US20180077986A1

US20180077986A1 - Wig clip

Info

Publication number: US20180077986A1
Application number: US15/267,515
Authority: US
Inventors: John Suh
Original assignee: Annie International Inc
Current assignee: Annie International Inc
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2016-09-16
Publication date: 2018-03-22

Abstract

In a wig clip in which comb teeth are movable from a first condition in which they are spaced from an elongated clamping member to a second condition in which they are capable of clamping a user's natural hair against the clamping member, an intermediate portions of each of the comb teeth has opposite edges which are in oblique relationship to the direction of elongation of the clamping member. These opposite edges are spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of each of the other portions of the same comb tooth.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to wig clips, and particularly to improvements in wig clips used to secure a wig base to a wearer's natural hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical toggle-action wig clip is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,804, granted on Jan. 21, 2014, and the disclosure of that patent is incorporated by reference. The wig clip is composed of a U-shaped frame member having legs extending from opposite ends of an intermediate portion of the frame, a set of comb teeth disposed between the legs and also extending from the intermediate portion, and a connecting portion secured to the legs by rivets and extending from one leg to the other. The connecting portion is overlapped by the comb teeth.
The frame is made from metal, a synthetic resin, or another material having spring properties, and, when the frame member and the connecting portion are apart from each other and in a relaxed condition, the distance between the rivet holes of the connecting portion is greater than the distance between the rivet holes in the legs of the U-shaped frame member. Consequently, when the connecting portion is riveted to the frame, the wig clip tends to bend out of a planar configuration, and can be manually shifted from one stable condition to another by a toggle action. In a first stable condition, the comb teeth are spaced by a short distance from the connecting portion, and in a second stable condition, the comb teeth are in contact with the connecting portion.
Usually, several of these wig clips are attached to a wig base. The wig base is a flexible net-like structure to which wig hair is attached by a process known as “weaving.” The wig clips can be sewn to the wig base by passing yarns through holes formed in the U-shaped frame. Alternatively, the wig clips can be secured to the net material of the wig base by the use of barbs formed on the frame or on extensions of the frame structure, or by various other means.
The wig clips are used to attach the wig base to a wearer's natural hair. When the wig clip is in its first stable condition, i.e., with the comb teeth spaced from the connecting portion, the comb teeth can be engaged with a lock of the wearer's natural hair close to the scalp. Then, by manual bending, the wig clip can be toggled to its second stable condition, and the wearer's natural hair is clamped between the comb teeth and the connecting portion so that the wig base is secured in place.
The connecting portion can include a compressible covering that yields when contacted by the comb teeth, while the wig clip is in its second stable condition, to enhance friction between the wig clip and the natural hair. The comb teeth are also usually formed with bulbous ends to avoid discomfort to the wearer that would otherwise be caused by sharp comb teeth.
Other wig clips, such as the wig clip described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,807, granted on Apr. 8, 2014, utilize a spring-urged, pivoted comb to secure the wearer's natural hair to a frame. The comb teeth are formed with an array of projections to ensure that the wig clip is securely attached to the wearer's natural hair.
In some of the embodiments of the wig clip in U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,804, converging comb teeth assist in binding the clip to the wearer's natural hair.
The thickness of a wig user's natural hairs and the density of the user's hair varies widely. Because of these variations, there are cases in which conventional wig clips fail to hold a wig base firmly in place. Thus, despite the widespread use of conventional wig clips, there remains a need for a wig clip that can grip the user's natural hair more securely and reliably. This invention is intended to address that need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wig clip assembly according to the invention comprises an elongated clamping member and a comb. The comb comprises a frame and a set of comb teeth protruding from the frame and extending past the clamping member. Each of the comb teeth comprises a first section extending from the frame to a first intermediate location, a second section extending from the first intermediate location to a second intermediate location, and a third section extending from the second intermediate location to a tip. The clamping member has a clamping surface, and the comb teeth are movable from a first position in which they are spaced from the clamping surface to a second position in which they are capable of clamping strands of a user's natural hair between the second sections of the comb teeth and the clamping surface.
The second section of each of the comb teeth is defined by first and second opposite edges, both the opposite edges being oblique relative to the longitudinal direction of the clamping member, and being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of each of the first and third sections of the same comb tooth measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the clamping member. Because of the oblique configuration, and the distance between, the opposite edges of the second sections of the comb teeth, by their cooperation with the clamping surface of the clamping member, the wig clip can grip greater quantities of a user's natural hair than could be gripped by a wig clip having conventional straight comb teeth.
The above-described comb tooth configuration can be utilized in wig clip comprising a flexible, resilient, U-shaped frame having a pair of legs extending in substantially parallel relationship to each other from opposite ends of an intermediate portion of the frame, and in which the clamping member is flexible, connected to the legs at locations spaced from the opposite ends of the intermediate portion of the frame, and of a length greater than the distance between the parts of the legs to which it is connected. In this version of the invention, the flexible clamping member can be shifted by a toggling action from a first stable position in which it is spaced from the comb teeth and a second stable position in which strands of a user's natural hair can be gripped between said comb teeth and the flexible clamping member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wig clip in accordance with the invention in a first stable condition, in which the comb teeth are spaced from the clamping member, and in which a covering portion of a clamping member is shown broken away to reveal the internal part thereof ;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the wig clip as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a wig clip in accordance with the invention in a second stable condition, in which the comb teeth are in a position to exert pressure on strands of a user's hair (not shown) between the teeth and the clamping member;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the wig clip as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of one of the comb teeth shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing two wig clips in accordance with the invention in a wig base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The wig clip of the invention, shown in FIGS. 1-4, comprises a U-shaped frame composed of a pair of legs 10 and 12 extending in substantially parallel relationship to each other from ends 14 and 16 respectively of an intermediate part 18. An elongated clamping member 20 is connected to the legs at locations 22 and 24, which are spaced, respectively, from ends 14 and 16 of the intermediate part 18.
In this embodiment, the clamping member includes an internal part 26, which is unitary with the frame, and an elastomeric covering 28 in the form of a tube stretched over the internal part 26. So that the elastomeric covering can be fitted onto the internal part 26 of the clamping member, the leg 10 is formed in two parts, which are connected by a rivet. Alternatively, the clamping member, can be formed separately from the frame, and connected to the frame by rivets.
Comb teeth 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40, extend from the intermediate part 18 past the clamping member 20. In the embodiment shown, the comb teeth are unitary with the frame. However, in alternative embodiments, the comb teeth can be parts of a comb assembly that is attached by fasteners or other suitable means to the frame.
The frame, including the intermediate part 18 and the legs 10 and 12, is resilient, and is preferably composed of metal or a suitable synthetic resin. The length of the clamping member 20, i.e., the length of its internal part 26, is slightly greater than the distance between the locations on the legs 10 and 12 to which the internal part is connected so that the internal part is longitudinally compressed. Thus, the wig clip, which comprises the frame, the comb teeth and the clamping member can be manually shifted from a first stable condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the clamping member 20 is spaced from the comb teeth 30-40, to a second stable condition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the comb teeth are resiliently urged toward the clamping member and capable of gripping strands of a user's natural hair between the comb teeth and the elastomeric covering 28 of the clamping member.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the wig clip is in its first stable condition, the clamping member 20 is bent in such a way that the side facing the comb teeth is convex. The intermediate part 18 (FIG. 1), which is not seen in FIG. 2, is similarly bent so that the side of the intermediate part seen in FIG. 1 is convex. It is this bending of the intermediate part that maintains the comb teeth separate from the clamping member.
When the wig clip is in its second stable condition, as shown in FIG. 4, the clamping member is bent in the opposition direction, so that the side facing the comb teeth is concave. The side of the intermediate part that is seen in FIG. 3 is concave, and it is this bending of the intermediate part that urges the comb teeth toward the clamping member.
As shown in FIG. 6, two wig clips 42 and 44, each corresponding to the wig clip of FIGS. 1-4, are secured to the inside of a dome-shaped wig base 46 composed of a flexible net. The wig clips are positioned adjacent the border 48 of the wig base, and the comb teeth are directed toward the opening.
Comb teeth 32, 34, 36 and 38 are preferably identical in shape. As shown in the enlarged view in FIG. 5, comb tooth 32 is composed of three sections, a first section 50, which can be unitary with intermediate part 18 of the frame, a second section 52 at least part of which is positioned to overlie the clamping member 20, and a third part 54, which extends beyond the clamping member and preferably terminates in a rounded tip 56.
The first and third tooth sections 50 and 54, extend in an approximately right angle relationship to the direction of elongation of the clamping member 20. The second section 52 is defined by two opposite edges, 58 and 60, both of which extend in an oblique relationship to the direction of elongation of clamping member 20. Edge 58 extends from point 62 to point 64, point 64 being closer than point 62 to frame leg 10. Edge 60 similar extends from point 66 to point 68, point 68 being closer than point 66 to frame leg 10.
The width of the intermediate tooth section 52, that is, the minimum distance between its edges 58 and 60 is greater than the minimum width of each of tooth sections 50 and 54, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of clamping member 20.
At least a part of the intermediate section of each of comb teeth 32, 34, 36 and 38 is positioned to come into overlying relationship with the clamping member 20. Because the widths of the intermediate tooth section 52 of comb tooth 32 and the corresponding intermediate sections of comb teeth 34, 36 and 38 is greater than that of the first and third tooth sections. As a result, when the wig clip is in the closed condition as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a greater amount of the user's natural hair can be clamped between the comb teeth and the clamping member and the wig base is held in place more securely and reliably.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wig clip comprising:

a clamping member elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a surface;

a comb comprising a frame and set of comb teeth extending from said frame past said clamping member, said comb teeth being movable from a first position in which they are spaced from said surface of the clamping member to a second position in which they are capable of clamping strands of a user's natural hair against said surface of the clamping member

wherein each of said comb teeth comprises a first section extending from said frame to a first intermediate location, a second section extending from said first intermediate location to a second intermediate location, and a third section extending from said second intermediate location to a tip;

wherein at least a part of said second section of each comb tooth of said comb teeth is positioned in opposed relationship to said surface of the clamping member so that strands of a user's natural hair can be clamped between said part of said second section and said clamping member; and

wherein said second section of each of said comb teeth has a greater width than the width of each of said first and second sections of the same comb tooth, whereby the second sections of said intermediate comb teeth, in cooperation with said surface of the clamping member, can grip greater quantities of a user's natural hair than could be gripped by a wig clip having conventional straight comb teeth.

2. A wig clip comprising:

a clamping member elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a surface; and

a comb comprising a U-shaped frame having first and second legs extending in substantially parallel relationship to each other from opposite ends of an intermediate portion of the U-shaped frame, and a set of comb teeth protruding from said intermediate portion and extending past said clamping member;

wherein said comb teeth are movable from a first position in which they are spaced from said surface of the clamping member to a second position in which they are capable of clamping strands of a user's natural hair between the second sections of said comb teeth and said surface of the clamping member;

wherein said second section of each of said comb teeth is defined by first and second opposite edges, each of said opposite edges being oblique relative to said longitudinal direction of said clamping member and extending from a first location to a second location, the second location being farther than said first location from said intermediate portion of the frame and closer than said first location to said second leg of the frame, said first and second opposite edges of said second section being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of each of said first and third sections of the same comb tooth measured in a direction parallel to said longitudinal direction of said clamping member;

whereby the second sections of said intermediate comb teeth, in cooperation with said surface of the clamping member, can grip greater quantities of a user's natural hair than could be gripped by a wig clip having conventional straight comb teeth.

3. A wig clip comprising:

a flexible, resilient, U-shaped frame having first and second legs extending in substantially parallel relationship to each other from opposite ends of an intermediate portion of the U-shaped frame, and a flexible clamping member extending in a longitudinal direction from one of said legs to the other and connected to said legs at locations spaced from said opposite ends of said intermediate portion;

a set of comb teeth extending from said intermediate portion past said flexible clamping member;

wherein the length of said flexible clamping member extending from one of said legs to the other of said legs is greater than the distance between said legs such that said flexible clamping member can be shifted by a toggling action from a first stable position in which it is spaced from said comb teeth and a second stable position in which strands of a user's natural hair can be gripped between said comb teeth and said flexible clamping member;

wherein said flexible clamping member has a surface positioned to overlie said comb teeth when said connecting member is in said second stable position;

wherein each of said comb teeth comprises a first section extending from said intermediate portion of the U-shaped frame to a first intermediate location, a second section extending from said first intermediate location to a second intermediate location, and a third section extending from said second intermediate location to a tip; and

wherein at least a part of the second section of each of said comb teeth is positioned to come into overlying relationship with said surface of the flexible clamping member when said flexible clamping member is in said second stable condition; and

wherein said part of the second section of each of said comb teeth is defined by first and second opposite edges, each of said opposite edges being oblique relative to said longitudinal direction of said clamping member and extending from a first location to a second location, the second location being farther than said first location from said intermediate portion of the frame and closer than said first location to said second leg of the frame, said first and second opposite edges of said part of the second section being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of each of said first and third sections of the same comb tooth measured in a direction parallel to said longitudinal direction of said flexible clamping member

whereby the second sections of said comb teeth, in cooperation with said surface of the flexible clamping member, can grip greater quantities of a user's natural hair than could be gripped by a wig clip having conventional straight comb teeth.

4. The wig clip according to claim 3, in which the comb teeth of said plurality of comb teeth are disposed at regular intervals along said longitudinal direction.