Threaded hair twister

A threaded hair twister that is flexible, easy to use, and light-weight and enables the user to coil the hair into a variety of twists comprised of an elongated resilient body having an opening at one end and an elastic cord attached to a needle-like member at the other end, wherein the needle-like member is threaded into the opening of the elongated body for securing the hair after being rolled into a twist style.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a hair styling device and more 
particularly to a hair styling device that is resilient and can coil hair 
into many diverse styles, for example, a French twist, half twist, or side 
twist, without needing additional pins or clips. 
The device of the present invention preferably includes an elongated member 
comprising a resilient flexible core covered by an outer sheath of 
textured material or foam that clings to hair and a retention member to 
secure the hair into a number of desired twists. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is known in the prior art to utilize hair shaping devices to style hair 
into a variety of styles depending on the length of the hair and the 
desired effect, but none of the teachings incorporate the unique aspects 
of the present invention. Rather, the prior art shaping and hair retention 
devices are either bulky, utilize separate clamping means and are not 
comprised of a unitary simple hair twister and fastener, as in the present 
invention, to permit the user to create a variety of hair twists simply 
and efficiently without damaging the hair and causing any discomfort. 
The following prior art patents are illustrative of prior devices for 
wrapping, curling and styling hair. 
U.S. Pat. No. 19,228 to Arnold describes a clamp for holding ladies' hair 
in curls consisting of a rigid tube having elastic straps for setting hair 
after it is curled about the tube. U.S. Pat. No. 951,066 to Fisher again 
relates to a rigid hair curler utilizing hair pins and rubber bands for 
waving the hair. U.S. Pat. No. 2,145,278 to Solomon is directed towards a 
hair curler comprised of a one piece resilient body and an integrally and 
swingably connected retaining member. U.S. Pat. No. 2,242,850 to Dusseau 
relates to a hair curler consisting of a rigid tubular body connected to 
an elastic cord and having a metal clip pin attached to the other end. The 
metal clip pin is comprised of two spring arms to be used to straddle the 
tubular body to clamp a wisp of hair into place. U.S. Pat. No. 2,693,809 
to Spencer relates to a to a curler and method of treating hair and 
discloses a rigid hair curler having an oil or lubricant impregnated body 
and relatively lubricant free retaining tabs so that when the curler is 
wrapped with hair, no lubricant escapes onto a pillow when worn during 
sleep. These prior art patents relate to devices to curl hair and set it, 
not to devices for creating different hair styles. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,723 to Schach is directed towards a hair styling device 
comprising a peanut shaped outer covering of material capable of clinging 
to hair, at least one intermediate layer of a resilient film attached 
along its periphery to the outer covering to form a unitary structure, and 
a deformable structure in the interior capable of being repeatedly bent to 
form a variety of shapes. The patent does not disclose a cooperating 
retention member to hold the hair in the desired twisted shape. Since it 
relies solely on the hair clinging to the fabric cover it is likely that 
the hair will not stay in place but unwind, requiring that the hair be 
retwisted and set again. 
The prior art noted above fails to provide or suggest a flexible elongated 
hair twister having a cooperating retention member to allow an individual 
to create and to maintain a variety of hair twist styles by manipulating a 
flexible core into a variety of shapes to create a number of different 
hair styles with the same device. More particularly, the prior art has 
failed to provide a light-weight, flexible, low cost hair styling device 
that allows the individual the options of styling the hair in a French 
twist, half twist or side twist with the assurance that the hair will stay 
in place. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, there is provided an 
elongated hair styling device for coiling hair into a variety of twists. 
In one preferred embodiment a somewhat stiff but flexible core which can 
be bent and retains its bent shape is provided. The core may be formed of 
a plurality of flexible parallel tubes to form an elongated body and 
disposed about a wire member, such as copper, of sufficient thickness to 
allow bending while retaining the shape to which it is bent. 
Alternatively, a flexible core of a bendable plastic material may be used 
as well or a piece of insulated electrical wire cable of sufficient 
thickness to allow flexibility while retaining its shape. The core is 
covered by a sponge like foam fabric sheath which clings to hair. End caps 
are provided at each end of the device. An elastic cord is fixed to one 
end cap and is provided with a stiff yet flexible elongated member at its 
end. The other end cap is provided with a receiving bore to receive the 
flexible elongated member. In a preferred device, the flexible elongated 
member is needle shaped and threads into the opposing end cap. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a hair twister device that 
conveniently and rapidly styles hair in a variety of twists which 
addresses the problems associated which the prior art has failed to 
adequately provide. 
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
flexible hair twister having a thin elongated body that is adaptable to 
different hair lengths and hair thicknesses. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair twister that 
provides an elastomeric means to secure the hair style without damaging 
the hair. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a relatively 
low-cost hair twister, which is simple in construction, easy to use, 
durable, small in size, less cumbersome and neat and attractive in 
appearance when placed in the hair than prior art hair styling devices. 
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a hair styling 
device without the need of pins, clips, or other external fastening means. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hair twister 
readily adaptable to a wide variety of hair lengths and hair thicknesses. 
Other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention 
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the 
illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same 
reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the elongated hair twister 10 unthreaded and 
threaded having a slightly curved shape in accordance with a preferred 
embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein and with reference 
to all of the FIGS. 1-7, the hair twister 10 includes an outer layer or 
sheath 12, at least one inner flexible core member 14, although two or 
more core members may be employed, to form the durable yet resilient hair 
twister. End caps 16 and 18, respectively, are provided at each end. An 
elastic expandable cord 20 is fixed to one end cap, for example by a knot 
22 in one end. A flexible but rigid needle or pick is secured at the free 
end to the cord 20 and is provided with a ball member 24 at the juncture 
with cord 20. Core member 14 is suitably secured in any convenient manner 
in each end cap 16 and 18. 
The outer sleeve 12 is preferably formed from a foam, felted or any other 
textured type material that has the ability to cling to hair, preferably 
such as polyether or polyester, polyurethane or polyurethane esther foam. 
In addition, the foam type material comprising the outer sheath may be 
vulcanized rubber, foamed polyethylene, foamed polyvinyl or like materials 
known to be foamable under like conditions. It is preferred that the outer 
sheath which contacts the hair be comprised of a material or fabric that 
does not snag or tangle the hair when wrapped or coiled into a twist and 
formed to have a slight bulge in the center and provides a compressable 
sponge like feel. 
The elastic cord 20 is formed form a springy durable material or preferably 
a rubber material, while the pick or needle member 22 is made of a 
flexible rubber type material being sturdier and having less elasticity 
than the elastic cord 20. 
End cap 18 differs from end cap 16 in that it has a receiving bore 26 and a 
cone shaped seat 28 to receive needle 22 and bulb 24 and retain, it snugly 
within end cap 18, as shown in FIG. 2. When the needle is fully inserted 
in receiving bore 26, the tension imparted by elastic cord 20 cooperates 
with the mating engagement of ball member 24 and seat 28 to retain the 
needle in a fixed position. Accordingly, when needle member 22 is engaged 
cord 20 contacts a portion of the coiled hair and assures that the hair 
twist will remain in position and not loosen or come apart while worn. 
As best seen in FIG. 3, the sheath 12 is disposed about core member 14 
which is any suitable member or material selected to be flexible so as to 
be readily bent and, when bent, sufficiently rigid to substantially retain 
the shape to which it is bent. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, illustrate by way of 
example only, types of structures for flexible core 14. 
In FIG. 4 the core 14 is constructed of a wire 30 of a gauge to be flexible 
yet which exhibits the ability to retain the shape to which it is bent. 
About wire 30 are disposed a plurality of short cylindrical segments 32 
which may be held together by an adhesive type wrapped around each joint 
(not shown). The cylindrical segments permit bending of the core as the 
segments can articulate at each juncture. The cylindrical segments 
increase the interior volume of the core so that the device as a whole 
exhibits sufficient rigidity to permit coiling of the user's hair to the 
desired style. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate core member 14b which can be any type of 
flexible metal or plastic which can be repeatedly bent without fracturing. 
The core 14b can also be two or more metal bars encased in a plastic 
sheath, if desired. 
FIG. 6 illustrates another alternate core member which can be similar to an 
electrically conductive wire having a metal wire 30b of sufficient gauge 
to be flexible and shape retentive encased by a plastic or elastomeric 
sheath 34. 
FIGS. 7A-7C show three 80, 90 and 100 of the many different types of hair 
twists that an individual can do by herself when using the hair twister of 
the present invention. The twist styles are formed by rolling the hair 
about the elongated sheath 12 either parallel to the head for styles shown 
in FIGS. 7A-7B or perpendicular to the head for the style in FIG. 7C. 
Then, once the desired hair is totally coiled or rolled around the sheath 
14 the needle 22 is threaded into the opening and seated in socket 28 to 
clamp and secure the hair in place. Further, the individual can adjust the 
angle of the hair twister due to the resilient material comprising the 
device. As seen in FIG. 7A the device follows a semi-circular contour 
about the top of the head. To undo the hair twister device, the individual 
simply removes the needle 22 and unrolls the hair from the elongated body. 
It is readily apparent that the twister device of the present invention may 
be made in various lengths and thicknesses to achieve a wide variety of 
hair styles and two or more devices may be used at the same time to 
achieve even more diversity of hair styles. 
Accordingly, the hair twister of the present invention forms an 
aesthetically pleasing hair styles or updos without any obstructions or 
intrusions from additional external objects, such as hair clamps, pins, 
clips, scrunchies, or the like. 
Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present invention and 
modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is to be 
understood that this invention is not limited to those precise embodiments 
and modifications, and that other modifications and variations may be 
affected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.