EP3217826B1

EP3217826B1 - Hair accessories and method for attaching same

Info

Publication number: EP3217826B1
Application number: EP15859128.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yaron HAZAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-11
Filing date: 2015-02-15
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-15
Also published as: CN107105807A; AU2015347023A1; MX2017006124A; RU2017116845A; IL251926A0; CO2017005153A2; BR112017009703A2; US20180070664A1; EP3217826A1; ES2807251T3; CY1123123T1; IL251926B; WO2016075679A1; EP3217826A4

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hair accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair accessories, in particular hair extensions, are used by people to supplement their natural hair in order to provide a variety of hair styles. Methods and devices for applying hair extensions are known in the art. Many methods rely on affixing the hair extension to the scalp or natural hair of a person via hair clips, clasps, pins and the like. These methods are not structurally sufficient for maintaining the attachment of the hair extension to the user, and the hair extensions typically become detached while in use. For example, in US 2008/0245384 to Richman , a clasping mechanism sewn into a hair extension is used to attach to the natural hair of the user by passing the natural hair under wire that connects two engaging clasps, and then subsequently folding the hair extension onto itself to engage the clasps. Other methods rely on adhesive techniques for affixing hair extensions to a user's natural hair. However, adhesive techniques are cumbersome in both the application of the hair extension to the user, and in the removal of the hair extension from the user. Adhesive techniques also cause damage to the natural hair of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a family of hair accessory devices and method for applying hair accessories.
According to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a hair accessory device comprising: (a) a male snap member configured for communicating with a hair accessory; and (b) a female snap member for mating with the male snap member, the female snap member configured for communicating with a hair accessory, characterized in that the female snap member includes an aperture for feeding hair there through, and in that the male snap member includes a stem member, and in that the male and female snap members are moveable between a first position, in which the stem member is inserted in the aperture to form a snap retaining the hair, and a second position, in which the snap is disengaged.
Optionally, the hair accessory device comprises: (c) a hair accessory in communication with at least one of the male snap member and the female snap member.
Optionally, the hair accessory is a hair extension.
Optionally, the hair extension is placed in communication with the male snap member via an adhesive.
Optionally, the male snap member comprises: (i) a base member for communicating with the hair extension.
Optionally, the snap is defined by the stem and the aperture.
Optionally, the hair extension is placed in communication with the female snap member via an adhesive.
Optionally, the male snap member includes a first magnet and the female snap member includes a second magnet, the magnetic force between the magnets biasing the stem member to substantially align with the aperture.
Optionally, the male snap member and the female snap member are coated in silicone.
Optionally, the hair accessory device further comprises: (c) a snap member fixedly coupled to the male snap member, the snap member and the male snap member oppositely disposed.
Optionally, the hair accessory device comprises: (c) a snap member fixedly coupled to the female snap member, the snap member and the female snap member oppositely disposed.
There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, a method for applying a hair accessory comprising: (a) obtaining at least one female snap member, the at least one female snap member including an aperture for feeding hair there through; (b) feeding at least one strand of hair through the aperture; (c) obtaining at least one male snap member, the at least one male snap member including a stem member and configured for mating with the at least one female snap member; (d) inserting the stem member in the aperture to make the at least one male snap member with the at least one female snap member, thereby forming a snap and retaining the at least one strand of hair within the snap; (e) obtaining a hair accessory; and (f) placing the hair accessory in communication with a snap member selected from the group consisting of: the at least one male snap member, the at least one female snap member, and a combination thereof.
There is also provided according to an embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, a hair accessory device comprising: (a) a flexible surface member for communicating with a hair accessory; (b) a plurality of female snap members disposed in a row along a first portion of the surface member, each of the female snap members including an aperture for feeding hair there through, each of the female snap members configured for mating with a corresponding male snap member that includes a stem member; and (c) a plurality of male snap members disposed in a row along a second portion of the surface member, characterized in that each of the female snap members is moveable between a first position, in which the stem member of each of the corresponding male snap members is inserted in the corresponding aperture of each of the female snap members, thereby forming a plurality of snaps, each snap retaining hair, and a second position, in which the snaps are disengaged.

TERMINOLOGY

The following terms are used in this application in accordance with their plane meanings, which are understood to be known to those of skill in the pertinent art(s). However, for the sake of further clarification in view of the subject matter of this application, the following explanations, elaborations and exemplifications are given as to how these terms may be used or applied herein. It is to be understood that the below explanations, elaborations and exemplifications are to be taken as exemplary or representative and are not to be taken as exclusive or limiting. Rather, the terms discussed below are to be construed as broadly as possible, consistent with their ordinary meanings and the below discussion.

∘ Natural hair - The term "natural hair" refers to hair which is connected to the scalp of a person. Natural hair may refer to an individual strand of hair connected to the scalp, or to multiple strands of hair connected to the scalp.
∘ Hair extension - The term "hair extension" refers to non-natural hair which is affixed in some way to the natural hair or scalp of a person via an attachment mechanism. A hair extension may refer to an individual strand of non-natural hair, or to a group of individual strands of non-natural hair. A hair extension may made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, synthetic fibers, animal hair, human hair and the like.
∘ Hair accessory - The term "hair accessory" refers to any suitable object affixed to the natural hair or scalp of a person via an attachment mechanism. Types of hair accessories include, but are not limited to, hair extensions, combs, headbands, hairbands, wigs, toupees, barrettes, clips, hair volume generating cushions and the like.
∘ Lock of hair - The term "lock of hair" refers to multiple strands of hair, and preferably at least five strands of hair. A lock of hair may refer to a lock of natural hair or a hair extension made up of multiple strands of non-natural hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a hair accessory device in a second position according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1B is an exploded similar to FIG. 1B with hair fed through an aperture of a female snap member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1C is an isometric view of a hair accessory device in a first position, retaining hair in a snap, according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 2A-2B are front views of a female snap member in communication with a hair accessory according an embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 2C is a side view of a female snap member in communication with a hair accessory according an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2D is a front view of a female snap member in communication with a surface member and a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 3A-3B are front views of a male snap member in communication with a hair accessory according an embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 3C is a side view of a male snap member in communication with a hair accessory according an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3D is a front view of a male snap member in communication with a surface member and a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4A is a topside view of a plurality of female snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4B is an underside of a plurality of female snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5A is a topside view of a plurality of female snap members and a plurality of male snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5B is an underside view of a plurality of female snap members and a plurality of male snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6A is a topside view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6B is an underside view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with a hair accessory according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with a volume generating member and a comb according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8A is a side view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with a volume generating member and at least one Velcro™ patch according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8B is a topside view of a plurality of female snap members in communication with a volume generating member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9A is an underside view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with a wig according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9B is an underside view of a plurality of female snap members in communication with a wig according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10A is an isometric view of a plurality of female snap members in communication with an affixing member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10B is an isometric view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with an affixing member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a plurality of male snap members in communication with an arcuate headband according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a plurality of female snap members in communication with an arcuate headband according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13A is an isometric view of a dual snap member including first and second female snap members according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13B is a side view corresponding to FIG. 13A;
FIG. 13C is an isometric view of a dual snap member including first and second male snap members according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13D is a side view corresponding to FIG. 13C;
FIGS. 13E-13F are isometric views of a dual snap member including a male and a female snap member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13G is a side view corresponding to FIGS. 13E-13F;
FIG. 14 is a topside view of a plurality of female snap members and a plurality of male snap members in communication with a surface member according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a family of hair accessory devices and method for applying hair accessories.
The principles and operation of a family of devices and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Initially, throughout this document, references are made to directions such as, topside and underside, and the like. These directional references are exemplary only to illustrate the invention and embodiments thereof.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-14 illustrate various embodiments of a hair accessory device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of embodiments of the present invention. Referring first to FIGS. 1A-3C, there is shown a hair accessory device 1, for communicating with the natural hair of a user. Hair accessory device 1 includes a female snap member 10 and a correspondingly configured male snap member 20 for mating with female snap member 10. Both female and male snap members 10 and 20 are configured for communicating with a hair accessory 30.
Female snap member 10 preferably includes an aperture 12 for feeding hair there through. It is noted that the hair for feeding through aperture 12 may be strands of natural hair or strands of a hair extension. Most preferably, multiple strands of natural hair 2 are fed through aperture 12 (FIG. 1B). Male snap member 20 preferably includes a base member 22 and a stem member 24. Stem member 24 is of dimension correspondingly configured to fit in aperture 12, such that when stem member 24 is positioned in aperture 12, female and male snap members 10 and 20 are mated, thereby forming a snap. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, aperture 12 is circular, and accordingly stem member 24 is cylindrical in shape. It is noted that aperture 12 may be of any suitable shape, so long as stem member 24 is of correspondingly configured shape to form the snap when the male and female snap members are mated.
A hair accessory 30 is placed in communication with any of female snap member 10, male snap member 20, or both the female and male snap members. Most preferably, hair accessory 30 is a hair extension composed of multiple strands of non-natural hair. The strands of non-natural hair are preferably joined, by an adhesive or the like, at a single end to form a lock of non-natural hair. Referring to FIG. 2A, a non-limiting implementation is shown in which hair extension 30 is placed in communication with female hair extension 10 via an adhesive or the like. In such an implementation, the adhesion is along a peripheral edge 13 of female snap member 10. Alternatively, the adhesion may be on a first side 14 of female snap member 10, or on a second side of female snap member 10 (not shown), which is construed to be the side of female snap member 10 to which first side 14 is oppositely disposed. In cases in which hair extension 30 is placed in communication with the first or second side via an adhesive, a layer of securing material 18 may be subsequently positioned on the same side. As a result, the portion of hair extension 30 which is placed in communication with female snap member 10 is disposed between securing material 18 and the adhered side of female snap member 10, thereby providing an additional adhesive layer and strengthening the communication between hair extension 30 and female snap member 10. It is noted that the layer of securing material is of corresponding shape and proportion to female snap member 10, and as such, does not encroach or block aperture 12. The securing material may be made from any suitable material, including, but are not limited to, fabric, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and plastic. An example of securing material 18 positioned on first side 14 is shown in FIG. 2C.
Referring to FIG. 2B, another non-limiting implementation is shown in which hair extension 30 is placed in communication with female snap member 10 via a suitable connection, such as a string or the like. In such an implementation, string 16 is preferably in operative connection with the lock of non-natural hair which forms hair extension 30. As such, female snap member 10 preferably includes at least one slit 17 for facilitating the communication between hair extension 30 and female snap member 10. Slit 17 penetrates through the first and second sides of female snap member 10, allowing for string 16 to be looped through slit 17 and tied or bound to secure hair extension 30 to female snap member 10. In such an implementation, securing material 18 may also be disposed on the first or second side of female snap member 10 as previously described, thereby providing an adhesive layer and strengthening the communication between hair extension 30 and female snap member 10. String 16 is preferably made of a material which is both capable of structurally supporting the communication between hair extension 30 and female snap member 10, and is substantially translucent such that it is essentially non-visible to the human eye. Examples of such a material include, but are not limited to, nylon and the like.
Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, hair extension 30 may be placed in communication with male snap member 20 via adhesion along a peripheral edge 23 of base member 22. Alternatively, the adhesion may be on a first side 25 of base member 22, or on a second side of base member 22 (not shown), which is construed to be the side of base member 22 to which stem member 24 is closest in proximity to, and also to which first side 25 is oppositely disposed. Hair extension 30 may also be placed in communication with male snap member 20 via at least one slit 28 in base member 22. Slit 28 penetrates through the first and second sides of male snap member 20, allowing for string 16 to be looped through slit 28 and tied or bound to secure hair extension 30 to male snap member 20. As described with respect to female snap member 10, a layer of securing material 26 may be subsequently positioned to male snap member 20, an example of which is shown in FIG. 3C. It is noted that the same hair extension may be in communication simultaneously with both female snap member 10 and male snap member 20. It is noted that each of the female and male snap members may be in communication with a unique hair extension, thus facilitating the communication of multiple hair extensions with the user. According to certain preferred embodiments, both female and male snap members 10 and 20 include a plurality of slits 17 and 28, respectively, in order to further facilitate the communication with multiple hair extensions.
Female and male snap members 10 and 20 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, polymer and the like. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, each of the female and male snap members includes a magnetic material. In such a implementation, the female and male snap members may be made from a magnetic material, or may be coated in a magnetic material. It is noted that the use of magnetic materials aides in the mating process between female snap member 10 and male snap member 20, as will later be described. In order to aid in the mating process, the magnetic material of stem member 24 and the magnetic material of female snap member 10 are configured to attract one another. In an alternative implementation, the magnetic material may be embedded in the layer of securing material used for securing hair extension 30 to the appropriate snap member, as previously described. It is also preferable that female snap member 10 and male snap member 20 are coated in silicone in order to prevent excessive wear and damage to the snap members, thus extending the lifetime of the snap members.
In operation, female snap member 10 and/or male snap member 20 is placed in communication with hair extension 30 as previously described. In the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, female snap member 10 is placed in communication with hair extension 30. Referring to FIG. 1A, the snap members are shown in a position (second position), in which the snap members are not mated. At least one strand of a user's hair, preferably a lock of natural hair 2, is fed through aperture 12 (FIG. IB). The lock of natural hair 2 may be fed through aperture 12 using any suitable tool, including, but not limited to, fingers, knitting needles, tweezers, and pliers. Female and male snap members 10 and 20 are moved to a first position (FIG. 1C), in which the snap members are mated and a snap is formed. It is preferable that the length of stem member 24 is approximately equal to the width of female snap member as measured from first side 14 to the second side. This ensures that stem member 24 does not excessively protrude through aperture 12 to the second side of female snap member 10 when the snap members are mated. The mating of female and male snap member 10 and 20 retains the lock of natural hair 2 in aperture 12, thereby affixing hair accessory device 1 to the user. The retaining of the lock of natural hair 2 in aperture 12 also effectively divides the lock of natural hair 2 into two segments. The first segment 2a is the segment attached to the user's scalp, while the second segment 2b is the segment which was fed through aperture 12, and which upon formation of the snap, protrudes out of the side of the snap between peripheral edges 13 and 23. The formation of the snap is preferably pressure engaged, that is, a minimum amount of force is preferably required to mate the snap members. Although FIGS. 1A-1C show stem member 24 passing through aperture 12 from first side 14 to the second side of female snap member 10, it should be apparent that the mating of the snap members may be similarly accomplished by passing stem member 24 through aperture 12 from the second side of female snap member 10 to first side 14. The process of feeding hair through aperture 12 prior to mating female and male snap members provides a secure mechanical mounting of hair accessory device 1 to the user's head without damaging the user's natural hair.
The snap is preferably disengaged by applying a force opposite to the engagement force to pull female snap member 10 and male snap member 20 apart. Disengagement can be aided by using any suitable tool, including, but not limited to, fingers, knitting needles, tweezers, and pliers. Alternatively, such tools can be used to apply pressure to stem member 24 in order to reversibly push stem member 24 out of aperture 12. The person applying hair accessory device 1 may be a person of ordinary skill in the art, such as, for example a hairdresser, or alternatively, the user may apply hair accessory device 1 to his or her self. It is noted that the relatively simple disengagement of device 1 facilitates the removal of the device by the user.
As previously described, stem member 24 and female snap member 10 include magnetic material which aid in the mating process. It is preferred that the magnetic force between stem member 24 and female snap member 10 biases stem member 24 to substantially align with aperture 12. This provides a significant advantage in that the person applying hair extension device 1 can form the snap without looking directly at the snap members. This is particularly advantageous when the user applies hair accessory device 1 to his or her self. Furthermore, the magnetization also increases the speed and efficiency at which hair extension device 1 is applied to the user, which is particularly advantageous when applying multiple hair extensions via a plurality of snap members.
Although hair accessory device as described thus far has pertained to the application of hair extensions to a user, other embodiments are possible in which the hair accessory is a not a hair extension. In such embodiments, types of hair accessories may include, but are not limited to, ribbons, fabrics, feathers, or any other item which can be affixed to a user via the technique previously described.
As stated above, the hair accessory device has pertained to the application of a hair accessory, or multiple hair accessories, to a single female snap member and/or a single male snap member. However, the size of the snap members may consequently limit the size of hair accessories which can be applied thereto. In cases where it is desirable to apply greater numbers of hair accessories or larger sized hair accessories, such as wigs and toupees, a mechanism for facilitating an efficient application of such hair accessories is desirable.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A-12, various embodiments of such a hair accessory device are shown. It is noted that the subsequently described embodiments include pluralities of female snap members, pluralities of male snap members, and combinations thereof. It is therefore noted that the application of such embodiments to the user, and the structure and operation of female and male snap members, is generally similar to that of hair accessory device 1 unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto.
Beginning with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, a hair accessory device 100A preferably includes a plurality of female snap members 110 in communication with a hair accessory 130. Hair accessory 130 preferably includes a plurality of locks of hair. For example, hair accessory 130 may be comprised of a plurality of hair extensions 30. According to certain preferred but non-limiting implementations, hair accessory 130 is placed in communication with female snap members 110 via a surface member 140. Hair accessory 130 may be placed in communication with surface member 140 using any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, adhesive techniques and stitching. Likewise, female snap members 110 may be placed in communication with surface member 140 using similar such techniques. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, female snap members 110 are evenly spaced in a row along surface member 140. Alternatively, female snap members 110 may be arranged along multiple rows of surface member 140, at even or varying spacing.
Surface member 140 is preferably made from a strip of flexible material, allowing for hair accessory device 100 A to be manipulated and bent in accordance with parameters such as, for example, the shape of the user's head. Surface member 140 may be made from any suitable material, including, but are not limited to, fabric, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone, and plastic. Surface member 140 may be substantially translucent such that it is essentially non-visible to the human eye. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, a fabric surface member includes a flexible metal portion embedded in the fabric. The metal insert facilitates the bending and flexing of surface member such that surface member retains its bent position when flexed. This provides surface member 140 with the functionality of coiling around and retaining multiple locks of natural hair in a pony-tail or the like.
It is preferred that, female snap members 110 include a first and second plurality of female snap members 110a and 110b. As such, first plurality of female snap members 110a is disposed on a first side 142 (topside) of surface member 140, and second plurality of female snap members 110b is disposed on a second side 144 (underside) of surface member 140. Preferably, first and second plurality of female snap members 110a and 110b are oppositely disposed, that is the first sides 114a and 114b are opposite each other. It is also preferred that the apertures of the oppositely disposed female snap members are in alignment, it is also preferable that the number of female snap members 110a disposed on first side 142 is equal to the number of female snap members 110b disposed on second side 144. Preferably, surface member 140 includes a plurality of apertures 146 for allowing the feeding of hair there through, in accordance with the operation of the female snap members as previously described. Apertures 146 are preferably in at least partial alignment with the apertures of the first and second plurality of female snap members. More preferably, the number of apertures 146 is equal to the number of first plurality of female snap members 110a and the number of second plurality of female snap members 110b. Most preferably, each individual aperture of surface member 140 is aligned with individual apertures 112a and 112b of female snap members 110a and 110b, respectively. The alignment of a surface member aperture 146 and female snap member apertures 112a and 112b forms an aligned, aperture set through which hair can be fed through.
In the example shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, surface member 140 includes five apertures 146, first plurality of female snap members 110a includes five individual female snap members, and second plurality of female snap members 110b includes five individual female snap members. Also shown in FIGS. 4A-4B is the alignment of all apertures 146, 112a and 112b. This allows for each lock of natural hair to be fed through each aperture set as previously described. The snaps can be formed by mating any or all of the female snap members with individual male snap member 20. Preferably, all of female snap members of the first and second plurality of female snap members are mated with corresponding male snap members. This mating provides additional structural integrity, as each lock of natural hair is retained in two snaps, one on each side of surface member 140.
Mating the female snap members with individual male snap members 20 which are not in communication with the same surface member 140 as female snap members 110 may be cumbersome and time consuming. It is therefore preferable that the hair accessory device further includes a plurality of male snap members 120 in communication with surface member 140. Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, an embodiment of a hair accessory device 100B is shown which includes a plurality of female snap members 110 and a plurality of male snap members 120. Hair accessory 130 is placed in communication with female and male snap members 110 and 120 via surface member 140. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, plurality of female snap members 110 is disposed along a first portion 142a of first side 142 of surface member 140. Plurality of male snap members 120 is disposed along a second portion 142b of first side 142 (topside) of surface member 140. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, male snap members 120 are evenly spaced in a row along second portion 142b of first side 142 of surface member 140. Alternatively, male snap members 120 may be arranged along multiple rows of second portion 142b of first side 142 of surface member 140, at even or varying spacing. As shown in FIG. 5A, first and second portions 142a and 142b are formed by the lengthwise division of first side 142 of surface member 140. Alternatively, first and second portions 142a and 142b may be formed by the widthwise division, or any other suitable division of first side 142. The lengthwise division allows for each individual female snap member to mate with a corresponding individual male snap member by folding surface member 140 lengthwise, thus forming a plurality of snaps.
As described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, it is preferred that plurality of female snap members 110 of device 100B includes first and second plurality of female snap members 110a and 110b. It is noted that the description herein of the structure and operation of the first and second plurality of female snap members is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto. Preferably second plurality of female snap members 110b is disposed along a first portion 144a of second side 144 (underside) of surface member 140 (FIG. 5B). Similarly, it is preferred that plurality of male snap members 120 includes a first and second plurality of male snap members 120a and 120b. As such, first plurality of male snap members 120a is disposed along second portion 142b of first side 142 (topside) of surface member 140 (FIG. 5A), and second plurality of male snap members 120b is disposed along second portion 144b of second side 144 (underside) of surface member 140 (FIG. 5B). Preferably, first and second plurality of male snap members 120a and 120b are oppositely disposed and in alignment. It is also preferred that the number of male snap members 120a disposed on first side 142 is equal to the number of male snap members 120b disposed on second side 144. It should be apparent that the male snap members on either side of hair accessory device 100B can be used to mate with the female snap members on either side of hair accessory device 100A. This potential mating represents one combination of a plurality of combinations of various embodiments of a hair accessory device.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, an embodiment of a hair accessory device 200A is shown which includes a plurality of male snap members 120 in communication with a hair accessory 130. As previously described with reference to FIGS. 4A-5B, hair accessory 130 is placed in communication with male snap members 120 via surface member 140. Also as described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, plurality of male snap members 120 preferably includes a first and second plurality of male snap members 120a and 120b. It is noted that the description herein of the structure and operation of the first and second plurality of male snap members is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto. It should therefore be apparent that hair accessory devices 100A-100B and 200A can be mated with each other in various combinations to form a multi-tiered structure of hair accessories. A non-limiting example of such a combination will now be described.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-6B, multiple locks of natural hair may be fed through the aperture sets of hair accessory device 100A to form a first tier. First plurality of male snap members 120a of hair accessory device 200A is subsequently mated with first plurality of female snap member 110a of device 100A to form a second tier. The mating of devices 100A and 200A retains the locks of natural hair in the apertures, thereby affixing devices 100A and 200A to the user. Subsequently, first plurality of female snap members 110a of hair accessory device 100B is mated with second plurality of male snap members 120b of hair accessory device 200A, thereby forming a third tier. It is noted that the mating process of such hair accessory devices, or similar processes, may be repeated to increase the number of tiers. It is also noted that female and male snap members 10 and 20 of device 1 may similarly be placed in communication with a surface member 40 (FIGS. 2D and 3D) via the previously mentioned techniques. Surface members 40 provide similar advantages as those described with reference to FIGS. 4A-6B.
Although the various hair accessory devices described thus far have pertained to hair accessories which are hair extensions, other embodiments are possible in which other types of accessories are deployed for communicating with a plurality of female and/or male snap members. It is noted that the description herein of the structure and operation of such embodiments is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto.
FIGS. 7 and 8A-8B show embodiments configured for creating lift and volume to the user's hair. Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a hair accessory device 200B preferably includes a plurality of male snap members 120 in communication with a hair accessory 130 via a surface member 140. Hair accessory 130 preferably includes a hair volume generating member 132. Volume generating member 132 is preferably made of a sponge like material and is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. Volume generating member 132 is preferably designed to rest on the head of the user, as such, hair accessory 130 may further include a comb 134 for providing stability to device 200B when the device is on the user's head. Comb 134 may include decorative elements to provide an aesthetically pleasing look. Hair accessory 130 is affixed to the user by mating male snap members 120 with any of the variations of female snap members previously described. The user's natural hair is subsequently placed over volume generating member 132 to create a Bouffant, or hair bump, to create lift for the user's hair. Volume generating member 132 and comb 134 are preferably placed in communication with surface member 140 via an appropriate technique such as adhesive techniques, stitching, and the like.
An alternative embodiment of device 200B is shown in FIG. 8A. Referring to FIG. 8A, the hair accessory 130 of hair accessory device 200C includes a volume generating member 132 and at least one patch of Velcro™ 136. Volume generating member 132 of device 200C is generally similar to that of device 200B. Volume generating member 132 and at least one patch of Velcro™ 136 are preferably placed in communication with surface member 140 via an appropriate technique such as adhesive techniques, stitching, and the like. It is noted that typical Velcro™ systems include hook-and-loop fasteners or fastening surfaces, with one patch including the hooks, and a second patch including the loops. As such, patch 136 may include either the hooks or the loops, and is configured to interface with an opposite type of Velcro™ patch. Preferably, the opposite type Velcro™ patch is placed in communication with a hair accessory, including, but not limited to, a hair extension, a wig, or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 8B, an alternative embodiment of a hair accessory device 100F is shown. Similar to the device of FIG. 8A, hair accessory 130 includes a volume generating member 132. Volume generating member 132 is preferably placed in communication with a plurality of female snap members 110 via a surface member 140. Volume generating member 132 is generally similar to that of device 200B. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, volume generating member 132 includes a slit 135. In the preferred implementation shown in FIG. 8B, slit 135 runs lengthwise through the middle of volume generating member 132. Slit 135 facilitates hair to be passed from a first side 150 (topside) of volume generating member 132 to a second side of volume generating member 132, or vice versa. It should be understood that in the preferred but non-limiting implementation shown in FIG. 8B, the second side (not shown), or underside, is the side oppositely disposed of first side 150. In the preferred implementation shown in FIG. 8B, surface member 140 placed in communication with first side 150 of volume generating member 132.
Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 8B, it should be understood that female snap members 110 include a first and second plurality of female snap members disposed on opposite sides of surface member 140 as described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B. As shown in FIG. 8B, selected portions of surface member 140 are placed in communication with volume generating member 132, allowing access to both first and second pluralities of female snap members. This allows for multiple locks of hair to be fed from the second side of volume generating member 132 towards first side 150, passing through the apertures of female snap members 110. Similar to the embodiments previously described, device 100F preferably includes a plurality of male snap members 120 in communication with first side 150. In the preferred implementation shown in FIG. 8B, female snap members 110 are placed in communication with a first portion 150a of first side 150 via surface member 140. Similarly, male snap members 120 are placed in communication with a second portion 150b of first side 150 via a surface member 141. The positioning of the female and male snap members is generally similar to that of device 100B (FIGS. 5A-5B). It is noted that volume generating member 132 is preferably designed for resting on the head the user. As such, hair accessory 130 preferably further includes an affixing member 133 for affixing to the user's hair to increase the stability of device 100F. In the preferred implementation shown in FIG. 8B, affixing member 133 has a comb-like structure. Affixing member 133 is preferably placed in communication with volume generating member 132 via an appropriate technique such as adhesive, stitching, and the like. Alternatively, affixing member 133 may be placed in communication with either of surface members 140 and 141.
Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, various embodiments of a hair accessory device are shown in which hair accessory 130 includes a wig 137. Referring first to FIG. 9A, hair accessory device 200D includes a plurality of male snap members 120 in communication with wig 137 via a surface member 140. In the non-limiting implementation shown in FIG. 9A, wig 137 includes non-natural hair 138 and a secondary surface member 139 for communicating with non-natural hair 138. Non-natural hair 138 is placed in communication with secondary surface member 139 via any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, adhesive techniques, stitching, and weaving. Surface member 140 is placed in communication with wig 137 via secondary surface member 139 using similar techniques. Hair accessory device 200D may further include a plurality of female snap members 110 in communication with surface member 140 as described with reference to FIG. 5A. Hair accessory 130 may also include at least one patch of Velcro™ 136 configured to interface with an opposite type of Velcro™ patch as previously described, such as, for example device 200C. Velcro™ patch 136 may be placed in communication with wig 137 via secondary surface member 139 using any of the techniques previously mentioned.
Similarly, FIG. 9B shows a hair accessory device 100C which includes a plurality of female snap members 110 in communication with a wig 137 via a surface member 140. In the non-limiting implementation shown in FIG. 9B, wig 137 includes non-natural hair 138 and a secondary surface member 139 for communicating with non-natural hair 138. Non-natural hair 138 is placed in communication with secondary surface member 139 via any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, adhesive techniques, stitching, and weaving. Surface member 140 is placed in communication with wig 137 via secondary surface member 139 using similar techniques.
It should be apparent that the various embodiments of a hair accessory device shown in FIGS. 4A-9B are of larger size and weight than hair accessory device 1. Typically, the person applying such devices to a user would be required to hold the device in proximity to the user while feeding the user's natural hair through the appropriate apertures and mating the male and female snap member(s). As such, the application of the devices of FIGS. 4A-9B to a user via the technique previously described may be more difficult than the application of hair accessory device 1. It is therefore advantageous to include components which provide additional means for affixing such devices to the user, thereby granting the person applying the device greater freedom of hand movement.
Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10B, hair accessory devices 100D and 200E are shown. Hair accessory device 100D is a variant of device 100A, and hair accessory device 200E is a variant of device 200A. In such embodiments, hair accessory 130 preferably includes an affixing member 133 for affixing to the user's hair. Affixing member 133 preferably affixes to the user's hair via a clasping mechanism. Examples of affixing member 133 may be include, but are not limited to, hair clips, barrettes, clasps, hair pics, or any other suitable device for selectively affixing to hair. Affixing member 133 is preferably placed in communication with surface member 140 via an appropriate technique such as adhesive, stitching, and the like. In operation, the person applying devices 100D and 200E to the user affixes the devices to the user via affixing member 133. Subsequently, locks of hair are fed through appropriate apertures for mating with corresponding female and male snap members. Affixing member 133 may be left affixed to the user's hair post application of the hair accessory device via the snaps in order to provide additional support to the hair accessory device. Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, it is noted that device 100D preferably includes a first and second plurality of female snap members disposed on opposite sides of surface member 140 as described with reference to device 100A (FIGS. 4A-4B). Likewise, it is noted that device 200E preferably includes a first and second plurality of male snap members disposed on opposite sides of surface member 140 as described with reference to device 200A (FIGS. 6A-6B). In an alternative implementation, the male and female snap members may be placed in communication with affixing member 133 without surface member 140. In such an implementation, affixing member 133 preferably includes apertures for allowing the hair to fed through the apertures of the female snap members.
As previously mentioned, it may be desired to provide the user's hair with volume or lift. Such volume may be facilitated by use of a volume generating member 132 (FIG. 8A) as previously described, or by other alternative accessories. One such type of accessory is an arcuate headband configured for resting on the head of a user. Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, hair accessory devices 200F and 100E with arcuate headbands are shown. In such embodiments, hair accessory 130 preferably includes an arcuate hairband 131 for resting on the head of the user. Hairband 131 is preferably placed in communication with surface member 140 via an appropriate technique such as adhesive techniques, stitching, and the like. Hair accessory 130 may further include hair extensions or a wig in communication with surface member 140. Hairband 131 provides additional volume to the user's hair much in the same way as volume generating member 132. Hairband 131 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic and metal.
Referring to FIG. 11, hair accessory device 200F includes a plurality of male snap members 120 disposed on the underside of headband 131 via surface member 140. It should be understood that the underside of headband 131 is the side proximate to the user's head. Preferably, surface member 140 is in communication with the underside of headband 131, facilitating the communication between male headband 131 and male snap members 120. Male snap members 120 may be mated with any of the previously described female snap members. Although not shown in FIG. 11, surface member 140 may be in communication with the topside of headband 131 to facilitating the communication between a second plurality of male snap members and the topside of headband 131. Such a configuration provides the functionality to form a multi-tiered structure of hair accessories as previously described.
Referring to FIG. 12, it is preferred that device 100E includes a first and second plurality of female snap members 110a and 110b. In a preferred but non-limiting implementation, surface member 140 is in communication with the underside of headband 131 as previously described. Preferably, surface member 140 is also in communication with the topside of headband 131. It should be understood that the topside of headband 131 is the side of headband 131 opposite the underside. The communication of surface member 140 with the underside and topside of headband 131 allows for a first plurality of female snap members 110a to be disposed on the topside of headband 131, and a second plurality of female snap members 110b to be disposed on the underside of headband 131. In such an implementation, surface member 140 and headband 131 each preferably include a plurality of apertures aligned with the apertures of female snap members 110a and 110b, thereby allowing hair to be fed through, from the underside of headband 131 to the topside of headband 131. Any or all of female snap members 110a and 110b may be mated with male snap members as previously described. The communication of female snap members 110b on the topside of headband 131 similarly provides the functionality to form a multi-tiered structure of hair accessories.
As mentioned, the description herein of the structure and operation of device 100E is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto. As such, for convenience, second plurality of female snap members 110b is not shown in FIG. 12. However, it is to be understood that second plurality of female snap members 110b are oppositely disposed of first plurality of female snap members 110a on the underside of headband 131. As previously mentioned, headband 131 is configured to rest on a user's head, and therefore it may not be necessary feed hair through the female snap members and form snaps in order to affix hair accessory device 100E or 200F to the user's head.
As previously mentioned, the various embodiments of a hair accessory device described with reference to FIGS. 1A-12 can be mated with each other in an assortment of combinations to form a multitude of hair styles. In order to increase the number of available combinations, various embodiments of hair accessory devices including dual snap members are presented herein. Each of the various dual snap embodiments includes oppositely disposed female and/or male snap members in communication with each other as will now be described. It is noted that the description herein of the structure and operation of the female and male snap members is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto.
Referring to FIGS. 13A-13B, a hair accessory device 300A including a dual snap member 50 is shown. Dual snap member includes a first female snap member 10a and a second female snap member 10b. Female snap members 10a and 10b are in communication with each other via an adhesive or the like. It is preferred that first sides 14a and 14b are oppositely disposed. It is also preferred that apertures 12a and 12b are in alignment, thereby allowing for a single lock of hair to pass through both apertures 12a and 12b. In a non-limiting implementation, a layer of securing material may be placed between the female snap members via an adhesive or the like. In such an implementation, the layer of securing material preferably includes an aperture aligned with the apertures 12a and 12b of the female snap members, as described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B and 4A-4B. It is noted the hair accessory (not shown) may be placed in communication with either female snap member via the techniques previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3C. Furthermore, the hair accessory may be placed in communication with both female snap members by positioning the hair accessory between the female snap members prior to the female snap members being placed in communication with each other.
Referring to FIGS. 13C-13D, a variant of a hair accessory device 300B is shown. Dual snap member 50 of hair accessory device 300B includes a first male snap member 20a and a second male snap member 20b. As with dual snap member 300A, male snap members 20a and 20b are in communication with each other via an adhesive or the like. It is preferred that stem members 24a and 24b are oppositely disposed and aligned with each other. In a non-limiting implementation, a layer of securing material may be placed between the male snap members via an adhesive or the like as described with reference to FIGS 3A-3B. It is noted the hair accessory (not shown) may be placed in communication with either male snap member via the techniques previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3C. Furthermore, the hair accessory may be placed in communication with both male snap members by positioning the hair accessory between the male snap members prior to the male snap members being placed in communication with each other.
Referring to FIGS. 13E-13G, another variant of a hair accessory device 300C is shown. Dual snap member 50 of hair accessory device 300C includes a female snap member 10 and a male snap member 20. As with dual snap members 300A and 300B, female and male snap members 10 and 20 are in communication with each other via an adhesive or the like. It is preferred that first side 14 and stem member 24 are oppositely disposed and aligned with each other. In a non-limiting implementation, a layer of securing material may be placed between the female and male snap members via an adhesive or the like as previously described. It is noted the hair accessory (not shown) may be placed in communication with either female snap member or male snap member via the techniques previously described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3C. Furthermore, the hair accessory may be placed in communication with both female and male snap members by positioning the hair accessory between the female and male snap members prior to the female and male snap members being placed in communication with each other.
As previously described, hair accessory devices 300A-300B provide the capability to mate the hair accessories of FIGS. 4A-12 with each other in a multitude of combinations and styles. For example, consider the use of a plurality of hair accessory devices 100A (FIGS. 4A-4B). Upon applying a first hair accessory device 100A to a user by mating first plurality of female snap members 110a with appropriate male snap members, a plurality of hair accessory devices 300B can be mated with the second plurality of female snap members 110b. This allows for another hair accessory device 100A to be applied to the plurality of hair accessory devices 300B. This process can be repeated indefinitely, and provides only an example of a combination made possible by the dual snap members. It is also noted that the embodiments of FIGS. 13A-13G may be mated with each other and with the female and male snap members 10 and 20 according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-3C. As such, an alternative multi-tiered structure of hair accessories and hair extensions may be formed.
As previously mentioned with reference to devices 100A and 100B (FIGS. 4A-5B), the pluralities of female and male snap members may be arranged along multiple rows of surface member 140. This is particularly advantageous when hair extensions and accessories of different styles and colors are to be applied to the user's head. Accordingly, a non-limiting implementation of a hair accessory device 400 is shown in FIG. 14 which includes multiple rows of female and male snap members 110 and 120. In the non-limiting implementation shown in FIG. 14, female snap members 110 include four pluralities of female snap members 110a-d, and likewise male snap members 120 include four pluralities of male snap members 120a-d. First plurality of female snap members 110a is disposed on a first portion 142a of first side 142 (topside) of surface member 140 in a first row. First plurality of male snap members 120a is disposed on a second portion 142b of first side 142 in a second row below female snap members 110a. Second plurality of female snap members 110b is disposed on a third portion 142c of first side 142 in a third row. Second plurality of male snap members 120b is disposed on a fourth portion 142d of first side 142 in a fourth row.
It is noted that the description herein of the structure and operation of device 400 is generally similar to that of previously described embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise, and will be understood by analogy thereto. As such, third and fourth pluralities of female snap members 110c-d, as well as third and fourth pluralities of male snap members 120c-d are not shown in FIG. 14, but are understood to be disposed on the opposite side of surface member 140. As previously mentioned, the oppositely disposed snap members are preferably aligned with the appropriate snap members on first side 142a. It should be apparent that the previously described embodiments may be mated with the snap members of device 400 to create a multi-tiered structure of hair accessories of different types. It is also noted that the snap members of device 400 may be mated with each other by appropriately folding surface member 140. A non-limiting example of such mating may be facilitated by folding second portion 142b towards first portion 142a in order to mate male snap members 120a with female snap members 110a.
Although the non-limiting implementation depicted in FIG. 14 shows non-overlapping rows of female and male snap members, alternative implementations are possible in which portions of surface member 140, for example first portion 142a, include both male and female snap members disposed along the same row. In another alternative implementation, second plurality of female snap members 110b may be disposed along second portion 142b, and second plurality of male snap members 120b may be disposed along third portion 142c. As with the previously described embodiments, many combinations and arrangements of the snap members of device 400 are possible.
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A hair accessory device comprising:
(a) a male snap member (20) configured for communicating with a hair accessory (30); and

(b) a female snap member (10) for mating with the male snap member (20), the female snap member (10) configured for communicating with a hair accessory (30),
characterized in that the female snap member (10) includes an aperture (12) for feeding hair (2) there through, and in that the male snap member (20) includes a stem member (24), and in that the male and female snap members (20, 10) are moveable between a first position, in which the stem member (24) is inserted in the aperture (12) to form a snap retaining the hair, and a second position, in which the snap is disengaged.
The device of claim 1, further comprising:
(c) a hair accessory (30) in communication with at least one of the male snap member (20) and the female snap member (10).
The device of claim 2, characterized in that the hair accessory (30) is a hair extension.
The device of claim 3, characterized in that the hair extension is placed in communication with the male snap member (20) via an adhesive.
The device of claim 3, characterized in that the male snap member (20) includes:
(i) a base member (22) for communicating with the hair extension.
The device of claim 5, characterized in that the snap is defined by the stem member (24) and the aperture (12).
The device of claim 3, characterized in that the hair extension is placed in communication with the female snap member (10) via an adhesive.
The device of claim 3, characterized in that the male snap member (20) includes a first magnet and the female snap member (10) includes a second magnet, the magnetic force between the magnets biasing the stem member (24) to substantially align with the aperture (12).
The device of claim 1, characterized in that the male snap member (20) and the female snap member (10) are coated in silicone.
The device of claim 1, further comprising:
(c) a snap member (20b, 10) in communication with the male snap member (20a, 20) to form a dual snap, the snap member (20b, 10) and the male snap member (20a, 20) oppositely disposed.
The device of claim 1 further comprising:
(c) a snap member (10b, 20) in communication with the female snap member (10a, 10) to form a dual snap, the snap member (10b, 20) and the female snap member (10a, 10) oppositely disposed.
A method for applying a hair accessory comprising:
(a) obtaining at least one female snap member (10), the at least one female snap member (10) including an aperture (12) for feeding hair (2) there through;

(b) feeding at least one strand of hair (2) through the aperture (12);

(c) obtaining at least one male snap member (20), the at least one male snap member (20) including a stem member (24) and configured for mating with the at least one female snap member (10);

(d) inserting the stem member (24) in the aperture (12) to mate the at least one male snap member (20) with the at least one female snap member (10), thereby forming a snap and retaining the at least one strand of hair (2) within the snap;

(e) obtaining a hair accessory (30); and

(f) placing the hair accessory (30) in communication with at least one of the at least one male snap member (20) and the at least one female snap member (10).
A hair accessory device comprising:
(a) a flexible surface member (140, 141) for communicating with a hair accessory (130);

(b) a plurality of female snap members (110a) disposed in a row along a first portion (142a, 150a) of the surface member (140, 141), each of the female snap members (110a) including an aperture (12) for feeding hair (2) there through, each of the female snap members (110a) configured for mating with a corresponding male snap member (20, 20a, 20b, 120, 120a, 120b) that includes a stem member (24); and

(c) a plurality of male snap members (120a) disposed in a row along a second portion (142b, 150b) of the surface member (140,141),
characterized in that each of the female snap members (110a) is moveable between a first position, in which the stem member (24) of each of the corresponding male snap members (20, 20a, 20b, 120, 120a, 120b) is inserted in the corresponding aperture (12) of each of the female snap members, thereby forming a plurality of snaps, each snap retaining hair, and a second position, in which the snaps are disengaged.