Patent Publication Number: US-8978667-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for managing hair pins

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/800,385, which application was filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which application is and which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to hair styling and relates more specifically to implements used in conjunction with hair cutting and hair styling. 
     2. Background Art 
     Styling and cutting hair is a skill and an art, much more than a science. Although the standard implements used in cutting hair are well known, the method of use for many common hair-cutting and hair styling implements can vary widely from stylist to stylist and from barber to barber. 
     In general, a stylist or barber will need to use a variety of implements when working on a client&#39;s hair. For example, clippers, scissors, combs, spray bottles, razors, and bobby pins are just a few of the more commonly used implements. Since the stylist or barber only has two hands, many stylists and barbers find that they are frequently putting down one object to exchange it for another, only to switch back to the previous object after a very short period of time. It is not uncommon for the stylist or barber to use various methods to try and minimize the number of times that they have to switch objects out because each switch will add time to the haircutting and styling process, thereby reducing the flow of clients, and the potential for income. 
     For example, it is not uncommon for a stylist or barber to wear an apron or vest that holds various implements and objects that may be used in the haircutting and styling process. Additionally, the stylist or barber may hold one or more implements or objects in their mouth so as to provide quick and easy access to the implement or object. A stylist may hold bobby pins in their mouth so as to have quick and easy access to the bobby pins when styling a client&#39;s hair. While this process is efficient, the process is likely unsanitary and not likely to be acceptable for most clients, particularly in upscale salons. Additionally, the stylist may chip or damage their teeth or gums when moving bobby pins into or out of their mouth. 
     Recognizing the problem, a number of inventors have offered various solutions to address the handling of bobby pins by stylists and barbers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,226,237, issued on Dec. 24, 1940, to Charles A. Cooper, discloses a bobby pin opener combined with a tray for holding bobby pins. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,230,394, issued on Feb. 4, 1941, to Joseph Stephen Young, discloses a portable bobby pin opener in the form of a box with a wedge for opening bobby pins. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,947, issued on May 25, 1948, to Clarence M. Welch, discloses a bobby pin opener on a finger ring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,460,562, issued on Feb. 1, 1949, to Ted H. Worrell, discloses a bobby pin opener to be worn on a finger. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,480,581, issued on Aug. 30, 1949, to Gerald K. Hopkins, discloses a bobby pin opener on a finger ring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,506,859, issued on May 9, 1950, to Lena Des Saulles, discloses bobby pin opener to be worn on a finger, with a magnetic plate to hold one or more bobby pins. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,031, issued on May 9, 1950, to Paul J. Maggio and Leon F. Smith, discloses a bobby pin opener designed to be gripped by the user&#39;s teeth. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,535,170, issued on Dec. 26, 1950, to Doris G. Stephenson, discloses a bobby pin holder having a bent plate with a slot that may be mounted on a wall or a finger ring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,543,356, issued on—Feb. 27, 1951, to George W. Deuillet, discloses a bobby pin opener with a slit on a finger ring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,546,528, issued on Mar. 27, 1951, to John R. Snyder, discloses a bobby pin opener worn on the wrist, with a “circumferential flange” that is used to open the bobby pin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,718, issued on May 22, 1990, to Graham R. Cook, discloses a magnetic nail holding tool worn on the thumb. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,818, issued on Mar. 23, 1993, to Steven P. Anderson, discloses a wrist mounted magnetic holder, with no opener for bobby pins. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,041, issued on Apr. 16, 1996, to Robert C. Wright, discloses a magnetic needle holding apparatus to be worn on a finger. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,073, issued on Jan. 14, 1997, to Danny Finnegan, discloses a workman&#39;s wrist band, with magnets for holding metal objects, attached with Velcro®. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,845, issued on Nov. 11, 2003, to O&#39;Dea et al., discloses work gloves with magnets in a pocket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 298,484, issued on Nov. 15, 1988, to Lloyd W. Austin, discloses a design for a wrist-mounted holder for pins and other metal objects. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D554,290, issued on October 2007, to Mathew Zandt, discloses a design for a hair clip display having a wedge that the hair clips can be placed over. 
     European Patent Application No. 2.055 205, published on May 6, 2009, inventor Jui-Ming Tu, discloses a bobby pin including a clamping rib unit and a hair fork. 
     While all of these inventions are useful in their own right, none of the above inventions and disclosures, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to simply and efficiently solve the problems associated with managing bobby pins, particularly for hair stylists. Accordingly, without improvements in the management of implements and methods used for cutting and styling hair, the process and results for many haircuts will continue to be sub-optimal. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus comprising a bobby pin holder, a bobby pin opening mechanism, and an adjustable bracelet made out of a durable material such as a leather strap that wraps around the user&#39;s wrist and is secured in place. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention include a bobby pin opening mechanism that has a pair of wedge shaped edges that can be used to open bobby pins by pressing the legs of the bobby pin against one of the wedge shaped edges, thereby forcing the legs of the bobby pin apart and opening the bobby pin for use by a hair dresser or hair stylist. Additionally, one or more ridges formed in the body of the bobby pin opening mechanism may be used to hold the bobby pin opened and ready for use. 
     The apparatus may be secured with any type of fastener or closure mechanism known to those skilled in the art including one or more buckles, snaps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), etc. Alternatively, the apparatus may incorporate a layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring band sealed within the strap material. The bracelet can be straightened out, making tension within the springy metal bands. The straightened bracelet is then slapped against the wearer&#39;s forearm, causing the bands to spring back into a curve that wraps around the wrist, thereby securing the bracelet to the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
     The most preferred embodiments of the present invention are distinguishable from previous inventions in that it has a uniquely designed apparatus positioned on the strap to open the bobby pins, a flexible strap that fits around the wrist, as well as one or more magnets positioned on the flexible strap. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to enable a user to open bobby pins without damage to the user&#39;s teeth or mouth. 
     It is another object of the invention to enable a user to conveniently retain bobby pins on her/his wrist. 
     It is a further object of the invention to enable a user to pick up and open a bobby pin with a single hand. 
     Still another object of the invention is to save time spent retrieving and opening bobby pins. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, and fully effective in is dependable accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and the attendant claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the bobby pin opening mechanism of  FIG. 7  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective cutaway view of the bobby pin opening mechanism of  FIG. 7  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective side sectional view of the bobby pin opening mechanism of  FIG. 7  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart of a method for using a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus comprising a bobby pin holder, a bobby pin opening mechanism, and an adjustable bracelet made out of a durable material such as a leather strap that wraps around the user&#39;s wrist and is secured in place. The present invention is an apparatus comprising a bobby pin holder, a bobby pin opening mechanism, and an adjustable bracelet made out of a durable material such as a leather strap that wraps around the user&#39;s wrist and is secured in place. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention include a bobby pin opening mechanism that has a pair of wedge shaped edges that can be used to open bobby pins by pressing the legs of the bobby pin against one of the wedge shaped edges, thereby forcing the legs of the bobby pin apart and opening the bobby pin for use by a hair dresser or hair stylist. Additionally, one or more ridges formed in the body of the bobby pin opening mechanism may be used to hold the bobby pin opened and ready for use. 
     The apparatus may be secured with a buckle, with snaps, or hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®). Alternatively, the apparatus may incorporate a layered, flexible stainless steel bistable spring band sealed within the strap material. The bracelet can be straightened out, making tension within the springy metal bands. The straightened bracelet is then slapped against the wearer&#39;s forearm, causing the bands to spring back into a curve that wraps around the wrist, thereby securing the bracelet to the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a wrist strap  100  with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 1 , it comprises a bracelet  10  made out of a leather strap (or other suitable material) that wraps around the user&#39;s wrist and is secured with snaps  12  or hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®). There are two rows of round magnets  14 , one located on either side of bobby pin opener  16 , that hold the bobby pins, and thus saves the hair stylist or other user time retrieving them from a less convenient location. Bobby pin opener  16 , comprising a rectangular thimble wedge  18  and raised groove  20 , is attached to the bracelet, and allows single hand opening of the bobby pins. In one single motion, the user can pick the bobby pin up from the magnet, and open it on the bobby pin opener, to put in their client&#39;s or their own hair, without using her/his mouth and/or teeth. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top view of a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 2 , is a top view of the invention, showing more clearly how the bobby pin opener  16  is positioned between the two rows of magnets  14  on the top of the bracelet  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a detail view of magnets  14  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , used in conjunction with a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 3 , magnets  14  retain the bobby pins P via magnetic attraction. The magnetic attraction should be strong enough to hold bobby pins P in place but not so strong as to make removing bobby pins P from magnets  14  a difficult process. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of an apparatus  100  with magnets  14  and a bobby pin opening mechanism  16  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 4 , bobby pin opener  16  is partially embedded in strap  10 . Wedge portion  18  extends from the opener, and with groove  20  extending into the opener, enables a user to open the bobby pin P, when its separate ends are pressed into and against wedge portion  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a schematic side view of an apparatus  200  comprising a strap  205 , a magnet  210  and a bobby pin opening mechanism  220  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 5 , apparatus  200  also includes a fastening mechanism  230 . Fastening mechanism  230  is any type of mechanism that may be used to fasten apparatus  200  in place on the user&#39;s arm. For example, a buckle, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc. are all suitable for use as a fastening mechanism  230 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of an apparatus  600  for opening bobby pins is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 6 , apparatus  600  comprises a wrist strap or wrist band  605 ; a magnetic portion  630 ; a bobby pin opening mechanism  610 , and a fastener  650 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a bobby pin  620  can be opened by pressing it against bobby pin opening mechanism  610 , thereby separating the legs of bobby pin  620 . With the first leg and the second leg trapped or placed in a fixed position, the bobby pin is held in place in an opened position. The bobby pin can be stored on magnetic portion  630  until needed and then opened with a single hand. Magnetic portion  630  may be affixed to the surface of wrist strap  605  or embedded inside one or more layers of wrist strap  605 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of apparatus  600 , including a wrist strap  605 , magnetic portion  630 , and bobby pin opening mechanism  610  in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a plurality of bobby pins  620  may be stored on magnetic portion  630  until such time as they are needed by the hair stylist. Fastener  650  is used to secure wrist strap  605  to the arm of the stylist during use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of bobby pin opening mechanism  610  of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the most preferred embodiment of bobby pin opening mechanism  610  comprises four legs  810 , a substantially flat surface  830 , and a pair of wedge shaped edges  820 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a partial perspective cutaway view of the bobby pin opening mechanism of  FIG. 8  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 9 , wedge shaped edges  820  are actually part of a continuous body portion  910 . Body portion  910  is most preferably a curvilinear object that is shaped like the uppermost arch portion of a segmental arch (e.g., the arch portion, not the support legs of the arch) with a slightly flattened portion at the top of the arch. Wedge shaped edges  820  form a location for opening one or more bobby pins. In addition, the bottom of body portion  910  further comprises a pair of ridges  860 . Ridges  860  are useful to capture or “trap” the ends of a bobby pin, thereby holding the bobby pin in place in the opened position until the stylist needs it. The stylist can press the bobby pin onto one of either wedge shaped edges  820  and then release the bobby pin with one of ridges  860  serving to hold the bobby pin in place even if after it has been released. This allows the stylist to make any adjustment necessary and then easily grasp the opened bobby pin in one hand and place in the desired location. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a side sectional view of bobby pin opening mechanism  600  of  FIG. 8  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 10 , there are two substantially flat surfaces  1050  that intersect or meet to form each wedge shaped edge  820 . In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the angle  1000  formed by flat surfaces  1050  is greater than 30° but less than 90°. Additionally, a mounting aperture  1020  will be formed in each leg  810 . Mounting apertures  1020  are most preferably holes that are adapted to receive a screw or other fastening mechanism, thereby providing for bobby pin opening mechanism  600  to be attached to wrist strap  605 . It should be noted that bobby pin opening mechanism  600  is substantially symmetrical about axis  1010 , thereby providing for bobby pin opening mechanism  600  to be mounted in a number of ways, so as to accommodate accessibility for right and left handed stylists. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a left side view of a bobby pin opening mechanism  1100  in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a right side view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a top view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a bottom view of a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-14 , the various views present a slightly modified version of a bobby pin opening mechanism  1100  in accordance with an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. While not the most preferred embodiment, additional unique features are present in this embodiment. Specifically,  FIG. 11  shows screws  1110  being inserted into mounting apertures  1020  of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a flow chart of a method for using a wrist strap with magnets and a bobby pin opening mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the stylist can affix the strap to his or her arm (step  1510 ) and then affix one or more bobby pins to the magnetic portion (step  1520 ). Then, as needed, the stylist can use the bobby pin opening mechanism to open one or more bobby pins (step  1530 ) and place the bobby pins in the desired location (step  1540 ). This process can continue as necessary until the desired outcome has been achieved at which time the stylist can remove the strap from his or her arm (step  1550 ). 
     From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that the apparatus and methods for styling hair is provided by the various preferred embodiments of the present invention offer significant benefits that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, those skilled in the art will understand that additional preferred embodiments of the apparatus and methods described herein could be readily adapted for use in pet grooming as well as other applications. 
     Furthermore, while multiple preferred embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the preferred embodiments exist. Lastly, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are preferred exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.