US20100018544A1

US20100018544A1 - Convertible hairclip

Info

Publication number: US20100018544A1
Application number: US12/180,512
Authority: US
Inventors: Shih Ling Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-25
Filing date: 2008-07-25
Publication date: 2010-01-28

Abstract

A convertible hairclip includes first and second parts each having an arcuate main section that has a pivotal portion on an end thereof and a coupling section on the other end thereof. The main section of each of the first and second parts further includes a clipping section between the pivotal portion and the coupling section. The pivotal portions are pivotably connected to allow the first part to pivot relative to the second part between an extended state and a folded state. The first and second parts are located in a common plane and together form a C-shaped hair band when in the extended state. The first and second parts are located side by side to form a hairclip when in the folded state with the coupling sections of the first and second parts engaged with each other.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a convertible hairclip and, more particularly, to a hairclip that can be converted into a substantially C-shaped hair band.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hair bands and hairclips are utilized to retain hair in place while providing ornamentation. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a conventional C-shaped hair band 1′ having an arcuate body made of plastic material. Two ends of the arcuate body clamp two sides of a head of a user to retain the hair of the user in place. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a conventional hairclip 2′ including first and second parts 21′and 22′. An end of second part 22′ is pivotably connected to an end of first part 21′. The other end 221′ of second part 22′ is releasably coupled with the other end 211′ of first part 21′ to clip hair between first and second parts 21′ and 22′. However, these two hair ornaments have different structures and provide different functions. As a result, the users have to spend more money to purchase both hair ornaments.
A need exists for a hairclip that can be converted into a hair band to save money.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of hair ornaments by providing, in a preferred form, a convertible hairclip including first and second parts made of slightly flexible material. The first part includes an arcuate first main section having a first pivotal portion on an end thereof and a first coupling section on the other end thereof. The first main section further includes a first clipping section between the first pivotal portion and the first coupling section. The first coupling section is substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from the first pivotal portion. The first coupling section includes a first bend. The second part includes an arcuate second main section. The second main section includes a second pivotal portion on an end thereof and a second coupling section on the other end thereof. The second pivotal portion is pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion to allow first part to pivot relative to the second part between an extended state and a folded state. The second main section further includes a second clipping section between the second pivotal portion and the second coupling section. The second coupling section is substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from the second pivotal portion. The second coupling section includes a second bend. The first and second parts are located in a common plane and together form a C-shaped hair band when in the extended state. The first and second parts are located side by side to form a hairclip when in the folded state. The first and second bends are engaged with each other, and the first and second clipping sections can clip hair of a user.
The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a convertible hairclip according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a C-shaped hair band converted from the convertible hairclip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a partial, top view of the hair band of FIG. 2 with a portion of the hairclip sectioned along section line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a partial, top view of the convertible hairclip of FIG. 2 illustrating pivotable movement between two parts of the hairclip.

FIG. 5 shows use of the C-shaped hair band of FIG. 2 on the hair of a user.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the hairclip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows use of the hairclip of FIG. 6 for hair clipping purposes.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a conventional hair band.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a conventional hairclip.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A convertible hairclip according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally includes first and second parts 1 and 2. First part 1 is made of slightly flexible material such as plastics and includes an arcuate main section 11. Main section 11 includes a pivotal portion 12 on an end thereof and a coupling section 13 on the other end thereof. Pivotal portion 12 includes an insert 121 having a thickness smaller than the remaining portion of pivotal portion 12. Coaxial first and second pins 122 are formed on upper and lower faces of insert 121 and form a pivot axis. Pivotal portion 12 further includes an abutting wall 123 spaced from first and second pins 122. Furthermore, pivotal portion 12 includes a protrusion 124 extending from an outer periphery thereof. Coupling section 13 is substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from pivotal portion 12. Specifically, coupling section 13 includes a bend 131 and a distal end 132. Main section 11 further includes a clipping section 14 between pivotal portion 12 and coupling section 13. Clipping section 14 includes a plurality of teeth 141 on a side thereof and having a plurality of grooves 143 and a plurality of tooth tops 142 with a tooth top 142 intermediate a pair of grooves 143.
According to the preferred form shown, second part 2 is made of slightly flexible material such as plastics and symmetric to first part 1. Specifically, second part 2 includes an arcuate main section 21. Main section 21 includes a pivotal portion 22 on an end thereof and a coupling section 23 on the other end thereof. Pivotal portion 22 includes parallel, spaced first and second lugs 226 defining a compartment 221 therebetween (FIG. 3). Insert 121 of first part 1 is pivotably received in compartment 221 of second part 2. First and second lugs 226 further include aligned pin holes 222 receiving first and second pins 122 of first part 12, allowing relative pivotal movement between first and second parts 1 and 2 about the pivot axis between an extended state and a folded state. Pivotal portion 22 further includes an abutting face 223 that abuts against abutting wall 123 of first part 1 when the hairclip is in the extended state and in the form of a substantially C-shaped hair band (FIGS. 2 and 4) Furthermore, pivotal portion 22 includes a positioning groove 224 that receives protrusion 124 of first part 1 when the hairclip is in the extended state. Coupling section 23 is substantially S-shaped and extends in a direction away from pivotal portion 22. Specifically, coupling section 23 includes a bend 231 and a distal end 232. Main section 21 further includes a clipping section 24 between pivotal portion 22 and coupling section 23. Clipping section 24 includes a plurality of teeth 241 on a side thereof and having a plurality of grooves 243 and a plurality of tooth tops 242 with a tooth top 242 intermediate a pair of grooves 243.
When in an extended state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the hairclip according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is in the form as a C-shaped hair band with first and second parts 1 and 2 located in a common plane, with abutting face 223 of second part 2 abutting against abutting wall 123 of first part 1, and with protrusion 124 of first part 1 received in positioning groove 224 of second part 2. It can be appreciated that positioning groove 224 is in tight coupling with protrusion 124 to retain the hairclip in the extended state. In use, first and second parts 1 and 2 clamp two sides of a head of a user with teeth 141 and 241 providing hair retaining effect and/or hair combing effect (FIG. 5).
First part 1 can be pivoted relative to second part 2 to a folded state shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, first and second part 1 and 2 are located side by side, forming a hairclip for clipping hair purposes. In the folded state, tooth tops 242 of second part 2 are received in grooves 143 of first part 1, and tooth tops 142 of first part 1 are received in grooves 243 of second part 2. Furthermore, bend 131 of first part 1 is moved across and engaged with bend 231 of second part 1. In use, the hair of the user can be clamped between teeth 141 and 241 of first and second parts 1 and 2. It can be appreciated that the hair of the user is reliably clamped, for bend 131 of first part 1 is engaged with bend 231 of second part 2. Distal ends 132 and 232 of first and second parts 1 and 2 can be moved in opposite direction to disengage bends 131 and 231 from each other, allowing removal of the hairclip from the hair of the user.
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A convertible hairclip comprising:

a first part made of slightly flexible material and including an arcuate first main section, with the first main section including a first pivotal portion on an end thereof and a first coupling section on another end thereof, with the first main section further including a first clipping section between the first pivotal portion and the first coupling section, with the first coupling section being substantially S-shaped and extending in a direction away from the first pivotal portion, with the first coupling section including a first bend; and

a second part made of slightly flexible material and including an arcuate second main section, with the second main section including a second pivotal portion on an end thereof and a second coupling section on another end thereof, with the second pivotal portion being pivotably coupled with the first pivotal portion allowing first part to pivot relative to the second part between an extended state and a folded state, with the second main section further including a second clipping section between the second pivotal portion and the second coupling section, with the second coupling section being substantially S-shaped and extending in a direction away from the second pivotal portion, with the second coupling section including a second bend,

with the first and second parts being located in a common plane and together forming a C-shaped hair band when in the extended state, and

with the first and second parts being located side by side to form the hairclip when in the folded state, with the first and second bends engaged with each other, with the first and second clipping sections being adapted for clipping hair of a user.

2. The convertible hairclip as claimed in claim 1, with the first pivotal portion including an insert having a thickness smaller than a remaining portion of the first pivotal portion, with the insert including first and second pins formed on two opposite faces thereof, with the first and second pins being coaxial and forming a pivot axis, with the first pivotal portion further including an abutting wall, with the first pivotal portion further including a protrusion extending from an outer periphery thereof, with the second pivotal portion including parallel, spaced first and second lugs defining a compartment therebetween, with the insert of the first part being pivotably received in the compartment of the second part, with the first and second lugs further including aligned pin holes receiving the first and second pins of the first part, allowing relative pivotal movement between the first and second parts about the pivot axis, with the second pivotal portion further including an abutting face that abuts against the abutting wall of the first part when in the extended state, with the second pivotal portion further including a positioning groove that receives the protrusion of the first part when in the extended state, and with the positioning groove being in tight coupling with the protrusion to retain the hair band in the extended state.

3. The convertible hairclip as claimed in claim 1, with the first clipping section including a plurality of first teeth on a side thereof and having a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of first tooth tops, with the second clipping section including a plurality of second teeth on a side thereof and having a plurality of second grooves and a plurality of second tooth tops, with the plurality of first tooth tops being received in the plurality of second grooves, and with the plurality of second tooth tops being received in the plurality of first grooves when in the folded state.