Abstract:
A hair extension and, more particularly, to a hair extension and method to protect a wearers existing hair from tension damage. The hair extension includes at least one weft and a flexible comb attached along a lateral length of the weft.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/016,397, filed Jun. 24, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to hair extensions and, more particularly, to a hair extension and method to protect a wearers existing hair from tension damage. Women spend countless hours &amp; money at hair salons getting hair weaves &amp; hair extensions installed that require ongoing maintenance. Hair weaves and metal clips (extensions) can cause traction alopecia which is caused by too much tension/stress on the hair. The average weave cannot be properly cleaned or dried once it is sewn on the clients head. As a result, since the average weave wearer keeps the weave permanently attached for a time span of 2-3 months, the hair underneath the weave may become mildewed and very itchy. This can lead to embarrassing moments, especially when an uncontrollable itching sensation occurs while in public or the mildew becomes malodorous. 
         [0003]    Hair extensions clips on the other hand, can cause hair thinning and hair breakage from harsh bonding agents and extension removers. Similarly, the current metal clip extensions that exist on the market today are cumbersome to attach and are not secure enough for the average woman to feel confident in knowing that her hair will stay in place throughout the day. The current metal clip in extensions on the market today do not slide over braided hair (weaved hair) and cannot be worn in replacing a hair weave. 
         [0004]    Tension metal comb clips (clip in extensions) are narrow. Clip on extensions have 1″-2″ tiny metal comb clips that are spaced 3″-5″ apart on a machine weft and do not fully secure the hair extension in the sense that the weft between the comb clips are not supported with attachments. This leaves the consumer feeling self-conscious about her hair. Moreover, due to their function, and small comb teeth, tension metal comb clips (clip in extensions) do not secure over braided hair (weaved hair). 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for a hair extension and method that attaches easily and provides security along the entire width of the hair weft, not just at selected attachment points. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, a hair extension is provided in which the extension has a plurality of hair strands joined in a weft, where the weft has a lateral length of between about 5″ to 11″, an elongate flexible comb is attached to and extends across the lateral length of the weft, the comb having a plurality of resilient teeth, wherein said teeth are resilient with respect to adjacent teeth. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a ribbon is operatively connected between the weft and the comb, wherein at least one weft is attached to the ribbon. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, the ribbon provides a barrier between the hair strands and the resilient teeth. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the teeth further comprise a first and a second resilient member, aligned in spaced apart relation along a longitudinal length of the teeth, and the first and second resilient members converge towards each other at a distal end of the teeth to define a tapered rounded tip. 
         [0010]    The hair extension of claim  4 , wherein said teeth are aligned relative to one another such that the second resilient member of a leading tooth is positioned in resilient abutment with the first resilient member of a subsequent tooth in the comb. 
         [0011]    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 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown in use. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2 : Is an expanded view demonstrating the invention applied to a wearer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3 : Is a rear perspective detail view of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4 : Is a front perspective detail view of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5 : Is a section detail view of the invention along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 , is an expanded view demonstrating the invention applied to a wearer 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an extension/weave method that the average woman can attach at home in as little as 5 minutes, saving her time and money and requires little if any maintenance. The hair extension assembly  10  slips on to the hair just as a regular hair comb would when grooming and the extension  10  does not exert any tension from fasteners that can cause hair breakage. Because the hair extension assembly  10  and method is intended to be temporary, it removes easily at the end of the day so that the user can shampoo and care for her hair on a daily basis. A hair extension method as contemplated herein, is as simple to attach as slipping a comb on your hair and is just as secure as a permanent hair attachment. Because of the depth of the comb, the hair extension assembly  10  can replace a hair weave and easily fits securely over braided hair, such as weaved hair. 
         [0020]    As best seen in reference to  FIG. 1 , the hair extension assembly  10  has at least one weft  16  and an elongate flexible comb  12  attached across the lateral width of the weft. As may be seen in reference to  FIG. 1 , a hair extension assembly  10  and weft  16  is depicted showing the stitched interconnection of a plurality of individual hair strands. Individual hair strands may be either naturally grown hair or may be made of synthetic materials to substitute for the look and feel of natural hair. The hair strands are sewn together via a thread  18  so that the strands are retained and aligned to give the appearance of a portion of a natural head of hair. In a preferred embodiment contemplated by the invention, the weft  16  has a lateral length of between about 5″ to 11″, and is selected based on the width and length of the desired hair extension and the size of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0021]    As best seen in reference to  FIG. 3 , the elongate flexible comb  12  comprises a plurality of resiliently aligned teeth  21 . In a preferred embodiment, teeth  21  will each comprise a first  22  and a second  23  resilient member, aligned in spaced apart relation along a longitudinal length of the tooth and then converging towards each other to terminate at a tapered rounded tip  24  at a distal end thereof. First and second resilient members  22 ,  23  provide the comb  12  compressibly resilient teeth  21 . Preferably, the first and second resilient members  22 ,  23 , and tapered rounded tip  24 , have a smooth, rounded surface so as to avoid damaging the wearer&#39;s hair when the comb  12  is inserted, removed, and worn by the user. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, teeth  21  are aligned relative to one another such that the first resilient member  22  of a trailing tooth  21  is positioned in resilient abutment with a second resilient member  23  of a previous tooth in the comb  12 . Similarly, a second resilient member  23  of a leading tooth  21  is positioned in resilient abutment with a first resilient member of a subsequent tooth  21 . Most preferably, the foregoing spaced relation is repeated along the lateral length of the comb  12 . 
         [0023]    The adjacent first  22  and second  23  resilient members are positioned in resilient abutment via a plurality of spring elements  26  defined at a proximal end of the comb  12 . Spring elements  26  are substantially oval in shape and defined by a loop between adjacent teeth  21 . By the arrangement of the first and second resilient members, each tooth  21  is compressibly resilient with respect to itself, and via the spring element  26 , between adjacent teeth  21  in the comb  12  as well as also along the longitudinal length of the comb  12 . This combination of multi-axis flexibility permits the hair extension assembly  10  to readily conform to the shape of the wearer&#39;s head and to be easily attached to the wearer&#39;s existing hair. 
         [0024]    As best seen in reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the comb  12  is attached to the weft  16  along the lateral width of the weft  16 , proximate to a top end  12  of the weft  16 . Preferably, each spring element  26  is attached to the weft  16 . In a preferred embodiment, spring elements  26  are secured to the weft  16  such as via a stitch  20  of thread, band, clamp, or similar means. Alternatively, the loops may be secured to the weft  16  via a bonding agent. With the point attachment of the comb  12  at the spring elements  26 , the comb  12  is able to open away from the inner surface of the weft  16 , and optional ribbon  14 , described below, to permit better engagement of the comb  12  with the wearer&#39;s hair. 
         [0025]    As also seen in reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the hair extension assembly  10  may also include a ribbon  14  operatively attached between the weft  16  and the comb  12 . The ribbon  14  provides an attachment for and lateral spacing between an additional one or more wefts  10  in order to provide fullness and layering for the hair extension assembly  10 . The ribbon  14  also provides additional lateral stability to the weft  16  as well as providing a partial barrier between the upper ends of the hair strands  11  and the comb  12  teeth  21 . As shown, a preferred vertical dimension of the ribbon  14  extends from between the spring elements  26  to point at least where first  22  and second  23  resilient members begin to converge on one another to form the rounded tip  24 . This preferred placement prevents the hair strands  11  from becoming entangled with and impingement between adjacent teeth  21 . 
         [0026]    Having described the hair extension assembly  10 , a preferred method of use will be described. When used as a hair extension for adding length and volume, the user&#39;s hair is sectioned, or parted, horizontally or vertically. The comb&#39;s teeth  21  are inserted onto the user&#39;s existing hair at the base of the scalp area, directly beneath the parting of the hair. All comb teeth  21  are inserted onto the user&#39;s hair in the same direction as the hair below the parted section. This step is repeated throughout the head in the areas where more hair is needed or desired. 
         [0027]    When utilized as a hair weave, the user would braid her own hair and gradually layer the hair extension assembly  10  over her braids by inserting the comb  12  directly onto her braids where the comb  12  is in attachment behind the braided hair closer to the scalp. This is used for adding length and volume. 
         [0028]    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.