Patent Abstract:
A hair extension assembly includes an elongated base being sufficiently flexible to conform to the contours of the wearer&#39;s head and including an attachment assembly comprising a plurality of loops extending along one longitudinal side of the base. A collection of extension hair includes a plurality of supplemental strands secured to the base substantially opposite relative to the plurality of loops. As applied, the base and more specifically the plurality of loops are disposed in adjacent, substantially aligned relation to a hair part or seam formed in the natural hair of the wearer. A plurality of natural hair groupings are formed along one side of the seam and the plurality of loops are cooperatively disposed and dimensioned to facilitate passage of the hair groupings therethrough for attachment to one another thereby securing the base and the collection of extension hair in an intended position on the head of the wearer.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention is directed to a hair extension assembly and a method of securing it to the natural scalp hair of a wearer. An attachment assembly is connected to a base and cooperatively structured therewith to facilitate passage of a plurality of natural hair groupings there through. The natural hair groupings are secured to one another subsequent to passage through the attachment assembly thereby accomplishing a secure, long lasting application in a manner which avoids the disadvantages of attaching it to the wearer&#39;s head in a conventional manner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are many and various techniques and products designed to increase hair volume and/or hair length. Chemical products or the addition of natural or artificial hair to the natural scalp hair are well known. The hair pieces vary in structure, design and materials, as well as the methods of application to the natural hair of the wearer. The disadvantages and problems associated with such known devices are well known and the satisfaction level of wearers is generally low. However, people continue to use such known devices as well as the current techniques of application, due in large part to the unavailability of viable alternatives. 
     Aside from inferior extension designs and techniques of attachment, there are also drawbacks associated with the adhesive products that are used to attach the extension hair to the natural scalp hair. More specifically, as commonly applied the adhesive becomes brittle, and therefore allows hair loss of the extension hair as well as damage to the natural hair. Removal of the adhesive is time consuming, and further damages the hair. In addition, the glue does not have a long operable life thereby requiring the extension hair to be replaced often, further damaging the natural hair. 
     Moreover, current application techniques, with the exception of “comb style” extensions, take several hours, and therefore reduce profitability of the stylist and tolerance of the client. Some of the current techniques used for the application of hair extensions include the relatively small gatherings of extension hair being bonded to the natural scalp hair. It is recognized that this procedure may take one or even two days, resulting in very high costs to the client. Also, the ability to naturally comb, brush and even wash known extension hair is limited. From an appearance stand point, the attached hair is placed under the top layer of natural hair in a manner which still renders it visible during normal daily activities. 
     Other known extension structures and methods of application include the use of small tubes through which extension hair and natural head hair are threaded. The tubes are then clamped to grip the hair contained therein. As with other known techniques, the use of such tubes, etc. is uncomfortable and easily observable. Other techniques include the use of small beads to tie the extension hair to the natural head hair. In addition, combs and clasps are frequently used but are recognized as being temporary, uncomfortable to wear, and easily detectable. Another method includes weaves and braiding of natural and extension hair. However, these methods are very time consuming for original applications and must be completely removed and re-applied to accommodate hair growth. Still other known techniques may utilize plastics and tape adhesives to attach extension hair strips to the wearer&#39;s scalp or hair. Recognized problems include the formation of “lumps” or “bulges” under a top layer of natural hair. 
     Use of at least some of these known techniques also causes damage to the natural scalp hair in addition to the long application time and high costs to the user, as set forth above. As also indicated, most current hair extension products and techniques must be completely removed and reapplied to overcome deterioration of the extension hair and the growth of the wearer&#39;s natural hair. Finally, known techniques for applying extension hair involve extensive training and a long learning curve for the stylist in order to become proficient in the application method and to provide the user with a desired and consistent appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a hair extension assembly as well as a method of its application to the scalp hair of the wearer. Accordingly, the structural and operative features of the hair extension assembly provide for an increase in hair volume and/or hair length of the wearer&#39;s natural hair. Moreover, the method of attaching the hair extension to the hair of the wearer can be learned by a hair stylist in a significantly shortened training period. Advantageously, when applied to the hair of the wearer, the hair extension can be washed and subjected to conventional, every day treatment. 
     More specifically, the various preferred embodiments of the hair extension assembly of the present invention include an elongated base formed of an appropriate material such as, but not limited to, an open mesh material. As will be apparent, the material used for at least the base has sufficient flexibility to conform to the natural contours of the wearer&#39;s head and/or scalp. The base further includes a collection of extension hair comprising a plurality of supplemental strands connected to the base and extending outwardly preferably from a common longitudinal side thereof. Different ones of the hair extension assembly of the present invention may include the plurality of supplemental strands varying in number, length, texture, color, etc. and be collectively formed from a variety of different materials including, but not limited to human hair or other hair-like substitutes known in the industry. 
     In addition, the base includes an attachment assembly secured to and extending along at least a majority of the length of one longitudinal side of the base which is opposite to the side associated with the plurality of supplemental strands, as set forth above. Moreover, the attachment assembly is structured to facilitate the passage of the natural hair of the wearer therethrough in a manner which secures the base and the remainder of the hair extension assembly to the head of the wearer in an efficient and effective manner. At least one or more preferred embodiments of the attachment assembly comprise a plurality of loops collectively extending along the length of the common longitudinal side of the base. As such, the plurality of loops may be integrally formed with the base or otherwise connected thereto so as to at least partially define the longitudinal side of the base which is common to the plurality loops. 
     Further, the plurality of loops may be disposed in a contiguous or spaced apart relation to one another and are sufficiently dimensioned and configured to facilitate the passage of natural hair of the wearer through correspondingly disposed ones of the plurality of loops. As set forth in greater detail hereinafter, the effective application of the hair extension assembly to the head of the wearer is accomplished by forming a plurality of hair groupings from the natural hair of the wearer. The plurality of natural hair groupings are formed to collectively extend along a length of and adjacent to a “hair part” or seam. Such a seam will be formed in a predetermined location and in a horizontal or transverse orientation across the head of the wearer. As such, the plurality of natural hair groupings are formed from the natural hair of the wearer located adjacent the formed seam or hair part. 
     Further steps in the application of the hair extension assembly to the head of the wearer include the positioning of the base and more specifically the plurality of loops defining the attachment assembly in adjacent and/or aligned relation to the seam or hair part. When the attachment assembly is in the preferred, aligned orientation, the plurality of natural hair groupings are manipulated, using appropriate hair styling instruments, so that they pass through correspondingly positioned ones of the plurality of loops. Thereafter, portions of the lengths of adjacent ones of the hair groupings are connected to one another, subsequent to having passed through the correspondingly disposed plurality of loops. At least two, but in certain embodiments a plurality of at least three, adjacently disposed natural hair groupings are secured to one another such as by using a wax based adhesive such as, but not limited to, Keratin. Alternatively, the free ends of two or more of the natural hair groupings, once having passed through the corresponding loops, may be secured to one another by a braiding technique or a tie method, each of which is commonly practiced by a number of hair stylists. 
     As should be apparent, more than one hair extension assembly may be applied to the head of the wearer at various levels in order to accomplish the intended enhancement of the length, thickness, etc. of the wearer&#39;s natural hair. However, in each instance, the base and attachment assembly is at least initially, adjustably connected in aligned relation to the seam or hair part. Such an adjustable connection facilitates a more accurate positioning of the attachment assembly relative to the seam, preferably along the length of the base and attachment assembly. Once attachment of the hair extension assembly is accomplished in the manner set forth in greater detail hereinafter, the supplemental strands of the collection of extension hair are then disposed in overlying relation to the seam and the natural hair of the wearer. As a result, the collection of extension hair and the natural hair of the wearer will be blended together to provide a natural appearance while accomplishing the intended purpose of increased volume, length, etc. 
     Further with regard to the method of attaching a hair extension assembly to the head of the wearer, the aforementioned seam or hair part is formed by gathering a collection of natural hair above the seam as well as a collection of natural hair being disposed below the seam or hair part. As set forth above, seam will preferably extend in a generally horizontal or transverse orientation to the wearer&#39;s head, assuming that the head is in a generally upright position. Hair clips or other conventional instruments may be used to obtain the collection of natural hair located above and/or below the seam. Upon application, the base of the hair extension is substantially aligned adjacent to the seam, wherein the plurality of loops associated with the connecting assembly are disposed above the seam but in substantially alignment therewith. Therefore, the plurality of loops are disposed in an “inverted” orientation such that the loops face downwardly toward the bottom or free end of the natural hair of the wearer. Clips or other conventional instruments may be used to secure the collection of extension hair, including the plurality of supplemental strands temporarily to the collection of natural hair located above the seam. Such clips or other conventional instruments thereby serve to removably dispose the base and the plurality of loops relative the seam further facilitating a more precise or accurate alignment of the loop with the seam. 
     Thereafter, the plurality of natural hair groupings are gathered by the hair stylists, wherein each grouping is disposed in somewhat spaced relation to the next adjacent natural hair groupings and each is sized to pass through a correspondingly disposed one of the plurality of loops. As such, not all of the plurality of loops will necessarily receive a natural hair grouping there through. However, the natural hair groupings while disposed in at least minimally spaced relation to one another will be sufficiently close or adjacent to facilitate the attachment of two or more adjacent hair groupings to one another subsequent to passing through correspondingly disposed loops of the attachment assembly. The connection of the hair extension assembly to the head of the wearer will thus be accomplished in a more ‘natural’ manner, thereby avoiding the discomfort, problems and recognized disadvantages of securing the portion of the hair extension directly to the head using adhesive or any other conventional manner. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view in partial cutaway of the hair extension assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a user&#39;s head and scalp hair arranged to form a hair part or seam within a predetermined part of the natural hair of the wearer. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  wherein the hair part or seam is being formed. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hair extension assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  being aligned with the formed hair part or seam of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view in partial cutaway showing the various steps in the attachment of the hair extension assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  to the natural hair of the wearer. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are each perspective views in partial cutaway further representing the method of applying the hair extension assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  to the natural hair of the wearer. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view in partial cutaway of a hair extension assembly of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  having been attached to the natural hair of a wearer and being blended therein. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed to a hair extension assembly generally indicated as  10 , which is structured to be added to the natural scalp hair  102  on the head of a wearer  100 , as schematically represented in  FIGS. 2-8 . More specifically, the hair extension assembly  10  includes a base  12  formed of a mesh material or other material which includes a sufficient degree of flexibility to at least partially conform to the contours of the head and/or scalp of a wearer  100 . 
     With primary reference to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the hair extension assembly  10  also includes a collection of extension hair comprising a plurality of supplemental strands generally indicated as  14 . The supplemental strands may be formed of a variety of materials including human or animal hair or other material which may be commonly known to form wigs, hair pieces, etc. As such, the plurality of supplemental strands  14  may collectively or individually vary in length, texture, number, etc. dependent at least in part on the desires or intent of the wearer  100  to enhance the volume and/or length of the natural hair. Moreover, the plurality of supplemental strands  14  are connected to the base  12  such as by sewing thereto or by other appropriate means. As such, the plurality of supplemental strands  14  collectively extend along and outwardly from what may be generally considered a first longitudinal side  16  of the base  12 . 
     As also represented in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the hair extension assembly  10  includes an attachment assembly generally indicated as  18  connected to or integrally formed along a second longitudinal side  20  of the base  12 . As clearly represented in  FIG. 1 , the attachment assembly  18  may in fact define at least a portion of the second longitudinal side  20  and is oppositely disposed to the first longitudinal side  16  to which the plurality of supplemental strands  14  are attached. As also represented, the plurality of supplemental strands  14  and the attachment assembly  18  may extend along a majority or substantially the entire length of the corresponding longitudinal sides  16  and  20  and therefore along the corresponding length of the base  12 . 
     The attachment assembly  18  is specifically structured to facilitate the attachment or connection of the hair extension assembly  10  to the natural hair  102  of the wearer  100 , in a manner which avoids its repeated detachment and replacement due to normal hair growth. More specifically, the attachment assembly  18  is structured to facilitate the passage of predetermined portions of the natural hair or “hair groupings”  22  through the attachment assembly  18 . The natural hair groupings  22  are subsequently interconnected in the manner described in detail with specific reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . Accordingly, at least one preferred embodiment of the hair extension assembly  10  defines the attachment assembly  18  as comprising a plurality of loops  24  each having an open interior  24 ′ with a closed peripheral or boundary. Therefore, the plurality of loops  24  can be accurately described as being closed loops of sufficient dimension and configuration to facilitate the passage of the hair groupings  22  therethrough. 
     With further regard to  FIG. 1 , the plurality of closed loops  24  may be disposed in contiguous relation to one another or alternately in at least minimally spaced relation to one another. The plurality of loops  24  extend along a predetermined length of the base  12  and second longitudinal side  20 . It is emphasized that the dimension and configuration of different ones of the hair extension assembly  10  may vary depending upon the needs and desires of the wearer  100 . As set forth above, the number of supplemental strands  14  as well as the number of loops  24  may vary as they extend along a predetermined length of the corresponding first and second longitudinal sides  16  and  20 . Therefore, the configuration and dimensions of different hair extension assemblies  10  may vary such as, but not limited to, when more than one hair extension assembly  10  is concurrently used by the same individual. When a plurality of hair extension assemblies  10  are applied to the natural hair  102  of the wearer  100 , their placement will differ from one another so as to accomplish an enhancement of the length and/or volume of the natural hair, as desired by the wearer  100 . 
     As primarily demonstrated in  FIGS. 2-8 , the hair extension assembly  10  is structured to facilitate attachment or application thereof to the natural hair  102  of the wearer  100  in a manner which is distinguishable from known methods of attachment of conventional hair pieces. More specifically, in the attachment of each hair extension assembly  10 , a “hair part” or seam  105  is formed in the natural hair  102  of the wearer  100  at a location where the extension assembly  10  is to be disposed. Moreover, the hair part or seam  105  is more specifically defined by a first collection of natural  102 ′ located beneath the seam  105  and disposed to naturally extend downwardly from corresponding first side  105 ′ schematically represented in  FIG. 2 . The hair part or seam  105  is further defined by a second collection of natural hair  102 ″ positioned to extend upwardly or away from a second side  105 ″ of the seam  105 . As is also represented, in order to maintain the second collection of natural hair  102 ″ on the corresponding side  105 ″ of the seam  105 , a clip, band, tie, etc.  107  may be used as indicated. Similarly, as represented in  FIG. 3 , a similar clip, band, tie, etc.  107  may be used to gather and/or maintain the first collection of hair  102 ′ in a gathered orientation. 
     As also indicated, the hair part or seam  105  may be formed in a substantially horizontal orientation or more specifically an orientation which extends transversely across the hair  102  and head or scalp of the wearer  100 . The term “horizontal” as used herein is not meant to describe a precisely horizontal orientation or position but rather describe the general disposition of the hair part or seam  105  when the head of the wearer  100  is maintained in a normal, upright position. In contrast, the term “vertical” may be used to describe the natural fall or hanging, of the first collection of natural hair  102 ′ or orientation of the natural hair  102  before and after the hair extension assembly  10  is applied to the wearer  100 . 
     With primary reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , once the part or seam  105  has been formed and is clearly distinguishable on the scalp of the wearer  100  some of the hair, generally indicated as at  104  is separated from the first collection of natural hair  102 ′. The separated hair  104  is disposed adjacent to the first side  105 ′ of the seam  105  and is sufficient in quantity to form a plurality of hair groupings  22 , as set forth above and as represented in  FIGS. 5-7 . As also indicated, the plurality of hair groupings  22  comprise a plurality of natural hair strands, wherein each of the hair groupings  22  are disposed in spaced relation to one another on the same first side  105 ′ of the seam  105  which defines the first collection of natural hair  102 ′. The plurality of hair groupings  22  may vary in number and the actual number of strands defining each hair grouping  22  may also vary in number. However, the number and size of the hair groupings  22  should be sufficient to facilitate a secure attachment of the base  12  to the natural hair  102  subsequent to the passage thereof through corresponding ones of the openings  24 ′ of the closed loops  24 . Also, the size of the natural hair groupings  22  should be at least partially dependent on the size and/or configuration of the loops  24  and openings  24 ′. By way of example only, one preferred embodiment of the attachment assembly  18  may include a dimension of the loops  24  to be in the range of ⅛ inch to ¼ inch in diameter, wherein the corresponding dimension of the openings  24 ′ are slightly smaller. 
     The attachment of the hair extension assembly  10  is further represented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wherein the base  12  of the hair extension assembly  10  is adjustably and removably disposed in aligned relation with the seam  105 . In the representations of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the seam  105  is not clearly represented in that the alignment between the base  12  with the seam  105  may result in at least a portion of the base  12 , such as the attachment assembly  18 , being disposed in overlying relation to the seam  105 . The adjustable alignment of the base  12  with the seam  105  is further defined by the plurality of closed loops  24 , being disposed in an “inverted” orientation such that the plurality of loops  24  face downwardly along the length of the natural hair  102 ,  102 ′. In addition, the collection of extension hair defined by the plurality of supplemental strands  14  is removably connected to the second collection of natural hair  102 ″ and maintained in overlying relation therewith by virtue of a clip, band, tie, etc.  107 . The initial, adjustable attachment of the base  12  in adjacent relation to the seam  105  facilitates a more accurate or precise final alignment therewith. This initial adjustable alignment of the base  12  with the seam  105  facilitates the plurality of loops  24  being accurately disposed relative to the first collection of natural hair  102 ′ and the plurality of hair groupings  22  formed therefrom, as clearly represented in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
     With primary reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , once the plurality of hair groupings  22  are formed so as to collectively extend along the first side  105 ′ of the seam  105  they are individually passed through correspondingly disposed ones of openings  24 ′ of the plurality of loops  24  defining the attachment assembly  18 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  represent each of the openings  24 ′ of the closed loops  24  having a different hair grouping  22  passing there through. However, the present invention also contemplates that adjacent ones of the plurality of hair groupings  22  will be passed through spaced apart ones of the openings  24 ′. As a result, each of the openings  24 ′ of the plurality of closed loops  24  may not have a hair grouping  22  pass therethrough. In addition, the manipulation of each of the plurality of hair groupings  22  which facilitates their passage through correspondingly disposed ones of the openings  24 ′ may be accomplished by a hair stylist or other individual, utilizing appropriate instruments such as a “hair hook” commonly known in the hair styling industry. 
     As represented in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , once the plurality of hair groupings  22  have passed through correspondingly disposed openings  24 ′, at least two of the adjacently positioned hair groupings  22  are connected together preferably by using a wax based adhesive such as Keratin. Alternatively, the adjacently disposed ones of the natural hair groupings  22  can be connected together such as by being braided or tied. However, when a wax based adhesive such as Keratin is used, heat may be applied to the adhesive to facilitate bonding of the at least two adjacent hair groupings  22 . During such application of heat, appropriate plastic or other material shields may be used to protect the natural hair, scalp and supplemental hair strands of the wearer  100 . 
     It should also be noted that more than two adjacently disposed hair groupings  22  may be secured together such as, but not limited to, at least three adjacently disposed hair groupings  22 . Moreover, the location of the junction  25  of the connected or attached hair groupings  22 ′ should be sufficiently close to the base  12  and the attachment assembly  18  to provide a tight, secure fitting of the base  12  adjacent to or aligned with the aforementioned hair part or seam  105 . However, at least a minimal amount of spacing should be provided between the junction  25  of attached hair groupings  22 ′ and the base  12  so as to allow a certain amount of flexibility and natural movement of the attached hair extension assembly  10  relative to the natural hair  102  of the wearer  100 . 
       FIG. 7  represents a plurality of adjacent hair groupings  22 ′ being secured together at corresponding junctions  25  subsequent to having been passed through corresponding ones of the loops  24  and/or openings  24 ′. Prior to completing all of the connections of the hair groupings  22 ′, the supplemental strands  14  defining the collection of extension hair will be maintained in overlying or otherwise connected relation to the second collection of natural hair  102 ″ by the aforementioned clip, connector, band, tie, etc.  107 . However, upon completion of the attachment of the hair groupings  22 ′, the supplemental strands  14  will be detached from the second collection of natural hair  102 ″ and folded over the base  12  and attachment assembly  18  so as to be blended with the first collection of natural hair  102 ′ located beneath or below the now connected base  12 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 . As a result, the length and/or volume of the hair of the wearer  100  will then be defined by the blending or mixture of the supplemental strands  14  with the natural hair  102  dependent at least in part on the location of the hair extension assembly  10  relative to the natural hair  102  and scalp of the wearer  100 . If desired, and if of sufficient length, portions of the second collection of natural hair  102 ″ may subsequently overlay the base  12  and/or attachment assembly  18  to at least partially conceal same. 
     Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     Now that the invention has been described,

Technology Classification (CPC): 0