Patent Publication Number: US-7213602-B2

Title: Multiple band hair fastener

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention and method relates to a multiple band hair fastener. More particularly a semicircle headband with a plurality of hair bands integrally attached to its top for keeping hair sections in rows and hair bands aligned. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Many people like to put their hair up in various styles. One way to put the hair up is to twist a plurality of sections of hair around the face and secure them with hair bands. This process is effective and stylish but it is difficult for a non-hairstylist to achieve, especially when trying to align each hair section with the previous and trying to keep the bands in alignment. It is also a time consuming process. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide an instrument which is convenient, practical, and inexpensive for use in hair styling. 
   A further object is to provide an instrument that will keep a plurality of hair bands neatly aligned. 
   A further object is to provide a single instrument that will keep a plurality of hair sections in neatly aligned rows. 
   A further object is to provide such an instrument that can be used unassisted by the individual styling their hair, eliminating the expense of a professional stylist. 
   A further object is to provide an instrument that can be reused over and over again. 
   A further object is to provide an instrument that will quickly hold the user&#39;s hair up in a neatly secured style. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multiple band hair fastener comprising a flexible semicircle headband with a plurality of hair bands integrally attached to its top. 
   According to the arrangement described above the headband is placed on the user&#39;s head. The user then twists tiny sections of hair, directly in front or behind each band, and secures the section with the corresponding bands. Because all the bands are integrally attached, equally spaced apart, and aligned with the headband, the twisted hair sections remain conveniently spaced apart and the bands don&#39;t move out of alignment. 
   Accordingly a preferred embodiment of the headband is a semicircle shape made of plastic with a plurality of elastic bands integrally attached and aligned longitudinally along the semicircle headband top. Each band is spaced apart substantially at an equal distance from the next. There could be an elastic band attached to each end of the plastic semicircle headband to help hold it close to the head. There could be hooks between each band for securing the hair between the band and hook by securing the band to the hook with the hair intermediate the band and the top of the headband. 
   The above embodiments can have an additional covering of fabric or hair over the bands like the traditional scrunchy or hair-band. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings 
       FIG. 1  is a front view showing a multiple band headband fastener according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the multiple band headband fastener secured to the user&#39;s hair. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of another version of the multiple band headband fastener. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of  FIG. 3  with the beads overlapped according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of another version of the multiple band headband fastener. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of another version of the present invention. 
   

   PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a multiple band headband fastener, generally designated by reference numeral  1 , embodying the present invention. The semicircle headband fastener  1  comprises a semicircular headband  2  and a plurality of looped band portions  3 . 
   In use of the multiple band headband fastener  FIG. 2  the user places the present invention  1  onto their hair. The user then takes sections of hair in front or behind each headband  2 , twists them and places the corresponding section between the corresponding looped band  3  and corresponding hook  5  to secure. 
   In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 and 4  the semicircle headband  2  has a plurality of looped bands  3  with a bead  13  attached to each. In use the hair section is placed between two looped bands  3  and the bead  13  are overlapped to secure. 
   In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  the semicircle headband  2  has a plurality of straight fabric ties  4  attached to the headband  2 . In use the hair is either placed between two ties  4  and the ties  4  are tied or wrapped together to secure or the section can be wrapped or tied with a single tie to secure. The tie could be any material such as wire, ribbon, hair, or elastic. 
   In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  the semicircle headband  2  has a plurality of hooks  14  along its top for removably connecting a plurality of bands  3  to the headband. 
   The present invention being thus described, it is obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For instance, the hair bands could be any type of hair band known in the art, as long as they are integral to the headband; and anyway to integrally attach the bands to the top of them will work. The semicircle headband can be a full circle with the bands attached to half of the circle shape. Also, any way to use the present invention obvious in the art should apply. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such variations as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims,