Patent Application
20110120485
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates generally to the field of wigs. More particularly, the invention concerns a wig with an improved foundation structure which enhances the securement of the wig to the head of the wearer.
Wigs are used to provide a variety of hairstyles for those who have experienced significant or total hair loss, as well as those who still have all or most of their own natural hair. For those who have very little or none of their own natural hair, it can be difficult to effectively anchor a wig or other hairpiece to their head without using adhesives or tapes that can be inconvenient or irritating to their skin. For those who still have most or all of their own natural hair, modern wigs commonly require the use of one or more clips to anchor the wig foundation to their natural hair. It is common, in fact, for such clips to be integrated within the foundation of the wig itself. Over time, such clips can cause localized trauma to the scalp and natural hair of the wearer, often resulting in the formation of bald spots at the clip locations.
Those in the art are well aware of the challenges of producing a wig with an effective fully-integrated anchoring system, for use by those with and without their own natural hair, and which does not cause some form of inconvenience, discomfort or injury to the wearer. These challenges are compounded substantially when coupled with the universal desire to reduce manufacturing costs. Accordingly, there exists a need for a less-expensively produced wig with an integral foundation that provides enhanced securement of the wig to the head of a wearer in a manner which is comfortable, convenient, safe and effective. Just as importantly, there is a need for such a wig to perform universally for those wearers with and without their own natural hair.
By way of summary, the embodiments concern a wig with integral clinging foundation for enhanced securement of the wig to the head of a wearer.
Embodiments generally include a foundation base element, a plurality of strands of hair, and at least a first securement element. The foundation base element is substantially thin and flexible, and has an inner side, an outer side, a crown portion, a forward periphery, a rear periphery, a right periphery and a left periphery. Each of the plurality of hair strands is attached to the foundation base element and extend generally outward of the outer side. The first securement element is flexible and has a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first securement element is in first connection with the foundation base element. The first inner surface includes unidirectional piled fiber adapted to cause a first frictional engagement between the first securement element and a first adjacent object in contact therewith so as to hinder movement of the first securement element in a first frictional direction with respect to the first adjacent object.
In certain embodiments, the first connection is made proximate the forward periphery, while in other embodiments, the first connection may be made, for example, proximate the rear periphery.
Further embodiments comprise a second securement element. The second securement element is flexible and has a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second securement element is in second connection with the foundation base element. The second inner surface includes unidirectional piled fiber adapted to cause a second frictional engagement between the second securement element and a second adjacent object in contact therewith so as to hinder movement of the second securement element in a second frictional direction with respect to the second adjacent object. In embodiments with first and second securement elements, it is typical for the first connection to be made proximate the forward periphery while the second connection is made proximate the rear periphery.
Particular embodiments further comprise a third securement element and a fourth securement element. The third securement element is flexible and has a third inner surface and a third outer surface. The third securement element is in third connection with the foundation base element. The third inner surface includes unidirectional piled fiber adapted to cause a third frictional engagement between the third securement element and a third adjacent object in contact therewith so as to hinder movement of the third securement element in a third frictional direction with respect to the third adjacent object. The third connection is made proximate the right periphery.
The fourth securement element is flexible and has a fourth inner surface and a fourth outer surface. The fourth securement element is in fourth connection with the foundation base element. The fourth inner surface includes unidirectional piled fiber adapted to cause a fourth frictional engagement between the fourth securement element and a fourth adjacent object in contact therewith so as to hinder movement of the fourth securement element in a fourth frictional direction with respect to the fourth adjacent object. The fourth connection is made proximate the left periphery.
In certain embodiments, the second, third, and fourth securement elements may each also include a readily reshapable strip therein. The shape of the readily reshapable strip is adjustable to provide additional pressure between the second, third and fourth inner surfaces and the second, third and fourth adjacent objects, respectively.
In embodiments, the first, second, third and fourth adjacent objects, where applicable, are typically separate portions of either the skin of the wearer or the natural hair of the wearer (more particularly, the skin or natural hair of the head of the wearer). The first, second, third and fourth frictional directions are generally toward the crown portion. Each frictional engagement and their respective frictional directions, individually and (where applicable) in combination, contributes to the enhanced securement of the wig to the head of the wearer.
Certain embodiments may also comprise an elastic band extending generally from the right periphery, along the rear periphery and to the left periphery. The elastic band may also have a length that is adjustable, for example, by way of a small conventional quick-release clip.
The detailed description of embodiments of the wig with integral clinging foundation is intended to serve merely as examples, and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the appended claims to these described embodiments. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments described are possible, and as will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, the invention may be practiced in many different ways than the embodiments specifically described below, and still remain within the scope of the claims.
Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and may herein be described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular for disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications.
Referring particularly to the FIGS. for the purposes of illustration of the best modes only, and not limitation,
Turning now to
Importantly, when pieces of such material are applied and oriented optimally as part of a wig foundation, these unidirectional frictional properties advantageously allow the wig to more easily slide onto the head of a wearer, while simultaneously enhancing the securement of the wig thereto. Further, the softness of the material enhances comfort to the wearer, in contrast to the clips common in prior art wig systems. The securement elements can be a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the particular configuration of the wig and the desired frictional properties. For example, a larger securement element placed on one side of the clinging foundation can provide greater friction to counteract the weight of a larger mass of hair hanging on the opposite side.
In certain embodiments, the first connection is made proximate the forward periphery 30, while in other embodiments, the first connection may be made, for example, proximate the rear periphery 32. Such connections, as generally discussed herein, may be made by stitching operation, adhesive bond, or other conventional connection means. Further, such connections may be made directly between the respective edges or peripheries of two interconnected elements, or there may, in some embodiments, be varying degrees of overlapping between interconnected elements. For example, where the securement elements cover relatively large sections of the clinging foundation 90, it may be desirable for the foundation base element 22 to substantially overlap one or more of the securement elements, so that hair strands can be attached to visually obscure the outside surface of those securement elements.
Embodiments, such as those shown in
Some embodiments may include an auxiliary foundation member made from, for example, a rubber-like compound with the appearance of a natural scalp to which further hair strands are attached. Such an auxiliary foundation member would typically be integrated toward the top-front portion of the wig 20 to enhance the realism of the scalp of the wearer where hair is parted. Also, where a larger securement element is positioned toward the front of the head of the wearer in order to provide additional frictional engagement to offset the weight of the hair hanging from the back of the wig, such an auxiliary foundation member could be advantageously integrated with the remainder of the wig to cover up the larger securement element.
Turning
Particular embodiments further comprise a third securement element 66 and a fourth securement element 76. The third securement 66 element is flexible and has a third inner surface (not shown) and a third outer surface 70. The third securement element 66 is in third connection with the foundation base element 22. The third inner surface includes unidirectional piled fiber 46 adapted to cause a third frictional engagement between the third securement element 66 and a third adjacent object (see, for example, 72 in
The fourth securement element 76 is flexible and has a fourth inner surface 78 and a fourth outer surface (not shown). The fourth securement element is in fourth connection with the foundation base element. The fourth inner surface 78 includes unidirectional piled fiber 46 adapted to cause a fourth frictional engagement between the fourth securement element 76 and a fourth adjacent object in contact therewith so as to hinder movement of the fourth securement element 76 in a fourth frictional direction (see, for example, 84 in
In certain embodiments, the second, third, and fourth securement elements (illustrated, for example, at 54, 66 and 76, respectively) may each also include a readily reshapable strip 64 therein. Such reshapable strips 64 are typically a thin metal strip which the wearer can easily bend by hand and reform without the aid of tools.
In embodiments, the first, second, third and fourth adjacent objects, where applicable, are typically separate portions of either the skin of the wearer or the natural hair of the wearer (more particularly, the skin or natural hair of the head of the wearer). Turning to
Certain embodiments may also comprise an elastic band 86 extending generally from the right periphery 34, along the rear periphery 32 and to the left periphery 36. The elastic band 86 may also have a length that is adjustable, for example, by way of a small conventional quick-release clip (not shown). In embodiments comprising an elastic band 86 with a length that is adjustable, the elastic band may be selected to be far less elastic. Certain embodiments with one or more of a second, third and fourth securement element find particular utility in the inclusion of an elastic band 86 because the elastic band 86 can apply additional pressure between the securement elements and their respective adjacent objects, thereby increasing the degree of frictional engagement therebetween.
The foregoing detailed description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes and modifications are possible with respect to the embodiments detailed in the foregoing descriptions, and it is understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than that specifically described herein and still be within the scope of the appended claims.
