Abstract:
The present invention comprises a fastening and decorative device which comprises a resilient o-ring shaped anchor ring and a decorative device or unit comprising in combination an ornamental unit connected to a base support unit having hook on means for removeably attaching to the anchor ring. The hook on means is connected to the back of the base support unit and comprises a reversed R-shaped configuration in cross section. An alternative embodiment for the hook on means comprises an inverted J-shaped configuration in cross section, connected to the back of the base support unit. Another alternative embodiment of the device resides in removeably attached snap on units connecting the ornamental unit to the back support unit. The decorative device can also contain hook on clip units.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to an anchor ring/hook on pony tail accessory or ornament. The hook on pony tail accessory enables the user to selectively mount various decorative pieces on a base unit which attaches to the anchor ring in order to increase the variety and aesthetic features of a desired hair style. Alternatively, the decorative piece and base unit can be molded or formed into a single unit.  
         [0003]     Substantial segments of the human population allow their hair to grow long. This hair style has been particularly true of young women. In recent or modern times this concept has been adopted by men as well. In the past many such individuals, especially women, styled their hair into a single or occasionally a double strand or pigtail and used various devices and/or ornaments to hold them into a desired style.  
         [0004]     More recently, women and men allow their hair to grow long and frequently fashion their hair into a uni-sex type style, where hair is formed into a single strand of hair or ponytail near the back portion of the human head.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0006]     Over the years, numerous devices have been devised to hold hair in a particular orientation on the human head. The prior art disclose and teach a variety of methods and devices for holding hair, for example, pony tails in a desired manner or fashion.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,405 B1 to McRoberts issued Jul. 30, 2002 entitled Snap On Pony Tail Holder/Anchor discloses a hair fastening and ornamental device for use in securing a pony tail on an individuals head. The device comprises a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair, wherein the anchor has snap on means and a pony tail holder with snap on means for removeably mating with the snap on means of the anchor ring.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,161 to Kohanek entitled Method And Apparatus For Forming A Hair fastener describes a hair fastening device and a method of holding hair in place inside an elongated cylindrically shaped, hair fastener made from a flexible material. The hair fastener is formed from a single rectangular piece of flexible material. The hair fastener has hooking means by which the fastener is held in place by attaching it to a conventional hair fastening device.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,587 to Neary entitled Hair Accessory teaches a hair accessory for women&#39;s hair. The hair accessory includes an elongated rectangular shaped elastic strap having an inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to form a P-shaped hook in cross section and an outer elongated surface to which a series of headed strings are attached.  
         [heading-0010]     The P-shaped hook encloses a strand of hair of the user and is flexible to allow radical expansion as required. The shape of the hook is initially ellipsoidal, but is stretchable into a more circular shape.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,543 BI to Sonstengard entitled Device And Accessory For Styling Hair relates to a device for styling hair which includes a flexible relatively long body portion having a separate opening to receive a user&#39;s hair. The long body portion has clasp portions extending from either end which can be closed into a corresponding clasp by the insertion of one portion into the other. A styling enhancement may be provided as part of the hair styling device.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,563 to De Rosa entitled Earring With A Tie-Line Attached Ornament teaches a lock of a hair displayed in a vertical orientation that is attached to a string-like depending component of an earring using a slipknot in the string to engage a lock of hair.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,018 to Johnson entitled Hair Barrette With Replaceable Ornaments discloses an ornamental hair barrette which provides a mechanism which allows for rapid replacement, removal or addition of alternate ornamental appendages without requiring the wearer to remove the barrette from the wearer&#39;s hair each time the ornament appendages are replaced, removed or supplemented.  
         [0014]     The mechanism includes ribs and recesses for interlocking a stem to a shaft having at least one slot extending substantially lengthwise along the stem or the shaft which allows the interlocking to place via spring like expansion and retraction of the stem or shaft respectively.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,377 to Chen entitled Hairstyling Implement With Detachable Decorative Piece describes a hairstyling implement with detachable decorative piece which includes a hairstyling body for substantially binding, tying or holding a user&#39;s hair. The hairstyling implement includes a base firmly connected to the hairstyling body, at least a fastening device each comprising a first fastener and a second fastener integrally affixed to the hairstyling base for detachably connecting with the first fastener. A decorative piece is firmly attached to the hairstyling base.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,698 to Edmark entitled Interchangeably Decorative Ornament describes an interchangeable decorative ornament consisting of at least one decorative piece, a coupler and a fastener. Decorative pieces may be removeably coupled to the setting, e.g. a coupler and fastener.  
         [0017]     As can be readily be determined from the foregoing, there is an ongoing research effort to produce new and novel hair accessories for both male and female individuals.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The present invention comprises a hair fastening and ornamental device for securing strands of hair in place comprising in combination: a flexible, resilient anchor ring for encircling and holding strands of hair; and a decorative device having a base support unit and an ornamental unit attached to or integrated with it to form a single unit, said decorative device having hook on means for removing and attaching it to the anchor ring. In one embodiment the hook on means in cross section when attached to the base support unit has a reversed R-shaped configuration. In a second embodiment, the hook on means in cross section when attached to the base support unit has an inverted J-shaped configuration. In yet another embodiment, the hook on means has a clip like configuration. The ornamental unit can be either integrated with or securely attached to the base support unit or it can be removeably be attached to the base support unit with snap on means. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the below-described detailed description, which makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a back view of the decorative device having a flower shaped ornament unit attached to the base support unit, wherein the decorative device is attached to an anchor ring using a reversed R-shaped hook.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the decorative device of  FIG. 1  wherein the ornamental unit is heart shaped.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the drawing shown in  FIG. 1  which shows the reversed R-shaped hook attached to the anchor ring.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the drawing shown in  FIG. 3  with the following exception: the ornamental unit is heart shaped.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective view of the decorative device shown in  FIG. 1  except that the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the decorative device shown in  FIG. 2  with the following exception: the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of  FIG. 1  wherein the ornamental unit and decorative unit are integrated to form a single unit.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of  FIG. 7 , which shows an exploded view of the base support unit and ornamental unit.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  shows an exploded back perspective view of the decorative device of  FIG. 8  showing snap on means for the base support unit and the ornamental unit.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  shows a back perspective view of the decorative device of  FIG. 2 , shows a groove in the back of the base support unit.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded back perspective view of the decorative device of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  shows a back perspective view of the decorative unit of  FIG. 10 , wherein the base support unit and ornamental unit have snap on means.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a back view of the decorative device wherein the ornamental unit is oval shaped and the base support unit has attached to it an inverted J-shaped hook in cross section and snap on means.  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a back side view of the decorative unit of  FIG. 13  which shows in greater detail the snap on attachment means for the ornamental unit and base support unit including the inverted J-shaped hook.  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the decorative unit of  FIG. 14 , wherein the ornamental unit and base support unit are snapped together.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a front view of the decorative unit herein attached to the anchor ring and having an ornamental unit shaped like a daisy.  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a heart.  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a butterfly.  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit attached to the anchor ring is shaped like a pair of smiling lips.  
         [0039]      FIG. 20  is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit is shaped like a cartoon character.  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  is a back view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the decorative unit shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  is a front view of the decorative unit herein, wherein the ornamental unit is shaped like an animal.  
         [0042]      FIG. 23  is a side view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 21  wherein the anchor ring surrounds strands of hair.  
         [0044]      FIG. 25  is an exploded side view of a decorative unit, two prong clip shaped hook and snap on means in an unsecured position.  
         [0045]      FIG. 26  is a view of the decorative unit shown in  FIG. 25  in a secured position.  
         [0046]      FIG. 27  is a front view of a one prong clip.  
         [0047]      FIG. 28  is a front view of a two prong clip.  
         [0048]      FIG. 29  is a side, exploded view of a decorative unit, clip shaped hook and T-shaped snap on means in an unsecured position.  
         [0049]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 29  in a secured position.  
         [0050]      FIG. 31  is an exploded side view of a one prong clip, decorative unit and snap on means.  
         [0051]      FIG. 32  is a side view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 31  in a secured position.  
         [0052]      FIG. 33  is a back perspective view of a decorative unit pony tail holder showing clip hook on means, anchor ring and snap on means for the decorative unit.  
         [0053]      FIG. 34  is a front exploded view of the decorative unit of  FIG. 33  without the anchor ring.  
         [0054]      FIG. 35  is a front view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 34  wherein the clip is attached to the decorative unit with snap on means. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0055]     The present invention resides in a hair fastening and ornamental device for use in securing strands of hair in place on an individuals head.  
         [0056]     Embodiments of the hair fastening and ornamental device are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings, in which identical or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters or numbers through the several views.  
         [0057]      FIG. 1  illustrates a back view of the hair fastening and decorative device  2  showing in combination anchor ring  4 , base support unit  8 , reversed R-shaped hook  6  attached to the back of the base support unit  8  is removeably hooked onto anchor ring  4 . Ornamental unit  10  which has a flower shaped configuration is securely attached to base unit  8  using conventional means such as adhesives, sonic welding, heat welding and the like.  
         [0058]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the hair fastening and decorative device of  FIG. 1  with the following exception: ornamental unit  12 , which has a heart shaped configuration, has been substituted for ornamental unit  10 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 1  which shows decorative unit  2  having in combination flower shaped configuration  10  securely attached to base unit  8 , which is attached to reversed R-shaped hook  6 . Reversed R-shaped hook  6  is removeably attached to anchor ring  4 . Groove  16  is located on the back of base support unit  6  and receives the outer anchor ring  4 . It is to be noted that decorative unit  2  can be an integrated unit where base unit  8  and decorative unit and ornamental unit  10  can be a single unit.  
         [0060]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the illustration of  FIG. 3  with the following exception: heart shaped ornamental unit  12  is substituted for flower shaped ornamental unit  10 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective view of the illustration in  FIG. 3 , wherein anchor ring  4  encircles hair strands  14 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the illustration of  FIG. 4  wherein anchor ring  4  encircles hair strands  14 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 7  is a back perspective view of the decorative device  2 , illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing yet another view of decorative unit  2  which comprises in combination the back of ornamental unit  10  securely attached to the front of base support unit  8 . Reversed R-shaped hook  6  is securely attached to the back of base support unit  8 . Alternatively, ornamental unit  10  and support unit  8  can be integrated into one unit.  
         [0064]     It is to be noted that base support unit  8  can have a variety of shapes. For example, it can have a rectangular shaped configuration with rounded edges as shown, or it can have a circular shape, a square configuration, a rectangular configuration, or an oval shaped configuration depending upon the shape of the ornamental unit  10  used.  
         [0065]      FIG. 8  shows the decorative unit  2  illustrated in  FIG. 7  wherein ornamental unit  10  is exploded from base support unit  8 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 9  shows yet another view of the exploded illustration in  FIG. 8  wherein flower shaped ornamental unit  10  has female snap on means  18  and base support unit  8  has male snap on unit  20 . This innovation provides for the ornamental unit  10  to be removeably attached to base support unit  8 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 10  shows a back perspective view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 2  wherein the back of heart shaped ornamental unit  12  is securely attached to the front of base support unit  8 . Reversed R-shaped hook  6  is attached to the back of base support unit  8 . Groove  16  is located near the upper portion on the back of base support unit  8 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 10  wherein heart shaped ornamental unit  12  is separated from base support unit  8 . It is to be noted that heart shaped ornamental unit  12  is securely attached to base support unit  8  using conventional methods.  
         [0069]      FIG. 12  is yet another view of  FIG. 11  wherein heart shaped ornament  12  is removeably attached to base support unit  8  with female snap on unit  18  located on the back of heart shaped ornamental unit  12  and male snap on unit  20  located on the front of base support unit  8 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 13  is a back view of decorative device  2  showing back support unit  22 , oval shaped ornamental unit  30  (not shown) snap on hole  26 A and inverted J-shaped hook  24 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the illustration in  FIG. 13  showing decorative unit  2  in an open unsecured position. Oval shaped ornamental unit  30  contains T-shaped snaps ( 28 A and  28 B) which removeably engage holes ( 26 A and  26 B) of base support unit  32 . Inverted J-shaped hook  24  is securely attached to base support unit  32 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 15  is another view of the illustration in  FIG. 14  wherein oval shaped ornamental unit  30  is removeably attached to base support unit  32  via T-shaped snap on units ( 28 A and  28 B).  
         [0073]     FIGS.  16  to  19  are front illustrations of different ornamental designs of decorative unit  2  of  FIG. 1  attached to anchor ring  4 .  FIG. 16  shows flower shaped ornamental unit  34 .  FIG. 17  shows heart shaped ornamental unit  12  attached to anchor ring  4 .  FIG. 18  shows butterfly insect shaped ornamental unit  34  attached to anchor ring  4 . Finally,  FIG. 19  shows smiling lips shaped ornamental design  36  attached to anchor ring  4 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 20  is a front view of decorative unit  2  showing cartoon character  38  attached to anchor ring  4  which is O-shaped Cartoon character  38  has a cat like configuration.  
         [0075]      FIG. 21  is a back view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 20  showing the back of cartoon character  38  attached to base unit  8 . Hook on clip  42  is attached to base support unit  8  with snap on means  46 . Hook on clip is, removably attached to anchor ring  4 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 22  is a front view of decorative unit  2  wherein ornamental unit  44  is shaped like an animal (elephant), which is removably attached to anchor ring  4 .  
         [0077]     Anchor ring  4  is constructed from a flexible resilient rubber-like, elastic material that can be easily be stretched without losing the integrity of it&#39;s circular configuration. Accordingly suitable materials from which anchor ring  4  can be constructed include, rubber, pliable neoprene, pliable plastic and mixtures thereof.  
         [0078]      FIG. 23  is a side view of  FIG. 21  which shows cartoon character  38  (ornamental unit) attached to base support unit  8 . Hook on clip  42  is removably attached to base support unit with T-shaped snap on means  46 . Hook on clip  42  is a two prong clip and is removably attached to anchor ring  4 .  
         [0079]      FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of  FIG. 21 , wherein anchor ring  4  surrounds strands of hair  14  and decorative unit  2  is removably attached to anchor ring  4  by single prong, hook on clip  48 .  
         [0080]     FIGS.  25  AND  26  shows a side view of decorative unit  52  which is a pony tail holder in an exploded view ( FIG. 25 ) of male snap on unit  46 A and female snap on unit  46 B, hole  53 A in pony tail holder  52 , hole  53 B in hook on clip  42  for receiving male snap on unit  46 A and female snap on unit  46 B.  
         [0081]     Pony tail holder is constructed from a flexible and elastic material selected from leather, lycra, neoprene, nylon, canvas, silk, cloth, and other textiles in mixtures thereof.  
         [0082]      FIG. 26  is another view of  FIG. 25 , wherein pony tail holder is removably attached to hook on clip  42  with snap on means  46 A and  46 B.  
         [0083]      FIG. 27  is a front view of single prong clip  48  having hole  57  located near the top portion of clip  48 . Elongated elliptical shaped hole  55  is located near the lower portion of clip  48 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 28  is a front view of two prong clip  42  which contains hole  53 B located near the top of clip  42  and elongated elliptical holes  54 A and  54 B located near the bottom portion of two prong clip  42 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 29  is a side exploded view of snap on clip  56  having T-shaped snap  57 , decorative unit  52  having hole  53 A and hook on snap  42  having hole  53 B.  
         [0086]      FIG. 30  is another side view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 29  except that decorative unit  52  and hook on clip  42  are removably attached together by snap on unit  56  containing T-shaped end  57 .  
         [0087]     FIGS.  31  AND  32  are substantially the same as  FIGS. 29 and 30  except that snap on unit  46 A and  46 B are male and female snap on units respectively and single prong clip  48  are utilized.  
         [0088]      FIG. 33  is a front perspective view of decorative unit  52  which is a pony tail holder containing snap on means  59 A and  59 B which are male snap on units. Female snap on units, not shown, are on the back side of pony tail holder  52  by snap on means. Hook on clip  42  is attached to pony tail holder  52  by snap on means  56 . Hook on clip  42  removably attaches to anchor ring  4 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 34  is a front view of decorative unit  52 , wherein male snap on units  59 A and  59 B are in an unsnapped position with female snap units  60 A and  60 B. Hole  53 A is located in the upper right hand section of pony tail holder  52 .  
         [0090]      FIG. 35  is yet another view of  FIG. 34 , wherein two prong clip  42  is removably attached to pony tail holder  52  with snap on clip  56 .  
         [0091]     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.