Abstract:
The present invention describes a frame made from a plurality of strands. The strands have a certain length, which may or may not be equal. The three or more strands run substantially in parallel to each other forming a length of said frame and held together by a length of at least one other strand spirally wound about the three parallel strands. An ornament comprising of full or partial length of the frame is attached thereto and is completed in a shape of a ribbon of a pattern, such as a leaf branch. A flexible tie forms a strip of flexible material that attaches the ribbon to the frame, which may also include a comb. The frame may be ring like or may have distal ends. Both the frame and the ribbon of ornament are able to be co-twisted when attached together and retain the end shape of the twisting by a user, who may also re-twist both into any shape, any number of times.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to wreaths, headbands and decorative hair combs, and specifically to a frame for making flexible headbands wreaths and combs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The use of wreaths, headbands and combs is widespread and well known. The most basic purposes of these devices are to hold hair back and away from wearer&#39;s eyes, to frame a wearers face, and to generally organize and maintain a wearer&#39;s hear style in a particular pattern. Typically, these ornaments include a band designed to fee a certain head size and a decorative design or ornament permanently attached to the band. 
         [0003]    Usually the band is a one size fits all arch, or a ring in case of a wreath, which is straddled on top of a wearer&#39;s head. Such a band or a ring is usually made of metal or plastic, and is not intended to be twisted or shaped by the wearer. While the bands known in the art are intended to have some “play” to achieve a closer fit on the user&#39;s head, they are not intended to assume a different shape beyond the original mold. Another downside of the existing devices is that the devices are geared to an average head and an average head size. The necessary stiffness of conventional devices also gives them a bulky bulging look that is at variance with the rest of the wearer&#39;s hear, which is neatly brushed and flowing. 
         [0004]    On the contrary, the present invention is designed to assume a plurality of different shapes. A flat, flush profile and a flexible characteristic of the frame actually molds the device embodied by the present on to the user&#39;s hair, creating a clean, polished, festive look. The wearer need not keep the original item as a band or a ring, but may twist one part of it to form an angle. This angle can be placed on the forehead or hung off to the side to create an additional element of originality or character for the wearer. Additionally, the wearer can keep twisting and playing with the appearance of the band or wreath, until an optimal look is achieved, and then promptly change this look into something else without retaining any memory of any prior flexing, or undermining the structural strength of the frame. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0005]    US Pat. App. 20040146664 discloses a decorative attachment, such as a lighting string or an ornament, to a branch of a natural or artificial tree or wreath, a twist tie has a wire spine and has artificial foliage, which conceals the wire spine and which simulates foliage of the branch. 
         [0006]    US Pat. App. 20120125360 which describes a headband includes a flexible band, a meta strip mounted on the flexible band, and at least one interchangeable decorative ornament having a magnet. The headband is capable of producing multiple looks because of its ability to temporarily accept interchangeable decorative ornaments through magnetic attraction. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,635 discloses a reusable wreath which allows easy attachment and detachment of accessories. A strip of VELCRO® is wound around the wreath base to permit easy arrangement and adjustment of accessories. 
         [0008]    Various implements, besides the ones mentioned explicitly, are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention describes a frame made from a plurality of strands. The strands have a certain length, which may or may not be equal. The three or more strands run substantially in parallel to each other forming a length of said frame and held together by a length of at least one other strand spirally wound about the three parallel strands. An ornament comprising of full or partial length of the frame is attached thereto and is completed in a shape of a ribbon of a pattern, such as a leaf branch. A flexible tie forms a strip of flexible material that attaches the ribbon to the frame. Both the frame and the ribbon of ornament are able to be co-twisted when attached together and retain the end shape of the twisting by a user, who may also re-twist both into any shape, any number of times. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to create an easily adaptable and utilitarian frame for head decorations. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to create a twistable, low profile wreath, band, comb or any personal decorative device that assumes a plurality of shapes and molds to the head or body of wearer. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to create a bendable frame that retains the shape into which it was twisted. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the present invention is to create a frame that may be twisted without undermining the tensile strength of the individual members of the frame or strands. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the decorative device for head shown as a wreath. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a close-up diagram of the parallel strands and the spiral strand forming a frame. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a frame beneath the wreath decorative device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of the reverse side of the decorative device with a length of the adornment ribbon partially covering the frame. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a close-up diagram of the reverse side of the decorative device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a completed device forming a comb with decorative top portion or a full tiara. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a completed multi-curved hair decoration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8A  is a close up diagram demonstrating the details of the frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8B  is a close up diagram of  FIG. 8A  with adornment ribbon being attached with a flexible strand of material. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  demonstrates the close up of the reverse side of the present invention, illustrating how multiple frames are connected to each other and how a comb is connected to the frame. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. Elements appearing, in a list as A, B, and C are to be read as A or B or C and visa versa. 
         [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0026]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a personal decorative device  10 , which in  FIG. 1  is shown as a combination between the decorative ribbon  70  and frame  20 . The decorative device  10  in  FIG. 1  is shown as a wreath is placed over the crown of a wearer head, forming a complete ring about the base of a wearer&#39;s head. The preferred width  22  of the decorative ribbon of ornament  70  is in the range between 1/16 th  of an inch and 2 inches, with the preferred radius  23  being between 2 and 18 inches. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  demonstrates the decorative device  10  in the form of a wreath. It is shown as a circle. However, based on the structure of the frame  20  and the ribbon  70 , the shown circle can be twisted and distorted to form an ellipse or a shape having many bends, including a downward curve  24 , such as making a downward or upward pointing angle (not shown), or an outward curve  25 . Twistable and bendable frame  20  allows the wreath to closely trace the natural curvature of a wearer&#39;s hair and any bumps and lumps specific to a hair style. There may be any number of downward curves  24  or inward/outward curves  25  at any point along the circumference  26 , since the frame  20  and ribbon of adornment  70  are co-twistable with respect to each other. 
         [0028]    The frame  20  is preferably formed by placing at least three strands  30  of wire in parallel to each other, with at least one additional strand  60  spiraling about the parallel strands  30 , The spiraling strand  60  is wound at an angle  36  with respect to the linear axis  38 . The angle  36  may vary based on, the degree of stiffness required for the decorative device  10 , The angle  36  also varies based on the frequency of the spirals, which also vary based on the required number strands of flexible material  80  (later figs) that attach the ornament ribbon  70  ( FIG. 1 ) to the frame  20 . Additional parallel strands  30  or spiral strands  60  may be added as necessary or desirable, 
         [0029]    The parallel strands  30  and the spiraling strand  60  are preferably made from a metallic material, which resists damage and yet is ductile and malleable to be easily plied by a user into a desired shape, with the shape then retained until untwisted or changed the wearer. The preferred material for strands  30  and  60  is mixture of wires of copper or tin, or a copper and tin alloy, or any other alloy having the desired ductility and durability qualities of the preferred materials, such as an alloy of gold or silver in combination with other metals. 
         [0030]    The preferred diameter of the wires  30  and  60  may be in the range of 18 and 28 gauge wire of either the Standard Wire Gauge, American Wire Gauge or Jewelry Standard Wire Gauge. The three wire combination with one additional for spiraling provides for maximum flexibility and inconspicuousness of the frame  20 . However, additional number of strands  30  or  60  may be used to either increase strength or to alter the shape of the frame  20 . While the spiraling strand  60  is shown as flowing in one direction  37 , there may be additional strands flowing in the same or opposite direction, creating a crisscross design on the frame  20 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  demonstrates the circular frame  20  with first and second ends  35  and  40  being clamped down to form a complete ring. The first end  35  and the second end  40  may have a clasp to form a non-permanent ring. To limit manufacturing costs, the first and second ends  35  and  40  may be connected by crimping. The diameter or width  21  of the frame  20  is preferable in the range of one and a half millimeters and one centimeter. 
         [0032]    The length  51  of the strip of the decorative ribbon  70  may be different than the overall length  50  ( FIG. 4 ) of the frame  20 . As such, there may be ribbons  70  representing two or more different patterns attached to the frame  20  along its length  50 . Alternatively, the length  50  may only be partially covered, for example along the segment at the top of the head, with the uncovered part hidden underneath layers of wearer&#39;s hair. The relatively small diameter  21  of the frame  20  easily lends itself to concealment by hair, if this feature becomes desired. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  demonstrates how the strand of flexible material SO attaches the ribbon like ornament  70 . Shown is the reverse side  16  of the personal decorative device  10 , as the combination of a frame  20  and a ribbon of ornament  70 . This side of the personal decorative device  10  faces the hair of the wearer, with the top side  15  ( FIG. 1 ) facing the onlooker. The strand of flexible material  80  is preferably a wire, having the same or different gauge as the strands  30  and  60  of the frame  20 . The material may also be of the same color as the ribbon  70 , the frame  20 , alternatively all three can match. The strand of flexible material  80  may be a continuous wire or may be a series of ties along. the length of the ribbon  70 . The ribbon ornament  70  is preferably a pattern featuring a plurality of wide patterns  17  and a plurality of narrow patterns  18 . An example of patterns may be a leaf pattern as shown or as a leaf and stem pattern demonstrated in other figures. Any number of patterns is available, such as flowers, pears, beads, geometric shapes, charms or circles. To maximize the discreet and nearly invisible manner with which the ribbon ornament  70  is attached to the frame  20 , the strand of flexible material  80  is wound around the narrow section  18  of the ornament  70 . For a pattern featuring leaves and stems, a thicker flexible tie  80  may be used as it can be more readily concealed. On the contrary, a thinner gauge wire or tie  80  may be used to attach a leaf pattern that does not provide much overlapping elements to assist with concealment. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  demonstrates another embodiment of the present invention. Whereas  FIG. 1  demonstrated a wreath,  FIG. 6  discloses the same inventive concept applied to a comb or a tiara. The frame  20  is not visible due to extensive overlap by the ribbon ornament  70 . There are actually several segments of ribbon ornament  70  and frame  20  combinations, For example frame  20 A supporting ribbon  70 A is coupled to frame  20 B that is supporting ribbon ornament  70 B. Similarly, ribbon  70 C attached to frame  20 C is connected to frame  20 B. Also attached to the frame  20 B, or the ribbon ornament  70 B is the comb  110  made of a plurality of parallel protrusions  100 . The protrusions  100  may be all of equal or unequal length. The width  112  of the comb  110  may be the same or different than the overall length of the frame  20 B. 
         [0035]    The high degree of flexibility of the frame  20  and of the ribbon ornament  70  allows the ornament shown in  FIG. 6  appear very natural and lifelike. For example, the manufacturer or wearer, may have decided to introduce a downward curve  24  on the distal ends  24 C of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . Since this is a leafy branch pattern, such a downward curve  24  appears very authentic since branches are weighed down and generally are oriented downward by the force of gravity. On the other hand, if this would be a flower pattern, perhaps there would be an upward curve instead of the downward curve  24 . In the present invention, the change between the downward branch and an upward flower is one twist away of the frame  20 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  demonstrates a multi-curved head decoration. The personal decorative device  10  is not isolated to just head adornments but may be used as necklace, bracelet, anklet or ring. In the present embodiment there is a one main frame  20 , joined by supplemental branches  20 A and  20 B that are tied together with the main branch  20  The distal ends  24 C feature a pair of combs  110 . The combs  110  are used to secure the multi-curved head decoration at multiple points along wearer&#39;s head to ensure a flat, uniform fit, 
         [0037]    The ribbon adornment  70  is made of a highly flexible material, which may or may not have memory qualities. Preferably, the ribbon adornment  70  is made at least partially out of metal or an alloy. It may then be plated with gold, silver or platinum, and further encrusted with beads, pears, crystals or gems. The ribbon adornment  70  may also be made from cloth or multiple segments of detached ribbon. In which case, the frame  20  will be providing the structure behind the curvature of the device  10 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  disclose the method of manufacturing a device embodied by the present invention. As in the initial step  200 , several strands  30  are positioned substantially in parallel to each other. Then in step  201  at least one other strand  60  is wound in a spiral fashion about the parallel strands  30  forming the frame  20 . At this point the first end  30  and the second end  40  may be twisted to meet each other to form a ring. Otherwise, the process proceeds to the step of placing at least one ribbon adornment  70  in proximity with the frame  20  ( FIG. 8A ). The ribbon adornment  70  need not run in precise correlation with frame  20 , but may be placed perpendicularly in direction  202  or at an angle with respect to the linear axis  201  of the frame  20 . At least one comb  110  may be attached in addition to the ribbon  70 . The comb  110  may be attached from front side  15  or the reverse side  16 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  provides a more focused and concentrated diagram of the reverse side  16 . Shown are several separate segments of the frame  20 , namely, at segment  20 C and  20 B, which are connected with the primary frame  20 . The base  115  of the comb  110  is also attached to the frame  20 . The strand of flexible material  80  is used to hold the multiple frames  20 , the ribbon adornment  70  and the comb  110  together as one unit. Based on this structure of the present invention, a wearer or maker may add or unto the overall frame  20  as many additional accents, designs, variations and elaborations to the frame  20  and still be able to secure everything together into one cohesive decorative article. 
         [0040]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.