Patent Publication Number: US-11653775-B1

Title: Wig stand system and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of wigs, and more specifically to wig stand system and method of use for holding one or more wigs and for retaining the style and shape of the one or more wigs. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Wig stand systems are well known in the art and are effective means to organize and display wigs or other hair pieces when not worn. Commonly in the art, wig stand systems propose positioning wigs on mannequin heads to retain the shape of the wig as well as demonstrating what the wig would look like on a person&#39;s head. 
     One of the problems commonly associated with this is that a user may not like the aesthetics of using mannequin heads in wig stand systems to organize and display his or her wigs. Additionally, many wig stand systems do not provide a way for a user to retain the style and shape of the wig while on the mannequin head. What is needed is a wig stand system without uncanny aesthetics while allowing a user to retain the style and shape of a wig when not worn. 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of wig stand systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front view of a wig stand system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top view of a wig stand system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a front view of a wig holder according to one or more aspects of the present application; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a half sectional view of a wig holder according to one or more aspects of the present application; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to one or more aspects of the present application; 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of a wig stand system in use in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart of the method of use of the wig stand system according to one or more aspects of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional wig stand systems. Specifically, the system of the present invention provides a means for a user to maintain the style and shape of a wig when not worn. Additionally, the system of the present invention preserves the integrity and prolongs the lifespan of a wig. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Reference in the specification to “wig”, “wigs”, “hairpiece” or “hairpieces” are interchangeable and mean a head covering made from human hair, animal hair, synthetic fiber, or a combination thereof. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  depict a front view and a top view of a wig stand system  101 , respectively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  101  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional wig stand systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  101  includes a base  103  comprising of one or more legs  105  and one or more feet  117 . The legs  105  deploy in a splayed position with the feet  117  curved inwards. The legs  105  and the feet  117  may be composed of a plurality of material such as steel, chromium, metal, plastic, wood, bamboo, or a combination thereof to support the weight of system  101 , in a plurality of lengths, and in a plurality of colors, patterns, or the like to achieve the desired aesthetic. It should be appreciated that the base  103  may also comprise of other support surfaces other than legs and feet such as having a rounded or circular bottom. 
     System  101  also includes one or more arms  107  that each bolster a wig holder  109  comprising of a cover  111 , a dome support  113 , and at least one quarter piece  201  (not shown, see  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ). The arms  107  deploy in a splayed position in a plurality of angles while bolstering the wig holder  109 . The dome support  113  connects the arms  107  to the wig holder  109 . It should be appreciated that the arms  107  and the dome support  113  may be composed of a plurality of material such as steel, chromium, metal, plastic, wood, bamboo, or a combination thereof to support the weight of system  101 , in a plurality of lengths, and in a plurality of colors, patterns, or the like to achieve the desired aesthetic. In addition, it should be appreciated that the cover  111  comprises of elastic material such as elastane, polyether-polyurea copolymer, spandex fiber, or any other suitable material. 
     It is contemplated and will be appreciated that the arms  107  may be collapsible and have various user controls to manipulate the length to achieve the desired aesthetic. 
     System  101  further includes a connector  115  that bridges the arms  107  and the base  103 . The connector  115  keeps the base  103  stationary and allows the arms  107  to rotate with respect to a vertical axis on a horizontal plane as depicted by directional arrows. It should be appreciated that the connector  115  may be composed of a plurality of material such as steel, chromium, metal, plastic, wood, bamboo, or a combination thereof to support the weight of system  101 , in a plurality of lengths, and in a plurality of colors, patterns, or the like to achieve the desired aesthetic. 
     It is further contemplated and will be appreciated that system  101  may incorporate a storage unit (not shown) configured to hold and store objects including, but not limited to, pins, hair accessories, and the like. It should be appreciated that the storage unit may be composed of a plurality of material such as steel, chromium, metal, plastic, wood, bamboo, or a combination thereof to support the weight of system  101 , in a plurality of lengths, and in a plurality of colors, patterns, or the like to achieve the desired aesthetic. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , a front view and a half sectional view of a wig holder  109 , respectively, are shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present application. The wig holder  109  comprises of four quarter pieces  201  that are wedge shaped and that when positioned together creates a dome-shape on the dome support  113 . It should be appreciated that the quarter pieces  201  are comprised of foam material (e.g., polyurethane) having a plurality of densities and a plurality of durometer values. It should also be appreciated that the quarter pieces  201  are equal in size, shape, weight with each other. 
     It is contemplated and will be appreciated that the quarter pieces  201  may be any shape or form that can create a dome-shape when coupled with one or more other quarter pieces  201 . Furthermore, it is contemplated and will be appreciated that the quarter pieces  201  may comprise of a singular body that forms a dome-shape. 
     In  FIG.  3   , a cross-sectional view of a connector  115  in accordance with one or more aspects of the present application is shown. The connector  115  comprises of a top portion  301  and a bottom portion  303  that attach via a swivel joint  305 . The swivel joint  305  keeps the bottom portion  303  stationary while allowing the top portion  301  to rotate the arms  107  with respect to a vertical axis on a horizontal plane. 
     It is contemplated and will be appreciated that the swivel joint  305  may incorporate ball bearings. Furthermore, it is contemplated and will be appreciated that the swivel joint  305  can be straight-through, right-angle, and offset. 
       FIG.  4    is a front view of a wig stand system  401  in use in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. As shown, a wig  403  may be placed over the cover  111  of a wig holder  109 . A user may insert one or more pins  405  through the wig  403  and into the wig holder  109  to retain the desired shape and style. It should be appreciated that the one or more pins  405  may be any shape or form including, but not limited to, t-pins, wig blocking pins, glass head pins, and hair pins. 
     It should also be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application are the quarter pieces  201 . It should be understood that this feature allows a user to secure a wig  403  via one or more pins  405  into the quarter pieces  201  to achieve the desired style and shape. In addition, the quarter pieces  201  allow a user to organize and display hairpieces aesthetically without the use of mannequin heads. 
       FIG.  5    is a flowchart of the method of use  501  of the wig stand system according to one or more aspects of the present application. Four quarter pieces are positioned on the dome support to create a dome-shape and a cover is placed over the four quarter pieces to hold the four quarter pieces in place on the dome support, as seen with boxes  503 ,  505 . A wig may be positioned over the cover and a user may style and shape the wig, as shown with boxes  507 ,  509 . The user may insert one or more pins through the wig and into the cover and quarter pieces to hold the style and shape of the wig, as shown with box  511 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.