Patent Publication Number: US-10765190-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for elongating natural hair coils and defining natural hair coil patterns

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 6,269,260, filed Dec. 18, 2015. 
     BACKGROUND 
     People with some degree of curly, coiled, or kinky hair follicles have found hair-straightening methods exert stress on the hair follicle, causing hair loss and breakage. As a result, it has become increasingly common to wear the hair in its naturally coiled state to avoid such damage. This is also the reason “protective styles”—styles that allow the hair to remain in its natural, resilient, healthful state while placing minimal stress on the hair—such as braiding, twisting, and weaving, have also achieved notoriety among people with naturally coiled hair follicles. 
     Although preferred for healthful hair, there is a significant disadvantage to wearing the hair in its naturally coiled state, called “shrinkage.” “Shrinkage” is the loss or decrease of coil length due to the force of the coil&#39;s own stiffness, rigidity, and elasticity working in opposition to the gravitational force. Under the weight of a wetting agent (typically water or hair product), the hair coil can stretch to a maximum coil length. Meaning, the hair follicle maintains its general coil shape or pattern without completely straightening out. However, as the coil dries, it shrinks. It is not atypical to see shrinkage amounts averaging 3 to 9 inches throughout the hair coils on one person&#39;s head. 
     The prior art does not address these issues but instead suffers from a number of disadvantages for people with coiled, kinky, curly hair. The prior art does not provide an efficient, healthful, uniform, non-chemical solution to shrinkage. Overall, the prior art focuses on manipulation of straight hair into a wavy or curly form, or, completely straightening curly, kinky, or wavy hair altogether such as by heat or chemical substance, thereby disrupting the natural coil pattern. By way of summary and example, the devices and methods in present use:
         a. do not elongate the coil&#39;s natural shape;   b. do not provide a healthful means of creating an elongated, defined coil;   c. do not provide a chemical-free means of creating an elongated, defined coil;   d. do not provide a heat-free or minimal heat means of creating an elongated, defined coil;   e. do not provide an efficient, quick, and simple means of creating an elongated, defined coil; and,   f. do not provide a means for achieving versatility of coil pattern throughout the same head.       

    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes 
       
         
           
             
                 
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   FIG. # 
                   Description 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                   FIG. 1 
                   Exploded angled top view of a first embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 2 
                   Top view of a first embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 3 
                   Side open view of a first embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 4 
                   Side closed view of a first embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 5 
                   A view illustrating the manner of use of the first 
                 
                 
                     
                   embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 6 
                   A view illustrating the manner of use as well as the 
                 
                 
                     
                   result of the manner of use of the first embodiment 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 7A-7F 
                   Additional embodiments of the coiling members 
                 
                 
                   FIG. 8A-8B 
                   Additional embodiments of the connector and securing 
                 
                 
                     
                   member 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Part # 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 100 
                 Hair Tool 
               
               
                 110 
                 Pretreated hair coils 
               
               
                 120 
                 top coiling members 
               
               
                 121 
                 bottom coiling members 
               
               
                 130 
                 Spaces between top coiling members and bottom coiling 
               
               
                   
                 members 
               
               
                 140 
                 Connector 
               
               
                 150 
                 Securing member part one 
               
               
                 151 
                 Securing member part two 
               
               
                 400 
                 Spaces between crests and troughs 
               
               
                 600 
                 Treated hair coils 
               
               
                 700 
                 Grooves 
               
               
                 710 
                 Helical shaped coiling members 
               
               
                 720 
                 Triangle shaped coiling members 
               
               
                 730 
                 Square shaped coiling members 
               
               
                 740 
                 Saw tooth shaped coiling members 
               
               
                 800 
                 Connector 
               
               
                 810 
                 Connector-additional embodiment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the present apparatus presents at least one of several advantages of one or more aspects, as follows: to provide an apparatus that elongates naturally coiled hair, that elongates naturally coiled hair without heat from devices such as curling or crimping irons and without chemicals, that is quick and easy to apply and use, that is heat-resistant, that can be manufactured in one continuous piece to avoid hair snagging, and that has an open design that allows for quick drying. 
     In addition to overcoming disadvantages in the prior art, the present apparatus further presents at least one of several other advantages of one or more aspects, as follows: to provide an apparatus that elongates naturally coiled hair, that provides a defined coil pattern of various options, that provides a uniform coil pattern, that provides a coil similar to the hair&#39;s own natural coil or a pattern of the user&#39;s liking, that maintains the coil&#39;s natural pattern, that can be used in solo as one apparatus or as a set of apparatuses throughout the head, that can be manufactured in multiple sizes to treat a variety of hair lengths, that can be manufactured in materials comfortable for extended and overnight wear thereby avoiding an opportunity for breakage, that is versatile to achieve a desired effect, that is customizable to provide different treatment effects, and that may be used in conjunction with and in improvement of other protecting styling methods, such as hair extensions. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and related descriptions. 
     In accordance with the following illustrations, one representative embodiment of the present apparatus comprises top and bottom horizontal interengaging and opposing coiling members of predetermined material, size, shape, and spacing, connected perpendicularly on one end to a connector of predetermined material, structure, size, and shape, and on the other end, a member or structure for fastening and releasing the top coiling members and bottom coiling members with the function of proving a firm, secure, and consistent hold on a section of hair when held between the top coiling members and bottom coiling members, wherein a hair coil can be elongated and/or defined. In another embodiment, the coiling members are detachable and interchangeable and another securing member replaces the connector. 
     First Embodiment—FIGS.  1 - 6   
     With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the hair tool for elongating and defining a natural hair coil, generally designated as  100 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . By elongating a natural hair coil, the hair tool  100  solves the shrinkage problem left unsolved by the prior art. The prior art manipulated relatively straight hair by use of hair rollers or wave plates, as opposed to defining or distinguishing hair that is already wavy, curly, coiled, or kinky. The hair tool  100  defines and distinguishes hair that is naturally coiled  110 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an angled top view of the hair tool  100 .  FIGS. 1-4  show the hair tool  100  has interengaging and opposing horizontal teeth or coiling members divided between a top portion or top coiling members  120 , and a bottom portion or bottom coiling members  121 , a spine or connector  140  to connect the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 , and a securing member divided between a part one  150  and part two  151  which collectively prove a firm, secure, and consistent hold on a section of hair so as to allow a hair coil in its natural state  110  to form in its natural coil pattern, but in an elongated, uniform, and/or defined state  600  when secured between the top coiling members  150  and bottom coiling members  151  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Although it is optimal to retain the maximum coil length after styling, the hair tool  100  provides the user with the option to form coils at any length: an elongated length, the same length, or even a shorter length than where the coils rest naturally. This is accomplished by placing the pretreated hair coils  110  at the desired final resting place within the hair tool  100 , thereby causing the hair coil  110  to be treated and therefore formed and solidified at that length. 
     There are various possibilities with regard to the shape of the coiling members  120  and  121 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7  and further discussed in the additional embodiments section. In one embodiment, the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  are a transverse sine shape that can impose a sine wave pattern or effect on the hair ( FIG. 1 ). The coiling members  102 ,  121  are an overall cylindrical form ( FIGS. 1, 4 ). The thickness or diameter of the body of each coiling member  120 ,  121  is substantial enough to provide the surface area necessary to secure a portion of hair between the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the coiling members  120 ,  121  is approximately 1 to 2 cm. However, the diameter in other embodiments can range from approximately 3 to 5 cm to achieve varying effects on the hair and for treatment of varying lengths of hair. 
       FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6  show the coiling members  120 ,  121  have predetermined opposing spaces  130  between the individual coiling members to provide air flow for quick drying when applying the hair tool  100  to damp or wet hair. In one embodiment, the spaces  130  are equidistant throughout the hair tool  100  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). However, other embodiments may consist of unequal spaces  130  which can achieve different effects for the user. 
       FIG. 4  shows the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  have predetermined spaces  400  between the corresponding crests and troughs of the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 . In other words, the crest of one portion  120  or  121  and the adjacent trough of the other portion  120  or  121  form the space between the crests and troughs  400 . In one embodiment, the space  400  has a diameter of approximately 0.5 cm. However, other embodiments may consist of other diameters to achieve different treatment effects for the user, including but not limited to 1 cm, 1.5 cm, or 2 cm. 
     The spaces  130 ,  400  in concert with the securing member  150 ,  151  and connector  140  allow the pretreated hair coils  110  to form in their own unique pattern by capturing and holding the pretreated hair coils  110  in their natural form. This reduces opportunities for pattern disruption, which causes the pretreated hair coil  110  to appear fuzzy and devoid of pattern. The hair tool  100  supports the pretreated hair coils  110  while they solidify into a defined pattern  600 . 
     The wavelength and amplitude of the coiling members  120 ,  121  are substantial enough to receive a portion of hair for treatment ( FIGS. 1, 3-7 ). In one embodiment, the wavelength and amplitude of the coiling members  120 ,  121  are both approximately 0.5 cm. However, other embodiments may have different wavelengths and amplitudes of equal or differing measurements so long as the measurements are substantial enough to receive a portion of hair for treatment. For example, other embodiments could have wavelengths and amplitudes ranging from approximately 3 to 5 cm. 
     The connector  140  provides the function of securing and stabilizing the pretreated hair  110  between the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 . In one embodiment, at one end of the hair tool  100 , the coiling members  120 ,  121  are connected perpendicularly to the connector  140  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the connector  140  may be connected to the coiling members  120 ,  121  at different angles. In one embodiment, the connector  140  extends the complete length of the hair tool  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the connector  140  may be shorter or longer than the entire length of the coiling members  120 ,  121 . The connection between the connector  140  and the coiling members  120 ,  121  is seamless to prevent catching and snagging the hair. In one embodiment, the connector  140  forms a rectangular, concave area ( FIGS. 1-4 ). 
     At the opposite end of the hair tool  100 , the top coiling members  120  are seamlessly connected to the securing member part one  150  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ). The bottom coiling members  121  are seamlessly connected to securing member part two  151  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ). The connections are seamless to prevent catching and snagging the hair. The securing member  150 ,  151  extends the complete length of the hair tool  100  in order to provide a firm hold for the hair tool  100  in the fastened state ( FIGS. 1-4 ). Other embodiments may comprise shorter lengths of the securing member  150  or  151  so long as a firm hold is accomplished. 
     In one embodiment, the securing member  151 ,  151  is a bar and corresponding rim  114  ( FIGS. 1, 3 ). Thus, a bar and corresponding rim can be used to fasten and release the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  for the purpose of providing a secure, firm, and consistent hold. The fastening of the hair tool  100  onto the hair by engaging the securing member  150 ,  151  causes the coiling members  120 ,  121  to produce its pattern transversely onto the pretreated hair coils  110 . The securing member  150 ,  151  reduces the need for any special skill by holding the hair tool  100  in place ( FIGS. 5-6 ). 
     In one embodiment, the resting position of the hair tool  100  is the substantially closed position ( FIGS. 1, 2, 4 ). The closed position is the position in which the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  are adjacent ( FIG. 1, 2, 4 ). The open position is the opposite, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, the resting position can range in degrees from the closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the coiling members  120 ,  121 , connector  140 , and securing member  150 ,  151  are a firm, flexible, lightweight, heat-resistant plastic created through plastic injection molding. However, these parts can be comprised of any other material that can be repeatedly bent without fracturing or losing strength and rigidity, such as a metal coated or not coated by a plastic. In embodiments comprising metal, heat can be applied directly to the metal. Heat can come in any form acceptable by the user, such as a hand-held blow dryer or a hooded blow dryer. 
     The hair tool  100  can comprise many sizes to fit any hair length. The length and width of the hair tool  100  can be any length and width substantial enough to accomplish treatment of a portion of hair. For example, in one embodiment, the width of the hair tool  100  is at least 4 inches and the length of the hair tool  100  is at least 2 inches. However, in another embodiment, the width of the hair tool  100  could be approximately 2 inches while the length of the hair tool  100  could be approximately 20 inches. This variation can allow for customization to accommodate various lengths of hair. 
     The user may treat as much of the hair as desired and may use one or more hair tool  100  apparatuses concurrently throughout the head as desired. For example, some users may desire treatment with the hair tool  100  to elongate pretreated hair coils  110  in the top or crown section of the head to match the length of hair coils in the back section of the head. Other users may desire treatment with the hair tool  100  to impose a pattern on one section of hair to match other sections of hair or create a different pattern altogether. These users may apply the hair tool  100  only in those areas where treatment is desired and may use one or more hair tools  100  concurrently to accomplish treatment. More than one hair tool  100  may be used, including hair tools  100  of different sizes or dimensions. 
     Another disadvantage of wearing the hair in the naturally coiled or pretreated state is coil patterns may not be uniform throughout a person&#39;s head, varying in stiffness or tightness throughout the head. Further, some hair coils may possess no pattern at all, but instead may have a flattened, fuzzy, or z-pattern appearance or shape. 
     The hair tool  101  may also be used in connection with some hair extensions techniques such as the sew-in technique, as an improvement thereof. One way to achieve the appearance that the hair extensions are real or authentic—i.e. growing out of the head person&#39;s head—is to leave out some of the person&#39;s actual or real hair (“leave out”) to blend or cover up the place where the extensions wefts are sewn, glued, or otherwise connected. However, when the pattern of the leave out does not match or blend with the pattern of the hair extensions, the extensions do not look real or authentic. The hair tool  101  may be used to treat the leave out to match or blend to the pattern of the hair extensions. 
     Operation of First Embodiment—FIGS.  1 - 6   
     For this embodiment, the manner of using the hair tool  100  to elongate and/or define a pattern of pretreated hair coils  110  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 . 
     Prior to treatment with the hair tool  100 , a user may desire to apply a substance to wet, dampen, moisturize, or otherwise manipulate the pretreated hair coils  110 . The user should select whatever substance they desire and apply it wherever they desire. For example, the user may apply a leave-in conditioner, moisturizer, hair spray, water, oil, or any other desired substance. 
     Choose pretreated hair coils  110  for treatment in one hair tool  100 . The amount of pretreated hair coils  110  selected should correspond to the size of the hair tool  100  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The minimum amount of hair may be chosen at the user&#39;s discretion, however, the maximum amount should not exceed an amount that would prevent fastening of the securing member  150 ,  151 . 
     Open the hair tool  100  by releasing or disengaging securing member part one  150  from securing member part two  151  ( FIGS. 3, 4 ). The securing member  150 ,  151  may already be disengaged, depending on prior use, so this step can be skipped if the securing member  150 ,  151  is already disengaged. 
     Insert the selected pretreated hair coils  110  between the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  ( FIG. 5 ). The pretreated hair coils  110  can be spread evenly between the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 . Position the pretreated hair coils  110  at the user&#39;s desired final length ( FIG. 5 ) by stretching or compressing the hair coils to where the user desires the pretreated hair coils  110  to rest after treatment ( FIGS. 5, 6 ). 
     Fasten or engage the securing member part one  150  with securing member part two  151 , thereby bringing the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121  firmly and securely adjacent to each other. 
     Stretching the hair coil  110  in conjunction with securing the hair in the hair tool  100  for the duration of the treatment period causes the elongation. In concert with the connector  140  and spaces  130 ,  400 , the coiling members  120 ,  121  will produce their pattern transversely onto the pretreated hair coils  110 . These phenomenon are collectively referred to as treatment. 
     Allow the securing member  150 ,  151  to remain engaged for a predetermined amount of time. This predetermined amount of time is called the treatment period. The treatment period can be determined by the user and can depend on a number of variables, including the amount of moisture in the hair, the desired effect, and whether heat is used. For example, more moisture may extend the treatment time. The use of heat may shorten the treatment time. While heat is not required, heat may be applied by any method desired by the user, such as a hand-held blow dryer or a hooded dryer. Allowing the hair to dry or treat in the ambient air, i.e. air drying, is also a viable option. The user can adjust the degree or amount of definition of a pattern by extending the treatment time (more defined) or decreasing the treatment time (less defined). The treatment period may last anywhere from minutes up to overnight. 
     Unfasten or disengage the securing member part one  150  from securing member part two  151 , thereby separating the top coiling members  120  and bottom coiling members  121 . Remove the hair tool  100  from the hair coils, which are now treated hair coils  600 . Thus, a natural coil of hair  110  can be elongated and/or defined into a pattern  600 , as the prior art has failed to do ( FIGS. 5-6 ). 
     This process should be repeated for each hair tool  100  in use. 
     Additional Embodiments—FIG.  7   
     In  FIGS. 1-6 , the coiling members  120 ,  121  are of the sine wave coiling pattern or shape. However, there are various possibilities with regard to the shape of the coiling members  120  and  121  ( FIG. 7 ). By way of example,  FIG. 7  shows the coiling members  120  and  121  may consist of different shapes such as helical  710  ( FIG. 7C ), triangle  720  ( FIG. 7D ), square  730  ( FIG. 7E ), or saw tooth  740  ( FIG. 7F ), each of which can provide a pattern, definition, or effect to the hair coil that is imposed by that shape and corresponding spaces  130 ,  400 . These additional shapes are desirable for both similar hair patterns and dissimilar hair patterns alike depending on the user&#39;s preference. In another embodiment, the coiling members may also be curved concavely to follow the natural curve of a head. The wavelength and amplitude of the additional embodiments of the coiling members  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  is substantially the same as the wavelength and amplitude of the coiling members in the first embodiment  120 ,  121 . 
     There are various possibilities with regard to the securing member  150 ,  151 . For example, other embodiments may comprise hooks, snap fasteners, or any other type of fastener that can provide a consistent, firm, and secure hold. Thus, these embodiments comprise other options for fastening and releasing the top coiling members  120  and lower  121  coiling members for the purpose of providing a secure, firm hold. 
     There are various possibilities for the connector  140 . For example, in another embodiment, the connector  140  is a seamless continuation of the coiling members  120 ,  121  ( FIG. 8A ). In this embodiment, the continuation is represented as the coiling members  120  and  121  in a bent form to create a collective concave corner or joint ( FIG. 8A ). Therefore, instead of a rectangular concave shape as provided in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the collective bend of the coiling members  120 ,  121  serve the function of securing and stabilizing the hair tool  100  ( FIG. 8A ). In another embodiment, the hair tool  100  can have one or more connectors  140 . 
     In another embodiment, the hair tool  100  can comprise one or more securing members  150 ,  151  ( FIG. 8B ). For example, instead of a connector  140  ( FIG. 4 ), the hair tool  100  can comprise another securing member  150 ,  151  ( FIG. 8B ). In this embodiment, the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  are secured on both sides by securing members  150 ,  151  ( FIG. 8B ). 
     Further Embodiments—FIG.  7   
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A , the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  are detachable from the connector  140  and securing member  150 ,  151  and exchangeable within the hair tool  100 . In this embodiment, the connector  140  and securing member  150 ,  151  contain holes, recesses, or grooves  700  that correspond to the ends of the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 . The coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  may be detached and reattached to the connector  140  and securing member  150 ,  151  by way of the grooves  700  ( FIG. 7A, 7B ). The size or diameter of the grooves  700  corresponds to the diameter of the ends of the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 , and  740 . 
     The exchangeability feature of the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  provides the user with the flexibility of achieving different spaces  130  between the coiling members within the top  120  and bottom  121  parts by leaving some grooves  700  vacant, thereby allowing for different treatment effects as the user may desire ( FIG. 7A ). The exchangeability feature also provides the user with the option of simultaneously using coiling members of different shapes  120 ,  121 ,  710 , and  720 , thereby allowing additional flexibility to apply different patterns to various sections of hair, which is particularly desirable for people who possess or desire more than one coil pattern throughout the head ( FIG. 7A ). The exchangeability feature also provides the flexibility of using the hair tool  100  in concert with other protective styling methods, such as hair extensions of the braiding application technique because the user can select coiling members that match or complement the hair extensions  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 , thereby enhancing and improving upon those other styling methods. 
     Operation of Further Embodiments—FIG.  7   
     The operation for this embodiment is the same as the operation of the first embodiment but starting with these additional steps for the selection of detachable coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 . Remove the coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 , if any, which are not desired for current treatment in the hair tool  100 . 
     Choose the desired coiling members for treatment  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 . The user may select any combination of shapes of coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740 . While the user may chose to leave some grooves  700  vacant for a different effect, the total amount of coiling members chosen  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  cannot exceed the amount of available grooves  700 . 
     Insert the selected coiling members  120 ,  121 ,  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  into the corresponding grooves  700  on the connector  140  and securing member  150 ,  151 . 
     Proceed with the operation as provided under the first embodiment. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the hair tool of the various embodiments provides a quick, healthy, non-chemical solution to shrinkage by providing coil elongation and hair coil pattern definition, which may be used alone or in conjunction with other protective styling methods. The hair tool may be comprised of various different coiling member shapes and combinations of the shapes, thereby providing a great range of flexibility for coil pattern definition. The hair tool width and length range allows for adaptability for use with all lengths of hair. 
     Although the description contains many specificities, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the coiling members can have other patterns or shapes, such as helical, square, saw tooth, or triangle. The coiling members can be bowed to conform to a head shape. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by examples given.