Abstract:
A hair adornment accessory having an attachment structure that selectively envelops and grips the natural hair of a user, and an esthetic device coupled to the attachment structure. The attachment structure may be a tube, optionally having a slot along its entire length, into which a plug having a streamer or the like may be inserted so as to pinch the natural hair. An aesthetic member such as a streamer, tassel, etc. may be fixed to the plug, the attachment structure, or to both. In other embodiments the hair adornment accessory may be a tube which is longitudinally split and hinged to selectively open to receive the natural hair and then close and lock to retain the natural hair. The esthetic device may also include flexible filamentary members or other ancillary decorative features. No ancillary tools are needed to install the hair adornment accessory.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/066,981 filed Apr. 29, 2011 for Hair Attachment that is in turn a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/404,463 filed Oct. 4, 2010 and claims priority thereto in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §119(e). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to accessories for adorning the hair, and more particularly to devices which are removably attached to the hair and which include members which impart artificial esthetic effects to the natural hair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    People have long sought to adorn their natural hair by placing removable articles and materials in the hair. Such removable articles and materials may include beads, streamers, feathers, and other devices, to name but a few. 
         [0004]    One of the technical problems which must be solved in providing such adornments lies in the mounting of the esthetic member to the hair. Preferably, the mounting element should engage the hair in a secure and durable manner, yet be readily installable and readily removed. Ideally, such installations and/or removals should be effected without the cost or time investment required when utilizing the services of a salon stylist and without the need for tools. Structure for engaging the hair should also be minimally conspicuous so as not to interfere with the esthetic effect being imparted. At the same time, the structure should be effective in securing the esthetic member to the hair while still being relatively easy to don and remove by the wearer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses the above needs by providing a self-administered hair attachment which is readily installed in and removed from the hair without the need for tools or professional assistance (i.e., the assistance of a salon stylist or similar person). The hair attachment mechanically engages the hair itself, rather than relying upon engagement with the scalp, ears, or other parts of the anatomy and using adhesives, crimping or weaving, etc. Engagement is by encircling or sandwiching the hair in a manner that avoids potential damage to the wearer&#39;s hair while still securing the adornment. The structure which engages the hair remains minimally conspicuous, and in some instances may contribute to the esthetic effect being imparted by its associated hair attachment. 
         [0006]    In a first embodiment of the invention, the attachment structure includes a hollow tube and a plug which fits into the tube. Hair may be inserted into the tube and held by pinching the hair between the wall of the tube and the plug. An esthetic member such as a streamer, tassel, or other device may be fixed to the plug, to the tube, or to both. Adhesion between the attachment structure and the esthetic member is strong enough to prevent unintended disengagement or slippage. 
         [0007]    An advantage of the above arrangement is that the tube remains parallel to hair when used with straight hair. This characteristic may be exploited for esthetic effect, for example by imparting the outer surface of the tube with ornamental features. Also, the esthetic device enables mounting of a streamer or tassel at the distal end of the tube, so that the streamer or tassel may project a relatively great distance from the scalp. In addition, pulling hair through the tube does not typically require extra tools or professional assistance. 
         [0008]    In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the attachment structure may comprise a longitudinally split tube, the resultant two members being hinged together and if desired, biased to the closed position. Hair may be entrapped between the two members of the split tube. A streamer, tassel, or other esthetic device may be coupled to any part of the attachment structure, including one or both of the two members of the split tube. In some embodiments a streamer or other adornment may be attached to a plug inserted into and retained by the tube. An optional latch mechanism disposed on the outside surface of the tube may be used to facilitate securing the split tube in a closed position thus entrapping the wearer&#39;s hair thereby securing the adornment thereto. 
         [0009]    In still other alternate embodiments the attachment structure includes a resilient tube spilt along its entire length and a plug for retention within the tube. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side elevational view of a first embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the invention, and is rendered partly in cross section; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an environmental side elevational view of the hair adornment device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are end elevational schematic views of the hair adornment device of  FIG. 3  in an open and a closed and locked orientation, respectively; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device having a rectangular split tube; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device having a circular split tube. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown an exploded side elevational view and an environmental side elevational view of a first embodiment of a hair adornment device in accordance with the present invention, generally at reference number  100 . 
         [0018]    Hair adornment device  100  is adapted to be readily installed to and removed from the natural hair  200  of a wearer, not shown. Hair adornment device  100  comprises an attachment structure  106  that is disposed to releasably grip the natural hair  200 , and an esthetic device  108  which imparts visible characteristics for enhancing the appearance of the natural hair  200 . 
         [0019]    The hair adornment device  100  typically comprises a hollow tube  102  having an interior region  104 , and a plug  106  which is dimensioned and configured to be received within the hollow interior region  104  and held or secured by the tube  102 . An esthetic device such as a streamer  108  may be coupled to the plug  106 . Streamer  108  may be retained to the plug  106  by being adhered by means of an adhesive, by sonic welding, by clamping, by tying, by crimping, etc. to tube  102 , or in any other suitable way. Methods and/or systems for retaining esthetic device  108  within plug  106  are believed to be well known to those of skill in the art and, consequently, are not further discussed herein. 
         [0020]    In the hair adornment device  100 , tube  102  in cooperative interaction with plug  106  may be regarded as collectively providing the attachment structure which releasably grips the natural hair  200 . This function may be implemented for example by passing some of the natural hair  200 , for example, as a few strands  200 A of the natural hair  200  through the hollow interior  104  of tube  102 , then inserting plug  106  into the hollow interior  104 , thereby retaining hair  200  within tube  102 . Plug  106  may be fabricated from a resilient material such as a synthetic resin, so that a snug yet releasable fit between the tube  102  and the plug  106  ensues. In alternate embodiments, plug  106  may be formed from a resilient material that may be compressed for insertion into tube  102 . After insertion, plug  106  then expands to provide a gripping force against an inner wall, not specifically identified, of tube  102 . Tube  102  may also be formed from a somewhat flexible or elastic material. Regardless of the chosen constituent materials, including metals and other relatively rigid materials, there will be a clearance between the tube  102  and the plug  106 . This clearance is disposed to capture and pinch some of the natural hair  200  such as the strands  200 A between the tube  102  and the plug  106 . As used herein, the term “clearance” should not be construed to imply that there is a discernible gap, not shown, between tube  102  and plug  106 , although a gap may be provided if desired. Rather, the term “clearance” should be understood to encompass accommodation of the natural hair  200  such as the strands  200 A such that anchorage of the tube  102  to the natural hair  200  results. 
         [0021]    In the example of  FIG. 1 , the attachment structure has a length  110  extending from left to right as depicted in  FIG. 1 , as well as a width and depth, not specifically identified. Tube  102  may be circular and annular in cross section, so that a diameter  112  indicates both the width and the depth of the tube  102 . The diameter  112  of tube  102  cooperates with the diameter  114  of plug  106  to assure snug yet releasable fit of plug  106  within tube  102 . 
         [0022]    Because of orientation of the length  110  of tube  102  to the natural hair strands  200 A, it may be said that the attachment structure is substantially parallel to the natural hair  200  when the attachment structure  102 / 106  grips the natural hair  200 . However, it will be recognized that minor deviations from a true parallel relationship may occur due to flexibility of the natural hair  200  and of any flexibility of tube  102 . 
         [0023]    Streamer  108  may comprise plural flexible filamentary members  116  such as metallic filaments, one or more beads, fabric, leather, ribbon, feathers, filaments formed from synthetic resins, or filaments formed in still other ways. The flexible filamentary members  116  may impart hue and other optical effects such as sparkle, reflection, and refraction. In still other embodiments, streamer  108  may be formed from fabric or ribbon displaying sports team colors or logos as well as other prints and textures. 
         [0024]    Hair adornment device  100  may further comprise flexible filamentary members  118  similar to flexible filamentary members  116  that may be coupled to tube  102  instead of or in addition to those coupled to plug  106 . It will be recognized that filamentary members  118  may be attached to tube  102  anywhere along length  110  as well as anywhere around the perimeter of tube  102 . Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the filament  118  attachment points chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include the optional attachment of filaments  118  at any point on tube  102 . 
         [0025]    In addition, hair adornment device  100  may optionally further comprise elements  120  of different nature than filamentary members  116 ,  118 , instead of or in addition to filamentary members  116 ,  118 . Regardless of their specific nature, some of those elements  120  which impart esthetic effect may be disposed on the tube  102 . Still other adornments may be disposed on the plug  106 . For example, the tube  102  may be coated with sparkling particles or hue imparting coatings  120 , only a small area shown for drawing clarity, while plug  106  bears filamentary members  116 . 
         [0026]    It must be stressed that the esthetic device such as the streamer  108  of  FIG. 1  is shown in only representative capacity herein. The invention may be utilized with many other different esthetic devices, not shown. The same holds true for other hair adornment devices described herein, such as the hair adornment device  400 , to be described hereinafter. 
         [0027]    Some of the natural hair  200  may pass entirely through the tube  102 , for example, hair strands  200 A, as seen in  FIG. 2 . It would also be possible to arrange the tube  102  and the plug  106  so as to entrap the strands  200 A such that the free ends of the strands  200 A do not project outside the tube  102 . Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to a particular length of hair strands  200 A left protruding from tube  102 . It will be recognized that in some cases no hair strands  200 A need be protruding for tube  102  to be firmly secure to the hair  200  of a wearer. 
         [0028]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a hair adornment device  400 , wherein the attachment structure comprises a longitudinally split tube  402 . Split tube  402  comprises a first section  404 , a second section  406 , and a hinge  408  pivotally joining the first section  404  to the second section  406 . Hinge  408  may pivot about an axis  409  which is longitudinally oriented relative to the longitudinally split tube  402 . In other embodiments, hinge  408  may be a so called “live” hinge. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that hinge  108  may be implemented in a wide variety of ways. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the hinge  408  example chosen for purposes of disclosure. The first section  404  and second section  406  may be arranged to close over a plug  410 . The plug  410  may have the structural and functional characteristics of plug  106  of  FIG. 1 . Illustratively, the plug  410  may comprise a body  412  and a streamer  414  coupled to the body  412 , the structure thereof being similar to plug  106  and streamer  108  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    The longitudinally split tube  402  may fit together by so-called snap action, or friction fit if desired. Alternatively, the longitudinally split tube  402  may comprise a spring arrangement, not shown, or may use a clip or other apparatus, neither shown, to maintain the closed position. 
         [0030]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , there are shown end elevational schematic views of hair adornment device  400  in an open and a closed and locked orientation, respectively. A two-part latch mechanism is disposed on each of the exposed edges  416 ,  418  of first and second sections  404 ,  406 , respectively. A tongue portion  420  of the two-part latch is disposed at edge  416  of first section  404 . A receiving portion  422  adapted to receive tongue portion  420  is disposed at edge  418  of second section  406 . Tongue portion  420  may selectively be retained and released by receiver portion  422  so that split tube  402  may be opened to receive hair  200  as seen in  FIG. 2  and then closed and locked to retain split tube  402  around hair strands  200 . Once closed, split tube  402  functions identically to tube  102  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  described hereinabove. 
         [0031]    The body  412  of the plug  410  may be considerably smaller than the interior of the longitudinally split tube  402 , provided that there is sufficient capacity to entrap or otherwise engage the natural hair, such as the strands  200 A. 
         [0032]    Referring now also to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device, generally at reference number  500 . 
         [0033]    Hair attachment device  500  has an elongated, hollow, rectangular body  502  having a slot  504  along one of the sides thereof, typically along one of its broad sides. Elongated body  502  has a length, not specifically identified, measured along a major axis thereof. Elongated rectangular body  502  is typically formed from a resilient material such that body  502  can “stretch” or expand to accept an attachment device such as plug  508  being inserted into interior space  506 . Once plug  508  is inserted, rectangular body  502  can relax, thereby snuggly entrapping plug  508  and strands of hair  200   a  best seen in  FIG. 2 , within rectangular body  502 . 
         [0034]    Plug  508  is rectangular and sized to fit removably and retainably into interior space  506  of elongated split rectangular body  502   
         [0035]    Plug  508  has an opening  510  formed in a lower surface  512 . In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, opening  510  is rectangular and adapted to directly receive a proximal end of an adornment  516 . It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that opening  510  may have other shapes (e.g., square, circular, polygonal, etc.) assuming that a compatibly shaped adornment  516  is provided. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the rectangular opening chosen or purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all suitable opening shapes. 
         [0036]    Further, adornment  516  is shown schematically and the invention is not considered limited to the particular shape, length or illustrated decorative pattern. Rather, the invention is intended to include any adornment suitable for attachment to hair attachment device  500 . 
         [0037]    Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an exploded, perspective, schematic view of another alternate embodiment of a hair attachment device, generally at reference number  520 . 
         [0038]    Hair attachment device  520  has an elongated, hollow, split cylindrical body  522  having a slot  524  completely along the side thereof and parallel to a major axis, not specifically identified, of split cylindrical body  522 . Elongated split cylindrical body  522  has a length, not specifically identified, measured along a major axis thereof. Elongated split cylindrical body  522  is typically formed from a resilient material such that body  522  can “stretch” or expand to accept an attachment device such as plug  528  being inserted into interior space  526 . Once plug  528  is inserted, cylindrical body  522  can relax, thereby snuggly retaining plug  528  as well as strands of hair  200   a  best seen in  FIG. 2 , within cylindrical body  522 . 
         [0039]    Plug  528  is also cylindrical and sized to fit removably and retainably into interior space  526  of elongated split cylindrical body  522 . 
         [0040]    Plug  528  has an opening  530  formed in a lower surface  532  thereof. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, opening  530  is rectangular and adapted to directly receive a proximal end  534  of an adornment  536 . It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that opening  530  may have other shapes (e.g., square, circular, polygonal, etc.) assuming that a compatibly shaped adornment  536  is provided. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the rectangular opening chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include any and all suitable opening shapes. 
         [0041]    Further, adornment  536  is shown schematically and the invention is not considered limited to the particular shape, length or illustrated decorative pattern. Rather, the invention is intended to include any suitable adornment suitable for attachment to hair attachment device  520 . 
         [0042]    The invention may be regarded as a hair adornment device such as the hair adornment device  100  for example, wherein there is only one esthetic device, such as the streamer  108 . However, it will be recognized that it would be possible to provide a plurality of similar or different esthetic devices. Where different, the appearance imparted by a hair adornment device according to any aspect of the present invention could be changed at will by substituting one esthetic device for another. In this aspect of the invention, it is contemplated that only one hair engaging element, such as the tube  102 , be provided, with a plurality of esthetic devices also being provided. The actual change may entail selecting a substitute esthetic device and changing only the selected esthetic device. Alternatively, the esthetic device in combination with a connector member for coupling the esthetic device to the hair engaging element, such as the plug  106  with the streamer  108  coupled thereto, may be provided in the plural and changed at will. 
         [0043]    The operation of the hair attachment embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is now discussed. First, hollow tube  102  is slid over a gathered section  200 A of the wearer&#39;s hair  200 . Typically, hollow tube  102  is then drawn up to be in close proximity to the wearer&#39;s scalp, not shown. Once in a desired position, plug  106  is snugly inserted into interior region  104  of hollow tube  102  thus creating a secure attachment of streamer  108  or any other adornment affixed to plug  106  and/or hollow tube  102  to the wearer&#39;s hair at a desired position. 
         [0044]    When desired, the wearer may remove the adornment by gently pulling plug  106  from interior region  104  of hollow tube  100  while gripping the body of hollow tube  102 . Once removed, tube  100  may be withdrawn from hair portion  200 A of the wearer&#39;s hair  200 . 
         [0045]    The operation of the embodiment the hair attachment device of  FIGS. 3 ,  4   a  and  4   b  is slightly different. Once a portion  200 A of the wearer&#39;s hair  200  has been gathered, tube  402  is disposed in an open position ( FIG. 4   a ) and moved into position proximate gathered hair portion  200 A. Tube  402  is then pivoted into a closed position ( FIG. 4   b ) thus enclosing wearer&#39;s gathered hair portion  200 A. Latch portions  420 / 422  then secure tube  402  in a closed position. Once closed, plug  412  is inserted into tube  402  in a manner similar to that described hereinabove. 
         [0046]    Removal is effected by opening latch  420 / 422 , pivoting tube  402  to an open position ( FIG. 4   a ) and sliding tube  402  away from the wearer&#39;s hair  200  while withdrawing plug  412 . 
         [0047]    The operation of the embodiment of the hair attachment devices of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is again slightly different. Once a portion  200 A of the wearer&#39;s hair  200  has been gathered, rectangular or cylindrical elongated bodies  502 ,  522 , respectively, are either slid over gathered hair portion  200 A or, alternately, gathered hair portion  200 A is slipped through slot  504 / 524 . While hair portion  200 A is held against an inside surface of body  502 / 522 , respective plug  508 / 528  is placed into body  502 / 522 . Adornments  514 / 534  are typically attached and secured to respective plugs  508 / 528  prior to attaching body  502 / 522  to a wearer&#39;s hair  200 . Split tube  502 / 522  is secured to a wearer&#39;s hair by respective plug  508 / 528 . 
         [0048]    Removal of hair attachment devices  500 / 520  is effected by removing (i.e., withdrawing) respective plug  508 / 528  from respective elongated body  502 / 522 . Once plug  508 / 528  is withdrawn from respective body  502 / 522 , body  502 / 522  is pulled out of hair  200 . 
         [0049]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.