US20130292429A1

US20130292429A1 - Inflatable device for transporting and prepping a wig

Info

Publication number: US20130292429A1
Application number: US13/938,440
Authority: US
Inventors: Verna Rose Benjamin-Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-22
Filing date: 2013-07-10
Publication date: 2013-11-07

Abstract

An inflatable wig head provides its users with the ability to effectively transport and protect their investment in their wigs or hairpieces. Unlike conventional wig heads that are rigid and difficult to travel with, the wig head of the present invention can be inflated or deflated as needed. The inflatable and deflatable wig head device provides user with the peace of mind that they will have an excellent way of storing their head dress, especially while traveling. The wig head device can include a powered inflation mechanism or can be inflated manually. Deflation can be accomplished by simply removing a port cover. The wig head device has the ability to slide on and off a stationary base member, allowing the user to position the wig head or remove it from the stationary base member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/556,120, filed Jul. 23, 2012, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/510,483, filed Jul. 22, 2011,the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wig accessories and, more particularly, to an inflatable device to promote convenience for transporting and prepping a wig.
Conventional wig heads are cumbersome and are not travel friendly. However, they are typically used to protect the user's investment in the wig.
Typically wig heads are rigid members shaped to approximate the size and shape of a head. These items can take up significant room in a person's luggage.
As can be seen, there is a need for a device that can protect and store a user's wig without requiring the space of conventional wig heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an inflatable wig head comprise an exterior surface sized and shaped to reflect a human head and adapted to receive a wig thereupon; a port adapted to allow air to enter and escape from inside the wig head; a port cover sealing and covering the port; and one or more stabilizing devices to stabilize the wig head on a surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, a inflatable wig head comprises an exterior surface sized and shaped to reflect a human head and adapted to receive a wig thereupon; a port adapted to allow air to enter and escape from inside the wig head; a port cover sealing and covering the port; one or more suction cups to stabilize the wig head on a surface; and an inflation device disposed inside the wig head, the inflation device operable to bring air into the wig head via the port.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable wig head, in use to support a wig, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable wig head of FIG. 1, in an inflated state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable wig head of FIG. 1, in a deflated state;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable wig head of FIG. 1 showing an inflation mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable wig head, in an inflated state, illustrating an ability to move the wig head from side-to-side;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inflatable wig head, in an inflated state, illustrating an ability to move the wig head from front-to-back;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the inflatable wig head of FIG. 6, illustrating an extendable/retractable slider; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the inflatable wig head of FIG. 6, illustrating removable of an upper sliding base from the lower stationary base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device that provides its users with the ability to effectively transport and protect their investment in their wigs or hairpieces. Unlike conventional wig heads that are rigid and difficult to travel with, the wig head of the present invention can be inflated or deflated as needed. The inflatable and deflatable wig head device provides user with the peace of mind that they will have an excellent way of storing their head dress, especially while traveling. The wig head device can include a powered inflation mechanism or can be inflated manually. Deflation can be accomplished by simply removing a port cover. The wig head device has the ability to slide on and off a stationary base member, allowing the user to position the wig head or remove it from the stationary base member.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a wig head 10 can be designed to be inflated to a shape that mimics an actual head's size and shape. The inflated wig head 10 can be designed to reflect different ethnic group appearances, such as Hispanic, Caucasian, Black, Chinese and Middle Easterner, for example.
The base of the wig head 10 can include one or more stabilizing devices, such as suction cups 20, that can help secure the wig head 10 to a surface 22. In some embodiments, three or more suction cups 20 can be disposed on the base of the wig head 10.
The wig head 10 can be inflated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and can be adapted to support a wig 24. Of course, the wig head 10 of the present invention can be used for other items and may have multiple purposes. For example, the wig head 10 can be used as a hat rest or as a display unit for merchandising hats, wigs or the like. The wig head 10 can be deflated, as shown in FIG. 3, for ease of transporting and/or storing the wig head 10. For example, when traveling, the wig head 10 can be deflated for convenient packing.
As shown in FIG. 4, the wig head 10 can include an inflation device 12. The inflation device 12 can be powered by various sources such as one or more batteries or household current. The inflation device can be operable to force air into the wig head 10 via a tube 14 connected to an external port 16. A port 26 can allow an electrical connector (not shown) to be connected to the inflation device 12 to permit inflation thereof.
Once the wig head 10 is inflated, the port 16 can be closed with a port cover 18 to prevent air from escaping. In some embodiments, a user can inflate the wig head 10 by manually blowing air into the port 16. The port 16 can include a collapsible extension to aid in manual inflation, as is known in the art. To deflate the wig head 10, a user can simply remove the port cover 18 to allow air to escape therefrom.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, in some embodiments, the wig head 10 can be designed to move from side to side as shown in FIG. 5, or front to back, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the wig head 10 can be disposed on an upper sliding base 26. A lower stationary base 28 can include a track 32 into which the upper sliding base 26 can slide. An extendable/retractable slider 30 can be attached to the upper sliding base 26 and can fit into the track 32 to allow the wig head 10 to move. A hole 34 can be formed in the lower stationary base 28 and the upper sliding base 26 to permit access to the port cover 18.
The wig head 10 can be made from various materials. For example, the wig head 10 can be made of a flexible, inflammable, air impermeable fabric that is capable of being cleaned with typical cleaning agents. For example, the wig head 10 can be made from a flexible plastic, polymeric, or rubber material.
While the drawings show a wig head, the concept of the present invention can be expanded to include, for example, manikins, where a user can easily transport a manikin to and from various locations, such as for a fashion show or the like.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable wig head comprising:

an exterior surface sized and shaped to reflect a human head and adapted to receive a wig thereupon;

a port adapted to allow air to enter and escape from inside the wig head;

a port cover sealing and covering the port; and

one or more stabilizing devices to stabilize the wig head on a surface.

2. The inflatable wig head of claim 1, wherein the one or more stabilizing devices includes one or more suction cups.

3. The inflatable wig head of claim 1, wherein the one or more stabilizing devices includes a lower stationary base and an upper sliding base that can slide on the lower stationary base.

4. The inflatable wig head of claim 3, wherein the lower stationary base includes one or more tracks formed therein onto which the upper sliding base can slide.

5. The inflatable wig head of claim 4, further comprising an extendable/retractable slider fitting into the one or more tracks.

6. The inflatable wig head of claim 1, further comprising an inflation device disposed inside the wig head, the inflation device operable to bring air into the wig head via the port.

7. The inflatable wig head of claim 6, further comprising a tube interconnecting the inflation device with the port.

8. The inflatable wig head of claim 1, wherein the inflatable wig head is made from a flexible, air impermeable material.

9. An inflatable wig head comprising:

a port adapted to allow air to enter and escape from inside the wig head;

a port cover sealing and covering the port;

a lower stationary base and an upper sliding base that can slide on the lower stationary base, the lower stationary base stabilizing the wig head on a surface;

one or more tracks formed in the lower stationary base onto which the upper sliding base can slide; and

an inflation device disposed inside the wig head, the inflation device operable to bring air into the wig head via the port.

10. The inflatable wig head of claim 9, further comprising a tube interconnecting the inflation device with the port.

11. The inflatable wig head of claim 9, wherein the inflatable wig head is made from a flexible, air impermeable material.

12. The inflatable wig head of claim 9, further comprising an extendable/retractable slider fitting into the one or more tracks.