GB2350563A

GB2350563A - Easy-to-unravel hair braids

Info

Publication number: GB2350563A
Application number: GB9910804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phiwayinkosi Gift Mbuyazi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-10
Filing date: 1999-05-10
Publication date: 2000-12-06
Also published as: GB9910804D0

Abstract

Natural hair or hair extensions attached to it are formed into three strands which are then braided by chain stitching, possibly with the aid of an additional yarn or thread, whereby the braids may be easily unbraided. One hair strand may be used to form the chain stitches, the other two strands being alternately crossed from side to side over the first strand as each new stitch is formed (Figs 1-4).

Description

1 2350563 EASY-TO-UNRAVEL BRAEDS This invention relates to hair-braids of

the type which include human hair and/or a) synthetic hair or b) hair-like extensions, or c) any other type of substitute for a) or b). The braids referred to here form hairstyles where typically several tens of the braids feature on the human head - in contrast to the type used to tidy up long hair by arranging it into a few plaits usually formed entirely of human hair.

Such braids are a well-known method of hair-styling. If extensions are used, they are attached to the base of the hair, then the hair/extension combination (otherwise hair alone if no extensions are used) is partitioned into three strands. The strands are then plaited into braids by always bringing, in alternating sequence, the outer strands into the middle - passing them, in the process, over the strand that previously occupied the middle position.

Braids of this type, however, have one major shortcoming. Once the braids are no longer needed, it is difficult to unravel them - a pointed tool or comb is required to undo each point where the strands cross. Even when the braids have been shortened by cutting, the process of removing them is still tedious and long.

An object of this invention is to provide a class of hair-braids which unravel with ease and take only a short while to get rid of Accordingly, this invention provides a class of braids which rely on chains and/or stitches to secure the strands to be braided so that in order to undo the braids all one has to do is to unravel the chains and/or stitches.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

2 FIGURE 1 - FIGURE 4 illustrate how the braiding process is accomplished; FIGURE 5 shows the front view of a braid's completed section; and FIGURE 6 shows the back view of a braid's completed section.

Referring to the drawings, begin by arranging the strands as shown in Fig 1. S 1, S2 and S3, the three working strands, are secured together, for example, by using a separate string F to tie a knot K. S3 is used to form the chain stitches and therefore begins as a loop CS 1, the first chain stitch.

The next step is to pass the working end of S3 between S 1 and S2 through CS 1, as indicated by arrow AI, to form the second chain stitch C S2. The other two strands, S 1 and S2, are then crossed over as indicated by arrows A2 and A3 respectively. While S 1 and S2 pass over and enclose S3, care must be taken that they always maintain their relative mutual positions whichever strand starts at the front, S2 in this case, must always be kept in front as Fig 3 and Fig 4 illustrate. Failure to maintain Sl's and S2's relative mutual positions will result in entangling when unravelling is done Once S 1 and S2 are crossed over, S3 secures them when it is passed through CS2, as arrow A4 indicates, to form CS3. In Fig 4, S I and S2 have been crossed over again, as A5 and A6 indicate, to their starting positions (with S2 passing in front of S 1), and S3 is ready to be passed through CS3 to secure them as well as to form another stitch.

The front and back views of a section of a completed braid are shown in Fig 5 and Fig 6.

3

Claims

1. An easy-to-unravel class of braids which rely on chains and/or stitches to secure the strands to be braided so that in order to undo the braids all one has to do is to unravel the chains and/or stitches.

2. An easy-to-unravel class of braids as claimed in Claim I where the chains and/or stitches either perform only the role of securing the strands of the braids (for example, by using a thin yam or thread of suitable strength), or form an integral part of the braids as well as securing the strands of the braids.

3. An easy-to-unravel class of braids as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 where strands, together with or without, the chains and/or stitches are coloured or dyed for decorative, stylish or fashionable effect.

4. An easy-to-unravel class of braids substantially as described herein with reference to Fig I through to Fig 6 of the accompanying drawings.