FLEXIBLE HAIR PIECE

BACKGROUND

Women with hair loss who want to exercise with hair have few options: 1) wear a wig—an everyday wig, an old wig or a synthetic wig, 2) headband wig, 3) ponytail wigs, 4) silicone wigs, or 5) vacuum wigs. None of these options are ideal or even very workable.

1) Wearing a wig with while exercising is hot, itchy, and most women's wigs don't fit well so they don't feel confident. They fear that their wig is going to fly off while exercising. Realistic, comfortable wigs are very expensive ($2 k-$9 k) and because wigs are not covered by insurance most women don't want to sweat in their nice wigs because they want to extend of life of the wig as long as possible. Synthetic wigs tend to be hotter and the fiber gets really twisted with heat and friction. In short, a wig was not designed to be active in.

2) Headband wigs have recently become very popular. The tend to be cheap but the cap was not designed to cup the back part of the head. Basically, the cap is the cheapest wig designs possible. Most have a Velcro® band that straps in and the users wears an exterior headband on top. They are often painful to wear and women have a hard time getting them to stay on. They are not that comfortable.

3) Ponytail wigs feature a Velcro or thick band, and the users wears an exterior headband to change the look. The cap is designed in a circle which means that the hair always has to be up in a ponytail, top bun, etc. If you try to wear it down the hair does not hang right and looks unnatural.

4) Silicone/Gripper wigs are marketing to women with hair loss as the ultimate active wig & they are extremely expensive—the issue is that as you sweat the silicone gets wet and the wig slips. The silicone wig must sit tight or snug to grip correctly so fit is often an issue.

5) Vacuum wigs are similar to silicone wigs. Vacuum wigs are 100% custom—a mold is taken of your head so that when you place it on your head it cups perfectly. It's hard to get the fit right, they are hot, and they tend to look fake in the front because there is no lace front.

Many women with hair loss wear headbands to secure a wig down that is too big or to conceal a lace front that looks fake but this usually doesn't solve the various problems mentioned above.

Another problem with wigs occurs when a wig wearer chooses to wear a hat.

Women with hair loss who want to wear a hat with hair typically have these options: 1) wear a wig with a hat 2) wear hat hair 3) hats with hair attached using velcro, 4) other connection methods like bra hooks and snaps.

Considering option 1), wearing a wig with a hat is extremely hot, bulky and shortens the life span of the wig.

For option 2), hat hair or hat magic is basically the back half of a wig. The top part is empty of hair but instead is covered with ribbons and/or material. Most of the ribbons and the material used are itchy and/or bulky. In addition, the design of the cap often lacks the attachment mechanisms typically found in high-quality wigs resulting in a “wig” that lacks the basic function that it needs to keep it secure. Typically, the wig is worn separately from the hat however, most hats do not fit most women's heads well—they are often too big. Because the hat is not secured to the “hat hair,” the slightest bit of wind or motion can cause the hat to fall off leaving the wearer exposed.

For option 3), Velcro is not an ideal mechanism for attaching hairpieces/extensions/halos/wigs to hats because hair, whether fake/wig hair and real/bio hair is easily tangled up in the Velcro. Velcro also tends to be very bulky, itchy and uncomfortable in various sections of the hat like the temples, back of the ears and the nape.

For option 4), bra hooks on the back of the wig can be problematic because they seldom stay hooked due to the lack of tension that is needed to keep them tight. Snaps tend to be bulky, harder to use and not as secure.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In a first aspect, an athleisure, workout wig combines some of the best elements of headband design and wig design to result in a workout wig that is secure, lightweight, breathable, comfortable and realistic.

In a second aspect, a hair piece is designed to be attached to different types of head gear in a way that is comfortable, flexible and secure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of a workout wig worn by a user, in embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece cap 106 for a workout wig, in embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are back views of the inside of the workout wig of FIG. 1, in embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the inside of the workout wig of FIG. 1, in embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective of the inside of the workout wig of FIG. 1, in embodiments.

FIGS. 5-12 illustrate the workout wig of FIG. 1 during assembly, in embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece for use with a hat, in embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece for use with a hat showing hair, in embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inside of a hat for use with the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inside of a hat of FIG. 15 and the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece for use with a hat, in embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the inside of a hairpiece for use with a hat, in embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the outside of a hairpiece for use with a hat, in embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the hat of FIG. 15 and the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, a workout wig 100 includes a headband 102 with a hair piece 104, in embodiments. The headband is approximately 5″ wide so the wearer can change the look by folding it along it's circumference to give it smaller width or pleating across the top to create rippled look. The material used is a high-grade 4-way stretch fabric that hugs the head but also expands when needed for flexibility of movement. The back is tapered to approximately 1½ inches so that it cups the occipital bone at the base of the skull. This is also where the stays in the back of a wig typically sit. In embodiments, the unstretched circumference of the headband is approximately 21 inches, with the ability to stretch up to 25 inches. Hairpiece 104 is shown with generally straight hair however, the hair may be styled in a number of ways, including braids or a bun, for example.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece cap 106 for a workout wig, in embodiments. Hairpiece 104 includes fibers that approximate human hair and are attached to hairpiece cap 106. Fibers may be made from hair or synthetic fiber for example and attached to the hairpiece cap 106 by hand tying or a closed wefted process.

In embodiments, hairpiece cap 106 has dimensions of approximately 9×9 or 10×10 inches so that it sits about 1½″ to 2″ inches back from where a user's hairline typically begins. The base is doubled lined, including an outer layer made 108 made of swiss lace or a nylon power mesh material to which fibers of hairpiece 104 are tied. Outer layer 108 is not shown in FIG. 2 as it is the reverse side of hairpiece cap 118 as depicted.

The inner layer of hairpiece cap 106 has two parts. A first part is non-slip material 110 is positioned across the top of a user's head. In embodiments, anti-slip material 110 is a flower pattern lace that has features yarn that has been coating with silicone. This improves grip without losing breathability. Although a flower lace pattern is shown, other patterns may be used without departing from the principles disclosed herein.

In embodiments, a second part of hairpiece cap 106 is panel 112 that stretches across the back and sides of a user's head. Panel 112 is made from a spandex mesh material that is very breathable, lightweight and comfortable. Spandex or a similar material is used so that it can expand to fit larger heads. Hairpiece 106 is double lined with this material to prevent inversion from occurring. Inversion is when hairs come back through the cap and it is the main source of discomfort for wearers of wigs. The inner layer prevents hairs from coming back through the cap to increase the comfort of the person wearing it. Panel 112 is designed have a shape that is generally hemispherical so that it cups the sides of a user's head and the occipital bone.

Non-slip material 110 of cap 106 has an ⅛″ folded lace edging 120 and panel 112 has a cap edge 116 of 0.5 cm folded stretch mesh so it's very thin. Non-slip material 110 may be attached to panel 112 with a zig-zag stitch. In embodiments, the seam between non-slip material 110 and panel 112 may be covered with seam tape 118 for additional comfort.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are back views of the inside of workout wig 100, in embodiments. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view and FIG. 4B is a side perspective of the inside of the workout wig of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B are best viewed together during the following discussion.

As shown, hairpiece cap 106 has been attached to headband 102. This can be done using an overcast stitch 117 may be used to attach the base to headband 102 prevent the material of the hairpiece 104 from raveling, although other methods could be used.

The back of the headband is gathered with a basting stitch 119 across the width of headband 102 so that it is narrower than the front of headband 102. In embodiments, headband 102 may be gathered to a width of approximately 1.5 inches so that it cups the occipital bone. This location is where the stays in the back of the wig typically rest.

A pull system may be used to allow users to easily adjust the circumference of headband 102. The pull system includes a cord 120 and a cord lock 122. A casing is formed around the sides of workout wig 100. Cap edge 116 may form a casing for cord 120 or a casing may be formed in headband 102 close to where it is attached to hairpiece cap 106. The casing begins where non-slip material 110 and panel 112 are attached and runs along the edge of the panel 112. Cord 120 exits headband 102 where it is secured with cord lock 122 that keeps the cord from retracting all the way into the casing. When pulled, cord 120 tightens hairpiece cap 106 against the user's head.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the loop in cord 120 may be short as it extends from cord lock 122. This means that most of the length of cord 120 is inside headband 102 so that it is at its loosest configuration. After workout wig 100 is placed on a user's head, cord lock 122 have be operated so that loop 120 may be pulled out to a desired degree of tightness around the user's head as shown in FIG. 3B. As will be discussed in more detail below, cord 120 extends through headband 102 to a position approximately above the user's ears, although any suitable position that provides an appropriate range of sizes may be used. In embodiments, cord lock 122 may be any device that grips cord 120 and prevents it from moving, such as a spring-loaded latch or a stopper lined with rubber or silicon.

In embodiments, panel 112 may be made from two halves 124 and 126 to further tailor the shape of panel 112. Halves 124 and 126 may be attached to each other using a zig-zag stitch, for example.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the workout wig of FIG. 1 during assembly, in embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, headband 102 is made from a generally rectangular piece of fabric 128 that is approximately 21⅜″ inches long and 8⅜ inches wide. An overcast or overlock stitch may be used along edge 130 to prevent fabric from unraveling. Edge 130 will become the outside edge of headband 102 that is closer to a user's face. Edge 131 will be sewn to hairpiece cap 106. In embodiments, fabric 128 has a thickness of approximately 0.5 cm so it's very thin. A variety of colors and fabrics may be used to provide users with options according to their personal preferences.

As shown in FIG. 6, fabric 128 is folded to bring the wrong sides of fabric together along the short edge. A ⅜″ center back seam 134 is sewn using a medium straight stitch. A gap 132 of approximately 3/16 of an inch in seam 134 is positioned at a space 136 of approximately ¾″ away from overlock stitch 130 to provide an access point for cord 120. A stopping/locking stitch may be made in center back seam 134 at both ends and on either side of gap 132.

As shown in FIG. 7, a basting stitch 119 may be sewn at approximately ¼″ or ⅜″ away from center back seam 134. Basting stitch 119 is pulled to reduce the width of headband 102 to approximately 1½-2″ inches, resulting in a tapered back (this allows the headband to cup and hug the occipital bone. In embodiments, a piece of ribbon such as 1″ grosgrain may be sewn over center back seam 134 to lock the gathered basting stitch 119 in place.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the workout wig of FIG. 1 during assembly, in embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a view of the inside of hairpiece cap 106 in preparation for attaching headband 102. As shown, hairpiece cap 106 is generally folded along a line from center front 138 to center back 140. Pins 142 may be placed at intervals around the circumference of both hairpiece cap 106 and headband 102 to assist in placement.

FIG. 9 shows headband 102 placed around the circumference of the edge of hairpiece cap 106 with wrong sides together. Center back seam 134 is aligned with the center back of hairpiece cap 106. Using a straight or a zigzag stitch the headband is sewn to hairpiece cap 106 along the interior casing/straight stitch for cord 122 at 144 as shown in FIG. 10. This allows for the thinnest transition possible. The connection seam on most headband wigs is ½″ or more. In embodiments, the thin transition between cap 118 and headband 102 is what makes the workout wig 100 look so realistic.

FIG. 11 shows the back of workout wig 100 where cord 120 and cord lock 122 have been pulled through gap 132 in headband 102. A final step in finishing workout wig 100 is shown in FIG. 12, which includes sewing an overcast stitch just after the zig-zag stitch along the inside mesh. Starting in the back, hide split knot in between fabric and mesh. Grab two to three mesh holes and then go into the end headband (i.e., overlock edge) at a 45-degree angle.

In embodiments, a user may prefer to wear a hairpiece with a hat or other headgear. Although embodiments discussed herein refer to a hat, this is for purposes of illustration only and other headgear may be used such as bicycle helmets and beanies.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the inside of a hat hairpiece 150 for use with a hat. In embodiments, hair base 152 is generally arc shaped to fit the back of a user's head. One half of zipper 154 is attached to hair base 152 and extends across the top of a wearer's head. Zipper pulls 156 are used to secure zipper 154a to the other half 154b attached to a hat, as shown in more detail in FIG. 15. Zipper 154 is a separating zipper so that hair base 152 may be completely removed from a hat and attached to a different hat.

In embodiments, hair base 152 is made from a spandex stretchable mesh. The hair is sewn into the mesh commonly known as wefts but because the mesh stretches so does the weft making it very comfortable for the user. Hair base 152 is closed meaning that hair cannot come inside the cap also making it very comfortable for the user. Stay 158 is inserted at a location approximately corresponding to a user's temple. Another stay (not shown) may be provided near the nape of a user. The high-quality stays located at the ear tabs and the nape sits snug against the temples & the nape preventing the hat hair from slipping backward on the user's head.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the inside of a hairpiece 150 showing hair 162. In embodiments, hair 162 is a natural or man-made fiber.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inside of a hat 164 for use with the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inside of a hat of FIG. 15 and the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments. Hat 164 is shown with brim 166, although any type of hat, with or without a brim, may be used. The other half 152b of zipper 154a is attached at an angle across the inside of hat 164. a lower edge 168 aligns with a lower edge of hair base 152. The back of lower edge 168 may also be provided with an adjustment mechanism to adapt the circumference of hat 164 to a user's head size.

FIG. 17 is a side view and FIG. 18 is a rear view of the inside of a hairpiece for use with a hat, in embodiments. FIGS. 17 and 18 show additional features for adapting the fit and wearability of hat hairpiece 150. Adjustment mechanism 170 is an elastic band coupled with a bra hook although other types of adjustment mechanisms may be used. As shown in FIG. 18, adjustment mechanism 170 may be provided on both sides of hat hairpiece 150. In embodiment, polyurethane tabs 172, 174 are provided above the ears and at the nape of the neck to allow a user to wear waterproof glue or tape for additional security.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the outside of a hairpiece for use with a hat. FIG. 20 is a rear view of the hat of FIG. 15 and the hairpiece of FIGS. 13 and 14, in embodiments. Hair 162 is attached to hair base 152, which is not visible in this figure. Zipper 154a and zipper pulls 156 are used to attach hat hairpiece 150 to a hat as shown in FIG. 20. Although zipper 154a appears to be horizontal in FIG. 19, this is for purposes of illustration. Hair base 152 may have a variety of shapes as long as it generally covers the back of a user's head and falls naturally across a user's ear.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Herein, and unless otherwise indicated: (a) the adjective “exemplary” means serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and (b) the phrase “in embodiments” is equivalent to the phrase “in certain embodiments,” and does not refer to all embodiments. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

FLEXIBLE HAIR PIECE

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