HAIR ACCESSORY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hair accessory device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hair accessory for use with children. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to a hair accessory having a decorative portion and a hair retaining portion which are made of non-toxic or food-grade materials and the device, as a whole, is larger than an interior diameter of a choke test tube as defined by Small Parts Regulations.

Claims

1. A hair accessory device comprising: a decorative portion; and a retaining portion coupled to the decorative portion; wherein the decorative portion and the retaining portion are made of one or more non-toxic materials; and wherein the decorative portion coupled with the retaining portion are together larger than an interior diameter of a choke test tube.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the decorative portion is made of a non-toxic, food-grade material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the retaining portion is made of a non-toxic, food-grade material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the decorative portion and the retaining portion are made of one or more materials of sufficient strength as determined by testing in accordance with Regulation 16 C.F.R. § 1500.50.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the decorative portion is no less than 57.1 millimeters (2.25 inches) in length and no less than 31.7 millimeters (1.25 inches) in width.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the retaining portion is no less than 57.1 millimeters (2.25 inches) in length and no less than 31.7 millimeters (1.25 inches) in width.

7. A hair clip device comprising: a hair retaining portion, wherein the device is made of a non-toxic, food-grade material, and wherein the device is made of one or more materials of sufficient strength as determined by testing in accordance with Regulation 16 C.F.R. § 1500.50.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the hair accessory device.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hair accessory device.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the hair accessory device having a retaining clip.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the hair accessory device having a retaining ring.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a back view of the hair accessory device.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the hair accessory device.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional side view of the hair accessory device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Embodiments of a hair accessory device 10 of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1-7. The hair accessory device 10 has a decorative portion 30 and a hair retaining portion 50. The decorative portion 30 has a body 32 and an attachment site 34. The hair retaining portion 50 includes a retainer 52.

[0020] The body 32 of the decorative portion 30 has a shape and size that may be formed to have a decorative design such as a bow, a ribbon, or other shape as desired. The attachment site 34 of the decorative portion 30 may be equipped to receive and retain the hair retaining portion 50. The attachment site 34 may be formed as a slot in which a portion of the hair retaining portion 50 may be inserted into and retained therein. The attachment site 34 may also be a surface to which an adhesive may be applied to retain the hair retaining portion 50. Still further, the attachment site 34 may be configured to otherwise receive and retain the hair retaining portion 50 using a button, clip, or other known method of attaching one surface to another.

[0021] The hair retaining portion 50 includes a retainer body 51 and the retainer 52. The retainer 52 may be formed as a retaining ring 54, a retaining clip 56, or other such apparatus that may be used to secure and retain hair. The retaining clip 56 may be used to clip and hold the hair in place. The retaining ring 54 may be wrapped around hair, or hair inserted into the retaining ring 54, to retain and hold the hair in place.

[0022] FIGS. 1-2 and 4-7 depict an embodiment of the hair accessory device 10 having the body 32 of the decorative portion 30 formed as a bow and the retainer 52 of the hair retaining portion 50 as the retaining ring 54. FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the hair accessory device 10 having the body 32 of the decorative portion 30 formed as a bow and the retainer 52 of the hair retaining portion 50 as the retaining clip 56.

[0023] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the retaining clip 56 of the retaining portion 50 may be fastened to the attachment site 32 of the decorative portion 30 by an adhesive or other attachment method. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-7, the retaining ring 52 of the hair retaining portion 50 may be made as a single, unitary piece. The retaining ring 54 may be attached to the attachment site 32 with an adhesive as previously described or formed as a single, unitary piece as previously described. The retaining clip 56 may be attached to the attachment site 32 with an adhesive as previously described or formed as a single continuous material as previously described.

[0024] The device 10 is formed with a material which is suitable for use with children. The material of the device 10 is strong enough to withstand the standard of use and abuse anticipated from a child and so it meets the durability requirement of the Small Parts Regulations. Further, the device 10 is formed with a material that is non-toxic and/or food-grade. The Small Parts Regulations set out standards for choking hazards and required material to be safe for use with children. For example, the present device 10 is made of, but not limited to, food-grade rubber. Additionally, an embodiment of the device 10 has a length of 2.80 inches and a width of 1.44 inches. The device 10 is not limited to such dimensions as described in the present embodiment but must exceed 57.1 millimeters (2.25 inches) in length and 31.7 millimeters (1.25 inches) in width to meet the requirements of the Small Parts Regulations. The decorative portion 30 coupled with the hair retaining portion 50 are together larger than an interior diameter of a choke test tube, which is 31.7 millimeters (1.25 inches) and which is the requirement that must be met to be in compliance with the Small Parts Regulations. In an embodiment of the device 10, the decorative portion 30 and the hair retaining portion 50 are each, separately, larger than the interior diameter of the choke test tube. Therefore, the device 10 meets the size, shape, durability, and material standards of the Small Parts Regulations.

[0025] The present invention has been described with reference to specific examples and configurations. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.