US20160143381A1

US20160143381A1 - Apparatus, System, and Method for Enhancing a User's Hair

Info

Publication number: US20160143381A1
Application number: US14/953,259
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Helmers; Tricia Shepherd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-26
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2016-05-26

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for enhancing a user's hair. The apparatus includes a coupling strip comprising a first coupling element, an elongated fiber, a weft of hair material, and second coupling element. The coupling strip is elongated in a lengthwise direction and the elongated fiber is coupled to a first end and a second end of the coupling strip. The elongated fiber and the coupling strip form a continuous loop between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber. The second coupling element is coupled to the weft of hair material. The second coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element to position the weft of hair material at a desired location on a user's head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/084,880 entitled “Apparatus, System, and Method for Enhancing a User's Hair” and filed on Nov. 26, 2015 for Helmers et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hair extensions and more particularly relates to reconfigurable and repositionable hair extensions.

BACKGROUND

Artificial hair integrations or hair extensions are commonly used to add length or fullness to a user's hair. The hair extensions incorporate artificial or human hair into a user's natural hair. To couple the hair extensions to the user's head, several techniques have been introduced. In certain circumstances the hair is clipped in by a series of clips coupled to a hair weft.
Other user's bond the hair extensions to the user's natural hair using glue. This technique requires a hair professional to apply the hair extensions and also requires a hair professional to remove the hair extensions. The bonding technique typically lasts 4-6 weeks before the user must visit a hair professional for maintenance.
Another method to apply hair extensions includes the use of micro rings or micro loops. In this method small metal rings lined with silicon are coupled to the hair extension. The rings are fixed to the hair extensions and are tightened on the user's natural hair with the use of a special tool that clamps the ring around the natural hair. The rings typically need to be repositioned by a hair professional every 2-3 months as the natural hair grows and the rings move away from the scalp. Obviously, the use of a hair professional involves additional costs to install and remove the hair extensions.
Each of these methods for enhancing a user's hair involve drawbacks. For example, with the clip in systems, the clips are typically unwieldy and easy fall out. On the other hand, with the more lasting methods, such as the glue in or micro rings, the user must carefully chose a particular color for the extensions as the extensions last a lot longer.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user's hair. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would be self-applicable, repositionable and reconfigurable without the aid of a hair professional.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available hair extension systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user's hair that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
The apparatus to enhance a user's hair, in one embodiment, includes a coupling strip comprising a first coupling element, an elongated fiber, a weft of hair material, and second coupling element. The coupling strip is elongated in a lengthwise direction and the elongated fiber is coupled to a first end and a second end of the coupling strip. The elongated fiber and the coupling strip form a continuous loop between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber. The second coupling element is coupled to the weft of hair material. The second coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element to position the weft of hair material at a desired location on a user's head.
In certain embodiments, least one of the elongated fiber and the coupling strip is made of an elastomeric material. In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling strip is made of a pliable material configured to conform to a user's head. The elongated fiber and the coupling strip are concealable within a user's natural hair.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first passageway formed in the first end of the coupling strip and a second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip. In such an embodiment, a first end of the elongated fiber is coupled to a second end of the elongated fiber to form a loop in the elongated fiber. A portion of the elongated fiber passes through the first passageway in the first end of the coupling strip. Similarly, a portion of the elongated fiber passes through the second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip. In the manner a continuous loop is formed between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber.
The first coupling element, in certain embodiments, is longer than the second coupling element. In such embodiments, the second coupling element is repositionable along the first coupling element to allow a user to alter a look of the apparatus when the apparatus is positioned on the user's head.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second weft of hair material and a third coupling element. The third coupling element is coupled to the second weft of hair material, the third coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the user's may position multiple wefts of hair material on the user's head. In an exemplary embodiment, the first weft of hair material may be made of hair material comprising a first color and the second weft of hair material may be made of hair material comprising a second color. Of course, one of skill in the art will recognize that additional wefts of hair material may be added to the apparatus to include hair material comprising more than two colors.
In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprises a plurality of hooks. In such an embodiment the other of the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprises a plurality of loops. The plurality of hooks removably coupleable to the plurality of loops to reconfigure the look of the apparatus.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the present subject matter will be readily understood, a description of the subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an apparatus to enhance a user's hair according to one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus to enhance a user's hair positioned on a user in use in accordance with the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus to enhance a user's hair positioned on a user with two hair enhancement sections coupled to a coupling strip in use in accordance with the present subject matter; and

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an apparatus to enhance a user's hair according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the subject matter may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter.
Artificial hair integrations or hair extensions are commonly used to add length or fullness to a user's hair. The hair extensions incorporate artificial or human hair into a user's natural hair. To couple the hair extensions to the user's head, several techniques have been introduced. In certain circumstances the hair is clipped in by a series of clips coupled to a hair weft.
Other user's bond the hair extensions to the user's natural hair using glue. This technique requires a hair professional to apply the hair extensions and also requires a hair professional to remove the hair extensions. The bonding technique typically lasts 4-6 weeks before the user must visit a hair professional for maintenance.
Another method to apply hair extensions includes the use of micro rings or micro loops. In this method small metal rings lined with silicon are coupled to the hair extension. The rings are fixed to the hair extensions and are tightened on the user's natural hair with the use of a special tool that clamps the ring around the natural hair. The rings typically need to be repositioned by a hair professional every 2-3 months as the natural hair grows and the rings move away from the scalp. Obviously, the use of a hair professional involves additional costs to install and remove the hair extensions.
Each of these methods for enhancing a user's hair involve drawbacks. For example, with the clip in systems, the clips are typically unwieldy and easy fall out. On the other hand, with the more lasting methods, such as the glue in or micro rings, the user must carefully chose a particular color for the extensions as the extensions last a lot longer.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user's hair. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would be self applicable and repositionable without the aid of a hair professional.
FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an apparatus 100 to enhance a user's hair according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. The apparatus 100, in certain embodiments, includes a coupling strip 102, an elongated fiber 104, a weft of hair material 106, and a coupling element 108.
The coupling strip 102, in certain embodiments, is elongated in a lengthwise direction. The coupling strip 102 includes a first coupling element 110. In certain embodiments, the first coupling element 110 is a length of hooking material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. In other embodiments, the first coupling element 110 is a length of looping material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. One of skill in the art will recognize that the hooking material or the looping material for use as the first coupling element 110 may be a hook and loop fastening system that is commonly marketed under the trade name Velcro®.
In other embodiments, the first coupling element 110 may include a series of hooks or a series of eyes positioned along the length of the coupling strip 102. In certain embodiments the series of hooks or a series of eyes may be part of a hook-and-eye coupling system as is found on convention brassieres. A hook-and-eye coupling system consists of a metal hook, commonly made of flattened wire bent to the required shape, and an eye (or “eyelet”) of the same material into which the hook fits. One of skill in the art will recognize other fastening systems which may be used for the first coupling element 110.
The elongated fiber 104, in an exemplary embodiment, is made of a length of elastic fiber. A first end 112 of the elongated fiber 104 is coupled to a first end 114 of the coupling strip 102. A second end 116 of the elongated fiber 104 is coupled to a second end 118 of the coupling strip 102. Thus, the elongated fiber 104 and the coupling strip 102 for a continuous loop 120.
In other embodiments, the coupling strip 102 itself may be made of an elastomeric material. An example of a material suitable for use as an elastic coupling strip 102 is the material marketed as VELSTRETCH®. In such an embodiment, the elongated fiber 104 may simply be a pliable fiber having substantially no elastomeric properties. In yet another embodiment, both the coupling strip 102 and the elongated fiber 104 may have elastomeric properties.
In certain embodiments, the weft of hair material 106 comprises artificial or natural hair that is used to integrate with a user's natural hair to lengthen or thicken the user's hair. In other embodiments, the weft of hair material 106 may be integrated with the user's natural hair to change the color or texture of the user's hair. One of skill in the art will recognize other reasons that a user may wish to integrate artificial or natural hair with the user's own hair.
The weft of hair material 106, in one embodiment, includes a united end 122 and a free end 124. At the united end 122 of the weft of hair material 106, individual strands of hair (or hair like material) are coupled to one another. In one embodiment, the individual strands of hair (or hair like material) are woven together at the united end 122 of the weft of hair material 106. In other embodiments the individual strands of hair (or hair like material) may be coupled to another piece of material, such as lace or other fabric, at the united end 122 of the weft of hair material 106.
The second coupling element 108 is coupled to the united end 122 of the weft of hair material 106. The second coupling element 108 is removably coupleable to the first coupling element 110. In one embodiment, the second coupling element 108 is a length of hooking material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. In other embodiments, the second coupling element 108 is a length of looping material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. One of skill in the art will recognize that the hooking material or the looping material for use as the second coupling element 108 may be a hook and loop fastening system that is commonly marketed under the trade name Velcro®.
In other embodiments, the second coupling element 108 may include a series of hooks or a series of eyes positioned along the united end 122 of the weft of hair material 106. In certain embodiments the series of hooks or a series of eyes may be part of a hook-and-eye coupling system as is found on convention brassieres. One of skill in the art will recognize other fastening systems which may be used for the second coupling element 108.
Because the second coupling element 108 is remobably coupleable to the first coupling element 110, the weft of hair material 106 is repositionable anywhere along the coupling strip 102. Accordingly, a user may alter the look of a portion of the user's hair by simply uncoupling the second coupling element 108 from the first coupling element 110, repositioning the weft of hair material 106 at a desired location, and recoupling the second coupling element 108 to the first coupling element 110. In this manner, the user may add color to a portion of the user's hair by positioning a colored weft of hair material 106 at a desired location.
FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus 100 to enhance a user's hair in use in accordance with the present subject matter. In use, to couple weft of hair material 106 to a user's hair the user's hair is divided from top to bottom. In certain embodiments, the user's hair is divided at a position defined by a semicircle extending around a user's head from a first temple to a second temple with the first temple being disposed opposite the second temple.
With the user's hair thus divided, the continuous loop 120 formed by the elongated fiber 104 and the coupling strip 102 is slid to a position just below the divide in the user's hair. The weft of hair material 106 is then positioned at a desired position and the second coupling element 108 is coupled to the first coupling element 110. Once the weft of hair material 106 is coupled to a user's natural hair, the top portion of the user's hair can be let down to blend the natural hair with the weft of hair material 106.
FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus 100 to enhance a user's hair positioned on a user with two weft of hair material sections 106 and 300 coupled to the coupling strip 102 in use in accordance with the present subject matter. In such an embodiment, the second weft of hair material 300 may include a third coupling element 302 that is removably coupleable with the first coupling element 110.
In other embodiments, the coupling element 302 may be removably coupleable with either the first coupling element 110, the second coupling element 108 or both. Thus, in certain embodiments, the second weft of hair material 300 may be positionable on top of the first weft of hair material 106 to increase volume to a portion of the user's hair. Alternatively, the first weft of hair material 106 and the second weft of hair material 300 may be different colors to add versatility to the hair coloring desires of a user.
FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an apparatus 400 to enhance a user's hair according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. The apparatus 400, in certain embodiments, is substantially similar to apparatus 100 discussed above. Thus, the apparatus 400, in certain embodiments, includes a coupling strip 402, an elongated fiber 404, a weft of hair material 106, and a coupling element 108. The weft of hair material 106 and the coupling element 108 are substantially similar to the weft of hair material 106 and the coupling element 108 discussed above in relation to apparatus 100. Accordingly, the weft of hair material 106 and the coupling element 108 will not be discussed further here.
The coupling strip 402, in certain embodiments, is elongated in a lengthwise direction. The coupling strip 402 includes a first coupling element 110. In certain embodiments, the first coupling element 110 is substantially similar to the first coupling element 110. That is, in one embodiment, the first coupling element 110 is a length of hooking material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. In other embodiments, the first coupling element 110 is a length of looping material for use in a hook and loop type fastening system. One of skill in the art will recognize that the hooking material or the looping material for use as the first coupling element 110 may be a hook and loop fastening system that is commonly marketed under the trade name Velcro®.
In certain embodiments, the first end 114 of the coupling strip 402 is folded back and sewn to the coupling strip 402 to form a first passageway 406 in the first end 114 of the coupling strip 402. The second end 118 of the coupling strip 402 is folded back and sewn to the coupling strip 402 to form a second passageway 408 in the second end 118 of the coupling strip 402.
In such an embodiment, a first end 410 of the elongated fiber 404 is coupled to a second end 412 of the elongated fiber 404 to form a loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404. In certain embodiments, the first end 410 of the elongated fiber 404 is simply tied to the second end 412 of the elongated fiber 404 to form the loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404. In other embodiments, a fastener 416 is positioned around the first end 410 of the elongated fiber 404 and the second end 412 of the elongated fiber 404 to fasten the first end first end 410 of the elongated fiber 404 to the second end 412 of the elongated fiber 404. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener 416 is also positioned around a central portion 418 of the elongated fiber 404 to couple the first end 410 of the elongated fiber 404 and the second end 412 of the elongated fiber 404 to the central portion 418 of the elongated fiber 404.
A portion 420 of the elongated fiber 404 passes through the first passageway 406 in the first end 114 of the coupling strip 404 and a portion 422 of the elongated fiber 404 passes through the second passageway 408 in the second end 118 of the coupling strip 404. In this manner, a continuous loop 424 is formed between the coupling strip 402 and the elongated fiber 404. In use, the continuous loop 424 is positioned around a user's head to affix the apparatus 400 to the user's head.
In certain embodiments, by forming a loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404 and affixing the loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404 to first passageway 406 in the first end 114 of the coupling strip 402 and the second passageway 408 in the second end 118 of the coupling strip 402, the strength of the continuous loop 424 between the coupling strip 402 and the elongated fiber 404 is enhanced. Additionally, the risk that elongated fiber 404 will become detached from the coupling strip 402 is lessened by forming a loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404 and affixing the loop 414 in the elongated fiber 404 to first passageway 406 in the first end 114 of the coupling strip 402 and the second passageway 408 in the second end 118 of the coupling strip 402.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus to enhance a user's hair, the apparatus comprising:

a coupling strip elongated in a lengthwise direction, the coupling strip comprising a first coupling element;

an elongated fiber, the elongated fiber coupled to a first end and a second end of the coupling strip, wherein the elongated fiber and the coupling strip form a continuous loop between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber;

a weft of hair material; and

a second coupling element coupled to the weft of hair material, the second coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongated fiber and the coupling strip comprises an elastomeric material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling strip comprises a pliable material configured to conform to a user's head.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated fiber and the coupling strip are concealable within a user's natural hair.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first passageway formed in the first end of the coupling strip and a second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip, wherein a first end of the elongated fiber is coupled to a second end of the elongated fiber, wherein a portion of the elongated fiber passes through the first passageway in the first end of the coupling strip and wherein a portion of the elongated fiber passes through the second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip to form the continuous loop between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element is longer than the second coupling element and wherein the second coupling element is repositionable along the first coupling element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second weft of hair material and a third coupling element, the third coupling element coupled to the second weft of hair material, the third coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first weft of hair material comprises a first color and wherein the second weft of hair material comprises a second color.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprises a plurality of hooks and wherein the other of the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprises a plurality of loops, the plurality of hooks removably coupleable to the plurality of loops.

10. An repositionable hair extension apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a weft of hair material; and

a second coupling element coupled to the weft of hair material, wherein the first coupling element is longer than the second coupling element, the second coupling element removably coupleable to a portion of the first coupling element and wherein the second coupling element is repositionable along the first coupling element.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the elongated fiber and the coupling strip comprises an elastomeric material.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the coupling strip comprises a pliable material configured to conform to a user's head.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongated fiber and the coupling strip are concealable within a user's natural hair.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a first passageway formed in the first end of the coupling strip and a second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip, wherein a first end of the elongated fiber is coupled to a second end of the elongated fiber, wherein a portion of the elongated fiber passes through the first passageway in the first end of the coupling strip and wherein a portion of the elongated fiber passes through the second passageway formed in the second end of the coupling strip to form the continuous loop between the coupling strip and the elongated fiber.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second weft of hair material and a third coupling element, the third coupling element coupled to the second weft of hair material, the third coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first weft of hair material comprises a first color and wherein the second weft of hair material comprises a second color.

17. An configurable hair extension apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a first weft of hair material;

a second coupling element coupled to the first weft of hair material, the second coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element;

a second weft of hair material; and

a third coupling element, the third coupling element coupled to the second weft of hair material, the third coupling element removably coupleable to the first coupling element.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first weft of hair material comprises a first color and wherein the second weft of hair material comprises a second color.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first coupling element is longer than the first coupling element and the second coupling element and wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are repositionable along the first coupling element.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongated fiber and the coupling strip comprises an elastomeric material and wherein the coupling strip comprises a pliable material configured to conform to a user's head, the elongated fiber and the coupling strip concealable within a user's natural hair.