U.S. patent application number 12/759104 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for partial cap hair accessory.
This patent application is currently assigned to Celebrity Signatures International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Teresa Jo Lane, Kenneth L. Paves.
Application Number | 20100229883 12/759104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38532068 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100229883 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lane; Teresa Jo ; et
al. |
September 16, 2010 |
Partial Cap Hair Accessory
Abstract
A support structure and a hair accessory utilizing the support
structure are disclosed. The support structure is configured to
engage and surround substantially only a rear portion of a user's
head, and according to an embodiment the support structure includes
a crown segment, a central support member, a crossing member, and a
plurality of side segments. The hair accessory includes a plurality
of hair strand retention members attached to and extending across
the support structure and a plurality of hair strands extending
from each hair strand retention member.
Inventors: |
Lane; Teresa Jo; (Hallandale
Beach, FL) ; Paves; Kenneth L.; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & GAGE LLP
2345 GRAND Boulevard, SUITE 2400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
Celebrity Signatures International,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38532068 |
Appl. No.: |
12/759104 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11670319 |
Feb 1, 2007 |
7735495 |
|
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12759104 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/54 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/00 20060101
A41G005/00 |
Claims
1. A hair accessory, comprising: a support structure configured to
engage and surround substantially only a rear portion of a user's
head; the support structure comprising: a crown segment configured
to extend across the head of a user, the crown segment comprising a
first end and a second end, the support structure being widest
between the crown segment first and second ends; a first central
support member contacting the crown segment between the first and
second ends of the crown segment and extending from the crown
segment; a second central support member contacting the crown
segment between the first and second ends of the crown segment and
extending from the crown segment, the first and second central
support members being spaced apart from one another and being
substantially mirror images of one another about an imaginary
centerline of the support structure; a crossing member extending
across the first and second central support members, the crossing
member not contacting the crown segment; a first side segment
distinct from the crown segment, the first side segment extending
directly from the crossing member to a position on the crown
segment at one side of the first and second central support
members; a second side segment distinct from the crown segment, the
second side segment extending directly from the crossing member to
a position on the crown segment at another side of the first and
second central support members, the first and second side segments
being substantially mirror images of one another about the
imaginary centerline of the support structure; a first side support
member extending from a point directly touching the crown segment
to a point directly touching the first central support member; the
first side support member being inside an area bounded by the first
side segment, the first central support member, and the crown
segment; and a second side support member extending from a point
directly touching the crown segment to a point directly touching
the second central support member; the second side support member
being inside an area bounded by the second side segment, the second
central support member, and the crown segment; a plurality of hair
strand retention members attached to and extending across the
support structure; and a plurality of hair strands extending from
each of the hair strand retention members.
2. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the support structure
further comprises a bottom segment extending in an arcuate shape,
the bottom segment not extending outside a width defined by the
first and second central support members.
3. The hair accessory of claim 1, wherein the first side support
member is generally parallel with the first side segment.
4. The hair accessory of claim 3, wherein the second side support
member is generally parallel with the second side segment.
5. The hair accessory of claim 4, wherein: the support structure is
configured to extend from across an area proximate the crown of the
user's head rearward and downward along an area of normal hair
growth to an area proximate the base of the user's skull; and the
first and second side support members are substantially minor
images of one another about the imaginary centerline of the support
structure.
6. The hair accessory of claim 5, wherein the plurality of hair
strand retention members are configured as substantially parallel
rows across the support structure.
7. The hair accessory of claim 6, wherein the support structure
further comprises a bottom segment extending in an arcuate shape,
the bottom segment not extending outside a width defined by the
first and second central support members.
8. The hair accessory of claim 7, wherein: the crown segment is
nonelastic; the crossing member is nonelastic; the bottom segment
is nonelastic; the first central support member is elastic; the
second central support member is elastic; the first side segment is
elastic; the second side segment is elastic; the first side support
member is elastic; and the second side support member is
elastic.
9. A support structure for a hair accessory, the support structure
comprising: a crown segment configured to extend across the head of
a user, the crown segment comprising a first end and a second end,
the support structure being widest between the crown segment first
and second ends; a first central support member contacting the
crown segment between the first and second ends of the crown
segment and extending from the crown segment; a second central
support member contacting the crown segment between the first and
second ends of the crown segment and extending from the crown
segment, the first and second central support members being spaced
apart from one another and being substantially minor images of one
another about an imaginary centerline of the support structure; a
crossing member extending across the first and second central
support members, the crossing member not contacting the crown
segment; a first side segment distinct from the crown segment, the
first side segment extending directly from the crossing member to a
position on the crown segment at one side of the first and second
central support members; a second side segment distinct from the
crown segment, the second side segment extending directly from the
crossing member to a position on the crown segment at another side
of the first and second central support members, the first and
second side segments being substantially mirror images of one
another about the imaginary centerline of the support structure; a
first side support member extending from a point directly touching
the crown segment to a point directly touching the first central
support member; the first side support member being inside an area
bounded by the first side segment, the first central support
member, and the crown segment; and a second side support member
extending from a point directly touching the crown segment to a
point directly touching the second central support member; the
second side support member being inside an area bounded by the
second side segment, the second central support member, and the
crown segment.
10. The support structure of claim 9, further comprising a bottom
segment extending in an arcuate shape, the bottom segment not
extending outside a width defined by the first and second central
support members.
11. The support structure of claim 9, wherein the first side
support member is generally parallel with the first side
segment.
12. The support structure of claim 11, wherein the second side
support member is generally parallel with the second side
segment.
13. The support structure of claim 12, wherein: the support
structure is configured to extend from across an area proximate the
crown of the user's head rearward and downward along an area of
normal hair growth to an area proximate the base of the user's
skull; and the first and second side support members are
substantially mirror images of one another about the imaginary
centerline of the support structure.
14. The support structure of claim 13, wherein the support
structure further comprises a bottom segment extending in an
arcuate shape, the bottom segment not extending outside a width
defined by the first and second central support members.
15. The support structure of claim 14, wherein: the crown segment
is nonelastic; the crossing member is nonelastic; the bottom
segment is nonelastic; the first central support member is elastic;
the second central support member is elastic; the first side
segment is elastic; the second side segment is elastic; the first
side support member is elastic; and the second side support member
is elastic.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/670,319, filed Feb. 1, 2007, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates generally to hair accessories and,
more particularly, to a partial or half cap hair accessory that
supplements the natural hair of a user.
[0003] Users supplement their natural hair to allow a wider variety
of hair styles to be imparted to the user's hair. Additionally,
when users are endowed with relatively little hair, the users can
supplement their hair to create the impression of a fuller head of
hair. Known hair pieces provide for these objectives by attaching a
cap that completely covers the natural hair of the user. However,
the user may wish to wear a hair accessory to supplement the user's
natural hair without covering all of their natural hair.
SUMMARY
[0004] A hair accessory is provided. The hair accessory comprises a
support structure configured to engage and surround substantially
only a rear portion of a user's head, a plurality of hair strand
retention members attached to and extending across the support
structure, and a plurality of hair strands extending from each of
the hair strand retention members.
[0005] A support structure for a hair accessory is provided. The
support structure comprises a crown segment configured to extend
across the crown of the head of a user, the crown segment including
a first end and a second end. The support structure further
includes at least one central support member which extends
substantially perpendicularly from the crown segment between the
first and second ends of the crown segment. The support structure
further comprises a crossing member configured to extend across the
central support members a distance from the crown segment. At least
one side segment is configured to extend from the crossing member
to a position on the crown segment between the first end of the
crown segment and one of the central support members. Another of
the side segments is configured to extend from the crossing member
to a position on the crown segment between the second end of the
crown segment and one of the central support members. The support
structure is configured to not engage a portion of a user's head
substantially forward of a crown of the user's head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a support
structure for a hair accessory.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of one of the user hair engaging
members attached to the support structure of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an end view of the hair engaging member of FIG. 2
in an open position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an end view of the hair engaging member of FIG. 2
in a closed position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the hair engaging member of FIG. 2
in the open position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of the hair engaging member of FIG. 2
in the closed position.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates hair strand retention members in a
relationship with the support structure of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an illustration of hair strands attached to one of
the hair strand retention members of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a support
structure 10 for a hair accessory (not shown in FIG. 1) which
includes a plurality of hair strands (not shown in FIG. 1).
Attached to support structure 10 are a plurality of hair engaging
members 12, sometimes referred to herein as clips. Support
structure 10 includes a plurality of individual segments as
described below. In one embodiment, the individual segments are one
of elastic and non-elastic. In an alternative embodiment, at least
some of the individual segments are elastic and at least some of
the individual segments are non-elastic. In certain embodiments,
the individual segments are fabricated from a lace, some of which
may be elastic, some of which may be non-elastic. In these
embodiments, the lace is relatively thin while still providing
strength for the attaching of hair strands as described below. In
one embodiment, the lace is fabricated from nylon. Utilization of
elastic and non-elastic lace allows support structure 10 to retain
the shape and contours of the portion of the user's head which
support structure 10 is configured to engage.
[0015] As further explained below, with regard to an exemplary
embodiment, support structure 10 is configured to engage only a
rear portion (e.g., the back half) of a user's head, and is
sometimes referred to as a half-cap. As such, support structure 10
extends from proximate the crown of a user's head to the base of
the user's skull to substantially surround the rear portion of the
user's head where hair growth typically occurs. In addition,
support structure 10 is configured to not engage the user's head
substantially forward of the crown of the user's head.
[0016] Support structure 10 is configured to be placed on a user's
head to provide the appearance of a full head of hair, or to
provide a different hairstyle. More specifically, support structure
10 includes a crown segment 14 configured to extend across the head
of a user, substantially near the crown (or "top") of the head.
Crown segment 14 includes a first end 16 and a second end 18. Side
segments 20 and 22 extend from a position near ends 16 and 18
respectively to a crossing member 24. A bottom segment 25 extends
in an arcuate shape from one end of crossing member 24 to another
end of crossing member 24. Side segments 20 and 22 extend from
crown segment 14 at an angle to crossing member 24 such that crown
segment 14, side segments 20 and 22, and bottom segment 25 roughly
form an outline that approximates a hair growth pattern typically
found on the back (or "rear portion") of a user's head. In one
embodiment, crown segment 14, crossing member 24, and bottom
segment 25 are not elastic. In certain embodiments, side segments
20 and 22 are divided into sub-portions, certain of which are
elastic.
[0017] Support structure 10 further includes a plurality of central
support members 26 extending substantially perpendicularly from
crown segment 14 to crossing member 24 of support structure 10.
Side support members 28 extend from crown segment 14 to an outer
one of central support members 26 as illustrated. In the
illustrated embodiment, central support members 26 and side support
members 28 are elastic. While FIG. 1 illustrates five central
support members 26 and two side support members 28 on each side of
support structure 10, it is to be understood that more or fewer of
each could be utilized in other embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one hair engaging member 12. The
hair engaging member 12 includes a substantially rectangular frame
40 having a plurality of openings 42 formed therethrough. In the
embodiment illustrated, openings 42 are formed in a substantially
linear pattern within a first end 44 and a second end 46 of
rectangular frame 40. Openings 42 may be utilized to stitch, rivet,
or otherwise fasten hair engaging members 12 to support structure
10, and because there are a plurality of openings 42, a standard
hair engaging member 12 may be coupled to various portions of
support structure 10. For example, one or more of hair engaging
members 12 may be stitched to an additional support member (not
shown) included within support structure 10 (shown in FIG. 1).
Further, such an additional support member may extend between a
side segment (20 or 22) and a side support member 28.
[0019] The hair engaging member 12 shown in FIG. 2 further includes
a plurality of clipping members 48 that extend from a first side 50
of rectangular frame 40. More specifically, each clipping member 48
includes at least a first leg 52 and a second leg 54, each of which
extend from first side 50 to overlap a second side 56 of
rectangular frame 40. First leg 52 and second leg 54 are joined
together by an intermediate section 58 which extends from an end 60
of first leg 52 near second side 56 of rectangular frame 40,
towards first side 50 of rectangular frame 40, and back to an end
62 of second leg 54 near second side 56 of rectangular frame 40. As
such, the embodiment of each clipping member 48 illustrated in FIG.
2 has a shape somewhat similar to the letter "W". Second side 56 of
rectangular frame 40 may be enclosed by a plastic sleeve 68 to
which clipping members 48 engage.
[0020] In one embodiment, hair engaging members 12 are metallic and
configured in an arcuate shape such that the clipping members 48
can be changed from an open configuration 48a to a closed
configuration 48b. FIG. 3 is an end view of hair engaging member 12
having clipping members 48 at the open position 48a. In the
illustrated open position 48a, clipping members 48 include three
distinct segments: a base segment 70 that extends from first side
50 of rectangular frame 40, a mid segment 72 which extends at an
angle from base segment 70, and a hair engaging segment 74 which
extends at an angle from mid segment 72. The angled segments of
clipping members 48 result in a space 76 between the clipping
members 40 and second side 56 of rectangular frame 40. FIG. 3
further shows the relationship of plastic sleeve 68 with ends 60
and 62 of clipping members 48. As further described below, a user
inserts their own hair into space 76, and then moves the clipping
members 48 to the closed configuration 48b, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0021] In the closed configuration 48b, ends 60 and 62 of clipping
members 48 contact plastic sleeve 68. Such a configuration causes
any of the user's hair that had been inserted into space 76 to be
retained between clipping members 48 and plastic sleeve 68.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of hair engaging member 12 from second
side 56 of rectangular frame 40 in the open configuration. As shown
in FIG. 5, ends 60 and 62 of clipping members 48 are separated from
plastic sleeve 68 resulting in space 76, shown in FIG. 3. In
addition, the arcuate shape of rectangular frame 40 is shown.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of hair engaging member 12 from second
side 56 of rectangular frame 40 in the closed configuration. As
shown in FIG. 6, ends 60 and 62 of clipping members 48 engage
plastic sleeve 68 which allows retention of clipping members 48,
and ultimately retention of support structure 10 within a user's
natural hair. Also shown in FIG. 6 is the change in the arcuate
shape of rectangular frame 40 of hair engaging member 12 as it is
sprung from the open configuration (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) to the
closed configuration (also shown in FIG. 4).
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates hair strand retention members 100 in a
relationship with support structure 10 (also shown in FIG. 1) to
form a partial cap hair accessory 200. As illustrated, hair strand
retention members 100 are configured in rows that are substantially
parallel to one another. Each such row extends across the width of
support structure 10 and engages segments of support structure 10,
for example, one or more of crown segment 14, side segments 20 and
22, crossing member 24, bottom segment 25 and the plurality of
central support members 26. In one embodiment, hair strand
retention members 100 are stitched to the segments of support
structure 10 that they intersect.
[0025] In one embodiment, hair strand retention members 100 are
formed utilizing a stitching pattern such that they engage, and
retain in place wefts of hair strands inserted into hair strand
retention members 100 as a segment of the hair strand retention
member 100 manufacturing process. Certain of hair strand retention
members 100 are longer than others due to the overall configuration
of support structure 10. For example, hair strand retention members
100 which extend across crown segment 14 of support structure 10
are much longer than, for example, hair strand retention members
100 which extend across crossing member 24 and bottom segment 25.
In one embodiment, segments of hair strand retention members 100
extend beyond, for example, side segments 20 and 22. In such an
embodiment, also shown in FIG. 7, an end connecting member 102,
similar to a non elastic portion 104 of side segments 20 and 22,
extends across and connects the ends of hair strand retention
members 100 that extend beyond support structure 10. As shown in
FIG. 7, end connecting members 102 extend between a respective one
of side segments 20 and 22 and a respective end 16 and 18 of crown
segment 14.
[0026] In one embodiment, the crown segment 14 is nonelastic. Hair
strand retention members 100 may be coupled to an otherwise elastic
crown segment 14 to make the crown segment 14 nonelastic (as shown
in FIG. 7), or the crown segment 14 may be constructed of a
nonelastic material. The crossing member 24 and the bottom segment
25 according to this embodiment are also nonelastic. Similar to
this crown segment 14, this crossing member 24 and bottom segment
25 may be coupled to strand retention members 100 and/or
constructed of a nonelastic material. Though not shown in the
drawings, the portions 26a (FIG. 7) of the central support members
26 that extend between the crossing member 24 and the bottom
segment 25 may be removed and replaced with a netting, such as a
breathable, nonelastic, honeycomb netting.
[0027] The side segments 20, 22, the central support members 26,
and the side support member 28 according to this embodiment are
constructed of a stretch lace that retains the shape and contours
of the wearer's head better than many known foundations. For
example, the stretch lace may be fabricated from nylon that
includes strands of spandex. Previous lace used in hair accessories
typically does not mold to the wearer's head very well and is
usually at least 1/2 of an inch wide. The stretch lace used for the
side segments 20, 22, the central support members 26, and the side
support member 28 according to this embodiment is approximately 1/4
of an inch wide, which is cooler and provides more comfort to the
wearer than previous lace used in hair accessories, allows
increased conformity to the wearer's head, and provides more shape
retention ability. The specific nonelastic portions of this
embodiment ensure that the support structure 10 is appropriately
positioned about the wearer's head and provide strength to the
support structure 10, while the specific elastic portions of this
embodiment allow the support structure 10 to comfortably mold to
the wearer's head.
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates one segment of a hair strand retention
member 100 that includes hair strands 150 retained therein. For
clarity, FIG. 8 illustrates hair strands 150 in a less dense
pattern than would be utilized in a typical product. As
illustrated, hair strand retention members 100 are formed as a
stitched pattern of individual threads 152 that engage a
substantial midpoint of hair strands 150. In other words, hair
strands 150 are folded approximately in half and the pattern of
individual threads 152 engages hair strands 150 at the fold. In one
embodiment, hair strands are individually stitched into hair strand
retention members 100. In an alternative embodiment, bundles of
hair strands 150, ranging from five to 200 individual hair strands
per bundle, are stitched into hair strand retention members 100.
Spacing between individual hair strands 150, or alternatively,
bundles of hair strands 150 is dependent on the density desired for
the hair accessory.
[0029] Hairs strands 150 may be of any configuration depending on
the hair style desired for the finished hair accessory. As a
result, a user can utilize the addition of hair strands 150 to the
user's natural hair to provide various hair styles, some of which
may not be attainable, or desirable in appearance, without the hair
accessory 10. More specifically, in various embodiments, hair
strands 150 may be arcuate, tightly curled, or substantially
straight, and of varying lengths. In addition, hair strands 150 may
include one or more of synthetic hair strands or natural hair
strands. For synthetic hair strands, the hair may be fabricated
from a polymer fiber such as modacrylic, or the synthetic hair may
be fabricated from a polymer fiber other than modacrylic, such as,
for example, acrylic.
[0030] The above embodiments describe a hair accessory which a user
may utilize with their own hair to create the impression of a
fuller head of hair. However, it should be noted that embodiments
may also be utilized by a user with a full head of longer hair that
wishes to achieve a shorter hair appearance, or by a user with a
full head of shorter hair that wishes to achieve a longer hair
appearance.
[0031] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *