Abstract:
A device particularly useful as a decorative hair accessory and as a way to keep hair in a braided style includes two opposing sections, a male section and a female section which, when coupled together or closed, create a channel for receiving braided hair. The two opposing sections have protrusions or teeth which may be sized to help keep the device in position on the braid and to help keep the braid from unraveling. The exterior of the two opposing sections are formed so as to have the appearance of a row of individual beads. Alignment posts and locking mechanisms may be positioned along the length of the device to help maintain the device in a closed, aligned position and securely attached to the hair. Optionally, the device may include an opener with a tapered end to facilitate opening of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/588,344, filed Jan. 19, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to hair accessories, and more particularly, to a unitary hair accessory which has the appearance of multiple threaded beads. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Braids are a popular hairstyle, particularly among young girls. Frequently, braids or tufts of hair are adorned with beads to further add to the aesthetic appeal of a hairstyle. While pony beads are the most common type of beads used in hair, beads come in a variety of shapes, colors, and designs and are often selected to coordinate with clothing or to express a particular theme such as a red, white, and blue patriotic theme. 
         [0006]    Several techniques are commonly used to apply beads to braids or strands of hair. One such technique involves the use of a beader. A beader is a tool which is used to assist in applying beads to a braid or strands of hair. To apply the beads, the beads are loaded onto the shaft of the beader in the order or pattern desired. Then, a braid is threaded through a hole in the top of the beader much like one would thread a needle. Next, the braid is folded upwardly and aligned with the tip of the beader so that the beads can be transferred or pushed from the bottom of the beader, along its shaft, over the folded end of the braid and onto the braid itself. The folded end of the braid is then unfolded and removed from the beader leaving a braid which has been nicely decorated with beads. 
         [0007]    A beader and a method of applying beads to a braid are taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,151. One shortcoming of the method described therein is that it requires a separate, spring loaded bead stop to secure the beads on the braid once they have been applied to the braid. Other known techniques for securing beads on a braid include the use of a barrette or a rubber band to prevent the beads from sliding off the braid. However, a barrette, because of its relatively large size and weight may not be aesthetically desirable and may contribute to additional stress on strands of hair. In addition, barrettes are susceptible to becoming detached from a braid, allowing the beads to slide off the braid and also allowing the braid to readily become unraveled. Furthermore, the use of rubber bands may not be desirable because the friction of the rubber against the hair can cause breakage of the hair. Also, rubber bands are susceptible to breakage themselves which can cause the beads to fall off the hair. It is particularly dangerous for beads to fall off, or be pulled off of the hair of younger girls, as toddlers have been known to swallow beads and lodge them in their ears and nostrils. In response to this, many day care centers have implemented a “no hair beads” policy. 
         [0008]    Braiding hair and the application of beads to braids is a time-consuming and laborious process. The overall time associated with braiding hair into a desired pattern and decorating the braids with beads can sometimes takes several hours. This is undesirable for several reasons. First, a person, especially a child, who has to endure this process may become bored, impatient or irritable causing an unpleasant experience for the hairstylist and the customer alike. In addition, because of the time consumed in this process as well as the additional supplies needed to apply and secure individual beads (i.e., beader, rubber bands), there is necessarily a monetary impact. Any improvements which enhance the efficiency of the hair braiding and decorating process are desirable. Thus, there is a need for a means to decorate braided hair with beads which is less time consuming, less costly, which does not damage hair, and does not present a safety hazard. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the needs identified above with a decorative hair accessory which looks like a row of beads yet securely and easily locks onto a braid or strands of hair. A decorative beaded hair accessory having features of the present invention comprises a male section and a female section coupled to the male section. Both the male section and the female section have an inner and outer surface with a lateral surface formed therebetween. The inner surface of the male and female section form first and second channels, respectively, which are sized to receive a braid or strands of hair. The inner surface of the male section includes a plurality of protrusions or teeth extending therefrom. The protrusions penetrate or become interlaced with a braid or strands of hair when the device of present invention is in a closed position. The inner surface of the female section may also be provided with a plurality or protrusions for the same purpose. The outer surface of the male and female sections are designed to have the appearance of a row of individual beads when the device of present invention is in a closed position. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the device may be optionally provided with at least one alignment post on the lateral surface of the male section and a section for receiving at least one alignment post formed on the lateral surface of the female section. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a locking mechanism may be provided wherein the inner surface of the male section includes at least one projection and the inner and lateral surfaces of the female section include a surface defining an opening for receiving at least one projection which frictionally engages with the opening to keep the device in a closed and locked position. 
         [0011]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beaded hair accessory which has the appearance of a row of individual beads. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a beaded hair accessory that securely attaches to braided hair. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a beaded hair accessory which aids in preventing a braid from unraveling. 
         [0014]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a beaded hair accessory which is less time consuming to apply to hair than individual beads. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory for decorating hair which is less expensive to apply to hair than individual beads. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a decorative hair accessory which does not damage hair. 
         [0017]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a decorative hair accessory which is versatile in that it may be attached at any point along the length of twisted, braided or loose hair. 
         [0018]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a decorative hair accessory which does not pose a health or safety risk. 
         [0019]    These and other aspects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an inside perspective view of the device of the present invention in an open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the device of the present invention in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the device of the present invention in an open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device of the present invention in an open position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the optional opener for use in conjunction with the device of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an outside perspective view of the device of the present invention in the closed position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is detailed perspective view of a hinge of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention hingedly coupled in an end-to-end configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a top view of alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention arranged for coupling without hinges. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a side view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present including a filler material for the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates an inside perspective view of the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention in an open position. Decorative beaded device  10  includes a male section  12 , a female section  14 , and one or more hinges  16  to connect the male section  12  and the female section  14 . Preferably, the male section  12 , female section  14 , and hinges  16  are formed as a single piece of plastic by a plastic injection molding process. Hinges  16  are preferably made from a material that has sufficient flexibility so that male section  12  can be folded over hinges  16  to mate or engage with female section  14 . Alternatively, when decorative beaded device  10  is made of wood or metal, such as gold, platinum, or silver, hinges  16  may be made from the same metal. Male section  12  and female section  14  may be two separate pieces, and the male section  12  and female section  14  can be hingedly coupled by the hinges  16  which may be of the same or a different material. 
         [0032]    Male section  12  is preferably semi-cylindrical in shape and has a first inner surface  18 , defining a first channel  20 , and a first outer surface  19  having a beadlike appearance. First outer surface  19  is located distal from first inner surface  18 . Likewise, female section  14  is also preferably semi-cylindrical in shape and has a second inner surface  22 , defining a second channel  24 , and a second outer surface  23  also having a beadlike appearance. Second outer surface  23  is located distal from second inner surface  22 . Both the male section  12  and female section  14  have a lateral surface  21 ,  25  formed or connected between their respective inner surface  18 ,  22  and outer surface  19 ,  23 . Male section  12  also includes one or more protrusions  26  extending perpendicularly from first inner surface  18 . Similarly, female section  14  may include one or more protrusions  28  extending perpendicularly from second inner surface  22 . The protrusions  26 ,  28  have first ends  30 ,  32  attached to first inner surface  18  and second inner surface  22 , respectively, and second ends  34 ,  36  having a generally rounded abutment surface as better shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the width of protrusions  26 ,  28  taper from the first ends  30 ,  32  to the second ends  34 ,  36 . Alternatively, protrusions  26 ,  28  may have the same diameter over their entire length. In addition, as opposed to the protrusions  26 ,  28  extending perpendicularly from their respective inner surface  18 ,  22 , they may be situated at other angles. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment protrusions  26 ,  28  extend from one inner surface to the adjacent inner surface. For example, protrusions  26  may extend from first inner surface  18  substantially to the second inner surface  22 . In another embodiment, protrusions extend from an inner surface to the height of the lateral surface of that inner surface. For example, protrusions  26 ,  28  may extend from inner surfaces  18 ,  22  to the height of their respective lateral surfaces  21 ,  25 . In this manner, the protrusions  26  of the first inner surface  18  abut the protrusions  28  of the second inner surface  22  when the device  10  of the present invention is in a closed position. The protrusions  26 ,  28  of the present invention interleave with hair and assist in securing the device  10  of the present invention to hair, especially braided or twisted hair. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , to further assist in keeping the device  10  of the present invention securely attached to hair, a locking mechanism  38  may be provided. The locking mechanism  38  includes one or more upwardly facing projections  40  attached to the first inner surface  18 . The projection  40  interlocks with a surface defining an opening  42  formed in the second lateral surface  25  and second inner surface  22  of female section  14 . In this embodiment, decorative beaded device  10  may be maintained in a fastened or closed position by the frictional engagement of projection  40  and opening  42 . Opening  42  may also include a vertical surface  43  formed in the second inner surface and the second lateral surface. Vertical surface  43  further assists in maintaining frictional engagement between projection  40  and opening  42 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, the projection  40  includes a lip  44  which fits into the opening  42  to maintain the device  10  of the present invention in a closed position. A user must exert a sufficient force to overcome the frictional resistance provided by projection  40  and lip  44  against opening  42  to snap male section  12  and female section  14  together into mating engagement. The lip  44  may be sized so that once in the closed position, device  10  remains closed until sufficient force is applied to separate male  12  section and female section  14 . When opening  42  includes vertical surface  43 , lip  44  abuts against the vertical surface to help secure the device in a closed position. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the present invention may include an opener  50  to assist in separating male section  12  from female section  14 . Opener  50  is generally cylindrical in shape and may have a tapered end  52  for easy insertion into either end of device  10  of the present invention when in the closed or locked position. Opener  50  preferably has a diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of the device  10  when in the closed position so than when sufficient force is applied while inserting the opener  50 , the device  10  readily opens. 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , first lateral surface  21  may be provided with one or more alignment posts  46  which extend perpendicularly from first lateral surface  21 . Alignment posts  46  mate with sections  48  for receiving the alignment posts  46  which are formed in second lateral surface  25  of the female section  14 . When the device  10  of the present invention is in a closed position, alignment posts  46  mate with the sections  48  for receiving the alignment posts, aligning the device and thus allowing the outer surfaces  19 ,  23  of the male section  12  and female section  14 , respectively, to appear as a row of individual beads. 
         [0038]    To aid in the overall appearance of the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention, male section  12 , and female section  14  may be provided with recesses  54  to conceal hinges  16  from view when the device  10  of the present invention is in a closed position. This feature further allows the decorative beaded device  10  to have the appearance of a row of individual beads. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a detailed view of the hinge  16  highlighted in  FIG. 1  includes a connector  71  which is attached to adjacent sidewalls  72 ,  73  via fold lines  74 ,  75 . 
         [0040]    Connector  71  has a cross section which is generally triangular in shape. Sidewalls  72 ,  73  are formed from male section  12  and female section  14 , respectively. More specifically, sidewall  73  is formed from second inner surface  22  and inner lateral  29 , for example. Sidewalls  72 ,  73  are also formed such that when folded up along fold lines  74 ,  75 , they abut connector  71 . A recess  54  is formed by connector  71 , sidewalls  72 ,  73  and adjacent end walls  76 ,  77 . A similar recess  55  is formed on the opposite end of connector  71  and is a mirror image of recess  54 . 
         [0041]    Male section  12  and female section  14  are folded about fold lines  74 ,  75  of hinge  16  so that projections  40  are in mating engagement with openings  42  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In particular, lip  44  may be provided to abut against opening  42  in female section  14  to secure the device  10  of the present invention in closed and locked position and to prevent it from inadvertently opening. In addition to contributing to the appearance of a row of beads, the hinge design, particularly sidewalls  72 ,  73 , allow the lateral surfaces  21 ,  25  to easily align with one another when closing the device  10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As opposed to the side-by-side configuration described above, the device  10  of the present invention may be arranged in an end-to-end configuration wherein hinge  16  is connected between a first folding end  82  of male section  12  and a second folding end  84  of female section  14 . Because of the positioning of hinge  16  in this embodiment, which creates an open and a closed end when the device  10  is closed, this embodiment may be limited to placement at the ends of hair such as at the end of a braid. 
         [0043]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 9 , male section  12  and female section  14  may be coupled to one another without the use of a hinge. As better shown in reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the male section  12  and female section  14  are coupled to one another and held together by the frictional engagement of the projections  40  on the male section  12  exerting force against corresponding openings  42  on the female section  14 . When male  12  and female section  14  as so coupled, they have the appearance depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  depicts an optional feature of the present invention, namely, a filler material  90 . Filler material  90  is preferably formed of any elastic material such as a spongy foam or rubber that will further assist in securing hair within the device  10 . An adhesive material such as glue (not shown) may be used to secure the filler material to first inner surface  18  and second inner surface  22 . In addition, appropriately sized slits or cutouts may be formed in filler material  90  to accommodate protrusions or projections attached to the inner surfaces. 
       COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 
       [0045]    To demonstrate the effectiveness of the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention, comparative testing was performed by an ISO 9001 certified testing facility to determine how securely the decorative beaded device  10  attached to two samples of braided hair. The device  10  of the present invention was evaluated against hair accessories identical in design to the present invention. However, Specimen A had no protrusions  26 ,  28  formed on the inner surfaces  18 ,  22  of the male section  12  and female section  14  and Specimen B had protrusions which were approximately one half the length of the protrusions formed on the inner surfaces  18 ,  22  of the male section  12  and female section  14  of the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    The device  10  designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as well as Specimens A and B were separately attached to Braid  1  and Braid  2 . A test fixture having a hole bored therethrough was utilized to hold the hair accessories in place while pneumatic grips applied a pulling force to the braids. Pulling was performed at a rate of 1 inch per minute and the maximum load required to initiate movement of the braid relative to the hair accessory was recorded. The results are set forth in the table below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Braid 1 
                 Braid 2 
               
               
                   
                 PRODUCT 
                 (lb f ) 
                 (lb f ) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Specimen A 
                 0.18 
                 0.23 
               
               
                   
                 Specimen B 
                 0.51 
                 0.23 
               
               
                   
                 Present Invention 
                 1.9 
                 3.6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0047]    With regard to both Braid  1  and Braid  2 , the device  10  of the present invention sustained a much greater pulling force (as much as 15.7 times greater) than Specimen A and Specimen B before movement of the braid relative to the hair accessory. Thus, the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention provides superior resistance to slippage when applied to a braid as compared to Specimen A and Specimen B. Resistance to slippage is paramount because braided hair styles including any decorative attachments are typically expected to stay in place for a minimum of two weeks before needing to be re-braided. Therefore, having protrusions present that extend across the diameter of the device, securely attaching themselves to the braided hair as well as having projections that allow the device to remain securely in a closed position are key to the device&#39;s ability to remain in place, withstanding the normal everyday activities of a wearer for such extended periods of time. The above described protrusions and projections provide a significant improvement over prior art beads and other hair accessories. 
         [0048]    To use the device  10  of present invention, a user places a braid or strands of hair in a channel  20 ,  24  of an open decorative beaded device  10 . The hair so placed in the device interweaves with protrusions  26 ,  28 . The device  10  is then closed about hinges  16  connecting the male section  12  and female section  14  thus assisting in holding braids or a cluster of hair in place. Protrusions  26 ,  28  provide the primary source of resistance to slippage. The decorative beaded device  10  so placed takes on the appearance of a row of individual hair beads as depicted in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , an optional opener  50  with a tapered end  52  may be used to assist in opening the decorative beaded device  10  of the present invention by inserting tapered end  52  into either end of the device  10  when it is in a closed position. 
         [0049]    Hair which has been braided and adorned with beads suggests a very time consuming, tedious, and sometimes expensive process. With the present invention, hair may be decorated with a device  10  which looks like a row of beads yet does not require the undesirable time and expense typically associated with beaded hair styles. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that in addition to the outer surfaces  19 ,  23  of the device  10  of the present invention having the appearance of a row of beads, numerous other designs may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. These designs may or may not resemble beads. For example, the device  10  could resemble a smooth decorative cylinder shape without indentations resembling beads. 
         [0050]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the present invention.