US20050056298A1

US20050056298A1 - Hook on pony tail accessory

Info

Publication number: US20050056298A1
Application number: US10/661,837
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael McRoberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-15
Filing date: 2003-09-15
Publication date: 2005-03-17

Abstract

The present invention comprises a fastening and decorative device which comprises a resilient o-ring shaped anchor ring and a decorative device or unit comprising in combination an ornamental unit connected to a base support unit having hook on means for removeably attaching to the anchor ring. The hook on means is connected to the back of the base support unit and comprises a reversed R-shaped configuration in cross section. An alternative embodiment for the hook on means comprises an inverted J-shaped configuration in cross section, connected to the back of the base support unit. Another alternative embodiment of the device resides in removeably attached snap on units connecting the ornamental unit to the back support unit. The decorative device can also contain hook on clip units.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an anchor ring/hook on pony tail accessory or ornament. The hook on pony tail accessory enables the user to selectively mount various decorative pieces on a base unit which attaches to the anchor ring in order to increase the variety and aesthetic features of a desired hair style. Alternatively, the decorative piece and base unit can be molded or formed into a single unit.
Substantial segments of the human population allow their hair to grow long. This hair style has been particularly true of young women. In recent or modern times this concept has been adopted by men as well. In the past many such individuals, especially women, styled their hair into a single or occasionally a double strand or pigtail and used various devices and/or ornaments to hold them into a desired style.
More recently, women and men allow their hair to grow long and frequently fashion their hair into a uni-sex type style, where hair is formed into a single strand of hair or ponytail near the back portion of the human head.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Over the years, numerous devices have been devised to hold hair in a particular orientation on the human head. The prior art disclose and teach a variety of methods and devices for holding hair, for example, pony tails in a desired manner or fashion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,405 B1 to McRoberts issued Jul. 30, 2002 entitled Snap On Pony Tail Holder/Anchor discloses a hair fastening and ornamental device for use in securing a pony tail on an individuals head. The device comprises a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair, wherein the anchor has snap on means and a pony tail holder with snap on means for removeably mating with the snap on means of the anchor ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,161 to Kohanek entitled Method And Apparatus For Forming A Hair fastener describes a hair fastening device and a method of holding hair in place inside an elongated cylindrically shaped, hair fastener made from a flexible material. The hair fastener is formed from a single rectangular piece of flexible material. The hair fastener has hooking means by which the fastener is held in place by attaching it to a conventional hair fastening device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,587 to Neary entitled Hair Accessory teaches a hair accessory for women's hair. The hair accessory includes an elongated rectangular shaped elastic strap having an inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to form a P-shaped hook in cross section and an outer elongated surface to which a series of headed strings are attached.
The P-shaped hook encloses a strand of hair of the user and is flexible to allow radical expansion as required. The shape of the hook is initially ellipsoidal, but is stretchable into a more circular shape.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,543 BI to Sonstengard entitled Device And Accessory For Styling Hair relates to a device for styling hair which includes a flexible relatively long body portion having a separate opening to receive a user's hair. The long body portion has clasp portions extending from either end which can be closed into a corresponding clasp by the insertion of one portion into the other. A styling enhancement may be provided as part of the hair styling device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,563 to De Rosa entitled Earring With A Tie-Line Attached Ornament teaches a lock of a hair displayed in a vertical orientation that is attached to a string-like depending component of an earring using a slipknot in the string to engage a lock of hair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,018 to Johnson entitled Hair Barrette With Replaceable Ornaments discloses an ornamental hair barrette which provides a mechanism which allows for rapid replacement, removal or addition of alternate ornamental appendages without requiring the wearer to remove the barrette from the wearer's hair each time the ornament appendages are replaced, removed or supplemented.
The mechanism includes ribs and recesses for interlocking a stem to a shaft having at least one slot extending substantially lengthwise along the stem or the shaft which allows the interlocking to place via spring like expansion and retraction of the stem or shaft respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,377 to Chen entitled Hairstyling Implement With Detachable Decorative Piece describes a hairstyling implement with detachable decorative piece which includes a hairstyling body for substantially binding, tying or holding a user's hair. The hairstyling implement includes a base firmly connected to the hairstyling body, at least a fastening device each comprising a first fastener and a second fastener integrally affixed to the hairstyling base for detachably connecting with the first fastener. A decorative piece is firmly attached to the hairstyling base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,698 to Edmark entitled Interchangeably Decorative Ornament describes an interchangeable decorative ornament consisting of at least one decorative piece, a coupler and a fastener. Decorative pieces may be removeably coupled to the setting, e.g. a coupler and fastener.
As can be readily be determined from the foregoing, there is an ongoing research effort to produce new and novel hair accessories for both male and female individuals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a hair fastening and ornamental device for securing strands of hair in place comprising in combination: a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair; and a decorative device having a base support unit and an ornamental unit attached to or integrated with it to form a single unit, said decorative device having hook on means for removing and attaching it to the anchor ring. In one embodiment the hook on means in cross section when attached to the base support unit has a reversed R-shaped configuration. In a second embodiment, the hook on means in cross section when attached to the base support unit has an inverted J-shaped configuration. In yet another embodiment, the hook on means has a clip like configuration. The ornamental unit can be either integrated with or securely attached to the base support unit or it can be removeably be attached to the base support unit with snap on means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the below-described detailed description, which makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a back view of the decorative device having a flower shaped ornament unit attached to the base support unit, wherein the decorative device is attached to an anchor ring using a reversed R-shaped hook.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 wherein the ornamental unit is heart shaped.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the drawing shown in FIG. 1 which shows the reversed R-shaped hook attached to the anchor ring.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the drawing shown in FIG. 3 with the following exception: the ornamental unit is heart shaped.
FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the decorative device shown in FIG. 1 except that the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.
FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the decorative device shown in FIG. 2 with the following exception: the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.
FIG. 7 shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 wherein the ornamental unit and decorative unit are integrated to form a single unit.
FIG. 8 shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 7, which shows an exploded view of the base support unit and ornamental unit.
FIG. 9 shows an exploded back perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 8 showing snap on means for the base support unit and the ornamental unit.
FIG. 10 shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 2, shows a groove in the back of the base support unit.
FIG. 11 shows an exploded back perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 shows a back perspective view of the decorative unit of FIG. 10, wherein the base support unit and ornamental unit have snap on means.
FIG. 13 is a back view of the decorative device wherein the ornamental unit is oval shaped and the base support unit has attached to it an inverted J-shaped hook in cross section and snap on means.
FIG. 14 is a back side view of the decorative unit of FIG. 13 which shows in greater detail the snap on attachment means for the ornamental unit and base support unit including the inverted J-shaped hook.
FIG. 15 is a side view of the decorative unit of FIG. 14, wherein the ornamental unit and base support unit are snapped together.
FIG. 16 is a front view of the decorative unit herein attached to the anchor ring and having an ornamental unit shaped like a daisy.
FIG. 17 is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a heart.
FIG. 18 is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a butterfly.
FIG. 19 is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a pair of smiling lips.
FIG. 20 is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit is shaped like a cartoon character.
FIG. 21 is a back view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the decorative unit shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit is shaped like an animal.
FIG. 23 is a side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a back perspective view of the illustration shown in FIG. 21 wherein the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.
FIG. 25 is an exploded side view of a decorative unit, two prong clip shaped hook and snap on means in an unsecured position.
FIG. 26 is a view of the decorative unit shown in FIG. 25 in a secured position.
FIG. 27 is a front view of a one prong clip.
FIG. 28 is a front view of a two prong clip.
FIG. 29 is a side, exploded view of a decorative unit, clip shaped hook and T-shaped snap on means in an unsecured position.
FIG. 30 is a side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 29 in a secured position.
FIG. 31 is an exploded side view of a one prong clip, decorative unit and snap on means.
FIG. 32 is a side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 31 in a secured position.
FIG. 33 is a back perspective view of a decorative unit pony tail holder showing clip hook on means, anchor ring and snap on means for the decorative unit.
FIG. 34 is a front exploded view of the decorative unit of FIG. 33 without the anchor ring.
FIG. 35 is a front view of the illustration shown in FIG. 34 wherein the clip is attached to the decorative unit with snap on means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a hair fastening and ornamental device for use in securing strands of hair in place on an individuals head.
Embodiments of the hair fastening and ornamental device are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings, in which identical or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters or numbers through the several views.
FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of the hair fastening and decorative device 2 showing in combination anchor ring 4, base support unit 8, reversed R-shaped hook 6 attached to the back of the base support unit 8 is removeably hooked onto anchor ring 4. Ornamental unit 10 which has a flower shaped configuration is securely attached to base unit 8 using conventional means such as adhesives, sonic welding, heat welding and the like.
FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the hair fastening and decorative device of FIG. 1 with the following exception: ornamental unit 12, which has a heart shaped configuration, has been substituted for ornamental unit 10.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 1 which shows decorative unit 2 having in combination flower shaped configuration 10 securely attached to base unit 8, which is attached to reversed R-shaped hook 6. Reversed R-shaped hook 6 is removeably attached to anchor ring 4. Groove 16 is located on the back of base support unit 6 and receives the outer anchor ring 4. It is to be noted that decorative unit 2 can be an integrated unit where base unit 8 and decorative unit and ornamental unit 10 can be a single unit.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the illustration of FIG. 3 with the following exception: heart shaped ornamental unit 12 is substituted for flower shaped ornamental unit 10.
FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the illustration in FIG. 3, wherein anchor ring 4 encircles hair strands 14.
FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the illustration of FIG. 4 wherein anchor ring 4 encircles hair strands 14.
FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of the decorative device 2, illustrated in FIG. 1 showing yet another view of decorative unit 2 which comprises in combination the back of ornamental unit 10 securely attached to the front of base support unit 8. Reversed R-shaped hook 6 is securely attached to the back of base support unit 8. Alternatively, ornamental unit 10 and support unit 8 can be integrated into one unit.
It is to be noted that base support unit 8 can have a variety of shapes. For example, it can have a rectangular shaped configuration with rounded edges as shown, or it can have a circular shape, a square configuration, a rectangular configuration, or an oval shaped configuration depending upon the shape of the ornamental unit 10 used.
FIG. 8 shows the decorative unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein ornamental unit 10 is exploded from base support unit 8.
FIG. 9 shows yet another view of the exploded illustration in FIG. 8 wherein flower shaped ornamental unit 10 has female snap on means 18 and base support unit 8 has male snap on unit 20. This innovation provides for the ornamental unit 10 to be removeably attached to base support unit 8.
FIG. 10 shows a back perspective view of the illustration shown in FIG. 2 wherein the back of heart shaped ornamental unit 12 is securely attached to the front of base support unit 8. Reversed R-shaped hook 6 is attached to the back of base support unit 8. Groove 16 is located near the upper portion on the back of base support unit 8.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the illustration shown in FIG. 10 wherein heart shaped ornamental unit 12 is separated from base support unit 8. It is to be noted that heart shaped ornamental unit 12 is securely attached to base support unit 8 using conventional methods.
FIG. 12 is yet another view of FIG. 11 wherein heart shaped ornament 12 is removeably attached to base support unit 8 with female snap on unit 18 located on the back of heart shaped ornamental unit 12 and male snap on unit 20 located on the front of base support unit 8.
FIG. 13 is a back view of decorative device 2 showing back support unit 22, oval shaped ornamental unit 30 (not shown) snap on hole 26A and inverted J-shaped hook 24.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the illustration in FIG. 13 showing decorative unit 2 in an open unsecured position. Oval shaped ornamental unit 30 contains T-shaped snaps (28A and 28B) which removeably engage holes (26A and 26B) of base support unit 32. Inverted J-shaped hook 24 is securely attached to base support unit 32.
FIG. 15 is another view of the illustration in FIG. 14 wherein oval shaped ornamental unit 30 is removeably attached to base support unit 32 via T-shaped snap on units (28A and 28B).
FIGS. 16 to 19 are front illustrations of different ornamental designs of decorative unit 2 of FIG. 1 attached to anchor ring 4. FIG. 16 shows flower shaped ornamental unit 34. FIG. 17 shows heart shaped ornamental unit 12 attached to anchor ring 4. FIG. 18 shows butterfly insect shaped ornamental unit 34 attached to anchor ring 4. Finally, FIG. 19 shows smiling lips shaped ornamental design 36 attached to anchor ring 4.
FIG. 20 is a front view of decorative unit 2 showing cartoon character 38 attached to anchor ring 4 which is O-shaped Cartoon character 38 has a cat like configuration.
FIG. 21 is a back view of the illustration shown in FIG. 20 showing the back of cartoon character 38 attached to base unit 8. Hook on clip 42 is attached to base support unit 8 with snap on means 46. Hook on clip is, removably attached to anchor ring 4.
FIG. 22 is a front view of decorative unit 2 wherein ornamental unit 44 is shaped like an animal (elephant), which is removably attached to anchor ring 4.
Anchor ring 4 is constructed from a flexible resilient rubber-like, elastic material that can be easily be stretched without losing the integrity of it's circular configuration. Accordingly suitable materials from which anchor ring 4 can be constructed include, rubber, pliable neoprene, pliable plastic and mixtures thereof.
FIG. 23 is a side view of FIG. 21 which shows cartoon character 38 (ornamental unit) attached to base support unit 8. Hook on clip 42 is removably attached to base support unit with T-shaped snap on means 46. Hook on clip 42 is a two prong clip and is removably attached to anchor ring 4.
FIG. 24 is a back perspective view of FIG. 21, wherein anchor ring 4 surrounds strands of hair 14 and decorative unit 2 is removably attached to anchor ring 4 by single prong, hook on clip 48.
FIGS. 25 AND 26 shows a side view of decorative unit 52 which is a pony tail holder in an exploded view (FIG. 25) of male snap on unit 46A and female snap on unit 46B, hole 53A in pony tail holder 52, hole 53B in hook on clip 42 for receiving male snap on unit 46A and female snap on unit 46B.
Pony tail holder is constructed from a flexible and elastic material selected from leather, lycra, neoprene, nylon, canvas, silk, cloth, and other textiles in mixtures thereof.
FIG. 26 is another view of FIG. 25, wherein pony tail holder is removably attached to hook on clip 42 with snap on means 46A and 46B.
FIG. 27 is a front view of single prong clip 48 having hole 57 located near the top portion of clip 48. Elongated elliptical shaped hole 55 is located near the lower portion of clip 48.
FIG. 28 is a front view of two prong clip 42 which contains hole 53B located near the top of clip 42 and elongated elliptical holes 54A and 54B located near the bottom portion of two prong clip 42.
FIG. 29 is a side exploded view of snap on clip 56 having T-shaped snap 57, decorative unit 52 having hole 53A and hook on snap 42 having hole 53B.
FIG. 30 is another side view of the illustration shown in FIG. 29 except that decorative unit 52 and hook on clip 42 are removably attached together by snap on unit 56 containing T-shaped end 57.
FIGS. 31 AND 32 are substantially the same as FIGS. 29 and 30 except that snap on unit 46A and 46B are male and female snap on units respectively and single prong clip 48 are utilized.
FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of decorative unit 52 which is a pony tail holder containing snap on means 59A and 59B which are male snap on units. Female snap on units, not shown, are on the back side of pony tail holder 52 by snap on means. Hook on clip 42 is attached to pony tail holder 52 by snap on means 56. Hook on clip 42 removably attaches to anchor ring 4.
FIG. 34 is a front view of decorative unit 52, wherein male snap on units 59A and 59B are in an unsnapped position with female snap units 60A and 60B. Hole 53A is located in the upper right hand section of pony tail holder 52.
FIG. 35 is yet another view of FIG. 34, wherein two prong clip 42 is removably attached to pony tail holder 52 with snap on clip 56.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair fastening and decorative device for securing strands of hair in place comprising in combination: a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair; and a decorative device including an ornamental unit having a front and a back attached to a base support unit having a front and a back and hook on means for removeably attaching to the anchor ring.

2. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the back of the ornamental unit is securely attached to the front of the base support unit.

3. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the hook on means is attached to the back of the base support unit and has a reversed R-configuration in cross section.

4. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 3, wherein the hook on means comprises a reversed R-shape configuration removeably attached to the anchor ring.

5. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the back of the ornamental unit is removeably attached to the front of the base support unit with snap on means.

6. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 5, wherein the snap on means for the ornamental unit is a female snap on unit and the snap on unit for the base support unit is a male snap on unit.

7. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the hook on means is an inverted J-shaped hook in cross section.

8. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the hook on means is a clip unit.

9. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the anchor ring has an O-shaped configuration.

10. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the anchor ring is constructed from a flexible, resilient material such as rubber, neoprene and pliable plastic.

11. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental unit includes material which resembles flowers, a heart, an oval, insects, smiling lips, cartoon characters, and animals.

12. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 5, wherein the snap on means comprise a pair of flexible T-shaped shafts located on the back of the ornamental unit which removeably engage a pair of holes located on the back of the base support unit and passes there through.

13. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 12, wherein the T-shaped flexible shafts located on the back of the ornamental unit are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

14. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 12, wherein the pair of holes in the base support unit are specifically spaced apart to receive the T-shaped flexible shafts.

15. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 5, wherein the ornamental unit and base support unit are integrated to form a single unit.

16. A hair fastening and decorative device for securing strands of hair in place comprising in combination: a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair, a flexible, elongated rectangular shaped pony tail holder having securing means on opposite and opposing edges and adjacent to the edges thereof, for removably interconnecting said edges to form a circular configuration of said pony tail holder for holding in place strands of hair, said pony tail holder having an inside section and an outside section and hook on clip means located on the inside section thereof for being removably attached to the anchor ring.

17. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 16 wherein the securing means on opposing edges of the pony tail holder is female snap on units on one edge and male snap on units on the opposite side of the edge.

18. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 16, wherein the hook on clip means is a single prong clip.

19. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 16, wherein the hook on clip means is a two prong clip.

20. The hair fastening and decorative device of claim 16, wherein the pony tail holder is constructed from a flexible, elastic material selected from the group consisting of leather, lycra, nylon, canvas, neoprene, silk, cloth and mixtures thereof.