GB2378132A

GB2378132A - A hair extension

Info

Publication number: GB2378132A
Application number: GB0120693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rebecca Helen Jessup
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-03
Filing date: 2001-08-24
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-24
Also published as: AU2002319505A1; GB0120693D0; GB2378132B; GB0118940D0

Abstract

A hair extension comprising at least two strands 10, 11, 12 of hair each containing a plurality of hair filaments, the strands being secured at one end to a flexible tie 13 whereby, with the tie secured around a sectioned portion of the user's own hair, the strands can be platted with corresponding strands of the user's hair. An elastic band may be used, on the sectioned portion of hair, as a securing means.

Description

This invention relates to a hair extension.

Platted and woven hair extensions are well known but suffer from the disadvantage that the current methods of applying such hair extensions to the head are by weaving, winding and platting the hair extensions into the subjects own hair and then retaining the extensions with the aid of hair wax or hair clips.

According to the present invention there is provided a hair extension comprising at least two strands of hair each containing a plurality of hair filaments, the strands being secured at one end to a flexible tie whereby, with the tie secured around a sectioned portion of the user's own hair, the strands can be platted with corresponding strands of the user's hair to extend the length of the user's hair.

The strands can be formed of natural or artificial hair filaments and are preferably of approximately equal length and/or width. Preferably the user's hair is sectioned by sectioning means that resist slippage of the flexible tie if the tie is secured around the sectioned portion between the sectioning means and the user's scalp. In one embodiment of the invention the sectioning means comprises an elastic band tie tightly coiled around the sectioned portion and positioned close to the user's scalp. The flexible tie may then be secured either between the elastic band and the user's scalp or directly to the elastic band.

By way of example only, a hair extension embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein.

Figure 1 is a front view of the hair extension, Figure 2 is an end view of the hair extension ; Figure 3 illustrates the sectioning of the user's hair prior to attaching the hair extension; Figure 4 illustrates the attachment of the hair extension ; and Figure 5 illustrates the platting of the hair extension.

Referring to these drawings, the hair extension consists of loose filaments of artificial hair divided into three strands 10,11, 12, the strands being of approximately equal length and width. The strands are secured to a central portion of a flexible tie 13 by looping one end of each strand around the tie to form an eyelet 14 (Fig. 2). The loop is secured by tying a short length of a flexible line 18, such as cotton, around the overlapping filaments, and trimming the ends. The flexible tie 13 may be knotted at each end to prevent it passing through the eyelet. It may consist of elastic or nonelastic cord, line or wire, such as elastic beading wire, preferably formed of a plastics material, and it may be either colourless or coloured to match the artificial hair colour.

In use, the user first sections his or her own hair to provide a strand 17 which can be split into three narrower strands of approximately the same width as the extension strands 10,11, 12. An elastic band 15 is secured around the strand 17 as close as practicable to the user's scalp 16 (Fig. 3). The flexible tie 13 is then tied around the strand 17 between the elastic band 15 and the user's scalp, the band 15 preventing or resisting slippage of the tie 13 along the strand 17. The portion of the strand 17 extending beyond the band 15 is then split into its three narrower strands which are woven and platted with the three artificial strands 10,11, 12 to extend the length of the strand 17. This can be repeated for as many strands of the user's hair as required, with around 80 strands providing a complete head of hair.

The flexible tie 13 can be tied directly to the elastic band 15 if a particularly strong attachment is required, and the elastic band 15 can be omitted if only a relatively weak attachment is required.

The hair extension is attached without the need for wax or clips, and can be attached at home by the user rather than as at present spending up to 9 hours in a hair salon. The attachment is firmly anchored and can withstand washing of the hair without slipping. Moreover it can be removed and replaced without the discomfort and problems associated with removal of wax from the hair when using traditional hair extensions.

The strands 10,11, 12 can consist of artificial hair that matches the colour of the user's own hair but additional and/or alternative strands may consist of other decorative materials, such as ribbons, rope or beads, and may be brightly coloured or tinted, for example, to reflect the user's personality. The strands may also include springy wire causing the strands to kink when platted with the user's own hair.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1 A hair extension comprising at least two strands of hair each containing a plurality of hair filaments, the strands being secured at one end to a flexible tie whereby, with the tie secured around a sectioned portion of the user's own hair, the strands can be platted with corresponding strands of the user's hair to extend the length of the user's hair 2. A hair extension according to claim 1 wherein the strands secured to the flexible tie are of approximately equal length and/or width.

3 A hair extension according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising sectioning means for sectioning a portion of the user's hair, the flexible tie being secured around the sectioned portion between the sectioning means and the user's scalp, the sectioning means preventing or resisting slippage of the flexible tie after the tie is secured around the said sectioned portion 4 A hair extension according to claim 3 wherein the sectioning means comprises a band tie.

5. A hair extension according to any one of the claims 1-4 wherein the flexible tie comprises an elastic or non-elastic cord, line or wire 6 A hair extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one additional strand of a decorative material is secured to the flexible tie for platting with the strands of hair.

7 A hair extension according to claim 6 wherein the additional strand or strands consist of ribbons, rope or beads.

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8. A method of securing a hair extension to a sectioned portion of a user's hair, the hair extension comprising at least two strands of natural or artificial hair each secured at one end to a flexible tie, the method comprising securing the flexible tie around the sectioned portion of the user's hair, and platting the strands of hair with corresponding strands divided from the sectioned portion of the user's hair.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the said portion of the user's hair is sectioned using a band tie.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the flexible tie is secured around the sectioned portion of the user's hair between the band tie and the user's scalp.

11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the flexible tie is secured to the band tie.

12. A method according to any one of the claims 9-11 wherein the band tie is elasticated.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A hair extension comprising at least two strands of hair each containing a plurality of hair filaments, the strands being secured at one end to a length of a flexible tie; and sectioning means for sectioning a portion of the user's hair ; the arrangement being such that, with the tie secured either to the sectioning means or around the sectioned portion of the user's hair between the sectioning means and the user's scalp, the strands can be platted with corresponding strands of the user's hair to extend the length of the user's hair.
2. A hair extension according to claim 1 including a plurality of the said sectioning means for sectioning respective portions of the user's hair, and a plurality of the said flexible ties each having at least two strands of hair secured thereto, each sectioning means having an associated flexible tie.
3. A hair extension according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the or each tie passes through respective loops formed at one end of each strand.
4. A hair extension according to claim 3 wherein the loops are formed by looping the respective ends of each strand around a central portion of the tie and securing the overlapping ends of the loop together.
5. A hair extension according to any one of the claims 1-4 wherein the strands secured to the or each flexible tie are of approximately equal length and/or width.
6. A hair extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each sectioning means prevents or resists slippage of the flexible tie after the tie is secured around the said sectioned portion of the user's hair.
7. A hair extension according to claim 6 wherein the or each sectioning means comprises an elastic band tie.

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8. A hair extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each flexible tie comprises an elastic or non-elastic cord, line or wire.
9. A hair extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one additional strand of a decorative material is secured to the or each flexible tie for platting with the strands of hair.
10. A hair extension according to claim 9 wherein the additional strand or strands consist of ribbons, rope or beads.
11. A method of securing a hair extension to a user's hair, the hair extension comprising at least two strands of natural or artificial hair each secured at one end to a length of a flexible tie, the method comprising using sectioning means to section a portion of the user's hair, tying the flexible tie either to the sectioning means or around the sectioned portion of the user's hair between the sectioning means and the user's scalp, and platting the strands of hair with corresponding strands divided from the sectioned portion of the user's hair.
12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising using a plurality of the sectioning means to section respective portions of the user's hair, and providing a corresponding flexible tie for each of the respective portions.
13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the or each tie passes through respective loops formed at one end of each strand.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the loops are formed by looping the respective ends of each strand around a central portion of the tie and securing the overlapping ends of the loop together.

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15. A method according to any one of claims 11-14 wherein the or each said portion of the user's hair is sectioned using a band tie.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the band tie is elasticated.