This present disclosure generally relates to hair accessories which can be easily positioned in a user's hair to hold the hair in place and can be decorative.
People with long hair may have problems with their hair hanging over their face and they need a hair accessory to hold their hair back. A wide variety of hairclips are available, but a useful hairclip must incorporate the advantages of easy installation, firm holding of the hair, and the ability to secure different hair thicknesses.
In some aspects of the disclosure, a reversible hairclip is disclosed. The reversible hairclip may comprise a flexible inelastic band and a curved pin. The flexible inelastic band may comprise a first loop, a second loop, and a middle section. The first loop may comprise a first indented portion at a first end and the second loop may comprise a second indented portion at a second end. The middle section may be positioned between the first and second loops. The flexible inelastic band may further comprise an interior material having spring-like properties and an exterior material. The first loop, the second loop, and the middle section may be arranged to form a figure eight shape. An outer diameter of the first indented portion and an outer diameter of the second indented portion may be smaller than an outer diameter of an adjacent portion of the flexible inelastic band. The first end of the first loop may be spaced from the middle section and the second end of the second loop may be spaced from the middle section. The exterior material may encase the interior material such that the exterior material prevents fluid from contacting the interior material. The curved pin may comprise a first elongate side, a second elongate side, a knob, a tip end opposite the knob, and a slot. The knob may comprise a first portion and a second portion that may be joined together. The knob may be configured to pass through the first loop. The curved pin may comprise a length extending from the knob to the tip end. The slot may be positioned adjacent the knob and may extend along at least a portion of the length of the curved pin toward the tip end. The slot may be configured to receive the first indented portion of the flexible inelastic band and the first indented portion of the flexible inelastic band may be movable within the slot. The tip end may comprise a plurality of notches along the first and second elongate sides and the plurality of notches may be configured to engage with the second indented portion of the flexible inelastic band. The curved pin may be configured to rotate around an axis of the first indented portion such that the plurality of notches along the first or second elongate side of the tip end of the curved pin can engage with the second indented portion.
The reversible hairclip can include one or more of the following features. The interior material may comprise a metal. The exterior material may be configured to be waterproof. The exterior material may comprise a plastic material. The plastic material may comprise a polypropylene material, a thermoplastic elastomer material, or the like. The exterior material may comprise a hardness of approximately Shore 30A. A surface of the exterior material may be configured to grip the hair of the user. The first portion and the second portion of the knob can be sonically welded together during manufacturing. The knob of the curved pin may comprise a ball or a substantially cylindrical structure. The middle section of the flexible inelastic band may comprise a circular structure. The slot of the curved pin may extend substantially halfway along the length of the curved pin. The plurality of notches may be configured to engage with the second indented portion such that the hair of the user may be secured between the curved pin and the flexible inelastic band in use.
In some aspects, a reversible hairclip is disclosed. The reversible hairclip may comprise a flexible inelastic band and a curved pin. The flexible inelastic band may comprise a first loop that may comprise a first end, a second loop that may comprise a second end, and a clamp that may be positioned between the first and second loops. The flexible inelastic band may further comprise an interior material having spring-like properties and an exterior material. The first loop, the second loop, and the clamp may be arranged to form a figure eight shape. The first end of the first loop may be spaced from the clamp and the second end of the second loop may be spaced from the clamp. The exterior material may encase the interior material. The curved pin may comprising a first elongate side, a second elongate side, a knob, a tip end opposite the knob, and a slot. The knob may be configured to pass through the first loop. The curved pin may comprise a length extending from the knob to the tip end. The slot may be positioned adjacent the knob and may extend along at least a portion of the length of the curved pin toward the tip end. The slot may be configured to receive the first end of the flexible inelastic band and the first end of the flexible inelastic band may be movable along the length of the slot. The tip end may comprise at least one notch along the first and second elongate sides. The at least one notch may be configured to engage with the second end of the flexible inelastic band. The curved pin may be configured to rotate around an axis of the first end of the flexible inelastic band such that the at least one notch along the first or second elongate side of the tip end of the curved pin can engage with the second end of the flexible inelastic band.
The reversible hairclip can include one or more of the following features. The interior material may comprise a metal wire. The exterior material may comprise a plurality of beads. The knob of the curved pin may comprise a ball or a substantially cylindrical structure. The slot of the curved pin may extend substantially halfway along the length of the curved pin. The at least one notch may be configured to engage with the second end of the flexible inelastic band such that the hair of the user may be secured between the curved pin and the flexible inelastic band in use. The clamp may comprise a metal material. The clamp may comprise a first loop and a second loop. The first and second loops of the clamp may be configured to receive a first portion and a second portion of the flexible inelastic band.
In some aspects, a reversible hairclip is disclosed. The reversible hairclip may include a flexible inelastic band and a curved pin. The curved pin can be removable from the flexible inelastic band. The curved pin can include a body portion including a tip end opposite a connecting end, a knob that can be removable from the connecting end of the body portion, and a slot. The slot can be positioned adjacent the knob and can extend along at least a portion of the body portion toward the tip end. The slot can receive a first end of the flexible inelastic band and the first end of the flexible inelastic band can be movable along a length of the slot. The tip end can include at least one notch that can engage with a second end of the flexible inelastic band. The curved pin can rotate around an axis of the first end of the flexible inelastic band such that the at least one notch of the tip end of the curved pin can engage with the second end of the flexible inelastic band.
The reversible hairclip can include one or more of the following features. The flexible inelastic band can include a first loop including the first end, a second loop including the second end, and a middle section between the first and second loops. The first end of the first loop can be spaced from the middle section and the second end of the second loop can be spaced from the middle section. The knob can pass through the first loop. The slot can receive the first end of the flexible inelastic band and the first end of the flexible inelastic band can be movable along the length of the slot. The flexible inelastic band can include an interior material having spring-like properties and an exterior material. The exterior material can encase the interior material. The interior material can include a metal wire. The exterior material can include a plurality of beads. The exterior material can be waterproof. The exterior material can include a plastic material. The plastic material can include a polypropylene material, a thermoplastic elastomer material, or the like. The exterior material can include a hardness of approximately Shore 30A. A surface of the exterior material can grip the hair of the user.
The middle section can include a clamp. The clamp can include a metal material. The clamp can include a first loop and a second loop. The first and second loops of the clamp can receive a first portion and a second portion of the flexible inelastic band. The flexible inelastic band can form a figure eight shape. The body portion can include a first elongate side and a second elongate side. The at least one notch can be positioned along the first elongate side and/or the second elongate side of the tip end of the body portion. The curved pin can include a length extending from the knob to the tip end. The slot of the curved pin can extend substantially halfway along the length of the curved pin. The knob of the curved pin can include a ball or a substantially cylindrical structure. The at least one notch can engage with the second end of the flexible inelastic band such that the hair of the user can be secured between the curved pin and the flexible inelastic band in use. The connecting end can include one or more prongs configured to be received by the knob. The knob can include one or more holes. The one or more holes can include a first hole and a second hole. The first hole can extend along a length of the knob. The second hole can extend substantially perpendicularly to the first hole. The first hole can receive the one or more prongs of the body portion. The second hole can receive a securement mechanism that can secure the knob to the connecting end of the body portion. The one or more prongs can include two prongs. The connecting end can include an opening positioned between the two prongs. The opening can receive the securement mechanism.
For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and features of the technology have been described herein. Not necessarily any or all such advantages are achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the technology disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable. Neither the preceding summary nor the following detailed description purports to limit or define the scope of protection. The scope of protection is defined by the claim
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present technology, which relate to a reversible hairclip. Although certain specific embodiments of the present technology are described, the present technology is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, these described embodiments are merely illustrative of the present technology, and the present technology is intended to also cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known methods, procedures, compounds, compositions and mechanisms have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the present technology.
In some aspects, the band 110 can comprise flexible, inelastic material. For example, the band 110 can comprise an interior spring 130 (shown in
The exterior material coating the interior spring 130 may comprise a plastic material, such as polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like. The exterior material may comprise a combination of two or more materials. For example, the interior spring 130 can have an injection overmold of polypropylene to provide stabilization in the secondary injection process to prevent the interior spring 130 from moving during the second overmold. Further, the interior spring 130 can have a second injection overmold of thermoplastic elastomer. The shore hardness of the exterior material is configured to sufficiently grip the user's hair in use. In some aspects, the exterior material comprises a shore hardness of about Shore 30A. In some aspects, the exterior material comprises a shore hardness of about Shore 30D to about Shore 10A. Although specific shore hardnesses are described, other shore hardnesses are contemplated and are within the scope of the present invention. A material with the described shore hardness can provide strength that prevents band 110 from indentation or deformation while still allowing the necessary flexibility to conform to the hair and desired curvature. The exterior material can also be resistant enough to bend without cracking or breaking ensuring enclosure and protection of the interior material throughout use and repeated bending of the band 110. In some aspects, the exterior material is waterproof, which prevents the interior spring 130 from contacting a fluid. The combination of the interior spring 130 overmolded with, for example, polypropylene Shore 30A, allows the band 110 to comfortably curve and grip onto objects, which gives the band 110 a flexible grip and soft-touch application. In some variants, the band 110 can comprise a single material.
In some embodiments, the band 110 comprises a first loop 116, a second loop 118, and middle section 114 between the first and second loops 116, 118. The middle section 114 may comprise a circular structure that can be configured to display a label or a logo (e.g., the circular structure 114, 214 shown in
In some aspects, the band 110 may comprise a length of between approximately 40 millimeters to approximately 120 millimeters, approximately 50 millimeters to approximately 110 millimeters, approximately 60 millimeters to approximately 110 millimeters, approximately 70 millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters, or approximately 80 millimeters to approximately 90 millimeters. In some aspects, the band 110 may comprise a width of between approximately 10 millimeters to 50 millimeters, approximately 15 millimeters to approximately 45 millimeters, approximately 20 millimeters to approximately 40 millimeters, or approximately 25 millimeters to approximately 35 millimeters. Although specific lengths are described, other lengths of the band 110 are contemplated and are within the scope of the present invention.
As described above, the reversible hair clip 100 can include a curved pin 120. The curved pin 120 may comprise any suitable material, such as a metal (e.g., zinc, steel) or a plastic (e.g., polycarbonate, glass-reinforced polycarbonate). In some aspects, the curved pin 120 may comprise a radius of curvature of approximately 160 millimeters. In some aspects, the curved pin 120 may comprise a radius of curvature of between approximately 120 millimeters to approximately 180 millimeters, approximately 130 millimeters to approximately 170 millimeters, or approximately 140 millimeters to approximately 150 millimeters. In some aspects, the curved pin 120 may comprise a length of between approximately 50 millimeters to approximately 150 millimeters, approximately 60 millimeters to approximately 140 millimeters, approximately 70 millimeters to approximately 130 millimeters, approximately 80 millimeters to approximately 120 millimeters, or approximately 90 millimeters to approximately 110 millimeters. Although specific lengths are described, other lengths of the curved pin 120 are contemplated and are within the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the curved pin 120 may comprise a knob 122, a slot 126, and a tip end 124. As shown in
In some aspects, the slot 126 of the curved pin 120 may comprise a length of between approximately 10 millimeters to approximately 80 millimeters, approximately 20 millimeters to approximately 70 millimeters, approximately 30 millimeters to approximately 60 millimeters, or approximately 40 millimeters to approximately 50 millimeters. Although specific lengths are described, other lengths of the slot 126 are contemplated and are within the scope of the present invention.
As described above, the curved pin 120 can comprise a rigid material, such as plastic, that maintains the curvature of the curved pin 120. Referring to
In some aspects, the slot 126 of the curved pin 120 may be configured to receive the first indented portion 113 of band 110. The first indented portion 113 of the band 110 can be configured to move along the length of the slot 126. The curved pin 120 may be configured to rotate about an axis of the band 110 that runs through the length of the first indented portion 113 such that the knob 122 of the pin 120 can pass through the first loop 116. The curved pin's 120 ability to rotate about the first indented portion 113 of the band 110 allows the plurality of notches 128a, 128b on the concave and convex sides 132b, 132a of the pin 120 to be able to engage with the second indented portion 112 of the band 110. This rotation, the plurality of notches 128a, 128b on both sides of the pin 120, and the concave and convex sides 132b, 132a of the pin 120 allow the hairclip 100 to be reversible and to accommodate different hair thicknesses and different hairstyles. For example, a user with thick hair may use a notch of the plurality of notches 128a, 128b closest to the tip end 124 to secure their hair with the pin 120. Or the user may wear the hairclip 100 such that the hair of the user is secured between the band 110 and the concave side 132b of the curved pin 120. Alternatively, a user with thinner hair may use a notch of the plurality of notches 128a, 128b furthest from the tip end 124. Or the user may wear the hairclip 100 such that the hair of the user is secured between the band 110 and the convex side 132a of the curved pin 120. Moreover, a user may use the hairclip 100 with one hairstyle and rotate the curved pin 120 about the band 110 to wear the hairclip 100 with a different hair style.
Other embodiments of the reversible hairclip, the curved pin and the band are illustrated in
The hairclip 300 shown in
In the embodiment of the hairclip 400 shown in
As shown in
Embodiments of a reversible hairclip that incorporate a decorative element are illustrated in
In some embodiments, the band 710 comprises a first loop 716, a second loop 718, and clamp 714 between the first and second loops 116, 118. The first and second loops 716, 718 may comprise a first end 715 and a second end 711, respectively. The first end 715 may be configured to be moveably received in the slot 726 of the curved pin 720, described further below. The second end 711 may be configured to engage with the plurality of notches 728a, 728b of the curved pin 720 such that the user's hair is secured between the band 710 and the pin 720 in use.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the curved pin 720 may comprise a knob 722, a slot 726, and a tip end 724. The tip end 724 may include a plurality of notches 728a, 728b adjacent both sides of the tip end 724. The plurality of notches 728a, 728b may be configured to engage with the second end 711 of the band 710. The number of notches along the tip end 724 may vary (e.g., see
As shown in
The curved pin 2120 can be configured to be secured to any of the bands 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 described herein. For example, the securement mechanism 2134 can be removed from the knob 2122 such that the knob 2122 can be removed from the two prongs 2122a, 2122b. A first band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 can be inserted into the slot 2126 and the knob 2122 can be secured onto the two prongs 2122a, 2122b to secure the first band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 within the slot 2126. If the user wants to wear a different style or a different sized band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010, the user can remove the knob 2122 and the first band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 from the curved pin 2120. The user can then insert the second band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 into the slot 2126 and secure it with the knob 2122. Additionally, if the user wants to use the same band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 and a different style or a different sized curved pin 2120, the user can exchange the pin 2120 in this same or similar manner.
In some configurations, the curved pin 2120 may rotate about an axis of the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 that runs through the length of the first end of the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010. In some configurations, the user can remove the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 from the curved pin 2120, rotate the curved pin 2120, and reinsert the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 into the curved pin 2120. The curved pin's 2120 ability to rotate about the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 and the user's ability to rotate the curved pin 2120 allows the plurality of notches 2128a, 2128b on both sides of the pin 2120 to be able to engage with the second end of the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010. This allows the curved pin 2120 to be able to accommodate different hair thicknesses. For example, when the first longitudinal side 2132a is facing toward the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010, the hairclip can accommodate thinner hair or less hair. The first longitudinal side 2132a can be convex such that there is a smaller opening between the pin 2120 and the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 compared to when the second longitudinal side 2132b faces the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 to accommodate thinner hair or less hair. When the second longitudinal side 2132b is facing toward the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010, the hairclip can accommodate thicker hair or more hair. The second longitudinal side 2132b can be concave such that there is a larger opening between the pin 2120 and the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 compared to when the first longitudinal side 2132a faces the band 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, 1010 to accommodate thicker hair or more hair
As shown in
As shown in
The head end 2134a can include an aperture sized and configured to removably receive a tool for securing the screw 2134 to the knob 2122. For example, the tool can be a wrench (e.g., a hex key or hexagon wrench) or a screwdriver. The aperture can include a width W3. In some configurations, the width W3 can be between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, or about 1.3 mm. The head end 2134a can include the maximum width W2 of the screw 2134. The head can include sidewalls that taper from the maximum width W2 of the head end 2134a to the minimum width W4 of the threaded portion 2134c at an angle Θ between the side walls. The angle Θ can be between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees, or about 90 degrees. The head of the screw 2134 can include a length L3. In some configurations, the length L3 can be between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm, about 2 mm and about 4 mm, or about 1.2 mm.
Different dimensions, thicknesses, and hardnesses set forth in the present application may be changed and these changes are within the scope of the present invention.
The terms “first” and “second” are merely numbered for describing corresponding technical features clearly and do not represent the actual order. During particular implementations, the locations of the technical features defined by the terms “first” and “second” are interchangeable.
Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “outer,” “inner,” and “end” are used in the context of the illustrated embodiment. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as “diameter” or “radius,” should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular” or “cylindrical” or “semi-circular” or “semi cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.
The terms “approximately,” “about” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, in some embodiments, as the context may dictate, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. The term “generally” as used herein represents a value, amount, or characteristic that predominantly includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain embodiments, as the context may dictate, the term “generally parallel” can refer to something that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 20 degrees.
Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include or do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y and at least one of Z.
Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, the scope of this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Any system, method, and device described in this application can include any combination of the preceding features described in this and other paragraphs, among other features and combinations described herein, including features and combinations described in subsequent paragraphs. While several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/034,318, which was filed on Jun. 3, 2020 and is titled “REVERSIBLE HAIRCLIP,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of the present disclosure.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2021/035382 | 6/2/2021 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63034318 | Jun 2020 | US |