Convertible Wig Case

Abstract

A sectional, convertible wig case for storing and transporting a wig and either a wiglet or fall. The case includes a wig stand having a base which partitions the case into two compartments and which may be supported at various heights within the case. Conveniently, the case is fabricated with removable wall sections such that when only the wig is transported, an upper section of the case may be removed to shorten the case and make it easier to carry. To reduce the shipping cost of the case, each section is adapted to be shipped in a flat condition and afterwards easily assembled into its normal cylindrical configuration by the retailer or purchaser.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Ser. No. 679,900, filed Nov. 1, 1967 for a Wig Stand, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,106, issued Nov. 18, 1969.

Description

This invention relates to a wig case for transporting and storing a wig.

Although wig cases for transporting and storing wigs are known, there is none that is specifically designed to simultaneously store a wig, and either a wiglet or fall; nor is there one which also can be converted easily into a smaller case when only a wig, for example, is to be stored. As a consequence, an owner of these hair pieces must either buy three individual cases to store and carry the hair pieces or a large frequently unsuitable case which is unnecessarily bulky when only one hair piece is carried.

Another disadvantage of known wig cases is that they occupy a large volume per unit weight. Consequently, even though the wig case may be light in weight, its comparatively large size makes the shipping cost from the manufacturer or wholesaler to the retailer a significant portion of its ultimate sales price of the case. This cost could be reduced if a wig case could be devised that could be transported in a flat configuration and then subsequently easily assembled by the retainer or purchaser to its customary shape.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a wig case for storing and transporting a wig and either a fall or a wiglet.

Another object is to provide a wig case with removable wall sections and a wig stand which can be supported at various heights within the case such that when only the wig is to be stored and transported, the wig can be stored in the lower section of the case and the upper section removed to shorten the case and make it easier to carry.

Still another object is to provide a wig case which may be shipped in a flat configuration and then subsequently easily assembled by a retailer or purchaser to its customary shape.

A further object is to provide a wig case which can be easily changed in height by the addition or subtraction of removable sections.

A still further object is to provide a hinge which can be easily united and separated for securing removable sections of a wig case.

Another object is to provide a wig case which is practical and economically feasible to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention comprises a platform or base supporting through means of a swivel joint and peg, an artificial head which wears the wig during travel, storage, or styling. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the base is in the form of a substantially circular sheet of sufficient weight and diameter to provide stability so that it will not easily tip over, yet not heavy enough to impede easy carrying when contained within a traveling case.

The swivel joint, which is preferably of the ball-and-socket-type, is equipped with a pressure clamp so as to allow the joint to be locked firmly in position. Mounted on top of the joint is a peg which is so shaped as to insure a snug fit between the peg and a recess bored into the base of the artificial head.

The base fits within a vase in a manner whereby a space exists beneath the base thereby providing a convenient place for the storage of combs, hair brushes, rollers, hair spray and the like. An outer protective shell surrounds the head leaving ample room for the hair.

In a second embodiment, the wig case is adapted to store a wig on a wig stand and either a fall or a wiglet. It is also adapted to be reduced in height to facilitate its portability when only one of the hair pieces is to be carried. This is accomplished by providing an adjusting means to easily adjust the height of the base of the wig stand above the bottom of the case and by fabricating the case with removable sections.

To adjust the height of the wig stand, the spacers are stepped to form ledges for supporting the base of the wig stand at various heights; and the base carries a plurality of notches of various depths. By indexing the base and selecting the appropriate notches, the base can be dropped downwardly to a desired ledge.

When the wig stand is on the lowermost step, the wig is stored in the lower section of the case. If desired, the upper section can then be removed to shorten the case and make it easier to carry.

Conveniently, the wig case can be modified to be shipped in a flat configuration and subsequently easily assembled by a retailer to put it in its customary cylindrical shape. The wall sections of the case are fabricated and shipped in a flat rectangular strip. When the retailer receives the case, he assembles it by bending each strip into a cylindrical section. Each section is retained in this form by being fastened with joining flaps and snap fasteners.

The sections are attached to one another, the cover, and lid of the case by hinges which unite and separate simply by rotative movement, and by conventional clasps.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, shown as it would appear in a traveling case.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ball and socket swivel joint.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the wig case having removable wall sections and adjusting means to adjust the vertical height of the wig stand.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, assembled view of the case shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case shown in FIG. 4 with the upper section removed.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the case shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal view of the base and spacers of the wig case of FIG. 6 particularly showing the manner in which the base is supported by these spacers.

FIG. 8 is an unassembled elevation view of one of the hinges which joins the top, bottom, and wall sections of the wig case.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the case of the second embodiment modified by being fabricated in flat sections which can be economically shipped and subsequently easily assembled by a retailer or purchaser.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an unassembled view of the case of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 9 modified with an additional wall section.

FIG. 13 is an unassembled view of the wig case of FIG. 9 modified with a different type of cover fastener for maintaining the sections in a cylindrical shape.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the invention, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a platform or base 10, having a swivel joint secured thereto. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the swivel joint comprises a ball 14 and a U-shaped stand 18 fastened via bolts 20 to the base 10.

A peg 15 extends from the ball. A bolt 22 and a wingnut 24 extend through ball 14 and the upper arms of U-shaped stand 18. By proper manipulation of the wingnut, the ball can be made to swing or pivot or to be fixed within stand 18 at the desired angle for ease of styling of wig 26 mounted on artificial head 28.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the swivel joint comprises two socket halves 30 and 32 joined via bolt 34 and wingnut 36. With this construction, wingnut 36 may be tightened or loosened as to provide a controlled pressure on ball 38 which resides within socket halves 30 and 32. Affixed to ball 38 is a truncated conical peg 40. The joint is secured to a flat support 42 which, when assembled, is fastened to base 10 via bolts 44.

Artificial head 28 has a recess on its underside which is of the same geometrical shape as peg 15 or 40.

An external protective shell or case 50 surrounds head 28, and wig 26. When contained within case 50, base 10 rests on a plurality of spacers 52 to provide a storage space beneath the platform or base.

In the preferred embodiment, case 50 is provided with a removable lid 54 which is attached by conventional means such as a zipper to the lower platform of the case.

Platform 10 is preferably made of sheet stock, such as plastic, formica, fiber glass or the like, heavy enough to provide stability but light enough to enable easy hand transport. If desired, suction cups (not shown) may be provided on its underside to enable removable affixation to the table top.

With such construction a wig may be carried or stored while its coiffure is maintained and protected from damage or rumpling.

There is also provided a styling stand for the wig which can be manipulated to position the head in any of a variety of positions most convenient for grooming the hair and held firmly there by tightening of positioning nut 24 or 36. Thus, the head may be tilted or turned along its axis so as to present to the owner the greatest access to any portion of the wig.

And for travel or storage, head 28 is placed in a vertical position and nut 24 or 36 threadily tightened thereby securely fastening head 28 in such manner that wig 26 will not come into contact with the case 50.

It should be noted that with lid 54 removed, wig 26 may be placed directly on head 28 or conversely removed by simply draping it over the head 28.

A second embodiment of the wig case 50 is shown in FIGS. 3 through 8. In this embodiment, the shell of the case is sectioned into upper and lower cylindrical sections 60, 62 and is closed by removable lid 64 and removable bottom 66. These components are preferably made of a rigid or semirigid plastic composition but other materials of similar character may be employed. The sections are joined to each other and to the lid and bottom of the case by hinges 68 on one side and by clasp 69 on the other. The case may be bent back and opened wherever the hinges are located.

Hinge 68 is most clearly seen in FIG. 8. It comprises two identical parts which easily unite or separate to allow the above-mentioned case components to be easily assembled or removed. Each mating hinge part comprises a tongue 70 and a sleeve 72 for receiving the tongue of the opposing part. The parts of the hinge are connected by aligning each tongue with its opposing sleeve such that they are in a common plane with the tongue at the of the sleeve and then moving the parts in opposite direction colinear to the longitudinal axis of the tongue.

Each clasp 69 comprises an apertured flexible link 73 and an abutment 74. The clasp is conventionally closed by pressing the aperture of the link over the mating abutment 74, as best seen in FIG. 6.

Located within the case is a removable base 76 for carrying a wig stand 77 and the head 28 on which the wig is groomed. The base is preferably made of a material such as plastic, wood, steel, and the like which will provide a firm support for the wig stand even when the base is out of the case and when the wig is being groomed. The base also acts as a partition to divide the case into two closed compartments.

To adjust the vertical height of the wig stand within the case, wig stand adjusting means is provided. The adjusting means consists of a plurality of notches in the base and a plurality of spacers 78 on which the base is supported. As best seen in FIG. 7, the notches in the base are in three groups of two notches: a first notch 80 and a second notch 82 which extend respectively deeper into the base. Corresponding with these base notches, each spacer includes a first step or ledge 86, a second step 88 and a third step 90 which are respectively wider or extend deeper toward the center of the case. The margin of the base will only rest on the top steps 86. However, the base notches are suitably arranged such that when notches 80 are aligned with the spacers, the base will drop to steps 88 and be supported thereon; and when notches 82 are aligned with the spacers, the base will drop to steps 90 and be supported thereon. As should be easily understood, the base notches can be aligned with the steps by rotating the base relative to the spacers.

Since the height of the wig stand is adjustable, the case can easily be adapted to store either a wig, a wiglet, or a wig and fall. When the base of the wig stand is supported at its uppermost height, designated in FIG. 7 as position A, the wig can be stored in the wig stand in the upper compartment while a wiglet on a "mushroom head," not shown, can be stored in the lower compartment. When the base is supported in its intermediate height, designated position B, the wig can be stored in the lower compartment while a fall is stored in the upper compartment. Finally, when the base is supported at its lowermost height, designated position C, the wig can be carried in the upper compartment while hairpins, curlers, and the like are restored in the lower compartment. When only the wig is carried and when the base is at its lowermost position, the upper section 60 of the case may be moved and lid 64 attached to the lower section, as shown in FIG. 5. Conveniently, this makes the case more compact and portable making it easier to carry.

It should be evident that the case may be converted to various lengths simply by adding or removing sections and the spacer steps can be altered to support the base at heights to accommodate two wigs, two falls, two wiglets or any combination thereof.

In FIGS. 9 through 13, a modification of the wig case of FIGS. 3 through 8 is shown. In this modification, the wall sections of the wig case are fabricated so they can be shipped, with the remaining components of the wig case, in a flat configuration for more economical shipping. Also, these sections are fabricated such that they can subsequently be easily assembled by a retailer or purchaser.

To accomplish this, the upper and lower sections 60, 62 are fabricated in thin rectangular flat strips as best seen in FIG. 11. They are made of plastic or a similar material which can be easily bent by a retailer or purchaser into the circular, semirigid shape, shown in FIG. 9.

As best seen in FIG. 11, overlying cover or locking flaps-- an outer flap 100 and an inner flap 102--retain these sections in a circular configuration. Each flap is molded of plastic, is arcuate shaped and conforms to the circular shape of the sections. The flaps include apertures 104 for receiving conventional snap fasteners 106. Each section has corresponding apertures 108 such that when each section is assembled, as best seen in FIG. 10, with the ends of the section abutting each other and the flaps overlying the area of abutment on each side of the section, all the apertures are aligned to receive the snap fasteners. After which, the snap fasteners are placed within the apertures and fastened. In this manner, the sections are retained in their cylindrical configuration.

In the upper and lower portions of the outer flaps 100, there are molded hinge parts 109, 110 of the type shown in FIG. 8. As previously described, each part consists of a tongue 70 and a sleeve 72 for receiving the tongue of an opposing part. These hinge parts, as in the previous embodiment, retain the sections together and to the lid and bottom of the case. Clasps 69 are also located on the case diametrically opposite to the hinges to lock the sections to each other, to the lid 64 and to the bottom 66 as in the previous embodiment (FIGS. 3-6). The lid 64 and bottom 66 of this case are the same as previously described.

Although not shown, the spacers 78 and the wig stand and its base 75 are intended to be included with this modification; but these components may be omitted. If omitted, the case may be utilized as a conventional carrying case which is easily collapsible and which may be converted to various lengths simply by adding or removing the wall sections. One such case shown in FIG. 12 where an additional section, designated as intermediate section 111 is included.

In FIG. 13, another concept is shown for assembling the section together. This concept differs primarily from the previous concept by having unitary inner and outer locking flaps 112, 114 which extend the length of the case and which the wall sections are retained to. The flaps 112, 114, flat rectangular strips of sections 60, 62, lid 64 and bottom 66 have apertures 116 therein for receiving the conventional snap fasteners 106.

The method of assembling this case is to first bend the flat strip comprising the lower section 62 into a circular configuration with the ends of the strip abutting each other and then place it into the bottom of the case such that the apertures in the bottom are aligned with the lower apertures of the section. Afterwards, the outer and inner flaps are suitably placed such that their apertures are aligned with the apertures of the section. The snap fasteners are then placed through the apertures and fastened. The section is then retained in its circular configuration and to the bottom of the case. Afterwards. the upper section is bent, placed on top of the lower section, and fastened to the flaps in a similar manner. Finally, the lid is placed on top of the upper section, its apertures aligned with the apertures in the upper end of the flaps and fastened to the flaps by the snap fasteners. Although not shown, it is to be understood that there is a securing means, such as clasps 69, diametrically opposed to the flaps to retain the opposite end of these sections together and to the bottom and top of the case. The locking flaps 112, 114 are sufficiently flexible such that either the lid 64 or upper section 60 may be bent upwardly to open the case. Although both inner and outer locking flaps are shown in this modification for maximum strength, it is to be understood that the case can also be assembled with only an outer flap.

From the above description, it should now be evident that a novel wig case for storing and transporting a wig and either a fall and a wig case has been provided. The case includes a wig stand which can be adjusted at various heights, and since the case can also be made in sections which are easily removable, it can easily be reduced in size when only the wig is stored to make it easier to carry. Advantageously, these removal sections also enable the case to be made of any practical size by the addition or subtraction of these sections. Fortunately, these sections may be fabricated in flat rectangular strips to make the case more economical to ship and store by a retainer. Provision is also made to enable the retailer or purchaser to easily assemble the case into its customary cylindrical shape. The simplicity of the case makes it economical and practical to manufacture.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain charges may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

Now that the invention has been described; what is claimed is:

1. A wig case comprising a bottom, a cylindrical shell extending upwardly from said bottom and forming an enclosure with an open upper end, at least one portion of said shell being fabricated from at least one flat strip of material, at least one locking flap connected to the extremities of said one strip so as to retain said strip in a cylindrical configuration, an access lid for closing the shell, a removable and adjustable wig stand base supported within said shell and partitioning said case into at least two substantially closed chambers, adjusting means for adjusting the vertical height of said base with respect to the bottom of said case, fastening means comprising a plurality of hinge parts at least one attached to one extremity of said one locking flap and one other attached to said lid, said hinge parts positioned in working relation to one another, whereby said shell and said lid are connected together by engagement of said cooperatingly positioned hinge parts.

2. A wig case as in claim 1 wherein said shell comprises a plurality of such strips removably connected to one another by cooperation of such hinge pats whereby said shell is made of a plurality of removable wall sections.

3. A wig case as in claim 2, wherein said fastening means further comprises clasp means, said sections being fastened together by said clasp means and said hinge parts, whereby said hinge parts are united and separated by movement of cooperating hinge parts in opposite directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of said hinge parts.

4. A wig case as in claim 1, wherein said shell comprises a plurality of stacked removable sections each having a rectangular, flat configuration, inner and outer locking flaps connected to each such section, whereby said sections are retained in a cylindrical configuration, said fastening means comprising clasp and hinge parts arranged to fasten said sections to each other into the lid and bottom of the case.

5. The wig case of claim 1, wherein the shell is cylindrical and the base has a substantially circular perimeter lying in juxtaposition with the inside periphery of the shell, and said adjusting means is defined by said base having a plurality of notches and a plurality of spacers disposed about the interior of said shell in vertical steps for alignment with said notches such that when the notches and spacers are aligned, the base will descend to a lower step of the spacers and be supported thereon.

6. The wig case of claim 5, wherein groups of two or more notches of different depths are provided on the perimeter of said base and said spacers are disposed about the interior of said shell for alignment with the notches in each group such that the base will be supported on different steps of the spacers according to which notches in the spacers are aligned with.