Patent Publication Number: US-2013247930-A1

Title: Enhancing Device and Method for Hair

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/615,617, filed Mar. 26, 2012, entitled “Pon-N-Tail.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an enhancing device and method for hair, such as an artificial ponytail. 
     The usage of bobby pins, nets and drawstrings can be problematic. Further, with other artificial ponytails on the market the drawstrings sometimes become visible, and most of them use bobby pins, which put extra stress on the scalp. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for solutions to these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an enhancing device for hair comprises: a rigid track comprising an opening and at least two substantially linear sections around the opening; a first tooth bracket rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines; a second tooth bracket rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections and comprising a plurality of tines; a band connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track and stretched across the opening to define a hole; and a section of hair connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track and having a length of at least approximately eight inches, wherein the first and second tooth brackets are rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines of the first tooth bracket engage with the tines of the second tooth bracket. 
     In one aspect, the section of hair comprises human hair. In one aspect, the section of hair comprises synthetic hair. In one aspect, the section of hair has a length of at least approximately twelve inches. In one aspect, the band comprises an elastic material. 
     In one aspect, a method of enhancing hair comprises: providing the enhancing device as described; bunching hair of a user into a ponytail; inserting the ponytail into the opening of the rigid track; tucking the ponytail around the band so that the ponytail is not exposed outside the section of hair; and engaging the first and second tooth brackets. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 : is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2 : is a perspective detail view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 : is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4 : is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention applied with device ponytail  14  shown in phantom between band  20  and existing natural ponytail  12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides people with a smooth, sleek, long-haired ponytail that can securely stay in place. Referring now to the figures, the following reference numbers may refer to elements of the invention: 
       10 : is the exemplary operator. 
       12 : is the existing natural ponytail of an exemplary operator. 
       14 : is the device ponytail or section of hair, which may comprise real hair (e.g., human hair) or synthetic hair, as known in the art, and may have a length of 8-40 inches, such as 14-32 inches. 
       16 : are the first and second tooth brackets. 
       18 : is the track. 
       20 : is the band, which may be elastic. 
       22 : is the enhancing device for hair. 
       24 : is the opening of the track  18 . 
       26 : are the substantially linear sections of the track  18 . 
       28 : are the tines of the first and second tooth brackets  16 . 
       30 : is the hole within the band  20 . 
     One embodiment of using a device  12  will be described here, without limitation. To apply, the user can stick their natural ponytail  12  through the opening  24  in the center top of the ponytail, then secure the two device tooth brackets  16  on top and bottom of the opening  24  to their hair. Next she may tuck her natural ponytail  12  back through the bottom small hair band  20  across the opening  24  in the device  22  to secure the natural ponytail  12  down. She can then comb and smooth out the section of hair  14 . 
     One embodiment of making a device  12  will be described here, without limitation. To make the device  12  one may obtain a length of hair 12-16 inches in width and fold it once, then sew the top of the folded track together. Once this step is done the maker may then sew the top of the track  18  in a circular motion leaving a two to three inch hole to thereby produce track  18 . One may then sew in the small band  20  across the hole, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The two small stick combs or device tooth brackets  16  may then be sewn to the track  18  on the top and the bottom of the opening  24 . A piece (such as 2.5 inches in length) of hair from the track  18  may be sewn onto the small hair band  20 . A small portion of hair from the bottom of the device ponytail  14  may be braided or not and sewn around the outer core of the device ponytail  14 . 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an enhancing device  22  comprises: a rigid track  18  comprising an opening  24  and at least two substantially linear sections  26  around the opening  24 ; a first tooth bracket  16  rotatably connected to one of the substantially linear sections  26  and comprising a plurality of tines  28 ; a second tooth bracket  16  rotatably connected to another of the substantially linear sections  26  and comprising a plurality of tines  28 ; a band  20  connected at two ends to opposing regions of the rigid track  18  and stretched across the opening  24  to define a hole  30 ; and a section of hair  14  connected to a substantial entirety of the rigid track  18  and having a length of at least approximately eight inches, wherein the first and second tooth brackets  16  are rotatable to an engaged position in which the tines  28  of the first tooth bracket  16  engage with the tines  28  of the second tooth bracket  16 . 
     The track  18  may comprise any rigid material, such as metal or plastic. The section of hair  14  may be attached to most or all of the track  18  so as to give an appearance of fullness in the hair and to cover the interior of the device  22 , which may contain a user&#39;s natural ponytail  12 . The substantially linear sections  26  need not be linear, but the tooth brackets  16  may be rotatably connected to the sections  26  so that they can open (disengage) and close (engage) so as to disconnect and connect, respectively, to a user&#39;s natural ponytail  12 . The tines  28  need not be fork-like or sharp and are configured only to help connect to or engage with the user&#39;s natural ponytail  12 ; any device known in the art for connecting to a user&#39;s natural ponytail  12  is within the scope of the present invention. The band  20  may or may not be elastic (e.g., comprising rubber) and may be used to tuck the user&#39;s natural ponytail  12  into and/or under the device  22  so that it is not seen. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.