Abstract:
A hair styling article for providing increased volume to a switch of hair is provided. The hair styling article includes a base and a plurality of arcuate-shaped members extending from the base. In operation, the switch of hair is held in place by the hair styling article in a flared-out fashion which increases hair volume. The invention also includes a method of using the hair styling article.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to hair styling accessories. More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to a hair styling article for use in adding volume to a switch of hair. 
   2. Problems in the Art 
   It is a well-known hair styling technique to band a portion of hair together, forming ponytails, pigtails and the like. Depending upon the natural body and volume of the hair, the hair will take a variety of forms. Although a matter of personal preference, it is often preferred that the hair extending from the base of the ponytail give the appearance of having good hair volume. Hair styling products, such as hair sprays and hair gels, have been used for this purpose. They suffer from several deficiencies. Such products are limited in their ability to add volume to the hair. They also must be reapplied to maintain hair in the same style. Other attempts have been made to improve volume using combs, clips and similar articles. As yet, such attempts have proved unsuccessful and suffer from various deficiencies. 
   Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of a hair styling article that styles and provides volume to a switch of hair in ponytails and the like. 
   A still further objective of the present invention is a hair styling article that is easy to use and allows the hair stylist to style a switch of hair. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a hair styling article that is hidden from normal view when in use, so as not to detract from the aesthetics of the hair style. 
   A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a hair styling article that is economical to manufacture and durable in use. 
   These and other objectives become apparent from the following description of the invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a new hair styling article that helps add volume to the switch of hair, such as the hair used to form a ponytail. The hair styling article of the present invention generally includes a round base and a plurality of arcuate-shaped members extending from the base. The arcuate-shaped members are adapted to secure the hair styling article to the switch of hair while holding at least a portion of the hair in a “fanned-out” or generally radial position about the periphery of the base. 
   The present invention also relates to a new method for adding volume to a switch of hair. This new method generally comprises providing a hair styling article as described previously, selecting a switch of hair to style, banding the switch of hair to form a base, positioning the hair styling article near the base of the hair, and then styling the hair such that a portion of the switch of hair is held in a flared-out fashion about the periphery of the base and another portion of the hair is disposed through the center opening of the base. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention greatly increases the volume of the switch of hair or ponytail. The hair also surrounds the hair styling article such that the hair styling article is generally hidden from normal view. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the hair styling article of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the hair styling article of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a pictorial showing a switch of hair. 
       FIG. 4  is a pictorial showing the hair styling article of  FIG. 1  positioned near the base of a switch of hair. 
       FIG. 5  is a pictorial showing a switch of hair styled by the hair styling article of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the present invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Now referring to the drawings, the preferred hair styling article of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The hair styling article  10  includes a round or circular base  12  and a plurality of arcuate-shaped members  14  extending from the periphery of the base. The base preferably includes an aperture that forms a center opening  16 . As described later, the center opening  16  allows a portion of hair to pass through the base  12 . 
   In its preferred form, the base  12  and arcuate-shaped members  14  are integrally formed of plastic in an injection molding process. The plastic arcuate-shaped members  14  are flexible, which makes it easier to position the hair styling article  10  in a switch of hair. Other materials and manufacturing processes can be used to form the hair styling article  10  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the arcuate-shaped members  14  are spaced apart along the periphery of the base  12 . The body portion of each of the arcuate-shaped members  14  generally defines a plane. The arcuate-shaped members  14  extend from the base  12  in the same general direction. However, the arcuate-shaped members  14  are generally offset such that the plane defined by a particular member does not intersect the center of the base  12 . This configuration of the arcuate-shaped members has been found desirable, as it makes the hair easier to style and helps maintain a portion of a switch of hair in a “flared out” fashion wherein the hair extends in a generally radial manner around the periphery of the base  12 . 
   Each of the arcuate shaped members  14  includes a first end at the base  12  and a second end opposite the first end. A hair retaining portion  18  is disposed near the second end of the arcuate-shaped member. The hair retaining portion  18  helps the hair styling article  10  grasp or grip a portion of the switch of hair and hold the hairstyling article  10  in place. 
   The hair styling article  10  is easy to use. The preferred use of the hair styling article  10  is with ponytails, pigtails and the like. However, its use is not so limited. Respecting use of the hair styling article with a ponytail, first a switch of hair is selected and banned together to form a ponytail. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the ponytail  18  has a base portion adjacent the material or device that bands the hair together near the user&#39;s scalp (see  FIG. 3 ). The hair styling article  10  is positioned in the hair near the base portion of the ponytail  18  with the arcuate-shaped members  14  extending toward the base of the ponytail  18  (see  FIG. 4 ). It is preferred that the hair near the base of the ponytail  18  is bunched up or flattened so that at least a portion of the hair extends laterally in a generally radial fashion before the hair styling article  10  is put into the hair. Next, the stylist styles the switch of hair such that a portion of the switch of hair extends around the periphery of the base  12  between the arcuate-shaped members  14  (see  FIG. 5 ). Another portion of the switch of hair is pulled through the center opening  16 . The hair styling article holds the switch of hair as shown in  FIG. 5 , which greatly improves the volume of the switch of hair, giving the appearance that the hair has good body. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that use of the hair styling article in this way will produce a variety of different hair styles depending on the type of hair and how the hair is positioned relative the hair styling article  10 . 
   A general description of the present invention as well as a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional variations in the structure and methods described which fall under the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.