Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright and/or mask work protection. The copyright and/or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and/or mask work rights whatsoever.
The popularity of hair supplements for cosmetic use has dramatically increased in recent years. The desire to enhance one's physical appearance is more prevalent today than ever. Traditionally, the desire to change or enhance one's hair has been accomplished through the use of wigs, hair weaves or hairpieces.
Hair weaving, while allowing some airflow to the scalp, requires the assistance of another individual to weave the hair into the user's personal hair. Methods for securing the hair weave include hair bonding adhesive, weaving threads, hair clips, combs, braiding, or knotting human or synthetic hair to the wearer's hair. These methods of attachment, however, may cause discomfort as well as damage to the user's hair.
A hairpiece may be constructed of artificial or natural hair that is attached to a cap or base portion. The base portion is used to fix the hairpiece onto the head of a user. Artificial hair may be made by using a fibrous form of polyester, rayon, cotton, etc. The base portion may be made of synthetic or natural fiber. The hair may be attached to the base portion manually and/or by using sewing machines. Nowadays, most artificial hair is made of various types of synthetic fibers. The reasons for this include ease of manufacture, low cost, readiness in obtaining the desired color of hair, and the desire for less troublesome washing and care for the hair. Hairpieces are especially useful for users who have experienced hair loss.
Hair loss is a long-standing problem affecting both genders. While some people affected by hair loss simply accept the resulting change in appearance, others choose to retain a full head of hair. Hair loss can diminish one's confidence and actually be a physically perceived discomfort to women, whether it is a permanent condition related to chemical imbalance, illness, or chemotherapy treatment.
One early solution involved the use of full-head wigs to simply mask an individual's balding head. While the use of a wig covers regions of lost or thinning hair, such wigs were not the answer for everyone. Wigs that cover the entire head provided too much coverage for users who needed only partial coverage. In an attempt to help such users, hairpieces of various sizes were created. These hairpieces had the advantage of exposing an individual's existing hair, while covering only the balding areas. However, these hairpieces employed relatively thick cloth-based caps which brought about additional problems. The thick cloth-based caps looked unnatural on a user's head. Since hairpieces were worn specifically to improve the appearance of their users, these unnatural looking hairpieces proved to be unacceptable solutions for many consumers.
To improve the appearance of hairpieces, designers started making relatively thin hairpiece bases. These bases, however, created an unnatural looking front hairline for those who wore them. As a result, the mounting structure was visible to even the casual observers.
Additionally, these hairpiece bases did not promote sufficient airflow over the scalp portion under the hairpiece. Built-up heat and moisture made these hairpieces quite uncomfortable. To address this problem, lace-front hairpieces were created. Lace-front hairpieces included front pieces made from woven mesh onto which hairs had been attached. These hairpieces did, in some instances, improve the front hairline of wearers. Unfortunately, these hairpieces did not sufficiently address the airflow problem characteristic of earlier hairpiece designs.
To improve airflow and comfort, hairpieces were created with bases made entirely from mesh-like material. These hairpieces improved, to a certain extent, breathability. However, the mesh bases lacked sufficient structural integrity to be removed and re-applied on a regular basis. The bases tended to become stretched out of shape with repeated use.
The need exists, therefore, for a hairpiece that is breathable, blends inconspicuously with a user's existing hair and scalp color, shows no mounting structure, and has the structural integrity needed to withstand multiple applications and removals. Such a hairpiece should have sufficient shape retention capability to facilitate such multiple applications and removals and a front portion that looks natural.
One hair look that constantly cycles in and out of fashion has been the “fringe” which is British for the American term “bang”. Throughout recent hair history bangs have been seen in large numbers on the fashion walkways from time to time. Whether one calls it a “fringe” or a “bang”, this hairstyle has become quite popular not only with fashion models and celebrities, but also with the average consumer.
Bangs can be worn to minimize large foreheads, help control annoying cowlicks or disguise forehead lines. Bangs work in harmony with a wide range of hair accessories from headbands to clips. Bangs can be an instant fix for a bad haircut or a decision that is made in haste and repented in leisure. Bangs may be cut to enhance one's face shape and should be selected in accordance with one's hair type, texture and condition.
Bangs seem to come and go into hair fashion with predictable regularity along with the regular cycles of long, short, straight and curly tresses. Cutting and then growing out bangs can be as painful as dealing with yo-yo hems and changing waistlines. To address this problem, hairdressers have been known to use clip on bangs. Hair bang makers, however, have not able so far to minimize the size and weight of the hair bang so that it is easy to use not only by people who want to use bangs, but also by people with thinning forehead hair.
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are generally directed to a detachable hair bang.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the detachable hair bang comprises a base adapted to promote airflow during use. The base is cut in a substantially arcuate configuration. A first side on the base is made of non-coated monofilament material. A second side on the base is disposed opposite the first side and made of coated monofilament material to provide smooth and comfortable feel when applied to the forehead area of a user. A front convex edge is defined by the first and second sides of the base. A first set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the front convex edge one hair strand at a time to promote a natural look for said base. A second set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the non-coated monofilament first side of the base one to four hair strands at a time.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the detachable hair bang comprises a base adapted to promote airflow during use. The base is cut in a substantially arcuate configuration. A first side on the base is made of non-coated monofilament material. A second side on the base is disposed opposite the first side and made of coated monofilament material to provide smooth and comfortable feel when applied to the forehead area of a user. At least three symmetrically disposed toupee clips are removably attached to the second side of the base. A front convex edge is defined by the first and second sides of the base. A first set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the front convex edge one hair strand at a time to promote a natural look for said base. A second set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the non-coated monofilament first side of the base one to four hair strands at a time.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the detachable hair bang comprises a base adapted to promote airflow during use. The base is cut in a substantially arcuate configuration. A first side on the base is made of non-coated monofilament material. A second side on the base is disposed opposite the first side and made of coated monofilament material to provide smooth and comfortable feel when applied to the forehead area of a user. At least three symmetrically disposed strips of double-sided tape are coupled to the second side of the base. A front convex edge is defined by the first and second sides of the base. A first set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the front convex edge one hair strand at a time to promote a natural look for said base. A second set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the non-coated monofilament first side of the base one to four hair strands at a time.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the detachable hair bang comprises a base adapted to promote airflow during use. The base is cut in a substantially arcuate configuration. A first side on the base is made of non-coated monofilament material. A second side on the base is disposed opposite the first side and made of coated monofilament material to provide smooth and comfortable feel when applied to the forehead area of a user. At least one strip of double-sided tape is coupled to the second side of the base. A front convex edge is defined by the first and second sides of the base. A first set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the front convex edge one hair strand at a time to promote a natural look for said base. A second set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the non-coated monofilament first side of the base one to four hair strands at a time.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the detachable hair bang comprises a base adapted to promote airflow during use. The base is cut in a substantially arcuate configuration. A first side on the base is made of non-coated monofilament material. A second side on the base is disposed opposite the first side and made of coated monofilament material to provide smooth and comfortable feel when applied to the forehead area of a user. At least one clip is removably attached to the second side of the base. A front convex edge is defined by the first and second sides of the base. A first set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the front convex edge one hair strand at a time to promote a natural look for said base. A second set of hair strands is hand-knotted into the non-coated monofilament first side of the base one to four hair strands at a time.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the invention.
The present invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a-6c schematically show a single hair strand being tied in a single knot by hand in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the exemplary embodiments in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and/or sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a hairpiece and a detachable hair bang, as generally shown in
Monofilament base 12 may be configured as a mesh-like lattice of transversely oriented sets of synthetic fibers 14, 16 (
A person skilled in the art would appreciate that an alternative construction of monofilament base 12 may utilize a double layer of overlapping transversely oriented sets of synthetic fibers, if needed. Other monofilament weaving configurations may be possible, provided such other monofilament weaving configurations reside within the intended scope and spirit of the present invention.
In accordance with the general principles of the present invention, each of hair strands 24 (
Moreover, more than one hair strand may be hand-knotted on a monofilament cell wall or at the junction of two monofilament cells, as generally shown, for example, in reference to
The single-strand and double-strand hairpiece construction of
The hand-knotted hair strands of the present invention may be made of synthetic fibers suitable for use in hairpiece construction. For example, the hair strands may be made of modacrylic fibers. The term “modacrylic”, as used herein, generally refers to one of several synthetic, long-chain polymer textile fibers that contain 35%-85% acrylonitrile. Alternatively, the hand-knotted hair strands may be from natural hair. Various hair source combinations may be used, if desired. The hand-knotted hair strands may be of identical or different color(s) or shade(s), as needed. The density of hand-knotted hair strands on a monofilament base constructed in accordance with the present invention may vary based on the natural hair density of the person who is going to wear the hairpiece. For example, hairpiece 10 may be configured with low, medium or high hair strand density, as needed.
In one embodiment of the present invention, monofilament base 12 (
Polyurethane-padded front edge 52 is shown in
Hair strands 56 are threaded through polyurethane strip 54 during hand-knotting. The single strand (under ventilation) hairpiece construction of
Monofilament base 12 has side edges 58, 60 that are substantially parallel to each other. Each of side edges 58, 60 merges gently into a substantially arcuate rear edge 62 (
A toupee clip 65 (
Toupee clips 53, 65 help attach monofilament base 12 to a user's scalp. Other means of attaching monofilament base 12 may be utilized, provided such other attachment means do not depart from the intended purpose of the present invention. Construction of monofilament base 12 is not limited to utilization of polyurethane and/or nylon edging strips. A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that other suitable monofilament base edging materials and/or combination of edging materials may be utilized, as needed.
The size of monofilament base 12 may vary based on user/manufacturer preference. In one exemplary embodiment, monofilament base 12 is approximately 2.4 inches wide and 6 inches long. Each of toupee clips 53, 65 is about 0.75 inches wide and 1.5 inches long, with the hand-knotted hair strands being distributed substantially equally to the left and right of a center line 70 (
Hairpiece 10 is suitable for users who have experienced hair loss. Monofilament base 12 is comfortable to touch, easy to handle and maintain and generally unnoticeable on the scalp of a user. Hairpiece 10 is also suitable for adding fullness to parted hair styles. Hairpiece 10 has the structural integrity needed to withstand multiple applications and removals.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, base 82 is prepared from a piece of monofilament material which is liquid coated with polyurethane on one side only, baked under appropriate temperature/pressure until the polyurethane is impregnated into that side of the monofilament material, cooled, and then cut to desired dimensions and shape. The polyurethane-coated (bottom) side of base 82, as generally depicted at 84 in reference to
Base 82 includes a front convex edge 86 and a rear concave edge 88, as generally illustrated in
A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the single-strand and multiple-strand hand-knotted ventilation utilized in reference to the embodiments of
To ensure secure attachment to the forehead area of a user, polyurethane-coated (bottom) side of base 82 is provided with three symmetrically disposed metal toupee clips 94, 96 and 98 (
Toupee clips 94, 96 and 98 (
Other means of attaching base 82 to the forehead area of a user may be utilized, provided such other attachment means do not depart from the intended purpose of the present invention. For example, the toupee clips may be replaced with appropriately configured strips of double-sided tape. In this regard,
The size and/or shape of base 82 or base 104 may vary based on user/manufacturer preference. In one exemplary embodiment, base 82 has the following approximate dimensions: overall length—about 5.0 inches, middle width—about 0.8 inches, and terminal width—about 0.6 inches. Moreover, the hair length on the back and side of the hair bang is in the approximate range of 7.0 inches to 9.0 inches. The front fringe length of the hair bang is in the approximate range of 4.0 inches to 4.75 inches. Additionally, each metal toupee clip used on the hair bang may have the following approximate dimensions: about 1.25 inches long by 0.7 inches wide with a rubber grip base. The overall weight of the hair bang may be as little as 0.4 ounces. Other suitable dimensions may be employed, if desired.
The hair strands used in manufacture of the detachable hair bang of the present invention may be of synthetic and/or natural origin, as needed. To lower the cost of production, it may be advantageous to use synthetic fibers of the type described hereinabove. The hair bang of the present invention may be configured by manufacturers with low, medium or high hair strand density, as needed. The detachable hair bang of the present invention may be manufactured as a compact, lightweight piece that is easy to put on and/or remove by the user. It may be used not only by people who desire bangs (eliminates the need to cut natural bangs), but also by people with thinning forehead hair. The metal clips may be easily removed and replaced with strips of double-sided tape, as needed.
The exemplary embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative of the general principles of the present invention. Various design modifications may be employed that would reside within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.
Moreover, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all embodiments and variations thereof as long as such embodiments and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 11/297,960, filed Dec. 9, 2005, for “Hairpiece”, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11297960 | Dec 2005 | US |
Child | 11645982 | Dec 2006 | US |