BACKGROUND
This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure described herein, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Hair extensions are commonly employed to effectively thicken or lengthen a person's natural hair. Hair extensions are typically provided in the form of a hair weft, in which single hair strands of natural hair or synthetic hair are connected to along a narrow strip-like base, strip, clip, or seam that can temporarily or permanently be secured to the hair or scalp of a person using a number of different methods.
Conventional methods of hair styling, such as cutting, coloring, curling, or straightening any type of hair extensions or wigs, constrain a user in to using only one hand for accomplishing the desired style, while the other hand is generally used for trying to keep the strands steady for styling. This method of styling hair extensions and wigs can cause significant fatigue in the arms of the user because of the level effort and exertion required by the user to maintain the hair at eye level or in a stabile steady orientation. As a result, at least two people are required to cut and color hair extensions or wigs, wherein one person holds the hair by the weft in a steady stationary orientation, allowing the second person to use both hands, with one grasping and maneuvering the hair strands and the other hand operating a styling tool, such as a curling iron, flat iron, coloring chemicals, or scissors, among others. In addition, most professional hair stylists do not offer hair extension coloring because it is much too difficult to achieve the desired result without having the hair attached to a person's head and hair. Further, even if the hair extension is attached to the person's hair and then colored, then the person's own natural hair would then be subjected to unwanted color, or uneven color around the area where of the hair where the extension is attached.
In addition, the shape of hair is determined by the structure of the polymers of the hair, and that this structure can be loosened using thermal application, which makes the hair subjectable to a new style. It is essential for the hair to cool and reach room temperature while maintaining the desired style shape in order for the polymers to restructure and bond correctly. As such, while the air cools the polymers restructure to the new style diminishing the need for use of chemical products such as hairspray. In the conventional method of hair styling and curling hair, the hair extensions or wigs fall with gravity once the thermal tool (i.e. curling iron) is removed from the hair. Such a method is ineffective to achieve the desired style because the hair expands and extends, losing the initial curling shape before it reaches original cooled temperature.
Therefore, what is needed is a support apparatus that allows a user to easily and accurately cut, color, or style multiple hair extensions in an efficient and quick manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, a hair extension and wig support apparatus is disclosed that allows a single user to use both hands to easily, efficiently, and accurately cut, style, or color multiple hair extension pieces and wigs, among other advantages.
In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, a hair extension support apparatus is disclosed having a head comprising a front region and a back region, an elongated neck, one or more elastic straps secured the back region of the head, and a tray coupled to the elongated neck, wherein the tray is configured to slide relative to the neck. In addition, the elastic straps can be configured or adapted to support one or more hair extensions or hair wefts. Further, the front region of the head can include one or magnetic elements. In addition, the elastic strap can be either a single band or a dual bi-furcated band. Also, the elastic can include a plurality or apertures or perforations. Further, the tray can magnetically be coupled to the elongated neck. Here, the elongated neck can include a channel or a pair of tracks, wherein the tray is coupled to the channel or the pair of tracks. Further, the base can include one or more suction cups.
In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, a hair extension support apparatus is disclosed having a head, neck, base, a plurality of securement devices secured the head and adapted to secure one or more hair extensions or hair wefts, and a tray coupled to the neck, wherein the tray is configured to slide relative to the neck. Further, the securement devices are can include one or more of a dual strap, perforated straps, elastic bands, dual elastic bands, flexible straps, wires, hooks, magnets, fasteners, or adhesives. In addition, tray may be magnetized or include a magnetic element. Here, the neck can include a channel extending along the neck, and the tray can include an elongated tab, wherein the elongated tab can be configured to engage the channel.
In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, a hair extension support apparatus is disclosed having a head, an elongated middle region having a curvature, a plurality of elastic bands secured the head at least partially extending around a back region of the head, and a tray coupled to the elongated middle region, wherein the tray is configured to slide along the curvature of the elongated middle region.
The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrative embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view for one non-limiting embodiment of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view for one non-limiting embodiment of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view for one non-limiting embodiment of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein, shown with multiple hair extensions pieces attached to the apparatus.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective rear view for one non-limiting embodiment of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein, shown with alternative elastic hair bands.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view for one non-limiting embodiment of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein, shown with alternative elastic hair bands having perforations.
FIG. 6A illustrates a partial front view for one non-limiting embodiment of a hair band of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 6B illustrates a partial cut-away front view for another non-limiting embodiment of a hair extension elastic band of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 6C illustrates a partial cut-away front view for another non-limiting embodiment of a hair extension elastic band of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 6D illustrates a partial cut-away front view for another non-limiting embodiment of a hair extension elastic band of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom view for one non-limiting embodiment of a base for the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 7B illustrates a partial cut-away cross sectional rear view of a neck of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 8A illustrates a partial cross sectional front view of a detachable tray of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 8B illustrates a partial cross sectional top view of the neck and tray of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 9A illustrates a partial cross-sectional interior rear view for one non-limiting embodiment of the face area of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein, illustrating multiple magnetic elements.
FIG. 9B illustrates a partial cross-sectional interior rear view for another non-limiting embodiment of the face area of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein, illustrating a single magnetized element.
FIG. 10A illustrates partial cross-sectional top view of one non-limiting embodiment of the head region of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 10B illustrates partial cross-sectional top view of another non-limiting embodiment of a head region of the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the Brief Summary of the present disclosure above and in the Detailed Description of the disclosure described herein, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the disclosure described herein. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the disclosure described herein in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the disclosure described herein, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described herein, and in the disclosure described herein generally.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure described herein and illustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosure described herein. In addition, the disclosure described herein does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the disclosure described herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment for the hair extension support apparatus of the disclosure described herein. Here, the hair extension support apparatus 100 is shown comprised of two half pieces 100a and 100b secured to each other, wherein apparatus 100 generally simulates a human head and neck, and may also be dimensioned to various male or female average head and neck sizes. Alternatively, apparatus 100 may also have any configuration that does not resemble a simulated human head or neck. Referring to FIG. 1, piece 100a can include the front facial area 110 which can be magnetized to hold and support one or more metal objects or accessories. In addition, piece 100a can further include a portion of the neck region 140 and the base region 150 of the support apparatus. Piece 100b can include the back head region 120 for supporting and securing a plurality of elastic hair extension support straps or bands 130, wherein each of bands 130 encircles piece 100b and is further secured within notches 122 of back head portion 120 to prevent slippage. In the alternative, other securement mechanisms may be used in lieu of bands 130, including but not limited to wires, meshed screen, ribbon, rope, string, clips, snaps, adhesives, or hooks, among others. In addition, support apparatus 100 further include a detachable cooling tray 160 that can couple to neck region 100, wherein tray 160 can be adapted to support the lower end regions of one or more curled or styled hair extensions, in order to help preserve their shape while cooling, among other purposes. Further, apparatus 100 and the positions of bands 130 can also demonstrate a simulation for how hair extensions will look when attached to an actual person's head.
FIG. 2 illustrates one method of operating tray 160, wherein tray 160 can be adapted to slide along a groove, rail, channel, or track 140a within neck region 140 of the support apparatus. Here, tray 160 can be configured at any vertical height depending on the length of the hair extension strands or wig being supported.
FIG. 3 illustrates one method of using the hair extension support apparatus 100. Here, support apparatus 100 is shown with a plurality of hair extension pieces 200 and 202 secured to and held by elastic bands 130. In one embodiment, each band 130, or bands 130a-130e shown in FIGS. 4-6D, can be configured to hold anywhere from 5 to 200 clips, strands, or pieces of hair extensions. Still referring to FIG. 3, here tray 160 is shown supporting the ends of hair extension strands or pieces 202, thereby preserving the curled style (after having been curled via a heating element or curling iron) in a steady state orientation while the curled hair extension pieces cool and maintains their curled shape. In the alternative, tray 160 may also be used to support one or more cutting, styling, or coloring tools, including but not limited to scissors, brushes, combs, blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, among others.
Still referring to FIG. 3, face region 110 can also be magnetized or having magnetic elements to support one or more accessories or tools. Here, face region 110 is shown with a metal clip 204 coupled thereto, wherein clip 204 can help pull back or hold certain hair extensions or strands during styling, cutting, or coloring. In the alternative, clip 204, or one or more clips, may also be adapted to hold one or more eyelash extensions or strips, to further allow drying of an eyelash adhesive, and to also allow a user to style or curl eyelash extensions as well.
FIGS. 4-6D illustrates alternative elastic bands to be used with the hair extension support apparatus 100. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates one configuration of elastic bands 130a having dual or bifurcated bands integrated therewith, wherein each of the dual bands can further support additional hair extensions, clips, or strands, thereby doubling the holding capacity of the support apparatus 100. FIG. 5 illustrates another configuration of elastic bands 130b having modified dual or bifurcated bands integrated therewith, wherein a top region of the dual band can have a plurality of apertures or perforations 132b to allow one or more hair extension strands or clips to be attached to the perforations of the elastic band. FIG. 6A illustrates another configuration for elastic band 130c having at least 40 perforations or apertures extending along the sides and top region of the dual band. FIG. 6B illustrates another configuration for elastic band 130d having anywhere from 40-100 perforations or apertures 132d extending along the sides, top region, and lower region of the dual band 130d. FIG. 6C illustrates another configuration for an elastic band 130e having a plurality of circular perforations or apertures 132e extending along the elastic band. FIG. 6D illustrates another configuration for an elastic band 130f having a plurality of slots 132f extending along the elastic band.
FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom view of the base 150 of support apparatus 100. Here, base 150 can be configured with a plurality of suction cups 152 fixed or secured to the bottom of base 150, thereby allowing base 150 to be securely held in place on any type of surface and prevent it from inadvertently tipping over. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that base 150 may also be secured to any type of surface via other securement mechanism, including but not limited to the base 150 being heavily weighted or made of steel, or secured to a surface via brackets, clips, magnets, adhesives, or any other type of fastener. In the alternatively, apparatus 100 may also be suspended from a wall via one or more articulating extension arms, brackets, cables, or hooks.
FIG. 7B illustrates a partial cross-sectional rear view of the neck region 140 of the hair extension support apparatus. Here, neck 140 can include a pair of tracks 140a with a channel or groove disposed therein, wherein the channel can include an elongated metal, ferrous, or magnetized element 142 either secured on the surface of the channel between the pair of tracks or disposed behind the channel or pair of tracks 140a. Here, metal or magnetized element piece 142 is configured to couple to another opposing metal or magnetized element piece on cooling tray 160, thereby coupling tray 160 to neck 140 of support apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. Still referring to FIG. 7B, neck region 140 or tracks 140a may also include plurality of notches, tabs, or stops 144 that allow the user to better position and stop tray 160 on neck 140, or allow a user to better recall a particular position of tray 160 with respect to neck 140.
FIG. 8A illustrates a partial cross sectional front view of tray 160. Here, tray 160 can include an elongated protrusion or L-shaped tab 162 having dual magnetized or magnetic elements 164a and 164b stacked on top of each other disposed within tab 162 and secured to tray 160. As shown in FIG. 8B, tab 162 is configured to engage the magnetized or metal surface 142 between tracks 140a thereby allowing tray 160 to be securely held and supported by neck region 140. In particular, tracks 140a are configured to fit within and slide within notches 160a thereby stabilizing tray 160 with respect to neck 140, while tab 162 securely engages surface, metal, or magnetized element 142 of neck 140. Here, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that other securement mechanisms may also be used in lieu of components 140a, 142, 144, 160a, 162, 164a, and 164b, including but not limited to brackets, adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, rollers, bearings, pulleys, clips, snaps, locks, or other fasteners or sliding mechanisms.
FIG. 9A illustrates one embodiment of a magnetized facial region apparatus 100 for holding one or more metal objects or accessories. Here, the interior back region face 110 (i.e. interior of half piece 100a) can include a plurality of magnetic elements 112 disposed, dispersed, and secured to the face via one or more adhesives or fasteners. FIG. 9B illustrates another embodiment of a magnetized facial region of apparatus 100 for holding one or more metal objects or accessories. Here, the interior back region face 110 (i.e. interior of half piece 100a) can include a single unitary magnetic element 114 secured to the face via one or more adhesives or fasteners. In the alternative, the entire face region 110 of apparatus 100 may also be made of a magnetic or ferrous material.
FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment for securing elastic bands 130 to the head region of apparatus 100. Specifically, elastic bands may entirely encircle and wrap around the back region 120 of piece 100b of apparatus 100. FIG. 10B illustrates another embodiment for securing elastic bands 130 to the head region of apparatus 100. Specifically, elastic bands may also be secured to each side edge of back region 120 of piece 100b of apparatus 100.
Having thus described the several embodiments of the present disclosure described herein, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments may be made and used which fall within the scope of the claims attached hereto. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes can be made with respect to various elements described herein without exceeding the scope of the invention. Although the present disclosure described herein has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions or embodiments thereof, other versions and embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
Patent Grant
10791818
