US20160066671A1

US20160066671A1 - Ponytail Styling Tool and Hair Strand Attachment

Info

Publication number: US20160066671A1
Application number: US14/849,318
Authority: US
Inventors: Tanja Astwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-09
Publication date: 2016-03-10

Abstract

A ponytail styling tool and hair strand attachment and methods of use thereof provide a means for wrapping the user's own hair around a ponytail. The synthetic hair strand attachment may optionally be affixed to the end of the ponytail. The styling tool provides an elongated shaft having a point on one end opposite a pin and clasp on the second end. The styling tool is used by first creating a standard ponytail or similar hairdo of the user's hair with a common ponytail securing means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”, then taking a strand of the user's hair, wrapping the strand of hair around the ponytail, securing the strand of hair to the pin portion of the styling tool, then inserting the pin at the top of the ponytail near the user's scalp and pulling the secured hair strand through the ponytail in a downward longitudinal direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/048,225, filed Sep. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to hairstyling accessories and in particular to a ponytail styling tool and hair strand attachment. In their search for a new and attractive look for their hair, many ladies would welcome a simple yet attractive new style option. However, due to their busy lifestyles, such an accessory must be capable of being achieved as a hairdo quickly, easily, and with an attractiveness that is reliable. A ponytail styling tool and optional hair strand attachment, enabling the user to wrap their own hair around the secured ponytail or similar hairdo and quickly secure it with the styling tool, optionally enhanced with the hair strand attachment affixed to the end of the ponytail, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a ponytail styling tool and hair strand attachment, and to methods of use thereof. The styling tool provides a means for wrapping the user's own hair around a ponytail. The synthetic hair strand attachment may optionally be affixed to the end of the ponytail. The styling tool provides an elongated shaft having a point on one end opposite a pin and clasp, or loop closure design on the second end. The styling tool is used by first creating a standard ponytail or similar hairdo of the user's hair with a common ponytail securing means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”, then taking a strand of the user's hair, wrapping the strand of hair around the ponytail, securing the strand of hair to the pin or loop portion of the styling tool, then inserting the pin at the top of the ponytail near the user's scalp and pulling the secured hair strand through the ponytail in a downward longitudinal direction.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification. It illustrates one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the styling tool 10, the pin 11, the clasp 11A, the linings 11B, the shaft 12, and the point 14.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the hair strand 15 and the hook 16.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the styling tool 10, the shaft 12, the loop 13B, the slide closure 13A, and the point 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a ponytail attachment 10 and hair strand 15.
The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of two components: a styling tool 10 and a hair strand 15. The styling tool 10 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaft 12, tapering to a point 14 at one end, and terminating in a pin 11 at the other end. The pin 11 emerges longitudinally from the end of the shaft 12, and is similar in structure and function to a safety pin, including a clasp 11A. The two halves of the pin 11 provide flexible, concave linings 11B which firmly grasp an object when the pin 11 is closed with the clasp 11A such that hair strands so gripped do not slide. A secondary embodiment may also end in a loop 13B which may be secured around a hair strand 15 with a slide closure 13A. The slide closure 13A would allow the loop to enclose around and secure the hair strand 15.
To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user first creates a standard ponytail or similar hairdo of the user's own hair with a common ponytail securing means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”. The user then takes a strand of the user's hair and wraps the strand of hair around the ponytail or other hairdo in a spiral pattern or other decorative pattern. The user then secures the strand of hair to the pin 11 between the linings 11B by closing the clasp 11A. Then, the user inserts the pin 11 at the top of the ponytail near the user's scalp and pulls the secured hair strand through the ponytail in a downward longitudinal direction.
The hair strand 15 is preferably manufactured from synthetic hair, for example a plastic fiber material, and may be added to the user's ponytail or similar hairdo, then secured quickly and easily with the hook 16. The upper end of the hair strand 15 is permanently affixed to the hook 16, which is covered in a smooth, flexible material to avoid tangling. The hook 16 retains its shape when temporarily deformed. The hair strand may be affixed to the user's hairdo by linking the hook 16 to the rubber band, “scrunchy”, or similar article used to prepare the ponytail or similar hairdo.
The styling tool 10 and the pin 11 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or rigid plastic. The linings 11B are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as rubber or silicone. The loop 13B and loop fastener 13A are preferably made from a flexible material such as plastic wire. The hair strand 15 is preferably manufactured from a synthetic hair, for example a plastic fiber material. The hair strand 15 may be provided in decorative colors, patterns, or variations thereof. The wire 16 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material such as steel or copper wire, covered in a smooth, flexible, durable material such as silicone.
Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A ponytail styling tool with hair strand attachment, comprising:

(a) a ponytail styling tool;

(b) a hair strand attachment;