HAIR CLIP TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The presently disclosed subject matter is in the field of hair clips with magnets. BACKGROUND References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below. • US9072355B• US6959713B• US7222631B• US20210059376A • US20100078036A• US10639559B• JP5930761B Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The presently disclosed subject matter provides according to a first aspect, a hair clip comprising: two halves, each half comprising: a hair contacting portion, and a finger contacting portion having an inner surface facing in the direction of the corresponding hair contacting portion and an outer surface facing away from the corresponding hair contacting portion, an axle engaging portion, via which each said half is mounted to an axle extending along a rotation axis so as to allow rotation of the two halves relative to each other, thereby moving the hair contacting portions away and towards each other and away and towards an operational plane comprising the rotation axis, and at least one
magnet supported by the finger contacting portion so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. In some embodiments, the inner surface is spaced apart from the outer surface by a thickness having a body. In some embodiments, a recess is formed in the body at least adjacent the outer surface. In some embodiments, the recess at least partially seats the at least one magnet therein. In some embodiments, the hair clip has a reference plane through the rotation axis, orthogonal to the operational plane and crossing it along the rotational axis, the inner surface of the finger contacting portion faces the reference plane and the outer surface faces away from the reference plane. In some embodiments, the at least one magnet has an interior surface, proximal to the reference plane and an exterior surface, more distal from the reference plane. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is more proximal to the reference plane than the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is more distal from the reference plane than the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is flush with the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. In some embodiments, a portion of the outer surface of the finger contacting portion overlaps with the magnet exterior surface at least when viewing from the outer surface towards the reference plane. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is positioned at the distal end of the hair clip allowing the magnetic force of the magnet to be exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. In some embodiments, the outer surface comprises a medial end, disposed at greater proximity to the operational plane than a lateral end and the medial end is at a first distance from the reference plane and the lateral end is at a second distance from the reference plane, the first and the second distance are the same or different. In some embodiments, the reference plane divides the hair clip into a proximal portion, in which at least most of the hair contacting portion is disposed, and into a distal portion, in which at least most of the finger contacting portion is disposed, the distal portion extends from the reference plane in a distal direction and terminates at an outermost surface, which constitutes the surface formed at the distal portion by the most distal points from the reference plane. In some embodiments, the outermost surface comprises portions of the outer surface and the majority of or the entire magnet exterior surface. In some embodiments, the outermost surface constitutes a distal end of the hair clip and hair grabbing elements of the hair contacting portion constitute a proximal end of the hair clip, positioned opposite the distal end. In some embodiments, a
majority of the outermost surface is formed as a flat surface in which the distance of successive points on the flat surface is equidistant from the reference plane or successively at an increasing or decreasing distance from the reference plane. In some embodiments, the flat surface provides connectivity of the outermost surface with an auxiliary magnetic surface, free of obstructions to the magnetic force between the outermost surface and the auxiliary magnetic surface. In some embodiments, a majority of or the entire outermost surface lies on a plane which is parallel to the reference plane. In some embodiments, a majority of or the entire outermost surface lies on a plane which is angularly inclined to the reference plane. In some embodiments, at least one magnet is disposed on each outer surface of the halves. In some embodiments, at least two magnets are disposed on each outer surface of the halves. In some embodiments, a total magnet exterior surface constitutes all the magnet exterior surfaces on the finger contacting portion of one of the halves, and at least most of the total magnet exterior surface is sized for connectivity with another magnetic surface. According to a further aspect of the present subject matter, a hair clip arrangement comprising a first hair clip mutually connectible to a second hair clip, each of the first and second hair clip constituting the hair clip according to any one of the preceding embodiments. The at least one magnet of the first hair clip has the opposite polarity of the at least one magnet of the second hair clip. In some embodiments, the contact between the first and second hair clip is established by mutually connecting the outer surfaces of each of the first and second hair clip at least by use of the magnetic force. In some embodiments, in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are in material contact. In some embodiments, in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are separated by a gap. In some embodiments, the hair clip arrangement further comprises an ornamental unit formed of a first part and a second part, each half of the hair clip has a side more proximal to the operational plane and an oppositely facing side more distal from the operational plane, and the first part of the ornamental unit is disposed at the distal side of the first hair clip and the second part of the ornamental unit is disposed at the distal side of the second hair clip, such that when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, the first and second parts form together the ornamental unit. In some embodiments,
the at least one magnet of the first hair clip and the at least one magnet of the second hair clip provide a magnetic force operable to align the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip, irrespective of any initial angular misalignment between the operational planes. The hair clip arrangement can comprise any one of the embodiments of the hair clip. According to still a further aspect of the present subject matter, there is a hair clip kit comprising a hair clip comprising two halves, each half comprising a hair contacting portion, and a finger contacting portion having an inner surface facing in the direction of the corresponding hair contacting portion and an outer surface facing away from the corresponding hair contacting portion, an axle engaging portion, via which each said half is mounted to an axle extending along a rotation axis so as to allow rotation of the two halves relative to each other, thereby moving the hair contacting portions away and towards each other and away and towards an operational plane comprising the rotation axis, and at least one magnet supported by the finger contacting portion so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. In some embodiments, the hair clip kit comprises a first and second hair clip, the at least one magnet of the first hair clip has the opposite polarity of the at least one magnet of the second hair clip. The hair clip kit can comprise any one of the embodiments of the hair clip or any one of the embodiments of the hair clip arrangement. The term “contacting” and “connecting” include physical, material contact as well as contact or connection in which the connecting portions are not materially joined to each other but rather remain in proximity such as close proximity by a force preventing their disconnection from each other. The term “magnetic connection” includes a connection caused at least by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic surface on another surface, e.g. a magnetic surface. The magnetic connection includes connection by physical, material contact as well as non-material contact, due to the magnetic force, which prevents the surfaces from disconnecting from each other despite other forces being applied thereon, such as gravity. The non-material contact can include the surfaces being prevented from disconnecting from each other due to the magnetic force therebetween, even if there is another medium such as air, hair or a solid (e.g. a cover, plastic) present between the surfaces.
The magnetic surface comprises any surface containing a material with magnetic properties. Embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter can include, but are not limited to the following embodiments: 1. A hair clip comprising: two halves, each half comprising: a hair contacting portion; and a finger contacting portion having an inner surface facing in the direction of the corresponding hair contacting portion and an outer surface facing away from the corresponding hair contacting portion; an axle engaging portion, via which each said half is mounted to an axle extending along a rotation axis so as to allow rotation of the two halves relative to each other thereby moving the hair contacting portions away and towards each other and away and towards an operational plane comprising the rotation axis; and at least one magnet supported by the finger contacting portion so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. 2. The hair clip of embodiment 1, wherein the inner surface is spaced apart from the outer surface by a thickness having a body. 3. The hair clip of embodiment 2, wherein a recess is formed in the body at least adjacent the outer surface. 4. The hair clip of embodiment 3, wherein the recess least partially seats the at least one magnet therein. 5. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 1-4, having a reference plane through the rotation axis, orthogonal to the operational plane and crossing it along the rotational axis, said inner surface of the finger contacting portion facing the reference plane and the outer surface facing away from the reference plane.
6. The hair clip of embodiment 5, wherein the at least one magnet has an interior surface, proximal to the reference plane and an exterior surface, more distal from the reference plane. 7. The hair clip of embodiment 6, wherein the magnet exterior surface is more proximal to the reference plane than the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. 8. The hair clip of embodiment 6, wherein the magnet exterior surface is more distal from the reference plane than the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. 9. The hair clip of embodiment 6, wherein the magnet exterior surface is flush with the outer surface of the finger contacting portion. 10. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 6-9, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the finger contacting portion overlaps with the magnet exterior surface at least when viewing from the outer surface towards the reference plane. 11. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 6-10, wherein the magnet exterior surface is positioned at the distal end of the hair clip allowing the magnetic force of the magnet to be exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. 12. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 5-11, wherein the outer surface comprises a medial end, disposed at greater proximity to the operational plane than a lateral end and the medial end is at a first distance from the reference plane and the lateral end is at a second distance from the reference plane, the first and the second distance are the same or different. 13. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 5-12, wherein the reference plane divides the hair clip into a proximal portion, in which at least most of the hair contacting portion is disposed, and into a distal portion, in which at least most of the finger contacting portion is disposed,
the distal portion extends from the reference plane in a distal direction and terminates at an outermost surface, which constitutes the surface formed at the distal portion by the most distal points from the reference plane. 14. The hair clip of embodiment 13, wherein the outermost surface comprises portions of the outer surface and the majority of or the entire magnet exterior surface. 15. The hair clip of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, wherein the outermost surface constitutes a distal end of the hair clip and hair grabbing elements of the hair contacting portion constitute a proximal end of the hair clip, positioned opposite the distal end. 16. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 13-15, wherein a majority of the outermost surface is formed as a flat surface in which the distance of successive points on the flat surface is equidistant from the reference plane or successively at an increasing or decreasing distance from the reference plane. 17. The hair clip of embodiment 16, wherein the flat surface provides connectivity of the outermost surface with an auxiliary magnetic surface, free of obstructions to the magnetic force between the outermost surface and the auxiliary magnetic surface. 18. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 13-17, wherein a majority of or the entire outermost surface lies on a plane which is: parallel to the reference plane; or angularly inclined to the reference plane. 19. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein at least one magnet is disposed on each outer surface of said halves. 20. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein at least two magnets are disposed on each outer surface of said halves. 21. The hair clip of any one of embodiments 1-20, wherein a total magnet exterior surface constitutes all the magnet exterior surfaces on the finger contacting portion of one
of the halves, and at least most of said total magnet exterior surface is sized for connectivity with another magnetic surface. 22. A hair clip arrangement comprising: a first hair clip mutually connectible to a second hair clip, each of the first and second hair clip constituting the hair clip according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one magnet of the first hair clip has the opposite polarity of the at least one magnet of the second hair clip. 23. The hair clip arrangement of embodiment 22, wherein the contact between the first and second hair clip is established by mutually connecting the outer surfaces of each of the first and second hair clip at least by use of the magnetic force. 24. The hair clip arrangement of embodiment 22 or embodiment 23 when dependent on embodiment 6, wherein in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are in material contact. 25. The hair clip arrangement of any one of embodiments 22 to 24 when dependent on embodiment 6, wherein in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are separated by a gap. 26. The hair clip arrangement of any one of embodiments 22 to 25, further comprising an ornamental unit formed of a first part and a second part, wherein each half of the hair clip has a side more proximal to the operational plane and an oppositely facing side more distal from the operational plane, and the first part of the ornamental unit is disposed at the distal side of the first hair clip and the second part of the ornamental unit is disposed at the distal side of the second hair clip, such that when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, the first and second parts form together the ornamental unit.
27. The hair clip arrangement of any one of embodiments 22 to 26, wherein the at least one magnet of the first hair clip and the at least one magnet of the second hair clip provide a magnetic force operable to align the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip, irrespective of any initial angular misalignment between the operational planes. 28. A hair clip kit comprising: a hair clip comprising: two halves, each half comprising: a hair contacting portion; and a finger contacting portion having an inner surface facing in the direction of the corresponding hair contacting portion and an outer surface facing away from the corresponding hair contacting portion; an axle engaging portion, via which each said half is mounted to an axle extending along a rotation axis so as to allow rotation of the two halves relative to each other thereby moving the hair contacting portions away and towards each other and away and towards an operational plane comprising the rotation axis; and at least one magnet supported by the finger contacting portion so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. 29. The hair clip kit of embodiment 28, comprising a first and second said hair clip, wherein the at least one magnet of the first hair clip has the opposite polarity of the at least one magnet of the second hair clip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1illustrates a perspective view of a hair clip, configured in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter;
Fig. 2 illustrates an elevation view of the hair clip of Fig. 1; Figs. 3A and 3Beach illustrate an alternative embodiment of the hair clip of Fig. 1, shown in the elevation view; Fig. 4Aillustrates an elevation view of a hair clip arrangement comprising a pair of the hair clips of Fig. 1, in a connected state; Fig. 4Billustrates an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the hair clip arrangement of Fig. 4A, in a connected state; Fig. 5illustrates an elevation view of the hair clip arrangement of Fig. 4A in a disconnected state in which one hair clip is angularly misaligned with the other hair clip; Fig. 6illustrates a perspective view of a hair clip, configured in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter; Fig. 7 illustrates an elevation view of the hair clip of Fig. 6; Fig. 8illustrates a perspective view of a hair clip arrangement comprising a pair of hair clips of Fig. 6, in a connected state; Fig. 9illustrates a perspective view of the hair clip arrangement of Fig. 8 in a disconnected state, in which one hair clip is angularly misaligned with the other hair clip; Fig. 10A and 10B illustrate a perspective view of a hair clip arrangement including an ornamental unit, shown in a disconnected state (10A) and a connected state (10B), respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hair clip, configured in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The hair clip 100 comprises two halves 102, which may be identical or may be different from each other. At least one of the halves or each of the halves comprise a hair contacting portion 106, a finger contacting portion 108 and an axle engaging portion 110. The hair contacting portion comprises a single or a plurality of hair grabbing elements, such as at least two teeth or more for grabbing hair strands at gaps formed between the teeth, or a loop or band for grabbing the hair strands or a single or more snap or pin. The hair clip has a body. The body at the finger contacting portion has an inner surface and an outer surface and is operative for allowing fingers to contact the hair contacting portion at a finger contacting region so as to control the movement of the hair
contacting portion. The finger contacting region can be at a surface adjoining the outer surface and inner surface or can be at the outer surface or at the inner surface. In some embodiments, the body of the finger contacting region can be formed as tabs or handles comprising the inner surface and the outer surface. The halves are rotatably mounted to an axle of the axle engaging portion. The axle engaging portion engages the axle for rotating each half about a rotation axis for causing the movement of the hair contacting portions away and towards each other. The axle or any other connection element may support a biasing member, such as a spring or any other resilient element, for facilitating the movement of the two halves from a normally closed position and away from each other to an opened positioned and towards each other, to resume the closed position. In use during hair styling, the hair is typically grabbed by the hair grabbing elements at the opened position and fastened to the head by the hair clip when the hair clip is resumed to the closed position. The two halves may be mounted to the axle by adjoining means. The adjoining means may comprise apertured protrusions protruding from the halves and receivable of the axle therein. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hair contacting portion 106 comprises a plurality of hair grabbing elements including a series of teeth 114 for grabbing hair strands at gaps formed between the teeth 114. The hair clip 110 has a body 118. The body 118 at the finger contacting portion 108 has a thickness spacing apart an inner surface 120 from an outer surface 122 of the finger contacting portion 108 and is operative for allowing fingers to contact the hair contacting portion 106 at a finger contacting region so as to control the movement of the hair contacting portion 106. The body 118 at the finger contacting portion 108 is formed as tabs and the finger contacting region can be at an adjoining surface between the outer surface 122 and the inner surface 120, at a wall 126. The halves 102 are rotatably mountable to an axle 130 of the axle engaging portion 110. The axle engaging portion 110 engages the axle 130 for rotating each half 102 about a rotation axis X for causing the pivoting movement of the hair contacting portion 1away and towards each other. The axle 130 supports a coil spring 134 for facilitating the movement of the two halves 102 from a normally closed position, shown in Fig. 1, and away from each other to the opened positioned and then towards each other, to resume the closed position.
The two halves 102 are mounted to the axle 130 by adjoining means comprising apertured protrusions 138 protruding from the halves 102 and receivable of the axle 1therein. The hair clip has a reference plane passing through the rotational axis. An operational plane to which each half moves away and towards the other half, traverses the reference plane at the rotational axis or any other location along the hair clip and may be orthogonal to the reference plane. The inner surface faces the reference plane and the outer surface faces away from the reference plane. In some embodiments, the inner surface is more proximal to the reference plane than the outer surface, which is more distal from the reference plane. In some embodiments the operational plane divides the hair clip into two symmetric portions, in which each symmetric portion comprises most of one of the halves, at least in the opened position. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hair clip 100 has a reference plane RP passing through the rotational axis X. An operational plane OP to which each half 1moves away and towards the other half, is orthogonal to the reference plane RP. The reference plane RP intersect the operational plane OP at the rotational axis X. At least a portion or most of or the entire inner surface 120 faces the reference plane RP and at least a portion or most of or the entire outer surface 122 faces away from the reference plane RP. The inner surface 120 is more proximal to the reference plane RP than the outer surface 122, which is more distal from the reference plane RP. The operational plane OP is shown to divide the hair clip into to two symmetric portions, in which each symmetric portion comprises most of one of the halves 102, at least in the opened position. At least one magnet is supported by the finger contacting portion so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface in a distal direction away from the reference plane, thereby facilitating the magnetic connection of the magnet to another magnetic surface by at least the magnetic force. In some embodiments, each finger contacting portion of both halves supports at least one or more magnets. The magnet is held by the finger contacting portion and, in some embodiments, comprises a magnet supporting region operable for supporting the magnet by receiving at least a portion or a surface of the magnet or by receiving an intermediary support element, which supports the magnet and receives at least a portion or a surface of the magnet. In some embodiments, the magnet has an interior surface, proximal to the reference plane and an exterior surface, more distal from the reference plane. The magnet may have
material contact with the outer surface or contact via the intermediary support element, at least at the interior surface of the magnet. In some embodiments, a recess may be formed in the body defining the magnet supporting region and is operable for seating the magnet therein, as the magnet interior surface abuts the inner surface. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is positioned more proximal to the reference plane than the outer surface. In some embodiments, the recess is formed in the body adjacent the outer surface and in some embodiments, the magnet is seated in the recess such that the magnet exterior surface is positioned adjacent the outer surface with a relatively small gap therebetween. In a non limiting example, such as gap may be on the range of 1-50 millimeters, subranges thereof or higher. In a non-limiting example, the gap may be about 15 millimeters. The magnet supporting region may include the recess or any volume operable for supporting the magnet in the hair clip body. In some embodiments, a portion of the outer surface is formed to overlap with the magnet exterior surface at least when viewing from the outer surface towards the reference plane. The overlap may secure the magnet at the magnet supporting region by preventing the dislodgment of the magnet thereout. In addition, or alternatively, the magnet may be attached to the magnet supporting region by an adhesive or any other attachment means. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is more distal from the reference plane than the outer surface and thus protrudes out of the outer surface towards the distal direction. Whereupon the magnet exterior surface protrudes out of the outer surface, the magnet inner surface may be seated within the recess or at the magnet supporting region and may be mounted on the outer surface directly or indirectly via the intermediary support element. In a non- limiting example, the intermediary support element may also comprise an attachment element operable to attach the magnet to the outer surface, such as an adhesive. In some embodiments, the magnet exterior surface is flush with the outer surface. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3B, a magnet 150 is supported by the finger contacting portion 108 so that its magnetic force is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface 122 in a distal direction away from the reference plane RP, generally shown by arrow A1 in Fig. 2, thereby facilitating the magnetic connection of the magnet 150 to an auxiliary magnetic surface by at least the magnetic force.
The magnet 150 is held by the finger contacting portion 108, which comprises a magnet supporting region operable for supporting the magnet by receiving at least a portion or a surface of the magnet 150. The magnet has an interior surface 152, proximal to the reference plane RP and an exterior surface 154, more distal from the reference plane RP. The magnet 150 in Figs. to 3B is shown to have material contact with the inner surface 120. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3A, a recess 158 is formed in the body 1defining the magnet supporting region and is operable for seating the magnet 150 therein as the magnet interior surface152 abuts the inner surface 120. The recess 158 is formed in the body 118 adjacent the outer surface 122 and the magnet 150 is seated in the recess 158 such that the magnet exterior surface 154 is positioned adjacent the outer surface 1with a relatively small gap 160 therebetween. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the magnet exterior surface 154 is positioned more proximal to the reference plane RP than the outer surface 122. A portion of the outer surface 122 is formed to overlap at an overlap region 162 with the magnet exterior surface 154 at least when viewing from the outer surface towards the reference plane in the direction shown by arrow A2 in Fig. 2. The overlap region 162 secures the magnet 150 in the recess 158 by preventing the dislodgment of the magnet 150 thereout. In addition, or alternatively, the magnet 150 is attached to the recess 158 by an adhesive or any other fixing means. In the example shown in Fig. 3A, the magnet exterior surface 154 is flush with the outer surface 122. In the example shown in Fig. 3B, the magnet exterior surface 154 is more distal from the reference plane RP than the outer surface 122 and thus protrudes out of the outer surface 122 in the distal direction A1. In some embodiments, the hair clip may be structured such that the reference plane divides the hair clip into a proximal portion, in which at least most of the hair contacting portion is disposed, and into a distal portion, in which at least most of the finger contacting portion is disposed. The distal portion extends from the reference plane in the distal direction and terminates at an outermost surface, which constitutes a surface formed at the distal portion by the most distal points of the hair clip from the reference plane. The outermost surface may comprise portions of the outer surface and portions or the entire magnet exterior surface and is seen as the surface exposed exteriorly from the distal
portion. In some embodiments, the outermost surface constitutes a distal end of the hair clip and the hair grabbing elements constitute a proximal end of the hair clip, positioned opposite the distal end. Accordingly, the magnet exterior surface is positioned at the distal end of the hair clip allowing the magnetic force of the magnet to be exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. A portion, such as a majority of the outermost surface, may be formed as a flat surface, namely that in that flat surface the distance of the successive points on the flat surface is equidistant from the reference plane or successively at an increasing or decreasing distance from the reference plane. The flat surface provides connectivity of the outermost surface with an auxiliary magnetic surface, free of obstructions to the magnetic force therebetween the magnet exterior surface and the other magnetic surface. In a non limiting example, the auxiliary magnetic surface may comprise a magnet exterior surface of a second hair clip. In some embodiments, the entire outermost surface or a portion thereof of a majority of a portion thereof, may lie on a plane parallel to the reference plane. Alternatively, the entire outermost surface or a majority of the outermost surface, may lie on a plane angularly inclined to the reference plane, to allow hairs to be positioned in between the outermost surface of the hair clip and an outermost surface of a second hair clip and still allow the hair clip to be connected to the second hair clip by the magnetic force. In some embodiments, the outer surface comprises a medial end, disposed at greater proximity to the operational plane than a lateral end and the medial end is at a first distance from the reference plane and the lateral end is at a second distance from the reference plane. The first and the second distance can be the same or different. In the example shown in Figs. 1-3B, the hair clip 100 is structured such that the reference plane RP divides the hair clip into a proximal portion PPO, in which at least most of the hair contacting portion 106 is disposed, and into a distal portion DPO, in which at least most of the finger contacting portion 108 is disposed. The distal portion DPO extend from the reference plane RP in the distal direction A1 and terminates at an outermost surface 166, which constitutes a surface formed at the distal portion DPO by the most distal points from the reference plane RP. The outermost surface 166 may comprise portions of the outer surface 122 and portions or all of the magnet exterior surface 154 and is seen as the surface exposed exteriorly from the distal portion DPO. The outermost surface 166 constitutes a distal end 170 of the hair clip 100 and the teeth
114 constitute a proximal end 172 of the hair clip 100, positioned opposite the distal end 170. Accordingly, the magnet exterior surface 154 is positioned at the distal end 170 of the hair clip 100 allowing the magnetic force of the magnet 150 to be exposed exteriorly from the outer surface 154. The entire outermost surface 166 or a majority thereof lies on a distal plane DP angularly inclined to the reference plane RP, to allow hairs to be positioned in between the outermost surface 166 of the hair clip 100 and an outermost surface of a second hair clip and still allow the hair clip to be connected to the second hair clip by the magnetic force. In some embodiments, the outer surface 122 comprises a medial end 180, disposed at greater proximity to the operational plane OP than a lateral end 182. The medial end 180 is disposed at a first distance from the reference plane RP and the lateral end 182 is disposed at a second distance from the reference plane RP. The first and the second distance can be the same or different. As seen in Fig. 2, the first distance is greater than the second distance. In the example shown in Fig. 4B, the outermost surface 166 lies on a plane parallel to the reference plane RP such that the distal plane DP is generally parallel to the reference plane RP. A portion, such as a majority of the outermost surface 166 is formed as a flat surface, namely that in that flat surface the distance of successive points on the flat surface is equidistant from the reference plane RP or successively at an increasing or decreasing distance from the reference plane RP. In the example shown in Figs. 1-3B, the flat surface constitutes the magnet exterior surface 154, which is at a successively decreasing distance from the reference plane RP, such that from medial end 180 the distance from the reference plane RP decreases towards the lateral end 182. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the flat surface constitutes the magnet exterior surface 154 or the portion of the outer surface 122 on the outermost surface 166, or in other words the portion of the outer surface 122 which coincides with the outermost surface 166, is at a successively decreasing distance from the reference plane RP, such that from medial end 180 the distance from the reference plane RP decreases towards the lateral end 182. The flat surface provides connectivity of the outermost surface with an auxiliary magnetic surface, free of obstructions to the magnetic force therebetween the magnet exterior surface and
the other magnetic surface. In a non limiting example, the auxiliary magnetic surface may comprise a magnet exterior surface of a second hair clip. At least one magnet is disposed on each outer surface of the halves. In some embodiments two or more magnets are disposed on each outer surface of the halves. The magnet or at least the magnet exterior surface is sized for connectivity with another magnetic surface. In a non limiting example, the magnet exterior surface may be shaped rectangularly or circularly. In a non limiting example, the magnet may be shaped as a cuboid or a truncated cone or a cylinder. In the example shown in Fig. 1, one magnet 150 is disposed on each outer surface of the halves 102. In the example shown in Fig. 6 two magnets 150 are disposed on each outer surface of the halves 102. The magnet or at least the magnet exterior surface 154 is sized for connectivity with another magnetic surface. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the magnet is shaped as a cuboid and the magnet exterior surface is shaped rectangularly. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the magnet is shaped as a cylinder and the magnet exterior 154 surface is shaped circularly. The hair clip is operable to be connected to an auxiliary magnetic surface. The connectivity of the magnet of the hair clip to the auxiliary magnetic surface is formed at least by a magnetic connection due to its magnetic force, which is exposed exteriorly from the outer surface. The magnetic connection comprises a connection caused at least by the magnetic force generated by the magnet of the hair clip on the auxiliary magnetic surface. The magnetic connection includes connection by physical, material contact as well as non-material contact, due to the magnetic force which prevents the magnet exterior surface and the auxiliary magnetic surface from disconnecting from each other despite other forces applied thereon, such as gravity. The non-material contact can include the magnet exterior surface and the auxiliary magnetic surface being prevented from disconnecting from each other due to the magnetic force therebetween, even if there is another medium such as air, hair or a cover or coating or any other solid present between the magnet exterior surface and the auxiliary magnetic surface. In some embodiments, the auxiliary magnetic surface can comprise an exterior magnetic surface of a magnet of another hair clip, e.g. the hair clip described herein, or a metal board and the like. In some embodiments, a first hair clip is mutually connectible to a second hair clip, each of the first and second hair clip of the type described herein and, in some
embodiments, the first and second hair clips may be identical. The first and second hair clips form a hair clip arrangement. The magnet connectivity is facilitated by providing at least one magnet of the first hair clip with a first polarity and the at least one magnet of the second hair clip having a second, opposite polarity. In some embodiments, the magnetic polarity of the magnets on a single hair clip can be the same or different. For example, in the same hair clip the magnetic polarity of the single or plurality of magnets on the first half may be the same or opposite the magnetic polarity of the single or plurality of magnets on the second half. The magnetic force may be operable to align the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip, irrespective of any initial angular misalignment or any initial linear misalignment between the operational planes. Namely, when in use during hair styling, each of the first and second hair clips may be inserted in the hair by way of grabbing the hair by the hair grabbing elements, yet they are not necessarily coaligned such that the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip. The misalignment may be such that the operational plane of the first hair clip is initially misaligned with the operational plane of the second hair clip. The magnetic force generated by the magnets of the first hair clip and/or second hair clip, is operable to cause the first clip and/or the second clip to twist relative to the other hair clip, so as to establish the magnetic connection between the first and second hair clips and to align the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip, such that the operational plane of the first hair clip is coplanar with the operational plane of the second hair clip. In some embodiments, this relative twisting motion can cause further twisting of the grabbed hair, thereby further styling the grabbed hair and possibly resulting in a complex hairstyle. The twisting can be performed to any designed degree. In a non limiting example, the twisting can be performed to a degree of 1-60 angle degrees. In some embodiments, the magnetic force may be operable to position the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip at a predetermined angle, such as aligned or at a predetermined angular offset, such as between 0-180 degrees, irrespective of any initial angular or linear misalignment between the operational planes. Namely, when in use during hair styling, each of the first and second hair clips may be inserted in the hair by way of grabbing the hair by the hair grabbing elements, yet they are not necessarily at a predetermined position in which the
first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip. The magnetic force generated by the magnets of the first and second hair clips, is operable to cause the first clip and/or the second clip to twist relative to the other hair clip and/or to move towards each other, so as to establish the magnetic connection between the first and second hair clips and to position the operational plane of the first hair clip with the operational plane of the second hair clip at the predetermined angular offset. In some embodiments, this relative twisting motion can cause further twisting of the grabbed hair, thereby further styling the grabbed hair and possibly resulting in a complex hairstyle. In some embodiments, in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are in material contact. In some embodiments, in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are separated by a gap. In the example shown in Figs. 1-10B, the hair clip 100 is operable to be connected to an auxiliary magnetic surface comprising an exterior magnetic surface of a magnet of another hair clip, such as a first hair clip 100A mutually connectible to a second hair clip 100B, as shown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 8-10B. The connectivity of a first magnet 150A of the first hair clip 100A to a first magnet 150B of the second hair clip 100B is formed at least by a magnetic connection due to its magnetic force which is exposed exteriorly from the outer surfaces 122A and 122B of the respective first and second hair clips 100A and 100B. The magnetic connection comprises a connection caused at least by the magnetic force generated by the magnets 150A and 150B. The magnetic connection includes connection by physical, material contact or non-material contact, due to the magnetic force which prevents a first magnet exterior surface 154A of the first hair clip 100A and a second magnet exterior surface 154B of the second hair clip 100B from disconnecting from each other, despite and overcoming other forces applied thereon, such as gravity. The non-material contact can include the first and second magnet exterior surfaces 154A and 154B, respectively, being prevented from disconnecting from each other due to the magnetic force therebetween, even if there is another medium such as air, hair or a cover or coating or any other solid present between the first and second magnet exterior surfaces 154A and 154B, respectively. In the example shown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 8- 10B, the first hair clip 100A is mutually connectible to the second hair clip 100B, each of the first and second hair clip of the type
described herein and the respective first and second hair clips 100A and 100B are identical. The respective first and second hair clips 100A and 100B form a hair clip arrangement 200. The magnet connectivity is facilitated by providing at least one magnet 150A of the first hair clip 100A with a first polarity and the at least one magnet 150B of the second hair clip 100B having a second, opposite polarity. The magnetic polarity of the magnets on a single hair clip can be the same or different. For example, in the same hair clip the magnetic polarity of the single or plurality of magnets on the first half 102 may be the same or opposite the magnetic polarity of the single or plurality of magnets on the second half 102. The magnetic force can be operable to align an operational plane PO-A, depicted in Fig. 4A, of the first hair clip 100A with the operational plane OP-B of the second hair clip 100B, irrespective of any initial angular misalignment between the operational planes. Namely, when in use during hair styling, each of the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B, respectively, may be inserted in the hair by way of grabbing the hair by the teeth 114, yet the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B are not necessarily co-aligned such that the first hair clip 100A is connected to the second hair clip 100B. The misalignment may be such that the operational plane OP-A of the first hair clip 100A is initially misaligned with the operational plane OP-B of the second hair clip 100B as seen for example in Figs. 5 and 9. The magnetic force generated by the magnets of the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B is operable to cause the first clip 100A and/or the second clip 100B to twist relative to the other hair clip, so as to establish the magnetic connection between the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B and to align the operational plane OP-A of the first hair clip 100A with the operational plane OP-B of the second hair clip 100B, such that the operational plane OP-A of the first hair clip 100B is coplanar with the operational plane OP-B of the second hair clip 100B, as illustrated in Figs. 4A. 4B and 8. This relative twisting motion can cause further twisting of the grabbed hair, thereby further styling the grabbed hair. The twisting can be performed to any designated degree. In the connected state when the first hair clip 100A is connected to the second hair clip 100B, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are in material contact. In some embodiments, in the connected state when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip, at least a portion of the exterior surfaces of the magnets of the first and second hair clips are separated by a gap.
In some embodiments, the hair clip arrangement may further comprise an ornamental unit formed of a first part and a second part, such as a bow or any other design. The first part and a second part may be the same or different. Each half of the hair clip has a first elevation side and a second, opposite, elevation side. The first and second elevation sides each extends generally parallel to the operational plane. The first part of the ornamental unit may be disposed at the first elevation side of the first hair clip and the second part of the ornamental unit may be disposed at the first elevation side of the second hair clip, such that when the first hair clip is connected to the second hair clip the first and second parts form together the ornamental unit. Accordingly, when in use, the first and second hair clips can be utilized to grab the hair when the second, elevation side is positioned proximal to the hair, and thus, when connected, the first and second hair clips form together the ornamental unit at the first elevation side. In the example shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, the hair clip arrangement 200 further comprises an ornamental unit 220, shown as a bow, formed of a first part 222 and a second part 224. Each half 102 of the hair clip 100 has a first elevation side ES-1 and a second, opposite, elevation side ES-2. The first and second elevation sides ES-1 and ES-2, respectively, each extends generally parallel to the operational plane OP. The first part 222 of the ornamental unit 220 is shown to be disposed at the first elevation side ES-1 of the first hair clip 100A and the second part 224 of the ornamental unit 220 is shown to be disposed at the first elevation side ES-1 of the second hair clip 100B, such that when the first hair clip 100A is connected to the second hair clip 100B the first and second parts 222 and 224, respectively, form together the ornamental unit 220 as shown in Fig. 10B. Accordingly, when in use, the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B, respectively, can be utilized to grab the hair when the second, elevation side ES-2 is positioned proximal to the hair, and thus, when connected, the first and second hair clips 100A and 100B, respectively, form together the ornamental unit 220 at the first elevation side ES-1. In some embodiments, the magnet may be manufactured along with the manufacturing of the hair clip body, the body including the two halves comprising the hair contacting portion, the finger contacting portion and the axle engaging portion. In some embodiments, the hair clip body can be initially formed, and the magnet may be attached to the body thereafter. In some embodiments, the magnet may be inserted in the hair clip body by being pressed therein. The hair clip body can be formed of a material of
greater flexibility than the magnet material and therefore the hair clip body can receive the magnet when pressed therein. In some embodiments, a hair clip kit may include the hair clip body and an unattached at least one magnet, operable to be attached to the hair clip body. The hair clip can comprise a claw or jaw hair clip, such as shown in Figs. 1-10B, or any other type of hair clip such as a barrette or snap clip, in a non limiting example. While various inventive examples have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means, materials, or structure for performing the function, obtaining the results, or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive examples described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be for example only and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive examples described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing examples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims, equivalents thereto, and any claims supported by the present disclosure, inventive examples may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive examples of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, composition, kit, method, and step, described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, if such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. Examples disclosed herein may also be combined with one or more features, functionality, or materials, as well as complete systems, devices or methods, to yield yet other examples and inventions. Moreover, some examples, may be distinguishable from the prior art by specifically lacking one and/or another feature disclosed in the particular prior art reference(s); i.e., claims to some examples may be distinguishable from the prior art by including one or more negative limitations.
Also, as noted, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, examples may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative examples. Any and all references to publications or other documents, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books, etc., presented anywhere in the present application, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Moreover, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the
term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively. Although various example embodiments have been described in detail herein, however, in view of the present disclosure many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the concepts of present disclosure. Accordingly, any such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, while the disclosure herein contains many specific combinations, these specific combinations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any of the appended claims, but are provided as a description pertinent to one or more specific embodiments that may fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Any described features from the various
embodiments disclosed may be employed in combination with other disclosed embodiments. In addition, other embodiments of the present disclosure may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the disclosure and the appended claims. This disclosure provides various examples, embodiments, and features which, unless expressly stated or which would be mutually exclusive, should be understood to be combinable with other examples, embodiments, or features described herein.