Patent Publication Number: US-7222627-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for hair enhancement

Description:
FIELD 
   Hair enhancement. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Wigs, as well as other hair replacement devices are typically used as a remedy for pattern baldness or to change a complete look (e.g., color) or style of an individual&#39;s hair. Conversely, hair enhancement devices are typically constructed to augment an individual&#39;s hair and therefore do not provide a remedy for pattern baldness or completely change a look or style. Examples of hair enhancement devices include, but are not limited to, adding volume and/or length to an individual&#39;s existing hair. 
   Hair replacement devices, such as wigs are typically constructed for replacement of an individual&#39;s remaining hair and therefore obscure the individual&#39;s remaining hair or lack thereof. As a result, wigs generally require a relatively tight fit on the scalp, particularly around the periphery of the individual wearer to provide stability. Generally, wigs are constructed from material simulating skin from mesh or net-like materials or from plastic frameworks. 
   Unfortunately, various problems arise to the individual wearer of a wig when a wig is worn for more than a brief period of time. For example, wigs may provide pressure or pinching on the individual wearer&#39;s scalp as a result of the relatively tight fit associated with wigs. Furthermore, the material used to form the inner portion of the wig excessively heats the scalp of the individual wearer. As a result, more open framework designs, including mesh or net wigs were developed to resolved these problems. Unfortunately, such designs are unable to meet general requirements of the wigs. For example, such wigs may lack stability or may include undesirable bulk, as well as discomfort to the individual wearer. 
   Variations of hair replacement devices may be constructed to augment the hair of an individual wearer, such as thinning hair and provide an alternative to the full wig. For example, such hair replacement devices may be constructed with an open framework of hair dyed, glued or sewn thereto. Representatively, an individual&#39;s hair is drawn through open areas of the framework and inner-mixed with the hair of the device. 
   Generally, such hair replacement devices must closely fit the contours of the individual&#39;s scalp to allow the hair to be inner-mixed, typically by combining. Furthermore, such devices must be constructed from materials that retain their shape over time to prevent sagging from the weight of the attached hair and from incidental tugging or snagging as the hair is blended. Additionally, connections between segments of the opening framework should be relatively strong, without providing bulk, to withstand incidental tugging or snagging as the hair is blended. 
   Hair replacement devices such as describe above generally enclose the entire head or scalp of an individual. As a result, placement of such hair replacement devices of an individual may require assistance, especially with regards to blending of the individual&#39;s hair with that of these hair replacement devices. As a result, such hair replacement devices may be successful for individuals with thinning hair. However, for individuals that desire hair enhancement by, for example, a means of additional volume or length, can generally not receive such benefits from these hair replacement devices. Therefore, there remains a need to overcome one or more of the limitations in the above-described existing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The claims are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is rear side view of a portion of an embodiment of a device suitable as a hair enhancement device, the portion including a periphery and longitudinal members. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view through line A–A′ of  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a portion of a foundation of the device of  FIG. 1A  on a head of an individual, the portion including a periphery and longitudinal members. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a human skull, depicting areas of the human skull in which a device, such as the device of  FIG. 1A  may be positioned. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of a foundation of the device of  FIG. 1A  on a head of an individual further illustrating peripheral, longitudinal and diagonal members of the device. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear side view of the hair enhancement device of  FIG. 1A  on an individual&#39;s head. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear side view of a portion of another embodiment of a foundation of a hair enhancement device, as viewed from a rear portion of an individual&#39;s head. 
       FIG. 7  is a top side view of another embodiment of a hair enhancement device. 
       FIG. 8  is a top, rear side view of an embodiment of the device of  FIG. 7 , as worn by an individual. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear side view of another embodiment of a hair enhancement device. 
       FIG. 10  is a rear side view of another embodiment of a hair enhancement device. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a technique for coupling a weft of hair over the foundation of a hair enhancement device. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates techniques for forming a weft of hair over the foundation of a hair enhancement device. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates techniques for forming a weft of hair over the foundation of a hair enhancement device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A method and device suitable for hair enhancement are described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without some of these specific details. In addition, the following description provides examples, and the accompanying drawings show various examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these examples should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are merely intended to provide examples of the claimed subject matter rather than to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations of the claimed subject matter. 
     FIG. 1A  shows a rear side of a device suitable for use as a hair enhancement device. Device  100  includes, in this embodiment, foundation  110  that is configured to fit an individual wearer&#39;s (male or female) head. Generally, as illustrated in subsequent figures foundation  110  is configured to fit (be connected or fitted to) a rear portion of a wearer&#39;s head, as opposed to the entire head. Referring to  FIG. 1A , foundation  110  includes peripheral member  120  and longitudinal member  130 - 1  and  130 - 2 . Peripheral member  120  may have a generally circular shape, including, but not limited to, a substantially horseshoe shape. In one embodiment, a horseshoe shape peripheral member  120  may have heel  124  defined by corners  125 - 1  and  125 - 2 . Longitudinal members  130 - 1  and  130 - 2  are coupled together at proximal ends and are each connected at distal ends to peripheral member  120 . Longitudinal members  130 - 1  and  130 - 2  collectively bisect peripheral member into two equal or unequal portions, first portion  140  and second portion  145 . 
   Foundation  110  also includes, in this embodiment, a number of diagonal members (e.g.,  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3 ,  150 - 5 ) connected at their respective ends (two ends) to peripheral member  120  and longitudinal members  130 - 1  and/or  130 - 2 . Diagonal member  150 - 4  extends laterally and is connected at its ends to diagonal member  150 - 3  and diagonal member  150 - 5 , respectively, in first portion  140 . In this manner, the diagonal members divide first portion  140  and second portion  145  into a number of geometric regions (e.g., geometric regions  160 - 1 ,  160 - 2 ,  160 - 3 ,  160 - 5 ,  160 - 6  and  160 - 7 ). 
   Representatively, the diagonal members divide first portion  140  and second portion  145  into geometric regions approximating triangles (e.g. spherical triangles). In the embodiment illustrated, longitudinal members  130 - 1  and  130 - 2  and the diagonal members  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3  and  150 - 4  form a “starfish” like pattern with ends of each meeting at node  135 . As further illustrated in this embodiment, opposite ends of the diagonal members, for example diagonal members  150 - 1  and  150 - 2 , may meet at corner  125 - 1  and corner  125 - 2 , respectively, of peripheral member  120  to divide second portion  145  into geometric regions (e.g.,  160 - 1 ,  160 - 2  and  160 - 7 ). It is appreciated that the diagonal members may form different shaped regions (e.g., shapes other than triangles) or a combination of multiple shaped regions of first portion  140  and second portion  145 . 
   Foundation  110  of device  100 , in one embodiment, is made of a wire strand or strands representing peripheral member  120 , longitudinal member  130 - 1 , longitudinal member  130 - 2  and the diagonal members (e.g., diagonal members  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3 ,  150 - 4 ,  150 - 5 ). A suitable form of wire is an aluminum alloy or steel material having a representative gauge in the range of, for example, 27 to 19 gauge. Overlying the wire portion of the various members is a cloth material. Representatively, the cloth is folded over and its sides are sewn together to enclose the wire within the cloth material. Representative widths of cloth material to encompass a 20 gauge wire include widths on the order of 0.25 to 0.5 inches. 
   In addition to foundation  110 , device  100  also includes wefts of hair  170 . Wefts of hair  170  are, for example, wefts of natural or synthetic hair. Wefts of hair  170  contain natural or synthetic hair of a desired length as described herein. Wefts of hair  170  typically contain the hair by stitching (at weft  174 ). Wefts of hair  170  have a width, in one embodiment, equivalent (or in combination with another weft or wefts equivalent) to a length of the portion of foundation  110  to which the weft of hair will be attached (e.g., diagonal member  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3 ,  150 - 4 ,  150 - 5 ); peripheral member  120  (e.g., between diagonal member  150 - 3  and diagonal member  150 - 5  and longitudinal member  130 - 2 ); and/or longitudinal member  130 - 1 , and longitudinal member  130 - 2 ). 
   Wefts of hair  170  may be affixed to one or more of peripheral member  120 , longitudinal members  130 - 1  and  130 - 2 , and/or one or more diagonal members  150 . Representatively, wefts of hair  170  may be affixed to a cloth material  175  enclosing foundation  120  (see  FIG. 1B ). In one embodiment, wefts of hair  170  are affixed at one end into the inner or enclosed side of the cloth material  175 . Suitable examples of affixing wefts of hair  170  to cloth material  175  include, but are not limited to, stitching or an adhesive. For example, the weft portion of wefts of hair  170  may be stitched or sewn to an inner or enclosed side (e.g., enclosed by joining or overlapping opposing sides of cloth material  175 ). Alternatively, wefts of hair  170  are affixed to the exterior of the enclosing cloth material  175 . In a further embodiment, wefts of hair  170  are formed directly over foundation  110  (See  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). 
     FIGS. 2–5  illustrate the formation of device  100  suitable for use in hair enhancement. Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows a portion of device  100  including a portion of a framework suitable for fitting on the head of a wearer. Foundation  110 , in this embodiment and view, includes generally circular peripheral member  120  and longitudinal member  130 - 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , foundation  110  is shown without any diagonal members or wefts of hair. 
   Generally, as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , hair enhancement device  100  is designed such that peripheral member  120  of foundation  110  encloses occipital  184  and parietal  186  portions of an individual wearer&#39;s head  180 . In one embodiment, placement of longitudinal member  130 - 1  ( FIG. 2 ) bisects peripheral member  120  and generally runs laterally between, for example, the ears of an individual wearer  280  and along occipital bone  188  ( FIG. 3 ) to divide peripheral member  120  into first portion  140  (upper portion as viewed) and second portion  145  (lower portion as viewed). 
   In the embodiment described herein, first portion  140  may be referred to as a crown portion of peripheral member  120 , whereas second portion  145  may be referred to as a nape portion of peripheral member  120  of device  100 . As such, in the embodiment described, first portion  140  may run from occipital bone  188  of an individual wearer&#39;s head  180  up to a crown portion  140  of the individual wearer&#39;s head  180  prior to coronal structure  190  of frontal portion  192  of individual wearer&#39;s head  180  ( FIG. 3 ). In another embodiment, the foundation (including a first portion and a second portion) may cover a larger portion of, a wearer&#39;s head, for example, from frontal portion  192  to occipital bone  188 . Once first portion  140  and second portion  145  of device  100  are defined, the portions are divided into geometric regions based on a desired style provided by device  100 . 
   In one embodiment, as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 4 , diagonal members  150  ( 150 - 1 , . . . ,  150 -N) divide first portion  140  and second portion  145  into geometric regions  160  ( 160 - 1 , . . . ,  160 - 7 ) ( FIG. 1A ), such as for example, triangles or spherical triangles. In one embodiment, a portion of diagonal members  150  connect between longitudinal member  130 - 1  (and diagonal member  130 - 2 ) and peripheral member  120 . Likewise, additional diagonal members  150  (e.g.,  150 - 4 ) may be connected between other diagonal members to further subdivide a desired portion of the framework of device  100  into additional geometric regions, such as triangles or other shapes. Representative widths of regions  160  (as measured from, for example, distal vertices) fall within the range of two (2) inches to four (4) or more inches. 
   Collectively, peripheral member  120 , longitudinal member  120 - 1 , longitudinal member  120 - 2  and diagonal members  150  form foundation  110  of hair enhancement device  100 . In one aspect, dividing the framework of foundation  110  of device  100  into regions determines the amount and location of a wearer&#39;s natural hair that may be pulled through regions  160  and over foundation  110  to blend with wefts of hair  170 . By arranging geometric regions  160 , effects such as, additional fullness or length may be achieved. 
   Once the desired foundation  110  of device  100  is designed, individual wefts of hair  170  may be individually connected to foundation  110  including peripheral member  120 , longitudinal member  130  and one or more diagonal members  150 . One way this may be achieved is by wrapping foundation  110  of a wire or strands of wire with cloth material  175  and affixing (e.g., stitching, gluing) wefts of hair  170  to cloth material  175  (See  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). In one embodiment, wefts of hair are wrapped and sewn around selected members of foundation  110 . In the example, where wefts of hair  170  are sewn to foundation  110 , the thread or string  174  or other material used to sew the wefts over the various members of foundation  110  of hair enhancement device  100  may be dyed to a color of the hair to further disguise the wefts of hair. Likewise, the wefts of hair may be sewn onto the individual members of foundation  110  to provide a directional path for the hair to provide enhanced styling. 
   Accordingly, once individual wefts of hair  170  are connected to a portion (including the entire portion) of foundation  110  of device  100 , hair enhancement device  100  may be placed on an individual wearer&#39;s head.  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of device  100  on a rear portion of an individual wearer&#39;s head. In one embodiment, foundation  110  of device  100  includes a flexible, generally non-elastic material, such as for example, a wire. 
   Accordingly, hair enhancement device  100  may be secured to, for example, a crown portion of an individual wearer&#39;s head  180  ( FIG. 3 ) and then shaped to the individual wearer&#39;s head by applying pressure to the wire to enable a comfortable fit. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , hair enhancement device  100  also includes hair clip  115  positioned and affixed at, in this embodiment, an apex of foundation  110  (as viewed). Hair clip  15  may be any type of clip commonly used to secure hair. Hair clip  15  may serve, in one aspect, to further secure hair enhancement device  100  to an individual wearer&#39;s head (e.g., to existing hair on the individual wearer&#39;s head). 
   In one embodiment, the configuration of foundation  110  of hair enhancement device  100  and/or the amount and placement of wefts of hair  170  on foundation  110  are selected to achieve a certain look, accentuating an individual wearer&#39;s hair. Examples of accentuation include, but are not limited to, adding length and/or volume. 
   As is illustrated, wefts of hair  170  may be connected to each longitudinal member  130 - 1  and longitudinal member  130 - 2 , as well as to each diagonal member  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3 ,  150 - 4 , and  150 - 5 . Wefts of hair  170  connected to one or more of longitudinal member  130 - 1  and longitudinal member  130 - 2  and diagonal members  150 - 1  and  150 - 2  in lower portion  145  of foundation  110  may be longer than an individual wearer&#39;s hair when hair enhancement device  100  is placed on the individual wearer&#39;s head. Once hair enhancement device  100  is in place on an individual wearer&#39;s head, the wearer will pull his/her natural hair through geometric regions  160 - 1 ,  160 - 2 ,  160 - 3 ,  160 - 4 ,  160 - 5 ,  160 - 6 , and  160 - 7  and over diagonal members  150 - 1 ,  150 - 2 ,  150 - 3 ,  150 - 4  and  150 - 5  and longitudinal members  130 - 1  and  130 - 2 . The length of wefts of hair  170  may extend beyond the individual wearer&#39;s head to provide a shoulder length hair style. 
   In this manner, the individual wearer&#39;s natural hair conceals foundation  110  and may be combined (blended) with wefts of hair  170 . Depending on the amount and placement of wefts of hair  170  on foundation  110  of hair enhancement device  100 , an appearance of volume or fullness of an individual wearer&#39;s hair may be enhanced due to the collective amount (wefts of hair  170  plus natural hair) when hair enhancement device  100  is in place. For example, for a person with generally long hair (shoulder length or beyond), by placing wefts of hair  170  on longitudinal member  130 - 1  and  130 - 2  (and/or on diagonal members  150 - 1  and  150 - 2 ), the combined amount of hair on an individual wearer&#39;s head will be greater than without hair enhancement device  100 , thus giving the appearance of more fullness. 
     FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of a hair enhancement device, shown for clarity without wefts of hair attached to the device. Hair enhancement device  200  includes, in this embodiment, foundation  210  including peripheral member  220  bisected by longitudinal member  230 - 1  and longitudinal member  230 - 2 . For illustration, foundation  210  is shown on the back of an individual wearer&#39;s head. Longitudinal member  230 - 2  defines first portion  240  and second portion  245 . In this embodiment, first portion  240  includes five generally triangular portions  260  whereas first portion  230  includes three triangular portions  260 . 
   The division of first portion  240  and second portion  245  of device  200  are determined, in one embodiment, based on a desired style provided by device  200 . For example, to provide additional fullness or volume near the top of an individual wearer&#39;s head, additional geometric regions  260  may be provided within first portion  240 . Conversely or additionally, when additional length is desired to an individual wearer&#39;s head or hair, additional geometric regions  260  may be added within second portion  245  to provide additional length, as well as fullness, to the hair. For example, hair enhancement device  200  may provide an individual wearer with a one length hair style. 
     FIG. 7  is a rear side view of a hair enhancement device in accordance with another embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated, hair enhancement device  300  includes foundation  310  configured with three geometric regions  360  in both first portion  340  and second portion  345  of device  300 . According to the reduced number of geometric regions  360 , device  300  may be used for chin-length hair styles, such as a one-length “bob” hair style. In other words, hair enhancement device  300  provides an individual wearer with a short, layered hair style. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates placement of device  300  on the head of an individual wearer  380 . In this embodiment, an attachment device (not shown) secures device  300  to the head of individual wearer  380 . Once secured, hair of the individual wearer  380  is pulled through various geometric regions  360  and overlies foundation  310 .  FIG. 8  schematically shows natural hair  377  pulled through (e.g., by the wearer&#39;s own hand), a geometric region of foundation  310 . The wearer&#39;s hair is blended with the wefts of hair to provide a natural look and also obscure foundation  310  of hair enhancement device  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     FIG. 9  is a rear side view of another embodiment of a hair enhancement device. In the embodiment illustrated, hair enhancement device  400  includes foundation  410 . Foundation  410  includes peripheral member  420  and longitudinal member  430  connected to peripheral member  420  at its ends (two ends) and bisecting peripheral member  420 . Hair enhancement device  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , is configured for application to individuals having more full hair as opposed to individuals with more fine hair. For example, hair enhancement device  400  may provide an individual wearer with a long, one length or layered hair style. Hence, wefts of hair  470  may be blended with the individual wearer&#39;s natural hair to provide an appearance that the individual wearer&#39;s hair is longer than naturally. 
   In this embodiment, geometric regions  460  of hair enhancement device  400  are larger, as compared to the embodiment of hair enhancement device illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to enable an individual wearer to more easily pull their hair through regions  460 . Accordingly, hair enhancement device  400  may be better suited for individuals with more hair volume that desire additional length by providing larger geometric regions  460  through which the individual wearer&#39;s hair is pulled through to achieve hair styles with shoulder length hair. Conversely, hair enhancement device  300  embodiment illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be better suited for individuals with fine hair that desire additional volume by providing smaller geometric region  460  to achieve hair styles, such as a “bob” or less than shoulder length hair style. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a hair enhancement device in accordance with the further embodiment. As illustrated, hair enhancement device  500  is constructed with fewer geometric regions  560  and includes a combination of triangular, as well as rectangular or square shaped geometric regions  560 . As such, in the embodiment illustrated, hair enhancement device  500  may be more readily constructed and provides an embodiment for individuals typically with thicker, more voluminous hair. By providing larger geometric regions (as compared to  FIG. 1A ), thicker hair is more easily drawn through geometric regions  560 . Furthermore, the reduced number of geometric regions allow foundation  510  of device  500  to remain flush with the individual wearer&#39;s scalp. As a result, device  500  provides an individual wearer with, for example, a short, one length hair style. 
     FIG. 11  shows one technique for attaching a weft of hair to a foundation of a hair enhancement device.  FIG. 11  shows a portion of foundation  510  of, for example, a wire. As illustrated, weft of hair  570  is affixed to cloth material  575  at weft  574  with the hair hanging below cloth material  575  as viewed. In one embodiment, weft  574  may be sewn or stitched to cloth material  575 . Once secured, cloth material  575  is wrapped around foundation  510 . Subsequently, opposed sides of cloth material  575  are overlapped and are sewn, or glued or otherwise affixed together to secure weft  570  to foundation  510 . Representatively, an inner portion of one side of cloth material  575 , including weft  572  is overlapped and connected to an outer portion of the other side. 
     FIG. 12  shows another technique for connecting hair to a hair enhance device, e.g., a foundation of a hair enhancement device. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in one embodiment, strands of hair  670  are formed directly over foundation  610 , thereby enclosing and obscuring foundation  510  from view. Representatively, strands of hair are folded in half over foundation  610  and stitched to enclose the foundation with stitching  672 , essentially forming a weft at foundation  610 . In a further embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a protective sleeve of cloth material  675  is placed over the stitched portion  672  and foundation  610 . Protective sleeve  675  is provided to prevent fraying of the affixed hair  670  to, in one aspect, increase the longevity of a hair enhancement device. 
   It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative. Changes may be made in detail, especially matters of structure and management of parts within the principles set forth herein to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.