Patent ID: 7882844

Claim:
A clip for retaining a bundle of hair, comprising: a first clip portion; an elastomeric member secured to the first clip portion, wherein the elastomeric member comprises an enclosed chamber filled with and containing a fluid; a bulb-type pump coupled to the elastomeric member and operable to inflate and deflate the chamber with the fluid between an expanded position and a retracted position, respectively; a second clip portion joined to the upper clip portion via a hinge; and a clasp assembly for locking the first and second clip portions together in a closed position with the hair bundle pressure-gripped and retained between them, wherein when the hair-retaining clip is in the closed position and the pump operated to inflate the chamber to the expanded position, the elastomeric member is positioned closer to the second clip portion than when the hair-retaining clip is in the closed position and the chamber is in the retracted position, wherein when the hair-retaining clip is in the closed position and the pump operated to inflate the chamber to the expanded position, the elastomeric member applies additional gripping pressure to the hair bundle between the first and second clip portions.