Patent ID: 8061368

Claim:
A pony tail holder, comprising: a ring made of a sheet of material forming a tubular annulus and an inner edge defining a central hole in which a pony tail is to be gripped by the pony tail holder; and a gripping member positioned circumferentially around the central hole at the inner edge to grip the pony tail extending through the central hole, the gripping member comprising: a sheath at least partially formed by the sheet of material, including the inner edge, and forming the tubular annulus; an elastic core disposed in a loop within the tubular annulus of the sheath and extending circumferentially all the way around the central hole; and an elongate, elastic friction member woven through the sheath, including through the inner edge of the ring, such that portions of the friction member are exposed through an outer surface of the sheath and engage the pony tail when the pony tail holder is disposed thereon, wherein the coefficient of friction of the friction member is greater than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the sheath so that the exposed portions of the friction member grip the bundle of hair to secure the pony tail holder thereon, wherein the friction member is woven through the sheath and wound around the sheath and the elastic core in a helical pattern around the entire circumference of the inner edge of the ring so that the exposed portions of the friction member extend inwardly beyond the outer surface of the inner edge of the sheath into the central hole and grip the pony tail inserted through the central hole, wherein the elastic core is retained by loops of the friction member near the inner edge of the ring.