Abstract:
A ponytail holder comprises a generally elongated, generally cylindrical member having first and second ends of a first diameter and a central section of lesser diameter, defining a relief for receiving an elastic band for securing a bundle of hair to said ponytail holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 62/177,192, filed Mar. 9, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well-known to arrange one&#39;s hair in a “ponytail” by gathering the strands of hair growing from the scalp into a bundle and securing it with a hairband, or simply by a rubber or elastic band. The hairband or rubber band is intended to remain in place on the bundle of hair by friction. This is commonly done to keep one&#39;s hair out of one&#39;s eyes during athletic contests and the like. 
         [0003]    One problem with this common practice is that the hairband or rubber band tends to slide away from the scalp over time, requiring the operation to be repeated at intervals. If this merely has to be done too frequently, it is only inconvenient and annoying. However, if the wearer is an athlete and the ponytail comes loose at a critical time, it can interfere with the wearer&#39;s vision, for example, and could be a factor in the outcome of a contest or game. Accordingly, a reliable means of securing the bundle of hair in a ponytail is needed. 
         [0004]    Hairbands are known with a tacky surface to partially adhere to the bundle of hair, as are hairbands the diameter of which are adjustable to increase the friction between the hairband and the bundle of hair, but neither are fully satisfactory. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a ponytail holder which will reliably stay in place, without being inconvenient to use. 
         [0006]    The above object is met by the ponytail holder of the invention, which comprises in its simplest embodiment a “bobbin”, meaning by this to refer to an elongated, generally radially-symmetric member, typically having rounded ends, and having a central section of reduced diameter, referred to as the “relief”. This bobbin is placed into the center of the bundle of hair gathered to make a ponytail, and then a hairband or rubber band is drawn over the ponytail so as to confine the hair of the bundle in the relief. Alternatively, the hairband or rubber band can be placed over the bundle of hair first and the bobbin then forced into place. 
         [0007]    The increased surface area of the relief bears against the hair in the bundle and significantly increases the friction as compared to the effect when the bobbin is absent, that is, where the friction is only between the hair and the hairband or rubber band. Accordingly, the ponytail is much more effectively secured. 
         [0008]    Various options and improvements are within the scope of the invention. For example, the bobbin may be manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic material. The friction between the bobbin and the bundle of hair can be increased by placing a sleeve of a rubber material in the relief, as the coefficient of friction of rubber is considerably higher than that of most injection-moldable thermoplastics. 
         [0009]    One end of the bobbin can be formed to define a “bulb” shape larger than the other end of the bobbin, so that the ponytail forms a pleasing shape as it exits the bobbin. This enlarged bulb can be made of rubber and may further be grooved, both to further increase the friction between the bundle of hair and the bobbin. 
         [0010]    It is also possible to provide structure for attachment of additional adornments. For example, the bobbin may be formed to define a central aperture or a slot for insertion of a ribbon or the like, or to receive a length of string tied to a feather, a flower, a string of beads, or a hair extension. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a profile view of a woman with her hair in a ponytail, secured by the holder of the invention, and having an adornment in the form of a ribbon attached thereto; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an elevation and partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevation and partial cross-section of a second embodiment of the invention, showing certain further options and improvements; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view from the left end of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a view from the right end of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    As shown by  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in its simplest embodiment the ponytail holder  10  of the invention comprises a unitary “bobbin” which in production will typically be molded of a thermoplastic. As shown by  FIG. 3 , the ponytail holder is a generally cylindrical elongated member that in this embodiment is radially symmetric. Ponytail holder  10  defines first and second end caps  12  and  14  respectively, which are spaced from one another by a central section  16  of smaller diameter, referred to as the relief  16 . Relief  16  thus defines a bottom  16   a  and end walls  16   b.  The end surfaces of first and second end caps  12  and  14  may be broadly radiused, as illustrated. A central bore  18  may extend through ponytail holder  10 , to receive a string carrying an adornment such as a ribbon, feather, hair extension, or the like. 
         [0019]    Typical dimensions for the ponytail holder in this embodiment are as follows: The end caps  12  and  14  are ¾″ in diameter and 0.200″ thick while relief  16  is ⅜″ in diameter and ⅝″ long for an overall length of about 1.025″. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows the ponytail holder of the invention in use, although in this drawing the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 , discussed below, is illustrated. In practice of the invention, the wearer&#39;s hair is drawn by hand into a bundle, and the ponytail holder  10  inserted into the bundle, near the scalp. An elastic band  20  is then stretched over the bundle and maneuvered into position so that it fits into the relief  16 , and so that the hair of the bundle is drawn into frictional relation with the bottom  16   a  and end walls  16   b  of the relief  16 . Noting that the force exerted by the hairband can only be a few pounds, to allow the user to readily stretch the band and maneuver it into place, it will be appreciated that the additional surface area provided by the relief will provide substantial additional frictional force holding the ponytail in place. That is, employment of the ponytail holder of the invention provides substantial additional frictional engagement between the hair of the bundle and the ponytail holder as compared to the typical practice of simply using a rubber band or elastic hair band to confine the wearer&#39;s hair into the bundle. Therefore, the ponytail holder  10  of the invention stays in place and the ponytail is unlikely to become loose during activity. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 4-6  show further enhancements that may be provided. In order to provide an attractive shape to the ponytail, the distal end of the bobbin  10 ′ may comprise a substantially enlarged, generally part-spherical bulb, as indicated at  22 . The bobbin in this embodiment can be molded of a thermoplastic; alternatively, bulb  22  can be molded of rubber, and have a bore formed therein sized to as to be a light press fit over a separate bobbin. Bulb  22  may have grooves formed on its surface, as shown at  22   a;  especially where the hair of the bundle exits the relief, grooves  22   a  would provide additional friction, further tending to hold the ponytail holder  10  in place. Bulb  22  may be 1.5″ in diameter and ⅞″ long. The overall length of the ponytail holder in this embodiment is thus about 1.625″. 
         [0022]    Similarly, to provide additional friction, a rubber sleeve  24  may be disposed over the relief  16 . A similar rubber sleeve may be employed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0023]    Further, in lieu of bore  18  shown in the  FIGS. 2 and 3  embodiment, a tongue  26  defining an aperture  26   a  may be formed on the distal end of the bobbin  10 , for convenient attachment of a ribbon  28  or like adornment, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Such a tongue with aperture could be provided in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0024]    The invention also includes the method of use of the ponytail holder, as described above. 
         [0025]    Further improvements and modifications will occur to those of skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described above, but only by the following claims.