Abstract:
Clip-in hair extensions, topper, and method for adding hair length and volume for individuals with shorter hair. The extensions and topper assist an individual to achieve natural, long, beautiful hair such that others are unable to accurately detect that the individual is wearing clip-in hair extensions pieces in their hair.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/025,207, filed Jul. 16, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to hair extensions and accoutrements for the hair and, more particularly, to hair extensions and toppers for wear with a user&#39;s hair. Hair extensions are popular for adding length and or fullness to a wearer&#39;s natural hair. There are many hair extensions on the market as well as various methods for attaching such extensions to the wearer&#39;s hair. For individuals with short hair, hair extensions provide a means for adding length to the wearer&#39;s hair for different occasions when the individual would like longer hair. 
         [0003]    However, for those with short hair, it is difficult to make the extensions look natural. Wearing just hair extensions, individuals with short hair struggle in making their appearance look natural and to where the extensions are not noticeable in their head. Extensions don&#39;t work well on short hair because they don&#39;t blend well and they show through the individuals own hair. As a result, others can tell you&#39;re wearing hair extensions. 
         [0004]    Toppers are another popular item for adding fullness to a wearer&#39;s hair. Particularly for individuals with thin amounts of hair on the crown of their head. The toppers are named because they fit over the top of the wearer&#39;s hair, generally over the top of the head. There are also many hair toppers on the market. 
         [0005]    Another persistent problem with toppers and extensions is the individual&#39;s ability to match the color of their own hair with that of the topper and/or extensions. An individual is limited to the selections available at a particular vendor or merchant ore even selecting among several vendors. A related problem is that there are no kits with real Remy Virgin Hair that incorporate hair extensions and a topper in a coordinated unit. 
         [0006]    As can be seen, there is a need for an improved hair styling product with hair extensions and topper that are available for an individual&#39;s use as a matched set, to provide the opportunity for producing a full natural looking head of hair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair styling product including a topper, having hairs arranged in a styled weft and defining a generally ellipsoidal inner surface, a topper band secured to the inner surface, and a plurality of clips operatively secured to the topper band. The hair styling product further includes a plurality of hair extensions, with hairs arranged in a substantially linear weft, a weft band secured to an inner surface of the weft, and a plurality of clips operatively secured to the weft band. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, the hair styling product wherein the hairs are preferably human remy virgin hair. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the hair styling product is that the topper hairs and said hair extension hairs have a matching color. Preferably, the topper hairs and said extension hairs have a matching texture. 
         [0010]    The hair care product should have at least three aft wefts having a substantially similar length and width. In an additional aspect of the invention the hair care product will also include at least two side wefts having a width less than that of said aft wefts. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the hair styling product, the topper includes a cap-like lace base. In alternative embodiments of the topper band, may include a fabric ribbon, or silicone bonded to the lace base. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hair styling method comprising: providing a topper, comprising hairs arranged in a styled weft and defining a generally ellipsoidal inner surface, a topper band secured to the inner surface, and a plurality of clips operatively secured to the topper band; and 
         [0013]    providing a plurality of hair extensions, comprising hairs arranged in a substantially linear weft, a weft band secured to an inner surface of the substantially linear weft, and a plurality of clips operatively secured to the weft band; and defining a parting line in an individual&#39;s natural hair along an aft aspect of the individual&#39;s head; securing the hair extensions to the individual&#39;s below said parting line with said clips; placing the topper atop the individual&#39;s head; securing the topper to an individual&#39;s natural hair via said clips; and blending the topper hairs with the individual&#39;s natural hair in a desired style. 
         [0014]    An additional aspect of the hair styling method includes defining a side parting line in an individual&#39;s natural hair along a lateral aspect of the individual&#39;s head; securing a side hair extension in the individual&#39;s natural hair below the parting line. The hair styling method may also include defining a second side parting line in an individual&#39;s natural hair along an opposite lateral aspect of the individual&#39;s head; securing the side hair extension in the individual&#39;s natural hair below the second parting line. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect of the invention there is a hair style product with 
         [0016]    a topper, with hairs arranged in wefts, with the wefts arranged a styled appearance. The inside of the topper has a generally ellipsoidal inner surface, and a plurality of clips attached to the inner surface. The hair style product further includes a plurality of hair extensions having a substantially linear weft, and a plurality of clips attached to an inner surface and at an upper end of the weft; wherein the hair extensions comprise a first set of three wefts, having substantially similar widths and lengths; and a second set of two wefts having a width and length different than said first set; and the topper wefts and said extension wefts are comprised of virgin remy hair. 
         [0017]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1 : is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hair extensions and topper, shown in use 
           [0019]      FIG. 2 : is a perspective view of an embodiment of the topper and hair extensions 
           [0020]      FIG. 3 : is a detail perspective view of the a clip, band, and weft 
           [0021]      FIG. 4 : is a flow chart of the application of the invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0023]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hair topper and hair extension and a method of applying the same to an individual&#39;s head. 
         [0024]    As best seen in reference to  FIG. 1  a topper  32  is shown on a user&#39;s head  36 . In this view hair extensions are seen as a left weft  24  and a right weft  28 , that are operatively attached to the user&#39;s natural hair  38 , a portion of which may be seen beneath the topper  32 . 
         [0025]    As seen in reference to  FIG. 2 , the topper  32  comprises a lace base to assist in retaining and secure lengths of hair, defining the appearance and hair style of the topper. The topper  32  is has a generally ellipsoidal inner surface so as to conform to a user&#39;s head. The lace base has a generally cap like shape, to which a topper band  34  is secured. Topper band  34  may be comprised of a fabric material, or may comprise a silicone type material to strengthen and provide support for the lace base. Preferably the base is a Swiss lace material. A plurality of clips  10  are operatively attached to the topper band  34 . Clips  10  are used to secure the topper to the user&#39;s natural hair  38  and head in the desired placement and orientation. Preferably, the topper band  34 , is secured to the inner surface of the topper  32  in an ellipse to allow the positioning of the clips  10  thereon so as permit the topper  32  to be secured around a circumference of the user&#39;s head. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the hairs comprising the topper  32  should be of a length such that the portion of hairs will extend past a top attachment end of at least a top most of the aft wefts, and said side wefts  24 ,  28 . 
         [0026]    As further seen in reference to  FIG. 2 , a plurality hair extension wefts are depicted. The wefts comprise a plurality of hairs joined in a substantially linear arrangement. In an embodiment of the invention, the wefts may include a lower weft  12 , a middle weft  16 , and an upper weft  20 . The lower weft comprises a lower weft band  14  to which are secured a plurality of hair strands arranged as a weft. A plurality of clips  10  are operatively attached to the lower weft band  14 , for securing the lower weft to the user&#39;s head. In a preferred embodiment, three clips  10  are provided to give the weft secure attachment of the left right and middle portions of the lower weft  12 . The middle weft  16  and upper weft  20  are preferably configured in like manner to that of the lower weft  12 . Middle weft  16  includes a middle weft band  18  to which a plurality of clips  10  are operatively attached. Upper weft  20  includes an upper weft band  22  to which a plurality of clips  10  are operatively attached. 
         [0027]    In use, the lower weft  12 , the middle weft  16 , and the upper weft  20  are intended to attach to and cover the central aft aspects of the user&#39;s  36  head and natural hair  38 . 
         [0028]    As will be appreciated the lower  12 , middle  16  and upper  20  wefts may each be formed with the same length and volume of hair and affixed to the aft portion of a user&#39;s head in any position relative the neck and top of the user&#39;s head to obtain a desired volume, length and layering. Alternatively, the lower  12 , middle  16 , and upper  20  wefts may have varied lengths and volumes of hair to achieve a different desired hair style, in relation to volume, length and layering. 
         [0029]    The hair extensions of an embodiment of the invention may further comprise a left weft  24 , and a right weft  28 . Left weft  24  comprises a left weft band  26 , to which the wefts are attached and includes at least one clip  10  for securing the left weft  24  to the left lateral aspects of user&#39;s head. Likewise, the right weft  28  comprises a right weft band  30  and at least one clip  10  for securing the right weft to the right lateral aspects of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0030]    In some preferred embodiments the lower  12 , middle  16 , and upper  20  wefts have a width that is greater than that of the left  24  and right  28  wefts, and thus have a greater number of clips  10 . In such an embodiment the extensions would provide a greater hair volume in the aft portion of the user&#39;s head. Similarly, if the left  24  and right  29  wefts are provided a greater width than that of the lower  12 , middle  16 , and upper  20  wefts, a hair style with reduced volume in the back of the head may be achieved. 
         [0031]    The hair should be selected for the toppers and extensions, such that the color and texture are matched. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the topper and hair extension wefts are made with human remy virgin hair. More preferably, the hair should be selected from the same hair donor. Alternatively, a less desirable synthetic materials may be utilized. 
         [0032]    As seen in reference to  FIG. 3 , a detailed view of the right weft  28  is provided for illustrative purposes of showing the relation of the clip  10  to the weft  28  and band  30 . 
         [0033]    According to an embodiment of a method for using the topper  32  and extension wefts  12 ,  16 ,  20 ,  24 , and  28  will be described, in reference to  FIG. 4 . Inasmuch as the topper  32  and extensions may be placed on an individual&#39;s head by the individual or an individual assisting the user, it should be understood 
         [0034]    The user  36  parts her hair  38  with a comb or a brush at a first part, in this instance, at the nape of the neck. The user then secures the hair above the part in a hair clip or tie, in order to temporarily secure the hair  38  out of the way. The user then clips a lower three-clip weft  12  into the hair  38  below the part. At this point the user then may release the hair clip or tie to prepare for a next step. 
         [0035]    The user then parts her hair  38 , at a second part line at a desired position above the lower three-clip weft  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second part line is made one inch above the lower three-clip weft  12 . As with the first part, the user temporarily secures the hair  38  out of the way with a tie or clip. 
         [0036]    The user clips the middle weft  16  into the hair  38  below the second part. Once the weft  16  is secured, the user releases the hair to prepare for the next step. 
         [0037]    In the next step, the user creates a third part line above the second part line. In this instance, the third part line may be made along a line at a point just above the user&#39;s ears. The user temporarily secures the hair  38  with a clip or a tie so that it is held out of the way. 
         [0038]    The user then attaches the upper three clip weft  20  into the hair  38  below the third part line. Once the upper weft  30  is secured, the user may release the hair  38  above the third part line. 
         [0039]    Next, the user may part their hair at a fourth part line. In the illustrated embodiment of the method, the fourth part line is formed along a line just above the ear on the left side of the users head. The hair  38  above the part line is secured with a tie or a clip. 
         [0040]    The user may then clip, in this case, the left two-clip weft  24  into the hair  38  below the fourth part line. The user then may release the hair  38  retained in the tie or clip. 
         [0041]    The user may then comb a fifth part line. The fifth part line may be defined along a line above the user&#39;s right ear. As with the previous instances, the hair  38  above the fifth part line is temporarily secured with a clip or a tie. 
         [0042]    The user may then clip a two-clip weft  28  into the hair  38  below the fifth part line and release the hair  38  above the fifth part line. 
         [0043]    After securing the desired number of hair extension wefts into selected positions on the side of the user&#39;s head, the user may place the topper  32  on the top of their head. The topper  32  may be positioned in a desired orientation and position on the user&#39;s head, for example, approximately one inch from the user&#39;s forehead. 
         [0044]    The user may then secure the topper  32  to the user&#39;s hair with clips  10 . The user may then blend their natural hair  38  with that of the wefts and topper using a comb, brush or fingers to obtain the desired appearance. 
         [0045]    According to a method contemplated, the user may apply hairspray to the hair below the respective part lines where the wefts are attached to facilitate keeping the wefts from moving out of their intended position. 
         [0046]    In another aspect of the invention, the user is provided a kit including a topper and hair extension wefts for use at home. Optionally, the user is provided instructions for styling their hair according to a method of the invention. The instructions may be in the form of a booklet or an online video. 
         [0047]    As will be appreciated, the user may be able to install the clip-in hair extensions and hair topper in the convenience of their own home. Alternatively, the components of the invention may be utilized at a hair salon. Within anywhere from 5-15 minutes, the user can install the hair extensions and topper. A user can put them in and take them out whenever they want. If they have a special occasion, dinner, party, wedding, they clip-in their kit and they are on their way out looking fabulous. 
         [0048]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.