US20060096610A1

US20060096610A1 - Braid pic device and method of use

Info

Publication number: US20060096610A1
Application number: US10/982,162
Authority: US
Inventors: Kim Bradford; Colette Bradford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-05
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2006-05-11

Abstract

A device for unbraiding hair is disclosed. The device includes a first member and a plurality of placement wells on its first member. The plurality of placement wells being positioned a predetermined distance apart. The device also includes a hook member on one end of the first member for untangling braids. The braid pic device is simple to learn how to use and to operate, and also has the benefit to the user of being a potential time saver as well as a healthy hair management tool. The braid pic device is simple to learn how to use and to operate, and also has the benefit to the user of being a potential time saver as well as a healthy hair management tool. The braid pic device can be utilized with different styles of braids and with three-strand braids, four-strand braids and multiple-strand braids of hair.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hair braiding and more particularly to removing hair braids from braided hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Braiding hair is a time honored tradition in many cultures. In addition, it has become more and more popular in many places all over the world. Removing braids from the braided hair can be a time-consuming and difficult process. Accordingly, a device for removing braids is desirable. The device for taking out braids needs to be simple to use while at the same time minimizing damage to hair and hair breakage. Such a device also needs to save time for its user. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of the device referred to as a braid pic device in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the braid pic device in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates four views of the braid pic device for removing hair braids in accordance with the present invention as the braid pic device is rotated 360 degrees.
FIGS. 3-17 illustrate the process of removing hair braids and the process of hair styling while utilizing the braid pic device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to hair braiding and more particularly to removing hair braids from braided hair. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
FIG. 1A is a top view of the device referred to as a braid pic device 10. FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the braid pic device 10. As is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are finger placement wells 12 and 14 on a cylindrical member 13 of the braid pic device 10 which are located at a preferred determined distance on braid pic device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the placement wells 12 and 14 are placed 60 degrees apart to allow for the proper manipulation of the braid pic device 10. The finger placement wells 12 and 14 allow the user to easily and firmly grip the braid pic device, move it, and manipulate it as needed. The braid pic device 10 is utilized to take out braids and to part hair evenly while styling.
FIG. 2 illustrates four views of the braid pic device 10′ for removing hair braids in accordance with the present invention as the braid pic device 10 is rotated 360 degrees.
FIGS. 3-17 illustrate the process of removing hair braids and the process of hair styling while utilizing the braid pic device 10 in accordance with the present invention.
In order to use the device, the user starts at the very tip of the braid, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a view of the hook 16 on the end of the braid pic device 10′ which is being utilized to separate the braids of a typical hair braid. The user moves the hook portion 16 of the braid pic device 10 gently but efficiently in and out of the braid while also moving upward to unravel the braid, as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8.
FIG. 9 shows one way in which the braid pic device 10 in accordance with the present invention is held by the hair stylist. The two fingers of the stylist's hand hold the braid pic device 10 by pressing in on the two finger placement wells 12 and 14.
The braid pic device 10 can also be utilized to help the user to part hair evenly, as shown in FIG. 10. In addition, the braid pic device 10 can be utilized to make straight and even parts in the hair while styling and braiding the hair, as shown in FIGS. 11-17. FIG. 11 is another view of the stylist holding the braid pic device 10 by pressing in on the two finger placement wells 12 and 14 while separating strands of the braided hair. [Note: Not sure of role of different motions depicted in FIGS. 11-17. Also, FIGS. 13 and 14 are virtually identical.]
The braid pic device 10 in accordance with the present invention allows the user to take out braids of any size while at the same time minimizing damage and hair breakage. The braid pic device 10 is simple to learn how to use and to operate, and also has the benefit to the user of being a potential time saver as well as a healthy hair management tool. The braid pic device 10 can be utilized with different styles of braids and with three-strand braids, four-strand braids and multiple-strand braids of hair.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first member;

a plurality of placement wells on its first member, the plurality of placement wells being positioned a predetermined position apart; and

a hook member on one end of the first member for untangling braids.

2. The device of claim 2 wherein the plurality of placement wells comprise two placement wells positioned 60 degrees apart.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first member comprises a cylindrical member.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of placement wells are positioned a predetermined distance from each other that allows for easy use of the braid pic device.

5. A device comprising;

a cylindrical member;

two placement wells on the cylindrical member, the two placements wells being position 60 degrees apart from each other to allow for easy use of the braid pic device; and

a hook member on one end of the cylindrical member for untangling braids.