Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus and method for creating a hairstyle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of devices and methods for shaping human hair, and more particularly to devices and methods for binding human hair in a styled position. 
       PROBLEM STATEMENT 
     Interpretation Considerations 
       [0002]    This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art. 
       Discussion 
       [0003]    Because hair receives a great deal of attention in the human quest for beauty and attention, inventors frequently look for new ways to style hair. In that quest, a number of mechanical devices, such as hair-clips, and a number of styling methods, such as braiding, have been developed. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for styling human hair in a new manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings and tables, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates an inventive pony tail wrap. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the strip member shown in a first extended open position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows the pony tail wrap attached to a pony tail with the strip member shown in a second cylindrical position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates the pony tail wrap with the pony tail looped back through the pony tail wrap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Interpretation Considerations 
       [0009]    When reading this section (which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment. 
         [0010]    Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described. 
         [0012]    Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”). 
         [0013]    Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for—functioning—” or “step for—functioning—” in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0014]    It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like names are performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated. Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise. The numerous innovative teachings of present application are described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an inventive hair wrap  100 . The hair wrap  100  is generally comprised of a hair tie  110  that is coupled to a strip member  130 . Generally, a hair tie (or ponytailer, ponytail holder, or hair band) is a small, stretchy band used to fasten hair, particularly long hair, into a hairstyle (usually a ponytail). Typically, a hair tie comprises an elastic interior and a cover of cloth or other material to reduce the tendency of hair to get caught in the elastic and pulled out of one&#39;s scalp. Accordingly, it can be said that the hair tie  110  typically has an elastic interior portion and a non-abrasive covering such as nylon, silk, or fabric, for example. 
         [0016]    The strip member  130  is a free spontaneously-curved anisotropic strip positionable in a first generally planar position, and a second generally cylindrical position. When in the second generally cylindrical position, the strip member is said to have an interior surface  132  and an exterior surface  134  which is in some embodiments ornamental, and the hair tie  110  is attached to the interior surface  132  of the strip member. The strip member  130  may be made of any material that has anisotropic properties, and is preferably metal or a plastic. 
         [0017]    Accordingly, a user may perceive the strip member  130  to be similar to a slap-bracelet (or snap bracelet). Generally, a slap bracelet is a bracelet consisting of layered, flexible stainless steel or plastic bistable spring bands sealed within a fabric or plastic cover. The bracelet can be straightened out, creating tension within the springy metal bands. The straightened bracelet can be slapped against the wearer&#39;s wrist, causing the bands to spring back to form a cylindrical shape that wraps around the wrist. 
         [0018]    The hair tie  110  and the strip member  130  are attached via an attachment  120 , such as an adhesive. However, in alternative embodiments the attachment  120  is an attaching member that may be separately glued to the interior surface  132  of the strip member  130 , or may be integrally formed with the strip member  130  on the interior surface  132 . In one embodiment the attaching member includes a hook. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, the invention is a method of creating hair styles.  FIG. 2  shows the hair wrap  100  attached to hair  200  (a pony tail) with the strip member  130  shown in a first extended open position. To get to this position a user grasps a hair wrap  100  and secures hair  200  to the hair wrap  100  by pulling hair through the hair tie  110 . Next, the strip member  130  is articulated into the second generally cylindrical position.  FIG. 3  shows the hair wrap  100  attached to hair  200  with the strip member  130  shown in the second cylindrical position to create a pony tail. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, a user may pull their hair  200  through the strip member  130  portion of the hair wrap  100  while in the second generally cylindrical position.  FIG. 4  illustrates the pony tail wrap  100  with hair  200  of the pony tail looped back through the hair wrap  100 . 
         [0021]    Though the invention has been described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. Specifically, the invention may be altered in ways readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims and their equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.