Patent Publication Number: US-2011048450-A1

Title: Hair binder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hair binder for arranging the hair and more particularly, to such a hair binder, which is safe in use and has a nice looking. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a conventional hair binder for arranging the hair. According to this design, the hair binder  5  comprises an elastic cord member  51 , and a metal clamp  6  for joining the ends of the elastic cord member  51 . This design of hair binder is functional, however it is not safe in use. When a user is fastening the hair binder to the hair, the user&#39;s fingers or hair may be cut by the sharp edges of the metal clamp  6  accidentally. Further, the significant differences between the elastic material property of the elastic cord member  51  and the rigid material property of the metal clamp  6  does not facilitate user&#39;s manipulation in using the hair binder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a hair binder, which is safe in use. It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair binder, which has a nice looking. 
     To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a hair binder comprises an elastic cord member, a clamp affixed to the elastic cord member to join the ends of the elastic cord member, and a flexible protective sleeve covering the clamp and carrying a design. 
     Further, the flexible protective sleeve carries a design that causes a sense of beauty. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a hair binder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational assembly view of the hair binder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention (I). 
         FIG. 3  is an elevational assembly view of the hair binder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention (II). 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of the hair binder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a hair binder in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational assembly view of the hair binder in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention (I). 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational assembly view of the hair binder in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention (II). 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a hair binder according to the prior art. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a hair binder  1  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a clamp  2 , a protective sleeve  3  and an elastic cord member  11 . The clamp  2  is affixed to the elastic cord member  11  to secure the two distal ends  111  of the elastic cord member  11  fixedly together. Before fastening the clamp  2  to the elastic cord member  11 , the elastic cord member  11  is inserted through the protective sleeve  3 . After the clamp  2  has been affixed to the ends  111  of the elastic cord member  11 , the protective sleeve  3  is sleeved onto the clamp  2  by force, keeping the clamp  2  from sight. The protective sleeve  3  is a flexible member made from silicon rubber, rubber, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or any of a variety of other flexible plastic materials. The protective sleeve  3  can be shaped like a barrel, carrying a decorative design that causes a sense of beauty. Further, the protective sleeve  3  can be formed on the clamp  2  by means of injection molding after fixation of the clamp  2  to the ends  111  of the elastic cord member  11 . 
       FIGS. 5-7  show a hair binder  1  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this second design, the hair binder  1  is comprised of a clamp  2 , a protective sleeve  4  and an elastic cord member  11 . 
     The clamp  2  and the elastic cord member  11  are identical to the like parts of the hair binder in accordance with the first embodiment. The protective sleeve  4  is a thermal shrinkage sleeve  4 . After the clamp  2  has been affixed to the ends  111  of the elastic cord member  11 , the protective sleeve  4  is sleeved onto the clamp  2  by force, keeping the clamp  2  from sight. Thereafter, the protective sleeve  4  is heated to shrink and sealed to the clamp  2  and the elastic cord member  11 . The protective sleeve  3  can be shaped like a barrel, carrying a decorative design that causes a sense of beauty. 
     In either of the aforesaid two embodiments, the protective sleeve  3  or  4  gives a soft touch, facilitating installation of the hair binder  1  and avoiding injury during application of the hair binder  1 . 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.