Claw clip

Abstract

The hair holder of the present invention is formed of two complementary halves having finger tabs and hair gripping elements, which are hinged together to move the hair holder from a first closed position to a second open position. A lever having a groove on its first end and an elongated member on its second end engages with a locking structure to lock the hair holder in the closed position in the user's hair and serves to shield the spring, hinge or other connection assembly. The groove pivotally engages the first finger tab and the elongated member engages the locking structure in the second finger tab. The locking structure comprises a channel and a pair of projections along its sidewalls to reversibly lock the elongated member in the channel. The lever also comprises a reversible attachment means for interchanging decorative appliqués on the hair holder. The hair holder is simple, easily manipulated and serves to secure the hair holder, while providing an attachable/detachable surface for interchangeable decorative elements and shielding the pivot spring or other connection means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an improved hair holder, to a system for interchangeable appendages for the improved hair holder, and to a method for using the same.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] “Claw-type” hair holders typically comprise a pair of jaw-like members pivotally coupled together by a spring and pivot shaft. The jaw-like members each have one end with teeth for engaging hair and have finger grips or tabs on the other end. The spring and pivot shaft communicate with the finger grips for biasing the teeth towards each other to engage the hair in the closed position. The user pinches the tab ends together for causing the teeth to move apart to disengage the hair from the clip. When in the hair, the tabs are spread which exposes the spring and pivot shaft. Other people can see the spring and shaft, and the tabs, which is not aesthetically pleasing.

[0006] Attempts have been made to devise hair devices which provide the advantages of jaw-type hair holders but which lessen or block visibility of the spring and pivot pin mechanism and the chance of catching the user's hair in the mechanism. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,296 to Chin-Chin Chen discloses a claw clip having a decorative hinged cover plate, which connects to a pin in each of two extension plates. The decorative cover plate serves primarily to shield the spring and pivot shaft of the claw clip to provide an aesthetic appearance. The hinge portion of the cover plate renders the cover plate bendable along a flexible mediate section of the cover plate during separation of the hair clip teeth.

[0007] Others have attempted to devise improved claw-type hair holders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,740 discloses a pair of panels that are pivotally coupled together and are coupled to handles on the clip. The panels rotate relative to the handles to a closed position to visually shield the pivot shaft and spring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,096 discloses a claw-like hair clip comprising a flexible connection member that spans the space between the finger tabs to shield the spring and pivot shaft.

[0008] Decorative designs also exist for other hair fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,437 to Wen-Hsiung Chang discloses a barrette to which a decorative plate may be attached. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,469 to Wanda G. Sowell discloses a barrette having a hook and loop type fastener surface or other reusable adhesive surface to which decorative items such as a bow may be removably affixed.

[0009] Existing devices that improve the claw clip-type hair devices by lessening visibility of the spring and pivot shaft, however, generally involve the use of additional complicated parts or parts that are not easily manipulated, particularly where the user applies the hair clip to her (or his) own hair and must work with a mirror or without being able to see the clip as it is set in the hair. Moreover, claw clips are prone to undesirable opening while holding a hairstyle, particularly where the user tries to clip a relatively large amount of hair yet for aesthetic reasons does not wish to use a large size claw clip or multiple clips. Existing devices that shield the spring and pivot shaft are generally configured to be elastic or bendable at the center to permit movement of the jaws or hair gripping portions of the hair holder, and do not address inadvertent opening of the claw clip. Further, the elastic or bendable portions may cause the finger tabs to be tensioned towards one another and increase the chance of inadvertent opening of the jaws, particularly where the claw clip holds a greater amount of hair. These types of aesthetic devices also may limit the amount that the clip may be opened when pinching, and may not always be in a flush or flat position in use, detracting from the aesthetics. They are also not readily changeable by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In at least some embodiments, the present invention provides an easily manipulated improved claw clip that can be secured to stay in place in the hair and which can be easily interfaced with an interchangeable decorative appliqué.

[0011] In one embodiment, a clip according to the invention has a pivotable locking lever that snaps open and closed. The locking lever is preferably pivotally attached to a first finger tab of the claw clip. The lever has a rib assembly along its underside. The rib assembly preferably mates with a gap disposed within a second finger tab. There may be a projection into or at the gap to enhance engagement of the rib assembly on the lever with the claw clip. In an alternate embodiment, the lever has a serrated portion on its underside. The serrated portion may mate with both of the finger tabs or with one finger tab, in which case the opposite finger tab may be pivotably attached to an end of the lever by way of, for example, a pivoting mechanism such as a pin and hole assembly.

[0012] An interchangeable decorative appliqué may be placed on the outer portion of the lever. A mechanism to attach the appliqué may include holes in the lever for engaging projections on the appliqué to press fit the applique onto the lever. When the lever is closed, the clip will stay in place and the spring and pin or other connection mechanism will be obscured or blocked. When the lever is open, the user may squeeze the finger tabs toward each other to release the clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the improved claw clip and lever in the closed position according to the preferred embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the claw clip and lever in the closed position.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the claw clip and lever according to a preferred embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view of the lever and applique according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a front view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a side view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a top view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a front view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a side view of the claw clip and lever according to an first alternate embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 20 is a side view of the claw clip and lever according to a second alternate embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0033] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. References in the specification and claims to right/left, first/second, upper/lower etc. are merely noted in relative terms for clarity and are interchangeable and reversible without departing from the spirit of the invention, unless otherwise noted.

[0034] Referring to the figures, a claw clip 2 is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention, which generally comprises a body 4 (labeled in FIG. 14), an upper portion 20 (labeled in FIGS. 5 and 6), and a mediate portion 12 disposed between body 4 and upper portion 20. Claw clip 2 may be made of suitable materials known in the art, such as polypropylene, cellulose acetate and polyamide. Clip 2 is preferably formed by two complementary halves such that body 4 has first and second hair gripping members 6, such as jaws. Similarly, mediate portion 12 has first and second mediate portions disposed respectively between first and second finger tabs 8 in upper portion 20 of clip 2, and the clip body 4. Jaws 6 preferably comprise teeth 10, which are disposed at a distal end 22 of jaws 6.

[0035] The finger tabs 8 each have front surfaces facing generally towards each other and back surfaces facing generally away from each other. In a first position, each front surface of the finger tabs 8 is preferably at an angle of less than approximately ninety (90) degrees to the center axis of clip 2 so that a user can easily grasp tabs 8 with one hand and apply pressure to move them towards one another so that jaws 6 open.

[0036] Clip 2 may be said to have two halves which are preferably joined together at a point adjacent the mediate portion 12 via a connection element. In the preferred embodiment, the connection element is a pivotable connection element such as a pin shaft 26, and more preferably is a biasing connection element such as a pin shaft 26 and coil spring 28 assembly, such that clip halves are pivotally joined. For example, the connection element or pin shaft 26 may be disposed within openings in ear projections 32 that are attached to, or formed integral with clip halves thereby pivotally joined.

[0037] The ear projections 32 are preferably disposed adjacent mediate portion 12 and projecting toward one another. In the preferred embodiment, the ear projections 32 are configured on each clip half such that they have a slightly staggered configuration in relation to the opposing set of ear projections 32 on the other clip half so that the ear projections 32 and their openings can be aligned to permit insertion of pin shaft 26. Where the connection element comprises a pin shaft 26 and spring 28 assembly, the ear projections 32 are preferably spaced apart on each clip half at a distance that allows for placement of the spring 28 in a space between the ear projections 32. The connection element preferably permits clip 2 to pivotably move between a first or closed position and a second or open position, biasing it to the closed position.

[0038] The improved claw clip 2 preferable has a mating mechanism, which, in the preferred embodiment, includes an elongate member and a locking structure. The locking structure is disposed on at least one of the finger tabs 8 and, together with the elongate member, permits releasable attachment of the claw clip to a securing element. For example, the locking structure may include a channel 34 defined by two parallel, spaced sidewalls. The upper end of channel 34 is preferably open and has at least one, and more preferably a pair of, locking members. In the preferred embodiment, the locking member has a pair of button projections 40. The configuration and location of the button projections may vary but are preferably such that a gap 44 is created between the button projections 40. In a preferred embodiment, the button projections 40 are disposed at approximately the same location on each sidewall of channel 34 and project into channel 34.

[0039] According to the present invention, clip 2 and gap 44 are configured to interface with the securing element that substantially immobilizes movement of jaws 6, and thereby locks clip 2 in place in the user's hair. In the preferred embodiment, the securing element is a lever 46 that comprises an upper surface 48, a back surface 50 and first and second ends 52a, 52b. The lever 46 may have any geometric shape, but is preferably shaped to enable easy manipulation by a user's fingers handling clip 2, and to block or diminish the visibility of the connection element of clip 2 for a more aesthetic appearance. For example, lever 46 may have a flat elongated shape as is shown in FIG. 8. At least one of the upper surface 48 and back surface 50 of lever 46 is preferably made of a rigid or relatively rigid material and is preferably configured such that it is non-bendable or substantially non-bendable, so that lever 46 serves to ‘lock’ clip 2 in position.

[0040] A hinge receiving groove 54 is disposed preferably on back surface 50 at first end 52a of lever 46 and may be either attached to, or formed unitary or integral with, back surface 50 of lever 46. Groove 54 is preferably configured such that it may be friction fit onto one of the finger tabs 8 and so that it pivots thereupon. In this preferred embodiment, groove 54 is configured as a semi-circular or substantially semi-circular groove that interfaces with the finger tab 8 via a finger tab notch 68 and a finger tab member 70 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17. Groove 54, however, may interface pivotably with other finger tab configurations, such as an un-notched finger tab 8 having an indentation, groove or ridge to help seat groove 54 on finger tab 8.

[0041] In an alternate embodiment, the back surface 50 of the lever 46 may comprise a serrated member 74 that may attached to or formed unitary or integral with back surface 50 of lever 46. The serrated member 74 is preferably comprised of a plurality of groove elements 76. The groove elements 76 are preferably configured so that they an individual groove element 76 may be friction fit onto one of the finger tabs 8 and so that it pivots thereupon. In this alternate embodiment, the groove elements 76 are configured as a semi-circular or substantially semi-circular grooves that may interface with the finger tab 8 via the finger tab notch 68 and the finger tab member 70 shown in FIG. 15. The groove elements 76, however, may interface pivotably with other finger tab configurations, such as an un-notched finger tab 8 having an indentation, groove or ridge to help seat an individual groove element 76 on finger tab 8.

[0042] Groove 54 or groove elements 76 preferably have a dimension that is the same as or slightly smaller than the corresponding dimension (e.g. width or thickness) of finger tab 8, and may be made of a slightly softer or more flexible material than the finger tab so that groove 54 or groove elements 76 are frictionally held on finger tab 8 but is able to pivot thereupon. Alternately, the finger tab 8 may be made of a slightly softer or more flexible material in relation to groove 54 or groove elements 76 so that groove 54 or groove element 76 and finger tab 8 may be friction fit and secured yet still in pivotable engagement.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, second or opposite end 52b of lever 46 is preferably configured such that it interfaces with and is engaged with the mating mechanism to lock in place. In this preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by way of an elongate member that may be part of a rib assembly 56 that is attached to, or formed unitary or integral with back surface 50 of lever 46. Rib assembly 56 includes the elongate member or engagement portion 58, a base 60 and side portions 62. Engagement portion 58 and base 60 are preferably parallel to one another and, together with side portions 62, define a rib assembly opening 64. In the preferred embodiment, rib assembly 56 is configured so that, when the user applies slight downward pressure to front surface 48 of lever 46, engagement portion 58 is pushed through gap 44 between button projections 40 to snap into place in channel 34. Button projections 40 provide a “stop” to keep engagement portion 58 in channel 34 and clip 2 secured when groove 54 is engaged with the opposite finger tab 8. Conversely, when the user applies upward pressure to lever 46, engagement portion 58 moves out of channel 34 and through gap 44 to disengage the rib assembly 56 from clip 2. For ease of interfacing, the button projections 40 may be made of a relatively softer or more flexible material than that which forms engagement portion 58, or vice-versa.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, engagement of groove 54 and rib assembly 56 with respective finger tabs 8 serves to secure clip 2 in the user's hair. Once lever 46 has been locked into place on clip 2, the finger tabs 8 and jaws 6 will stay substantially immobilized and in place. Clip 2 will remain secured in the desired hair style, even if inadvertent contact or bumping upon clip 2 or lever 46 were to occur. The use of the projections 40 and the elongate rib allow the levers to be closed and locked regardless of the position of the finger tabs 8, so that the jaws will be closed to the extent required by the user. It also ensures that the lever will lay flat.

[0045] In the alternate embodiment, one end 52a of lever 46 may be configured so that it is pivotably attached to one of the finger tabs 8. This may be accomplished for example, by way of a hole or pin and hole arrangement wherein one end 52a of the lever 46 attaches to and pivots upon one of the finger tabs 8a (FIGS. 20, 21). Alternately, both ends of the finger tabs 8a, 8b may engage respective groove elements 76 on the serrated portion 74 disposed on the back surface 50 of the lever 46 to secure the clip 2 (FIG. 19). In the alternate embodiment, engagement of the groove elements 76 on the lever 46 with respective finger tabs 8 serves to secure clip 2 in the user's hair. Once lever 46 has been locked into place on clip 2, the finger tabs 8 and jaws 6 will stay substantially immobilized and in place. The use of the groove elements 76 allow the lever 46 to be closed and locked regardless of the position of the finger tabs 8, so that the jaws will be closed to the extent required by the user. It also ensures that the lever will lay flat.

[0046] Lever 46 may also serve as an attachment surface for a decorative element or applique 72 that interfaces with front surface 48 of lever 46. In the preferred embodiment, applique 72 attaches to front surface 48 by way of attachment recesses or holes 66 that may engage with applique projections 74. While recesses or holes are preferred, the decorative element or applique 72 may also interface with front surface 48 by way of other suitable attachment mechanisms known in the art. For example, adhesive or Velcro™ hook and loop fasteners may be used, or appliqué72 may be configured so that it slides into locking engagement in a recess in the front surface of lever 46. The recesses or holes help ensure that the appliquéis positioned properly on the lever, and they may have beveled edges to assist in seating the appliqué. In accordance with the invention, decorative appliqués may be easily interchanged without disturbing an existing hairstyle, and without removing clip 2 from the user's hair, either by interchanging the appliqués themselves or by removing a first lever 46 and replacing it with a similar lever already having another decorative appliqué. Appliqué 72 may be manufactured in different solid colors or patterns or may include a three-dimensional decoration, such as a flower or bow, on its upper surface 76. Because the lever will lay flat, the appliquéwill always be oriented facing away from the clips radically outward from the user's head.

[0047] In operation, the clip according to the preferred embodiment is used initially as is any standard or conventional claw clip. The user simply applies pressure to finger tabs 8 to move these tabs towards one another so that jaws 6 are moved to the open position. The user incorporates a portion of hair into the open jaws 6 in accordance with the user's desired hairstyle and releases tabs 8 to allow jaws 6 to close. The user then snaps lever 46 into place on clip 2 by engaging groove 54 with a finger tab and applying slight pressure to lever 46 so that engagement portion 58 of rib assembly 56 is pushed through gap 44 and seated in channel 34.

[0048] In the alternate embodiment, the user snaps lever 46 into place on clip 2 by engaging a first groove element 76a on the serrated portion 74 with one of the finger tabs 8a, and applies pressure to the lever 46 so that the opposite finger tab 8b engages a second groove element 76b on the serrated portion 74. Alternately, one end of the lever 46 may be pivotably attached to a finger tab 8a and the clip 2 locked by applying slight pressure to the lever 46 so that a groove element 76 on its back surface 50 snaps into place onto the opposite finger tab 8b.

[0049] If the user wishes to add or interchange a decorative appliqué, he or she snaps the appliquéinto place on the front surface 48 of lever 46 via attachment points 66, which can be done without removing clip 2 or lever 46 from the hair. Alternately, the user may even interchange appliqués by interchanging lever 46, also without removing clip 2 from the hair.

[0050] While the present invention has been described with regard to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An improved clip for securing a user's hair, said clip comprising: a body comprising a pair of hair-gripping members having a first closed position and a second open position; an upper portion comprising a pair of finger tabs for causing the hair-gripping members to move apart to the second open position in response to pressure in one direction; a mediate portion disposed between the body and the upper portion of the clip and comprising a connection mechanism for pivotally connecting the pair of hair-gripping members; means for mating which include an elongate member and a locking structure such that the elongate member and locking structure releasably lock the elongate member in place regardless of the distance between the finger tabs; and a securing element having a front surface, a back surface, a first end and a second end, and being configured to interface with the means for mating.

2. The improved clip of claim 1, wherein the locking structure comprises means for forming a channel and a pair of button projections disposed within the channel and forming a gap between the button projections.

3. The improved clip of claim 2, wherein a width dimension of the elongate member is greater than a corresponding dimension of the gap such that, when pressure is applied to the securing element, the elongate member passes through the gap and is releasably locked into position in the channel.

4. The improved clip of claim 1, wherein the securing element further comprises a groove formed in the first end of the securing element.

5. The improved clip of claim 4, wherein the pair of finger tabs comprises a first and a second finger tab, and wherein the groove is configured for pivotally engaging the first finger tab.

6. The improved clip of claim 5, wherein the elongate member mates with the second finger tab, via the locking structure.

7. The improved clip of claim 6, wherein the groove is engaged with the first finger tab and the elongate member is engaged with the second finger tab such that the securing element substantially immobilizes the hair-gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs.

8. The improved clip of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a serrated portion and the locking structure comprises a plurality of groove elements disposed along the length of the serrated portion.

9. The improved clip of claim 8, wherein a width dimension of a groove element is smaller than a corresponding dimension of at least one of the finger tabs, such that when pressure is applied to the securing element, the elongate member is releasably locked into position on the finger tab.

10. The improved clip of claim 9 comprising a means for pivotably engaging an end of the securing element to one of the finger tabs.

11. The hair clip of claim 10, wherein the means for pivotably engaging the securing element and finger tab comprises a transverse groove element in the serrated portion friction fit over a pin in a first finger tab.

12. The hair clip of claim 10, wherein the means for pivotably engaging the securing element and finger tab comprises a pin and hole assembly in a first finger tab.

13. The improved clip of claims 11 and 12, wherein a second finger tab engages a second groove element thereby locking the securing element onto the clip.

14. The improved clip of claim 8, wherein engagement of the securing element onto the clip may be adjusted to varying distances between the first and second finger tabs by releasing one of the first and second finger tabs from a first groove element and engaging the finger tab with a second groove element, such that the searing element substantially immobilizes the hair-gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs.

15. The improved clip of claim 1, wherein the securing element further comprises an attachment mechanism on its upper surface for attaching a decorative element to the securing element.

16. The improved clip of claim 1, wherein the securing element is configured to visually block at least a portion of the connection element when engaged with the clip.

17. The improved clip of claim 16, wherein the connection means is a torsion spring and pin assembly and the securing element substantially visually blocks the spring and pin assembly.

18. The improved claw clip of claim 1, wherein the securing element is substantially rigid and non-bendable.

19. An improved hair holding clip comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw for gripping hair; a means for pivotally connecting the jaws and biasing them from a first open position to a second closed position; a first finger tab and a second finger tab in communication with, respectively, the first and second jaws, wherein the first and second finger tabs cause the first and second jaws to move apart to the open position in response to pressure in one direction; a channel having first and second parallel spaced sidewalls, an upper end and a lower end, said channel being disposed in the second finger tab and comprising a first and a second projection disposed on, respectively, the first and second sidewalls and configured and disposed for forming a gap between the first and second projections; a lever configured to engage the claw clip to visually substantially block the means for pivotally connecting the first and second jaws, wherein the lever comprises an elongate member having a width dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of the gap; and the clip further comprises means for pivotally engaging the first finger tab and lever, whereby pressure applied to the lever causes the elongate member to pass through the gap and be seated in the channel, such that the lever will be locked in position regardless of the distance between the first and second finger tabs.

20. The hair clip of claim 19, wherein the means for pivotally engaging the lever and first finger tab comprises a transverse groove in the lever friction fit over a pin in the first finger tab.

21. The hair clip of claim 19, wherein the lever may be engaged and disengaged from the hair clip without altering an existing configuration of the clip in the user's hair.

22. The hair clip of claim 19, wherein the lever further comprises an attachment member on its upper surface for attaching a decorative first appliqué.

23. The hair clip of claim 22, wherein the lever comprises at least one hole on its upper surface that interfaces with a projection on the first appliqué to secure the first appliqué to the lever.

24. The hair clip of clam 22, wherein the first appliqué may be interchanged for a second appliqué without altering placement of the clip and the lever.

25. An improved clip for securing a user's hair, said clip comprising: a body comprising a pair of hair-gripping members having a first closed position and a second open position; an upper portion comprising a first and a second finger tab which, when pressure is applied thereupon, causes the hair-gripping members to move apart to the second open position; a mediate portion disposed between the body and the upper portion of the clip and comprising a connection means for pivotally connecting the pair of hair-gripping members; a securing element having a front surface, an underside surface, a first end and a second end; and a means for mating which includes an elongate member and a locking structure such that the elongated member and locking structure lock the position of the hair gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs, wherein the elongate member has a bottom dimension that is wider than a top dimension of the elongate member, such when the elongate member engages with the locking structure, the securing element is releasably locked at its second end.

26. The improved clip of claim 25, wherein the locking member comprises a pair of button projections disposed on the sidewalls of a channel for forming a gap between the button projections.

27. The improved clip of claim 26, wherein the channel is disposed in the second finger tab and wherein the elongate member passes through the gap and into the channel to form a releasable locking engagement of the second end of the securing element with the second finger tab.

28. The improved clip of claim 27, wherein the securing element further comprises a groove disposed on the first end of the securing element to pivotally engage the first finger tab.

29. The improved clip of claim 28, wherein the securing element substantially blocks visibility of the connection means when engaged with the first and second finger tabs.

30. The improved clip of claim 25, wherein the securing element further comprises an attachment means on its upper surface for attaching a decorative element to the securing element.

31. A method for securing a user's hair using a hair holder having a first and a second gripping portion for gripping hair, a biased connection means for pivotally connecting the first and second portions, and first and second finger tabs for moving the first and second gripping portions from a first closed position to a second open position, said method comprising the steps of: applying pressure to the first and second finger tabs to move the hair holder to the open position; placing the hair holder in the hair; releasing pressure on the first and second finger tabs to allow the hair holder to assume the closed position; engaging a groove disposed on a first end of a lever with the first finger tab; and mating an elongate member disposed on the lever with a locking mechanism disposed on the second finger tab.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a channel having sidewalls.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least a pair of projections is disposed on the sidewalls, said projections being disposed on the sidewalls to create a gap therebetween.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the elongate member passes through the gap into the channel.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of attaching a decorative element to a reversible attachment means disposed on the front surface of the lever.