Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a detachable hairpiece and a method for making the same. This is accomplished by providing a uniquely shaped foundation on and through which hair extensions are woven, and which is held securely to the wearer&#39;s head by an elastic band by corresponding button snaps or other attachment means incorporated into both the band and the foundation. The hairpiece may also be held in place by a headband which is coupled to the hairpiece. The hairpiece of the present invention is easy to put on, comfortable to wear, and gives the wearer endless options as to the appearance of their hair.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a hairpiece for covering a user&#39;s head and, more particularly to a wearable hairpiece for simulating natural hair, and still more particularly to a means of attaching a novel hairpiece to the head of a user, as well as a novel method of making the hairpiece. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various types of hair pieces and methods of making the same are well known in the art. Typically a hairpiece includes a base or foundation which can conform to the contours of the scalp, and a magnitude of hairs attached to the foundation. 
         [0003]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,749 depicts a cap worn by women to conceal partial or total hair loss. It has a main fabric piece with a curved top margin and a straight bottom margin with hems along both margins. A hairpiece retainer band consisting of a fabric strap is sown at its opposite ends along the inside of the bottom hem. Between the band and the bottom hem is a space to retain hairpiece simulating bangs. An elastic drawstring and top hem gathers the curved top margin into a tight loop. This gives the appearance of a full head of hair while applying tension to the bottom margin. The retainer band holds the hairpiece in place in an easily adjustable manner. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,029 pertains to a hairpiece having individual hairs adjustably secured about an endless circular filament or filaments and a method of placement on the head. The circular filament or filaments encircle the upper forward portion of the head. The sides and the lower back portion of the head are beneath an upper layer and above an underlying layer of hair. The hairpiece is thereby sandwiched between layers of the natural hair on the head. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,452 demonstrates an adjustable hairpiece including a filamentary support element formed in a loop so as to fit around the head. Hair is affixed to the loop element in a manner allowing it to hang down. Portions of the support element extend through bores on the loop element. A releasable diameter fixing member is movable along the support element to fix the size of the loop. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,535 pertains to a head covering foundation article for a wig. This device includes a stretchable net-like headband having a circumference of proximately equal to the circumference of the head. Each band edge has an elasticized strip with loops adapted to be gripped by hook fabric fasteners. Hair extends upwardly and downwardly from both of the strips to simulate nape, forehead, and crown hair. 
         [0007]    The most common methods of attaching pre-made extension wefts to a wearer&#39;s head have included gluing the extension wefts to the wearer&#39;s own hair or head, bonding strands of extension hair to strands of the weaver&#39;s own hair, and sewing extension wefts to a cornrow base of tightly woven braids on the wearer&#39;s own scalp. 
         [0008]    Each of the hairpieces and methods of attaching extensions to a user&#39;s head to supplement hair can have significant drawbacks. Namely, the hairpieces can have an unnatural look, they can be expensive to manufacture, they can be uncomfortable to wear, they may shift on the head causing embarrassing moments, or they may otherwise fail to provide the wearer a comfortable and natural-looking alternative to a full wig. Furthermore, many existing hairpieces have limited lifetimes and require extensive maintenance. Accordingly, the present invention addresses each of these issues by providing a comfortable hairpiece which has the appearance of natural hair and is easy to maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present disclosure is directed to a detachable hairpiece and a method for making and wearing the same. This is accomplished by providing a uniquely shaped silicone foundation on and through which hair extensions are woven, and which is held securely to the wearer&#39;s head by an elastic band and by a headband which is coupled to the hairpiece. The hairpiece of the present invention is easy to put on, comfortable to wear, and gives the wearer endless options as to the appearance of their hair. Such options range from the introduction of color to the wearer&#39;s own natural color, to the appearance of a different style of the wearer&#39;s own hair. The hairpiece can be styled or parted in a way which feels comfortable to the wearer. Furthermore, the hairpiece is easy to care for and is extremely durable. 
         [0010]    To make the hairpiece, tracks of hair extensions are sewn to a substantially sheer ribbon which is in turn sewn to a thin piece of silicon uniquely shaped to provide a natural look. The hair is then pulled through (or woven through) the silicon using a crochet hook. To reduce manufacturing time, the silicon is divided into parts which can be completed separately and then combined together to complete the hairpiece. Alternatively, the tracks can be placed in a unique pattern to a uniquely shaped piece of silicon and then woven through the silicone. 
         [0011]    The hairpiece is kept in place by two attachment means, a plastic and elastic headband, which keep the hairpiece securely in place during normal use, allowing the wearer to treat the hairpiece in the same manner as he or she would his or her own hair. The attachment means are connected to the hairpiece via a substantially sheer liner sewn onto the silicone foundation, and onto which snaps are attached to the portion which rests on the front of the head, and a sleeve is attached to the middle portion in order to house a standard plastic headband. The snaps are mated with corresponding snaps on the elastic headband which attaches the hairpiece to the front of the head by holding it securely behind the nape of the neck. 
         [0012]    The silicone which is used in this hairpiece is the same used for aircraft windshields. However, other similar and suitable silicone formulations exist and can be used. Additionally, other foundations, such as those used to manufacture wigs may be used as long as they are resilient enough to endure the fabrication process. The hair extensions used are composed of either human or synthetic hair, and are available in several different lengths but more commonly the ten (10) inch, twelve (12) inch and fourteen (14) inch lengths are used. 
         [0013]    For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
         [0014]    The present invention discloses a standard plastic headband which fits around the head of a wearer, a uniquely shaped silicone foundation wherein multiple strands of hair are attached and woven through to the opposite side, and another elastic band which securely holds the front of the foundation to the front of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0015]    These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is top plan view of the three portions of silicone used to form an exemplary foundation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is top plan view of the first portion of an exemplary silicone foundation with its associated ribbon upon which tracks of hair extensions are sewn, and depicting the pattern to be used in attaching the tracks. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is top plan view of the second portion of an exemplary silicone foundation with its associated ribbon upon which tracks of hair extensions are sewn, and depicting the pattern to be used in attaching the tracks. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is top plan view of the third portion of an exemplary silicone foundation with its associated ribbon upon which tracks of hair extensions are sewn, and depicting the pattern to be used in attaching the tracks. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the ribbon to be attached to the third portion with its associated tracks of hair extensions and with arrows representing the direction in which the hair from these tracks is to be oriented. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view showing the three portions as they fit together in the preferred embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a silicone foundation. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment foundation with lines representing hair extensions to be sewn onto the foundation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an alternative foundation showing the order of which to sew hair extensions to the foundation. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary liner to be attached to the bottom portion of the hairpiece and upon which the two attachment means are incorporated. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary elastic strap used to secure the hairpiece to the front of the wearer&#39;s head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 11  of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the first portion of the silicon foundation  110  is shaped substantially like an isosceles triangle with a rounded point and concave base. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first portion  110  is sewn to a ribbon  210  which is wide enough to sew between eight (8) and thirteen (13) tracks of hair extensions  215  on alternating sides. The ribbon used is shear, light-weight and has the ability to dry fast if it gets wet. The ribbon also allows good air circulation and allows the scalp to breath. 
         [0031]    If ten (10) tracks are used, tracks labeled  1 - 1 ,  1 - 3 ,  1 - 5 ,  1 - 7 , and  1 - 9  are sewn on one side of the ribbon and tracks labeled  1 - 2 ,  1 - 4 ,  1 - 6 ,  1 - 8 , and  1 - 10  are sewn to the opposite side. In the preferred embodiment, only ten (10) tracks are used. The first track (labeled  1 - 1 ) is about four and one half (4½) inches long, but can generally be in the range of three (3) to six (6) inches depending on the head size of the wearer. Each subsequent track is slightly recessed from the edge of the ribbon. The hair from each track is oriented in the same direction on the ribbon—towards the pointed part of the triangle. Two final tracks (labeled  1 - 11 , and  1 - 12 ) are then sewn to the ribbon in the manner indicated on  FIG. 2 . The hair from these tracks is oriented as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    Once all of the tracks have been sewn to the ribbon, the hair from the ribbon is placed on one side of the first portion, and the ribbon  210  is sewn to the concave base of first portion  110  at the ribbon&#39;s horizontal edge toward which the hair is oriented. 
         [0033]    The combined silicone/ribbon piece is then flipped over such that the hair is trapped between the silicone and another solid surface. A crochet hook is then systematically used to pull (or weave) the hair through the silicone piece. Before the hair is pulled through, a marker matching the color of the hair extensions to be used can be used to make cosmetic marks to the outside of the silicone giving the appearance of a natural scalp. Alternatively, the silicon itself can be colored to substantially match the color of hair extensions to be used to make the hairpiece. 
         [0034]    To pull the hair through the silicone, a crochet hook (or similar instrument), which has been sharpened on the outer curved portion of the hook (so it can puncture the silicone), is pressed through the silicone. The hook then grabs the hair from the ribbon resting against the first silicone, and pulls (or weaves) the hair through the silicone. This process is repeated to ensure uniformity and complete coverage of the hair on the top side of the silicone, and until substantially all of the hair is pulled (or woven) through the silicone. In the preferred process, the hair is pulled (or woven) through the silicon by starting at the midline at the bottom of the base of the first portion and moving in a zig-zag pattern outward toward the edge of the silicone and back to the base, again, insuring uniformity and complete coverage of hair on what is to be the top of the hairpiece. Each subsequent weave should begin from the inside and move outside until one hemisphere is completed. The other hemisphere is completed using the same inside-out zig-zag pattern. Once both hemispheres have been completed, a thin transparent thread is used to finish the edge along the front curved portion of the first portion. This gives the hairpiece a natural appearance simulating the front hairline. 
         [0035]    The second portion (middle portion)  120  of the hairpiece is created the same way as the first portion. The second portion  120  is substantially shaped like an isosceles triangle with a substantially squared top portion and a concave base portion. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second portion  120  is sewn to a ribbon  320  which is wide enough to sew between eight (8) and thirteen (13) tracks of hair extensions  325  on alternating sides. In the preferred embodiment, only nine (9) tracks of hair extensions  325  are sewn to the ribbon  320  of the middle portion. The first track (labeled  2 - 1 ) is about four and one half (4½) inches long, but can generally be in the range of three (3) to six (6) inches depending on the head size of the wearer. Each subsequent track is slightly recessed from the edge of the ribbon. This prevents the hairpieces from accumulating along the edges of the ribbon. Again, the tracks are sewn on alternating sides of the ribbon so that tracks  2 - 1 ,  2 - 3 ,  2 - 5 ,  2 - 7 , and  2 - 9  are on one side of the ribbon and tracks  2 - 2 ,  2 - 4 ,  2 - 6 , and  2 - 8  are on the opposite side. The ninth track (labeled  2 - 9 ), may be sewn from one edge of the first track along the outer curved perimeter of the ribbon to the opposite end of the first track (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), but in the preferred embodiment, the ninth track is substantially parallel to the other tracks. 
         [0036]    Again, the hair is oriented all in the same direction toward the pointed portion of the second silicone piece. Once all of the tracks have been sewn to the ribbon, all of the hair is placed upon one side of the second portion and the ribbon  320  is sewn to the concave base of second portion  120  at the ribbon&#39;s horizontal edge toward which the hair is oriented as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The combined silicone/ribbon piece is then flipped over such that the hair is trapped between the silicone and another solid surface. Hair from the tracks is pulled through the second portion  320  in the same manner as it was pulled through the first portion. 
         [0037]    The third portion  130  is substantially shaped like a rectangle with rounded corners, with the bottom portion slightly narrower than the top portion. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the third portion  130  is sewn to a ribbon  430  which is wide enough to sew between eight (8) and thirteen (13) tracks of hair extensions  435  on alternating sides. 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment, only nine (9) tracks of hair extensions  435  are sewn to the ribbon  430  of the middle portion. The first track (labeled  3 - 1 ) is about four and one half (4½) inches long, but can generally be in the range of three (3) to six (6) inches depending on the head size of the wearer. Each subsequent track is slightly recessed from the edge of the ribbon. The tracks are sewn on alternating sides of the ribbon so that tracks  3 - 1 ,  3 - 3 ,  3 - 5 ,  3 - 7 , and  3 - 9  are on one side of the ribbon and tracks  3 - 2 ,  3 - 4 ,  3 - 6 , and  3 - 8  are on the other side. Hair from these tracks is oriented toward the wider portion of the rectangle. 
         [0039]    Once all of the tracks have been sewn to the ribbon, the hair from the ribbon is placed on one side of the first portion, and the ribbon  430  is sewn to the base of third portion  130  at the ribbon&#39;s edge toward which the hair from tracks  3 - 1  through  3 - 9  is oriented as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The combined silicone/ribbon piece is then flipped over such that the hair is trapped between the silicone and another solid surface. Hair from the tracks is pulled through the second portion  320  in the same manner as it was pulled through the first portion. 
         [0040]    Either before or after the hair has been pulled (or weaved) through, eight (8) additional tracks (labeled  3 - 1 - 1 ,  3 - 1 - 2 ,  3 - 1 - 3 ,  3 - 1 - 4 ,  3 - 1 - 5 ,  3 - 1 - 6 ,  3 - 1 - 7 , and  3 - 1 - 8 ) are sewn to the ribbon  430  on the same side as that which the hair will be (or has been) pulled (or weaved) through the silicone, and that the hair from these additional tracks is oriented in the opposite direction of tracks  3 - 1  through  3 - 9  (toward the back of the hairpiece). These tracks are sewn to the ribbon in the manner indicated on  FIGS. 4  and  5 . The hair from these tracks is oriented as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Track  3 - 1 - 5  is between five (5) and seven (7) inches long (preferably six (6) inches), and after being substantially centered on the ribbon such that each end overlaps the ribbon equally, the overlapping ends are folded around the ribbon and sewn to the opposite side as depicted on  FIG. 5 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , to attach the three pieces of silicone together, the top of the second portion  120  is sewn on top of the ribbon  210  of the first portion  110  with transparent thread. This creates an upward slope and soft angle to simulate a natural hair style. This also prevents the appearance of a flat head. The third portion  130  is sewn to the ribbon  320  of the second portion  120  in a similar manner with transparent thread. Once assembly has been completed, the hairpiece should resemble a complete scalp with uniform hair coverage throughout. If there are areas of the hair piece that are missing hair or do not appear natural (either due to the amount of hair attached to the tracks, or due to an error in weaving the hair through the silicon foundations, then smaller tracks of hair may be sewn to the bottom of the hairpiece and pulled (or woven) through the silicon (using the same method described above) in order to fill in the thin spots. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in an alternative embodiment, a silicone foundation  705  is cut into an arrowhead-like shape in order that hair extensions can be sewn onto the foundation. The pointed portion of the foundation should rest on the front part of the wearer&#39;s head. The tracks of hair extensions  805  ( FIG. 8 ), represented by lines drawn on the foundation  705 , are sewn to the bottom of the foundation  705  (the side which rests against the wearer&#39;s head) and hair is pulled through the silicone using a small hook or other similar device. The tracks  805  should be sewn along lines substantially similar to the ones shown on  FIG. 9  and in substantially the same numeric order as depicted by the zone numbers shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0043]    As hair from each extension is pulled through the silicone foundation, the appearance of the hair on the top of the foundation should be checked to ensure even coverage and to ensure that the hair will lay down in a manner which will give the appearance of natural hair. Zones  6  and  7  ( FIG. 9 ) should be sewn to assure that the portion which rests on the front of the wearer&#39;s head maintains a natural look and simulates a natural hairline. This is accomplished by sewing the extension along the outside front edge of the foundation. 
         [0044]    Either embodiment of the hairpiece is attached to the wearer&#39;s head by two (2) mechanisms. A standard plastic head band is threaded through a sleeve  1010  which is sewn to a liner  1005  ( FIG. 10 ) which is sewn to the bottom of the completed silicone foundation. The liner can be made from any fabric, but preferably, a substantially sheer, thin, quick-drying material is used. A triangular piece of Velcro  1015  is attached to the top portion of the liner, corresponding to the front part of the hairpiece. Button snaps  1020  or a similar attachment device may be attached to the Velcro  1015  to mate with the corresponding attachment device located on the second attachment mechanism. The liner  1005  is substantially bullet-shaped in order to match the shape of the silicone foundation. After threading a standard plastic headband through the sleeve it can be placed over the wearer&#39;s head and rest on either side behind the wearer&#39;s ears. 
         [0045]    The second attachment mechanism is an elastic band  1105  in substantially the form shown on  FIG. 11 . The elastic band  1105  is made from several strips of elastic. The strips are used to secure contains Velcro  1110  shaped to match the triangular shape on the liner depicted in  FIG. 10 . The Velcro  1110  corresponds to the Velcro attached to the liner and may house button snaps  1120  or a similar attachment device to correspond with the attachment device used on the liner. The opposite end of the elastic band is stretched over the wearer&#39;s head and rests on the nape of the wearer&#39;s neck. Another piece of Velcro  1115  may be provided on the portion which rests on the nape of the wearer&#39;s neck to prevent slipping. 
         [0046]    To prevent the tracks from showing on the third portion, a piece of satin, substantially the same color of the hair extensions used, may be sewn to the ribbon of the third portion. Additionally, tracks of hair extensions may be sewn on top of this satin piece to ensure a natural look. 
         [0047]    The manufacturing time for each portion of the hairpiece can be decreased if holes are place in the silicon before the extensions are attached, making it easier to pull the hair through the silicone foundation. Once the hairpiece has been completed, it can be washed, styled and cut just like natural hair. 
         [0048]    This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. Specifically, the order in which the tracks are sewn to the ribbon, as well as the order and method in which the hair is pulled (or weaved) through the silicon, can be changed without compromising the finished product. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. 
         [0049]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.