Abstract:
An improved device and method for attaching a segment of artificial hair to a head containing already existing hair to create a more natural looking segment of artificial hair. An interlocking comb is provided which slides into existing hair, folds and snaps into place around the existing hair. The comb has a comb member with teeth, a cover member containing tooth channels, and a hinge member with hinge slots that allow for the connection of multiple interlocking combs. Male connectors are included which insert into corresponding female receptors when the comb is folded. There are interlocking members for attaching one comb into another thereby creating a larger, fuller hairpiece, adding even more stability. The resulting clips increase security while allowing for different hairstyles. The device provides stability to the wearer by permitting the hairpiece to be easily attached in a secure manner and easily detached without damaging the wearer&#39;s natural hair.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an improved device and method for attaching a hairpiece to a head containing already existing hair. The device is an interlocking comb which slides into the already existing hair, folds over and snaps into place around the existing hair. The device also contains connection points for attaching or interlocking one comb into another and thereby creating a larger, fuller hairpiece without losing stability. The present invention relates specifically to an improved device and method for attaching and securing a hairpiece to the wearer&#39;s head. It also provides a much more secure and comfortable fit to the hairpiece wearer.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Hairpieces are in common use today to supplement natural hair with additional hair. These hairpieces are typically connected to the wearer with an adhesive or some type of clip. When clips are used, they hold the hairpiece in place by attaching to the existing hairs on the head of the user. Various clip structures and methods for using them have been disclosed.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,595,595, issued to Bonat et al on Aug. 10, 1926, discloses a device which includes two metal pieces hinged together along one side. The pieces are designed to fold over one on top of the other, clamping the wearer&#39;s existing hair between the two pieces. The hairpiece attached to the device is thus held in place.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,978, issued to Holly on Oct. 24, 1972, describes a hairpiece with a clip fastener containing a comb element over which a hinged cover is rotated, fastening to the existing hair of the wearer. The cover is held in place by a spring, which holds the clip fastener in place about the existing hair.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,694, issued to Greer on Jun. 17, 1975, discloses yet another clip for a hairpiece. The Greer clip has a long, U-shaped base with a rotating piece which fits inside the “U” of the base, thus holding the wearer&#39;s existing hair between the rotating piece and the base. A spring inside the base holds both the rotating piece and the existing hair within the base.  
         [0008]     The prior art also discloses various methods for attaching a hairpiece to its wearer. Each method involves using the disclosed hairpiece clip to connect to the wearer&#39;s existing hair. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,195, issued to Irisawa on Oct. 13, 1992.  
         [0009]     Existing hairpieces, and their associated attachment means, are not without their problems. Many of the existing devices and methods do not provide adequate security for the active lifestyles of modern hairpiece wearers. Activities such as exercising, swimming, and dancing result in some hairpieces moving from their desired location on the wearer&#39;s head and even unexpectedly falling out. Another problem with today&#39;s hairpieces and attachment methods is the damage to the existing hair which may occur though use of the hairpiece clips. This occurs most often when the clips are metal and grip the existing hair too forcefully, causing it to break or significantly weaken. The present invention; however, overcomes these problems associated with the prior art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An objective of the present invention is to provide a device and method of attaching a hairpiece which has none of the drawbacks mentioned for the prior art, but which permits the hairpiece to be easily attached in a secure manner and easily detached without damaging the wearer&#39;s natural hair.  
         [0011]     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device which securely combines additional hair or hairpieces with existing hair.  
         [0012]     It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a hairpiece which is flexible in its style and may be used on many types of wearers, while assuring a comfortable fit.  
         [0013]     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching a hairpiece which is interconnecting and interlocking to allow multiple devices to be used together to cover a larger area with the hairpiece and without losing stability or comfort.  
         [0014]     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved method for applying a hairpiece to the wearer&#39;s head in a single device.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide more natural-looking hairpieces both through blending for people with existing hair and even for people with weakened or fragile hair.  
         [0016]     The foregoing and other objectives and advantages are attained by the device and method of the present invention which has practical application in a number of situations. The invention consists of an improved device and means for attaching to a wearer a hairpiece that looks natural, fits comfortably and remains where placed.  
         [0017]     The invention includes an interlocking comb used to securely attach hairpiece segments to the wearer&#39;s head. The larger the segment to be attached, the more combs that may be provided to attach the desired segment. Each comb consists of three parts: a sliding comb member, a fold-over, snap-locking cover member, and a hinge member. The resulting clip increases security while allowing for many different hairstyles. The hairpiece is quickly and easily attached and removed, yet still provides the additional security needed by today&#39;s active hairpiece wearer. The combs may be closed and used as a security for people without existing hair. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a plane view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown it its unlocked, open position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in its unlocked, open position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in its unlocked, open position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  in a closed position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting two of the devices as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  interlocking with each other.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a plane view of the two devices shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  as viewed from the wearer&#39;s scalp where the devices are attached to a hair segment and attached to a wearer&#39;s hair.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a plane view of  FIG. 4 , from the opposite angle with the wearer&#39;s natural hair is pulled over the devices. This figure serves to show the final result once the device has been properly used. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     Reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  FIG. 2  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a first comb  10  for use in conjunction with a hairpiece to add additional hair to the head of a hairpiece wearer. The first comb  10  is shown in  FIG. 1A  in its fully open, unlocked configuration having comb member  12 , a cover member  14 , and a hinge member  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the first comb  10  is made of plastic material with the comb member  12  and cover member  14  generally having a thickness in a range of approximately {fraction (1/16)} to {fraction (1/8)} inches. The hinge member  16  has a preferred thickness that is less than the thickness of the comb member  12  and cover member  14  and in a range from approximately {fraction (1/18)} to {fraction (1/10)} inches. The cover member  12  and the comb member  14  have equal and opposite interior tapered edges  20   a  and  20   b  respectively. The hinge member  16  connects to the comb member  12  and cover member  14  at these tapered edges  20   a  and  20   b . In the preferred embodiment, the comb is made of lightweight, firm but pliable plastic material.  
         [0026]     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the cover member  14  has a generally rectangular shape and is connected along its tapered edge  20   a  to the hinge member  16 . The comb member  12  is also connected along its tapered edge  20   b  to the hinge member  16 . The comb member  12  and cover member  14  are positioned such that when the first comb  10  is folded at the hinge member  16  into its closed position, the cover member  14  closes over the comb member  12 . (See  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0027]     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  2 , the cover member  14  defines a plurality of aligned tooth channels  32 . Each tooth channel  32  is generally trapezoidal shape and the plurality of tooth channels  32  are positioned to receive a plurality corresponding teeth  18  of the comb member  12  when the cover member  14  is closed over the comb member  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0028]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the teeth  18  extend perpendicularly from the tapered edge  20   a  and are equal in length and equally spaced along the tapered edge  20   a . Preferably, the teeth  18  are generally rectangular with slightly rounded edges and narrow at the tip. In addition, a plurality of raised nodules  22  are located along the length of the inside face and at the tip of each tooth  18  to aid in gripping the user&#39;s hair.  
         [0029]     The comb member  12  has two congruent and opposite interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b  extending perpendicularly from its tapered edge  20   a  and generally parallel with the teeth  18 . The interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b  have interlocking hooks  26   a  and  26   b  at their distal end.  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  FIG. 2 , latches  25   a  and  25   b  extend from opposing outer edges  23   a  and  23   b  of the interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b  in a direction generally perpendicular from the inner faces  21   a  and  21   b  of the interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b . The latches  25   a  and  25   b  are symmetrical along their length and have outer surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  with a generally semi-elliptical cross section and curve first outwardly and then inwardly from the opposing outer edges  23   a  and  23   b  and the outer surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  terminate at shoulders  28   a  and  28   b  which extend inwardly over the interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b  gaps  30   a  and  30   b  between the each shoulder  28   a  and  28   b  and corresponding the inner faces  21   a  and  21   b  of the interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b . Each of the latches  25   a  and  25   b  are positioned to mate with respective cuts  29   a  and  29   b  in the opposing outer edges  31   a  and  31   b  of the cover member  14  when the first comb  10  is in its closed position (See  FIG. 2 ). The cuts  29   a  and  29   b  have tapered surfaces  33   a  and  33   b  which angle from inner edges  34   a  and  34   b  on the interior surface  35  of the cover member  14  to the opposing outer edges  31   a  and  31   b  of the cover member  14  at its exterior surface  37  (See  FIG. 2 ). The tapered surfaces  33   a  and  33   b  are positioned to mate with the outer surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  of the latches  25   a  and  25   b  adjacent the shoulders  28   a  and  28   b . When the comb first  10  is folded to a closed position, the outer surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  of the latches  25   a  and  25   b  will push into the cuts  29   a  and  29   b  at the inner edges  33   a  and  33   b . As the first comb  10  is folded further to its closed position, the outer surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  of the latches  25   a  and  25   b  slide along the tapered surfaces  33   a  and  33   b  of the cuts  29   a  and  29   b  causing the latches  25   a  and  25   b  to displace outwardly. The gaps  30   a  and  30   b  between the interior faces  21   a  and  21   b  of the interlocking members  24   a  and  24   b  and the shoulders  28   a  and  28   b  are of a sufficient width to allow the shoulders  28   a  and  29   b  to clear the opposing outer edges  31   a  and  31   b  of the cover member  14  when the comb  10  is fully closed. When the shoulders  28   a  and  28   b  clear the opposing outer edges  31   a  and  31   b  of the cover member  14 , the latches  25   a  and  25   b  displace inwardly such that the surfaces (not shown) of the shoulders  28   a  and  28   b  engage the exterior surface  37  of the cover member  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0031]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the hinge member  16  is an elongated rectangular shaped portion of the first comb  10 . Preferably, the length of the elongated sides of the hinge member  16  elongated sides are equal to the length of the tapered edges  20   a  and  20   b . As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the thickness of the hinge member  16  is less than the thickness of the comb member  12  and the cover member  14 . The hinge member  16  is sufficiently thin to have the flexibility to fold over along its length such that the cover member  14  can close against the comb member  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . While the preferred embodiment discloses a single elongated hinge member  16 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any form or number of hinges may be substituted, such as, but not limited to, a dual hinge member.  
         [0032]     Referring to,  FIGS. 1A-1C ,  2  and  3 . The hinge member  16  of the comb  10  has two hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b  positioned along the length of the hinge member  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b  accept the interlocking hooks  40   a  and  40   b  a second comb  38  such that the second comb  38  aligns parallel with the first comb  10 . The hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b  are positioned to cause the outer tips of the interlocking hooks  40   a  and  40   b  of the second comb  38  to extend beyond the outer edges of the hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b  thereby causing the interlocking hooks  40   a  and  40   b  to displace slightly inwardly as they are forced into the hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b . When the outer tips of the interlocking hooks  40   a  and  40   b  clear the outer edges of the hinge slots  36   a  and  36   b  interlocking hooks  40   a  and  40   b  will move back to their original position thereby locking the second comb  38  in place. Two or more combs can be interlocked in this manner.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the strands of artificial hair  51  are handtied and sewn to a line, a segment of artificial hair is created which is commonly referred to in the art as a “weft”  50 . The artificial hair can be manmade or human hair and preferably the line is thin transparent nylon thread. The cover member  14  serves as the attachment point for the weft  50 . In the preferred embodiment, the cover member  14  has multiple holes  44  (See  FIG. 1 ) positioned around its periphery. Alternatively, individual strands of hair (not shown) may be attached directly to the cover member  14 . Preferably, the attachment of the weft  50  to the comb  10  is accomplished by sewing it to the holes  44  (See  FIG. 1 ) with thread. However, other means of attachment such as, but not limited to, gluing are acceptable. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , several wefts  50  may be grouped together and attached to one or more combs  10  to form a fuller hair segment.  FIG. 4  depicts a view as seen from the wearer&#39;s scalp and shows three wefts  50  attached to two combs  10 .  FIG. 5  depicts the same wefts  50  and comb  10  from the opposite view. As each weft  50  is placed in wearer&#39;s hair, existing natural hair  60  is filtered into the wefts  50  of artificial hair  51  to allow for blending of the wearer&#39;s hair  60  with the artificial hair  51 .  
         [0034]     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in operation, wefts  50  are attached to the outer face of the cover member  14  such that the artificial hair  51  hangs along the length of the comb  10  when it is in its closed position. To attach the wefts  50  of artificial hair  51  to the wearer&#39;s head, the comb  10  is held in its open position with the teeth  18  angled upward with the inner surface of the comb  10  next to the wearer&#39;s scalp. The teeth  18  are combed into the wearer&#39;s natural hair  60  in an upward direction allowing the teeth to grab the wearer&#39;s natural hair. The comb  10  is then rotated such that the tips of the teeth  18  rotate towards the wearer&#39;s scalp and the teeth  18  are then combed downward through the wearer&#39;s natural hair. The cover member  14  is then snapped closed by pressing the comb together and forcing the latches  25   a  and  25   b  into the corresponding cuts  29   a  and  29   b . Simultaneously, the teeth  18  fit into corresponding tooth channels  32  in the cover member  14 . As the cover member  14  is snapped closed, a portion of wearer&#39;s natural hair  60  is gathered and trapped between the comb member  12  and the cover member  14  and between the teeth  18  and the tooth channels  32 . The comb  10  is secured to the wearer&#39;s hair in this manner. The wearer&#39;s remaining natural hair  60  is then brushed over and blended with the artificial hair  51  thereby hiding the comb  10  and the wefts  50  where they attach to the cover member  14 .  
         [0035]     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.