Hair holding device and method of use

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hair accessories, and more particularly to a hair holder that securely and adjustably holds hair in place and a method of use.

2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

The following description of the art related to the present invention refers to a number of publications and references. Discussion of such publications herein is given to provide A more complete background of the principles related to the present invention and is not to be construed as an admission that such publications are necessarily prior art for patentability determination purposes.

Throughout history, many devices have been designed to hold, tie, fasten or protect human hair. Such devices usually aim to fasten hair in place into a particular hairstyle (commonly a ponytail) or shape (commonly cylindrical). The market is riddled with numerous hair fastening devices which use many different means to attempt to fasten or hold hair in place. Those devices range from the common elastic band to more sophisticated holding means such as clamps, pins and teeth-like gripping mechanisms. Two of the more popular hair fastening devices are the scrunchie and the hairpin.

In spite of the abundance of hair holding devices in the market, not many of them are aesthetically pleasing while being capable of efficiently, securely and adjustably hold hair in place. Most of the hair holding devices of the prior art tend to move off place after being used for a while thus losing their hair holding capabilities. Another common problem is that those devices usually are sold in pre-determined sizes so they are not adjustable to the amount of hair they are supposed to be holding. Further, the devices that use an elastic band(s) as the hair holding mechanism usually lose their effectiveness and usefulness once the elastic band is damaged or broken.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The present application discloses and claims a unique hair holding and fastening device comprising a pre-formed, half-cylindrical base made of high quality, highly resistant materials such as 18 gauge stainless steel, nickel, gold, silver, and highly resistant plastic. The base could also be manufactured from cheaper metal such as steel and then gold or silver plated. The base comprises an outside surface and an inside surface. The inside surface comprises multiple successively aligned loop shanks protruding in sequential, opposite direction capable of receiving an elastic band. The configuration of the loop shanks allows: (1) the elastic band to be firmly attached to the base; (2) the user to manipulate the device as necessary to fulfill its hair holding function without the band slipping out of place; and (3) and replacing the elastic band if it breaks or if the device's particular use requires a different size or style band.

A primary object of the invention disclosed and claimed in this application to provide a durable hair holding device that can hold hair firmly in place while providing an aesthetically pleasing piece of apparel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable means to hold hair comprising an elastic band that can be replaced or which size can be changed while preserving the aesthetic properties of the device and without compromising its integrity.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hair holding device which outside surface will comprise aesthetically pleasing high quality materials and designs. In one embodiment, the outside surface is interchangeable to allow a number of styles from a single hair holding device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1: is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2: is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention including an elastic band.

FIG. 3: is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with three loop shanks and without an elastic band.

FIG. 4: is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with two loop shanks.

FIG. 5: is an exploded bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which the loop shanks are in the closed position.

FIG. 6: is a perspective bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the loop shanks are in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hair holding device that comprises a base (3) and an elastic band (4). The base (3) is arced, having a cross-section that is 120 to 240 degrees of a circle.

This semi-cylindrical shape is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6. The base (3) is monolithic and comprises an outside surface and an inside surface. When the hair holding device is employed by the use, the inside surface faces the hair and the outside surface, which is ornamental in nature, faces away from the hair.

The inside surface comprises multiple successively aligned loop shanks (2). The loop shanks comprise an attached end, which is fixedly attached to the inside surface of the base, and a free end. The loop shanks are slightly malleable, in that the free end can be pulled away from or pushed toward the base and will stay in the position in which it is placed. This allows for two positions of the free end. The closed position occurs, as depicted in FIG. 5, when the free end is in contact with the base, completing a loop. The open position occurs when the free end has been pulled away from the base by the user, opening the loop as illustrated in FIG. 6. The two positions enable an elastic band (4) to be threaded through the free end of the loop shank when in the open position and secured in place when the loop shank is returned to the closed position by pressure on the free end of the loop shank. The malleability of the loop shanks allows for replacement of the elastic band whenever desired, but prevents the elastic band from escaping from the loop shank at any other time. The loop shanks are arrayed in such a way that the open ends alternate in direction, as depicted in FIG. 6. This directionality prevents the loop shanks being pulled open by directional pressure on the elastic band.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, also comprises an ornamental covering. The ornamental covering is either permanently or removably affixed to the base. The ornamental covering, at a minimum, covers the outside surface of the base, and at a maximum, covers the outside surface of the base and the inside surface of the base except for the loop shanks, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferred materials for the ornamental covering are exotic leathers. However, woven fabric, beads, and a number of other variations can also be used to cover the base.

The alternative form of the invention, depicted in FIG. 6, does not comprise an ornamental covering. The outside surface of the base (3) itself is ornamental. If the base is metal, it may have a pattern etched into it. If the base is an injection molded material, such as plastic, the outside surface may have a raised or recessed pattern. The outside surface may have beads or similar decorative elements affixed to it with an adhesive.

In an alternative form of the invention, the base is made of a malleable and moldable material capable of being adjusted to the particular volume of hair the device holds by just applying inward pressure to the base. The curvature of the base can be adjusted by the user, depending on the user's needs. Prior to attaching the device to the user's hair with the elastic band, the user can apply pressure to the base to increase or decrease the degree of arcing. This allows a user with a large volume of hair to keep the base in a wider position. A user with a smaller volume of hair or who wishes to affix the device to one section of hair can press the base into a narrower or more arced configuration, so that a small amount of hair is not held by a wide device.

In another alternative form of the invention, the ornamental covering is easily removable, so that different coverings can be used on a single base. The interchangeable ornamental coverings may be affixed to the base with a reusable adhesive, Velcro, drawstrings around its edges or similar attachment means.