AU2016100813A4 - Hairpiece and Method of Hair Extension - Google Patents

Abstract

A hairpiece and method of use for supplementing existing natural hair strands of a wearer, the hairpiece comprising a flexible, transparent, filament loop for encircling a wearer's head, the filament including (i) a first extensible portion integral with (ii) a second inextensible portion having multiple hair strands individually secured thereto, wherein the hairpiece is adapted to lay on the scalp of the wearer with the hair strands adjacent a natural hairline

Description

HAIRPIECE AND METHOD OF HAIR EXTENSION FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hairdressing, particularly hairpieces used as hair extensions.

[0002] In one form, the invention relates to hairpiece. In another form the invention relates to a method of attaching a hairpiece to a wearer to function as a hair extension.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

[0004] Hairpieces are well known in hairdressing for augmenting existing hair volume and appearance. Hairpieces are also used to overcome deficiencies in existing hair due to events such as aging or damage caused by hairdressing chemicals. For example, they are often used where the hair is thinning, hair strands are broken or where there is a bald spot or just to help strengthen or thicken hair.

[0005] Many different configurations of hairpieces have been used In the past. For example, hairpieces have been made of natural or artificial hair which are plaited and sewn to preformed members as shown in U.S. patent 2,865,380. US patent 1,424,845 discloses hair foundations have been placed on frames through which natural hair projects. Hairpieces have also placed on gripping devices, clamps, wires or the like as shown in U.S. patents 1,638,016; 1,607,926 and 1,351,427. Clip fasteners have been used to attach a hairpiece to the head as shown in U.S. patent 3,280,826 but typically hairpieces of the prior art are attached to the hair on the head by disposing the same over the natural hair. However many of the hairpieces of the prior art are cumbersome. In particular the clips, frames or webbing are often uncomfortable.

[0006] US patent 4,600,029 and US patent application 2008/0072920 teach the use of a hairpiece comprising a filament loop that can encircle the head with the hair strands extending down the sides and back of the user. US patent 5,551,452 relates to a hairpiece having an adjustable filament loop to improve the fit to a wearer’s head.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a hairpiece that is more comfortable than those of the prior art.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the related art.

[0009] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

[0010] In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a hairpiece comprising a flexible, transparent, filament loop for encircling a wearer’s head, the filament including (i) a first extensible portion integral with (ii) a second inextensible portion having multiple hair strands individually secured thereto, wherein the hairpiece is adapted to lay on the scalp of the wearer with the hair strands adjacent a natural hairline.

[0011] Where used herein the term ‘hairline’ is intended to refer to the edge of a growth of head hair, especially along the upper forehead. While hairpieces of the prior art typically provide extensions to the hair at the back of a wearer’s head, the present invention is capable of providing extensions to the front of the wearer’s head, such as in the case of a fringe (or bangs). It is particularly effective because the transparency makes the filament difficult to see, optimally almost invisible and the ready moveability of the hair strands along the filament allows the hair strands to be thoroughly blended into the wearer’s natural hair at the hairline.

[0012] The extensible portion of the filament is preferably a polymer or mixture of polymers, which have sufficient elasticity that they can be resiliently stretched, then returned to their original length.

[0013] The inextensible portion of the filament typically comprises a polymer or mixture of polymers, such as a monofilament made from a single fibre of plastic of the type commonly used for fishing line, musical instrument strings and surgical thread.

[0014] The first portion and second portion may be connected at their ends to form the filament loop for encircling a wearer’s head. The connection may be adjustable or non-adjustable. The portions may for example be connected by tying them together, using either a fixed, non-adjustable knot, or alternatively a knot that can be adjusted to alter the size of the filament loop. It is desirable to have a close match between the size of the filament loop and the dimension of the part of the wearer’s head to which it is applied in order to hold the hairpiece in place.

[0015] The filament may further comprise one or more fixing devices for attachment to the wearer’s natural hair. The fixing device may be of any type known in the art such as clips, micro-links or beads. A fixing device is likely to be utilised where the hairpiece is to be kept in place for a relatively long period of time, such as a few weeks of a couple of months.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment the fixing device comprises one or more micro-beads comprising a silicon grommet in an aluminium shell, slidably displaced on the second portion of the filament. In use, a few strands of the wearer’s natural hair are threaded through the grommet and the bead is clamped using small pliers, distorting the aluminium shell and firmly holding the strands in the soft grommet without damaging them. When it is desired to remove the hairpiece the pliers can be used to again change the shape of the aluminium shell and release the strand of natural hair from the bead.

[0017] The strands of hair secured to the second portion may be natural or synthetic. Each strand is preferably individually secured but can be slidably moved along the filament. In a preferred embodiment this can be achieved by tying the strands onto the filament. Individual securing of strands means that any convenient number of strands can be added or removed from the hairpiece. Furthermore they can be cut to any convenient length or styled.

[0018] The strands of hair may be the same, similar, or different in colour. The use of different colours can be used to create different desirable effects such as streaking without the need to bleach or colour the wearer’s natural hair.

[0019] In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of applying the hairpiece of the present invention to the head of a wearer, the method comprising the steps of: encircling the head of the wearer with the filament loop, the second portion of the filament adjacent a natural hairline of the wearer, and urging the hair strands into the hairline amongst natural strands of the wearer’s hair.

[0020] Optimally, urging the hair strands into the hairline using a tail comb or the like will make the hairpiece inconspicuous and the strands of the hair from the hairpiece will become indistinguishable from the natural strands of the wearer’s hair.

[0021] When the hairpiece includes a fixing device, the method will include the additional step of linking the fixing device to one or more strands of the wearer’s natural hair.

[0022] While the hairpiece of the present invention can be used for any hairline, in a particularly preferred embodiment the hairpiece of the present invention is located along the hairline adjacent the wearer’s upper forehead. Thus used, the hairpiece of the present invention is particularly well adapted for providing a fringe (or bangs) without the need to cut into the wearer’s hair.

[0023] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0024] In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that it is possible to configure a hairpiece to extend hair at the hairline, particularly the hairline adjacent a wearer’s upper forehead.

[0025] Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following: • provides additional length, volume or scalp coverage of hair; • lightweight, allowing the hair strands to flow and move realistically; • inconspicuous amongst the wearer’s natural hair; • comfortable even when the wearer is sleeping; • can be securely attached to the wearer’s natural hair so as to remain in place during activities such as swimming and bathing; • can incorporate hair of contrasting shades or particular effects such as streaking; without the need to bleach or colour the wearer’s natural hair; • strands of hair may be added or removed from the hairpiece to achieve any desired volume; • can be successfully used by a professional hairdresser or an untrained user; • can be trimmed or styled.

[0026] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a hairpiece according to the present invention; and FIG. 2 illustrates a hairpiece according to the present invention in use, located on a wearer’s head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a hairpiece (1) according to the present invention. In this view can be seen the flexible, transparent, filament loop (3) including an extensible first portion (4) integral with an inextensible second portion (5). The first portion (4) and second portion (5) are connected at their ends by a pair of slip knots (6, 7) so that they size of the filament (3) can be varied by slidably moving the knots. The second portion (5) has multiple hair strands (8) individually secured thereto. In use, the hairpiece is adapted to lay on the scalp of the wearer with the second portion (5) and hair strands (8) adjacent a natural hairline. Two micro-beads (9,10) are included on the filament (3).

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates the hairpiece of FIG. 1 located on a wearer’s head. In this view it can be seen that the filament (3) encircles the head of the wearer. The second portion (5) of the filament (3) is adjacent the natural hairline of the wearer along the upper forehead. The micro-beads (9,10 not visible in this view) have been clamped onto strands of the wearer’s natural hair.

[0030] While hairpieces of the prior art typically provide extensions to the hair at the back of a wearer’s head, the present invention is capable of providing extensions to the front of the wearer’s head to provide a fringe (or bangs). The strands (8) have been urged into the hairline amongst natural strands of the wearer’s hair so that the hairpiece (1) is virtually indistinguishable from the natural hair.

[0031] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0032] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0033] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

[0034] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims (5)

1. A hairpiece comprising a flexible, transparent, filament loop for encircling a wearer’s head, the filament including (i) a first extensible portion integral with (ii) a second inextensible portion having multiple hair strands individually secured thereto, wherein the hairpiece is adapted to lay on the scalp of the wearer with the hair strands adjacent a natural hairline.

2. A hairpiece according to claim 1 which further comprises one or more fixing devices for attachment to the natural hair of a wearer.

3. A method of applying the hairpiece of claim 1 to the head of a wearer, the method comprising the steps of: - encircling the head of the wearer with the filament loop, the second portion of the filament adjacent a natural hairline of the wearer, and - urging the hair strands into the hairline amongst natural strands of the wearer’s hair.

4. A method according to claim 3 which further includes the step of attaching the filament loop to the natural hair of a wearer using one or more fixing devices.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the second portion of the filament is located adjacent the wearer’s upper forehead to provide a fringe.