BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to clothing accessories. The invention combines hair combs accessories with a hair scrunchie, and a release button, so that one's hair can be lifted or lowered at the wearer's option.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Prior to this invention people with long hair had a choice between having their hair permanently “up” (off their shoulders) only by use of a bandana, scrunchie, rubber bands, barrette, hair ties or other device. To take one's hair down requires the removal of the hair accessory. The invention allows one's hair to be up (off the shoulders) at the simple pull of a elongate flexible member, and down at the push of a button. The decorative hair comb would not have to be removed while the wearer enjoys either option.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the invention in an exploded perspective view, wherein only a portion of the elongate flexible member is shown.
FIGS. 2A-2C show a front view of one embodiment, a perspective view of one embodiment, and a top view of another embodiment of the invention having an arc shape to conform to a wearer's head, respectively, without the elongate flexible member being shown.
FIGS. 3A-3C show a bottom view, a front view, and a side view of the invention, respectively, without the elongate flexible member being shown.
FIGS. 4A-4D show a side view and a top view of a locking mechanism base, and a side view and top view of a locking mechanism insert, respectively, of one embodiment of the invention, wherein a biasing member inserted in the insert will lock an elongate flexible member between the base and the insert, and wherein the elongate flexible member is released by pressing on the insert and lining up the holes between the base and the insert, thereby allowing the elongate flexible member to move freely.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, this invention is an improvement over all previous existing methods of hair control. This invention 10 combines a decorative hair comb 12 with a gripper or locking mechanism 14 allowing the wearer to pull their hair up or release it down at the wearer's option. The invention works by use of a elongate flexible member 16 positioned through a locking mechanism 14. Once the comb 12 is in place the wearer pulls on the elongate flexible member 16 to lift their hair up off their shoulder. Then the wearer can push the release button or insert 18 (into base 20 of locking mechanism 14) allowing the elongate flexible member 16 to move freely (within aligned holes 22 of base 20 and holes 24 of insert 18) and wear their hair down or any point in between. This invention 10 will be made of plastic with the exception of the elongate flexible member 16 and the biasing member 26 of the locking mechanism 14. The elongate flexible member 16 will be made of various materials, such as nylon, cotton, silk or other materials. The biasing member 26 of the locking mechanism 14 will be made of metal.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show insert 18 biased outwardly of base 20 of locking mechanism 14 such that holes 22 of base 20 and holes 24 of insert 18 are not completely aligned, thereby facilitating frictional securement of elongate flexible member 16 (see FIG. 1) in place. The position of biasing member 26 is shown within locking mechanism 14 though the biasing member generally would be hidden from view.
FIG. 2C shows a top view of another embodiment wherein comb 12 defines an arced shape that may conform to the shape of a wearer's head.
FIG. 3A shows a bottom view of comb 12. Comb 12 has a thickness 30 of 3 millimeters (mm). FIG. 3B shows a front view of the inventive hairpiece 10. Teeth 32 of comb 12 have aperture 34 with a length 36 of 25 mm. Comb 12 has an end region 38 having a width 40 of 10 mm and a length 42 of 75 mm. FIG. 3C shows a side view of the invention. End region 38 of comb 12 has a thickness 44 of 3 mm. Comb 12 has a length 46 of 44 mm and a thickness 48 of 2 mm.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side view and a top view, respectively, of locking mechanism base 20. Referring to FIG. 4A, base 20 includes an aperture 50 for receiving biasing member 26 and another aperture 52 for receiving insert 18 (see FIGS. 4C and 4D). Aperture 50 has a diameter 54 of 2 mm and aperture 52 has a length 56 of 15 mm and a width 58 of 2.5 mm. Base 20 has a height 60 of 7 mm. Referring to FIG. 4B, base 20 has a length 62 of 18 mm and a width 64 of 9.5 mm. Holes 22 are each off centered from a center point of base 20 by a distance 66 of 3 mm.
FIGS. 4C and 4D show a side view and top view of locking mechanism insert 18, respectively, of one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4C, insert 18 has a height 68 of 2.5 mm. Referring to FIG. 4D, insert 18 has a length 70 of 15 mm and a width 72 of 7 mm. Holes 24 of insert 18 have a diameter 74 of 3 mm and are spaced apart a distance 76 of 3 mm. Holes 24 of insert 18 are spaced from rear surface 78 a distance 80 of 2.5 mm.