US20230320445A1

US20230320445A1 - Customizable Hair Extension Systems and Methods for Making and Using Same

Info

Publication number: US20230320445A1
Application number: US18/132,079
Authority: US
Inventors: Katie Lyn Christoffersen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-04-08
Filing date: 2023-04-07
Publication date: 2023-10-12
Also published as: WO2023196583A1

Abstract

Customizable hair extension systems, or wefts or hair, are provided, as well as methods of making hair extension systems, and methods of installing hair extension systems to a recipient's hair, including attaching customizable hair extensions to naturally growing hair on human beings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 63/329,275, filed on Apr. 8, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to customizable hair extension systems, or wefts or hair, methods of making hair extension systems, and methods of attaching hair extension systems to naturally growing hair, including, attaching hair extensions to naturally growing hair on human beings.

BACKGROUND

Hair extensions generally comprise one or more multiple hairs coupled together in a unit. A variety of hair extension systems and installation methods are known in the art. The unit may be in the form of a small, individual strand of hair, or the unit may be in the form of a weft where strands of hair are arranged in a linear array such that the individual hairs are located side by side and such that the individual hairs are generally parallel to each other.
Hair extensions are often used for cosmetic purposes wherein they are attached to the head of human recipient so as to be interspersed with the naturally growing hair of the human. Hair extensions are commonly used to stylize a human recipient's natural hair by extending the length of hair, by adding a distinct color of hair, and/or by increasing the volume of hair.
Extensions are usually made of natural human hair, although they can be made of synthetic hair. Extensions are commercially available in a variety of colors and textures, for example, straight, curly, wavy. Furthermore, the hair extensions should be shape retaining, durable and weatherproof and also shampoo resistant.
It is important to secure or attach the extensions to a person's head with a minimum of discomfort to that person. Prior art methods of attaching hair extensions generally involve the use of adhesives applied to the natural hair, keratin bonding, or a technique known as weaving. When adhesives are used, the extensions are traditionally glued or taped to the person's naturally growing hair. Keratin bonding involves heating a keratin-tipped extension so that it melts and thereby bonds to the natural hair. Weaving requires first weaving a braid of the naturally growing hair. Then, an extension is stitched to the braid with needle and thread. Existing hair extension techniques are unsatisfactory in that they are generally short-lived and/or damaging to the naturally growing hair. As the naturally growing hair grows out after a few weeks, the hair extensions must generally be removed and replaced; a time consuming task. Removal may be particularly difficult and/or damaging when adhesives or bonding is used to attach the extensions to the natural hair. Furthermore, existing hair extension systems may generally cause discomfort to the person both during the attachment process and afterwards.
Additionally, existing hair extension systems are unsatisfactory because they are generally not customizable. That is, with prior art hair extensions, the hair stylist, or person installing the hair extensions, must generally install the hair extension pieces or wefts “as is.” They are not capable of having additional wefts of hair be added to the hair extension to customize the hair extension to the user's unique desires such as by adding different lengths, distinct colors, and/or different textures with one hair extension. Hair extension systems and methods are needed for easily and comfortably attaching hair extensions to a person's natural hair and allowing for easy removal and/or repositioning of the extensions relative to the person's natural hair. Additionally, a need exists for buildable and/or customizable hair extension systems where a hair extension may be supplemented with additional pieces or wefts of hair to create a customized length, color, texture and/or volume hair extension.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses the above noted and other shortcomings by the various inventive aspects described herein. Customizable hair extension systems, or wefts or hair, are provided, as well as methods of making hair extension systems, and methods of attaching hair extension systems to naturally growing hair, including, attaching customizable hair extensions to naturally growing hair on human beings.
In certain embodiments, there is disclosed a hair extension system comprising a first band of hardened glue coupled to a first end of a first array of hair, a second band of hardened glue coupled to a first end of a second array of hair; wherein a first edge of the first band is coupled to a first edge of the second band. In certain embodiments, there may be a plurality of holes defined within the first band sized to allow passage of a person's hair, a first fixation device coupled to a second end of the first array of hair, and a second fixation device coupled to a second array of hair.
In other embodiments, there is disclosed a method of making a hair extension, compromising: placing a first end of a first array of hair into a first wet glue band, placing a first end of second array of hair into a second wet glue band, drying the second glue band, coupling a second end of the first array of hair to a first fixation device, coupling a second end of the second array of hair to a second fixation device, punching a plurality of holes into the first glue band, and coupling a first edge of the first glue band to a first edge of the second glue band.
In further embodiments there are disclosed hair extension systems including a base hair extension comprising two arrays of hair to which one or more additional arrays of hair may be added. The hair extension systems may include a first band coupled to a first end of a first array of hair, a second band coupled to a first end of a second array of hair, and a third band coupled to a first end of a third array of hair. Each of the bands has first and second surfaces and first and second edges. The first and second bands may be coupled at a first edge thereof. A plurality of holes may be defined through the first band sized to allow passage of a recipient's hair. The third band may be configured to be permanently or removably attached to any of the first and second surfaces of the first and second bands to provide a buildable and customizable hair extension.
In other embodiments, the invention includes methods for making the hair extension systems of the present invention and securing and/or attaching the hair extension systems to a recipient's hair. Aspects of the present invention involve the buildable and/or customizable nature of the present hair extension systems. Other aspects of the present invention involve methods providing for the recipient's relative comfort during and after installation or attachment of the hair extension systems. Further aspects of the present invention involve the free-floating nature of the present hair extension systems.
In one form, a method of securing or attaching the present hair extension systems includes: (a) parting a recipient's hair horizontally at a preferred location for installation of the hair extension system; (b) securing the hair above the part up and away from the part with clips or the like; (c) selecting a base hair extension comprising a first array of hair attached to a first band and a second array of hair attached to a second band, wherein the first band comprises one or more pairs of holes configured to receive a strand of the recipient's hair therethrough, and the first and second bands are coupled at an outer edge thereof; (d) positioning the base hair extension at or near the part; (e) passing a small strand of the recipient's hair through each of the holes in the first band; (f) securing the stands of hair passed through the one or more pairs of holes together to create one or more cradles; and (g), before at least one of steps (d), (e), and (f) described above, attaching one or more additional arrays of hair to the base hair extension by aligning and affixing a band of the additional array to the first band or the second band.
In still further embodiments, methods are provided for making air extension systems. The method may include placing a first end of a first array of hair into a first wet polymer band, drying the first polymer band, placing a first end of a second array of hair into a second wet polymer band, drying the second polymer band, punching a plurality of holes into the first polymer band, permanently coupling a first edge of the first polymer band to a first edge of the second polymer band, placing a first end of a third array of hair into a third wet polymer band, drying the third polymer band, and coupling a surface of the third polymer band to a surface of the first polymer band or the second polymer band.
These and other features, and advantages, will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important to note the drawings are not intended to represent the only aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a hair extension system in a first or open configuration which incorporates one or more aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hair extension system illustrated in FIG. 1 in a closed or second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating one aspect of the hair extension system of FIG. 1 where a portion of the hair extension is positioned about a first side of a recipient's head.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 1 where the portion of the hair extension is positioned about a second or other side of a recipient's head.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the installation or application of the hair extension system of FIG. 1 , showing that the extension itself is not actually attached to the hair or scalp, but is instead preferably free-floating, while being cradled by the human hair.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the extension system installed or secured with the fixation devices removed.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a hair extension system incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention, which is shown in an open configuration.

FIG. 8 a top view of the hair extension system illustrated in FIG. 7 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view illustrating an aspect of the hair extension system of FIG. 7 where a portion of the hair extension system is positioned about a first side of a recipient's head.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 7 where the portion of the hair extension system is positioned about a second or other side of a recipient's head.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a method of installing, attaching, securing, or applying the hair extension system of FIG. 7 in an open configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a method of method of installing, attaching, securing, or applying of the hair extension system of FIG. 7 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of steps for a method of method of installing, attaching, securing, or applying of the hair extension system of FIG. 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present inventions, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and described herein. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by any specific language used herein. The scope of the current invention includes alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the inventions as described herein as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
When directions, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, clockwise, counter-clockwise, are discussed in this disclosure, such directions are meant to only supply reference directions for the illustrated figures and for orientation of components in the figures. The directions should not be read to imply actual directions used in any resulting invention of actual use. Under no circumstances, should such directions be read to limit for impact any meaning into the claims.
Turning now to FIG. 1 , there is presented an embodiment of a hair extension system 100 in a first or open configuration. In certain embodiments, the hair extension system 100 may be a professionally applied weft of hair used to add characteristics such as length, fullness, and/or color variation to a recipient's natural hair.
In the illustrated embodiment, there is a first band 102 of glue, e.g. polyurethane glue, which may be used as a foundation or point of application. In certain embodiments, the first band 102 may be a hand-formed band or strip of wet polyurethane glue. A first end 104 of an array 106 of parallel hair may then be placed in the first glue band 102 while the glue is still wet or malleable. The first band 102 and hair array 106 may then be dried, for instance, in a kiln, so that the glue forms a hard durable, yet pliable water proof band. In some embodiments, the first band 102 is approximately 2-4 inches long and approximately ½-1 inch tall, but it may comprise other suitable dimensions. A line of small holes 108 (for example, two single holes at the outer edges of the bands and one or more pairs of holes in the interior of the band) may then be punched along a top edge of the band 102 at a predetermined distance. The holes 108 are preferably strategically placed to receive a small amount of the recipient's hair for creating the connection points to cradle the hair extension 100 and for attaching hair extension system 100 to a recipient safely and comfortably. Specifically, the holes 108 are preferably spaced as to not allow the recipient's hair to slide between the glue band 102 and a glue band 202 to prevent tangles and matting. This particular placement of the holes 108 may also allow for a more stable connection, and may also reduce hair shedding and increase the health of the recipient's natural hair. In certain embodiments, the holes 108 may be punched after additional glue is applied to seal the unit.
A second band 202 of glue may be coupled to a second array of hair 206. The second band 202 may then be coupled to the first band 102. The second band 202 may be similar to the first band 102, except for a thin layer of wefted hair stitched across the top or outer side of the second band 202 to hide the first band 102, thus creating a more natural look. As will be illustrated later, the second band 202 may be without punched holes 108. The first band 102 and second band 202 may be joined at the outer edges thereof with another application of wet glue, for example polyurethane glue, and then dried using, for instance, a kiln. The joint 110 formed between the first strip 102 and second strip 202 is preferably flexible and allows the second strip 202 to be folded over the first strip 102 to hide the strips and the connections with the recipient's hair as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
In certain embodiments, the hair extension 100 may be previously prepared and provided in packaging (not shown). The hair extension 100 may be removed from the packaging and inspected. The hair extension 100 may then be applied to a recipient's hair by horizontally parting the recipient's natural hair. The natural hair may be retained with hair clips 302 or the like to keep the natural hair out of the way. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating an aspect of the hair extension 100 in an open configuration where a portion of the hair extension 100 is positioned about a first side of a recipient's head. In contrast, FIG. 4 is a partial perspective illustrating the portion of the hair extension 100 positioned about the other side of the recipient's head.
The first band 102 may then be placed directly in the part as illustrated in FIG. 3 and secured by temporarily clipping the hair array 206 with hair clips 304 as shown in FIG. 4 .
Once the hair extension 100 is temporarily secured in place with the hair clips 304, strands of the recipient's natural hair may be pulled through the holes 108 with small hook (not shown) as illustrated in FIG. 5 . The term “strand” is defined in this disclosure to be an individual hair or small group of individual hairs (i.e., one or more hairs). Two adjacent strands 306 a and 306 b of the recipient's hair may then be joined and connected together with, for example, a silicone lined pic tube that is squeezed shut with a ring connector 308 creating one of the cradle points for the opportunity for extension system 100 to be free-floating, without a point of fixed attachment to the hair or scalp. At the exterior edge of the first band 102, strands of natural hair 310 may also be connected together with natural hair strands pulled through punched hole 108 to create another cradle point. This may be repeated on opposite end of glue band 102 to create two fixed ends, or secured cradle points.
After the first band 102 is secured to the recipient's natural hair as explained above, the clips 302 and 304 may be removed, and the hair array 206 attached to glue band 202 may both be folded down over both the hair array 106 and the glue band 102 thereby creating a closed weft. The fixation devices 112 may be removed, and the hair arrays may be brushed to blend with recipient's natural hair illustrated in FIG. 6 .
Turning to FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a hair extension system 400 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , hair extension system 400 comprises a base extension 401 comprising two arrays of hair to which one or more additional arrays of hair 606 may be added so as to provide a buildable and/or customizable hair extension.
As shown in FIG. 7 , the base hair extension 401 comprises a first array of hair 406 connected to a second array of hair 506. The first array of hair 406 and second array of hair 506 may be matching in color, length, texture, and/or volume, or they may be different from one another.
As shown, the first array of hair 406 may be attached at a base end thereof 412 to a first band 402. Likewise, the second array of hair 506 may be attached at a base end thereof 512 to a second band 502.
In one form, the first band 402 and second band 502 are generally rectangle shaped, each having a width and a height. The bands 402, 502 may be thin, preferably about 1-2 mm thick, so as to lay substantially flat against the recipient's head when attached thereto. However, other dimensions may be used. Each of the bands 402, 502 has two surfaces, an inner, recipient-facing surface and an outer surface.
Preferably, the first and second bands 402, 502 are substantially the same size and shape. In one form, the height of the bands 402, 502 is less than about 1 inch, preferably, less than about ¾ inch, more preferably, about ½ inch, though other dimensions may be use. The bands may come in a variety of widths depending on the needs of the recipient. For example, the bands 402, 502 may be about 2 inches wide, about 4 inches wide, or larger in width.
The bands 402, 502 may be formed of any suitable material. In one form, the bands may be formed of a polymer, including for example, but not limited to polyurethane or liquid polyurethane. The bands are preferably light weight, thin, soft, and pliable so as to be safe and comfortable for the recipient and be virtually undetectable by the recipient and or observers when installed in the recipient's natural hair. The bands 402, 502 may be any suitable color. In one form, the bands may be tinted or died a color that closely matches the color of the recipient's natural hair at or near the roots.
In one form, the arrays 406, 506 may be arranged with the bands 402, 502 substantially overlapping one another, with the recipient-facing surface of the second band 502 adjacent to the outer surface of the first band 402. The bands 402, 502 are preferably attached to one another at one or both corresponding outer edges thereof 420A, 420B. The bands 402, 502 may be attached to each other with the same material that the bands are made of. Optionally, the bands 402, 502 may be attached to one another such that a flexible joint 410 is formed between the bands 402, 502 along the width thereof. Flexible joint 410 may be in the form of an opening between bands 402, 502, or may include a suitably thin and flexible material therein.
The flexible joint 410 is preferably configured to allow the arrays of hair 406, 506 to be positioned in an opened configuration as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7 and a closed configuration as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 8 . As illustrated, the second array of hair 506 is preferably able to be rotated or folded generally downwardly about the flexible joint 410 so as to overlap the first array of hair 406 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8 and 11 .
Also as illustrated in FIG. 8 , in one form, the second band 502 may have a thin layer of hair 530 on the outer surface thereof. In one form, the thin layer of hair 530 preferably matches the hair of the array 506 in color and/or texture. The layer of hair 530 preferably conceals or camouflages the outer surface of band 502. Likewise, when the second array of hair 506 is folded down over the first array of hair 406, the first band 402 and second band 502 are hidden or camouflaged from view.
As illustrated in FIG. 9 , in one form, the first band 402 may have a plurality of openings or holes 408 and 409 defined therethrough. Holes 408 and 409 are preferably sized and configured to receive a strand of the recipient's hair therethrough. The holes 408 and 409 may be generally circular in shape or may have any suitable shape for passing a strand or portion of a recipient's hair therethrough. In alternate forms, the holes 408, 409 may be oblong. In one form, the holes 408, 409 are less than about 5 mm in size, preferably, less than about 3 mm in size, and more preferably, about 2 mm in size. In any event, other hole sizes may be use. For example, the hole sizes may vary with the thickness or weight of the arrays of hair, the thickness or weight of the recipient's natural hair, and/or the size of the hair extension system 400.
In the illustrated form, holes 408 are positioned along the band 402 in one or more pairs. Holes 409 are single holes positioned at or near the outer edges of band 402. Pairs of holes 408 may be spaced apart on band 402 at generally regular intervals. The number of pairs of holes 408 may depend on the width of the band 402. Thus, for example, a band 402 that is about 2 inches in width may have one or more pairs of holes 408 as well as a single hole 409 near each outer edge. A band 402 that is 4 inches in width may have 2 or more pairs of holes 408 along with a single hole 409 near each outer edge. Bands that have larger widths may have additional pairs of holes 408 spaced at generally regular intervals along the width of the band 402.
The hair extension system 400 may be secured to the recipient's own hair as shown in FIGS. 9-13 . In one form, the recipient's hair may be parted horizontally at a preferred location for installation of the hair extension system 400. The hair above the part may be secured up and away from the part with hair clips or the like. The base hair extension 401 may initially be positioned at or just above the part in the closed configuration, with the flexible joint 410 generally aligned with the part, and the outer surfaces of the bands 402, 502 positioned facing the recipient's head above the part. Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first array 406, may be rotated generally downwardly, away from the second array 506 to arrange the base extension 401 in the open configuration and to expose the holes 408 and 409. In this manner, hair extension system 400 may advantageously be installed at or near the base or roots of the recipient's hair, which may be referred to herein as “on base”.
As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the second array 506 may be temporarily held in position with hair clips or the like. Next, a strand of the recipient's hair may be passed through each of the holes 408 and 409 using a suitable instrument known in the art (for example, a hair extension hook) and around the outer edges 420A,B of the band 402. Strands of hair passed through adjacent holes 408 may then be secured together as described below to create one or more cradle points 430 that prevent the band 402 from sliding out of the hair. Likewise, the portions of hair passed through single holes 409 may be joined with the strands of hair at the outer edges 420A,B of the band 402 to form one or more additional cradle points 433 that hold the hair extension system in pace relative to the recipient's hair. In this manner, the hair extension system 400 may advantageously be free-floating, without a point of fixed attachment to the recipient's hair or scalp, and without requiring the use of harmful adhesives or bonding to securely attach the extension system to the recipient's natural hair.
The adjacent strands of hair may be joined or secured together at the cradle points 432, 433 using any suitable means known in the art. For example, in one form, the adjacent strands of hair may be passed together (for example, with a loop or needle threader tool as known in the art) through a small silicone lined ring known in the art as a micro ring or micro bead. The small ring may be formed of a deformable material such as, but not limited to, aluminum. Thus, once the hair is passed through the ring and the ring is positioned at a desired location at or near the band 402, the ring may be squeezed or crimped tightly (for example, using a crimping tool or plyers as generally known in the art) in a first direction to securely grip the hair therein. Advantageously, the ring may be quickly and easily opened to release the hair by squeezing or crimping the ring in a second direction (generally perpendicular to the first direction). Additionally, the micro-rings may have any suitable color. In one preferred form, the micro-rings have a color that closely matches the color of the recipient's hair near the base or roots of the hair.
Once the band 402 is securely fastened to the recipient's hair as described above, the second array of hair 506 may be rotated generally downwardly to overlap the first array of hair 406. Finally, the recipient's hair above the part may be released from the clips to overlay, blend with, and conceal the hair extension system 400.
As described herein, the hair extension system 400 provides numerous advantages over conventional hair extension systems. When compared to conventional hair extension systems which generally required a fixed point of attachment with adhesive, bonding, weaving, or the like, the free-floating nature of the present hair extension system and the use of the cradle points 430, 433 provides the recipient a relatively comfortable and non-damaging experience both during and after installing or attaching the hair extension systems.
With reference to FIGS. 7 and 13 , hair extension system 400 is preferably buildable or customizable with one or more additional arrays 606 of hair. Like the first and second arrays 406, 506, additional array 606 may be attached at a base end thereof 612 to a band 602. The band 602 may be preferably sized and configured substantially similar to band 402 and/or band 502. Additional array 606 may be positioned so that band 602 is substantially overlapping band 402 and/or band 502.
Band 602 may be affixed to band 402 and/or band 502 with any suitable fixation means, including for example, adhesive tape, strips, liquid, and the like. Advantageously, band 602 may be affixed directly to band 402 or band 502 rather than to the recipient's natural hair. Unlike conventional hair extension systems, there is no need to sandwich or affix any of the recipient's hair between the arrays of hair. Thus, both base extension 401 and any additional arrays 606 may advantageously be installed without the use of adhesives or bonding directly on the recipient's hair. Additional array 606 may be permanently affixed to base extension 401 or it may be removable or interchangeable with other additional arrays 606.
Preferably, band 602 may be configured so as to be capable of being affixed to either the recipient-facing surface or the outer surface of either band 402 or band 502. For example, in one form, if it is desired that band 602 is to be secured to band 402, then band 602 preferably may include corresponding holes (not shown) that align with holes 408, 409 when the bands 402, 602 are aligned and overlapping. If band 602 is to be secured to band 502, then band 602 need not include holes. If band 602 is to be secured to the outer surface of band 502, band 602 may advantageously have a thin layer of hair on the outer surface thereof, which can advantageously match the hair of the array 606 in color and/or texture. Thus, the layer of hair on the outer surface of band 602 will advantageously conceal or camouflage the outer surface of band 602. Likewise, when the second array of hair 506, with the attached additional array 606 is folded down over the first array of hair 406, the first band 402 and second band 502 are advantageously hidden or camouflaged from view.
One or more additional arrays 606 may be added to base extension 401 to add desired color, texture, length, and/or volume to base extension 401. In a preferred form, up to one additional array 606 may be attached to each surface of bands 402, 502 to provide a desired buildable and customizable effect. For example, an additional array 606 having a different length or color than array 406 or array 506, may be added to a surface of band 502 or band 402 to thereby produce a layered and/or highlight or lowlight effect.
As illustrated in the flow chart in FIG. 13 , the additional arrays 606 may advantageously be added to base extension 401 at several during steps before, during, or after installation of base extension 401 to the recipient's hair. This is a significant improvement over conventional hair extension systems, which are generally not buildable/customizable, much less capable of being supplemented at various stages before, during, and/or after installing a base hair extension.
In one preferred form, if the additional array 606 is to be attached to array 406, it may preferably be done prior to installing the base extension 401. In this manner, when installing the hair extension system 400 with one or more additional arrays 606, the recipient's hair may be simultaneously passed through holes 408, 409 in the first band 401 and the corresponding holes in band 602 for ease of installation.
In yet another form, the bands 402, 502 and 602 may include magnets embedded therein and/or may incorporate a magnetic material such that the bands are configured to be magnetically secured to each other and thereby to resist the bands sliding out of the recipient's hair.
In yet another form, a fixation or containment device (not shown), such as a clip, may be applied to the free end of the hair array 406, 506, and/or 606 to keep the hair array in place and prevent it from tangling with adjacent hair arrays.
Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments of the invention. With the word “means” is recited in a claim element. Applicant intends for the claim element to fall under 35 USC 112(f). Often a label of one or more words precedes the word “means.” The word or words preceding the word “means” is a label intended to ease referencing of claims elements and is not intended to convey a structural limitation. Such means-plus-function claims are intended to cover not only the structures described herein for performing the function and their structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw have different structures, they are equivalent structures since they both perform the function of fastening. Claims that do not use the word “means” are not intended to fall under 35 USC 112(f).
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many combinations, modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For instance, in certain embodiments, each of the above described components and features may be individually or sequentially combined with other components or features and still be within the scope of the present invention. Undescribed embodiments which have interchanged components are still within the scope of the present invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hair extension system for being attached to the hair of a recipient, compromising:

a first band coupled to a first end of a first array of hair, the first band having first and second surfaces;

a second band coupled to a first end of a second array of hair, the second band having first and second surfaces;

wherein a first edge of the first band is coupled to a first edge of the second band;

a plurality of holes defined through the first band having a first predetermined size and configuration to allow passage of a strand of the recipient's hair through each hole;

a third band coupled to a first end of a third array of hair, the third band having first and second surfaces;

wherein the third band is removably attached to one of the first and second surfaces of the first and second bands.

2. The hair extension system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holes defined through the third band having a predetermined size and configuration that is substantially the same as the plurality of holes defined through the first band.

3. The hair extension system of claim 1, wherein the third band is removably attached directly to one of the first and second surfaces of the first and second bands without any of the recipient's hair layered therebetween.

4. The hair extension system of claim 1, wherein the third array of hair is distinct from at least one of the first and second arrays of hair in at least one characteristic including length, color, and texture.

5. The hair extension system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth band coupled to a first end of a fourth array of hair, the fourth band having first and second surfaces; wherein the fourth band is removably attached to one of the first and second surfaces of the first, second, and third bands.

6. The hair extension system of claim 5, wherein the fourth band is removably attached directly to one of the first and second surfaces of the first, second, and third bands without any of the recipient's hair layered therebetween.

7. The hair extension system of claim 5, wherein the fourth array of hair is distinct from at least one of the first, second, and third arrays of hair in at least one characteristic including length, color, and texture.

8. The hair extension system of claim 1, further comprising a camouflaging hair portion attached to at least one surface of at least one of the first, second, and third bands, the camouflaging hair portion generally matching the array of hair coupled to the band.

9. The hair extension system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnets on at least one of the first, second, and third bands.

10. A method of installing a hair extension system to a recipient's hair, comprising:

forming a generally horizontal part in the recipient's hair at a preferred location for installation of the hair extension system;

securing the recipient's hair above the part away from the part;

selecting a base hair extension comprising first and second arrays of hair, wherein the first array of hair has a first end attached to a first band and a second end, and the second array of hair has a first end attached to a second band and a second end, and wherein the first and second bands are coupled at an outer edge thereof, and wherein the first band comprises one or more pairs of holes therethrough, the holes having a predetermined size and configuration to receive a strand of the recipient's hair therethrough;

positioning the base hair extension at the part;

passing a strand of the recipient's hair through each of the holes in the first band;

securing the stands of hair passed through the one or more pairs of holes together to create one or more cradles; and

attaching one or more additional arrays of hair to the base hair extension by aligning and affixing a band of the additional array to at least one of the first band and the second band.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the base hair extension has an open configuration, wherein the second ends of the first and second arrays of hair are directed generally away from one another, and a closed configuration, wherein the first and second arrays of hairs are arranged in an overlapping configuration and the second ends of the first and second arrays of hair are directed in generally the same direction, and wherein the method further comprises

positioning the base hair extension in the open configuration prior to the step of passing a strand of the recipient's hair through each of the holes in the first band; and

positioning the base hair extension in the closed configuration after the step of securing the stands of hair passed through the one or more pairs of holes together to create one or more cradles.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a band of the one or more additional arrays comprises one or more pairs of holes having a predetermined size and configuration substantially the same as the holes of the first band, and wherein the method further comprises aligning the one or more pairs of holes of the band of the additional array with the one or more pairs of holes of the first band and passing a strand of the recipient's hair through the holes in the band of the additional array.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching a first surface of a band of the one or more additional arrays of hair directly to a surface of one of the first and second bands without any of the recipient's hair layered therebetween.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional arrays of hair is distinct from at least one of the first and second arrays of hair in at least one characteristic including length, color, and texture.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the bands has a camouflaging hair portion attached to at least one surface thereof, the camouflaging hair portion generally matching the attached array of hair, and the method further comprises positioning the camouflaging hair portion facing away from the recipient when installing the hair extension system.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the surfaces of the bands of the first, second, and additional arrays of hair comprise a plurality of magnets, and wherein the method further comprises using the plurality of magnets to facilitate holding the surfaces of the bands together.

17. A method of making a hair extension system, compromising:

placing a first end of a first array of hair into a first wet polymer band;

drying the first polymer band;

placing a first end of a second array of hair into a second wet polymer band;

drying the second polymer band;

creating a plurality of holes into the first polymer band, the plurality of holes having a predetermined size and configuration for passing a strand of hair therethrough;

coupling a first edge of the first polymer band to a first edge of the second polymer band;

placing a first end of a third array of hair into a third wet polymer band;

drying the third polymer band;

coupling a first surface of the third polymer band to one of a first surface of the first polymer band and a first surface of the second polymer band.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising creating a plurality of holes into the third polymer band, the plurality of holes having a predetermined size and configuration that is substantially the same as the plurality of holes in the first polymer band.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising disposing a plurality of magnets in at least one of the polymer bands.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the third array of hair is distinct from the first and second arrays of hair in at least one characteristic including length, color, and texture.