Abstract:
A hair tie accessory that allows hair ties to be inserted into the hair accessory attachment easily but which prevents the elastic hair tie from being released from the hair tie accessory attachment during normal use. A hook is used to attach and retain the elastic band and a retention element guides the hair tie while in use to prevent the hair tie from detaching from the hook.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional application 62/366,262 filed Jul. 25, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the subject of the invention described herein relates to the general field of hair accessories, and more specifically to a device for attaching decorative or functional objects to elastic hair ties. 
       Discussion of the Background 
       [0003]    Elastic hair ties such as hair bands, rubber bands, pony tail holders, and head wraps are commonly used to contain and style hair and are generally known in the art. 
         [0004]    Elastic hair ties come in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, and colors to satisfy a wide range of uses for containing, guiding, and retaining hair. The two most common types of hair ties include continuous loop hair ties, in which the hair tie has no end, and non-continuous hair ties, in which the hair tie has two ends and must be tied off to create a loop to contain hair. The shape of the hair ties also varies from, for example, a band cross sectional shape to create the loop. Other common shapes for the cross section include round, square, and flat strip but may also include square, oval, or variations on those. In addition to the cross section, some elastic hair ties will spiral-like a pig tail while creating a continuous loop. A variety of sizes are also used to accommodate different size bundles of hair. Smaller hair ties are commonly used to create ponytails, pigtails, and constrain the end of braids. Larger hair ties are commonly used for thicker bundles of hair such as curly hair or for retaining hair across the entire head. 
         [0005]    Elastic hair ties commonly come with decorative objects such as flowers, jewels, gems, precious metal ornaments, lights, bows, and a variety of other objects attached to the elastic hair tie. When these decorative objects are permanently affixed to an elastic hair tie, it prevents the user from using a different hair tie color, shape, style, or size with that decorative object. Additionally, given that elastic hair ties regularly wear out due to the elastic losing elasticity or breakage during use, if the worn out or broken hair tie is permanently attached to a decorative object, the decorative object will usually be discarded with the worn out or broken elastic hair tie. The disposable nature of these hair ties with decorative objects limits the types of materials and construction methods that are economically feasible to include with the hair tie. 
         [0006]    There is a need for an improved device for hair accessories which can be attached and removed from hair ties so that the hair accessory can be reused when a hair tie wears out. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates to an accessory for hair ties which allows for easy attachment and removal of hair ties from the hair tie accessory to allow for the use of the hair tie accessory with multiple hair ties. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment of the invention the hair tie accessory includes a base which includes a retention surface; a hook, which includes a barb and a throat which retains the hair tie against the retention surface; and a hair tie guide feature which guides the hair tie in to the hook while in use. 
         [0009]    According to other embodiments of the invention the hair tie accessory may include a decorative element, communication device, tapered insertion feature, or a relief channel. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment of the invention the hair tie accessory includes a base which includes a retention surface; more than one hook in which each hook includes a barb and a throat which retain the hair tie against the retention surface; and a hair tie guide which guides the hair tie in to at least one of the hooks while in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ), hook ( 2 ), and barb ( 4 ) without the base ( 3 ) 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  show a bottom view of the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ), hook ( 2 ), and base ( 3 ). 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ), hook ( 2 ), and base ( 3 ) to better illustrate the location of the barb ( 4 ) relative to the base ( 3 ). 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows the assembly from  FIG. 3 , showing the hair tie ( 5 ), and the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ). This figure shows the hair tie ( 5 ) interfacing with the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) prior to insertion of the hair tie ( 5 ). 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows the assembly from  FIG. 3  as the deformed hair tie ( 5 ) travels past the barb ( 4 ) into the throat ( 7 ) of the hook ( 2 ). 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the assembly from  FIG. 3  with the hair tie ( 5 ) captured in the throat ( 7 ) of the hook ( 2 ). 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the assembly from  FIG. 3  illustrating how the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) prevents the hair tie ( 5 ) from passing the barb ( 4 ) and leaving the throat ( 7 ). 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) with a decorative element ( 8 ) 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) with a communication device ( 9 ). 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates the base ( 3 ), hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) and hair tie ( 5 ) as a side view while being worn by a user ( 11 ) in a ponytail ( 10 ). 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section of an embodiment of the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) with a vertical throat ( 7 ) portion adjacent to the barb ( 4 ). 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) with a relief channel ( 13 ) cut into the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) for the hair tie ( 5 ). 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the hair tie with the base ( 3 ) not shown which shows the tapered removal feature ( 35 ) 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  shows an isometric view of an embodiment with multiple hooks ( 2 ) with no base ( 3 ) to better illustrate the position of the hooks ( 2 ). 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  shows the embodiment form  FIG. 14  as an isometric view from the bottom with the base ( 3 ) showing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar element. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or similar phrase means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or similar phrase in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0028]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a device for attaching accessories to a hair tie ( 5 ) henceforth referred to as hair tie accessory ( 12 ). The hair tie accessory ( 12 ) is configured in such a way so that the user can easily install and remove hair ties ( 5 ) from the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) but remains securely attached to the hair tie ( 5 ) while in use, in the hair, or stored. By allowing the user to remove and replace the hair tie ( 5 ) that is attached to the hair tie accessory ( 12 ), the user can continue to use the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) when the hair tie ( 5 ) wears out or when a different style or color of hair tie ( 5 ) is desired for a given hairstyle. An exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  illustrates how the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) may be worn in a ponytail-type hairstyle. The hair tie accessory ( 12 ) and hair tie ( 5 ) may be used in a number of other ways including wearing the hair tie ( 5 ) and hair tie accessory ( 12 ) on the wrist as a bracelet, wrapped around a finger as a ring, or looped onto another accessory to transport the hair tie ( 5 ) and hair tie accessory ( 12 ) when not in use. 
         [0029]    Exemplary embodiments include a base member ( 3 ), a hook ( 2 ), and a hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) which surrounds the hook ( 2 ). The hook ( 2 ), in concert with the base ( 3 ) connects the hair tie ( 5 ) to the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) and hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) aids in the retention of the hair tie ( 5 ) by guiding the hair tie in to the hook ( 2 ) when it is pulled in a direction that would otherwise pull the hair tie ( 5 ) out of the hook ( 2 ). In exemplary embodiments, the hair tie ( 5 ) is pulled in to the hook ( 2 ) where it is retained by the hook ( 2 ) and base ( 3 ). When the hair tie is pulled in a direction that would pull it out of the hook ( 2 ) and base ( 3 ), the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) directs the hair tie ( 5 ) so that it pulls the hair tie ( 5 ) further in to the hook ( 2 ). The hair tie ( 5 ) may be installed in the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) by inserting the hair tie ( 5 ) in to the space between the hook ( 2 ) and hair tie guide feature ( 1 ), illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and pulling the hair tie ( 5 ) in towards the hook ( 2 ), illustrated in  FIG. 5 . To remove the hair tie ( 5 ), the hair tie ( 5 ) may be pinched close to the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) and twisted until the hair tie ( 5 ) releases from the hook ( 2 ), or the hair tie ( 5 ) may be cut and pulled out of the hook ( 2 ). 
         [0030]    In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the base ( 3 ) includes a base retention surface ( 20 ), which is located opposite the hook ( 2 ) and prevents the hair tie, once inserted into the hair tie accessory ( 12 ), from being removed from the top of the hair tie accessory ( 12 ). Exemplary embodiments may also include one or more decorative feature ( 8 ) such as jewels, precious metals or gems; or a functional element ( 9 ) such as a light, tool, or electronic communication device. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the base member ( 2 ) includes a decorative element ( 8 ) that can be made from jewels, precious metals, wood designs, leather, ribbons, bows, painted or printed designs, or plastics as seen in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the base ( 3 ) may include one or more communication device ( 9 ) such as a light, electronic signaling device, wireless transmitter, electronic data collection apparatus, or reflector. 
         [0032]    In exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-3  the hook ( 2 ) includes a tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) which aides in the insertion of a hair tie ( 5 ) in to the hook ( 2 ), a throat ( 7 ) which secures the hair tie ( 5 ) against the retention surface ( 20 ), and a barb ( 4 ) which defines the point of the narrowest gap between the hook ( 2 ) and retention surface ( 20 ). The tapered insertion feature ( 6 ), throat ( 7 ) and barb ( 4 ) are oriented up towards the retention surface ( 20 ).  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the function of the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) as an elastic hair tie ( 5 ) is inserted in to the hair tie accessory ( 12 ). The hair tie ( 5 ) is inserted into the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) in the space between the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) and the retention surface ( 20 ), seen in  FIG. 4 , and pulled in towards the hook ( 2 ). As the hair tie is pulled in to the hair tie accessory ( 12 ), the taper of the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) guides the hair tie ( 5 ) smoothly up to the barb ( 4 ) and, if the hair tie ( 5 ) has to compress to fit past the barb ( 4 ), decreases the force required to pull the hair tie ( 5 ) in to the hook ( 2 ). The hair tie ( 5 ), if larger than the gap between the retention surface ( 20 ) and the barb ( 4 ), compresses past the barb ( 4 ) as seen in  FIG. 5  and then once past the barb ( 4 ) expands in to the throat ( 7 ) of the hook ( 3 ) as seen in  FIG. 6 . In certain exemplary embodiments such as the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-3 , the tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) includes a flat surface whereas other exemplary embodiments such as the embodiment in  FIG. 11  may include a tapered insertion feature ( 6 ) with a curved surface. In exemplary embodiments, the hook ( 2 ) includes a throat ( 7 ) which prevents the hair tie ( 5 ) from pulling out from the bottom and side of the hair tie accessory ( 12 ). The throat ( 7 ) geometry closest to the barb ( 4 ) effects the removal force for the hair tie ( 5 ). In an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  the throat ( 7 ) nearest to the barb ( 4 ) includes a vertical section extending to the base of the throat ( 7 ) which increases the removal force of the hair tie ( 12 ) when compared to the rounded throat ( 7 ) in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Certain other embodiments may vary the distance between the barb ( 4 ) and the retention surface ( 20 ) and the size of the throat ( 7 ) to allow for the insertion of larger hair tie ( 5 ) cross sections. In one exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the hook ( 2 ) includes an tapered removal feature ( 35 ) which aids in the removal of the hair tie ( 5 ) when the hair tie ( 5 ) is twisted around the hook ( 3 ) by guiding the hair tie ( 5 ) over the barb ( 4 ) in a gradual motion. 
         [0033]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) aides the hook ( 2 ) and barb ( 4 ) in retaining the hair tie ( 5 ) in the throat ( 7 ) of the hook ( 2 ) by guiding the hair tie ( 5 ) in to the throat ( 7 ) rather than over the barb ( 4 ). The guiding function of the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) can be seen in  FIG. 7  which shows a cross section of an exemplary embodiment with a hair tie ( 5 ) installed in the hook ( 2 ). The hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) limits the angle that the hair tie ( 5 ) can be pulled in relative to the throat ( 7 ) and barb ( 4 ) which significantly reduces the chances the hair tie ( 5 ) will be pulled out through the space between the barb ( 4 ) and the retention surface ( 20 ). In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7  the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) substantially surrounds the hook ( 2 ). Certain other embodiments of the invention may vary the offset of the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) from the base ( 3 ) as well as the distance between the hook ( 2 ) and the hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) at various points around the hook ( 2 ) to modify the angle at which the hair tie ( 5 ) is pulled in to the throat ( 7 ). One exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  includes a relief channel ( 30 ) for the hair tie ( 5 ) to lay in when installed in the hair tie accessory ( 12 ). The relief channel ( 30 ) allows the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) to lay closer to the retention surface ( 20 ) and reduces the angle at which the hair tie ( 5 ) exits the hook ( 2 ) which allows the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) to sit flat against the wrist or hair when worn. 
         [0034]    In one exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) includes a second hook ( 2 ) to aid in retention of the hair tie ( 5 ). Certain other embodiments of the invention may include 3 or more hooks ( 2 ) to aid in the hair tie ( 5 ) retention. In certain other embodiments, which include multiple hooks ( 2 ), the hair tie accessory ( 12 ) may be attached to multiple hair ties ( 5 ) for more elaborate hairstyles that may require multiple hair ties ( 5 ). 
         [0035]    The hair tie accessory ( 12 ) can be manufactured with a wide variety of materials and processes which are commonly known in the art. Certain embodiments may use metal, plastic, gems, woods, rubbers, ceramics, textiles, leathers, and composites or some combination of these materials. Certain embodiments may use a more rigid material for the base ( 3 ), hook ( 2 ), and hair tie guide feature ( 1 ) such as metal, plastic, wood, high durometer rubbers, composites or ceramics. The hair tie accessory ( 12 ) may be manufactured using any processes appropriate for the selected material(s) and may include machining, casting, injection molding, 3d printing, bonding, welding, or forging.