BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hair ornament devices and devices for decorating, restraining, and shaping hair, and particularly to a pony tail accessory for use with a conventional pony tail holder or scrunchy.
Elastic bands, scrunchies, ribbons and the like have long been known for holding bunches of hair in the form of ponytails, pigtails, braids, and the like. Ornamental devices have been proposed in the past for attachment to a simple pony tail holder. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0056298 of McRoberts describes a hook-on ornament for attachment to a pony tail holder. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0237992 of Klug describes an interchangeable hair band system in which an S-shaped double hook fits through a loop of a decorative element on one side and through an elasticized band or pony tail holder on the other side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a hair ornament device is provided, which comprises an ornamental object having a decorative front face and a rear face, at least one securing member attached to the rear face of the object for securing to an elasticated pony tail loop, and an elongate member secured to the ornamental object so as to depend therefrom when the object is secured to a pony tail holder loop.
The securing member is a hook in the exemplary embodiment, but may be a clip or clasp member in alternative embodiments, such as a claw-type alligator or butterfly clip. The elongate member may be permanently secured to the rear face of the ornamental object, which may be a plate or shield-like device, or may be releasably secured to the ornamental object. In the latter case, a loop or ring may be secured to a lower portion of the object for allowing an elongate member to be releasably secured to the object. Two or more hook members may be secured to the rear face of the ornamental object, if desired, to provide a more stable attachment to a pony tail holder or loop.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the elongate member comprises an elongated helical member for wrapping around and enclosing a bunch of hair. The member is secured to the ornamental object at one end, for example by welding or the like. This device can be used in various ways. One option is to enclose the wearer's hair completely with an elasticated band or scrunchy, hook the ornamental object onto the band at a location where it is visible to an observer, and wrap the helical member around all of the hair. Another option is to wrap only a portion of the hair in the pony tail into the helical member.
The elongated helical member may have an ornamental element dangling from its free end, such as a jewel, string of jewels, ornamentally shaped piece of metal, or a chain or multiple chains from which ornaments are suspended.
The helical member may be of uniform pitch and diameter along its length, or may be of variable pitch and/or variable diameter. The member comprises a single piece of rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material, and may be made of ornamental metal, plastic, or the like. A post or holding pin may be provided to extend through the helical member, the post having an ornamental head.
In another embodiment of the invention, the elongate member may be a dangling chain, ribbon, line, or beaded element secured directly to the ornamental object and having one or more ornaments along its length and/or at its free end.
In one embodiment of the invention, a first ornamental object comprising a plate or shield has a first hook secured to its rear face and is secured to the end of an elongated helical member, and a second ornamental object comprising a similar or identical plate or shield with a second hook on its rear face is secured to the opposite end of the helical member. The second ornamental plate may be secured to the helical member by welding or by engaging its hook through a ring or loop at the end of the helical member. The first hook can be hooked over a first pony tail holder or band while the second hook can be hooked over a second pony tail holder or band, the helical member being wound around the hair constrained between the two pony tail holders. A second elongate helical member may be secured to depend from the second ornamental plate. In another alternative arrangement, the first ornamental object may be hooked onto a ring or loop of a third ornamental object which has a rear hook, providing a different ornamental effect.
In another embodiment of the invention, a first ornamental object with a rear hook is secured to a line of two or more additional ornamental objects of a similar nature via intervening chains or the like, to produce an armor-like ornamental appearance. The ornamental objects in this case may be plates or shields of gradually reducing dimensions. One or more of the plates may have hooks on their rear faces for hooking onto pony tail holders placed at spaced intervals along a bunch of hair. A dangling ornament may be suspended from the lowermost ornamental object in this arrangement.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a hair ornament device comprises a securing member for attaching to an elastic band and an elongate member having a proximal and distal end. The securing member is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the elongated member. The hair ornament device may further comprises a elastic loop, where the securing member is attached.
The hair ornament device of this invention allows the appearance of a conventional pony tail or pig tail and pony tail holder to be modified in a different and decorative manner. The first ornamental object or plate conceals the underlying pony tail holder and provides a more decorative appearance while the elongate member suspended from the first plate provides an enhanced ornamental appearance and may have additional hair holding features. For example, the device with an attached helical member can be used to hold and surround all or part of the bunch of hair held by the pony tail holder, producing a completely different appearance from a conventional pony tail. Where the device includes one or more additional plates with hooks, a series of plates can be hooked over spaced pony tail holders to produce a unique hair styling effect. The hair ornament device can also be used in conjunction with braids, and one or more of the devices may be used, for example where the wearer styles their hair with multiple braids or pigtails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device according to a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 2 secured to a pony tail holder and wrapped around a bunch of hair in the pony tail;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 4 secured to a pony tail holder;
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an ornamental plate or shield according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the plate of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a modified plate with two hooks;
FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a dangling ornament suspended from the ornamental plate;
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a hair ornament device according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a hair ornament device according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view illustrating the device of FIG. 11 in use and secured about a bunch of hair;
FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 11 attached to the ornamental plate of FIGS. 7 and 8 to produce a modified ornamental arrangement;
FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a hair ornament device according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of a chain-mail-like hair ornament device according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of the device of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIGS. 16 and 17 secured to a series of three pony tail holders holding a bunch of hair;
FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view illustrating the device of FIGS. 16 and 17 secured to the ornamental plate of FIG. 7;
FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the arrangement of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of a hair ornament device with a pin according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 22 is an enlarged front elevation view of one end of a modified helical member which may be part of the device of FIGS. 1, 2 or 12; and
FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a hair ornament device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 10 comprises an ornamental object 12 having an ornamental front face 14 and a rear face 15 to which a hook 16 is secured by welding or the like. The ornamental object 12 is secured by welding or the like to one end of a helical hair wrap or coil element 18, which may be similar to the hair coil described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,525 of Potter et al.
The ornamental object 12 may be a smooth or engraved button or plate of metallic or other material, or may be a jewel or beaded element with a metallic or other backing, and may be of any desired ornamental shape. The coil element 18 may be of ornamental metal or other rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material, such as plastic. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the coil element has a constant diameter along its length, and is also of constant pitch or spacing between adjacent turns.
FIG. 2 illustrates a modified ornamental device 20 which has a modified, larger ornamental object 22 at one end with a hook 24 on its rear face, and an elongate helical coil element 25 secured at one end to the ornamental object 22 so as to depend therefrom. In this case, the coil element 25 is larger than in the previous embodiment for holding larger bunches of hair, and is of gradually reducing pitch and diameter along its length.
FIG. 5 illustrates the hair ornament device 22 of FIG. 2 in use. A bunch or bundle 50 of hair is held together by an elasticated band or scrunchy 52. The hook 24 on the rear of the ornamental object 22 is hooked over the band 52 on its outwardly facing or normally visible side. At the same time, the coil element 25 is wrapped around the hair in bundle 50 to hold it together and produce a different decorative effect and style from a conventional free pony tail. The hair is progressively wrapped into the coil element from the top to its free end in order to be held in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2, and like reference numerals have been used for like parts as appropriate. In the device 30 of FIG. 2, a hole is provided at the free end of the coil element 25 and a ring 32 extends through the hole. An elongate ornamental extension 26 may be secured to the coil element 25 by means of a releasable jewelry clip or clasp 28 which clips onto the ring 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the ornamental extension 26 is a beaded extension with a butterfly shaped element 34 at its free end, but many alternative types of ornamental dangling elements may be provided, in which beads, jewels and/or other decorative items are suspended by chains, ribbons, wires, strings or the like. In an alternative arrangement, a hair clip or alligator clip may be attached to the ring 32 and to the wearer's hear in place of the jewelry clasp 28 and ornamental extension 26. Such a clip may also be used to attach other types of ornamental extension to the end of the helical coil element 25.
FIG. 4 illustrates a hair ornament device 40 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this case, the coil element of the previous embodiments is eliminated, and an ornamental extension 42 similar to that of FIG. 3 is secured directly to an ornamental object or plate 44 having a hook 45 on its rear face. Alternative types of ornamental extensions may be provided in alternative embodiments.
FIG. 6 illustrates the device 40 of FIG. 4 in use. As in FIG. 5, a bunch 50 of hair is held in a pony tail or pig tail by elasticated band or loop 52. Hook 45 on the rear of ornamental object 44 is then hooked over the loop 52 at the outwardly facing side of the loop. The dangling ornamental extension 42 will add to the ornamental effect.
An ornamental extension 42 may also be attached directly to the ornamental object in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, and an additional ornamental or dangling extension may be attached to the free end of the coil element of FIG. 1 or 2, to provide an enhanced decorative appearance.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a hair ornament 60 according to another embodiment of the invention which can be attached to various different kinds of elongate ornamental devices or arrangements. Hair ornament 60 is in the form of a plate or shield which may have an ornamental or shiny front face and which has a hook member 64 secured to its rear face 62 by welding or the like. The hook member 64 in FIGS. 7 to 10 has an enlarged rounded end 70 which may help to hold the hook member in place when in use. Although one hook member is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two or more hook members 64 may be welded to plate 60 in alternative arrangements, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The plate may be of ornamental metal such as gold, silver, bronze or ornamental metal-plated material, and may have gems, carving or the like on its front face, although it is a smooth, shiny surface in the illustrated embodiment.
The ornament or plate 60 has a loop or eyelet 65 secured to its lower edge (i.e. the edge towards which the hook member 64 extends), and various ornamental items can be secured to the eyelet 65. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a dangling ornament 66 may be secured to eyelet 65 by a releasable jewelry clasp 68. Alternative designs of ornamental dangling elements may be secured to eyelet 65 as desired by the user.
FIG. 11 illustrates a hair ornament device 72 according to another embodiment of the invention which is similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3 in that it has an ornamental plate or the like 74 with a hook 75 on its rear face, and a helical coil element 76 secured at one end to the ornamental plate 74. However, in this embodiment, the opposite end of the helical element 76 is secured to a second ornamental plate 60 which is identical to the plate described above in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 and has a ring or eyelet 65 on its lower edge. A dangling ornament 66 may be secured to the ring or eyelet 65 of plate 60 by a jewelry clasp 68. Different ornaments of different designs may be suspended from eyelet 65 as desired.
The device 72 can be attached around a bunch of hair 90 as illustrated in FIG. 13. The hair bunch 90 is first constrained by two spaced pony tail holders or elastic bands 92. The first plate 74 is hooked onto the first or uppermost band 92, and the helical element 76 is then wound around the hair bunch. The second plate 60 is then hooked onto the second elastic band 92. This arrangement provides a unique ornamental hair style appearance.
FIG. 12 illustrates another hair ornament device 80 in which a first ornamental plate 82 is secured to one end of a first elongate helical element 84, and a second ornamental plate 85 is secured to the second end of the helical element 84, and to one end of a second elongate helical element 86. Both plates 82, 85 have hooks 87, 88, respectively, secured to their rear faces. The ornamental plates or shields 82, 85 may be of the same or different sizes. This device would be particularly suitable for longer hair, and would be attached in a similar manner to the device 72 as illustrated in FIG. 13, with the second helical element 86 then wound around the hair below the lowermost pony tail holder or elastic band 92.
FIG. 14 illustrates the hair ornament device 72 of FIG. 11 with an ornamental plate 60 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 secured to the first plate 74, by hooking the hook member 75 through the loop or eyelet 65 at the lower edge of plate 60. This produces an enhanced ornamental appearance and also helps to secure the device to the hair by providing an additional hook.
FIG. 15 illustrates a combination of the ornamental devices of FIGS. 3 and 10, and like reference numerals are used for like parts as appropriate. In FIG. 3,.a dangling ornament is secured directly to the lower end of the helical or coil element 25. In the arrangement of FIG. 15, a plate member 60 is instead hooked onto the ring 32 at the lower end of helical element 25 via hook member 64 and a dangling ornament 66 is secured to the eyelet 65 at the lower edge of plate 60 by a jewelry clasp 68. It will be understood that various combinations of the different ornamental devices described above can be made as desired in order to produce different ornamental effects.
FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate a chain type hair ornament device 95 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a series of three ornamental plates or shields 96, 97, 98 of gradually reducing diameter are secured together by two pairs of chain link members 99,100. The lowermost plate 98 has a ring or eyelet 102 at its lower edge, similar to plate 60, to allow a selected dangling ornament 66 to be suspended from the plates via a jewelry clasp 68 engaging eyelet 102. FIG. 17 illustrates the rear side of the device 95. As illustrated, each of the plates 96, 97, and 98 has at least one hook member 103,104, and 105, respectively, secured to its rear face. Two hook members may be provided on each plate, as illustrated in FIG. 8, if desired.
The hair ornament device 95 is designed to have a chain-mail or armor-like appearance when worn in the hair, as illustrated in FIG. 18. The device is attached to the hair by first fastening three spaced pony tail holders or elastic bands 106 at spaced intervals around a bunch 108 of hair. The three plates 96, 97, and 98 are then hooked over the successive bands. This will provide a unique and attractive hair styling appearance. Although all of the plates have hooks on their rear faces in the illustrated embodiment, the plates need not necessarily all have hooks. For example, a hook may be provided only on the upper plate, or on the upper and the lower plate only.
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a modification of the device of FIGS. 16 to 18, in which a single plate or shield 60 is secured to the uppermost plate 96, by engaging hook member 103 through the eyelet 65. This produces an enhanced ornamental appearance, as best seen in FIG. 20.
FIG. 21 illustrates a modified ornamental hair restraint assembly in which an ornamental device 110 similar to that of FIG. 1 is used in conjunction with a detachable holding pin 112. It will be understood that a holding pin may be used in a similar manner in conjunction with any of the devices described above which include elongate helical elements. As in a number of the previous embodiments, ornamental device 110 has a plate or shield 114 at one end and an elongate helical element 115 extending from shield 114. Shield 114 has a hook 117 on its rear face for hooking onto a pony tail holder or the like. The holding pin 112 may have any desired form of ornamental head 116, and can be inserted through the turns of the helix as indicated, so as to assist in holding hair in place.
FIG. 22 illustrates an optional modified end configuration for any of the elongate helical members in the previous embodiments. The end 118 is split to provide two fingers 120 which can be engaged with the wearer's hear in a similar manner to a bobby pin.
FIG. 23 illustrates a hair ornament device 121 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The device 121 comprises an elastic loop, a securing member, such as a swivel clasp 123, for attaching to an elasticized band or scrunchy 124 removably, and an elongate helical member 122 with its proximal end fixedly attached to the securing member 123 by welding or the like.
In each of the above embodiments, the ornamental objects or plates carrying the hook members may be made of any suitable rigid and ornamental material, such as ornamental metal or the like, and may be smooth, engraved, or have other types of ornamental finish. Instead of metallic plates, the ornamental objects may be jewels, gemstones, beaded elements or the like with a plate backing on which the hook member is mounted. Although the ornamental objects or plates in the illustrated embodiments all have one or more hooks on their rear faces, the hooks may be replaced by alternative securing devices such as alligator clips or the like.
The hair ornament devices of the above embodiments are extremely versatile for use in styling hair in conjunction with an elasticated or non-elasticated hair band or scrunchy, and can be used with an entire pony tail, part of a pony tail, a pig tail, or with braids. They may be made in various different sizes depending on the amount of hair to be retained, from big enough to retain an entire pony tail to small enough to hold only a small amount of hair. In the latter case, several such devices may be used simultaneously to produce unusual and striking hair styles.
The examples set forth above, in both the specification and the figures, are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference as if each such publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference.
Patent Application
20070175493
