Abstract:
A method and device for enclosing a portion of hair such that it is not mussed or damaged, yet is aesthetically pleasing. A flexible and elastic elongated material having a cavity therein receives the hair, and the device is unfurled to a desired length.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device and method for enclosing and maintaining hair; more specifically, a device and method are provided to hold and adorn a portion of a user&#39;s hair, e.g. a pony tail, a braided pony tail, or pigtail hairstyles, such that the hair will not be mussed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices for forming and maintaining hairstyles have existed for a long time. For example, hairpins have been used to secure strands of hair to create a desired configuration. Other clamping devices have also been introduced to maintain hair in a desired configuration. 
     Long hair can be formed into a variety of styles depending upon the desires of the particular individual. Thus, the hair can be placed into a bun or buns, ponytail, French knot, braid, cascade, and a variety of other shapes by the use of hairstyling devices. 
     The concern is that the hairstyling devices themselves are often unattractive, detracting from the overall appearance of the hairstyle. For example, standard bobby pins may reduce the attractiveness of a hairstyle. 
     Also, such bobby pins, barrettes, and the like, tend not only to be unsightly but also to damage the hair during repeated use or may fail in high winds or during physical activities. In addition, they do not prevent mussing during such physical activities or turbulent climate conditions. As a result, a user&#39;s hair becomes tangled or even damaged. 
     Hairnets have also been used to hold a user&#39;s hair in place. Hairnets, however, are aesthetically unappealing and the pressure causes the hair onto the scalp, thereby resulting in disheveled hair after its removal. 
     Often, a person will wish to include an ornamental object, e.g. a bow, or an alternate form of individual expression, e.g. a written message or artwork, with a particular hairstyle. The ornamental objects may be difficult to maintain over time and may become damaged in high wind conditions. Further, the forms of individual expression are limited because of the shape of the clamping device. 
     There has not been a development in the art of maintaining hair styles, while at the same time minimizing damage to the hair through a clamping device or entanglement thereof during rigorous exercise or turbulent climate conditions. Thus, there remains a need to provide a hairstyle maintaining device for holding long hair in place while simultaneously giving color, style, fashion and personality to one&#39;s overall appearance. Also, it is desirable to provide a hair maintaining device that can be easily put on by a user without another&#39;s assistance. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a pony tail holder which is easy and economical to manufacture and use. 
     SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing devices. 
     Therefore, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a hairstyling and maintaining device that is easy to use, yet very fashionable. 
     It is another objective of the invention to provide a cost-efficient hairstyling and maintaining device in use and manufacture. 
     It is another objective of the invention to provide a hairstyling device that prevents the hair from being mussed or entangled during physical activity and in windy conditions. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a hair maintaining device that prevents the hair from obstructing a user&#39;s view. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to easily enclose a user&#39;s ponytail to prevent dirt from being lodged therein. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to enclose ponytails of differing lengths and thicknesses. 
     In keeping with the principles of the preferred embodiments, a unique hairstyling and maintenance device is disclosed herein. The hairstyling and maintenance device is easy to manufacture and use, where an individual can easily apply it to his or her own hair without any assistance. The hairstyling and maintenance device can also be adorned with aesthetic forms of expression. 
     Such stated objects and advantages of the preferred embodiment or embodiments are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the preferred embodiments. In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hair device in an unfurled state. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the hair device in an unfurled state. 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the hair device in a rolled up state. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the hair device taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plain view of the hair device in an unassembled state. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device being applied to a portion of hair of a user. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial plan view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the device in an unassembled state. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the device in an assembled state taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the device being applied to a portion of hair of a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 9 , a hair maintenance and styling device  20  is illustrated having a first end  22  and a second end  24  which are located at distal ends of a body  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the device  20  is constructed of elastic material or shape memory fabric which, for purposes of illustration but not limitation, may be selected from fabric of 100% polyester (e.g. crushed panne velour), 90% polyester and 10% spandex, 88% nylon and 12% spandex, or 94% cotton and 6% spandex. 
     Referring now to particularly to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , in one preferred embodiment, body  26  is formed from a piece of fabric having a substantially isosceles trapezoid shape having a left side  28  and a right side  30 . Left side  28  and right side  30  are brought into close proximity with one another and, in one preferred embodiment, are attached or sewn together along the length thereof. As a result, a first opening  32  is defined by first end  22  and a second opening  34  is defined by second end  24 . An inner surface  36  and outer surface  38  are defined on body  26 , such that inner surface  36  defines a cavity  40  running along the length of body  26 . Outer surface  38  can accommodate indicia  39  of a user&#39;s preference. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the piece of fabric is approximately seventeen inches long, first end  22  is approximately four inches wide, and second end  24  is approximately two inches wide. It is to be understood that the dimensions provided herein are for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. To that end, it is possible for the length of the fabric to be as short as one and a half inches on the short end, and not have a particular restriction on the long end and can be of a sufficient length predetermined by the user. 
     Referring now particularly to  FIG. 2 , an alternate preferred embodiment is therein illustrated where second end  24  is of a predetermined narrow width such that the attachment or stitching which joins the left and right sides  28  and  30  causes a closed second end  24 , yet leaves first opening  32  at first end  22 . 
     In both preferred embodiments, the stitching or attachment (e.g. adhesive) of the left and right sides  28  and  30  is formed inwardly from the inner surface  36 , such that a resulting seam  42  is not observable when the device  20  is worn. It should be noted, however, that in yet another preferred embodiment, the device  20  may be formed to define cavity  40  in a seamless manner as is known in the art; for example, by circular knitting processes which can also be carried out by commercially available equipment, such as a SANTONI SM8 knitting machine. 
     Now referring particularly to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , an alternate preferred embodiment is illustrated wherein first end  22  is partially folded over and attached such that an aperture  44  is formed and traverses from left side  28  to right side  30 . Aperture  44  receives an elastic element  46  therein, which also traverses from left side  28  to right side  30 . 
     In order to apply the device  20  to a portion of hair  48 , device  20  is initially furled as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A leading end  50  of a portion of hair  48 , which may be braided, is inserted into cavity  40  and is proximal to second end  24 . Device  20  is then unfurled such that first end  22  it is proximal to the root of a user&#39;s hair  48 . In the preferred embodiment where elastic element  46  is integrated, elastic element  46  provides additional pressure on the hair  48 , which is especially desired during strenuous physical activities (e.g. basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc.) or high wind conditions (e.g. inclement weather, riding motorcycles, etc.). In the alternate preferred embodiment, device  20  may omit the elastic element  46  and if a user desires additional security, an elastic band  52  may first be applied to hair  48 , and device  20  unfurled over the same. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, a second elastic band may be applied on top of the unfurled device  20 —proximal to first end  22 —to further secure the same and prevent loss thereof in extreme wind conditions, for example when skydiving. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit of the preferred embodiments of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the preferred embodiments illustrated, but by the claims and their legal equivalents.