GB2624898A

GB2624898A - Hair support device

Info

Publication number: GB2624898A
Application number: GB2217948.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmed Aeysha
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-11-29
Filing date: 2022-11-29
Publication date: 2024-06-05
Also published as: GB202217948D0

Abstract

A hair support device 10 comprising a head engagement member 11 which is arranged to be worn upon the head of the wearer and a hair support member 12 for supporting hair, the head engagement member and hair support member being coupled together. The hair support member comprises a body around which hair can be wrapped. The head engagement member is preferably formed from a fabric material in the form of a headband, and may have an indicator 14 for indicating an orientation of the device. The support member may be a ring or toroidal shape and be made out of fabric. The body may be formed of a material such as foam with an outer covering. Also claimed is a method of using the device.

Description

HAIR SUPPORT DEVICE

The present invention relates to a hair support device and a method of supporting hair.

It is well-known that Muslim women cover their hair with a hijab. In order to ensure their hair remains suitably covered, women typically collect their hair into a so-called "bun" and in this arrangement the hair is typically held taught for prolonged periods of time. This can lead to the hair becoming undesirably frizzy. More importantly however, the tension created in the hair can lead to women suffering hair-loss, headaches and a receding hair line.

In an endeavor to alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned problems, a hair support device is proposed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair support device for supporting hair of a wearer of the device, the device comprising a head engagement member which is arranged to be worn upon the head of the wearer and a hair support member for supporting hair, the head engagement member and hair support member being coupled together, wherein the hair support member comprises a body around which the hair can be wrapped.

In an embodiment, the head engagement member is formed of a fabric material, which may be elasticated and/or adjustable so that it may be suitably sized to fit upon a wearer's head. The head engagement member may comprise an indicator for indicating an orientation of the hair support device upon a wearer's head. The indicator may comprise a tag formed upon the head engagement member.

In an embodiment, the head engagement member comprises a headband.

In an embodiment, the body comprises an arcuate shape, such as a C-shape. Alternatively, the body comprises a ring or toroidal shape defining an opening at a central region thereof. The body may comprise a substantially circular cross-section. In an embodiment, the hair support member is formed of a fabric material.

In an embodiment, the body comprises an outer skin which encloses a packing material. The outer skin may be formed of a satin material and the packing may comprise a foam or fibrous packing material.

In an embodiment, the hair engagement member and hair support member are coupled together via a coupling member, which may comprise a section of fabric material. Alternatively, the head engagement member and hair support member maybe directly coupled together. For example, in the embodiment where the head engagement member comprises a headband and the hair support member comprises a ring or toroid shape body, the headband may be looped through the opening defined by the body.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting hair, the method comprising: positioning a head engagement member comprising a hair support member coupled therewith, upon the head of a wearer, the hair support member comprising a body around which hair can be wrapped; wrapping the hair of the wearer around the body.

In an embodiment, the method comprises positioning the head engagement member around a head of the wearer.

In an embodiment, the method comprises wrapping the hair around the body by passing the hair through an opening defined within the body at a central region thereof.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises separating the hair into at least two groups of hair and wrapping a first group of hair around a first section of the body and wrapping a second group of hair around a second section of the body. The method may further comprise wrapping the first and second groups of hair around the body in a direction which in use, is from an upper portion of the body toward a lower portion of the body.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises securing the hair in place upon the support member, such as a via a clip or fastener.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hair support device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a is a view of the hair support device illustrated in figure 1 positioned upon a head of a wearer; Figure 2b is a view from the rear of a wearer of the hair support device, with the wearer's hair extending through the opening defined by the body; Figure 2c is a view from the rear of a wearer of the hair support device, with the wearer's hair separated into two groups; Figure 2d is a view from the rear of a wearer of the hair support device, with the first group of hair wrapped upon a first section of the body; Figure 2e is a view from the rear of a wearer of the hair support device, with both the first and second groups of hair wrapped upon the body; Figure 2f is a magnified view of the body of the hair support member, with fasteners for securing the hair in place and Figure 3 is a flow chart outlining the steps associated with a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a hair support device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 comprises a head engagement member 11 and a hair support member 12 which may be coupled together via a coupling member 13. In an alternative embodiment which is not illustrated, the engagement member 11 and support member 12 may be directly coupled to each other.

The head engagement member 11 may be formed of a fabric material and in an embodiment comprises headband formed of an elasticated fabric material so that the headband can form a comfortable, secure fit around a wearer's head. In an alternative embodiment however, which is not illustrated, it is envisaged that the engagement member may comprise a band which is worn over the top of a wearer's head. In this case, the band may comprise a resiliently flexible rib or strengthening member for securing the band to the wearer's head.

The engagement member 11 further comprises an indicator 14, which may comprise a marking or tag located thereon, so that the wearer can ascertain the orientation of the engagement member 11 upon their head and thus ensure that the support member 12 is suitably located at the rear of the wearer's head.

The support member 12 comprises a body 12a having a ring or toroidal shape defining an opening 15 at a central region thereof. The body 12a is formed of a soft resiliently deformable material and comprises an outer skin 12b formed of a fabric material, such as a satin material, which encloses a packing material (not shown) which may comprise a foam or fibrous material, for example. In this respect, the body 12a enables clips and pins for example, to pass through the outer skin 12b and into the packing material, for securing thereto.

The coupling member 13 comprises a section of fabric material which is coupled at one end, such as via stitching or gluing to the engagement member 11. A second end of the member 13 is wrapped around the body 12a of the support member 12 by passing the coupling member 13 through the opening 15 defined by the body 12a. The second end of the coupling member 13 is then coupled to the support member 12, at a position intermediate the first and second end, to form a loop 13a which extends around the body 12a.

Referring to figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a method 20 of supporting hair according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a first step, an individual desirous of using the hair support device 10 described above would first prepare their hair by brushing and where necessary drying their hair H, as appropriate, at step 21. The individual subsequently places the engagement member 11, such as the headband, over their head and pulls their hair H back through the headband so that the headband 11 rests around their neck at step 22. The wearer then repositions the headband 11 so that it passes around their head, from the top of their head to the underside of their hair H at the rear of their head, at step 23, as illustrated in figure 2a. The headband 11 is then adjusted accordingly for comfort and positioned so that the indicator 14 is located at the desired position relative to the wearer's head, to ensure the support member 12 is located at the rear of the wearer's head at step 24 adjacent the nape of the wearer's neck.

The wearer subsequently passes their hair H through the opening 15 defined by the body 12a at step 25, as illustrated in figure 2b. The wearer then separates the hair H, if required, into two groups (H1, H2) at step 26 and wraps the first group of hair H1 around a section of the body 12a, namely a first half of the body, by repeatedly passing the first group of hair H1 through the opening 15, at step 26. This is performed by starting from an upper portion of the body 12a and gradually wrapping the hair toward a lower portion of the body 12a. The first group of hair H1 is then secured in place by passing clips and/or pins 16 through the hair into the body 12a, at step 27, as illustrated in figures 2d and 2f. The second group of hair H2 is then similarly wrapped around a separate section of the body 12a, namely the second half, at step 28 and secured in place using clips and/or pins 16 at step 29, so that the wearer's hair H becomes completely wrapped around the body 12a, as illustrated in figure 2e. In the is event that the hair H is wrapped too tightly, the wearer can simply reposition their hair H upon the body 12a and/or reposition the headband ii as required. Once in place, the weight of the wearer's hair is supported by the body 12a via the headband and so prevents any localized tension in the wearer's hair H, as would be present if the wearer had simply secured their hair H in place using clips and/or elasticated straps.

When it is desired to remove the hair support device 10, the wearer simply removes the clips/pins 16 from the body 12a and unwraps their hair H from the body 12a. The head band 11 can then be lifted from the wearers head. The wrapping of the hair around the body 12a is also found to leave a loose curl in the wearer's hair H, as opposed to an undesirable frizz. From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the hair support device reduces the tension within the wearers hair H and provides a more comfortable means for supporting hair beneath a hijab or scarf.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A hair support device for supporting hair of a wearer of the device, the device comprising a head engagement member which is arranged to be worn upon the head of the wearer and a hair support member for supporting hair, the head engagement member and hair support member being coupled together, wherein the hair support member comprises a body around which the hair can be wrapped.
2 A hair support device according to claim 1, wherein the head engagement member is be formed of a fabric material.
3 A hair support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head engagement member comprises an indicator for indicating an orientation of the hair support device upon a wearers head.
4 A hair support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the head engagement member comprises a headband.
5 A hair support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a ring or toroidal shape defining an opening at a central region thereof.
6 A hair support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the hair support member is formed of a fabric material.
7 A hair support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises an outer skin which encloses a packing material.
8 A hair support device according to claim 7, wherein the outer skin is formed of a satin material.
9. A hair support device according to claim 7, wherein the packing material comprises a foam or fibrous packing material.
10.A hair support device according to any preceding claim, wherein, the hair engagement member and hair support member are coupled together via a coupling member.
11.A method of supporting hair, the method comprising: positioning a head engagement member comprising a hair support member coupled therewith, upon the head of a wearer, the hair support member comprising a body around which hair can be wrapped; wrapping the hair of the wearer around the body.
12.A method of supporting hair according to claim 11, further comprising positioning the head engagement member around a head of the wearer.
13.A method of supporting hair according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising wrapping the hair around the body by passing the hair through an opening defined within the body at a central region thereof.
14.A method of supporting hair according to any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising separating the hair into at least two groups of hair and wrapping a first group of hair around a first section of the body and wrapping a second group of hair around a second section of the body.
15.A method of supporting hair according to claim 14, further comprising wrapping the first and second groups of hair around the body in a direction which in use, is from an upper portion of the body toward a lower portion of the body.
16.A method of supporting hair according to any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising securing the hair in place upon the support member.