Hair Extension Apparatus

The apparatus and method provide for the attachment of hair extensions to natural hair, synthetic hair, wigs and dolls. The apparatus includes at least one snap fastener comprising at least one protruding member, at least one socket member and a flexible material. The protruding member is located at a first area of the flexible material. The socket member is located at a second area of the flexible material. The protruding member and the socket member are attached to the flexible material. A band comprises an endless ring having a central hole therein. The band is partially enveloped by the flexible material when the protruding member and the socket member are engaged and is adapted to secure to natural hair, synthetic hair, wigs and dolls. At least one animal, human or synthetic hair strand extends substantially unidirectionally from the snap fastener and the hair strand is attached to the snap fastener.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to hair accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hair extension apparatus for attaching hair extensions to human or synthetic hair.

BACKGROUND

Hair extensions have increasingly become popular among people of all ages, including high profile celebrities. Hair extensions are most commonly used to add volume, length and/or color to natural or synthetic hair. Example uses of synthetic hair include wigs, dolls and other hair extensions. The hair of the hair extension is typically made of animal, human or synthetic hair strands. This allows the hair of the hair extension to blend in with the natural or synthetic hair, providing a more natural look. In the past, hair extensions have been attached to the wearer's head using clamps, combs, clips, ties or adhesives. These types of attachments are hard to hide when the hair is pulled back.

Methods for applying hair extensions using clamps, combs, clips, ties or adhesives are known in the art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,171 of Okyo Sthair, a hair extension attachment system is described consisting of a seamless self-adhesive for attaching hair extensions to the head of a wearer. More specifically, the natural hair of a wearer is laid upon double-sided self-adhesive tape, resulting in attachment of the hair extension to the wearer's head.

It has been found, in use, that hair extensions attached by use of clamps, combs, clips, ties or adhesives create a number of problems for the wearer. Clamps and ties often loosen over time and require chunks of hair in their attachment. Combs, clips and ties are not easily hidden when the hair is pulled back, making updos time consuming and difficult to create. Combs, clips and ties also require chunks or strips of hair that are close to the scalp making them difficult to hide when creating an updo. Adhesives can often be messy in the application, and a mistake in the application may result in irreversible damage to the hair extension and the natural or synthetic hair upon removal. Additionally, there are chemical considerations when using adhesives, such as the wearer's skin contact and subsequent reaction with the chemicals of the adhesive. Adhesives and clamps are not easily removed and are often destroyed or no longer usable after removal. Clamps, ties or adhesives are also time consuming and expensive to maintain and create a look that is not natural to the wearer because they require chunks or strips of hair for attachment.

Therefore, there is a need for a less expensive and less time consuming hair extension apparatus which replaces the standard clamp, comb, clip, tie or adhesive connection so as to allow easy application and removal, an easier way to add volume, a more natural looking attachment, and an overall more versatile hair extension apparatus. Additionally, there is a need for a natural looking hair extension that blends with a ponytail to make a bun on a wearer, a wig or doll that is easy for the end user or professional to create, thereby saving time and money.

SUMMARY

Certain deficiencies of the prior art may be overcome by the provision of one or more embodiments of a hair extension apparatus having at least one fastener, a flexible material, and a band.

A hair extension apparatus for securing one or more hair extensions is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the hair extension apparatus includes a snap fastener having a protruding member and a socket member attached to a flexible material. The protruding member and the socket member of the snap fastener, when engaged, provide a self-locking snap fastener which has exact and positive snap, self-locking qualities, and may be formed of virtually any size. The hair extension apparatus also includes a band which is enveloped by the flexible material when the members are engaged. The band can be made of any elastic material, such as fabric or yarn, or any rigid material, such as rubber, plastic or metal. The animal, human or synthetic hair strands of the hair extension apparatus is removably restrained to the flexible material. In another embodiment, the protruding member and the socket member are replaced by hook and loop fasteners. For example, the hook and loop fasteners may be VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners.

In preferred embodiments, the protruding member of a snap fastener is attached to one end of the flexible material, while the socket member of the snap fastener is attached to the same side of the other end of the flexible material. This allows the flexible material to take the form of a loop when the members are engaged. The protruding member and socket member may be made of resilient materials such as rubber, plastics or metals or any combination thereof. The flexible material may be made of plastic, fabric, rubber or any other suitable material. The flexible material may also have a means, such as second loop, to restrain the hair of the hair extension apparatus. In alternative embodiments, hook and loop fasteners or multiple socket members and protruding members may be used on the individual flexible material for added strength and to lessen the risk of the hair extension apparatus falling off.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a hair extension apparatus10with an engaged snap fastener12wrapped around a band14. In a preferred embodiment, there are multiple engaged snap fasteners12. Additionally, the flexible material16of the snap fastener12restrains the hair18so it remains attached to the snap fastener12during use.

Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown the hair extension apparatus10with a disengaged snap fastener12having two protruding members22and two socket members20and a disengaged snap fastener24having a single protruding member22and a single socket member20. The band14rests between the disengaged protruding member22and socket member20. When the protruding member22engages the socket member20the band14is enveloped by the flexible material16.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown the snap fastener24ofFIG. 2having a single protruding member22and a single socket member20attached to the flexible material16. In a preferred embodiment, the protruding member22has a cylindrical engaging portion34having a central bore32. The socket member20has a generally cylindrically extending socket portion28dimensioned to snugly engage the circumferentially extending cylindrical engaging portion34of the protruding member22. In one embodiment, the protruding member22and socket member20are attached to the flexible material16by threads26. In other embodiments, the protruding member22and socket member20are attached to the flexible material16by other means, such as use of an adhesive, heat-bonding, thermoplastic yarn or the like. The hair18of the hair extension apparatus is restrained by the flexible material16by way of an additional loop36.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown the snap fastener12ofFIG. 2having two protruding members22and two socket members20for added strength and resilience. In another embodiment, more than two protruding members22and socket member20may be used to further add strength or function to the snap fastener12.

Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown the hook fasteners40and loop fasteners42attached to the flexible material16. The hair18of the hair extension apparatus is restrained by the flexible material16by way of an additional loop36.