US20090145455A1

US20090145455A1 - Hair styling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20090145455A1
Application number: US11/951,590
Authority: US
Inventors: Therese Elise Saponaro
Original assignee: Conair Corp
Current assignee: Conair Corp
Priority date: 2007-12-06
Filing date: 2007-12-06
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: WO2009073879A1

Abstract

A hair styling apparatus includes a head band member adapted for positioning about a wearer's head. The head band member defines a generally c-shaped or u-shaped configuration with opposed free ends. The head band member defines a hair contacting surface positionable against the wearer's hair and an opposed outer surface, and has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The apertures are in spaced relation and positioned about the head band member to encompass a major portion of the length of the head band member. The apertures may be in general alignment with a longitudinal axis of the head band member. At least some of the apertures define an internal dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis greater than ½ the transverse dimension of a band portion of the head band member encompassing the respective aperture.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a hair styling apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hair or head band for maintaining a groomed appearance of the wearer's hair and having an optional mechanism for mounting a scarf, wrap or kerchief accessory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hair styling head or hair bands are well known in the art. Typically, these devices incorporate a flexible band dimensioned for positioning about the wearer's head. The band may be fabricated of a fabric or other material and is primarily used to hold the wearer's hair back and away from the eyes. Decorative or ornamental features may be incorporated into the hair band. Examples of conventional hair bands are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,243 to Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,296 to Maturapora and U.S. Design Pat. No. 379,028 to Young, the entire contents of each of these disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to further improvements in hair styling apparatii, particularly, in hair or head band accessories. The hair styling apparatus includes a head band member adapted for positioning about a wearer's head. The head band member defines a generally c-shaped or u-shaped configuration with opposed free ends. The head band member defines a hair contacting surface positionable against the wearer's hair and an opposed outer surface, and has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The apertures are in spaced relation and positioned about the head band member to encompass a major portion of the length of the head band member. The apertures may be in general alignment with a longitudinal axis of the head band member. At least some of the apertures define an internal dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis greater than ½ the transverse dimension of a band portion of the head band member encompassing the respective aperture.
The hair styling apparatus may further include a scarf. The scarf is adapted to pass through the apertures of the head band member to mount the scarf with respect to the head band member. The scarf may be arranged in an alternating and undulating manner with respect to the apertures of the head band member. At least two scarfs may be provided. The at least two scarfs and the head band member form a hair styling kit.
The head band member may include a plurality of projecting elements depending from the hair contacting surface. The projecting elements are adapted to assist in engaging the wearer's hair to facilitate retention of the head band member on the wearer's head. A substantially linear row of the projecting elements may be provided. First and second substantially linear rows of the projecting elements are also contemplated. The first row may be adjacent one longitudinal edge of the head band member and the second row may be adjacent an opposed longitudinal edge of the head band member.
The head band member may comprise a substantially rigid material. The head band member may be adapted to flex whereby the free ends move from an initial relative position to a displaced relative position upon positioning of the head band member about the wearer's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure illustrating the head band member and the scarf accessory;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the head band member of the hair styling apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the head band member viewing the crown area of the head band member;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the head band member viewing the free band ends of the head band member;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head band member taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the head band member for use with the hair styling apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head band member of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hair styling kit incorporating a head band member and a plurality of interchangeable scarf accessories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is directed to a hair styling apparatus for styling hair to achieve a desired styling effect. One embodiment of the present disclosure will be discussed in the context of a hair or head band apparatus adapted to pull or maintain the wearer's hair in a “pulled back” arrangement with respect to the head; however, the principles of the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to a hair band or head band of this type, but, may have application in other styling devices adapted be worn to manipulate or style hair.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical or substantially similar parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective view, the hair styling apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Hair styling apparatus 100 incorporates hair or head band member 102 and scarf accessory 104 which is mountable with respect to the hair band member 102.
With reference to FIGS. 2-5, in conjunction with FIG. 1, head band member 102 is adapted for positioning about the wearer's head, e.g., at least along the crown of the wearer's head. Head band member 102 may define a general c-shaped, u-shaped or arc-like configuration. Other arrangements are envisioned as well including rectangular, circular, etc. For reference purposes, head band member 102 defines longitudinal axis “x” which extends between opposed free ends 106 of the head band member 102. Head band member 102 may define a width “w” transverse to longitudinal axis “x” which remains constant throughout the length of the head band member 102. Alternately, head band member 102 defines a width “w” which is greatest at the crown or apex “a” location of the head band member 102 and decreases in dimension toward free band ends 106. The width “w” of head band member 102 may decrease in linear manner as best depicted in FIG. 4 or may define other arrangements.
Head band member 102 defines inner or hair contacting band surface 108 which is positionable against the wearer's head and outer band surface 110. Head band member 102 further defines a plurality of apertures 112 extending between inner band surface 108 and outer band surface 110. Apertures 112 are longitudinally spaced along head band member 102 and may be equally spaced whereby adjacent apertures 112 are displaced at a constant predetermined distance “k”. In one embodiment, apertures 112 are arranged to encompass a major portion of the longitudinal length of the head band member 102. Apertures 102 may be in general longitudinal alignment, or alternatively, be offset with respect to each other.
Apertures 112 define an internal dimension “b” sufficient in size to receive and permit passage of scarf accessory 104. In one embodiment, each of apertures 112 defines a substantially equal internal dimension or diameter “b”. The diameter of apertures 112 each may range from about ¼″ (inch) to about ¾″ (inch), more preferably, about ½″ (inch). Varying diameters are also envisioned. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, at least some of apertures 112 define internal diameter or dimension “b” which is at least 1/2 the transverse dimension or width “w” of a corresponding band portion encompassing the aperture 112. Such arrangement provides for a relatively sleek appearance of head band member 102 while also ensuring apertures 112 are sufficient in dimension to permit passage of scarf accessory 104. Any number of apertures 112 is envisioned including six or more apertures. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, head band member 102 includes ten (10) apertures 112. An even number of apertures 112 may be preferred to assist in mounting scarf accessory 104 as will be discussed hereinbelow. An odd number of apertures are also envisioned.
With reference to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, head band member 102 includes a plurality of projecting or teeth elements 114 depending from inner band surface 108. Projecting elements 114 are adapted to engage strands of hair to assist in retaining head band member 102 on the wearer's head, and define a length sufficient to be captured within the hair strands. Projecting elements 114 may have rounded outer surfaces to avoid trauma to the wearer's head. Projecting elements 114 may be arranged in at least one substantially linear row and in spaced relation along at least one longitudinal edge 116 of head band member 102. In one embodiment, first and second substantially linear rows of projecting elements 114 depend from inner band surface 108 arranged adjacent opposed longitudinal edges 116 of the head band member 102.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, head band member 102 may be fabricated from a suitable rigid material or a flexible material. In one embodiment, head band member 102 is made from a polymeric material manufactured via known injection molding techniques. Such head band member 102 may be adapted to flex outwardly (in the direction of directional arrows “t”) (FIG. 2) whereby free ends 106 move from the initial position depicted in FIGS. 1-5 to a displaced position during positioning of the head band member 102 about the wearer's head. Head band member 102 is normally biased to the initial position, which, consequently, assists in retention of the head band member 102 about the head. In the alternative, head band member 102 may be fabricated from a fabric material, a combination of polymeric and fabric material or a conformable material including a soft metallic element, etc.
Scarf accessory 104 may be any suitable scarf, kerchief, wrap or the like and fabricated from wool, silk, lace, or any other suitable material. Various designs for scarf accessory 104 are envisioned. Scarf accessory 104 may be mounted to head band member 102 by insertion and passage of the scarf accessory 104 within apertures 112. In one method depicted schematically by dashed lines “--” in FIG. 2, scarf accessory 104 is introduced through aperture 112 a adjacent free end 106 to extend from outer band surface 110 to inner band surface 108 and then passed through adjacent aperture 112 b to extend from the inner band surface 108 to the outer band surface 110. Scarf accessory 104 is continually passed through apertures 112 in this alternating and undulating manner to assume the orientation depicted in FIG. 1. The employment of an equal number of apertures 112 ensures that both free ends of scarf 104 extend outwardly from lower most apertures 112 a to be tied, wrapped etc.
FIGS. 6-7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of head band member. Head band member 200 is substantially similar to head band member 102 of FIGS. 1-4. In accordance with this embodiment, head band member 200 defines a greater width “w” adjacent crown area “c”. Head band member 200 generally tapers from crown area “c” to free band ends 202 in a similar manner to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. In other respects, head band member 200 is substantially identical to head band member 102.
FIG. 8 illustrates a hair styling kit 300 incorporating either one of head band members 102, 200 of FIGS. 1-7 and at least two interchangeable scarf accessories (e.g., three are shown) 302, 304, 306 of different design, function, size, etc. In FIG. 8, scarf 302 is mounted to head band member 102, 200. Each scarf accessory 302, 304, 306 is mountable to head band member 102, 200 in the aforedescribed manner. Kit 300 may be packaged for commercial sale. Kit 300 provides the wearer with flexibility in choice of scarf accessory 302, 304, 306 within the package 308 depending on the wearer's desires, preferences etc.
The present disclosure having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A hair styling apparatus, which comprises:

a head band member adapted for positioning about a wearer's head, the head band member defining a generally c-shaped or u-shaped configuration with opposed free ends, the head band member defining a hair contacting surface positionable against the wearer's hair and an opposed outer surface, and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the apertures being in spaced relation and positioned about the head band member to encompass a major portion of the length of the head band member.

2. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apertures are in general alignment with a longitudinal axis of the head band member.

3. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the apertures define an internal dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis greater than ½ the transverse dimension of a band portion of the head band member encompassing the respective aperture.

4. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 including a scarf, the scarf being adapted to pass through the apertures of the head band member to mount the scarf with respect to the head band member.

5. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the scarf is arranged in an alternating and undulating manner with respect to the apertures of the head band member.

6. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 4 including at least two scarfs, the at least two scarfs and the head band member forming a hair styling kit.

7. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hair contacting surface includes a plurality of projecting elements adapted to assist in engaging the wearer's hair to facilitate retention of the head band member on the wearer's head.

8. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 7 including a substantially linear row of the projecting elements.

9. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 8 including first and second substantially linear rows of the projecting elements.

10. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first row is adjacent one longitudinal edge of the head band member and the second row is adjacent an opposed longitudinal edge of the head band member.

11. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the head band member comprises a substantially rigid material.

12. The hair styling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the head band member is adapted to flex whereby the free ends move from an initial relative position to a displaced relative position upon positioning of the head band member about the wearer's head.