Snap clip hair supplements and method of manufacture

Abstract

The Snap Clip Hair Supplement is designed to increase the volume of hair to compensate for hair loss on top of the head and thinning of the hair. There are two snap clips under the hairpiece that fasten onto natural hair so the hair supplement blends with natural hair. The hair supplement includes hair wefts that are intertwined to simulate the natural part of hair on top of the head. There are four fashions of the Snap Clip Hair Supplement: Natural Look, Natural Look with Bangs, Side Part, and Highlights. All of the claimed hair supplements are worn on top of natural hair and can be independently managed by an individual without professional assistance.

Description

REFERENCES CITED

UNITED STATES PATENTS

TABLE-US-00001 [0001] 20090065021 M. Young March 2009 20090065022 M. Young March 2009 20070199571 M. McCulloch August 2007 20070221240 R. Lee March 2007 20030140934 K. Sugai July 2003 3,273,570 E. Allison September 1966 3,628,546 A. Ensminger December 1971 3,659,621 J. Tucciarone May 1972 D356,398 D.Hafid February 1993 3,385,305 F. Buzzelli May 1968 1,424,845 W. Nolan August 1922 2,850,023 G. Taylor September 1958 4,606,359 A. Palumbo August 1986 5,746,232 R. Martin May 1998 5,368,052 P. Finamore November 1994 5,154,195 M. Irisawa October 1992 1,133,196 J. Tengler March 1915 513,579 H. Kinzly January 1894 431,892 A. Hobbs July 1890 5,647,384 J. Haber July 1997 464,559 H. Emery December 1891 2,233,100 J. Jenkivar April 1939

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention was as a result of my personal experience with trying to address the issue of hair loss. I was unable to find commercially available products that were feasible for my thin hair. Frustrated with a lack of products, I experimented fabrication with various media and materials, this method was most natural-looking, easy care, and simple to apply. The Snap Clip Hair Supplement pertains to aesthetic purposes for people who may have naturally thin hair, are experiencing hair loss of varied etiology, or desire highlight color without chemical treatments. If one has only one area of balding hair -a bald spot- an entire wig may not be desired. Additionally, if one's hair is simply "thin," supplementing natural hair may be desired rather than covering the head with a cap and the hair with a wig.

[0003] The Snap Clip Hair Supplements are designed to complement one's natural hair. The Snap Clip Hair Supplement partially covers the crown of the head and supplements hair by blending in with one's natural hair and adds volume. The supplements may be fabricated from a wide variety of commercially available human hair or synthetic hair-selection is based upon which qualities of either hair best meets one's needs. The majority of the prior art for hair supplements are attached underneath the hair on the head, involve adhesives, bind hair with clipping hair strands, and need a technician or cosmetology professional to apply and remove.

[0004] The Snap Clip Hair Supplement attaches to the crown of the head, does not require use of adhesives, does not get sewn or clipped into hair, does not require pulling natural hair through the supplement, and does not require a technician or cosmetologist for application or removal. The base of this supplement is a permeable netting to promote air flow to limit heat generation. The Snap Clip Hair Supplement is designed to be applied and removed daily by an individual. Care of the supplements simply require for an individual to wash with shampoo, conditioner may be used, rinse, and hang to dry. The supplements may be applied prior to styling,of hair and styled simultaneously with natural hair. The supplements may be re-used daily for the life of the hair. (Synthetic hair has less wear life and styling limitations that commercially available human hair does not.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The features and details of the Snap Clip Hair Supplements may be better understood by the reader with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 A front view of the Natural Look fashion with Bangs, Claim 3, the supplement is in bold lines and natural hair with lighter weighted lines.

[0007] FIG. 2 The bottom view of the hair supplement, Claim 2, not to scale.

[0008] FIG. 3 Depicts the wefts of synthetic or human hair, netting for fabrication, and snap clips, not to scale. The length and texture of hair is variable, all drawings are with straight hair to minimal wave hair.

[0009] FIG. 4 Displays the base netting with the ten inch hair weft, and two four inch hair wefts that are sewn for Claims 2 and 3, not to scale.

[0010] FIG. 5 A perspective view of the hair wefts sewn on the netting, scale 1/2 inch=1 inch.

[0011] FIG. 6 An exploded view of the hair hook technique to lift the strands of hair from the underside of the netting to the visible, top side of the supplemental hair piece.

[0012] FIG. 7 An exploded view for grasping of hair from under the netting with the hair hook.

[0013] FIG. 8 An exploded view of hair strands being pulled to the top of the supplemental hair piece.

[0014] FIG. 9A An exploded, partial view of the top and FIG. 9B is an exploded, partial view of the underside of the supplemental hair piece, Claims 2 and 3.

[0015] FIG. 10 View of underside of hair supplement base for Claim 2, not to scale.

[0016] FIG. 11 Displays attachment of bangs piece for Claim 3, not to scale.

[0017] FIG. 12 Displays attachment of the back portion for Claims 2 and 3, not to scale.

[0018] FIG. 13 Displays attachment of the snap clips for Claims 2 and 3, not to scale.

[0019] FIG. 14 Displays the underside of Claim 4, Side Part Fashion, not to scale.

[0020] FIG. 15 Front view of Claim 4, Side Part Fashion, not to scale.

[0021] FIG. 16 Front view of Claim 5, Highlights Fashion, not to scale.

[0022] FIG. 17 View of underside for claim 5, Highlights Fashion, not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows claim 3, Natural Look Fashion with Bangs, with bold lines drawn over the natural hair represented by light lines- to exemplify that the Snap Clip Hair Supplement is placed on top of the crown of the head on the user.

[0024] FIG. 2 provides the reviewer with a visual of the underside of Claim 3, Natural Look Fashion with Bangs.

[0025] FIG. 3, displays the sections of hair wefts that are used for fabrication: FIG. 3-1 is the base netting--100% nylon net--for Claims 2, 3, 4, and 5; FIG. 3-2 is the seam that binds the hair; FIG. 3-3 is the hair that can be of variety of straight, wavy, or curled; FIG. 3-4 is the seam of the four inch piece for fabrication; FIG. 3-5 is the hair of the four inch piece used for fabrication; FIG. 3-6 is the seam of the second four inch piece that is used for fabrication; FIG. 3-7 is the hair of the four inch piece for fabrication; FIG. 3-10 is the seam of a two inch piece for fabrication of bangs for Claim 3; FIG. 3-11 is the hair of the two inch piece for the fabrication of the bangs for Claim 3; FIG. 3-12 is the seam of the two inch piece for fabrication of the back section for Claims 2, 3, 4, and 5; FIG. 3-13 is the hair of the two inch piece for the back section of supplements in Claims 2, 3, 4, and 5; FIG. 3-30 is the seam of the third four inch hair piece and FIG. 3-31 is the hair of the third four inch hair piece used in Claims 4 and 5; FIG. 3-32 is the seam of the fourth four inch hair piece and FIG. 3-33 is the hair of the fourth four inch piece used in Claim 5. FIGS. 3-18 and 19 are snap clips used in Claims 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a top view of Claims 2 and 3 fabrication, the ten inch section of hair weft, FIGS. 3-2 and 3, is sewn using a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch onto the top of netting base FIG. 4-1 as follows: The hair weft, enumerated as FIGS. 4-2 and 3, is positioned on top of the base netting, FIG. 4-1, and placed under the zipper foot. The hair weft, FIGS. 4-2 and 3, is sewn onto the edge of the netting base, FIG. 4-1, starting at the right edge. While still under the zupper foot, the netting base, FIG. 4-1, is turned a 90 degree curve, and the hair weft, FIGS. 4-2 and 3, is sewn at the back edge. While still under the zipper foot, the hair weft, FIGS. 4-2 and 3, is sewn onto the left side of the netting base, FIG. 4-1.

[0027] The four inch piece, FIGS. 3-4 and 5 is machine sewn with a zigzag stitch, onto the underside of the base netting at three-eighths of an inch toward the center from the right edge of the base netting, FIG. 4-1 with the hair lying toward the center. This stitching which is three-eighths of an inch from the right outer edge is enumerated as FIG. 4-6 on the drawing.

[0028] Similarly, the four inch piece, FIGS. 3-6 and 7, is sewn onto the base netting at three-eighths of an inch toward the center from the left edge, with the hair lying toward the center. The stitching which is three-eighths of an inch from the outer left edge is enumerated as FIG. 4-4 on the drawing.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the manufacturing process after sewing as in FIG. 4: base netting, FIG. 5-1, with hair wefts, FIGS. 5-2 and 3; FIGS. 5-4 and 5; and FIGS. 5-6 and 7.

[0030] FIG. 6 depicts the beginning of the process by which the hair strands of FIG. 6-5 are pulled from the underside of the base netting, FIG. 6-1, for the hair to lay on top of the netting and depict a natural looking hair part. Using a hair hook, the hook is inserted at the third hole, FIG. 6-13, from the seam FIG. 6-4.

[0031] FIG. 7 continues depiction of pulling hair to the top of the netting, a cluster of hairs from the hair weft, FIG. 7-5, approximately five to ten in number, are clasped with the hair hook.

[0032] FIG. 8 continues the process of pulling hair to the top, it shows the hair is pulled from the underside to the top side of the base netting, FIG. 8-1. This process is continued, the hair hook is inserted in the second hole, FIG. 8-14, from the seam, FIG. 8-4. The cluster of hairs from FIG. 8-5, is pulled through starting at the back edge of the base netting, FIG. 8-1 and pulled through-bottom to top alternating netting holes from the back edge to the front edge of the base netting and the hair FIG. 8-5 lays over seam FIG. 8-6 and the outer seam FIG. 8-2.

[0033] The hair, FIGS. 8-5 and 7, are intertwined in order to form a natural looking part line, by alternating the second and third holes of the base netting parallel to seams, FIGS. 8-4 and 6.

[0034] After completing pulling hair strands of FIG. 8-5 through base netting, FIG. 8-1, at seam FIG. 8-4, the process is repeated at seam FIG. 8-6. Using a hair hook, the hook is inserted at the center third hole, to the right of seam 6, a cluster of approximately five to ten hairs is hooked from hair weft FIG. 8-7, and pulled to the top side of base netting, FIG. 8-1. The hair hook is inserted at the second hole to the right of seam FIG. 8-6 and pulled to the top side of the base netting. This process is continued along seam 6 from the back edge to the front edge of the base netting.

[0035] FIG. 9A displays the top view and FIG. 9B displays the bottom view of the hair supplement base after completion of pulling hair strands from FIGS. 9-5 and 7 out to the top side using the process of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

[0036] FIG. 10 depicts the bottom view of the process to conceal the netting and seams from view. The front edges, FIGS. 10-15 and 16, are folded under the base netting. Using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line, the folded edges, FIGS. 10-15 and 16 are hand sewn to the under side of base netting.

[0037] FIG. 11 is the bottom view of the hair supplement which depicts hand sewing of the two inch bangs piece, FIGS. 3-10 and 11, onto the hair supplement for Claim 3. The seam, FIG. 11-10, is hand sewn at three-sixteenths of an inch from the front edge of the base netting, using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line to secure seam FIG. 11-10 to the base netting.

[0038] The bangs seam, FIG. 11-10 is sewn perpendicular to seams FIGS. 11-4 and 6, it curves to be sewn onto seams FIGS. 11-4 and 6.

[0039] FIG. 12 depicts the step in which the hair strands of the two inch back piece, FIGS. 3-12 and 13, is hand sewn on the underside of the base netting FIG. 12-1, using a needle and four pound test 0.008 fishing line. The hair strands, 13, are pulled from the bottom side up to the top side of the hair supplement using the hair hook and technique as described in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

[0040] The hair hook is inserted from the top surface at one-half to three-fourths of an inch from the back edge of the base netting, FIG. 12-17, and pulled out to the top and over the back edge, FIG. 12-17, of the base netting.

[0041] FIG. 13 is the bottom view of Claim 3, Natural Look Fashion with Bangs, upon which at one-half inch from the front of the base netting, a snap clip, FIG. 3-18, is positioned wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement and the side edges of the clip rests upon seams FIGS. 13-4 and 6. The snap clip, FIG. 13-18, is hand sewn onto the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line.

[0042] In this same figure, the second snap clip, FIG. 3-19, is positioned at one inch from the back edge, FIG. 13-17, of the base netting, wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement and the side edges of the clip rests upon seams FIGS. 13-4 and 6. The snap clip, FIG. 13-19, is hand sewn onto the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line.

[0043] FIG. 14, depicts the bottom view of Claim 4, Side Part Fashion, fabrication includes use of the base netting, FIG. 3-1, to which a ten inch hair weft, FIGS. 3-2 and 3, is sewn by sewing machine to the perimeter of base netting, FIG. 14-1, starting at the right front corner, sewing with a zigzag stitch. The hair weft 2 and 3, is placed on top of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, and sewn on edge, FIG. 14-20. While still under the zipper foot, at the back corner, the netting is turned at a 90 degree curve and sewing continues onto back edge, FIG. 14-21. Upon reaching the left edge of the base netting FIG. 14-1, the netting is turned a 90 degree curve while still under the zipper foot and sewing continues onto the left side edge, FIG. 14-22.

[0044] The first four inch hair weft, FIGS. 3-4 and 5, is placed at three-eighths of an inch to the right of edge FIG. 14-22 and parallel to edge FIG. 14-22 and sewn on the underside of the base netting FIG. 14-1, using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine to form seam FIG. 14-23. The hair FIG. 14-5, lays toward the center on the base netting.

[0045] A second four inch hair weft, FIGS. 3-6 and 7, is placed at one-half inch to the left/center of edge FIG. 14-20, and sewn on the underside of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, with the hair laying toward the outside, to form seam FIG. 14-24, using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine.

[0046] A third four inch hair weft, FIGS. 3-30 and 31, is placed parallel to form seam FIGS. 14-23 one-half inch to the right of seam FIG. 14-23 to form seam FIG. 14-25. This third hair weft is sewn onto the underside of base netting FIG. 14-1, using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine, with the hair lying to lay toward the outside on the base netting.

[0047] The hair strands of seams FIGS. 14-23, 24, and 25, are pulled from the bottom side up to the top of the hair supplement using the hair hook and technique as described in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 in the following manner: hair strands from seam FIG. 14-23 are pulled from center to outer side, direction while being pulled from the bottom. The hair strands from seam 23 are pulled to the top to lay over seam FIG. 14-25, 24, and 20. The hair strands of seam FIG. 14-25 are pulled from center to outer side, direction while being pulled from the bottom. The hair strands of seam 25 are pulled to the top and lay over seam FIGS. 14-23 and 22. The hair strands of seam FIG. 14-24, are pulled from center to outer side, while being pulled from the bottom. The hair strands of seam 24 are pulled to the top and lay over seam FIG. 14-20.

[0048] The two inch piece of hair weft, FIGS. 3-10 and 11, is positioned at one and one-half inches parallel to the bottom side at the back edge of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, and perpendicular to seams FIGS. 14-23, 24, and 25 and ends at seams FIGS. 14-20 and 22. This back piece of hair weft, 10 and 11 is hand sewn with a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line underneath the base netting.

[0049] The hair strands of FIG. 14-11, that was sewn on the underside of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, are pulled from the bottom side up to the top of the hair supplement using the hair hook and technique as described in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. The hair hook is inserted from the top surface at one-half to three fourths of an inch from the back edge of base netting, FIG. 14-1. The hair is pulled out to the top and over the back edge, FIG. 14-21, of the base netting.

[0050] On the under side of the hair supplement, upon which at three-eighths of an inch from the front edge of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, a snap clip, FIG. 3-18, is positioned wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement, the side edges of the clip rests upon seams FIGS. 14-22 and 25. This snap clip is FIG. 14-18.

[0051] The second snap clip, FIG. 3-19, is hand sewn onto the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line. In this same figure, the second snap clip, FIG. 14-19, is positioned at one inch from the back edge, FIG. 14-21, of the base netting, FIG. 14-1, wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement and the side edges of the clip rests upon seam FIG. 14-20 and base netting, FIG. 14-1. The snap clip, FIG. 14-19, is hand sewn onto the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line.

[0052] FIG. 15 is a front view of Claim 4, Side Part Fashion.

[0053] FIG. 16 is a front view of Claim 5, Highlights Fashion.

[0054] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of Claim 5, Highlights Fashion. This style includes base netting FIG. 3-1; four 4 inch sections of hair weft FIGS. 3-4 and 5, 6 and 7, 30 and 31, 32 and 33; a two inch hair weft FIGS. 3-10 and 11; and 2 snap clips FIGS. 3-18 and 19. The first four inch section of hair weft, FIGS. 3-4 and 5, is sewn using a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch onto the bottom side of the base netting at the right edge to form seam FIG. 17-26. Hair section FIGS. 3-4 and 5, is sewn such that the seam 4, is on the outside edge and the hair, 5, lays to the inside under base netting FIG. 17-1.

[0055] The second four inch section of hair weft FIGS. 3-6 and 7, is sewn using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine onto the bottom of base netting FIG. 17-1, at the left edge to form seam FIG. 17- 27. Hair section 6 and 7, is sewn such that seam 6, is on the outside edge and the hair 7, lays to the inside under base netting.

[0056] The third four inch section of hair weft FIGS. 3-30 and 31, is sewn onto the underside of base netting FIG. 17-1, at one-half inch to the center from seam FIG. 17-28. This third hair section forms seam FIG. 17-28. The hair 30 and 31, is positioned for sewing such that the seam 30, is toward the outside edge and the hair 31, lays toward the center.

[0057] The fourth section of hair weft FIGS. 3-32 and 33, is sewn using a zigzag stitch with the sewing machine, onto the underside of base netting FIG. 17-1, at one-half inch toward the center of seam FIG. 17-27. This fourth hair section forms seam FIG. 17-29. The hair 32 and 33, is positioned for sewing such that the seam 32 is toward the outside edge and the hair 33, lays toward the center of the base netting.

[0058] A two inch hair weft, FIGS. 3-10 and 11, is hand sewn positioned at one inch from the back edge using four pound test 0.008 fishing line. The seam 10 is positioned on the underside and the hair 11, lays toward the outer back edge.

[0059] Using the hair hook and hair pulling techniques in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the strands of hair are pulled from the underside to the top in the following order and manner: hair strands from FIG. 17-29 are pulled over seams FIGS. 17-28 and 26; hair strands from FIG. 17-28 are pulled over seams FIGS. 17-29 and 27; hair strands from seam FIG. 17-27 are pulled over seams FIGS. 17-29, 28, and 26; hair strands from seam FIG. 17-26 are pulled over seams FIGS. 17-28, 29, and 27.

[0060] Continuing with use of the hair hook and technique in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the hair from the back piece, FIG. 17-11, is pulled by inserting the hair hook from the top and pulling the hair out from the bottom to the top and the hair 11, lays over the back edge of base netting FIG. 17-1.

[0061] On the under side of the hair supplement, upon which at one-half inch from the front edge of the base netting, FIG. 17-1, a snap clip, FIG. 3-18, is positioned wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement and the side edges of the clip rests upon seams FIGS. 17-28 and 29. This clip is depicted as FIG. 17-18.

[0062] The second snap clip, FIG. 3-19, is hand sewn onto the under side of the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line. In this same FIG. 17, the second snap clip, FIG. 17-19, is positioned at one-half inch from the back edge, of the base netting, FIG. 17-1, wherein the teeth point to the back of the supplement and the side edges of the clip rests upon seams FIGS. 17-28 and 29. The snap clip, 19 is hand sewn onto the hair supplement using a needle and 4 pound test 0.008 fishing line.

[0063] With each of the Hair Supplements, Claims 2, 3, 4, and 5, additional 1/8.sup.th to 3/8.sup.th sized pieces of hair may be sewn underneath and pulled through to the top using the techniques in

[0064] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 to cover any seams that may be visible after completion of the hair supplement. The additional pieces are hand sewn using a needle and four pound test 0.008 fishing line. This is done on an as needed basis and is not always necessary.

Claims

1. The Snap Clip Hair Supplement provides a novel and much needed product for persons who are suffering from hair loss on the crown of the head. This product is unique as the end user gently slides the snap clips onto the crown of the head over existing hair without professional assistance. The snap clips engage to conform with the curve of the head and hair used for fabrication is commercially available in many styles and colors to personalize. This product is fabricated by the process of sewing commercially available artificial or human hair underneath and onto a base nylon netting. Clusters of hair are pulled from under the netting to lay on top of the netting. Thus, the netting is hidden and the hair is intertwined to simulate the natural part of hair while adding volume to existing hair. These supplements may also be desired--irregardless of experiencing hair loss--by a user wanting to add volume or color highlights without chemical treatments.

2. The process of utilizing commercially available wefts of artificial or human hair in which the seams of the hair wefts are sewn by machine and by hand onto a base nylon netting and the hair of the hair wefts is pulled through holes of the netting to cover the base and seams to duplicate the appearance of natural hair. Claim 2 is a Natural Look Fashion that has a simulated part on the crown of the head, hair radiates from the part onto the right, left, and back of the head.

3. The process of utilizing commercially available wefts of artificial or human hair in which the seams of the hair wefts are sewn by machine and by hand onto a base nylon netting and the hair of the hair wefts is pulled through holes of the netting to cover the base and seams to duplicate the appearance of natural hair. Claim 3 is a Natural Look Fashion with Bangs that has a simulated part on the crown of the head and hair radiates from the part onto the right, left, and back of the head, and affords additional bangs at the front of the hair supplement.

4. The process of utilizing commercially available wefts of artificial or human hair in which the seams of the hair wefts are sewn by machine and by hand onto a base nylon netting and the hair of the hair wefts is pulled through holes of the netting to cover the base and seams to duplicate the appearance of natural hair. Claim 4 is a Side Part Fashion that has a simulated part on either the left or right side of the crown to allow the appearance of hair that is parted to the side rather than down the middle of the head. Hair radiates across the crown, down the right, left, and back side of the head.

5. The process of utilizing commercially available wefts of artificial or human hair in which the seams of the hair wefts are sewn by machine and by hand onto a base nylon netting and the hair of the hair wefts is pulled through holes of the netting to cover the base and seams to duplicate the appearance of natural hair. Claim 5 is a Highlights Fashion that has a simulated part and radiates from the crown onto the right, left, and back side of the head. This style is designed to offer the end user an option of adding supplemental hair that may be of different or lighter color than one's natural hair--in order to provide a highlight effect.