Patent Application
20230329380
The present invention relates to hair extension tools and, more particularly, to a hair extension bead installation tool.
The time a hair extension stylist spends working behind the chair is valuable to profitability. Using currently available tools, stylists spend 30 plus minutes loading beads onto the tool before a hair extension install, about 5-7 minutes per 50 beads, adding to the amount of time it takes to do the service. The only way to reduce the amount of time is to make a longer bead line. But the stylists must load the line with beads themselves.
As can be seen, there is a need for a means of reducing time necessary to prepare to install hair extensions.
In one aspect of the present invention, a hair extension bead installation tool comprises a loop of synthetic polymeric filament having bonded ends; a stopper adhered to the bonded ends; and a plurality of metallic beads, having bores longitudinally therethrough, loaded around the loop; wherein the stopper is dimensioned greater than a diameter of the bores.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a hair extension bead installation tool, comprising forming a loop of a synthetic polymeric filament having a pair of ends; bonding the pair of ends together; sliding a plurality of metallic beads onto the loop, such that about a ¼ inch portion of the synthetic polymeric filament from the pair of ends remains bare; and adhering a stopper to the pair of ends.
The present invention provides a tool pre-loaded with beads on a disposable and/or recyclable line, which is much more efficient for the stylist and allows more time for working with the client's hair. The stylist merely clips on a weighted base and starts working. This invention renders manual loading unnecessary, drastically reducing the time spent preparing to work and the amount of preparation.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a hair extension bead installation tool, comprising a synthetic polymeric filament, a plurality of beads, a stopper, and a weighted base. The inventive tool may be used generally to weave a bead easily and conveniently onto another element. More specifically, this tool is configured to aid the stylist in working more efficiently to save time behind the chair.
The synthetic polymeric filament, such as fishing line, e.g., nylon, has a predetermined diameter dimensioned to fit through the bead as well as to slide through the bead with a section of natural hair. The filament is sufficiently stiff and resilient such that when folded in half, the folded end forms a loop through which natural hair may be drawn through.
The beads may be made of any suitable crimpable material, such as a metal, e.g., aluminum or copper. While currently most commercially available metallic beads are made of copper, aluminum beads are believed to generally be much more durable and functional for the purpose of hair extension attachment. In some embodiments, the longitudinal bores of the beads may be lined with a layer of silicone to protect the underlying hair and to resist sliding, keeping the hair extension in place. The bead bores have a diameter through which the doubled filament and a lock of hair may slide.
The stopper serves to hold the beads in place so they do not fall off the fishing line. The stopper may be manufactured of any suitable material, such as silicone or plastic. The stopper is dimensioned greater than the diameter of the bores, i.e., it has a width or diameter greater than the inner diameter of the beads.
The weighted base assembly weighs down the fishing line to improve maneuverability as the beads are installed into the natural hair. The weighted base assembly generally comprises a weight and an attachment means, such as a clip joined to the weight. The weight may be made of any suitably dense material, such as metal.
In some embodiments, the inventive tool may be stored within a storage container prior to use.
A method of manufacturing the inventive tool may include the following steps. A filament such as fishing line having a pair of ends is measured and cut to a predetermined length, e.g., a length suitable to hold 50 beads when folded in half to form a loop. The beads are applied onto the doubled fishing line, which is the most taxing portion of the assembly of this tool. Once the beads are loaded such that a ¼ inch portion of the fishing line remains bare at the bottom of the array of beads, the two ends are secured together with a bonding agent. The bonded ends are inserted into a stopper with additional bonding agent to adhere the stopper to the ends. To prepare the tool for use, the weighted base may be attached or coupled to the loop by clipping it onto the fishing line above the stopper, i.e., between the stopper and the beads.
The inventive tool may be used as follows. The stylist may remove the pre-strung beads from the container and may clip the weighted base to the bottom of the tool above the stopper. The stylist may gather a small section of natural hair from the client's head on which to install a bead. Placing a thumb and index finger of the stylist's dominant hand through the loop of fishing line, the stylist may pull the small section of natural hair through the fishing line loop. With the non-dominant hand, the stylist may bring a bead up to the apex of the fishing line loop to meet the natural hair. Holding onto the bead and letting go of the natural hair, the stylist may pull downward on the tool, at the top loop section of the fishing line above the beads, pulling the natural hair through the bead held in the non-dominant hand, until the natural hair is fully through the bead. The extension stylist may then choose to close (e.g., crimp) the bead or insert an extension into the bead before closing. Once the stylist has installed a predetermined number of the beads preloaded on the tool, the fishing line may be cut and recycled or discarded. In some embodiments, the storage container may be sent back to the source company for a “recycle credit” on the next order.
Referring to
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
