GB2266235A - Hair restraint - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair restraint for 'pony-tail' hair styles comprising an elastic loop 10 connected in use to a decorative strip 20 which has connections 24 enabling the decorative strip to be looped around so as to overlie the elastic loop and provide a neat appearance. <IMAGE>

Description

Restraint Device for Hair The invention relates to restraint devices for hair and particularly though not exclusively for the restraint of human hair I in 'pony tails'.

Known restraint devices comprise a band of elastic material which is arranged to encircle a bunch of hair to form a pony tail.

These bands may include a decorative element such as the utilisation of decorative elastic material for the band, or beads or other elements threaded on the band. Known non-elastic restraints comprise some sort of clip or comb. Of the known restraint devices the elastic type gives the best control but is not attractive to the eye, whilst the clip or comb types are somewhat bulky. The latter are moreover not popular with males, who prefer a less noticeable restraint.

The present invention seeks to mitigate these disadvantages and provides a hair restraint comprising an elastic loop element and a cover strip element, the elastic loop element being, at least in use, attached to the strip in a manner such that a substantial portion of the elastic loop element is free for looping round a bunch of hair, the cover strip element having securement means by which it may, in use, be formed into a band overlying the elastic loop element around said bunch of hair.

The elastic loop element is preferably secured over a small portion of its perimeter at an end region of the cover strip element.

The securement of the elements together prevents the cover strip element from slipping in use to a position where it does not cover the elastic loop element.

The elastic loop element may be arranged to be releasably secured to the cover strip element so that the two may be separated for cleaning or for replacement of the elastic loop element for example when the latter is damaged, or has lost its elasticity.

The elastic loop element may be provided with a releasable fastening in its perimeter so that the loop can be opened for ease of fitting to a user's hair.

The securement means may comprise a press-stud fastener comprising two elements fixed to opposed end regions of the cover strip element. Alternatively, the securement means may be such as would allow the band formed from the cover strip element a variety of sizes, such securement means being provided by a fabric hook-and-loop fastening for example VELCRO (trade mark) in two parts attached to opposed end regions of the cover strip element.

The decorative strip may mount at least one light reflective portion so as to facilitate a wearer being seen at night by users of road or other vehicles, at sea, in restricted light or in other hazardous situations.

The cover strip element preferably bears decoration on an outer surface visible when attached to a user's head.

It is to be understood that the elastic loop element may be looped round a bunch of hair in more than one loop in a manner similar to known elastic bands. It will be observed that the securement means of the cover strip element has, in use, very little load, the hair bunch being held tightly by the elastic loop element.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view from above, one side and one end of a first hair restraint according to the invention in a first configuration before attachment to hair, Fig. 2 is an isometric view from below, one side and an opposite end of the hair restraint of Fig.l, in said first configuration, Fig. 3 is a side view of the hair restraint of Figs. 1 and 2 in a second configuration as fixed to hair.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 1 of a second hair restraint according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 2 of a second hair restraint according to the invention.

The hair restraint shown in figures 1 to 3 comprises generally an elastic loop element 10 and a cover strip element 20.

The cover strip element 20 comprises a strip of leather which has a decorative pattern on an outer surface 22 which is visible when the restraint is in use. At one end 20a of the cover strip element 20 there is provided a female part 24 of a press-stud fastener. At an opposite end 20b of the cover strip element there is provided a male part 26 of the press-stud fastener. These are disposed such that when the cover strip element 20 is curved to form a band (end 20a is moved in the direction shown by arrow A until the female part 24 overlies male part 26), as shown in Fig. 3 the two parts can be engaged to secure the now resulting band, with the decorated surface 22 of the cover strip element on the outside of the band.

The elastic loop element comprises an elastic loop lOa whose ends are received in a plastics joiner 12 of T shape,a limb of the T being releasably received in an aperture in the reverse side of the male part 26 of the press-stud fastener, in an interference fit.

Fig. 3 shows the band in a second configuration in which it is arranged when attached to a bunch of hair. The elastic loop 10a is twisted into a figure of eight with one loop of the '8' overlying the other and looped twice round a bunch of hair (shown schematically as 100). The cover strip element is then curved around the resulting bunch of hair to form a band and the press-stud engaged. Thus the restraint provides a neat appearance with good control of the hair.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment in which the components are similar to those of Figs. 1 to 3 except that the male 26 and female 24 parts of the press-stud fastener are replaced by cooperating hooked portions 26a and looped portions 24a of VELCRO (trade mark). Thus the band can be secured in a large number of overlap positions giving various band diameters. This has the advantage that different sizes of hair bunch can be accommodated by the same restraint.

The decoration may be of any kind, or the cover strip element may be left plain for neatness. The cover strip element may be made from any suitable material, for example in leather, or where for example where the restraint is to be worn whilst bathing, Nylon (trade mark), Terylene (trade mark), or similar materials.

It is to be understood that the elastic loop element 10 may be permanently secured to the cover strip element 20.

It is also to be understood that the cover strip element may be provided with any convenient means by which it may be secured, in use, in a band, and not just the press-stud or VELCRO fastenings disclosed in the embodiments.

Claims (9)

Claims

1. A hair restraint comprising an elastic loop element and a cover strip element, the elastic loop element being, at least in use, attached to the strip in a manner such that a substantial portion of the elastic loop element is free for looping round a bunch of hair, the cover strip element having securement means by which it may, in use, be formed into a band overlying the elastic loop element around said bunch of hair.

2. A hair restraint as claimed in claim 1 in which the elastic loop element is secured over a small portion of its perimeter to one end of said cover strip element

3. A hair restraint as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the elastic loop element is releasably secured to the cover strip element.

4. A hair restraint as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elastic loop element is provided with a releasable fastening so that the loop may be opened for ease of attachment to a bunch of hair.

5. A hair restraint as claimed in any preceding claim in which the securement means comprises a press-stud fatening comprising two elements fixed to opposed end regions of said cover strip element.

6. A hair restraint as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the securement means comprises a fabric hook and loop fastening in two parts attached to opposed end regions of the cover strip element.

7. A hair restraint as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cover strip element is provided with a light-reflective portion to render a wearer more easily visible at night or in restricted light.

8. A hair restraint substantially as herein described with reference to Figs.1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A hair restraint substantially as herein described with reference Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.