Patent Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward overcoming the disadvantages associated with previously known hairstyling devices, including but not limited to flexible snap clips. The apparatus incorporates a combination of a snap clip closure mechanism and a comb-like bottom with elongated teeth for gathering and holding hair.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus to dress and hold hair and, more particularly, to gather all or sections of the hair in any number of desired positions. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   During hairdressing and preparation for activities, a variety of implements are employed for the purpose of maintaining the style and appearance of a person&#39;s hair. It is often desired to group strands of hair together so as to achieve a particular style. For example, ponytails are popular not only for the ease in which they may be cared for, but also for the comfort that they afford in keeping the hair away from the face. There are various other hairstyles in which several strands of hair join together for the purpose of fashion. 
   Heretofore, numerous devices have been developed for use in connection with the creation and maintenance of various hairstyles. One of the most commonly known prior devices is referred to as a snap clip. In their most basic sense, snap clips are typically formed of metal having a single, elongated, flat, narrow strip on the bottom for scooping under the desired gathered hair and a curved, top portion that can be concaved in a snap-like fashion to close over the gathered portion of hair. 
   While prior known hairstyling devices have known relative commercial success, none are without associated drawbacks or inherent limitations. For example, many prior devices are subject to inadvertent opening or difficulty in closing. This problem is particularly prevalent when it is necessary to grasp and secure large quantities of hair. 
   Another known shortcoming of current devices is their limitation in types of hair that they will hold. For example, only very small amounts of thick hair will work using current devices. Unfortunately, this eliminates most adult uses for this type of device and it has been limited to children&#39;s hair designs and markets. 
   It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device to quickly and easily gather hair into any desired position on a person&#39;s head. 
   It is another object of the invention to bend a curved, open end of the top portion of a device into a concaved position, securing all types of hair gathered into place. 
   It is another object of the invention to create a device that has many more design options than what is currently available with the existing modes. 
   It is another object of the invention to create a device that holds all hair types in place. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Thus, the present invention is directed toward overcoming the disadvantages associated with previously known hairstyling devices, including but not limited to those discussed above. The inventive apparatus incorporates a novel combination of a snap clip closure mechanism and a plurality of elongated teeth for gathering and holding hair in fashionable and useful ways. The bottom portion of plural teeth and top portion of flexible material curves outward from the bottom portion and concaves into a closed position over the plural teeth holding the gathered hair in place. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a clip in accordance with the invention, illustrated in the closed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a clip in accordance with the invention, illustrated in the open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an open hair clip, illustrating two widely spaced, comb-like teeth on the bottom portion; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG. 3  in a closed position, 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an open clip; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of an open clip; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an open clip applied to the hair of a woman&#39;s head; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG. 7 , in a closed position, holding the hair in place. 
   

   For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention is an improved snap clip for use with a person&#39;s hair. The clip permits quick and easy gathering of both thin and thick hair. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the improved snap clip of the present invention, shown generally at reference numeral  18 . The lower portion  12  of the clip  18  has a plurality of comb-like, spaced apart teeth. In the preferred embodiment, a first tooth  15 , second tooth  16  and third tooth  17  are provided, as shown, but any number of teeth, greater than one, can be used in the snap clip  18 . Each tooth  15 ,  16 ,  17  has a free end that remains free at all times. Moreover, the teeth need not be the same length. A flexible upper portion  10  is the same length as the lower portion  12  when the clip  18  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Connecting the upper portion  10  and the lower portion  12  of the clip  18  is a living hinge  9 , well known in the art. The upper portion  10  is concave. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the clip  18  in its open position, the upper portion  10  being separated from the lower portion  12  by means of a hinge  9 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the clip  18  in its open position. An upper tooth  13  and lower tooth  14  form a comb on the bottom portion  12 . The lower portion  12  is substantially longer than the concave upper portion  10  when in a closed position. An aperture  11  is provided. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the clip  18  in its closed position  21 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side view of an open clip  18  illustrating the upper portion  10  and lower portion  12  revealing interior teeth  22  on the bottom surface of the upper portion  10 . Interior teeth  22  are used to help retain hair, not shown, in its desired position relative to the upper portion  10  and lower portion  12  of the clip  18 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of the clip  18  in its open position. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the upper portion  10  has interior teeth  22  spaced evenly along the bottom surface of the upper portion  10 , surrounding the aperture  11 . It should be understood, however, that the upper portion  10  can be of any shape, with or without an aperture, and that the interior teeth  22  need not be uniformly spaced as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a woman  19  with an open clip  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , illustrating how to gather the hair  24  into the desired style. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the woman  19  wearing a closed clip  18 , illustrating how it looks in one possible style, the hair  24  being drawn back away from the face. 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0