Abstract:
A handheld device for sculpting hair includes a bristle section and a wave section which effectively sculpt hair in a wave style when used in the method of the invention.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/251,522 filed Oct. 14, 2009. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed, in general, to hair care accessories and, more specifically, to devices and methods for sculpting hair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Shaping or sculpting hair is a process used by persons with curly or wavy hair to provide a desired aesthetic. Various grooming devices and formulas have been used to aid this process. In one process, for creating a “wave” hair style, a user brushes or otherwise temporarily straightens hair and follows this procedure with stroking the hair with the fingers. Over time, the hair is trained to comport with the desired style. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a hair sculpting device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of a hair sculpting device; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3   a  is an illustration of an exemplary person&#39;s hair before use of the hair sculpting device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3   b  is an illustration of an exemplary person&#39;s hair with initiation of use of the hair sculpting device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   c  is an illustration of an exemplary person&#39;s hair with hair style changing as the hair sculpting device passes through. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   d  is an illustration of an exemplary person&#39;s hair with hair style changed after the hair sculpting device has passed through. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   e  is an illustration of an exemplary person&#39;s hair after use of the hair sculpting device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of another embodiment of a hair sculpting device; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a hair sculpting device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of another embodiment of a hair sculpting device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    A hair sculpting device comprising a top portion having an upper surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a first area and a second area, a bristle portion attached to and extending from said first area of said bottom surface of said top portion, and a groove portion attached to and extending from said second area of said bottom surface of said top portion is hereby disclosed. Methods of using said hair sculpting device are also described. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the hair sculpting device is of an overall dimension permitting it to be easily held in the palm of a user&#39;s hand. A hand-held size allows for easier application of the device and portability. In another embodiment, the upper surface of said top portion may further comprise a handle extending outwardly from said upper surface. The handle is preferably of a dimension sufficient to allow a user&#39;s hand or fingers to slip between the handle and the upper surface during use. In another embodiment, the upper surface of the top portion can be provided with indentations which may be gripped by the fingers. 
         [0017]    The proportion of said first area or bristle portion of the hair sculpting device preferably ranges from about ¼ to about ½ of the bottom surface of the top portion. The stiffness of the bristles in the bristle portion may be selected prior to manufacturing. Various hair sculpting devices with differing bristle characteristics may be made. The bristle stiffness can be adapted to better accommodate users&#39; specific hair textures. For example, a person with coarser hair would generally prefer firmer bristles while a person with finer hair would generally prefer softer bristles. For maximum effectiveness, the stiffer bristles are preferred for the wave sculpting method. The bristle portion of the device comprises a plurality of bristle groups. Generally, a bristle group comprises about 5 to about 10 bristles. About 3-15 rows of bristle groups can be used. The number of rows is dependent on bristle group size and the dimension of the bristle portion of the hair sculpting device. 
         [0018]    The groove portion of the hair sculpting device comprises a material block having a first surface secured to said top portion and a second hair-contacting surface having a plurality of integral grooves. The material block is preferably constructed of a durable substance which permits the grooves to be maintained but is also soft enough to be dragged along a user&#39;s scalp without causing discomfort. A suitable durable substance is a foam material. The foam material preferably is polyether or polyester based urethane polymer having a density of 0.5-15 lbs/cubic foot. Most preferably, the foam is a polyether urethane foam (EU) such as or with characteristics similar FG-65C (Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. Hickory, N.C.) with a density of around 2.2 lbs/cubic foot and a compressive strength of around 60-68 pounds per square inch. The foam should be sufficiently firm to retain the grooves necessary to train the hair during use, but to also provide flexibility for comfort as it is drawn through the hair against the scalp. 
         [0019]    The hair styling device herein disclosed permits a user to create a wave hairstyle by employing the brush portion to temporarily straighten the hair, followed by gently dragging the groove portion over the area. The process only requires the use of one hand and provides for a more rapid wave hairstyle than previously obtainable. The preferred method of using the hair styling device is now further discussed. The hair styling device is employed by dragging it across a users&#39; hair with the bristle portion leading and the groove portion following. Preferably, the motion begins near the top, back area or crown of the user&#39;s head and moves toward the front or down, for example a top to bottom and/or back to front motion. The hair styling device is preferably used with a pomade hair styling product or similarly functioning product applied to the hair or hair styling device prior to using the hair styling device. A stocking-like cap can be used after each hair training session to encourage the waves to set in the preferred style. 
         [0020]    Some users will desire a style which may require more than one training session as described above. The hair styling device disclosed herein may reduce the training time required as compared with training the hair without a device. In addition, the method is consistent and provides a desirable hair styling result. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of a hair styling device ( 1 ) comprises a bristle portion ( 4 ), a groove portion ( 2 ) having a top smooth surface and a bottom groove surface ( 25 ), and a top portion ( 3 ) having an upper surface ( 35 ) and a bottom surface. The device is preferably used in a motion from back to front or top to bottom. The bristle portion ( 4 ) comprises multiple bristles as commonly found on brushes. The bristle top ends ( 47 ) are secured to the first area ( 37 ) of said bottom surface of said top portion ( 3 ). The groove portion ( 2 ) comprises a single piece with multiple grooves along the bottom groove surface ( 25 ) with the top smooth surface secured to the second area ( 27 ) of said bottom surface of said top portion ( 3 ). The grooves can range from 1/10 of an inch to ¼ of an inch, but is preferably about ⅛ of an inch. Length of bristles is preferably as long as groove portion thickness or slightly longer depending on bristle stiffness, for example, softer bristles are preferably about ⅛ inch longer than the groove portion thickness. 
         [0022]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of the device is shown. Grooves ( 21 ) are formed in a path along the width of the device. 
         [0023]    Now referring to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   e , an exemplary person&#39;s hair before, during, and after use of the disclosed invention is illustrated.  FIG. 3   a  shows an example of a person&#39;s hair in its normal state ( 15   a ).  FIGS. 3   b  through  3   d  illustrate a user using the invention. The user places the device near the crown of his head ( 17 ) and moves the device in a back to front motion ( 11 ) or a top to bottom motion (not shown). The bristle portion ( 4 ) leads in the direction of the motion ( 11 ) with the groove portion ( 2 ) following behind the bristle portion ( 4 ). As the device passes through the user&#39;s hair, the hair is changed from the natural state ( 15   a ) to a wave-like state ( 15   b ). Multiple passes may be needed to acquire the desired look.  FIG. 3   e  illustrates the look of a person&#39;s hair after use of the invention where the hair takes on the wave-like state ( 15   b ). 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , examples of other embodiments are illustrated.  FIG. 4  depicts the device with the top portion ( 3 ) comprising curvy-like indentations ( 31 ) that are secured to or formed along the upper surface ( 35 ), for example, could aide in the application of the device by allowing fingers to be places within each indent or add to the aesthetics of the device.  FIG. 5  depicts the device with the top portion ( 3 ) comprising a double-hooked appendage ( 32 ) secured to the upper surface ( 35 ) that, for example, could aide in the gripping and application of the device by allowing fingers to slide into the hook spaces ( 33 ) created by the double-hooked appendage ( 32 ). 
         [0025]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment is shown. In addition to the embodiment described previously in  FIG. 1 , humps ( 5 ), or elongated semi-circle-like structures, having a flat side and a curved side are added to the device. The flat side of the humps ( 5 ) is secured to the second area ( 27 ) of said bottom surface of said top portion ( 3 ). The curved side of said humps ( 5 ) is secured to said top smooth surface of the groove portion ( 2 ). Preferably, divots or notches are carved out of the top smooth surface of the grove portion ( 2 ) identical to the shape and size of the humps ( 5 ) to allow for a better fit and secureness to the humps ( 5 ). Preferably the humps ( 5 ) are made of a wood or plastic, but any material that can hold its structure is suitable.