WO2004071232A2

WO2004071232A2 - Inflatable wig stand

Info

Publication number: WO2004071232A2
Application number: PCT/IL2004/000136
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Fordsham
Original assignee: Michael Fordsham
Priority date: 2003-02-11
Filing date: 2004-02-11
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: IL154383A0; WO2004071232A3

Abstract

An inflatable wig stand is provided having a head-shaped balloon (100) with an integrally attached neck. The side of the neck has a cirumference surface for permitting the balloon (100) to sit with the head upright. An air valve (110) is integrated into the balloon (100) for permitting inflation and deflation of the balloon. A base member (120) is attached to the surface for stabilizing the balloon.

Description

INFLATABLE WIG STAND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to embodiments of a stand- unit; preferably for a wig, albeit functionally useful for a hat, crown, or the likes. More specifically, the present invention relates to embodiments of an inflated stand-unit, having the shape of a head and neck; and providing support, typically for a wig that is placed thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past few decades, there have been several travel solutions introduced as substitute to the transport of bulky and/or heavy wig stands. For example, inflatable wig stands, such as U.S. Patents 3465927 3465926 and 3935871. However, these solutions comprise multiple parts and are either relatively difficult to assemble and erect, or are made of expensive, but not necessarily long-lasting materials, or simply physically unstable when brushing or styling a wig placed on such a stand.

Other, much simpler solutions, such as a two-piece interlocking frame that can prop up a wig are in use today; but these offer little support for the shape of the wig and are easily tipped over when being brushed or otherwise styled.

Accordingly, there is a longstanding need, in the field of portable devices for supporting wigs (and like head covering articles) for an improved collapsible support capable of providing temporary support for a wig (or hat or crown or the likes) and simultaneously capable of being collapsed to pocketsize.

ADVANTAGES, OBJECTS AND BENEFITS OF THE INVENTION

Technical Issues: Embodiments of the instant invention relate to a wig stand made of a single unit, requiring no customer assembly; but that is customer inflated to the shape of a head and neck in order to provide support for a wig.

Ergonomic Issues: Preferred embodiments of the instant invention wig stand are made of PNC and have a velvety surface - in order to provide friction so that the wig will not slide off the stand, and for a user-aesthetic comfortable feel. The valve to inflate the wig stand of is preferably located at the top of the head shaped section of the stand - so that it is easily accessible and so that the air is equally distributed early on in the inflation process; thereby easing the user through the inflating process.

Economic Issues: According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiments of the instant invention, an inexpensive cardboard disc is stuck inside the bottom of the neck section of the wig stand, in order to ensure excellent balance and sturdiness.

NOTICES

Numbers, alphabetic characters, and roman symbols are designated in the following sections for convenience of explanations only, and should by no means be regarded as imposing particular order on any method steps. Likewise, the present invention is herein described with a certain degree of particularity, however those versed in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and alterations may be carried out without departing from either the spirit or scope, as hereinafter claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to embodiments of an inflatable wig stand comprising (A) a balloon substantially in the shape of a head with an integrally attached neck and, furthest from the head, a side of the neck has a circumference surface, for permitting the balloon to sit with the head upright; (B) an air valve integrated into the balloon, for permitting inflation and deflation; and (C) a base member cooperatively attached to the surface, for stabilizing the balloon's sit.

The preferred embodiment of the instant invention comprises a single unit, lightweight, inflatable head-form made of velvet-like material, capable of assuming an attractive compact deflated size for travel purposes and which, when inflated, serves as a freestanding wig stand. The unit includes a valve, for permitting inflating the instant wig stand unit in one easy step; and the valve is preferably located at the top of the head section.

According to some variation embodiments of the instant invention, at least one exterior portion of the balloon head has a friction increasing surface integrally attached thereat, for preventing a wig in contact with the stand to slide; and the friction increasing surface is selected from the list: velvet, felt, woven coarse fiber, randomly packed coarse fiber, male Nelcro, female Nelcro, integral blisters of the balloon, and a combination of any of the aforesaid. According to the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, substantially the entire balloon is made of a durable PNC (Polyvinyl Chloride) material having an integral velvety exterior surface coating. Nevertheless, today there are may other inexpensive flexible durable plastics films (or composite materials) that are adequate for the purposes of the instant invention. Regarding the preferred degree of friction, it is important that the friction is just enough to prevent the wig from sliding off but not too much friction that the wig cannot be maneuvered slightly on the wig stand to reposition.

According to other variation embodiments of the instant invention, the base member is selected from the list: disk, annulus, crown, box (for example for accessories or for holding the deflated balloon, per se, or the likes), and a combination of any of the aforesaid.

According to further variation embodiments of the instant invention, the base member is made from a material selected from the list: cardboard, rigid plastic, metal, and a combination of any of the aforesaid. It is within the preferred conception of the instant invention that the base member may include a mounting bracket, clamp, or the likes for allowing the instant wig stand to be used in conjunction with a vertically adjustable extension support, for the base member to include a non-skid surface or suction cups or the likes, etc.

It is therefore the objective of this invention to provide an improved collapsible wig stand, which eliminates the problems mentioned above.

This invention is a single unit that requires neither assembly nor any particular know-how to operate, and emulates the most commonly used wig stand today, namely, the Styrofoam head. The user needs to merely inflate the head with his/her mouth via the valve at the top of the head, on the side of the head, in the neck region, or even accessible through the base member (so long as there is facile access to the valve and that the valve placement does not disturb the wig stand's kinematical resistance to instability). Preferably, the airtight unit will remain completely inflated for extended periods of time and aesthetically the valve will be 100% flush when inserted. Aesthetically, it is preferred to put the valve on the lower portion of the neck slightly towards the back so that it is not immediately visible. Made from the more modern, flexible and foldable PNC (Polyvinyl Chloride), this invention provides an inexpensive solution for people who do not wish to transport a bulky box or wig stand while traveling. This extremely lightweight, inflatable head and neck figure can be transported in pocketsize form and inflated at the wig wearer's destination to provide a sturdy support for their wigs overnight or any other time they do not wish to wear the wig.

To support the structure, a thin cardboard disc is stuck inside the base of the neck, which retains its shape at all times. The cardboard disc ensures the rigidity of the base and provides the same degree of balance and sturdiness that can be expected from a standard home-use wig stand. A "small" valve (preferably not larger than necessary for easy by mouth inflation but not smaller than is facile for the ordinary user to easily blow the necessary volume of air through) is located at the very top of the head so that it is easily accessible to the user thus easing the inflating process. The process of inflating the head from travel mode to fully functional involves a mere two breaths (or so) and substantially takes a matter of seconds. The user simply unfolds the PNC, blows air into the valve using his/her mouth, closes the valve and the wig stand is ready for use. When inflated, the closed valve can be inserted so that it is flush with the rest of the head and does not get in the way of the wig. The neck has a wider base to provide good balance but tapers toward the chin in order to make it easier for the user to grip while putting the wig on the stand or styling the wig while it is in place on the stand.

The PNC, having a velvet-like exterior facing surface, has three main advantages: - The velvet texture provides friction on the head form to prevent the wig from sliding off the stand. - The soft surface makes handling the head extremely comfortable and particularly avoids the annoying tacky feeling generally associated with the handling of flexible plastics or PNC.

- Finally, but not least importantly, this material makes the inflated wig stand aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can be made from an assortment of fashionable colors.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, we have illustrated, in the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of our invention - from the initial pocket size to the inflated head in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments including the preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an isometric view of a deflated and folded instant wig stand unit as it would typically be collapsed for transport or when otherwise not in use;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an isometric view of the instant wig stand unit when it is unfolded but not yet inflated;

FIGURE 3 illustrates an isometric front view of the inflated instant wig stand; and FIGURE 4 illustrates an isometric frontal profile view of the inflated instant wig stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, we will describe the way the user will use the inflatable wig stand. After removing the inflatable wig stand from its pouch, the user will unfold the PNC from is original position FIGURE 1 (wherein is seen the balloon 100, valve 110 and base 120) and spread it open FIGURE 2 to ease the inflating process. The user will then open the valve 210 at the top of the head shaped balloon 200 with base member 220 and, while squeezing the valve, blow into it until the head and neck form is fully inflated. When the unit is full and rigid (as seen in FIGURE 3 wherein is seen the balloon 300, valve 310 and base 320), the user can then insert the valve (as seen in FIGURE 4) so that it will be flush with the top the head surface (wherein is seen the balloon 400, valve 410 and base 420). Having done that, the user is ready to place his/her wig on the stand.

When the user is finished using the stand and wishes to store, or transport the stand he/she may lift up the valve from inside the head and open it. The user will then squeeze the valve to allow the air to seep out and deflate the unit. Once deflated, the user will flatten the material and fold it back to pocketsize.

Claims

1. An inflatable wig stand comprising (A) a balloon substantially in the shape of a head with an integrally attached neck and, furthest from the head, a side of the neck has a circumference surface, for permitting the balloon to sit with the head upright; (B) an air valve integrated into the balloon, for permitting inflation and deflation; and (C) a base member cooperatively attached to the surface, for stabilizing the balloon's sit.

2. The inflatable wig stand according to claim 1 wherein at least one exterior portion of the balloon head has a friction increasing surface integrally attached thereat, for preventing a wig in contact with the stand to slide; and the friction increasing surface is selected from the list: velvet, felt, woven coarse fiber, randomly packed coarse fiber, male Nelcro, female Nelcro, integral blisters of the balloon, and a combination of any of the aforesaid.

3. The inflatable wig stand according to claim 1 wherein the base member is selected from the list: disk, annulus, crown, box, and a combination of any of the aforesaid.

4. The inflatable wig stand according to claim 1 wherein the base member is made from a material selected from the list: cardboard, rigid plastic, metal, and a combination of any of the aforesaid.

5. An inflatable wig stand substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated; and characterized by being of single unit construction.