Abstract:
A hair accessory device; in particular, a device and method of use that is uniquely configured to clamp and securely grasp hair in place and allow the hair to appear fuller. The device is a double hair clip having a corresponding pair of pivotable jaws, an inner set and an outer set. This advantageously allows for the secure holding of hair while creating the look of hair fullness.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to hair accessories. In particular, an improved device is disclosed that is uniquely configured to clamp and securely grasp hair in place and allow the hair to appear fuller and the method of use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hair accessory devices are commonly designed to hold and secure hair in a desired position. These devices include hair clips, elastic bands, barrettes, plastic spring loaded devices, etc. However, these devices have some limitations. One limitation is that many clips and barrettes will not securely grasp hair and hold it in the desired position. Hair is capable of slipping out of the teeth of such clips which requires the user to remove and reattach the clip. Another common limitation is that users who have fine hair do not achieve a hairstyle having the fullness they desire. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a hair accessory device that allows for secure holding of hair while creating the look of hair fullness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a double hair clip for securely fastening hair and providing a hairstyle to make hair appear more full. 
     The double hair clip of the present invention comprises a corresponding pair of pivotable jaws, an inner set and an outer set, each having a retaining end and a pivotable end. 
     The pivotable ends of the inner set of jaws are pivotally connected. The retaining ends of the inner set of jaws are capable of abutting each other and retaining a portion of hair therein. The retaining ends may further comprise a clasping means which are capable of clasping together. Said inner set of jaws having an inside surface and an outside surface, a plurality of hair holding means, such as teeth extend from the inside and outside surfaces of the inner set of jaws. 
     A connecting member extends from the pivotable end of the inner set of jaws and attaches to a corresponding pair of outer set of jaws. 
     Each of the outer set of jaws comprises a retaining end and a pivotable end. The pivotable end of the outer set of jaws are pivotally connected. The retaining ends of the outer set of jaws are capable of abutting each other and retaining a portion of hair therein. The retaining ends may further comprise a clasping means which are capable of clasping together. Said outer set of jaws having an inside surface and an outside surface, a plurality of teeth extend from the inside surface of the outer set of jaws. 
     The method of the present invention enhances the fullness of a hairstyle. The method comprises the steps of positioning a pivotable pair of inner jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end and a retaining end, comprising a clasp at the retaining end, each jaw having an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface having teeth extending therefrom. Placing a first portion of hair inside the inner set of jaws and closing the clasp of the clasping means of the retaining ends of the inner jaws around the first portion of hair, gathering a second portion of hair around the closed inner jaws, positioning the pivotable pair of outer jaws, movable from an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end and a retaining end, a clasp at the retaining end, each jaw having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface having teeth extending therefrom, fastening the clasp of the retaining ends of the outer jaws around the second portion of hair. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the double hair clip of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the double hair clip of the present invention, wherein the inner set of jaws are in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the double hair clip of the present invention, wherein the inner set of jaws and the outer set of jaws are in the closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the double hair clip of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inner set of jaws are in the closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the double hair clip of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inner set of jaws and the outer set of jaws are in the closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of any embodiment of the double hair clip of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of an alternative structure of any embodiment of the double hair clip of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the double hair clip of the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the inner set of jaws are in the closed position and the outer set of jaws are in the closed position. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the retaining ends of the outer set of jaws of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the double hair clip of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the double hair clip of  FIG. 11 , wherein the inner set of jaws is in the closed position. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the double hair clip of  FIG. 11 , wherein the inner set of jaws and the outer set of jaws are in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a side view of the double hair clip  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1  the double hair clip  100  comprises a corresponding pair of jaws, an inner set of jaws  10  and an outer set of jaws  20 . Each of the inner set of jaws  10  has a retaining end  11  and a pivotable end  12 . Each of the outer set of jaws  20  has a retaining end  21  and a pivotable end  22 . The pivotable ends  12  of the inner set of jaws  10  are pivotally connected to each other by a pin  14  with enlarged heads. The inner set of jaws  10  are movable from an open position to a closed position. The retaining ends  11  of the inner set of jaws  10  are capable of abutting each other and retaining a portion of hair therein. The retaining ends  11  of the inner set of jaws  10  may further comprise a clasping means so that the respective retaining ends are capable of clasping together by clasp  15  when in a closed position. Each of the inner set of jaws  10  have an inside surface  10   a  and an outside surface  10   b . The inside surfaces  10   a  of the inner set of jaws  10  have equally spaced apart teeth  5  extending therefrom. The outside surfaces  10   b  of the inner set of jaws  10  have equally spaced apart teeth  5  extending therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the teeth  5  are spaced apart so they are capable of interlocking and interacting with each other when the inner set of jaws  10  are in the closed position, but other teeth spacing can be used. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the inner set of jaws  10  are each substantially semi-circular, but other shapes can also be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the double hair clip  100  comprises a connection member  16  having a first end and a second end. The first end of the connection member  16  attaches to the pivotable ends  12  of the inner set of jaws  10 . The second end of the connection member  16  attaches to the outer set of jaws  20  at its pivotable ends  22 . The connection member  16  may be of varying length and shape (e.g. straight, curved, wavy, zig-zag, etc.). The pivotable ends  22  of the outer set of jaws  20  are pivotally connected to each other by pin  24  with enlarged heads. The outer set of jaws  20  are movable from an open position to a closed position. The retaining ends  21  of the outer set of jaws  20  are capable of abutting each other and retaining a second portion of hair therein. The retaining ends  21  of the outer set of jaws  20  may further comprise a clasping means so that the respective retaining ends are capable of clasping together by clasp  25  when in a closed position. Each of the outer set of jaws  20  have an inside surface  20   a  and an outside surface  20   b . The inside surfaces  20   a  of the outer set of jaws  20  have equally spaced apart teeth  5  extending therefrom, however other teeth spacing can be used. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer set of jaws  20  are each substantially semi-circular, but other shapes can also be used. 
     It is contemplated that the inner set of jaws  10  and the outer set of jaws  20  may have different shapes such as square, rectangular or oval, etc. It is also contemplated that the inner set of jaws  10  may have one shape, such as a circle, and the outer set of jaws  20  may have another shape such as a square. The clasping means and clasps ( 15 ,  25  or  35 ) of the inner set of jaws  10  and the outer set of jaws  20  may be any removably fastening means known to one skilled in the art, such as corresponding hooks, latch and hook, corresponding Velcro® hooks and eyes, magnetic clasps, etc. 
       FIG. 2  shows the inner set of jaws  10  being held in a closed position by clasp  15  while the outer set of jaws  20  is in an open position. 
       FIG. 3  shows the inner set of jaws  10  in a closed position and the outer set of jaws  20  in the closed position. 
     The method of the present invention for enhancing the fullness of a hairstyle using hair clip  100  or  102  comprises the steps of positioning a pivotable pair of inner jaws  10  movable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end  12  and a retaining end  11 , a clasping means such as clasp  15  at the retaining end  11 , each jaw having an inside surface  10   a  and an outside surface  10   b . The inside surfaces  10   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom. Placing a first portion of hair inside the inner set of jaws  10  and closing the retaining ends  11 , which can be accomplished with clasps  15  of the retaining ends  11  of the inner jaws  10  around the first portion of hair, gathering a second portion of hair around the closed inner jaws  10 , positioning the pivotable pair of outer jaws  20 , movable from an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end  22  and a retaining end  21 , a clasping means at the retaining ends  21 , each jaw having an inside surface  20   a  and an outside surface  20   b , the inside surfaces  20   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom, fastening the clasping means such as clasp  25  of the retaining ends  21  of the outer jaws  20  around the second portion of hair. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the double hair clip  102  may have teeth  5  of different shapes, such as diamonds or pins, with varying sizes, lengths and widths. The length and width of the teeth  5  are sized to accommodate different users having different hair thickness, texture and length. It is contemplated that the teeth  5  may not be equally spaced apart but are set at random locations. It is further contemplated that the teeth  5  do not interlock when the inner set of jaws  10  and the outer set of jaws  20  are in the closed position, but instead are adjacent to or abut each other. The teeth  5  may be resilient to be able to engage the hair placed therebetween. The surface of each tooth  5  may be rough to prevent hair held therein from slipping out of the hair clip  100  or  102 . Instead of teeth  5 , other hair holding means known to one skilled in the art may be used, such as hooks, pins, Velcro® hooks and eyes, magnetic clasps etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention is the double hair clip  104 . The outer set of jaws  20  are movable from an open position to a closed position. The retaining ends  21  of the outer set of jaws  20  may have clasping means such as clasps  25 . The clasping means of the retaining ends  21  further comprise an arm element  27 . The outer set of jaws  20  are capable of clasping together by securing the arm element  27  within the opposite clasp  25  when in a closed position. When each arm element  27  is secured to the opposite clasp  25 , the arm elements  27  define a ring area  28 . 
     The method of the alternative embodiment of the present invention using the hair clip  104  for enhancing the fullness of a ponytail comprises the steps of positioning a pivotable pair of inner jaws  10  movable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end  12  and a retaining end  11 , a clasping means such as clasp  15  at the retaining end  11 , each jaw having an inside surface  10   a  and an outside surface  10   b . The inside surface  10   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom. Placing a first portion of hair inside the inner set of jaws  10  and closing the clasps  15  of the retaining ends  11  of the inner jaws  10  around the first portion of hair, gathering a second portion of hair around the closed inner jaws  10 , positioning the pivotable pair of outer jaws  20 , movable from an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end  22  and a retaining end  21 , a clasping means such as clasp  25  at the retaining end  21 , each jaw having an inside surface  20   a  and an outside surface  20   b , the inside surfaces  20   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom, attaching the arm element  27  to the opposite clasp  25  of the retaining ends  21  of the outer jaws  20  around both the first and second portions of hair such that all the hair is positioned within the ring area  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention is the double hair clip  105 . The outer set of jaws  20  is movable from an open position to a closed position. Each retaining end  31  of the outer set of jaws  20  has an arm element  37  with a clasp  35  at its distal end. The outer set of jaws  20  are capable of clasping together by securing the clasp  35  with the opposite clasp  35  when in a closed position. Arm element  37  may be pivotably or fixedly connected to the retaining end  31  of the outer set of jaws  20 . 
     The method of the alternative embodiment of the present invention using the hair clip  105  for enhancing the fullness of a ponytail comprises the steps of positioning a pivotable pair of inner jaws  10  movable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw having a pivotable end  12  and a retaining end  11 , a clasping means such as clasp  15  at the retaining end  11 , each jaw having an inside surface  10   a  and an outside surface  10   b . The inside surfaces  10   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom. Placing a first portion of hair inside the inner set of jaws  10  and closing the clasps  15  of the retaining ends  11  of the inner jaws  10  around the first portion of hair, gathering the second portion of hair around the closed inner jaws  10 , positioning the pivotable pair of outer jaws  20 , movable from an open position and a closed position, each outer jaw having a pivotable end  22  and a retaining end  31  with an arm element  37  having a clasping means  35  at its distal end, each jaw having an inside surface  20   a  and an outside surface  20   b , the inside surfaces  20   a  having teeth  5  extending therefrom, attaching the clasp  35  at the distal end of the arm element  37  to the opposite clasp  35  of the retaining ends  31  of the outer jaws  20  around the first and second portions of the hair. 
     The pivotable ends ( 12 ,  22  or  32 ) of the inner set of jaws  10  and the outer set of jaws  20  may also be any movable means known to one skilled in the art, such as hinges, corresponding boss and opening, corresponding gears, a hole, pin and spring or jaws made of a resilient material such that the jaws are biased towards each other but movable away from each other with force. 
     The double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105  of the present invention may be made of plastic. In another embodiment of the present invention the double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105  is made of metal. It is further contemplated that the entire double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105  be made from rubber. The double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105  may be planar or curved with varying heights/thickness. A curved double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , allows the double hair clip  100 ,  102 ,  104  or  105  to be positioned closely adjacent a user&#39;s scalp. The inner set of jaws  10  and the outer set of jaws  20  may be on the same planar or curved surface or be offset from each other (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) to achieve different hairstyling effects. 
     The features of the invention illustrated and described herein are the preferred embodiments. Therefore, it is understood that the specification is intended to cover unforeseeable embodiments with insubstantial differences that are within the spirit of the specification.