BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a hair accessory organizer and more particularly it relates to a new and improved hair accessory organizer which is attractive, convenient, easy to use, versatile, and adapted to allow a systematic storage arrangement for and easy access to a wide range of hair accessory items.
Hair accessories, such as headbands, barrettes, elastic hair ties, hair clips, etc., are usually stored haphazardly in a drawer or container or they may be more systematically arranged in a dedicated hair accessory organizer of the prior art. Such prior art hair accessory organizers generally comprise trays or containers having segmented compartments which may be used for storing specific hair accessory types.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a hair accessory organizer that allows a systematic storage arrangement for a wide range of hair accessory items such as headbands, barrettes, elastic hair ties, hair clips, etc.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a hair accessory organizer which advantageously displays the stored hair accessories so as to allow easy access by the user of the individual hair accessory items.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a hair accessory organizer which is attractive, convenient, easy to use, and versatile.
The above objects, as well as others which will hereinafter become apparent, are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a hair accessory organizer comprising an elongate structure having a cross-sectional geometric shape substantially continuous over the length of the elongate structure with a perimeter adapted to receive therearound and hold headbands and other annularly shaped hair accessories such as hair ties, hair elastics or scrunchies/twisters. The elongate structure defining therewithin a space forming a receptacle for containing other types of hair accessories. The hair accessory organizer further includes a lid or cap releasably secured to one end of the elongate structure having on the side thereof facing the interior space of the elongate structure provision for removably securing or attaching at least one strap-like strip. The strap-like strip or strips are adapted to releasably accommodate thereon a plurality of hair accessories not suitably accommodated on the perimeter of the elongate structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 is a perspective side elevational view of the hair accessory organizer of the present invention showing a user's hand in the act of attaching a headband type hair accessory to the hair accessory organizer;
FIG. 2A is a perspective side elevational view of the hair accessory organizer shown in FIG. 1 with the lid thereof removed from the organizer by a user;
FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the lid of the hair accessory organizer of the present invention showing a user in the act of attaching a strap-like strip for accommodating certain types of hair accessories to the lid;
FIG. 3 is a perspective side elevational view of the hair accessory organizer shown in FIG. 1 being held or supported by a user; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective side elevational view of the hair accessory organizer of FIG. 1 supported from a hook.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a hair accessory organizer according to the present invention, generally designated 10, including an elongate structure 12 and a cap or lid 14. Elongate structure 12 has a cross-sectional geometric shape substantially continuous over the length of elongate structure 12 with a perimeter adapted to receive therearound and hold a plurality of headband type hair accessories 16. Elongate structure 12 is shown to have a circular cross-section and thus to be cylindrically shaped but the cross-sectional geometric shape can be any closed shape desired, such as hexagonal, rectangular, other polygonal shapes, oval, etc. wherein the cross-sectional geometric shape is configured to have a perimeter with a maximum dimension whereby at least two points on the perimeter are separated by a distance no greater than four (4) to six (6) inches. This dimensional range permits structure 12 to adequately support headbands 16 on the perimeter of the structure. If less than the four (4) inch dimension, headbands 16 may not be fully supported and may slide off or fall off the structure. If greater than the six (6) inch dimension, headbands 16 may be over stressed causing the headbands to stretch and possibly break. Preferably, this dimension is between five (5) and five and one half (5 inches.
Elongate structure 12 may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, glass, cardboard, paperboard, etc. It may be covered with a fabric 18 and/or have a fanciful design covering the structure. Elongate structure 12 may have any length desired from as short as a few inches to a length of several feet. Obviously, the longer the structure 12 is the more headband type hair accessories 16 can be accommodated thereon.
As clearly seen in FIG. 1, the user can easily attach a headband type hair accessory 16 to hair accessory organizer 10 by engaging the open end 20 of headband 16 with the perimeter of elongate structure 12 and spreading the open end 20 to fit around structure 12 to be supported thereby. The lower end of elongate structure 12 may be provided with an outwardly extending rib-like projection 22 or other protuberance which forms a barrier to prevent headbands 16 from slipping off structure 12 such as when organizer 10 is carried or moved by the user.
Lid 14 covers the open top end 24 of elongate structure 12 and is adapted to be releasably secured thereto. As clearly seen in FIG. 2A, the downwardly extending skirt or rim 26 of lid 14 may be internally threaded so as to be threadedly engageable with external threads 28 provided at the top end 24 of elongate structure 12 or lid 14 may be a snap-fit or press-fit onto top end 24 of structure 12. Suspended from the underside of lid 14 is at least one and preferably a plurality of strap-like strips 30 each adapted to releasably support a plurality of hair accessories not suitably accommodated on the exterior of elongate structure 12. Each strip 30 may be provided with perforations 32 or other devices or means permitting the attachment of smaller hair accessories 34 such as hair clips or barrettes. Strips 30 may be formed of paper or plastic or may be magnetized so as to support metallic hair accessories. Strips 30 are ideal for suitably arranging or organizing and displaying hair ornaments thereon for ease of choice by the user. Strips 30 may also be used to support small jewelry items such as earrings. Preferably, strips 30 are supported or suspended from lid 14 to be easily detachable therefrom. Thus, as clearly seen in FIG. 2B, lid 14 has attached to its underside a suitable device such as key ring 36 to which strips 30 can be easily attached by opening a spring clip 38 and threading a strip 30 onto the keyring via opening 40 provided on strip 30. In this way, strips 30 can be added or removed from hair accessory organizer 10 as desired or required by the user thereof. Furthermore, strips 30 may be sold at retail, pre-packaged to include a pre-arranged assortment of hair accessories which can be purchased by the user and transferred directly to hair accessory organizer 10.
In order for the user to easily and conveniently hold or carry hair accessory organizer 10, a suitable handle such as a loop 42 is provided on organizer 10 which can be easily grasped by the user. Such a handle or loop 42 may be attached to lid 14 to be gasped by the user as clearly seen in FIG. 3. In this way hair accessory organizer 10 can be easily carried or moved by the user or it can be suspended by handle or loop 42 from a hook 44 or similar device as clearly seen in FIG. 4. Handle 42 may also be helpful in permitting the user to remove lid 14 from elongate structure 12 so as to display hair accessories 34 carried by strips 30, as clearly seen in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, handle or loop 42 may be applied on the side surface of elongate structure 12. The bottom 46 of elongate structure 12 may have a flat configuration so that organizer 10 can be supported on a flat surface or on a stand or other suitable support.
Elongate structure 12 may also be provided with a bottom cover thereby structuring or configuring organizer 10 as a container whereby hair accessories such as elastic hair ties, combs, brushes, etc. may be conveniently housed within organizer 10.
While only a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20160270501
