BACKGROUND
Copyright Notice
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Field of the Invention
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The present disclosure relates to hair accessories and, more particularly, to hairpieces that can be attached to the scalp or the wearer's natural hair, allowing the wearer to attain a complex hair style without manipulating his/her natural hair.
Description of the Related Art
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The use of wigs and hairpieces has increased substantially in recent times due to social media trends and celebrity influence. It is normal for a wearer to desire multiple styles depending on the current season or anticipated event. Most wearers of wigs and hairpieces do not possess the skill and time to alter his/her hair additions. It is very difficult for a novice to restyle and/or re-dye a wig or hair addition unit without deterioration of the hairpiece. Thus, it has been necessary to own a large number of hairpieces or wigs in order to provide the owner with a variety of styles and/or colors.
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Today, wigs, hair pieces and hair extensions are worn for a variety of reasons. Finely crafted wigs are worn for medical reasons such as loss of hair due to alopecia, chemotherapy or lupus. Colorful hair extensions and braids adorn the head of a celebrities and pop stars. Busy women like the convenience of easily achieving a myriad of hairstyles, added length and volume without, spending long hours and steep costs at the hair salon. Whatever the reason, wigs, hairpieces and hair extensions offer people simple means of accentuating their appearance and feeling good about themselves.
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U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,380 discloses a hair piece in the form of an elongated thin flexible member or carrier strap with strands of hair attached thereto along its length by sewing or braiding, this device is used by sewing a plurality of the carrier strands to plaits of the wearer's hair in overlapping “weatherboard” fashion.
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,986 discloses a hair locking process and device in which a flexible ribbon or thread with rings knotted there along is woven as, or along with, one strand of a flat braid of the wearer's hair, which braid encircles the crown, or the rear portion of the crown of the head. A machine-stitched sheet-like weft of hair, also having rings attached along the stitched area thereof, is connected to the flat braid by hand sewing the rings of the two components together.
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A U.S. Pat. No. 2,004,016,869 issued to Cox Mary J. discloses a wig, which includes a foundation made from generally circular blank of stretchable netting formed into a bowl shape as worn on a wearer's head. The bowl shape is formed by radially folding over the blank upon itself at a plurality of pairs of fold lines to form a plurality of radially-spaced triangular pleats. An elastic band is looped and attached to an outer periphery of the blank at a stretchable seam to maintain the pleats and the bowl shape. A plurality of hair wefts are attached to a convex outer surface of the foundation in a layered, spaced relationship at respective seams. Attachment areas of the hair wefts to the foundation hidden by overlapping adjacent hair wefts. The hair wefts are arranged to simulate natural hair growth patterns with hair wefts disposed transversely of the foundation pointing forwardly, downwardly, upwardly, or a combination thereof. Hair wefts at a crown of the foundation are centered about the crown pointing radially outwardly from the crown.
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Further U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,249 issued to Pigeon Dongan Indonesia PT, discloses a wig including a wig base and a plurality of hairs outwardly sewn on a surface of the wig base, comprising mono-tapes affixed to a front portion of the wig base, and a plurality of length adjusting parts disposed at the back portion of the wig base which adjusts the length of the front and back of the worn wig, in order to freely adjust the length of the wig and improve a wearing effect of the wig. In addition, the present invention is composed of the front portion having the mono-tapes and the side portion having elastic bands.
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Most of the patents which have been studied through relevant patent history focuses on covering the entire scalp with a wig. These patents are either focused on introducing further convenience for the individual or on improvements in transformation of wigs and more particularly to such a wig in which the wearer's natural hair may be blended with the hair of the wig or hairpiece. None of the inventions focused on creating a hairstyle and more particularly, a Clip-in Mohawk hairstyle. The Mohawk hairstyle consists of a narrow strip of hair running from a small section of the hairline to the nape, or small section of the hairline to the of the center of the head, with the sides of the wearer's head shaved very low or shaved bald. The name stems from the Mohicans, a Native American tribe, but it has become widely popular due to the influence of celebrities including musicians, actors, models and athletes who have styled their hair in similar fashion. The Mohawk hairstyle is also favored by people who have less hair growth and those experiencing hair thinning on the sides of the scalp.
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Other drawbacks of the current hairpiece attaching methods is that they cover the wearer's entire scalp, thereby making it difficult to properly clean and stimulate the natural scalp without removal of the hairpiece. In the absence of proper aeration and cleaning, the wearer's natural hair would be compromised, thus negatively impacting hygiene and the health of the scalp. This invention, the Clip-In Mohawk, covers only a small portion of the wearer's scalp thereby allowing ample aeration and the ability to cleanse up to three-quarters of the natural hair or scalp, without removal of the hairpiece unit.
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To the Applicant's knowledge, none of the prior art methods found have demonstrated the attachment design, Mohawk precision style or aeration ability to meet the needs of the wearer. Thus, there is a need in the prior art in which the aforementioned inconveniences and lack of new styling options, are for all practical purposes, eliminated. The present invention provides such a method and the overall combination of these features is nowhere disclosed in the prior art cited above which appears to be representative of the general art in this area although it is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of pertinent prior art patents.
SUMMARY
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In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and the abstract as a whole.
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Embodiments of the invention relates to a Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece. The Mohawk hairstyle consists of a narrow strip of hair running from a small section of the hairline to the nape, or small section of the hairline to the center of the head, with the sides of the wearer's head shaved very low or shaved bald. The objective of the Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece is to eliminate the need to resort to professional coloring, coiffing and precision cutting to achieve the complex Mohawk hairstyle. The invention is a pre-styled Mohawk hairstyle hairpiece that can be securely attached to the wearer's natural hair with a dual combination of 8-12 metal comb-tooth clips and metal snap clips, allowing the user to achieve a new hairstyle in just minutes, by clipping in the hairpiece.
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A prime objective of the present invention is to provide an improved form of hairpiece that can accommodate a person with bald or thinning hair at the sides of the scalp. The Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece provides the wearer with an array of modern Mohawk hairstyles, allowing enhanced transformation and expression of individual personality.
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Another embodiment of the invention is that the Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece consists of a plurality of synthetic or human hair strands that are cut, colored and styled to simulate natural hair growth patterns. The wefts of hair are machine stitched outwardly onto a narrow rectangular or semi-circular shaped nylon fabric base. Depending on the length of the Clip-1n Mohawk hairpiece, there are 8-12 metal combtooth clips and metal snap clips sewn around the perimeter of the hairpiece for sturdy attachment to the wearer's natural hair.
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Another very important object of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece invention is the provision of an attachment method that is simple and does not require the use of complex securing devices. The sole purpose of the combination of 8-12 metal comb-tooth clips and metal snap clips is to securely retain the hairpiece on the head of the recipient. The dual fusion of both attachment methods ensures that the hairpiece stays in place during forces such as heavy winds and engagement such as combing, brushing and other moderate physical activities.
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Yet another significant object of the invention is to permit the blending of the wearer's natural hair with the filaments of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece in order to further supplement volume, alter color and enhance the natural appearance.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a hairpiece attaching method in which the uncomfortable feeling is avoided. The inclusion of the metal comb-tooth clips and metal snap clips eliminates the need for sewing, bonding or the use of caustic adhesives as a method of secure attachment.
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The further objective of the invention is the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece is ornamentally designed, has a good appearance, and it is durable, lightweight, compact in packaging and convenient in wearing.
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Another objective of the invention is to provide a simple and improved form of hairpiece that is much lighter in weight and has a more precise fit than conventional wigs. As the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece is designed to cover only a portion of the head, it easily conforms to heads of varying sizes, without altering the size of hairpiece.
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This Summary is provided merely for purposes of outlining the features of the embodiment, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described attributes are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece.
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FIG. 100 shows a metal comb-tooth clip used for attachment of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece.
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FIG. 200 is a metal snap clip used for attachment of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece
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FIG. 300 shows a close-up view of the attachment clips and underside interlocking nylon fabric base of the invention.
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FIG. 400 shows a profile view of the invention, when applied to the wearer's head.
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FIG. 500 shows full underside view of the invention including machine-stitched hair wefts, narrow rectangular shaped nylon fabric base and metal attachment clips
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FIG. 600 shows how the user applies the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece
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FIG. 700 shows the semicircular version of the Clip-In Mohawk hairpiece by itself and in use when attached to the wearers head.
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Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
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The components and method of application have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the detail of application illustrated in the drawings since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed is for the purpose of description only and not of limitation.
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As is widely known, the haircutting and hair shaping procedure encompass actions of cutting strands of hair in special order and of special length to achieve a planned design. It is not practical for a wearer, possessing limited talent, to cut, color and style his/her natural hair to achieve a new coiffure every day.
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Wigs and hair pieces have been around since 3200 B.C.E and were worn by the Egyptians not solely for fashion, but also to represent social status, age and gender. Today, wigs and hairpieces are worn for medical reasons, convenience and as fashion statements, thanks largely to greater experimentation among celebrities and increased transparency via social media, as well as improvements in product and application of their technology.
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In today's fast pace world of constant image sharing via social media, fashion-conscious consumers demand hair additions that allow them to quickly and economically change their hairstyle in minutes. Many do not wish to manipulate their natural hair or commit to the same hairdo for fear of appearing “stale” or “untrendy”. They may desire black waist-length hair today and a short, blonde bob haircut tomorrow. Following the cues of celebrities and social media influencers, young women in particular, are increasingly turning to wigs, hairpieces and hair additions to achieve a new hairstyle instantly.
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Moreover, in many cultures, hair is considered a symbol of beauty and vitality. There is no doubt that a head of hair is an integral part of one's personality. Unfortunately, millions of people experience hair loss due to medical reasons, causing embarrassment and lack of confidence. As a solution, wigs and hairpieces have become a great necessity to compensate in this domain.
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The present invention is a Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece which consists of a narrow strip of hair running from a small section of the hairline to the nape (FIG. 400), or a small section of the hairline to the center of the head, with the sides of the wearer's hair shaved very low or shaved bald (FIG. 700). The Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece utilizes 8-12 metal comb-tooth clips (FIG. 100) and snap clips (FIG. 200) for secure attachment to the wearer's natural hair (FIG. 600).
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In its preferred embodiment, the Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece focuses on the Mohawk hairstyle in which, in the most common variety, both sides of the head are shaven, leaving a strip of noticeably longer hair in the center (see FIG. 400). The invention also accommodates a more modern approach whereby only one side of the head is shaven, and the other half of the wearer's head is covered with the Clip-In-Mohawk hairpiece (see FIG. 700).
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The Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece in its featured embodiment shows strands of human or synthetic hair, which may be dyed in a variety of colors, cut to precision in the Mohawk style and coiffed to a straight or curly texture (FIG. 500). The strands of hair are sewn into wefts then stitched in an overlapping spaced relationship onto a narrow (FIG. 300) or semicircular shaped base made from nylon fabric (FIG. 700).
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The Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece consists of a combination of 8-12 metal comb-tooth clips and metal snap clips sewn on a nylon base for secure attachment to the wearer's natural hair.
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Application and wearing of the present invention is very simple and straight forward. The wearer opens each metal snap clip (FIG. 200) by squeezing both sides in an upward direction, inserting the metal combs directly onto his/her natural hair, then squeezing the clips in a downward direction for secure closure. The metal comb-tooth clips (FIG. 100) are simply inserted into the wearer's natural hair. The mechanism of utilizing both metal snap clips and metal comb-tooth clips keep the Mohawk hairpiece securely attached to the wearers natural hair.
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To eliminate the need of costly, intricate cutting, coloring, and the use of holding agents and styling of the natural hair, the Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece is highly preferred, economical and easy to use.
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The Clip-In Mohawk Hairpiece in its preferred embodiment is designed to provide secure attachment to the wearer's natural hair without the use of sewing, bonding, elastic straps or adhesive tape application (FIG. 600).
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As described above, the present invention is not a conventional wig that covers the entire head, nor is it a ponytail that is attached to the wearer's upswept natural hair. The Clip-In Mohawk is a narrow strip (FIG. 500) or semi-circular shaped hairpiece that is attached only to a portion of the wearer's head with both or one side of the scalp shaved bald (FIG. 700). The present invention simulates that of a complex Mohawk hairstyle, with the nylon base of the hairpiece dyed in tones from beige to dark brown to match the scalp color of multiple complexions.
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The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
