Patent Publication Number: US-2009218376-A1

Title: Portable wig case and stand

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/067,968 filed Mar. 3, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to wig and hairpiece stands and, more particularly, this invention relates to a portable stand and accessory case for displaying and working on wigs and hair pieces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, those working with or displaying wigs for themselves or clients have had numerous options, but all with one or more drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable wig and hairpiece stand which includes a substantially hollow box base having a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side wall; an inflatable support member for removably supporting a hairpiece, this support member being operably disposed within the top panel of the hollow box base; and a device in fluid communication with the inflatable support member for moving air into or out of it. Also included are provisions for accessing the interior space of the hollow box member, which can be disposed in one side wall or preferably be a hinged top panel. 
     In alternative embodiments, equally preferred, the box base is either rectangular or circular in general shape. In addition, removable legs are supplied for raising the stand to a more convenient height. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a portable work and display stand for wigs and hairpieces that is compact yet capable of carrying accessories. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a work and display stand for wigs that is readily expandable in height in at least two ways for convenient styling of longer hair. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to make available a portable inflatable work stand for wigs and hairpieces that requires no electrical power to set up for use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a travel hair mannequin for wigs that also serves as a carrying case for accessories. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable hairpiece stand that can transport the hairpiece and display it. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of the present invention set up and in use. 
         FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an underside perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as  10 . A hollow box base  12  is constructed of a material preselected from the group of plastic, metal, or wood. Typically, the box  12  will be rectangular, but it could be a squat cylinder as well. A key element of the present invention is the inflatable head mannequin  14  which is disposed in the top panel  21 . Inflation for use is provided by hand pump  16  connected to the inflatable member  14  by a hollow tube  25 . The air tube  25  has a connection  26  that allows separation of the hose  25  and hand pump  16  for deflating the head mannequin  14  and internal storage of the two. In this embodiment, the interior of the hollow box structure  12  is accessed by way of a drawer  18  with a pull handle. Detachable support legs  20  and other items can be stored in the drawer  18 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the present invention set up and in use to support a wig  30 . The inflatable support member or head  14  has been fully inflated. The drawer  18  has been closed within the box base  12 . Optional support legs  20  have been attached to provide additional height if desired for working with longer hair. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The box-like structure  12  has a hinged lid  19  that can be held closed by the hinge  40  and the latch parts  30  and  36 , for which there are numerous styles that will work. The collapsible inflatable head mannequin  14  is secured to an opening in the lid. A releasable hose connection  24  appends from the bottom side of mannequin  14  and is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable mannequin  14 . A squeezable hand pump  16  can push air through hose  25 , and end connection  26  mates removably with connection  24 . The hose  25  lies in a notch  27  when the lid  19  is closed so that the head mannequin can be inflated as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Optional features of the preferred embodiment are a removable mirror  28 , extension legs  20 , and a carrying handle  42 . The box-like structure  12  is sized adequately for also carrying a hairpiece or wig  30 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , an upward looking perspective view is provided for an alternative embodiment wherein the predetermined shape of the box  12  is generally round and may be referred to as a squat cylinder. The top lid  19  is hinged and has the inflatable member  14  imbedded in the top lid  19 . At least three round legs  20  are removably inserted into mating cylindrical sleeves  46 . It should be obvious from the two alternatives depicted herein that the shape could also be hexagonal or octagonal. 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.