Abstract:
A wig including a base portion is disclosed. The base portion includes an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface defining a concave cavity and the outside surface having a plurality of elongate fibers projecting outwardly therefrom, and the base portion further includes an attachment area that may be substantially concealed. The wig further includes an auxiliary portion having a body. A plurality of elongate fibers project outwardly from the body. The auxiliary portion is adapted to be removably affixed to the attachment area of the base portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The manufacture of wigs can be a timely and costly procedure. A painstaking process must be undertaken in order to make wigs that have an acceptably realistic appearance. This process is often carried out by hand and involves hand-tying either a few strands of hair or even a single hair into the foundation of the wig. For a complete wig, the step of hand-tying hairs to the wig foundation may be carried out on the order of 30,000 to 40,000 times. Furthermore, wigs are often made of human hair or special synthetic fibers designed to simulate the appearance of real hair. Both of these options can be costly, with human hair being more expensive. In addition, when human hair is used to make a wig, the individual hairs must be matched and placed according to length and color in order to achieve the most realistic appearance, a process which can add significant time and cost to the manufacture of a wig. 
         [0002]    The cost of wig ownership is further increased by the fact that many desire to have the ability to present a variety of appearances with respect to their hair. Whereas naturally growing hair can be cut or grown out to present different appearances, neither of these options is available for a wig. Generally, the only way that wig-wearers can vary the appearance of their hair is to own a variety of different wigs. For example, many wish to vary the length of the hair of their wig. This typically means having to own a variety of wigs, each having hair of different overall lengths. Given the cost of an individual wig, the ownership of multiple wigs is often very expensive, especially for those who are concerned with the quality and realistic appearance of a wig. 
         [0003]    Therefore, it is desired to provide a wig for those who wish to have variation in appearance, without the increased cost of owning multiple wigs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a wig. The wig includes a base including a cap and a plurality of first elongate fibers. The cap includes an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity, and the plurality of first elongate fibers projecting from the outside surface of the cap. The cap further includes an attachment area. The wig further includes an auxiliary portion including a body and a plurality of second elongate fibers. The plurality of second elongate fibers project from the body. The auxiliary portion is adapted to be removably affixed to the attachment area of the cap. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment area is substantially concealed. The attachment area may be concealed by at least some of the plurality of first elongate fibers, which project from the outside surface of the cap so as to overlie the attachment area during use of the wig. Alternatively, the attachment area may be concealed by locating the attachment area on the inside surface of the cap. Preferably, the cavity is shaped to substantially cover the scalp of a wearer. 
         [0005]    The cap may further include a rear portion, and the attachment area may be disposed on the outside surface of the rear portion of the cap. The body of the auxiliary portion may be in the form of a strip of material including an edge and having a long axis and a short axis, the edge of the body being substantially parallel to the long axis, the auxiliary portion being adapted to be removably affixed to the attachment area along the edge of the body. Further, the cap may include an outside edge, the elongate fibers of the base portion extending generally below the outside edge of the cap at a first distance, the elongate fibers of the auxiliary portion extending generally below the outside edge of the cap at a second distance that is greater than the first distance when the auxiliary portion is removably attached to the attachment area. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, the cap may include a front edge, the attachment portion being disposed along the front edge of the cap. Preferably, the front portion of the cap is disposed along the forehead of a wearer of the wig. In such an embodiment, the elongate fibers of the base portion have a first length, and the elongate fibers of the auxiliary portion have a second length that is shorter than the first length. The body of the auxiliary portion may be formed by a weft having the elongate fibers projecting therefrom. Preferably, the elongate fibers of the base portion at least partially overlap the elongate fibers of the auxiliary portion. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary portion includes a fastener. The fastener is adapted to attach to the attachment portion of the base to removably affix the auxiliary portion to the base. Alternatively, the attachment portion of the base may include a fastener such that the fastener connects to the auxiliary portion to removably affix the auxiliary portion to the base portion. The fastener, whether on the base or auxiliary portion, may be adapted to connect to a mating fastener. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of the present invention is directed toward a kit. The kit includes a base wig portion having a cap and a plurality of first elongate fibers. The cap includes an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity. The plurality of first elongate fibers project from the outside surface of the cap. The cap further includes an attachment area. The kit further includes a first auxiliary wig portion including a body and a plurality of second elongate fibers. The plurality of second elongate fibers project outwardly from the body of the first auxiliary portion. The kit also includes a second auxiliary wig portion including a body and a plurality of third elongate fibers. The plurality of third elongate fibers project outwardly from the body of the second auxiliary portion. The first and second auxiliary wig portions are adapted to be removably affixed to the attachment area of the cap. Preferably, the elongate fibers of the first auxiliary wig portion have a first length and the elongate fibers of the second auxiliary wig portion have a second length that is greater than the first length. 
         [0009]    The cap of the wig base portion is preferably adapted to substantially cover the scalp of a wearer. In such an embodiment, the cap may include a rear portion, the first attachment area being disposed along the rear portion of the cap. Further, the first and second auxiliary wig portions may be adapted to be removably affixed to the attachment area of the base wig portion so as to be interchangeable with each other. Alternatively, the attachment area may include a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The first auxiliary portion is preferably adapted to be removably affixed to the first attachment area and the second auxiliary wig portion is preferably adapted to be removably affixed to the second attachment area. The second attachment area is preferably disposed along a front edge of the cap of the base wig portion. 
         [0010]    A further aspect of the present invention is directed toward a device for use with a wig. The wig includes a base portion having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity and the outside surface having a plurality of elongate fibers projecting therefrom. The base portion further includes an attachment area. The device includes a body, a plurality of elongate fibers projecting from the body, and at least one fastener attached to the body. The device is adapted to be removably attached to the attachment area of the base portion of the wig using the fastener. The fastener may connect to a mating fastener disposed along the attachment area of the body of the wig. 
         [0011]    A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a wig. The wig includes a cap having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity. The cap further includes an attachment area. The wig further includes a plurality of elongate fibers that project from the outside surface of the cap. The attachment portion is adapted to receive an auxiliary element such that the auxiliary element is removably affixed to the wig. The attachment area is preferably substantially concealed. The attachment area may be concealed by at least some of the plurality of first elongate fibers, which project from the outside surface of the cap so as to overlie the attachment area during use of the wig. Alternatively, the attachment area may be concealed by locating the attachment area on the inside surface of the cap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a wig according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the wig depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front exploded view of the wig depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear exploded view of the wig depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front isometric view of a wig according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the wig depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an example of a structure of a portion of a wig according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a wig according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a rear exploded view of a wig according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a rear isometric view of a wig according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings, where like reference numerals are used to indicate like features, wig  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Wig  10  includes base  12  having hair like elements, or fibers  20  and one or more auxiliary portions  30 . Base  12  can be similar to an ordinary wig, which may, by itself, cover the scalp of the wearer. Base  12  includes cap  14 , which is shaped so as to cover a portion of the head of a wearer. The shape of cap  14  may be somewhat spherical in shape, defining interior cavity  16  and outer surface  18 . Interior cavity  16  is designed to receive the head of the wearer. In certain embodiments, interior cavity  16  can be specifically constructed to substantially match the shape of the head of a specific wearer. 
         [0023]    In general, cap  14  of wig  10  can be made according to any one of several variations. The most basic structure is a standard cap, which is in the form of a solid piece (or assembled pieces) of material, including woven or unwoven fabric, mesh, etc., which acts as an artificial scalp, covering the scalp, and any hair that may be present, of the wearer. Fibers  20  which make up the “hair” of the wig are affixed to cap  14  so as to project from outside surface  18  of cap  14 . Preferably, fibers  20  are attached to cap  18 , which is accomplished, for example, by tying one or a group of hairs around one of the fibers that make up the material of cap  14 . This can be done in a random fashion, or in a predetermined pattern. 
         [0024]    An alternative structure is generally referred to as “capless.” Such a structure is made of a set of wefts  40  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), that are attached to each other, preferably using strips of fabric or by affixing wefts  40  to a piece of fabric, and formed into the desired shape to receive the head of the wearer. Fibers  20 ,  34  are attached to the wefts, which are generally in the form of a length of yarn  40 , along the individual lengths thereof. As with a standard cap structure, fibers  20 ,  34  are preferably attached to the wefts  40  by tying an individual fiber  20 ,  34  or a group of a few fibers  20 ,  34  to the weft  40 . Although this structure is often referred to as capless, for purposes of this disclosure, the structure formed by the interconnected wefts may, nevertheless, be considered to form cap  14  of base  12 , as can any structure which can cover the head of the wearer and carry an appropriate number of fibers  20  thereon. As with a standard wig, fibers  20 ,  34  may be synthetic or may be made from human or animal hair. 
         [0025]    Auxiliary portion  30  is adapted to be affixed to base portion  12  along attachment area  15  formed on cap  14 . Attachment area  15  is preferably formed on cap  14  such that it is substantially concealed during use of wig  10 . The use of the term “concealed” is not meant to require that it is not possible to see or locate attachment area  15 , but rather that attachment area  15  is obstructed from view by the casual observer when wig  10  is in use. This can include when wig  10  is worn in the form of base portion  12  alone or with auxiliary portion  30  affixed thereto. 
         [0026]    Preferably, auxiliary portion  30  includes auxiliary fibers  34  which are added to wig  10  by the attachment of auxiliary portion  30  to base portion  12 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , auxiliary portion  30  is shown as being affixed to attachment area  15 , which is formed generally on the rear  22  of base portion  12 . This arrangement is shown for purposes of simplicity of illustration, and is not meant to be limiting with respect to the location of attachment for auxiliary portion  30 . The attachment of auxiliary portion  30  to base portion  12  can be used to increase the overall length of the “hair” on the wig  10 , thus giving the look of a head having at least somewhat longer hair disposed thereon when compared to the base  12  of wig  10  when worn alone. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment of auxiliary portion  30  to base portion  12  can be used to increase the amount of hair on wig  10 , thus giving the look of a head having at least somewhat thicker hair disposed thereon when compared to the base  12  of wig  10  when worn alone. 
         [0027]    Preferably, auxiliary portion  30  includes a body  32  with auxiliary fibers  34  affixed thereto and projecting generally away from body  32 . As discussed above, auxiliary portion  30  may be used to give the appearance of longer hair than base  12  alone. This may be accomplished by structuring wig  10  such that when auxiliary portion  30  is assembled to base  12 , auxiliary fibers  34 , which are affixed to body  32  extend below the base fibers  20  affixed to cap  14  at a distance sufficient to give the desired lengthening effect. An example of such structure is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  where auxiliary portion  30  is adapted to affix to attachment area  15  formed on the rear portion  22  of cap  14 . Preferably, this is facilitated by forming cap  14  and body  32  such that they attach along mating edges  26  and  36 , respectively, which are formed by matching profiles formed in the rear section of cap  14  and body  32 . In this embodiment, auxiliary fibers  34 , although not necessarily greater in overall length than base fibers  14 , have bottom ends  38  that extend below the bottom ends  28  of base fibers  14 . Although for aesthetic purposes, it may be preferable to include both base fibers  20  and auxiliary fibers  34  of varying lengths, the base fibers  20  and auxiliary fibers  34  will be referred to herein as having a single length. Thus, it is to be understood that the length of the fibers is meant to refer to either the average or absolute length of a group of associated fibers. Additionally, the position of the ends  28 ,  38  of fibers  20 ,  34  are to be understood to be an average or absolute, as applicable. 
         [0028]    In such an arrangement, for purposes of aesthetics, it is preferred that body  32  does not extend substantially below the edge  26  on the rear portion of cap  14  to which auxiliary portion  30  attaches. Thus, body  32  preferably has a height H that is no greater than necessary to carry the desired number of auxiliary fibers  34 . In general, the number of fibers contained on any given area of a wig depends on the desired density of the hair per surface area of the wig, which preferably substantially matches the density of hairs on a human head. The density of hair on the surface of a wig may vary according to the specific location of the fibers. For example, the area of the wig located on the top of the wearer&#39;s head may contain fibers at a greater density than the area near the nape of the neck. The desired density for auxiliary fibers  34  at the location of auxiliary portion  30  will, accordingly, affect the size of body  32 , from which auxiliary fibers  34  project. For example, given a desired density for the hairs projecting from body  32  over a given length of the wig (for example, the width of the nape of the neck), the height H of body  32  will vary with the number of fibers desired. That is, the more fibers that are to be affixed to body  32 , the greater height H will have to be in order to carry the desired number of auxiliary fibers  34 . 
         [0029]    The number of auxiliary fibers  34  affixed to body  32  will also vary with the length difference D between base fibers  20  and auxiliary fibers  34 . As previously stated, the length difference D is not necessarily due to the actual length of the individual fibers, but may rather be due to the relative position of the ends of the auxiliary fibers  34  with respect to the base fibers  20 . This length difference D may affect the number of auxiliary fibers  34  included in auxiliary portion  30  in that a greater difference D may require that more auxiliary fibers  34  be included in auxiliary portion  30 . The number of auxiliary fibers  34  to be included in auxiliary portion  30  may also depend on the arrangement of the auxiliary fibers  34  with respect to base fibers  20  included in base portion  12 . For example, auxiliary fibers  34  may be designed to appear flush with base fibers  20 . In this arrangement, it may be desirable to have the density of auxiliary fibers  34  closely match the density of base fibers  20 , and the height H of body  32  will vary accordingly, as discussed above. Alternatively, auxiliary fibers  34  can be arranged as an additional layer or layers that extend below the base fibers  14 . In this arrangement, it may be desirable to have the density of auxiliary fibers  34  sufficient to adequately form the layer or layers to match the density of the remainder of the fibers, and in particular, base fibers  20 . 
         [0030]    The structure of auxiliary portion  30  can be any that is adequate to carry auxiliary fibers  34  and to be affixable to base portion  12 . Preferably, the structure of auxiliary portion  30  is similar to the structure of base portion  12 , as discussed above. In particular, body  32  of auxiliary portion  30  may be similar in general structure to the various structures for cap  14 , as discussed above. For example, body  32  can be a unitary piece of material, similar to that of a standard cap, to which auxiliary fibers  34  are attached in a similar fashion. Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , body  32  can be formed from a set of attached wefts  40 . In such a design, body  32  may include an appropriate number of wefts  40  to carry the desired number of auxiliary fibers  34  in an appropriate density, as discussed above. It is not necessary that cap  14  and body  32  have an identical structure. Rather, it is possible to use any suitable structure for body  32  in connection with any structure for cap  14 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , wig auxiliary portion  32  does not have to be affixed along edge  26  of base portion  12 . Auxiliary portion  30  may be affixed to cap  14  by forming attachment area  15  along any suitable area of cap  14 . For example, as best shown in  FIG. 8 , base fibers  20  may be arranged so as to extend from cap  14  in rows  60   a ,  60   b  extending generally parallel to the rear edge  26  of cap  14 . In such an arrangement, attachment area  15  may be disposed between any two adjacent rows  60   a ,  60   b  of base fibers  20 . 
         [0032]    In this embodiment, Auxiliary portion  30  is adapted to affix to attachment area  15  of cap  14  such that auxiliary fibers  34  extend between adjacent rows  60   a ,  60   b  of base fibers  20  and extend beyond ends  28  of base fibers  20 . Auxiliary portion  30  may be formed such that a single row  64  of auxiliary fibers  34  project from body  32 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , or auxiliary portion  30  may be formed such that body  32  projects substantially downwardly from attachment area  15  so as to overlie a portion of base fibers formed  20  in, for example, row  60   a . Body  32  of this type may be similar to that which is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0033]    Many suitable structures exist for facilitating the attachment of auxiliary portion  30  to base portion  12 . For example, buttons, snaps, hooks, ties, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, or adhesives including glue or tape, can be used for such attachment. As shown in  FIG. 7 , hooks  50  can be used to facilitate this attachment by affixing hooks  50  to upper edge  36  of body  32  and affixing corresponding eyes  52  to attachment area  15 , which, for example, may be formed on outside edge  26  of cap  14  so as to align with hooks  50 . The ideal number of hooks  50  used may vary with the width of body  32  and the corresponding section of cap  14  to which auxiliary portion  32  attaches. The space between adjacent hooks  50  and corresponding eyes  52  may be such that a noticeable gap does not appear in the assembled structure, which could occur due to sagging of the sections of body  32  located between hooks  50  due to the weight of auxiliary fibers  34  which are attached thereto. Additionally, when mechanisms such as snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners are used, it may be necessary to include a portion along the top edge  36  of body  32  that has no fibers projecting therefrom. This portion may then form an overlap with the rear edge of cap  26  where the attachment mechanism may be positioned. An alternative arrangement using snaps  54 , having a portion  54   a  affixed to attachment area  15  and a mating portion  54   b  affixed body  32  of auxiliary portion  30  near the edge  36 , to affix auxiliary portion  30  to base  12 , is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment (Shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), auxiliary portion  130  is adapted to attach to a portion of cap  114  along the front edge  124  of base portion  112 . In this embodiment, auxiliary portion  130  is structured to form “bangs,” or a section of hair along the front hairline that is shorter than the hair throughout substantially the rest of wig  110 . Typically, bangs may cover only the forehead (or a portion thereof), while the remaining hair may be significantly longer, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In such an embodiment, body  132  of auxiliary portion  130  is shaped so as to match the front edge  134  of cap  114 , which is adjacent to the forehead. Further, body  132  should be as narrow as possible so as to not extend noticeably beyond cap  114  or base fibers  120 , which project therefrom, and onto the forehead of the wearer. For example, body  132  may be formed from a single weft having auxiliary fibers  134  projecting therefrom. Auxiliary fibers  134  may be of any length necessary to give the desired visual effect. Further, auxiliary portion  130  may be one of a set of interchangeable components, each component being structured so as to provide a different visual effect, including varying length, thickness or shape of bangs. Still further, auxiliary fibers  134  may be of substantially the same length as the adjacent base fibers  120 . This type of auxiliary portion  130  is useful when included as one of a number of interchangeable auxiliary portions. In such an arrangement, base portion  112  may be specifically adapted to be used in connection with auxiliary portion  130 . As such, base fibers  120  may be arranged to be absent in the area of attachment for auxiliary portion  130  or otherwise project away from the forehead of the wearer. In such an arrangement, wig  110  may have an incomplete appearance without the presence of auxiliary portion  130 . Therefore, an auxiliary portion  130  having fibers  134  that are substantially the same length as the adjacent base fibers  120  would be useful in providing for the appearance of a wig  110  without bangs. 
         [0035]    Attachment mechanisms similar to those discussed above with respect to auxiliary portion  30  may be used in connection with auxiliary portion  130 , including buttons, snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop, ties, zippers, adhesives including glue and tape, and the like. Preferably, however, cap  114  and body  132  are structured such that the attachment mechanism is not visible when wig  110  is being worn. For example, if hooks (similar to those shown in  FIG. 7 ) are used, the eyes can be placed under base fibers  120 . Further, eyes that are similar in structure to eye  52  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 7  can be placed within the interior  116  of cap  114  such that the hooks can reach the eyes to engage therewith when body  132  is substantially aligned with the front edge  124  of cap  114 . Additionally, a portion of body  132  can be formed with no auxiliary fibers projecting therefrom such that an overlap is formed with the front edge  124  of cap  114 . This can either be used to position the hooks farther behind front edge  124  or to protect the head of the wearer from the hooks. 
         [0036]    In a further variation, a wig according to various embodiments of the present invention can include auxiliary portions on both the front and rear of the base portion. In such an embodiment, multiple interchangeable components according to various forms of auxiliary portion  30  and  130 , discussed above, or having fibers of varying lengths, can be provided to be used in connection with either the front or rear of the base portion such that the wearer of the wig can customize the appearance of the wig according to a number of different permutations. 
         [0037]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.