Lock Clip Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR 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 OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to hair clips and more particularly pertains to a new hair clips for holding locks of hair as the locks are maintained, re-twisted, and styled.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to hair clips. Hair clips are a popular device for styling hair. For example, many people like wearing clips in their hair because the clips can provide a color or style that the user appreciates. Hair clips may also be used to hold hair in a certain position for particular styles, such as a clip to hold bangs back and out of the face of the user. Other hair clips are used while a stylist is working on another user's hair. For example, alligator hair clips and barrettes may be used to hold certain sections of hair out of the way, while other sections are being cut, colored, or styled.

Locks are a popular hairstyle. Examples of locks include dreadlocks, sisterlocks, and faux locs. Lock styles generally require twisting, rolling, or braiding strands of hair together. As the hair grows, the locks need to be re-twisted, or re-braided, to incorporate the new growth into the locks. Maintenance of locks can therefore be a time-consuming and detail-oriented process, requiring the user to carefully work through all of the hair to incorporate all of the new growth. Currently, some stylists use alligator clips and barrettes to hold re-twisted locks during the maintenance styling process. However, such clips are generally too large to hold a single lock, making them difficult to work with. Such clips are also generally made from metals and other heat-conductive materials, which can cause discomfort for the user if heat is used.

Thus, there is a need for a hair clip that can hold individual locks of hair, once the hair has been re-twisted, while the user continues to re-twist the remaining locks of hair. Such a device would ideally be easy to place in the hair, and to remove from the hair. Such a device would also ideally be made from a heat-resistant material.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a tubular body having an open position and a closed position. A channel is defined to extend through the tubular body when the tubular body is in the closed position. The channel is configured to receive a lock of hair of a user and the tubular body is configured to encircle the lock of hair of the user while the tubular body is in the closed position. A plurality of vents extend through the tubular body. The plurality of vents are configured to facilitate airflow through the tubular body while the tubular body is encircling the lock of hair of the user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a lock clip device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new hair clips embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the lock clip device 10 generally comprises a tubular body 12 having an open position 14 and a closed position 16. The tubular body 12 may have a first shell 18 and a second shell 20. For example, the tubular body 12 may be bisected into the first shell 18 and the second shell 20. The second shell 20 may extend outwardly from the first shell 18 while the tubular body 12 is in the open position 14. The second shell 20 may abut the first shell 18 while the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16. The tubular body 12 may comprise a material that is resistant to heat transfer, such as a plastic material, a polyurethan material, or a silicone material. More specifically, the tubular body 12 may be made of heat resistant materials that are designed to withstand extreme temperatures without degrading, or of insulative materials that have a low coefficient of conductivity and that therefore do not conduct heat well.

The tubular body 12 generally has an interior surface 22 and an exterior surface 24. The tubular body 12 also generally has an upper end 26 and a lower end 28. The exterior surface 24 of the tubular body 12 may be concavely arcuate between the upper end 26 and the lower end 28. The upper end 26 may be squared between the interior surface 22 and the exterior surface 24. The lower end 28 may be squared between the interior surface 22 and the exterior surface 24.

Each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20 of the tubular body 12 may include a pivot end 48 and a free end 54. The first shell 18 and the second shell 20 generally pivot about the pivot end 48 when the tubular body 12 is pivoted between the open position 14 and the closed position 16. The free end 54 is distally positioned on each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20 relative to the pivot end 48. The free end 54 of the first shell 18 may abut the free end 54 of the second shell 20 when the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16. The free end 54 of the first shell 18 is generally spaced from the free end 54 of the second shell 20 when the tubular body 12 is in the open position 14.

A channel 30 is defined to extend through the tubular body 12 when the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16 wherein the channel 30 is configured to receive a lock of hair 88 of a user 86. The tubular body 12 is also generally configured to encircle the lock of hair 88 of the user 86 while the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16 and while the lock of hair 88 is positioned within the channel 30. The channel 30 generally extends into the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12 and outwardly through the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. The channel 30 is generally positioned between the interior surface 22 of the first shell 18 and the interior surface 22 of the second shell 20 when the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16.

A plurality of vents 32 extend through the tubular body 12. The plurality of vents 32 are generally configured to facilitate airflow through the tubular body 12 while the tubular body 12 is encircling the lock of hair 88 of the user 86. Each vent of the plurality of vents 32 may be elongated. Each vent of the plurality of vents 32 may be perpendicular to the channel 30. Each vent of the plurality of vents 32 generally extends inwardly through the exterior surface 24 and outwardly through the interior surface 22 of the tubular body 12.

For example, a plurality of primary upper vents 34 may be positioned to extend through the first shell 18 proximate to the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12. A plurality of primary lower vents 36 may be positioned to extend through the first shell 18 proximate to the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. Each primary lower vent of the plurality of primary lower vents 36 may be vertically aligned with a respective primary upper vent of the plurality of primary upper vents 34. A plurality of secondary upper vents 38 may be positioned to extend through the second shell 20 proximate to the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12. The plurality of secondary upper vents 38 may be horizontally aligned with the plurality of primary upper vents 34. A plurality of secondary lower vents 40 may be positioned to extend through the second shell 20 proximate to the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. Each secondary lower vent of the plurality of secondary lower vents 40 may be vertically aligned with a respective secondary upper vent of the plurality of secondary upper vents 38.

A hinge 42 may pivotably couple the first shell 18 of the tubular body 12 to the second shell 20 of the tubular body 12. The hinge 42 is generally positioned proximate to, or on, the pivot end 48 of each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20. For example, an upper hinge member 44 may extend through the upper end 26 of the first shell 18 and the upper end 26 of the second shell 20. A lower hinge member 46 may extend through the lower end 28 of each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20.

A connector 50 may releasably retain the tubular body 12 in the closed position 16. The connector 50 is generally positioned proximate to the free end 54 of each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20. For example, the connector 50 may include a pair of protrusions 52 that are coupled to and extend outwardly from the second shell 20 of the tubular body 12. The pair of protrusions 52 may be vertically aligned with each other on the exterior surface 24 of the second shell 20 of the tubular body 12. Each protrusion of the pair of protrusions 52 may be positioned proximate to the free end 54 of the second shell 20. Each protrusion of the pair of protrusions 52 may be square, although other shapes are also contemplated. The pair of protrusions 52 may include an upper protrusion 56 that is positioned adjacent to the upper end 26 and a lower protrusion 58 that is positioned adjacent to the lower end 28.

A pair of clasps 60 may be coupled to and extend from the first shell 18 of the tubular body 12. Each clasp of the pair of clasps 60 may extend outwardly from the free end 54 of the first shell 18. The pair of clasps 60 may be positioned on the exterior surface 24 of the first shell 18. The pair of clasps 60 are generally horizontally aligned with the pair of protrusions 52 wherein each clasp of the pair of clasps 60 is positioned to engage a respective protrusion of the pair of protrusions 52 while the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16. For example, the pair of clasps 60 may include an upper clasp 64 that is positioned adjacent to the upper end 26 and a lower clasp 66 that is positioned adjacent to the lower end 28. Each clasp of the pair of clasps 60 may include a respective notch 62 having a shape that is complementary to a shape of the respective protrusion of the pair of protrusions 52 wherein the respective protrusion of the pair of protrusions 52 is positionable within the respective notch 62.

A grip 68 may be coupled to the tubular body 12. The grip 68 may extend outwardly from the exterior surface 24 of the tubular body 12 wherein the grip 68 is configured to facilitate the user 86 in placing the tubular body 12 to encircle the lock of hair 88. The grip 68 may be centered between the upper end 26 and the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. The grip 68 may be parallel to the plurality of vents 32. The grip 68 may be positioned on the first shell 18 between the plurality of primary upper vents 34 and the plurality of primary lower vents 36. The grip 68 may be positioned on the second shell 20 between the plurality of secondary upper vents 38 and the plurality of secondary lower vents 40.

The grip 68 may include an upper edge 70. The exterior surface 24 of the tubular body 12 may be concavely arcuate between the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12 and the upper edge 70 of the grip 68. The grip 68 may also include a lower edge 72. The exterior surface 24 of the tubular body 12 may be concavely arcuate between the lower edge 72 of the grip 68 and the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. The grip 68 may also include an outer surface 74. The outer surface 74 may be convexly arcuate between the upper edge 70 and the lower edge 72.

A plurality of grooves 76 may extend into the interior surface 22 of the tubular body 12. The plurality of grooves 76 are generally configured to engage the lock of hair 88 of the user 86 whereby the plurality of grooves 76 are configured to secure a position of the lock of hair 88 of the user 86 within the tubular body 12 while the tubular body 12 is in the closed position 16. In other words, the plurality of grooves 76 may be configured to engage the lock of hair 88 to inhibit the lock of hair 88 from becoming untwisted or unbraided while the tubular body 12 encircles the lock of hair 88, thereby facilitating the user 86 in maintaining and retwisting the lock of hair 88. The plurality of grooves 76 may also be configured to inhibit the tubular body 12 from sliding along the length of the lock of hair 88. The plurality of grooves 76 may be positioned adjacent to the pivot end 48 of each of the first shell 18 and the second shell 20 of the tubular body 12.

For example, a primary upper groove 78 may be positioned on the interior surface 22 of the first shell 18 proximate to the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12. A primary lower groove 80 may be positioned on the interior surface 22 of the first shell 18 proximate to the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. The primary lower groove 80 may be vertically aligned with the primary upper groove 78. A secondary upper groove 82 may be positioned on the interior surface 22 of the second shell 20 proximate to the upper end 26 of the tubular body 12. The secondary upper groove 82 may be horizontally aligned with the primary upper groove 78. A secondary lower groove 84 may be positioned on the interior surface 22 of the second shell 20 proximate to the lower end 28 of the tubular body 12. The secondary lower groove 84 may be horizontally aligned with the primary lower groove 80. The secondary lower groove 84 may be vertically aligned with the secondary upper groove 82.

In use, the tubular body 12 can be pivoted to the open position 14 by disengaging the pair of clasps 60 from the pair of protrusions 52. The grip 68 is generally configured to facilitate the user 86 in holding and manipulating the tubular body 12, for example as the pair of clasps 60 are disengaged from the pair of protrusions 52. The tubular body 12 can be positioned around the lock of hair 88, for example once the lock of hair 88 has been re-twisted to incorporate new hair growth into the lock of hair 88. Specifically, the lock of hair 88 can be positioned within the channel 30. The tubular body 12 can then be pivoted into the closed position 16 to encircle the lock of hair 88. The plurality of vents 32 allow airflow through the tubular body 12, helping heat and moisture to dissipate from the lock of hair 88 within the channel 30. The plurality of grooves 76 on the interior surface 22 of the tubular body 12 help to secure a position of the tubular body 12 on the lock of hair 88.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.