U.S. patent application number 12/180512 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for convertible hairclip.
Invention is credited to Shih Ling Hsu.
Application Number | 20100018544 12/180512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41567538 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Shih Ling |
January 28, 2010 |
CONVERTIBLE HAIRCLIP
Abstract
A convertible hairclip includes first and second parts each
having an arcuate main section that has a pivotal portion on an end
thereof and a coupling section on the other end thereof. The main
section of each of the first and second parts further includes a
clipping section between the pivotal portion and the coupling
section. The pivotal portions are pivotably connected to allow the
first part to pivot relative to the second part between an extended
state and a folded state. The first and second parts are located in
a common plane and together form a C-shaped hair band when in the
extended state. The first and second parts are located side by side
to form a hairclip when in the folded state with the coupling
sections of the first and second parts engaged with each other.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Shih Ling; (Tainan,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dr. BANGER SHIA;Int''l Patent Office of Bang Shia
102 Lindencrest Ct
Sugar Land
TX
77479-5201
US
|
Family ID: |
41567538 |
Appl. No.: |
12/180512 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/279 ;
132/273; 132/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/24 20130101; A45D
8/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/279 ;
132/276; 132/273 |
International
Class: |
A45D 8/24 20060101
A45D008/24; A45D 8/00 20060101 A45D008/00 |
Claims
1. A convertible hairclip comprising: a first part made of slightly
flexible material and including an arcuate first main section, with
the first main section including a first pivotal portion on an end
thereof and a first coupling section on another end thereof, with
the first main section further including a first clipping section
between the first pivotal portion and the first coupling section,
with the first coupling section being substantially S-shaped and
extending in a direction away from the first pivotal portion, with
the first coupling section including a first bend; and a second
part made of slightly flexible material and including an arcuate
second main section, with the second main section including a
second pivotal portion on an end thereof and a second coupling
section on another end thereof, with the second pivotal portion
being pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion allowing
first part to pivot relative to the second part between an extended
state and a folded state, with the second main section further
including a second clipping section between the second pivotal
portion and the second coupling section, with the second coupling
section being substantially S-shaped and extending in a direction
away from the second pivotal portion, with the second coupling
section including a second bend, with the first and second parts
being located in a common plane and together forming a C-shaped
hair band when in the extended state, and with the first and second
parts being located side by side to form the hairclip when in the
folded state, with the first and second bends engaged with each
other, with the first and second clipping sections being adapted
for clipping hair of a user.
2. The convertible hairclip as claimed in claim 1, with the first
pivotal portion including an insert having a thickness smaller than
a remaining portion of the first pivotal portion, with the insert
including first and second pins formed on two opposite faces
thereof, with the first and second pins being coaxial and forming a
pivot axis, with the first pivotal portion further including an
abutting wall, with the first pivotal portion further including a
protrusion extending from an outer periphery thereof, with the
second pivotal portion including parallel, spaced first and second
lugs defining a compartment therebetween, with the insert of the
first part being pivotably received in the compartment of the
second part, with the first and second lugs further including
aligned pin holes receiving the first and second pins of the first
part, allowing relative pivotal movement between the first and
second parts about the pivot axis, with the second pivotal portion
further including an abutting face that abuts against the abutting
wall of the first part when in the extended state, with the second
pivotal portion further including a positioning groove that
receives the protrusion of the first part when in the extended
state, and with the positioning groove being in tight coupling with
the protrusion to retain the hair band in the extended state.
3. The convertible hairclip as claimed in claim 1, with the first
clipping section including a plurality of first teeth on a side
thereof and having a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of
first tooth tops, with the second clipping section including a
plurality of second teeth on a side thereof and having a plurality
of second grooves and a plurality of second tooth tops, with the
plurality of first tooth tops being received in the plurality of
second grooves, and with the plurality of second tooth tops being
received in the plurality of first grooves when in the folded
state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a convertible hairclip and,
more particularly, to a hairclip that can be converted into a
substantially C-shaped hair band.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Hair bands and hairclips are utilized to retain hair in
place while providing ornamentation. FIG. 8 shows a perspective
view of a conventional C-shaped hair band 1' having an arcuate body
made of plastic material. Two ends of the arcuate body clamp two
sides of a head of a user to retain the hair of the user in place.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a conventional hairclip 2'
including first and second parts 21'and 22'. An end of second part
22' is pivotably connected to an end of first part 21'. The other
end 221' of second part 22' is releasably coupled with the other
end 211' of first part 21' to clip hair between first and second
parts 21' and 22'. However, these two hair ornaments have different
structures and provide different functions. As a result, the users
have to spend more money to purchase both hair ornaments.
[0005] A need exists for a hairclip that can be converted into a
hair band to save money.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves this need and other problems in
the field of hair ornaments by providing, in a preferred form, a
convertible hairclip including first and second parts made of
slightly flexible material. The first part includes an arcuate
first main section having a first pivotal portion on an end thereof
and a first coupling section on the other end thereof. The first
main section further includes a first clipping section between the
first pivotal portion and the first coupling section. The first
coupling section is substantially S-shaped and extends in a
direction away from the first pivotal portion. The first coupling
section includes a first bend. The second part includes an arcuate
second main section. The second main section includes a second
pivotal portion on an end thereof and a second coupling section on
the other end thereof. The second pivotal portion is pivotably
coupled with the first pivotal portion to allow first part to pivot
relative to the second part between an extended state and a folded
state. The second main section further includes a second clipping
section between the second pivotal portion and the second coupling
section. The second coupling section is substantially S-shaped and
extends in a direction away from the second pivotal portion. The
second coupling section includes a second bend. The first and
second parts are located in a common plane and together form a
C-shaped hair band when in the extended state. The first and second
parts are located side by side to form a hairclip when in the
folded state. The first and second bends are engaged with each
other, and the first and second clipping sections can clip hair of
a user.
[0007] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of
this invention described in connection with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The illustrative embodiment may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a convertible
hairclip according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a C-shaped hair band
converted from the convertible hairclip of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a partial, top view of the hair band of FIG. 2
with a portion of the hairclip sectioned along section line A-A of
FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a partial, top view of the convertible hairclip
of FIG. 2 illustrating pivotable movement between two parts of the
hairclip.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows use of the C-shaped hair band of FIG. 2 on the
hair of a user.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the hairclip of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows use of the hairclip of FIG. 6 for hair clipping
purposes.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a conventional hair
band.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a conventional
hairclip.
[0018] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings of the present invention have been
read and understood.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A convertible hairclip according to the preferred teachings
of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally
includes first and second parts 1 and 2. First part 1 is made of
slightly flexible material such as plastics and includes an arcuate
main section 11. Main section 11 includes a pivotal portion 12 on
an end thereof and a coupling section 13 on the other end thereof.
Pivotal portion 12 includes an insert 121 having a thickness
smaller than the remaining portion of pivotal portion 12. Coaxial
first and second pins 122 are formed on upper and lower faces of
insert 121 and form a pivot axis. Pivotal portion 12 further
includes an abutting wall 123 spaced from first and second pins
122. Furthermore, pivotal portion 12 includes a protrusion 124
extending from an outer periphery thereof. Coupling section 13 is
substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from pivotal
portion 12. Specifically, coupling section 13 includes a bend 131
and a distal end 132. Main section 11 further includes a clipping
section 14 between pivotal portion 12 and coupling section 13.
Clipping section 14 includes a plurality of teeth 141 on a side
thereof and having a plurality of grooves 143 and a plurality of
tooth tops 142 with a tooth top 142 intermediate a pair of grooves
143.
[0020] According to the preferred form shown, second part 2 is made
of slightly flexible material such as plastics and symmetric to
first part 1. Specifically, second part 2 includes an arcuate main
section 21. Main section 21 includes a pivotal portion 22 on an end
thereof and a coupling section 23 on the other end thereof. Pivotal
portion 22 includes parallel, spaced first and second lugs 226
defining a compartment 221 therebetween (FIG. 3). Insert 121 of
first part 1 is pivotably received in compartment 221 of second
part 2. First and second lugs 226 further include aligned pin holes
222 receiving first and second pins 122 of first part 12, allowing
relative pivotal movement between first and second parts 1 and 2
about the pivot axis between an extended state and a folded state.
Pivotal portion 22 further includes an abutting face 223 that abuts
against abutting wall 123 of first part 1 when the hairclip is in
the extended state and in the form of a substantially C-shaped hair
band (FIGS. 2 and 4) Furthermore, pivotal portion 22 includes a
positioning groove 224 that receives protrusion 124 of first part 1
when the hairclip is in the extended state. Coupling section 23 is
substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from pivotal
portion 22. Specifically, coupling section 23 includes a bend 231
and a distal end 232. Main section 21 further includes a clipping
section 24 between pivotal portion 22 and coupling section 23.
Clipping section 24 includes a plurality of teeth 241 on a side
thereof and having a plurality of grooves 243 and a plurality of
tooth tops 242 with a tooth top 242 intermediate a pair of grooves
243.
[0021] When in an extended state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the
hairclip according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention is in the form as a C-shaped hair band with first and
second parts 1 and 2 located in a common plane, with abutting face
223 of second part 2 abutting against abutting wall 123 of first
part 1, and with protrusion 124 of first part 1 received in
positioning groove 224 of second part 2. It can be appreciated that
positioning groove 224 is in tight coupling with protrusion 124 to
retain the hairclip in the extended state. In use, first and second
parts 1 and 2 clamp two sides of a head of a user with teeth 141
and 241 providing hair retaining effect and/or hair combing effect
(FIG. 5).
[0022] First part 1 can be pivoted relative to second part 2 to a
folded state shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, first and second part 1
and 2 are located side by side, forming a hairclip for clipping
hair purposes. In the folded state, tooth tops 242 of second part 2
are received in grooves 143 of first part 1, and tooth tops 142 of
first part 1 are received in grooves 243 of second part 2.
Furthermore, bend 131 of first part 1 is moved across and engaged
with bend 231 of second part 1. In use, the hair of the user can be
clamped between teeth 141 and 241 of first and second parts 1 and
2. It can be appreciated that the hair of the user is reliably
clamped, for bend 131 of first part 1 is engaged with bend 231 of
second part 2. Distal ends 132 and 232 of first and second parts 1
and 2 can be moved in opposite direction to disengage bends 131 and
231 from each other, allowing removal of the hairclip from the hair
of the user.
[0023] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general
characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated,
the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *