Patent Grant
11622589
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of hair extensions and, more particularly, to a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus and a method for installing the same.
Hair extensions are a popular beauty tool to increase hair length and thickness. Permanent or semi-permanent hair extensions can be applied by a professional cosmetologist in a salon for continuous wear, while temporary hair extensions can be applied at home for use for special occasions or on an as-desired basis. Each of these hair extension types has notable drawbacks, however.
Microbead hair extensions, also called microlink or loop hair extensions, are one of the more popular types of permanent hair extensions. These hair extensions are applied by looping small portions of natural hair through dozens, or sometimes even hundreds, of microbeads at various positions along the wearer's scalp, and clamping the microbeads to flatten and secure the microbeads on the natural hair close to the scalp. The physical stress of clamping, as well as the heat applied during the installation process, can be damaging to the natural hair, causing the hair to burn and break. The microbeads have portions of synthetic or real human hair attached thereto, which can make the microbeads heavy and can stress and break the natural hair to which the microbeads are secured. The hundreds of microbeads attached to the wearer's natural hair can also cause headaches if installed too closely to the scalp such that the natural hair is pulled, and can additionally cause discomfort when sleeping as the microbeads may dig into the wearer's head. The significant number of microbeads needed can also limit the wearer's ability to wear her hair up in a ponytail or bun, as the microbeads may be visible on the underside of the wearer's natural hair. Microbead hair extensions must be installed and removed by a professional and are permanent until removed, giving little flexibility for the wearer.
Pre-bonded or fusion hair extensions avoid the need for microbeads, and are installed by bonding clusters (wefts) of synthetic or real human hair to sections of the wearer's natural hair using adhesives such as glue and keratin. This method avoids the issues encountered with microbeads, but requires a lengthy and tedious installation process of several hours, and can be messy and highly damaging to the wearer's hair. Like the microbead extensions, fusion hair extensions must be applied by a professional, and are permanent until removed by the professional.
Clip-in hair extensions are popular for their simplicity; wearers can easily clip wefts of hair into their natural hair at home, and can remove the clip-ins at the end of the day or as desired. This method avoids much of the damage caused by permanent and semi-permanent hair extensions, and minimizes discomfort by allowing the wearer to easily remove the extensions for sleep, exercise, or as otherwise desired. Clip-in hair extensions can be difficult to disguise even when installed correctly, however, and can fall out during wear.
There is lacking a minimally damaging, convenient, and natural-looking hair extension system that can be easily installed and removed, and that can allow for intermittent wear.
Applicant has recognized the difficulties noted above and that there is an unmet need for a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus that avoids the damage and discomfort of typical permanent hair extensions, and that can be installed and removed easily by the wearer. The present disclosure is directed to a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus and a method for installing the same that provides an elegant solution to these previously unmet needs.
The present disclosure is directed to a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus. According to an embodiment, the apparatus can include a plurality of microbeads and a plurality of hair extension wefts. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of microbeads can include an opening for receiving a plurality of strands of human hair longitudinally therethrough. According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of microbeads can further include a receiving component positioned thereon so as to releasably connect the microbead to a hair extension weft. In an embodiment, the plurality of hair extension wefts can include a plurality of strands of hair connected thereto. In an embodiment, the plurality of hair extension wefts can further include one or more fastening components positioned thereon. According to an embodiment, the one or more fastening components can be complementary to each of the one or more receiving components so as to facilitate a removable connection therebetween.
In an embodiment, the apparatus can further include a band portion. In an embodiment, the band portion can connect two or more of the plurality of hair extension wefts in horizontal series.
In an embodiment, the band portion can include the plurality of hair extension wefts secured to one or more of an upper horizontal surface and a lower horizontal surface thereof.
According to an embodiment, the band portion can include a flexible band selected from any of a mesh, fabric, or elastic material.
In an embodiment, the receiving components and the fastening components can be selected from any of a hook-and-eye closure, a male and female snap, a positive and negative magnet, and a button and button hole.
The present disclosure is also directed to a method for installing a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus. According to an embodiment, the method can include securing each of a plurality of microbeads to one or more strands of human hair proximal to a root of each of the one or more strands of human hair at predetermined intervals as measured latitudinally across a human head. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of microbeads can have a receiving component positioned thereon so as to releasably connect to one or more hair extension wefts. In an embodiment, the method can further include connecting one or more hair extension wefts to each of the plurality of microbeads. According to an embodiment, each of the hair extension wefts can include one or more fastening components positioned thereon. In an embodiment, the one or more fastening components can be positioned to be complementary to each of the one or more receiving components so as to facilitate a removable connection therebetween.
According to an embodiment, the band portion can connect two or more of the plurality of hair extension wefts in horizontal series.
According to an embodiment, the step of connecting one or more hair extension wefts to each of the plurality of microbeads can further include connecting each of the two or more hair extension wefts in series to each of the plurality of microbeads at the predetermined intervals latitudinally across the human head.
In an embodiment, the method can further include repeating the steps of securing the plurality of microbeads to one more strands of human hair at predetermined intervals as measured latitudinally across the human head and connecting each of the two or more hair extension wefts in series to each of the plurality of microbeads at the predetermined intervals latitudinally across the human head at two or more longitudinal levels along the human head so as to create two or more layers of semi-permanent hair weft extensions.
In an embodiment, the two or more longitudinal levels can be selected from any of a first longitudinal level positioned one inch below the occipital bone of the human head, a second longitudinal level positioned one inch above the occipital bone of the human head, and a third longitudinal level positioned one and one-half inches above the ears of the human head.
According to an embodiment, the method can further include sectioning the human hair into a first section positioned above the first longitudinal level, a second section positioned above the second longitudinal level, and a third section positioned above the third longitudinal level. In an embodiment, the method can further include releasing each of the first section, second section, and third section after securing the plurality of microbeads to one or more strands of human hair at predetermined intervals as measured latitudinally across the human head and connecting each of the two or more hair extension wefts in series to each of the plurality of microbeads at the predetermined intervals latitudinally across the human head at each of the first longitudinal level, second longitudinal level, and third longitudinal level, respectively.
In an embodiment, the method can further include identifying that the one or more strands of human hair to which the plurality of microbeads are secured have grown beyond a predetermined length; removing the hair extension wefts from each of the plurality of microbeads; releasing each of the plurality of microbeads from the one or more strands of human hair; re-securing each of the plurality of microbeads to the one or more strands of human hair at a position proximal to the root of each of the one or more strands of human hair; and re-connecting the hair extension wefts to the plurality of microbeads via the fastening components and receiving components.
In an embodiment, the band portion can include the plurality of hair extension wefts secured to one or more of an upper horizontal surface and a lower horizontal surface thereof.
According to an embodiment, the band portion can be a flexible band selected from any of a mesh, fabric, or elastic material.
In an embodiment, the receiving components and the fastening components can be selected from any of a hook-and-eye closure, a male and female snap, a positive and negative magnet, and a button and button hole.
Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the detailed description herein and the accompanying figures.
Some of the features and benefits of the present disclosure having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosure will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of the following embodiments and accompanying drawings. In describing the following embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Numerous specific details, examples, and embodiments are set forth and described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations.
The present disclosure is directed to a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus and a method for installing the same. Typical microbead hair extensions require dozens to even hundreds of microbeads to be installed at various positions along the wearer's scalp line. These extensions are permanent, and must be installed and removed by a professional. The installation process and use of these extensions is damaging to the wearer's hair, and the microbeads themselves can cause headaches and discomfort for the wearer, particularly during sleep. Applicant recognized these challenges and limitations, and sought to introduce a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus that allows the wearer to selectively install or remove the extensions, and that avoids much of the damage and discomfort of standard microbead extensions.
According to the present disclosure, a semi-permanent hair extension apparatus is described that includes a plurality of microbeads and a plurality of hair extension wefts. Unlike standard microbead extensions, however, the plurality of microbeads utilized according to an embodiment of the presently described apparatus can be limited to around 12-18 microbeads. In other embodiments, fewer than 12 or greater than 18 microbeads may be utilized, for example depending on the thickness of the wearer's hair or desired effect of the extensions, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Each microbead 105 can be installed by gathering a small grouping of human hair, for example with a hook, and inserting the human hair downwardly through the opening 110. The microbead 105 can then be slid upwards along the length of the grouping of human hair such that the microbead 105 is positioned proximate the roots of the human hair, close to the wearer's scalp. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the need to position the microbead 105 close enough to the roots to maximize longevity of wear, while avoiding excessive stress or pulling on the wearer's scalp. When the appropriate positioning is achieved, the microbead 105 can be clamped, for example using pliers, to close the opening 110 and flatten the microbead 105 around the grouping of human hair to secure the microbead 105 to the human hair at the desired location. In this way, the microbead 105 will be secured to the wearer's natural hair and will remain in place as the wearer's hair grows out from the root.
At a certain point and after a certain amount of outgrowth has occurred, it may be determined that the one or more strands of human hair to which the plurality of microbeads 105 are secured have grown beyond a predetermined length. The wearer can then return to a salon professional to have the microbeads 105 unclamped, moved up towards the roots of the hair, and re-clamped. Otherwise, the microbeads 105 will stay permanently attached to the wearer's hair until removed by a professional hair stylist.
The microbeads 105 may be formed of any suitable material, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the microbeads 105 may be formed of a plastic, metal, or other polymer or resin material suitable for the defined purpose. The microbeads 105 can be formed of a material sufficiently rigid to hold its shape, but malleable enough to allow the microbeads 105 to be clamped around the natural hair to secure the microbeads 105 in place, and to be unclamped and re-clamped to account for outgrowth.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated example, the receiving component 115 is a circular loop positioned at a lower portion of the microbead 105. In this configuration, the receiving component 115 is positioned to receive a hook through the central opening therein, so as to form a hook-and-eye closure between the receiving component 115 and a fastening component of a hair extension weft. In other examples, the receiving component 115 can include any suitable coupling or connecting component, such as a button, snap, or magnet. Other connecting components are also contemplated, such as a screw connection or any other suitable means, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the receiving component 115 may be the female portion of a snapping closure, and the fastening component of the hair extension weft may be the male portion of a snapping closure, so that the receiving component 115 of the microbead 105 and the fastening component of the hair extension weft can removably connect together. In another example, the receiving component 115 can be a button, and the fastening component of the hair extension weft can be a button hole, such that the button of the receiving component 115 can be inserted into and through the button hole of the fastening component to secure the receiving component 115 of the microbead 105 to the fastening component of the hair extension weft. Other various receiving and fastening component combinations are contemplated, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In the illustrated example, the receiving component 115 is positioned at a lower portion of the microbead 105, and is positioned to extend vertically down from the lower portion of the body of the microbead 105. In this configuration, the weight of the fastening component and hair extension weft can be evenly distributed on the body of the microbead 105, and in turn on the natural hair secured through the opening 110 of the microbead 105. This configuration also allows the loop of the receiving component 115, in the illustrated example, to be positioned to lie flat against the wearer's head, such that discomfort during sleep can be minimized. Such positioning can also help to obscure the appearance of the microbeads 105 through the wearer's natural hair. In other examples, the loop of the receiving component 115 may be positioned on a side or upper portion of the body of the microbead.
In examples where a button, snap, or magnet connection is utilized, the receiving component 115 may be positioned on a front surface of the body of the microbead 105. For example, the female portion of a snap closure can be positioned to extend from a front face of the body of the microbead 105, such that the male portion of a snap closure, positioned on a front face of the fastening component of the hair extension weft, can be brought into proximity with the male portion of the snap closure and can be releasably connected thereto. When connected, the snap connection between the receiving component and the fastening component can lie flat against the wearer's head so as to minimize discomfort and visibility.
The band portion 210 can be formed of any suitable material, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the band portion 210 can be formed of any mesh, fabric, or elastic material, or any other suitable material. In some examples, the band portion 210 can be formed of a flexible or stretchy material, while in the other examples, the band portion 210 can be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material. In some examples, the band portion 210 can be colored to blend in with the wearer's hair, while in other examples, the band portion 210 can be colored to blend in with the wearer's scalp. The plurality of hair extension wefts 215 can be attached to the band portion 210 by any known suitable means, such as by sewing, gluing, stapling, or other connection means as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The amount, thickness, and length of the plurality of hair extension wefts 215 attached to the band portion 210 can be selected based on the wearer's own hair texture, color, thickness, and desired appearance.
A horizontal length of the band portion 210 may be selected based on measurements of the wearer's head. For example, the band portion 210 can be measured and formed to fit along first, second, and third longitudinal levels on the wearer's head. The first longitudinal level may be measured latitudinally across the wearer's head from a position at or about one inch below the occipital bone of the wearer's head. The second longitudinal level may be measured latitudinally across the wearer's head from a position at or about one inch above the occipital bone of the wearer's head. The third longitudinal level may be measured latitudinally across the wearer's head from a position at or about one and one-half inches above the ears of the wearer's head. In other embodiments, the first, second, and third longitudinal levels may be positioned above or below the recited positions on the users head; for example the first longitudinal level may be positioned less than one inch below the occipital bone of the wearer's head, or may be positioned more than one inch below the occipital bone of the wearer's head. The second and third longitudinal levels may similarly be adjusted to be lesser or greater than the indicated measurements. In various embodiments, fewer or greater than three longitudinal levels may be utilized. A person having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the relative positioning of each of the one or more longitudinal levels on the wearer's head may be selected based on the wearer's individual head size and shape, hair length and thickness, and desired appearance. A typical length for the band portion 210 extending across the second longitudinal level will be about six inches, and a typical length for the band portion 210 extending across the third longitudinal level will be about twelve inches. Actual lengths of each band portion 210 will vary based on individual wearers' head shapes, sizes, hair patterns, and the like, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
As illustrated in the embodiment of
The number and relative placement of the fastening components 205 along the length of the band portion 210 may be directly proportional to the number and placement of the microbeads 105 on the wearer's head, according to embodiments. In the illustrated example, six fastening components 205 are evenly spaced along the length of the band portion 210. This number and spacing may be directly proportional to the position and spacing of each of six microbeads 105 positioned on the wearer's head, such that the fastening components 205 align with and connect to the receiving components 115 of the microbeads 105 when brought into close proximity therewith, according to the illustrated embodiment. This arrangement allows multiple hair extension wefts, connected by a single band portion, to be easily installed and removed by the wearer without professional assistance and with lesser damage to the hair than standard hair extension systems. This installation method provides the convenience of clip-in hair extensions, but with the security and superior appearance of permanent microbead extensions. In other embodiments, fewer or greater than the illustrated six fastening components 205 may be included on the band portion 210. Additionally, the relative spacing between each of the fastening components 205 along the length of the band portion 210 may vary, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Although illustrated as connected by a single band portion 210, in other embodiments the plurality of hair extension wefts 215 may be independently connected to individual fastening components 205. In such an embodiment, each hair extension weft 215 and associated fastening component 205 can be connected to a receiving component 115 on a microbead 105 secured to the wearer's natural hair.
As illustrated in
Although measurement of only the second longitudinal level 410b is illustrated in
In
In the example illustrated in
Although illustrated in
In the embodiments illustrated in
For ease of installation, connecting the fastening components 205 to the receiving components 115 in order to secure the hair extension wefts 215 to the microbeads 105 may first be done at the first longitudinal level 410c, then at the second longitudinal level 410b, and finally at the third longitudinal level 410a, as illustrated in
Steps 600, 700, and 800, as illustrated in
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/688,381, filed Jun. 21, 2018, titled “Hair extensions that are applied, bonded and maintained by a licensed cosmetologist, yet can be removed and replaced by the consumer on an everyday basis,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/688,381, filed Jun. 21, 2018, titled “Hair extensions that are applied, bonded and maintained by a licensed cosmetologist, yet can be removed and replaced by the consumer on an everyday basis,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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| 20060097541 | Oct 2006 | KR |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20190387824 A1 | Dec 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62688381 | Jun 2018 | US |
