HAIR SCRUNCHIE

Abstract

A hair scrunchie is described. The hair scrunchie may include a covering that includes a head and feet or other lower appendages located on opposite sides of an opening. The hair scrunchie may be movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration and may include a lock to maintain the hair scrunchie in a configuration until actuated by the user.

Claims

1. A hair scrunchie comprising: a ring-shaped covering comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a top, a bottom, a covering height extending from the top to the bottom, a covering width perpendicular to the covering height, and an interior located between the front surface and the rear surface, the ring-shaped covering comprising an opening, the opening having a height parallel to the covering height and a width perpendicular to the covering height; a head comprising one or more facial features attached to the front surface adjacent to the top and located above the opening; a lower appendage attached to the covering adjacent to the bottom and located below the opening; an elastic pull cord comprising a ring-shaped segment extending about the covering interior, the ring-shaped segment having a height parallel to the covering height and a width perpendicular to the covering height; wherein the covering is moveable between an expanded configuration in which i) the opening has an expanded opening height and an expanded opening width; ii) the covering has an expanded covering height and an expanded covering width; and iii) the ring-shaped segment has an expanded ring-shaped segment height and an expanded ring-shaped segment width; and iv) the lower appendage is located a first distance from the head, and a collapsed configuration in which i) the opening has a collapsed opening height and a collapsed opening width; ii) the covering has a collapsed covering height and a collapsed covering width; and iii) the ring-shaped segment has a collapsed ring-shaped segment height and a collapsed ring-shaped segment width; and iv) the lower appendage is located a second distance from the head, the second distance less than the first distance, the collapsed opening height and width less than the expanded opening height and width, the collapsed covering height and width less than the expanded covering height and width, the collapsed ring-shaped segment height and width less than the expanded ring-shaped segment height and width.

2. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the rear surface comprises at least one hole and further wherein the pull cord comprises two intermediate segments extending out the at least one hole in a rearward direction relative to the covering.

3. The hair scrunchie of claim 2 wherein the head is located on the front surface and the at least one hole is behind the head and adjacent to the ring-shaped covering top.

4. The hair scrunchie of claim 2 further comprising a pull cord lock located rearwardly relative to the covering and comprising at least one lock hole receiving the two intermediate segments of the pull cord and allowing the intermediate segments to pass therethrough, the pull cord further comprising a protrusion located rearwardly relative to the pull cord lock and the two intermediate segments, wherein moving the pull cord lock forwardly on the pull cord toward the covering rear surface is configured to move the covering from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, and wherein moving the pull cord lock rearwardly on the pull cord away from the covering rear surface is configured to move the covering from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

5. The hair scrunchie of claim 4 wherein the protrusion is wider and/or taller than the at least one lock hole.

6. The hair scrunchie of claim 4 wherein the protrusion is removable.

7. The hair scrunchie of claim 4 wherein the lock hole and each of the two intermediate segments comprise a height and further wherein the height of the at least one lock hole is substantially equal to the heights of each of the two intermediate segments.

8. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the expanded opening width is substantially equal to the expanded opening height, the expanded ring-shaped segment height, and the expanded ring-shaped segment width and further wherein the collapsed opening width is substantially equal to the collapsed opening height, the collapsed ring-shaped segment height, and the collapsed ring-shaped segment width.

9. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the covering interior comprises a pocket receiving the ring-shaped segment.

10. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the head comprises at least one of eyes, ears, a mouth, and a nose.

11. The hair scrunchie of claim 10 wherein the lower appendage is in the form of a pair of feet.

12. The hair scrunchie of claim 10 wherein the lower appendage is in the form of a fin.

13. The hair scrunchie of claim 10 wherein the head is a head of a human or other animal and the lower appendage is a lower appendage of a human or other animal.

14. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the covering is a fabric.

15. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a plurality of folds, and further wherein the covering has more folds in the collapsed configuration as compared to the expanded configuration.

16. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the opening is located approximately in the center of the covering height and the covering width.

17. The hair scrunchie of claim 1 wherein the covering further comprises an elastic band holding a hair clip.

18. The hair scrunchie of claim 17 wherein the elastic band is located adjacent the head.

19. A method of using a hair scrunchie comprising the steps of: a) providing the hair scrunchie of claim 1; and b) moving the covering from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.

20. A method of using a hair scrunchie comprising the steps of: a) providing the hair scrunchie of claim 1; and b) moving the covering from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a human user's hair through the opening.

22. A hair scrunchie comprising: a ring-shaped covering comprising a front surface, a rear surface comprising at least one hole, a top, a bottom, a covering height extending from the top to the bottom, and an interior located between the front surface and the rear surface, the ring-shaped covering comprising an opening, the opening having a height parallel to the covering height and a width perpendicular to the covering height; a head comprising one or more facial features attached to the front surface adjacent to the top and located above the opening; a lower appendage attached to the covering adjacent to the bottom and located below the opening; an elastic pull cord comprising a ring-shaped segment extending about the covering interior, the pull cord comprising two segments extending out of the at least one hole; a pull cord lock located rearwardly relative to the covering and comprising a hole receiving the two segments of the pull cord and allowing the pull cord segments to pass therethrough, the pull cord further comprising a protrusion located rearwardly relative to the pull cord lock, wherein the covering is moveable between an expanded configuration in which i) the opening has an expanded opening height and an expanded opening width; ii) the covering has an expanded covering height and an expanded covering width; and iii) the ring-shaped segment has an expanded ring-shaped segment height and an expanded ring-shaped segment width; and iv) the lower appendage is located a first distance from the head, and a collapsed configuration in which i) the opening has a collapsed opening height and a collapsed opening width; ii) the covering has a collapsed covering height and a collapsed covering width; and iii) the ring-shaped segment has a collapsed ring-shaped segment height and a collapsed ring-shaped segment width; and iv) the lower appendage is located a second distance from the head, the second distance less than the first distance, the collapsed opening height and width less than the expanded opening height and width, the collapsed covering height and width less than the expanded covering height and width, the collapsed ring-shaped segment height and width less than the expanded ring-shaped segment height and width, wherein moving the pull cord lock on the pull cord toward the covering rear surface is configured to move the covering from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, and wherein moving the pull cord lock on the pull cord away from the covering rear surface is configured to move the covering from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a user wearing a hair scrunchie of one embodiment of the present invention; in FIG. 1, the hair scrunchie is in a partially expanded configuration.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a front, side perspective view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in a fully expanded configuration.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates another front, side perspective view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in a collapsed configuration.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear, side perspective view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the collapsed configuration.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the collapsed configuration.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the collapsed configuration.

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a left side elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the collapsed configuration.

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a right side elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the collapsed configuration.

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the expanded configuration.

[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a rear elevation view of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the hair scrunchie in the expanded configuration.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a rear schematic view of a hair scrunchie of FIG. 1 with the covering shown partially transparent, illustrating how the hair scrunchie is movable between the expanded and collapsed configuration.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a side, perspective view of the lock of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the lock of the hair scrunchie of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the present disclosure provides a hair scrunchie designated by the numeral 10. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each of the drawings for the sake of clarity. FIGS. 1-13 are drawn generally to scale, however, it will be appreciated that other dimensions are possible. 100231 As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the hair scrunchie 10 may include a ring-shaped covering 20 comprising a front surface 22, a rear surface 24, a top 26, a bottom 28, a covering height 30A,30B extending from the top 26 to the bottom 28, a covering width 32A,32B perpendicular to the covering height 30A,30B, and an interior located between the front surface 22 and the rear surface 24. Optionally, the ring-shaped covering 20 comprises an opening 40 having a height 42 parallel to the covering height 30A,30B and a width 44 perpendicular to the covering height 30A,30B. The opening 40 is preferably circular in shape in which case the height 42 and width 44 are diameters. It will be understood that, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the word “circular” does not require that the opening 40 be a perfect circle. In some cases, the front and rear surfaces 22,24 may be two separate pieces of material attached, for example, by sewing. In other cases, the front and rear surfaces 22,24 may be one continuous piece of material.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the hair scrunchie 10 may also comprise a head 50 (e.g., an animal head, human head or character head) comprising one or more facial features 52. The head 50 may be attached to the front surface 22 and/or the rear surface 24. The head 50 is preferably attached adjacent to the top 26, and located above the opening 40. The hair scrunchie 10 may also comprise a lower appendage 54 that may be attached to the covering 20, preferably adjacent to the bottom 28 and is located below the opening 40. The lower appendage 54 may be attached to the front surface 22 and/or the rear surface 24. Further, the hair scrunchie 10 may comprise an elastic pull cord 60 comprising a ring-shaped segment 62 extending about the covering interior 34 (e.g, preferably in a substantially complete circle about/around the interior, as shown in FIG. 11). Optionally, the ring-shaped segment 62 has a height 64 parallel to the covering height 30A,30B and/or a width 66 perpendicular to the covering height 30A,30B.

[0024] Preferably, the hair scrunchie 10, including the covering 20 and ring-shaped segment 62, are moveable between an expanded configuration (shown in FIGS. 2 and 9-10) and a collapsed configuration (shown in FIGS. 3-8). Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9-10, in the expanded configuration 12, i) the opening 40 has an expanded opening height (i.e., the height 42 is expanded) and an expanded opening width (i.e., the width 44 is expanded); ii) the covering 20 has an expanded covering height 30A and an expanded covering width 32A (i.e., the height and width are expanded); iii) the ring-shaped segment 62 has an expanded ring-shaped segment height and an expanded ring-shaped segment width (i.e., height 64 and width 66 are expanded); and iv) the lower appendage 54 is located a first distance 56 from the head 50. Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 3-8, in the collapsed configuration 14, i) the opening 40 has a collapsed opening height and a collapsed opening width (i.e., height 42 and width 44 are shorter as compared to the expanded configuration); ii) the covering 20 has a collapsed covering height 30B (which is less than expanded covering height 30A) and a collapsed covering width 32B (which is less than expanded covering width 32A); iii) the ring-shaped segment has a collapsed ring-shaped segment height and a collapsed ring-shaped segment width (i.e., height 64 and width 66 are shorter as compared to the expanded configuration); and iv) the lower appendage 54 is located a second distance 58 from the head 50 (i.e., the lower appendage 54 is nearer to the head 50 in the collapsed configuration). In other words, in the collapsed configuration, the head 50 and lower appendage 54 are drawn towards each other.

[0025] In some cases, as best seen in FIG. 11, the rear surface 24 comprises at least one hole 25. Further, as best seen in FIG. 11, the pull cord 60 may comprise two intermediate segments 69 extending out the at least one hole 25 in a rearward direction relative to the covering 20. Optionally, the head 50 is located on the front surface 22. Optionally, the at least one hole 25 is behind the head 50 and/or adjacent to the ring-shaped covering top 26.

[0026] The hair scrunchie 10 may also include a pull cord lock 72 to keep the hair scrunchie 10 in either the collapsed configuration or in the expanded configuration until actuated by the user. Optionally, the pull cord lock 70 is located rearwardly relative to the covering 20. Optionally, the pull cord lock 70 includes at least one lock hole 72 receiving the two intermediate segments 69 of the pull cord 60. The at least one lock hole 72 may allow the pull cord intermediate segments 69 to pass through the pull cord lock 70. Preferably, the pull cord lock 70 is configured to pinch the two intermediate segments 69 of the pull cord 60 as they pass through the at least one lock hole 72. In other words, the two pull cord intermediate segments 69 may be press fit through the at least one lock hole 72 or rely on friction to maintain the location of the pull cord lock 70 on the pull cord intermediate segments 69 and to keep the hair scrunchie 10 in either the collapsed configuration or in the expanded configuration until actuated by the user. For example, in the illustrated embodiment as best seen in FIG. 13, the pull cord lock 70 includes a slit-shaped lock hole 72 that is taller at the center (and has a height 82 that is substantially the same as the height of each of the pull cord intermediate segments 69) and is narrower on the two sides. Without being bound to any particular theory, the pull cord lock 70 prevents the covering 20 from moving between the expanded and collapsed configurations 12,14 when the user does not intend to do so. The pull cord 60 may further comprise a protrusion 74 (e.g., a plastic cylinder as shown in the illustration) located rearwardly relative to the pull cord lock 70. Optionally, moving the pull cord lock 70 forwardly on the pull cord 60 (e.g., sliding the pull cord lock 70 on the pull cord 60 toward the covering rear surface 24) and/or pulling the pull cord 60 out of the covering 20 is configured to move the covering 20 from the expanded configuration 12 to the collapsed configuration 14. Optionally, moving the pull cord lock 70 rearwardly on the pull cord 60 (e.g., sliding the pull cord lock 70 on the pull cord 60 away from the covering rear surface 24) and/or inserting the pull cord 60 into the covering 20 is configured to move the covering 20 from the collapsed configuration 14 to the expanded configuration 12. Optionally, the protrusion 74 is wider than the at least one lock hole 72 so that the protrusion 74 cannot pass through the lock hole 72. The protrusion 74 may also be removable.

[0027] Preferably, the ring-shaped segment 62 defines the bounds of the opening 40. For example, the covering 20 may be a loose-piece of fabric and the ring-shaped segment 62 may define the borders of the opening 40. For example, as best seen in FIG. 11, preferably the expanded opening width is substantially equal to the expanded opening height, and the expanded opening width is also substantially equal to (but slightly shorter than) the expanded ring-shaped segment height, and the expanded ring-shaped segment width. Preferably, the collapsed opening width is substantially equal to the collapsed opening height, the collapsed opening width also is substantially equal to (but slightly shorter than) the collapsed ring-shaped segment height, and the collapsed ring-shaped segment width. In other words, optionally the circumference of the ring shaped segment 62 is slightly less than the inner circumference of the covering 20. Without being bound to any particular theory, the circumference of the ring-shaped segment 62 being less than the inner circumference of the covering 20 causes the covering 20 to “scrunch” or fold around the ring-shaped segment 62.

[0028] Optionally, the covering interior 34 comprises a pocket/sleeve 36 receiving the ring-shaped segment 62. In other word, the ring shaped 62 segment may run through a sleeve shaped inner pocket 36 that runs around the interior 34 in a circular manner and is attached to the front surface 22 and/or rear surface 24. Preferably, the head 50 of the hair scrunchie 10 is a head of a human or other animal and/or the lower appendage 54 of the hair scrunchie 10 is a lower appendage of a human or other animal. In some cases, the head 50 of the hair scrunchie 10 comprises at least one of eyes, ears, a mouth, and a nose (collectively part 52). Optionally, the lower appendage 54 of the hair scrunchie 10 is in the form of a pair of feet or a fin.

[0029] In some cases, the covering 20 is fabric. Optionally, the covering 20 comprises a plurality of folds 38. In such cases, the covering 20 may have more folds 38 in the collapsed configuration 14 as compared to the expanded configuration 12. Optionally, the opening 20 is located approximately in the center of the covering height 30A,30B and the covering width 32A,32B. The covering 20 may further include an elastic band 76 configured to hold a hair clip 78, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 9. Optionally, the elastic band 76 is located on the front surface 22 adjacent the head 50.

[0030] The hair scrunchie 10 may be used, for example, by providing a hair scrunchie 10 comprising one or more of the features described above and moving the covering 20 from the expanded configuration 12 to the collapsed configuration 14. In another example, the scrunchie 10 may be used by providing a hair scrunchie 10 comprising one or more of the features described above and moving the covering 20 from the collapsed configuration 14 to the expanded configuration 12. Optionally, a human user's hair 80 may be placed through the opening 40 before moving the covering 20 from the expanded configuration 12 to the collapsed configuration 14 and/or may be removed from the opening 40 after moving the covering 20 from the collapsed configuration 14 to the expanded configuration 12.

Part List

[0031]

TABLE-US-00001 Hair Scrunchie 10 Covering 20 Covering Front Surface 22 Covering Rear Surface 24 At Least One Rear Surface Hole 25 Covering Top 26 Covering Bottom 28 Expanded Covering Height 30A Collapsed Covering Height 30B Expanded Covering Width 32A Collapsed Covering Width 32B Pocket 36 Plurality of Folds 38 Opening 40 Opening Height 42 Opening Width 44 Head 50 Facial Features 52 Lower Appendage(s) 54 First Distance 56 Second Distance 58 Elastic Pull Cord 60 Elastic Pull Cord Ring-Shaped Segment 62 Ring-Shaped Segment Height 64 Ring-Shaped Segment Width 66 Pull Cord Intermediate Segments 69 Pull Cord Lock 70 Pull Cord Lock Hole 72 Protrusion 74 Elastic Band 76 Hair Clip 78 User's Hair 80 Hole height 82

[0032] Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed. Use of the singular embraces the plural.

[0033] Terms of degree such as “generally”, “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.