US3788332A

US3788332A - Wig foundation and wig

Info

Publication number: US3788332A
Application number: US00252944A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Abbott; G Chen
Original assignee: Abbott Tresses Inc
Current assignee: Abbott Tresses Inc
Priority date: 1972-05-11
Filing date: 1972-05-11
Publication date: 1974-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-29

Abstract

The wig foundation of stretch material has a center panel extending from forehead back over the crown of the head and terminating in a depending nape portion. A side panel of semicircular-like shape is attached to each edge of the center panel and two offset elongated elastic members offset at their adjacent ends are attached to the bottom edge of the side panels and ear slots are formed at each side with stiffener members along the forward and rear edges of the ear slots. A weft of hair is attached underneath and on top of the forehead edge of the center panel. A weft is attached in a spiral manner in the crown area and down to the forehead end. Groups of wefts are attached across the back of the foundation below the crown area and from side edge to side edge with some turned under a short amount at their ends. A group of wefts are also attached next above the nape portion which also has wefts attached extending from side edge to side edge.

Description

United States Patent [191 Abbott et al.

[ Jan. 29, 1974 WIG FOUNDATION AND WIG [75] Inventors: Dominic C. Abbott, Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Godfrey Chen, I-Iong Kong [73] Assignee: Abbott Tresses Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 252,944

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Set. No. 25,446, April 3, 1970,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 132/54, 132/5 [51] Int. Cl A4lg 5/00 [58] Field of Search... 132/54, 53, 7, 9, 5; 2/197-198 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,509,889 5/1970 Frishman et a1. 132/53 3,046,999 7/l962 Lint 132/54 3,474,767 10/1969 Ito 132/53 3,521,648 7/1970 Capparelli et all 132/53 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerGregory E. McNeill Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel J. Duboff; George A. Mentis; David J. Mugford [5 7 ABSTRACT The wig foundation of stretch material has a center panel extending from forehead back over the crown of the head and terminating in a depending nape portion. A side panel of semicircular-like shape is attached to each edge of the center panel and two offset elongated elastic members offset at their adjacent ends are attached to the bottom edge of the side panels and ear slots are formed at each side with stiffener members along the forward and rear edges of the ear slots. A weft of hair is attached underneath and on top of the forehead edge of the center panel. A weft is attached in a spiral manner in the crown area and down to the forehead end. Groups of wefts are attached across the back of the foundation below the crown area and from side edge to side edge with some turned under a short amount at their ends. A group of wefts are also attached next above the nape portion which also has wefts attached extending from side edge to side edge.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures WIG FOUNDATION AND WIG This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 25, 446 now abandoned.

An object of this invention is to provide a wig foundation that has a more natural and comfortable fit.

Another object is to provide a wig foundation with elongated elastic members along each side and adjacent an ear slot.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wig foundation with a distinct depending nape portion at the neck end of the wig.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a wig foundation with a center panel extending from forehead front end where it is the width of temple to temple and is of a uniform width to the crown area where it decreases in width in a gradual manner to where its rear end has a width about 82 percent of its forehead width and has two side panels attached to the side edges of the center panel, where is formed a ridge line, the side panels being provided with elongated elastic members and ear slots.

Yet a still further object of the invention is to provide a wig foundation with wefts of hair attached that provide for a more natural effect and including a distinct depending nape portion at the neck with wefts attached that bring the hair further down the nape of the neck and create a more natural effect of hairline at the nape of the neck.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference is had to the specification and claims which follow and to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wig foundation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation looking at the right-hand side of a wig on the head of the wearer with strips representing wefts of hair attached to a wig foundation as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view at the left of FIG. 2.

Throughout the description, like reference numbers refer to similar parts.

WIG FOUNDATION The wig foundation in FIG. 1 is generally indicated at 10. It is made up of stretch material, elongated elastic strips, certain piping material and stiffeners as will be described.

There is a center panel 1 1 that extends from the forehead end where the forehead edge 12 extends from temple areas T at each end. The center panel 11 extends back over the crown area and has a width about the same as at the forehead edge 12 whereas at the back of the crown area it gradually decreases in width to its rear end at a depending distinct nape portion 13 of the neck where it is about 82 percent of the width at forehead edge 12. The depending nape portion 13 is about one inch in width at its side edges 13 which are an extension of the side edges 14 of the center panel. As the center panel extends over the head, the side edges 14 take the shape of an approximate semicircle. To each ear side of the center panel, there is a side panel generally indicated at 15 that is generally semicircular in shape and has its convex semicircular-like edge attached to the adjacent side edges 14 of the center panel thereby forming a ridge line at each side along the attachment to the edges 14 of the center panel.

Still referring to FIG. 1 adjacently above each side edge 13 of the nape portion 13 and to the adjacent side edge of the center panel is attached one end 16a of an elongated rectangular shaped first elastic member 16 which has stretch in its longitudinal direction. This first elastic member 16 has its lower elongated side extending upwardly and forwardly above the ear area where the ear projects from the head. The other end of member 16 lies just forward of the ear area and is attached to the adjacent portion of the side member 15 as is the other elongated edge of member 16. Along end 16a of the member 16 and the inline adjacent edge 13' of the nape portion 13 there is secured an elongated narrow first stiffener member 17. At the other end 16b of the first elastic member 16 is attached a second elongated narrow stiffener member 18 that projects downwardly a distance about the same length of side edge 13' of the nape portion and is generally parallel thereto. The edge 13 of the nape portion with the lower elongated edge of first elastic member 16 and the projecting end of stiffener member 18 form an ear slot for receiving the ear of the wearer.

Extending upwardly and forwardly from the projecting portion of second stiffener member 18 and from the adjacent lower end of edge 16b of first elastic member 16 there is attached a second elongated elastic member generally indicated at 19. The upper elongated edge 19a of member 19 extends at an approximate right angle to the end 16b of member 16 to a point 19b spaced just beyond the adjacent edge 14 of the center panel. This edge 19a is attached to the adjacent edge portion of the side panel 15. The other end of the second elastic member 19 extends from the point 19b to the adjacent temple end of the forehead edge 12 of the center member 11. This end 190 is attached to the adjacent portions of the center and side panels. The remaining side 19d of the second elongated elastic member 19 extends downwardly and rearwardly from the.

lower end of end 19c to the bottom end of the second stiffener l8 and this edge is termed, depending temple edge. The wig foundation is self-standing and holds its shape resembling a somewhat blocked effect instead of the heretofore beret-like effect of other wigs.

The wig foundation and the wig formed therefrom is held on the head of the wearer with a natural appearing and comfortable fit by the stretch effect of the first and second elongated

elastic members

16 and 19 combining with the effect of the stretch material of the center panel 11 and side panels 15 and the depending nape portion 13 provides a natural effect for the hairline of the wefts of hair attached thereto at the nape of the neck as will be explained.

Wefts Attachment To Foundation In FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity the wefts are shown without hair attached and the representation of the wefts and where they are attached to the foundation is illustrated by the white bands appearing on the stretch background of the foundation. The brackets having the inch markings designate the approximate length of the hair attached to those wefts spanned by the respective brackets. The brackets with reference numbers designate first, second, third and fourth groups of wefts as will be explained.

At the forehead end 12 of the wig foundation center panel 11, as described in FIG. 1, there is attached to the underside of the forehead edge, extending from temple to temple, a weft 30 having hair of about 3 inches in length. On the top side of the forehead edge there is attached a weft 31 having hair of about 3% inch length.

Starting adjacent one side temple at T and spaced adjacently upward from the temple end of the forehead weft 31 is a weft 32 having hair of approximately 3% inch length. This weft 32 spirals around the lower portion of the crown for about six spiral turns, spaced about a quarter of an inch apart, and terminates a distance spaced down from the top or peak of the crown. This spiral weft 32 is continued by a weft 32a having hair of about 4 inches in length about six turns closely together to a termination at the peak of the crown. Extending from a portion spaced above the temple end T of the forehead weft 31 at each end is a weft 31a about one inch long having hair approximately 4 inches in length and having its other end adjacent the uppermost weft of a first group of wefts to be described.

A first group of spaced apart wefts 33 having hair of about 3 inch length extends below the spiral weft 32 across the back of the head below the crown area. These wefts 33 are attached to the foundation with the ends turned under about inch on the depending temple edge 19d of the second elongated elastic member 19 to which the wefts 33 are likewise attached. The uppermost of these wefts 33, spaced below the lower turn of spiral weft 32, has its ends adjacent the temple ends of the forehead weft 31. These wefts 33 are slightly more closely spaced in the second elongated elastic member 19 than they are in their spacing of about 7 1 inch as they extend about the rear of the head.

A single weft 34 having hair of about 2 inches in length extends spaced below the lowermost weft of the first group of wefts 33. It has its ends turned under about /4 inch where they are attached to the depending temple edge 19d and it extends along and is attached to the lower end of the second elongated elastic member 19 and to the projecting end portion of the stiffener 18. There is positioned between the single weft 34 at its ends where it is relatively widely spaced below the lowermost one of the first group of wefts 33 thereabove, two wefts 35 of about two inches in length and having hair of about 2 inches in length. These wefts 35 are attached to the second elongated elastic member 19 and have their ends turned under about A inch on the depending temple edge 19a.

A second group of wefts 36 of about four in number and having hair about 2 inches in length are spaced below the single weft 34 and extend in parallel spaced relation thereto. These wefts 36 have their ends adjacent each other and are attached to the upper portion of the first elongated elastic member 16.

A third group of wefts 37 about three in number having hair about 1% inches in length are attached to the foundation as are the other wefts and extend spaced apart parallel and below the second group of wefts 36. The end portions of the third group of wefts 37 are attached to the lower portion of the first elongated elastic members 16.

A fourth group of wefts 38 about five in number and having hair of about 1% inch length extend spaced apart and parallel to each other in the group and are attached to the foundation and have their respective ends terminating adjacent the lowermost weft of said third group of wefts 37 thereabove.

The depending nape 13 of the foundation has a weft 39 attached along its lower edge. Spaced above this lower weft 39 are two more wefts 40 attached to the depending nape 13. The end portions of these wefts 40 turn upwardly and the uppermost one terminates at the ends of the lowermost wefts of the third and fourth group of'wefts 37 and 38 which terminate adjacent each other.

There is provided a wig foundation and weft positioning thereon that provides a comfortable fit for the wearer and a natural effect. The wefts positioned in the temple areas extend generally parallel to the temple and wrap around the edge of the foundation causing the hair in the temple area to lie both forward and if desired in a reverse direction away from the face of the wearer. This wig and foundation not only provide cover of the hairline of the wearer at the temple area but also the hair can be combed back away from the face of the wearer still concealing the wearers own hair. This wig has a distinct depending nape portion at the neck providing for extra length which brings the hair further down the nape of the neck and creates a more natural effect of hairline at the nape of the neck.

What is claimed is:

l. A wig foundation for wefts of hair to be attached comprising a three-panel cap, said cap having two side panels and a center panel, each of said panels being made of a flexible stretch fabric, the center panel extending from the front of the cap over the crown thereof to the rear of the cap and defining at the front of the cap a portion which abuts the forehead of the wearer and which extends thereacross, said center panel defining at the rear of the cap a portion which abuts the nape of the neck of the wearer and which extends thereacross; each said side panel having an upper edge generally semicircular in shape and each side panel being secured along said semicircular edge to the adjacent edge of the center panel; an elastic member of generally rectangular shape stretchable in its lengthwise direction and positioned lengthwise across a lower portion of each of said side panels and being secured thereto so as to fit above the ear of the wearer, the rear edge of said elastic member being additionally secured to the adjacent edge of said center panel; a stiffener member affixed to the forward edge of each elastic member and to the foundation at the side panel, and extending downwardly and beyond the bottom of the elastic member so as to define with the elastic member a slot which fits about the ear of the wearer; and a reinforcing member of generally triangular shape having one side affixed to the foundation at a lower portion of each side panel forwardly of the stiffener member, each said reinforcing member extending downwardly to the lower end of the stiffener member and having another side attached thereto to define a generally projecting tab which fits forwardly of the ear of the wearer, whereby the elastic member, the stiffener member and the reinforcing member together form means at each side of the cap for holding the foundation in a close fit firmly on and against the head of the wearer.

2. A foundation in accordance with claim 1 in which the combination of the reinforcing member, the stiffener member and the elastic member spans from the rear edge of each side panel to the forward edge of each panel.

3. A foundation in accordance with claim 1 in which the center panel is generally uniform in width from front to back.

4. A foundation in accordance with claim 1 in which the portion of the center panel which abuts the nape of the neck of the wearer extends downwardly beyond the elastic members.

5. A wig comprising a foundation in accordance with claim 1 and wefts of hair sewn to the foundation.

V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION pg 3,788,332 Dated January 29,1974

Dominic C. Abbott et a1. Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the first page, the assignee should read Abbott Tresses, Inc;., Pittsburgh, Pa.; by said Dominic C.

Abbott Signed and sealed this 24th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer C MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of- Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-59) "uscwmc 5037M," ".5. OVERNHENT PIIN'ING OFFICE ll. S-334,

Claims

1. A wig foundation for wefts of hair to be attached comprising a three-panel cap, said cap having two side panels and a center panel, each of said panels being made of a flexible stretch fabric, the center panel extending from the front of the cap over the crown thereof to the rear of the cap and defining at the front of the cap a portion which abuts the forehead of the wearer and which extends thereacross, said center panel defining at the rear of the cap a portion which abuts the nape of the neck of the wearer and which extends thereacross; each said side panel having an upper edge generally semicircular in shape and each side panel being secured along said semicircular edge to the adjacent edge of the center panel; an elastic member of generally rectangular shape stretchable in its lengthwise direction and positioned lengthwise across a lower portion of each of said side panels and being secured thereto so as to fit above the ear of the wearer, the rear edge of said elastic member being additionally secured to the adjacent edge of said center panel; a stiffener member affixed to the forward edge of each elastic member and to the foundation at the side panel, and extending downwardly and beyond the bottom of the elastic member so as to define with the elastic member a slot which fits about the ear of the wearer; and a reinforcing member of generally triangular shape having one side affixed to the foundation at a lower portion of each side panel forwardly of the stiffener member, each said reinforcing member extending downwardly to the lower end of the stiffener member and having another side attached thereto to define a generally projecting tab which fits forwardly of the ear of the wearer, whereby the elastic member, the stiffener member and the reinforcing member together form means at each side of the cap for holding the foundation in a close fit firmly on and against the head of the wearer.