Patent Publication Number: US-7581548-B2

Title: Decorative elastic hair accessory

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to a decorative reversible pony tail holder and method for making the ponytail holder that holds the hair of a user in a tight and secure manner. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Elastic ponytail ties are an effective means to secure hair in ponytails or pigtails. Similarly pony tail holders with elastic bands and surrounding fabric, sometimes referred to as “scrunchies” are often used to keep one&#39;s hair neat and out of the way while simultaneously providing fashion to one&#39;s overall appearance. Such examples in the prior art include the following patents: U.S. design Pat. Nos. 292,030; 315,036; 315,226; 402,082; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,146,171; 5,413,126; 5,706,836; 5,758,671; 6,000,408; 6,047,708; 6,182,672; 6,295,992; 6,435,194; and 6,799,581. 
   A traditional scrunchie or elastic-only ponytail tie can be placed on a ponytail by pulling the ponytail through the scrunchie, twisting the scrunchie into a “figure 8” and then pulling the ponytail through the newly created opening or opposite end of the figure 8. This process can be repeated until the ponytail is securely fastened. Scrunchies, however, have a tendency to become loose and slide out of the hair and periodically need to be restraightened. Such undesirable movement can become more pronounced if a person is playing a sport, such as tennis or soccer, where rapid movement of the head in different directions can cause the scrunchie to loosen. One solution to this problem is to further tighten the scrunchie with additional twisting around the hair. One consequence of this solution is the creation of a large knot of twisted fabric. This fabric knot in the scrunchie can decrease comfort. Further, the knot can also obscure or diminish desired designs on the scrunchie. 
   Another prior art solution would be to first secure one&#39;s ponytail with an elastic-only (e.g. fabric less) ponytail tie and subsequently place a scrunchie over the top of the ponytail tie. This solution is undesirable, however, as it requires two separate articles which must be separately placed on the ponytail. Further, it is more difficult to keep up with separate articles because the chances of misplacing or losing one of the articles is increased. For example, the fabric can inadvertently fall off unbeknownst to the user because the ponytail would still be held in place with the elastic-only tie. Consequently, a need exists for a pony tail holder that can be securely and easily fastened to a pony tail. Further, a need exists for a pony tail holder that is reversible having decorative qualities that are not compromised when either side of the pony tail holder is securely fastened to a pony tail. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the present invention, a pony tail holder and method for making such holder comprises an elastic band with fabric surrounding the band. A portion of the band is exposed through a pair of apertures at the inner seam or fold. A user can easily access and subsequently pull on the exposed band, form a first loop, place a length of hair through the first loop, twist the exposed band to form a second loop, and pull the ponytail through the second loop. The exposed band can be twisted as much as desired by the user. The length of hair can then optionally be inserted through the fabric opening. In one aspect, a first design can be placed on a first side of the fabric and a second design can be placed on the second side of the fabric. As the fabric is not twisted, only the first side of the fabric becomes the display side and is oriented outwardly and the second side of the fabric faces the users head. A pair of apertures are placed on opposite sides of an inner fold or inner seam. A bar tack stitch between the apertures keeps the exposed band exposed and permits easy access to the exposed band by a user. The strategic placement of the apertures permits the pony tail holder to be reversed such that the second side of the fabric can face outward and the first side of the fabric can face the users head. The above as well as additional features and advantages will become apparent in the following written detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   b  illustrates the method construction of the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1   a  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one step of preparing the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1  for placement on a ponytail in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1  in place on a ponytail in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3   b  illustrates the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1  in place on a ponytail in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hair accessory of the present invention. The hair accessory, scrunchie, or pony tail holder  100  comprises a fabric ring  110  substantially surrounding an elastic band  120 , shown partly in phantom. The term “substantially surrounding” is used because a protruding portion  130  of the elastic band  120  occurs in an area having a pair of apertures  140  in the fabric ring  110 . As such, the protruding portion  130  of the elastic band  120  is not surrounded by the fabric ring  110 . A bar tack stitch  195  intersects the intersecting seam  185 , equally distributing the bar tack stitch  195  on each side of the inner seam or inner fold  165 . In one embodiment, the fabric ring  110  has a central opening  150  sized to receive a pony tail. In the embodiment shown, the fabric ring  110  comprises a joined fabric further comprised of a first side made from a first piece of fabric having a first design  160  and a second side made from a second piece of fabric having a second design  170 . In the embodiment shown, the first design  160  is a plurality of soccer balls and the second design  170  is a plurality of stars. 
     FIG. 1   b  illustrates the method construction of the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1   a  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Where used in the Figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. First, if two pieces of fabric are to be used, the first piece of fabric  260  and second piece of fabric  270  are joined together to form inner seam  265  about inner circumference  165  (as shown by  FIG. 1   a ) by sewing or other means to create a joined piece of fabric. If only a single piece of fabric is to be used, the previous step is omitted. Next, the piece of fabric having a first end  210  and a second end  220  is then looped through the elastic band  120  (shown in phantom). The fabric is then folded in half around the elastic band  120  to create a fold  215 . A bar tack stitch  195  is then sewn for a short distance on each side of the inner seam  265  to join the first end  210  and second end  220  of the fabric. The elastic band  120  can then be pulled down to the bar tack stitch  195  (non-phantom  120 ). The first end  210  and second end  220  can then be further joined together by an intersecting seam  185 . The intersecting seam  185  is made by sewing the first end  210  and second end  220  of fabric together. This can be accomplished by sewing a seam A, jumping the elastic band and sewing seam B to complete the intersecting seam  185 . Next, an outer seam  175  (as shown in  FIG. 1   a ) is formed by sewing together the first outer side  240  to the second outer side  250  (as shown in  FIG. 1   b ) to encapsulate the non-protruding elastic band  120  and form the fabric ring  110  (as shown in  FIG. 1   a ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 1   a , the apertures  140  are thereby formed by gaps between the intersecting seam  185  and bar tack stitch  195 . Thus, in the embodiment shown, the pair of apertures  140  are separated by the bar tack stitch  195 , and are located symmetrically on opposite sides of the inner seam  165 . Because the pair of apertures  140  are symmetrically placed adjacent to the central opening  150  about the inner seam  165 , either the first side (e.g. first design  160 ) or second side (e.g. second design  170 ) can be displayed equally well. There are several advantages provided by the bar tack stitch  195  of the present invention. The bar tack stitch  195  permits even distribution of the elastic ponytail band between the two apertures  140 . This even distribution means that neither the first side nor second side is favored and either side can be displayed equally well. The even distribution is a result of the construction of the bar tack stitch  195  which avoids error in the location of the center of fabric where an inner circumference  165 , (which can be defined as either an inner seam or an inner fold) and intersecting seam  185  intersect. The bar tack stitch  195  also conveniently creates a stop for the exposed band  130  during the assembly thereby making assembly easier and more cost effective. Further, the bar tack stitch  195  causes the exposed elastic band  130  to be pushed out from the fabric ring  110 , and over both bar tack stitch  195  and inner circumference  165 . The bar tack stitch  195  thereby keeps the exposed band  130  accessible to a consumer, negating the need for some other more expensive, difficult, and complicated device, such as a bead, to be attached to the exposed band. Further, such bead is undesirable because, should the bead break or become detached from the exposed elastic band, the elastic band will retract into the fabric ring, making it difficult to retrieve. Additionally, a pair of apertures  140  in accordance with the present invention creates less stress on the fabric than a single aperture because a single aperture requires two elastic loops (one coming out and one going in) to be disposed within a single opening. 
   As previously noted, the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1   a  can be made from a single piece of fabric. Such embodiment can desirably provide a reversible scrunchie with the same fabric type color, but different printed matter on opposite sides. 
   The hair accessory of the present invention can be placed on a ponytail in the following manner. First, the protruding elastic band  130  is pulled away from the fabric ring  110  to form a loop. As the protruding elastic band  130  is pulled, the force or pressure imparted inwardly (concentric pressure) from the elastic band  120  increases and the central opening  150  shrinks. Thus, as more of the protruding band  130  is pulled through the apertures  140 , the central opening  150  concomitantly concentrically shrinks. As the protruding elastic band  130  is pulled away from the fabric ring  110 , a first loop is formed, a ponytail  310  is placed through the loop, the protruding elastic band  130  is twisted one-half turn, a second loop is formed, and the ponytail  310  is pulled through the second loop. Thus, the elastic band  130  is looped twice around the ponytail  310 . The result of this is depicted in  FIG. 2 . A ponytail  310  can then be inserted through the protruding elastic band  130 . The twisting, loop forming, and insertion steps are repeated as desired or until a secure fit has been achieved. One can easily perform the twisting with one hand  210  holding the scrunchie  100  and the other hand holding the ponytail  310 . The hand  210  can be used to reach through the loop formed to grab the ponytail  310  and pull it through the elastic band loop  130  and the central opening  150  and securely hold the ponytail  310 . 
   One advantage of the present invention is that the protruding elastic band  130  provides a way to tighten the hold of the pony tail holder  100  without twisting the fabric ring  110  and concentric pressure from both the elastic band  120  within the fabric ring  110  and the exposed elastic band  130  to provide a tight, secure fit. Further, the elastic band  120  within the fabric ring  110  provides significant concentric pressure on any ponytail disposed through the central opening  150 . Additionally, as the central opening  150  is expanded to pull the ponytail  310  through, the concentric pressure created by the exposed elastic band  130  on the ponytail  310  increases, creating a more secure fit. 
     FIG. 3   a  illustrates the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1  in place on a pony tail  310  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the length of hair or ponytail  310  is disposed through the central opening  150 . In one embodiment, the length of the elastic band  120  is such that when the band is twisted and placed on a ponytail, the hole in the scrunchie or central opening  150  is reduced to a size that permits the user to both easily place his or her ponytail through the opening  150  while at the same time securing the pony tail holder  100  to the ponytail. As shown in  FIG. 3   a , because the fabric ring  110  is not twisted, there is a clear, unobstructed view of the first design  160  and the second design  170  is obscured from view. In fact, in this embodiment, only the bottom portion of the first design  160  is obscured by the ponytail  310 . 
   If it is desired that the first side be the display side, then the protruding elastic band  130  is pulled towards the second side when the scrunchie is being placed on the ponytail. Similarly, if the second side is to be the display side, the protruding elastic band  130  is pulled towards the first side. For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  because the protruding elastic band is pulled toward the side of the fabric ring depicting the soccer balls, the opposite side of the fabric ring  110  or side depicting the stars will be the display side if placed on a ponytail. 
   As those skilled in the art will recognize, the artwork comprising the first and second designs can be varied and numerous fabrics colors, logos, and depictions can be used. For example, the scrunchie can be used as a billboard and can have the name of a website printed one side and a logo on the other side. 
     FIG. 3   b  illustrates the hair accessory depicted in  FIG. 1  in place on a ponytail in accordance with the method discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, pulling of the fabric ring  110  while placing the scrunchie on a ponytail is such that concentric pressure from the elastic band  120  is created that causes central opening  150  to shrink such that there is no longer a visible opening. 
   In this embodiment, the length of hair or ponytail is not disposed through the central opening  150 . Rather, the fabric ring  110  can be placed, for example, above the ponytail  310 . Hence, in this embodiment, none of the second design  170  is obscured by the ponytail  310 . 
   The pony tail holder or scrunchie of the instant invention provides several advantages over the prior art. First, it can provide a way to more securely hold the hair than prior art scrunchies by creating concentric pressure. Second, it creates a billboard to display printed artwork on the fabric. Third, because of the novel bar tack stitch, the scrunchie is reversible and is effectively two scrunchies in one. Fourth, because a ponytail can be securely held by the protruding elastic band, actual placement of the ponytail through the central opening is optional. A further advantage of this optional embodiment is that a clear, unobstructed view of the entire first or second side can be achieved as the scrunchie is not even obscured from view by the ponytail  310 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.