GB2416487A

GB2416487A - Hair accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2416487A
Application number: GB0515391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fiona Mundell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-27
Filing date: 2005-07-27
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-27
Also published as: GB2416487B; GB0515391D0; GB0416674D0

Abstract

A hair accessory 2 comprises a plurality of loops 4 of elastic material, each loop being joined to a neighbouring loop via a respective connecting element 6. Additional decorative ornamentation may be attached to the accessory, such as stars or hearts or the like.

Description

24 1 6487

HAIR ACCESSORY

This invention relates to a hair accessory, more specifically to a fashion item to be worn in the hair and which can be designed to create a variety of novel hair styles.

There are many known examples of hair accessories used to fix hair into a variety of styles, ea. pigtails, bunches. Most comprise simply a ring of decorative elastic material through which hair is passed in the desired position, the ring holding the hair in place by virtue of its elasticity.

It is the object of this invention to provide a novel construction of hair accessory which can be made to a variety of designs for creating a much wider range of novel hair styles.

Accordingly the invention provides a hair accessory comprising a plurality of loops of elastic material, each loop being joined to a neighbouring loop via a respective connecting element.

Preferably each respective connecting element is a substantially rigid rod or bar, preferably of metal.

Preferably each loop is of flexible elastic material, ea. polyestercovered or coated elastic material, as is already used in conventional single-loop hair accessories, and may be decoratively constructed or adorned.

Each loop may be formed as a discrete unitary flexible band or alternatively may be formed with at least one pair of ends united by the means of the attachment to the respective connecting element(s). It is also possible within the scope of the Invention for the entire chain of loops to be formed from a single or a pair of discrete strands of material, with the individual loops being defined by crimping connecting elements mounted at appropriate position(s) upon the accessory's length.

The hair accessory of the invention may comprise any desired number and size of loops, ea. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or even more, with each loop being connected to its one or more neighbouring loop(s) by a respective connecting element, the total number of connecting elements being appropriate to the number of loops to be connected together in what is preferably a linear chain. The length of each connecting element may also be selected to provide the desired overall appearance of the accessory.

The ends of the or each connecting element may be attached to the relevant loops by any suitable means, such as an articulated joint, or the said ends being crimped onto the ends of the loop-forming material (if in that form) or any other suitable or appropriate form of crimping or threading or attachment means.

Furthermore each connecting element may provide anchoring points for attachment thereto of one or more additional decorative items or features in order to enhance the accessory's fashion or decorative appeal, for example anything that dangles, such as love hearts, stars, etc. Also within the scope of the Invention is a method of creating a novel hairstyle, comprising forming the hair of a wearer into a plurality of discrete bundles or ponytails and securing each bundle or ponytail within a respective loop of the accessory according to the main aspect of the invention or any of its above defined embodiments.

According to a still further aspect, the invention provides a kit comprising a hair accessory according to the first aspect together with a plurality of additional decorative items or fixtures for attaching to the accessory.

Preferred embodiments of the hair accessory of the invention will now be exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of one form of the hair accessory; and Figure 2 is a photographic plan view of three alternative examples of hair accessories according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the exemplary hair accessory 2 comprises a linear chain of loops 4 of polyester-covered elastic material joined together by substantially rigid metal connecting elements 6.

Figure 2 shows three practical examples of the hair accessory as shown in principle in Figure 1, namely Example 2a with six loops 4, Example 2b with five loops 4 and Example 2c with just two loops 4. In all these examples the various loops are linked together by means of the Intermediate crimping connecting element(s) 6 which define and separate the individual loops and provide, if desired, anchoring sites for one or more decorative or fashion elements.

When a wearer wishes to put the novel hair accessory in place it is a simple matter of gathering the hair into the appropriate number of bundles or ponytails and securing each one within a respective elasticated loop 4, as with conventional single-looped hair accessories. But now with the invention, with its multiple loops joined by rigid connecting elements 6, a much greater variety of hair styles can be created, and the provision of additional decorative elements attached to the intermediate connecting elements 6 can even increase the range of styles and decorative appearances that can be achieved.

It is to be understood that the above description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been by way of non-limiting examples only, and various modifications may be made from what has been specifically described and illustrated whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A hair accessory comprising a plurality of loops of elastic material, each loop being joined to a neighbouring loop via a respective connecting element.

2. A hair accessory according to claim 1 in which each respective connecting element is a substantially rigid rod or bar.

3. A hair accessory according to claim 1 or 2 in which each connecting element is of metal.

4. A hair accessory according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which each loop is of flexible elastic material, ea. polyester-covered or coated elastic material.

5. A hair accessory according to any preceding claim in which each loop is formed as a discrete unitary flexible band.

6. A hair accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which each loop is formed with at least one pair of ends united by the means of the attachment to the respective connecting element(s).

7. A hair accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the entire chain of loops to be formed from a single or a pair of discrete strands of material, with the individual loops being defined by crimping connecting elements mounted at appropriate position(s) upon the accessory's length.

8. A hair accessory according to any preceding claim in which the ends of the or each connecting element are attached to the relevant loops by any suitable means, such as being crimped onto the ends of the loop-forming material.

9. A hair accessory according to any preceding claim in which each connecting element provides anchoring points for attachment thereto of one or more additional decorative items or features in order to enhance the accessory's fashion or decorative appeal.

10. A kit comprising a hair accessory according to any preceding claim and a plurality of additional decorative items suitable for attaching to the hair accessory.

11. A hair accessory substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.