Abstract:
A hair volumizing device is disclosed which creates a horizontal or vertical lift to the hair adding volume to any style. The device is positioned underneath the hair and features colors which camouflage with the hair so that the device cannot easily be seen by others. The device features a hook and loop fastener attachment mechanism on the top and bottom side of the device that grasp the hair and hold the device in its desired position. The hook and loop fastener mechanism allows the device to be inserted and removed without damaging and removing the hair.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/607,509, filed Mar. 6, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a hair volumizing accessory; more particularly, to an accessory which can add volume to any hairstyle without damaging hair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many with thinning hair or hair loss desire to have a voluminous, full and a healthy hair style. Chemicals such as mousses, shampoos and conditioners claim to plump hair locks. However, these chemicals tend to be expensive, cause the hair to look dull and may lead to further hair loss. Adding extensions or weaves can create a more voluminous look but often cause breakage and damage the hair when removed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention introduces a hair volumizing accessory which is easy to use, inexpensive and creates and adds volume to hair. 
         [0005]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention features an insert which is placed underneath the hair to provide a lift to the existing hair creating a thickened appearance. 
         [0006]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features a method for attaching multiple inserts to each other to add a vertical or horizontal lift to hair. 
         [0007]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features a solid accessory with an attachment mechanism that does not damage the hair when inserted or removed. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features the accessory in colors which camouflage with the hair so the device cannot easily be seen by others. 
         [0009]    Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hair volumizing accessory of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the hair volumizing accessory. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the hair volumizing accessory on top of the head. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates multiple hair volumizing accessories placed on top of each other on the head. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates multiple hair volumizing accessories side by side on the head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hair volumizing accessory  100  of the present invention. The accessory  100  features a single unitary one-piece hair insert  110 . The inserts  110  are preferably UV Foam styling inserts that create height and volume on the top of the head. Alternate materials may be used which are anti-microbial and resist growth of mold or mildew. The insert  110  is an arc-like or crescent shape which is sized and shaped to conform to the contour of the wearer&#39;s head. The insert  110  features a top portion  115  and a bottom portion  116 . The top portion  115  and the bottom portion  116  of the hair insert  110  are both arcs having identical dimensions. Both  115 ,  116  are curved in a downward direction so that when placed on the user&#39;s head, the bottom portion  116  curves with the contour of the wearer&#39;s head. The insert  110  is solid foam such that there are no openings on the insert and the hair placed on the insert remains uniform and held in place by the insert. 
         [0016]    The top portion  115  is covered with a first strip of hook and loop fasteners  120 . The strip  120  spans across the entire length and width of the top portion  115 . The bottom portion  116  is covered with a second strip of hook and loop fasteners  121  which spans across the entire length and width of the bottom portion  116 . The strips  120 ,  121  are sized and cut to the same size of the top and bottom portions  115 ,  116 , respectively. The strips  120 ,  121  are adhered to the surfaces of the top and bottom portions  115 ,  116  such that the entire surfaces of the top and bottom portions  115 ,  116  are concealed and covered with the strips  120 ,  121 . The strips are attached using preferably a heat or adhesive lamination process. However, alternate attachment methods may be used to secure the strips to the top and bottom portions so long as the method used secures the strips to the insert so the strips are not removed when the insert is in use on the wearer&#39;s head. The hook part features teeth with mushroom or capped ends which aid in securing the accessory to the user&#39;s hair. Unlike traditional Velcro®, the user does not have to slide the accessory onto the hair for it to attach to the hair. Rather, a small pushing force is used such that the fastener is simply placed in its desired location and can remain in that position until removed. To remove the accessory, the user simply pulls the accessory along the same plane in a 180 degree line out of the user&#39;s hair. The hair insert  110  is symmetrical along the y-axis. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the hair volumizing accessory  100 . The one-piece insert structure  110  further features the top portion  115  having a top left end  115   a  and a top right end  115   b.  The top left end  115   a  and top right end  115   b  are the points on the insert where the top portion ends. The bottom portion  116  ends at a bottom left end  116   a  a bottom right end  116   b.  The top left end  115   a  and bottom left end  116   a  form a left base  130  and the top right end  115   b  and the bottom right end  116   b  form a right base  131 . The left base  130  and right base  131  aid in supporting the insert  110  so that the insert  110  is free standing. The bases  130  and  131  are somewhat of a rectangular shape and the left base  130  is located on the left side of the insert  110  and the right base  131  is located on the right side of the insert. The left and right bases  130 ,  131  contact the wearer&#39;s head when the insert  110  is in use. The lightweight foam material is soft and durable. Alternate shapes for the base may be designed but the rectangular design is plausible for support of the insert. 
         [0018]    The distance D between the highest point  140  of the arc of the top portion  115  and the highest point  150  of the arc of the bottom portion  116  ranges between 1.9 cm to 2.5 cm. The distance may be larger or smaller if it is desired to make a taller or shorter insert. The length L 1  between the outside of the ends  115   a,    115   b  ranges between 8.89 cm to 12.7 cm. The length L 2  between the inside of the ends  116   a  and  116   b  ranges between 8.2 cm to 11.8 cm. The length may be longer or shorter if it is desired to make a longer or shorter insert to accommodate a wearer&#39;s head size. The insert  110  measures about 2 cm in thickness. The insert  110  has a front and back surface  200  which is the surface between the top portion  115  and bottom portion  116  on the front and back sides. Only the top portion  115  and bottom portion  116  have the hook and loop strips. The remaining portions of the insert are the lightweight foam. Additionally, an image, logo or design may be featured on the front or back surfaces to further personalize the insert. 
         [0019]    The first  120  and second strips  121  of hook and loop fasteners grip the hairs of the wearer and hold the insert  110  in position on the wearer&#39;s head. The insert  110  adds volume to any style without damaging hair.  FIG. 3  illustrates the hair volumizing accessory  100  on top of the head. To add volume, the wearer lifts and parts a section of hair, places and positions the second strip  121  of hook and loop fasteners on a scalp in the area underneath the section of hair, and places the lifted hair on the first strip  120  of hook and loop fasteners. The sectioned hair conceals the hair insert. To further camouflage the insert  110 , the insert may be featured in various colors similar to the hair colors such as blonde, brown or black, for example. Also, the insert  110  may be sized in a small, medium and large size for all size wearers and to create a vertical or horizontal lift to hair by attaching multiple inserts to each other or by positioning the inserts in a position to create graduated or vertical volume. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates multiple hair volumizing accessories  100  placed on top of each other on the head. Each of the accessories have the features described above. They can be stacked on top of each other to create a higher volume. A second hair insert  400  with the same features described in the first insert  110  has a third strip of hook and loop fasteners attached to the top of the second hair insert and a fourth strip of hook and loop fasteners attached to the bottom of the second hair insert. The top of the second hair insert&#39;s strip of hook and loop fasteners can be connected to the bottom strip of hook and loop fasteners of the first inserts to create a higher volume. The fourth strip of hook and loop fasteners of the second insert contacts the scalp. A third insert can be added and stacked to the second insert to create an even higher volume using the same technique described. 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates multiple hair volumizing accessories  100  side by side on the head. The inserts  110  can be placed side by side to create a gradual poof. Alternatively, the inserts may be placed vertically on the sides of the head for extra volume on the side of the hair. As described above, the hair is would be lifted in the sections that the wearer desires to add volume. The inserts are placed underneath the section of the lifted hair and then the lifted hair is placed on the top hook and loop strips such that the strips hold the underside of the lifted hair in position and the bottom hook and loop strips contact the scalp and hair underneath the section to further hold the inserts in position. 
         [0022]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.