Abstract:
A device for the storage and stretching of resilient headbands of the type having two sides joining to form a curved top. The device is described in various embodiments, providing ample storage for a myriad of hair care and styling items typically possessed by ladies and young girls. A frame closely receives the headbands and secures them separately from the various interior and exterior drawers or compartments. Both vertical and horizontal frame positions are described and both are supported by either fixed structure or by a fixed or rotatable base. Both straight and curved frames are provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Ladies and young girls typically possess a myriad of personal hair care and styling devices. Included among these devices is the headband. The headband is resilient and has a curved top portion and two sides. The headband is difficult to store efficiently because of its size and tendency to “hook” or “snag” other devices. It is very common for a lady to have several headbands in her collection, which compounds the problem resulting in an often repeated scenario where the storage of hair care and styling devices becomes an entangled and disorganized affair. 
     Furthermore, headbands, although resilient, often have a high degree of stiffness. This can cause noticeable discomfort when the user resumes wearing it. This stiffness and associated discomfort subsides when the headband is worn for a period of time. This stiffness reduction is due to the “spreading” of the headband, if the headband is maintained in such a “spread” position for a sufficient period of time. However, the stiffness usually returns during the period of time between removal and the next use. 
     What is needed is a device which stores and secures a lady&#39;s collection of headbands, along with other hair care and styling devices, in a manner which eliminates the tendency of the headbands to crowd and entangle the other devices, while simultaneously stretching the headbands in a manner which minimizes initial use discomfort, by reducing the stiffness of the headbands prior to the next use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     My invention is a device which stores and secures a lady&#39;s collection of headbands, along with her other hair care and styling devices. This is done in a manner which eliminates the tendency of the headbands to crowd and entangle the other devices. While being stored the headbands are also being stretched, resulting in stiffness reduction and less wearer discomfort. 
     The headbands are resilient and have two sides which join to form a curved top portion. My invention has a frame, which has a height, a curved portion, and two sides attached to the curved portion, the frame being shaped to closely receive one or more headbands and hold each headband in place. To resist movement of the headboard with respect to the frame, the frame sides are spaced such that, when the headband is affixed to the frame, the headband ends exert pressure upon the frame sides. This secures the headband on the frame. The frame sides are also spaced such that the distance between the ends of the headband is less than or equal to the frame&#39;s maximum width in a plane transverse to the frame height. This resists movement of the headband along planes which are transverse to the frame height. 
     In an additional embodiment of my invention, the frame&#39;s exterior surface is compressible, such that it is compressed when a headband is affixed. The involved compressible material can be thicker along the frame curved portion than along the frame sides. The compressibility can be such that the headband is flush against the frame exterior surface. Such compressibility resists movement of the headband with respect to the frame, both with respect to the frame height (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the frame), and also with respect to the movement in planes which are transverse to such longitudinal axis. 
     A grooved frame exterior surface can also be used to secure a headband on the frame the groove resisting movement of the headband with respect to the frame. 
     My invention also includes a frame exterior surface which has a coefficient of friction of sufficient magnitude that the force necessary to move the headband along the frame exceeds a force equal to the force exerted on the headband by gravity, one “gravity” being approximately 32.2 feet per second per second. 
     In an additional embodiment, planar shaped end pieces can be attached to the ends of the frame, preventing motion of the headband beyond the end of the frame. 
     My invention can be utilized in a vertical or a horizontal orientation. 
     Furthermore, my invention can be readily adapted to provide numerous means of storage for other hair care and styling items. These storage means, while part of the same device, provide for separation of the headbands, which are affixed to the frame, and the other items, which are contained or secured elsewhere. For example, drawers and drawer support means can be situated within the frame interior providing sufficient storage for numerous hair care and styling items. The drawers in one such embodiment open and close in a line of travel that is substantially perpendicular to the frame height. Other drawer configurations include one or more drawers which open and close in a line of travel that parallels the frame height, while using all or part of the frame interior. 
     Drawers and drawer support means attached to the exterior of the frame are also provided which enhances the storage capacity of my invention. Such exterior drawers can be attached in a manner which supports the frame. 
     In an additional embodiment of my invention, the frame is enclosed and an opening is provided, allowing access to the enclosure for the placement or retrieval of hair care and styling items. The opening is provided, both with and without means to close or cover the opening, the closing and covering means including doors and both removable and attached covers. In the vertical and horizontal configurations, a door is provided which swings along an axis which is substantially parallel to the frame height. In the horizontal configuration a cover is provided. In additional embodiments, mirrors are mounted to the interior surface of the door or cover. Such doors and covers are also provided with pouches attached to their interior surfaces for additional storage space. 
     When the frame is positioned horizontally, the uncovered opening allows the vertical storage of longer items such as brushes and combs, which conveniently extend beyond the frame interior where they can be reached easily. Furthermore, the portion of the frame enclosure in the proximity of the opening can be isolated by partitions within the enclosure. Such an embodiment is particularly compatible with one or more end drawers which move in a direction which is parallel to the frame height. 
     Furthermore, my invention includes an embodiment which provides extensions from the frame, such as arms, which can be sized, shaped and positioned to provide storage for rings, bracelets, necklaces, scrunchies, etc. 
     In other embodiments an exterior container is provided which attaches to the frame, thus providing additional storage. 
     My device can be supported in numerous ways. A substantially flat bottom end of the frame can support the device, and if the frame top end is also substantially flat, the support means is reversible, i.e. the device can be supported while inverted. In an additional embodiment, a base, with a rotatable portion, provides the ability to the rotate the device. The rotation feature is applied to both the vertical and the horizontal configurations. 
     Furthermore, for practical or aesthetic purposes the frame can be curved along its axis into numerous shapes. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
     FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the device, when the frame is positioned vertically. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown obliquely in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an oblique view an embodiment of the device, when the frame is positioned horizontally. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device shown obliquely in FIG. 3, along cutting plane  4 — 4 . 
     FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the device in an additional vertically configured embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the device in an additional vertically configured embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 is an oblique view of the device in an additional horizontally configured embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the device in an additional horizontally configured embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the device in an additional horizontally configured embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the device in an additional horizontally configured embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Vertically and horizontally configured embodiments of the headband storage and stretching device  10 , 90  are depicted in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of the frame  14  portion of the horizontal embodiment  90 , showing a cross-section of a headband  12  and the frame  14 , the frame curved portion  16 , the frame first side  18 , the frame second side  20 , the compressible material  22 , and the covering material  24 . The frame curved portion  16  and sides  18 , 20  are made of cardboard, although other materials, e.g plastic, fiberglass, wood, sheet metal, etc. could be substituted. The compressible material  22  is made of urethane sponge, although other materials can be adapted for use, including flexible foams, rubber sponge, foam rubber, cellular rubber, cellular plastics, etc. The covering material  24  is made of cotton, although a number of materials could be substituted, e.g. polyester, rayon, velvet, polyfiller, felt, terry cloth, silk, etc. The involved compressible material  22  can be thicker along the frame curved portion  16  than along the frame sides  18 , 20 . 
     Some of these materials will have a coefficient of friction of sufficient magnitude that the force necessary to move the headband along the frame exceeds a force equal to the force exerted on the headband by gravity, one “gravity” being approximately 32.2 feet per second per second and denoted herein as “1 G.” The ability of a material to resist headband movement to that extent will be determined by the type material and its thickness. Successful material and material thickness selections will occur to those of skill in the art. 
     To resist movement of the headband  12  with respect to the frame  14 , the frame sides  18 , 20  and frame curved portion  16  can be spacced such that,  3 when the headband  12  is affixed to the frame  14 , the headband  12  ends exert pressure uupon the frame sides  18 , 20 . Furthermore, the compressibility of the frame exterior surface  22 , 24  provides resistance to movement of the headband  12  with respect to the frame  14 . Additionally, when the distance between the headband  12  ends is less that or equal to the frame  14  maximum width, movement of the headband  12  is resisted in planes which are tranverse to the frame  14  height. This relationship can be achieved with or without the compressibility of the frame exterior surface  22 , 24 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the compressible material  24  can be dimensioned such that is thicker along the frame curved portion  16 , than along the frame sides  18 , 20 . This can assist in providing a flush fit of the headband  12  against the frame exterior surface  24 . 
     Additional vertically and horizontally configured embodiments  100 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140  are shown in FIGS. 5-10. 
     Planar end portions  26 ,  28  are attached to the frame  14 , as shown in FIGS. 1-2. In this vertically configured embodiment  10 , a base  30 , with a rotatable portion  32 , are attached to the planar end portion  28 , allowing the device to be rotated. This embodiment has interior drawers  34 , 36 , 38 , which are supported by partitions  40 , 42 , 44  added within the frame  14 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Horizontal configurations  90 , 120 , 130 , 140  have an exterior drawer  46  contained within a structural enclosure  48 , which also supports the frame  14 . 
     In an additional vertically configured embodiment  100  a door  50  swings about an axis which allows the concealment of the interior drawers  34 , 36 , 38  as shown in FIG.  5 . The door  50  has an attached pouch  52  and a mirror  54 . 
     Horizontal configurations  90 , 130  include interior drawers  56 , 58 , 60  which open in a direction parallel to the axis of the frame  14 , as shown in FIGS. 3,  8 - 9 . An additional drawer opposes the drawer  56  although not visible on FIG.  3 . FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the drawer  56 , as well as, the frame third side  62 , which supports the drawer  56 . 
     Interior and exterior drawers  34 , 36 , 38 , 46 , 56 , 58 , 60  and drawer supports  40 , 42 , 44 , 48 , 62  are made from cardboard, although other materials could be substituted, e.g. plastic, fiberglass, wood, sheet metal, etc. 
     In horizontal configurations  90 , 120 , 130 , 140  openings  64 , 66 , 68 , 70  are provided to allow access to the frame  14 , as shown in FIGS. 3,  7 - 10 . Symmetrical partitions  72  isolate a portion of the frame  14  interior in the embodiments  90 , 130  shown in FIGS. 3,  8 - 9 . The embodiments  120 , 140  shown in FIGS. 7,  10  have no partitions, allowing access to all the frame  14  interior. A hinged cover  74  is provided in one embodiment  130 , as shown in FIGS. 8-9. 
     Additional storage means are provided in an embodiment  110  in the form of two arms  76 , 78  which extend from the frame  14 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The arms  76 , 78  can be made of any relatively stiff material, and can be sized, shaped, and positioned to provide loose or snug storage for rings, bracelets, necklaces, scrunchies, etc. 
     Grooves  82  in the frame  14  exterior surface are shown in FIG. 6, although the size, depth, width, and shape of such grooves  82  can be easily modified. Such grooves  82  resist movement of the headband with respect to the frame. 
     In an additional embodiment  140  an exterior container  80  is provided for additional storage, as shown in FIG.  10 . While the container  80  shown is open, it is contemplated that the container can also be enclosed or covered, stiff walled, flexible, etc. The size and shape of the container  80  can also be adjusted. 
     While the above embodiments  90 , 100 , 110 , 120 , 130 , 140  have a generally straight frame  14 , my invention also contemplates a curved frame. The resulting frame shapes could be in the form of an arch, crescent, alphabet character, numeral, circle, or numerous other shapes. Drawers, openings, covers, bases and other related features of my invention, can be modified, as to shape and size, to fit the curve or curves. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to various embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.