U.S. patent application number 13/888085 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for apparatus for concealing a hair band.
The applicant listed for this patent is Amanda Pyper. Invention is credited to Amanda Pyper.
Application Number | 20140326772 13/888085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51840929 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140326772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pyper; Amanda |
November 6, 2014 |
Apparatus for Concealing a Hair Band
Abstract
An apparatus is presented that is worn on the wrist or forearm
that holds an elastic hair band out of sight. The apparatus is
either a permanent loop-shape with affixed ends, a u-shape, or a
u-shape with a fastening structure. The apparatus holds an elastic
hair band internally with a tensioning structure that either
slightly extends from the internal wall of the apparatus or is
recessed into the internal wall, holding an elastic hair band
against the apparatus body when the band is stretched around the
structure in slight tension. Alternatively, the apparatus may hold
the elastic hair band on one end of a u-shaped apparatus where it
serves as a removable fastening mechanism of the two ends, but is
not necessary to keep the apparatus on the wrist.
Inventors: |
Pyper; Amanda; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pyper; Amanda |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51840929 |
Appl. No.: |
13/888085 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/587 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20130101; A45F
2005/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/587 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for wearing on the body, namely on the wrist or arm
that holds a pony tail holder internally or externally, out of view
when worn, formed of a body, comprising of any material such as
metal, leather, or wood; wherein said body portion holds an article
in or against its inner wall or at the underside of the wrist,
concealed from view.
2. The apparatus in claim 1, the material of said apparatus
comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and
the second end are left open to form a hollow u-shape.
3. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein said first end and said second
end are connected to form a continuous hollow loop.
4. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the inner wall of the body
further comprises of a tensioning structure for holding an elastic
hair band in tension when placed around it.
5. The apparatus in claim 1 with a recessed area for holding an
elastic hair band when pressed into the cavity with a tensioning
structure holding it in place with the ends free for easy
removal.
6. The apparatus in claim 2, with first end having a small hole,
large enough to fit a half-folded elastic hair band, and second end
having an object protruding up from the body of the apparatus for
holding one or both ends of the elastic hair band.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to jewelry and
specifically to an apparatus worn on an individual's wrist or arm
that conceals an elastic hair band or other article.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Dating back nearly seventy years, patents have existed that
consist of the generic idea of carrying an item, such as pills,
keys, suntan lotion, etc. in a wearable article of jewelry.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,275 is a watch with hidden
compartment. It is a watch with a backing that when removed reveals
hidden psychological messages and/or photographs. The watch backing
is entirely or partially removable. The apparatus has a timepiece
that is pivotal relative to a backing. The backing has a removable
door on its underside that is removed for placement of the message
into the backing. The user can then lift open the timepiece to
reveal the message in the hidden compartment. Thus, the invention
serves a personal purpose by having a closed compartment that holds
a thin meaningful item rather than serving a functional purpose of
holding a thicker article of utility.
[0004] Another patent that also only provides the function of
holding a small personal item is U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,100: jewelry
with hidden compartment. This item is described as a pendant, or
locket, that consists of an article of jewelry with a closed
compartment, an internal tube, for holding a small and personal
item such as a photo, lock of hair, or charm out of sight.
[0005] Unlike the prior art described above, U.S. Pat. No.
4,502,298, chambered bracelet, serves more of a utility function by
carrying more than a personal keepsake. The chambered bracelet
conceals rolled up money or can serve as a cigarette ashtray.
Similar to the previously discussed patents, it has a closed
container (tubes) within the body of the jewelry where the article
of jewelry has to be opened or the compartment has to be opened to
remove the item.
[0006] Other, less pertinent patents and applications noted in the
course of a prior art search are U.S. Pat. Nos. D335,023;
2,473,226; 3,019,635; 3,680,751; 4,768,688; 6,105,837; 6,941,607;
7,316,128; 7,996,922; 8,279,609; 20060126444; 20070080077; and
20050199659.
[0007] The disclosed art all uses the idea that holding an item in
a wearable apparatus is convenient. There is no need for pockets or
purses when you can carry an item in a wearable apparatus. However,
most of the prior art comprises of jewelry with a closed
compartment within a hollow cavity of the jewelry that holds an
item that is a personal keepsake. None of the current inventions
are designed in a way that accommodates holding an elastic hair
band with a tensioning structure as claimed in this invention.
[0008] There are many known ways to pull back hair to keep it out
of an individual's face, including bobby pins, headbands,
barrettes, and elastic hair bands. The most traditional way to keep
hair out of an individual's face is to put it up into a ponytail
with a ponytail holder. In the recent past, ponytail holders
consisted of an elastic hair band with material sewn around it,
generally referred to as a scrunchie, which was wrapped around the
ponytail as many times to stretch the band tight and hold the hair.
However, the material sewn around the band was often bulky and
tended to impede the utility of the elastic hair band by keeping it
from making a tight wrap around the hair. Additionally, finding a
place to store the scrunchie when not in use was difficult without
a purse. Due to the clumsy fit of the scrunchie and its bulky
appearance, individuals have replaced the scrunchie by using only
the naked elastic hair band to hold their hair back in a ponytail.
By using just the elastic hair band, the problem of a bulky
ponytail holder was solved. Additionally, by just using the elastic
hair band, individuals found a convenient way of carrying the
ponytail holder by keeping it around their wrists when not in use.
Thus, allowing them to be prepared with a ponytail holder on-hand
for the times when their hair needed to be pulled back out of their
faces without worrying about where to store the bulky
scrunchie.
[0009] Unfortunately, the convenience of wearing an elastic hair
band around the wrist created different problems. First, the plain
elastic hair band--traditionally black, white or tan--became
somewhat of a fashion faux pas. In some settings, especially in a
formal setting, the band is an eyesore. Thus, the old problem of
the scrunchie, of what to do with the ponytail holder when not in
use, was revived. Second, the elastic hair band worn on the wrist
can be so tight that it cuts into an individual's wrist often
leaving a red welt.
[0010] In the last couple years, a few products have been created
that attempt to resolve the issue of the eyesore of the elastic
hair band on the wrist in two ways. The first way involves adding
to or modifying the elastic hair band to make it more aesthetically
pleasing when not in use in the hair, but when stored on the wrist.
For example, there are elastic hair bands with plastic skulls, bows
or other decoration attached by glue or a small metal loop that can
be worn facing up on the wrist to detract from the plain elastic
hair band. Additionally, there is a product that is made from a
thicker, less rubber-band like, piece of elastic that comes in a
variety of patterns and colors that is able to tighten around a
ponytail, but also look like a more aesthetically pleasing
wrist-band when not in use. However, while some of these products
help to make the elastic hair band on the wrist less of an eyesore,
none of them successfully conceal the elastic hair band or make it
appear like anything but a ponytail holder. Additionally, the issue
of the elastic hair band uncomfortably digging into an individual's
wrist has not been resolved by decorating the elastic hair
band.
[0011] The second way products attempt to resolve the eyesore
problem, similar to the way this invention proposes, is to not
change the elastic hair band, but to mask it. Only one product
currently exists utilizing this solution that is made by the
company Hairbanglez out of Connecticut. The hair bangle is a
loosely fitting bracelet worn on an individual's forearm, often
referred to as a "bangle." The bracelet is a piece of material,
mainly plastic or metal, with its ends affixed, forming a loop. The
bracelet holds an elastic hair band around the exterior of the
loop. The elastic hair band is held in tension, stretched beyond
its resting shape to fit the loosely fitting loop. The elastic hair
band is still visible on the exterior of the bracelet, but is not
worn tight to the skin so helps to mask the elastic hair band.
However, the product fails to conceal the band from sight, thereby
not fully resolving the eyesore of the elastic hair band.
Additionally, holding the elastic hair band in such a state of high
tension creates a new problem: it causes the elastic hair band to
lose its elasticity. A ponytail holder without elasticity becomes
useless by being unable to tighten hair in a ponytail thereby
negating the value of the convenience of being worn on the
wrist.
[0012] The invention in this application holds an elastic hair band
or other article around a tensioning structure or with a fastening
mechanism that resolves the problem of the over-stretched elastic
hair band by not holding the elastic hair band in high tension.
[0013] The tensioning structure and fastening mechanism only hold
an article in slight tension, enough to reduce its range of
movement to zero, which also prevents the painful red welts from
forming on an individual's wrist from wearing only the elastic hair
band. Namely, this invention eliminates the problem of the eyesore
of the elastic hair band by holding it out of view, but still on
the wrist to maintain the convenience of having a ponytail holder
nearby and ready for use. The apparatus is also largely marketable
as it can be made from many different materials, in any color, and
can include decorative additions such as a timepiece to allow the
apparatus to be used be men with long hair. Additionally, the
tensioning structure can function to hold other articles such as
earphones, cords, strings, rubber bands or various other items for
practical keeping.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present invention is an apparatus worn on the wrist or
forearm that conceals an elastic hair band. The invention is used
by stretching an elastic hair band wide enough to fit around an
elliptical tensioning structure on the internal wall of said
apparatus. There may also be a recession in the internal the wall
to allow the tensioning structure to be flush with the internal
wall. The apparatus is then placed on the wrist or forearm thereby
concealing the elastic hair band between the internal wall of the
body, the tensioning structure, and the wrist. The purpose of the
invention is to resolve the fashion faux pas of wearing an elastic
hair band on the wrist in a setting where it may be inappropriate
and to prevent the elastic hair band from uncomfortably digging
into an individual's wrist, while keeping the band conveniently
located on the wrist for use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows the profile view of the apparatus, with an
ornamental bead (9), holding the elastic hair band (3) in the
interior wall (7) of the apparatus body (1);
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the apparatus with the
elastic hair band (3) held in the interior wall (7) of the body
(1);
[0018] FIG. 3 demonstrates the cross-sectional view of the
apparatus containing a tensioning structure;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the tensioning structure (2) recessed into the
interior wall (7) of the apparatus body (1);
[0020] FIG. 5A presents the first step of the mechanism of the
alternative design fastening system; and
[0021] FIG. 5B presents the second step of the mechanism of the
alternative design fastening system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following detailed description of the invention is
merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the
invention or the application and uses of the invention.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory
presented in the preceding background of the invention or the
following detailed description of the invention.
[0023] The invention involves a jewelry apparatus worn on the wrist
or forearm that conceals an elastic hair band (3) on the interior
wall (7) or underside of the apparatus, which is the side that
faces the skin of the top of the wrist.
[0024] The apparatus can be made of plastic, metal, wood or any
material typical for jewelry. The first model of the apparatus will
be made from a plastic mold; thus, the apparatus body (1) will be
plastic as will the tensioning structure (2). The apparatus can
come in any pattern or colors. It may include a timepiece or
ornamental beads or other decorative additions (9).
[0025] As shown in the profile view of the apparatus in FIG. 1, the
elastic hair band (3) is concealed in the interior wall (7) of the
apparatus body (1).
[0026] As demonstrated in the front view of the apparatus in FIG.
2, the tensioning structure (2) holds the elastic hair band (3) in
place through tension that reduces the elastic hair band's degrees
of freedom for movement to zero. Yet, the tensioning structure (2)
restrains the elastic hair band (3) so as to hold it in place but
does not over stretch it, thereby maintaining the elastic hair
band's elasticity.
[0027] The tensioning structure (2), shown in FIG. 3, can be either
elliptical, circular, or square shaped in order to fit underneath
the roof of the apparatus and still be functional.
[0028] The elastic hair band (3) is hidden from view when the
apparatus is worn because by being placed inside the radial cross
section of the apparatus, the line of sight to the elastic hair
band (3) is blocked as demonstrated in FIG. 2.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus may also have a recessed
area (8) in the internal wall of the body (7), allowing the
tensioning structure (2) to be even with the internal wall (7) of
the apparatus. If the apparatus body (1) contains the recessed area
(8), the ends of the elastic hair band (3) will remain free as to
allow easy removal from the internal wall (7).
[0030] With the recessed area (8), the elastic hair band (3) is
hidden from view when installed on the tensioning structure (2)
when the apparatus is not worn because the tensioning structure (2)
is recessed at least the diameter of the elastic hair band into the
interior wall (7) of the top of the apparatus as seen in FIG.
4.
[0031] The elastic hair band (3) is removed from the position of
tension in the internal wall (7) of the apparatus the same way it
is placed into the apparatus--by stretching the elastic hair band
(3) wide enough to clear the tensioning structure (2).
[0032] Once the elastic hair band (3) is removed from the internal
wall (7) of the apparatus, it can be used in the hair and the
apparatus can be replaced on the forearm or wrist without any
visual or functional change.
[0033] When the elastic hair band (3) is no longer needed for use
in the hair, the individual will remove the apparatus, replace the
elastic hair band (3) in the same manner it was removed, and
replace the apparatus back on the forearm--again with no visual or
functional change.
[0034] Finally, in the alternative design shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
the elastic hair band (3) is kept out of sight on the underside of
the wrist or forearm when worn.
[0035] The first step of the fastening mechanism, as shown in FIG.
5A, occurs when the elastic hair band (3) is attached to the
apparatus body by one end of the elastic hair band (3) looping
over, and remaining hooked on, a peg, bead, button or clip (5) on
one side of the apparatus. The other end of the elastic hair band
then passes through a hole (4) at the other side of the
apparatus.
[0036] The second step of the mechanism is demonstrated in FIG. 5B,
when the end of the elastic hair band that has passed through the
hole (4), is then pulled back to wrap around a peg, bead, button or
clip (5) at the end of the side of the apparatus without the hole
(4). Once the elastic hair band (3) is removed, in the same manner
it was attached, the apparatus keeps form on the wrist. The elastic
hair band (3) is easily replaced when not in use.
[0037] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented
in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should
be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should
also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary
embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the
scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way.
Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those
skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that
various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of
elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing
from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims
and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *