mechanisms 10 and 12 on
elongated outer arms 5 and 7, respectively, and includes post 14 on
the middle elongated arm 9, any alternative, conventional securing
mechanism can be used without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, a profile view of braiding
apparatus 1 illustrates a generally preferred embodiment in which
arms 5, 7, and 9 are curved so that the device mirrors the
curvature of a person's head. Employing such a curved shape,
apparatus 1 can be inserted closer to a person's scalp, therefore
allowing more hair to be "captured" in prong sets 6 and 8.
Consequently, employing such an embodiment, a longer overall braid
can be achieved.
[0026] In yet a further preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6,
transverse members 19 are provided spanning the distance angularly
between individual prongs (e.g. of prong sets 6 and/or 8) and their
respective, associated arm 5 or 7. In such an embodiment,
transverse members 19 are preferably flexible so as to possess a
spring-like character. In this manner, employing such a
construction, individual hair sections are more securely separated
due to the biasing force of the tensioning members (present when
apparatus 1 is "closed") which, in effect, traps the hair section
between respective prongs.
[0027] Although various materials may be used to construct the
subject invention, it is noted that a plastic-type material is
thought to be most efficacious as well as cost effective (e.g. for
manufacturing, etc.). Nevertheless, the invention as described
herein is not intended to be limited to any specific material or
combination thereof and may, alternatively, be constructed of wood,
for example.
[0028] Once given the above disclosure, many other features,
modifications, and improvements will become apparent to the skilled
artisan. Such other features, modifications, and improvements are
therefore considered to be part of this invention, the scope of
which is to be determined by the following claims:
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