Patent Publication Number: US-2015083154-A1

Title: Apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user&#39;s hair

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/880,250 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING A USER&#39;S HAIR” and filed on Sep. 20, 2013 for Danielle Lindsay, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to hair enhancement and more particularly relates to hair extensions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Artificial hair integrations or hair extensions are commonly used to add length or fullness to a user&#39;s hair. The hair extensions incorporate artificial or human hair into a user&#39;s natural hair. To couple the hair extensions to the user&#39;s head, several techniques have been introduced. In certain circumstances the hair is clipped in by a series of clips coupled to a hair weft. The clips typically cannot be worn when the user is sleeping and thus must be removed each night before the user retires to bed. 
     Other user&#39;s bond the hair extensions to the user&#39;s natural hair using glue. This technique requires a hair professional to apply the hair extensions and also requires a hair professional to remove the hair extensions. The bonding technique typically lasts 4-6 weeks before the user must visit a hair professional for maintenance. 
     Another method to apply hair extensions includes the use of micro rings or micro loops. In this method small metal rings lined with silicon are coupled to the hair extension. The rings are fixed to the hair extensions and are tightened on the user&#39;s natural hair with the use of a special tool that clamps the ring around the natural hair. The rings typically need to be repositioned by a hair professional every 2-3 months as the natural hair grows and the rings move away from the scalp. Obviously, the use of a hair professional involves additional costs to install and remove the hair extensions. 
     SUMMARY 
     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user&#39;s hair. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would be self applicable and repositionable without the aid of a hair professional. 
     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available hair extension systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for enhancing a user&#39;s hair that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
     The apparatus to enhance a user&#39;s hair, in certain embodiments, includes a weft of hair material, at least one ring and at least one T-anchor. The rings are made of a deformable material. The T-anchors couple the rings to the weft of hair material. 
     The rings, in one embodiment, also include a pliable non-slip material positioned within the rings. Deformation of the ring also deforms the pliable non-slip material. 
     The weft of hair material, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a united end and a free end. In such an embodiment, the T-anchors are coupled to the united end. In certain embodiments, the rings are coupled to the T-anchors at a position other than the united end of the hair weft. 
     In certain embodiments, the T-anchor includes a pliable fiber having a first capping element positioned at a first end of the pliable material. A second capping element is positioned at a second end of the pliable fiber. The first end of the pliable fiber is positioned opposite the second end of the pliable fiber. In one embodiment, either the first capping element, the second capping element, or both include a shaft that is positioned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pliable fiber. 
     In another embodiment, the first capping element includes a first shaft disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pliable fiber. In another embodiment, the second capping element includes a second shaft disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pliable fiber. 
     The first capping element and the second capping element, in one embodiment, limit the withdrawal of the T-anchor from the weft of hair material and from the rings. 
     The apparatus, in certain embodiments, also includes a length of fibrous material. In such an embodiment, the length of fibrous material includes at least one loop. The loop is positionable through the at least one ring and is engageable with a portion of the users hair to draw the portion of the users hair through the at least one ring. 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of T-anchors. In such an embodiment, the apparatus may also include a plurality of lengths of fibrous material. Each length of fibrous material includes a loop. Each T-anchor is positionable through one of the pluralities of rings to couple the ring to the weft of hair material. The loops are positioned through one of the plurality of rings and are engageable with separate portions of the user&#39;s hair to draw each of the separate portion of the users hair through at least one of the rings. 
     A system of the present invention is also presented to reuse a weft of hair. In particular, the system, in one embodiment, includes a weft of hair material, at least one ring, and at least one T-anchor. The weft of hair includes a united end and a free end. The T-anchors are positionable through the united end of the weft of hair material and through the rings to couple the rings to the weft of hair material. The rings are deformable to couple the rings to a portion of the user&#39;s hair and to the T-anchors. 
     The system may further include a tagging gun. In such an embodiment, the T-anchors are a tagging fastener and the tagging gun is configured to position the T-anchor through the united end of the weft of hair material and through the rings to couple the weft of hair material to the rings. 
     In certain embodiments, the rings are coupled to the T-anchors at a position other than at the united end of the weft of hair material. In one embodiment, the tagging fastener is about one fourth of an inch in length. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a length of fibrous material. The length of fibrous material includes at least one loop that is positionable through the rings. The loop is engageable with a portion of the users hair to draw the portion of the users hair through the rings. 
     In one embodiment, the T-anchors are made of a pliable fiber having a first capping element disposed at a first end of the pliable fiber and a second capping element disposed at a second end of the pliable fiber. In such an embodiment, the first end of the pliable fiber is positioned opposite the second end of the pliable fiber. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first capping element and the second capping element is a shaft disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pliable fiber. The first capping element and the second capping element limit the withdrawal of the T-anchor from the weft of hair material and from the at least one ring. 
     In another embodiment, the system includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of T-anchors. In such and embodiment, the system may also include a plurality of lengths of fibrous material. Each length of fibrous material includes a loop. Each T-anchor is positionable through the united end of the weft of hair material and through the at least one ring to couple the at least one ring to the weft of hair material. Each loop in is positioned through one of the plurality of rings and is engageable with a separate portion of the users hair to draw each of the separate portion of the users hair through at least one of the rings 
     A method of the present invention is also presented for enhancing a user&#39;s hair. The method in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to the operation of the described apparatus and system. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a T-anchor through a united end in a weft of hair material, positioning the T-anchor through a ring, gathering a portion of the user&#39;s hair and positioning the loop in the length of fibrous material around the portion of the user&#39;s hair. The method also includes removing the loop in the length of fibrous material from within the ring to draw the portion of the user&#39;s hair into the ring. The ring is deformed to trap the portion of the user&#39;s hair in the ring. The deformation of the ring traps the portion of the user&#39;s hair and traps the T-anchor within the ring to support the weft of hair material on the user&#39;s head. 
     In a further embodiment, when the weft of hair material should be repositioned on the user&#39;s head, the method includes removing the ring from the portion of the user&#39;s hair, removing the rings from the T-anchors and affixing a new ring to the weft of hair. 
     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus to enhance a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view further illustrating the T-anchor of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the T-anchor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus to enhance a user&#39;s hair in use in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a placement chart according to one embodiment of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for enhancing a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for enhancing a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
       FIG. 1  is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus  100  to enhance a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present invention. In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  includes a weft of hair material  102 , at least one ring  104   a - 104   h  (collectively rings  104 ), and at least one T-anchor  106   a - 106   h  (collectively T-anchors  106 ). 
     In certain embodiments, the weft of hair material  102  comprises artificial or natural hair that is used to integrate with a user&#39;s natural hair to lengthen or thicken the user&#39;s hair. In other embodiments, the weft of hair material  102  may be integrated with the user&#39;s natural hair to change the color or texture of the user&#39;s hair. One of skill in the art will recognize other reasons that a user may wish to integrate artificial or natural hair with the user&#39;s own hair. 
     The weft of hair material  102 , in one embodiment, includes a united end  108  and a free end  110 . At the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102 , individual strands of hair (or hair like material) are coupled to one another. In one embodiment, the individual strands of hair (or hair like material) are woven together at the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102 . In other embodiments the individual strands of hair (or hair like material) may be coupled to another piece of material, such as lace or other fabric, at the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102 . In any embodiment, as further discussed below, the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102  has a support area  112  that is sufficiently resilient to keep the T-anchors  106  positioned through the support area  112  when a weft of hair material  102  is coupled to a user&#39;s hair and the weft of hair material  102  is tugged on or otherwise pulled. 
     The free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102 , in certain embodiments, is free flowing such that the individual strands of hair (or hair like material) are uncoupled at the free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102 . In other embodiments, the free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102  may not actually be free at all. For example, in certain embodiments, the free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102  may be braided such that the free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102  forms a braid. One of skill in the art will recognize that the user may form other hairstyles with the free end  110  of the weft of hair material  102 . 
     The rings  104  are made of a deformable material that is deformed in response to a mechanical pressure. For example, in certain embodiments, the rings  104  may be crushed or deformed using a pair of conventional pliers such as needle nose pliers. In other embodiments, the rings  104  may be crushed or deformed using specialty tools designed to crush or deform the rings. 
     In certain embodiments, the rings  104  are made of a deformable metal such as aluminum, copper, etc. that is deformable in response to the mechanical pressure described above. In one embodiment, the rings  104  include a pliable non-slip material disposed within the rings  104 . Deformation of the rings  104  also deforms the pliable non-slip material. For example, in one embodiment, each ring  104  has an inner diameter that is lined with a pliable non-slip material such as silicon or other rubber like material. When the rings  104  are crushed or deformed by the pliers or other mechanical device, the deformable material of the rings  104  also crushes the silicon or other rubber like material. Anything positioned within the inner diameter of the rings  104  is therefore trapped within the inner diameter of the rings  104  by virtue of the crushed non-slip material around the item positioned within the inner diameter of the rings  104 . While the embodiments depicted in the Figures depict the rings  104  as having a cylindrical configuration, one of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the rings  104  may have differing geometrical shapes (i.e., triangular, square, trapezoidal, etc.). 
     In certain embodiments, the rings  104  are coupled to the weft of hair material  102  by the T-anchors  106 . As is more clearly depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , each T-anchor  106  includes a hair retrieval devices  304  having a first capping element  204  disposed at a first end  210  of the pliable fiber  202  and a second capping element  206  disposed at a second end  212  of the pliable fiber  202 . The first end  210  of the pliable fiber  202  is disposed opposite the second end  212  of the pliable fiber  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first capping element  204  and the second capping element  206  is a shaft disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  208  of the pliable fiber  202 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , both the first capping element  204  and the second capping element  206  are shafts that are positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  208  of the pliable fiber  202 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2B , only the first capping element  204  is a shaft that is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  208  of the pliable fiber  202 . The second capping element  206  is a substantially planar element having a width  214  substantially larger than a diameter  216  of the pliable fiber  202 . 
     In certain embodiments, the first capping element  204  is approximately as wide as the second capping element  206  and both the first capping element  204  and the second capping element  206  are wider than the rings  104 . The first capping element  204  or the second capping element  206  is positioned through the ring  104  and also through the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102  such that the pliable fiber  202  is disposed within the ring  104  and through the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102 . In such a position, the first capping element  204  and the second capping element  206  limit the withdrawal of the T-anchor  106  from the weft of hair material  102  and from the ring  104 . Thus, the weft of hair material can be hung from the rings  104  by the T-anchors  106 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment depicted therein, the T-anchors  106  are positioned through the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102  and also through the rings  104 . With the T-anchors  106  positioned in this position, the weft of hair material  102  is ready to be coupled to a user&#39;s natural hair to enhance the user&#39;s hair. In certain embodiments, the pliable fiber  202  of the T-anchors  106  is long enough to allow the rings  104  to sit at a position above the support area  112  of the weft of hair material  102  so that the rings  104  and the support area  112  of the weft of hair material  102  do not interfere with one another and create an unsightly bump in the user&#39;s hair when the user&#39;s hair is positioned over the weft of hair material  102  as is further discussed below. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus to enhance a user&#39;s hair in use in accordance with the present invention. In use, to couple weft of hair material  102  to a user&#39;s hair the user&#39;s hair is divided from top to bottom. In certain embodiments, the user&#39;s hair is divided at a position defined by a semicircle extending around a user&#39;s head from a first temple to a second temple with the first temple being disposed opposite the second temple. 
     With the user&#39;s hair thus divided, the weft of hair material  102  is slid to a position just below the divide in the user&#39;s hair. In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include band  302  that is positionable around the user&#39;s head and which is coupleable to the weft of hair material  102  to keep the weft of hair material  102  in position just below the divide in the user&#39;s hair. Portions of the user&#39;s hair are gathered and positioned through each of the rings  104  coupled to the weft of hair material  102  by the T-anchors  106 . Once the portions of the user&#39;s hair are positioned within the rings  104 , the rings are deformed by a mechanical device (i.e., needle nose pliers) to crush the rings  104  and trap the portions of user&#39;s hair within the rings  104 . In this manner the weft of hair material  102  is coupled to a user&#39;s natural hair. Once the weft of hair material  102  is coupled to a user&#39;s natural hair, the top portion of the user&#39;s hair can be let down to blend the natural hair with the weft of hair material  102 . 
     In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  to enhance a user&#39;s hair includes a hair retrieval device  304  to assist a user in positioning the portions of hair through the rings  104 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the hair retrieval device  304  includes a length of fibrous material having a loop  205  at one end. The loop  205  is positionable through the rings  104  and a portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair is then positioned through the loop  205 . The hair retrieval device  304  is withdrawn from within the ring  104  which in turn draws the portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair through the ring  104 . Once the portion of the user&#39;s hair is positioned within the ring  104 , the ring can be crushed or otherwised deformed to trap the portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair within the ring  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a plurality of rings  104   a - 104   h  and a plurality of T-anchors  106   a - 106   h  (see,  FIG. 1 ). In such an embodiment, the apparatus  100  may also include a plurality of hair retrieval devices which are substantially similar to the hair retrieval device  304  depicted in  FIG. 3 . Each hair retrieval device  304 , in one embodiment, includes a length of fibrous material that makes a loop  205  at one end. In certain embodiments the apparatus  100  includes as many hair retrieval devices  304  as there are rings  104  and T-anchors  106 . In such an embodiment, the hair retrieval devices  304  are pre-positioned through the rings  104  with each ring containing a hair retrieval device. As such, the hair retrieval devices  304  may be prepared to receive separate portions of the user&#39;s hair to help draw each separate portion of the user&#39;s hair through the rings  104 . 
     Note that in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , only ring  104   b  and T-anchor  106   b  have been labeled to avoid obscuring the overall illustration. One of skill in the art will recognize that the other elements have been labeled in  FIG. 1  and discussed above. 
     Once the weft of hair material  102  is coupled to the user&#39;s hair, the user&#39;s hair will continue to grow. Over time, the user&#39;s natural hair will eventually grow to a length wherein the weft of hair no longer hangs near the user&#39;s scalp. At this point, the user may wish to reposition the weft of hair material  102  near the user&#39;s scalp. In certain embodiments, the present subject matter includes a system to reuse the weft of hair material  102 . 
     For example, in one embodiment, the T-anchors  106  are conventional tagging fasteners used to affix price tags or other tags to clothing or other items sold in stores. In such an embodiment, once the user desires to reposition the weft of hair material  102 , the user may remove the portions  306  of the user&#39;s hair from within the rings  104 . A new uncrushed or non-deformed ring  104  may then be positioned over the T-anchor  106  and the process may be repeated to recouple the weft of hair material  102  to the user&#39;s natural hair. In an exemplary embodiment, the tagging fasteners are about one fourth of an inch long although other lengths are within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     In embodiments wherein the T-anchors  106  are tagging fasteners, the apparatus  100  may include a tagging gun (not shown). The tagging gun is configured to position the T-anchors  106  through the united end  108  of the weft of hair material  102  and through the rings  104  to couple the weft of hair material  102  to the rings  104 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a placement chart  400  according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. In certain embodiments, the apparatus  100  discussed above may include a plurality of wefts of hair material with each weft of hair material being similar to the weft of hair material  102  discussed above. In such an embodiment the differences between each weft of hair material  102  may be that they have different lengths and use a different number of T-anchors  106  and rings  104 . For example, in certain embodiments, as weft of hair material  102  positioned a top position  402  on the user&#39;s head may be about two inches long and may include two rings  104  and two T-anchors  106 . In certain embodiments, a user may wish to use two such hair weft material  102  sections, one for each side of the user&#39;s head. For hair weft material  102  sections positioned at a middle position  404  on the user&#39;s head, the hair weft material  102  may be about eleven inches long and may include about eleven rings  104  and eleven T-anchors  106 . For hair weft material  102  sections positioned at a bottom position  406  on the user&#39;s head, the hair weft material  102  may be about five inches long and may include about five rings  104  and five T-anchors  106 . Of course, the hair weft material may be positioned at other positions on a user&#39;s heat and may include differing numbers of rings  104  and T-anchors  106  depending on a user&#39;s desires. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method  500  for enhancing a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present subject matter. In certain embodiments, the method  500  begins  502  and a T-anchor  106  is positioned  504  through a united end  108  in a weft of hair material  102 . The T-anchor  106  is also positioned  506  through a ring  104  comprising a deformable material. 
     A user&#39;s hair is divided  508  at a position defined by a semicircle extending around a user&#39;s head from a first temple to a second temple. The first temple is disposed opposite the second temple. The weft of hair material  102  is slid  510  to a position below the divide in the user&#39;s hair. A loop  205  in a length of fibrous material  304  is positioned  512  through the ring  104 . In certain embodiments, as discussed above, the loops  205  may be pre-positioned through the rings  104 . In other embodiments, the loops  205  may be positioned through the rings  104  individually as the weft of hair  102  is coupled to the user&#39;s hair. 
     To couple the weft of hair  102  to the user&#39;s head, a portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair is gathered  514  and the loop  205  in the length of fibrous material  304  is positioned around the gathered portion of the user&#39;s hair  306 . The loop  205  in the length of fibrous material  304  is removed  516  from within the ring  104  to draw the portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair into the ring  104 . The ring  104  is deformed  518  to trap the portion  306  of the user&#39;s hair in the ring  104  and the method  100  ends  520 . The deformation  518  of the ring  104  traps the T-anchor  106  within the ring  104  to support the weft of hair material  102  on the user&#39;s head. 
     As discussed above, in certain embodiments, as the user&#39;s hair grows naturally, the user may wish to reposition the weft of hair material  102  on the user&#39;s head.  FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method  600  for enhancing a user&#39;s hair in accordance with the present subject matter. In such an embodiment, the method  600  begins  602  and the user removes  604  the portions  306  of the user&#39;s hair from within the rings  104 . Because the rings  104  have been crushed, the user also removes  606  the rings  104  from the T-anchors  106 . In certain embodiments, the rings  104  are removed  606  from the T-anchors  106  by un-crushing the rings  104  or otherwise deforming the rings  104  to allow them to slip off of the T-anchors  106 . In other embodiments, the user may simply cut the T-anchors  106  to remove  606  to remove both the rings  104  and the T-anchors  106  from the weft of hair  102 . 
     A new uncrushed or non-deformed ring  104  may then affixed  608  to the weft of hair  102 . In embodiments where the T-anchors  106  are removed, the new uncrushed or non-deformed ring  104  may be affixed  608  to a new T-anchor  106  positioned through the united end  108  of the weft of hair  102 . Otherwise, the new rings  104  may be coupled to the old T-anchors  106  in embodiments where the rings  104  are removed from existing T-anchors  106 . 
     With the new ring  104  affixed  608  to the weft of hair  102 , the weft of hair is ready to be coupled to the user&#39;s hair. The user then couples  610  the weft of hair  102  to the user&#39;s head at a desired position in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the user originally coupled the weft of hair  102  to the user&#39;s head as described above with respect to method  500 . The method then ends  612 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.