HAIR EXTENSION AND METHOD OF USING

Abstract

A hair extension including a ribbon having a hollow channel extending the length of the ribbon, a support panel attached to the ribbon and including a plurality of hair strands having predetermined lengths extending downwards from the support panel, a stretchable band extending through the hollow channel of the ribbon, and a pair of fasteners provided at distal opposite ends of the stretchable band to readily secure the hair extension to a person's natural hair style such as a natural ponytail. The stretchable band and ribbon are wrapped around a wearer's natural ponytail to form a longer ponytail with the wrapped ribbon scrunched together to replicate the look of a hair tie and camouflage the connecting region of the hair extension with the natural ponytail to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the wearer's hair.

Claims

1. A hair extension attachable to a natural hair style formed on a person's head, the hair extension comprising; a ribbon including a hollow channel extending a length of the ribbon; a support panel having a lateral edge attached to the ribbon, and including a plurality of openings formed through the support panel; a plurality of hair strands attached to, and extending downwards from the plurality of openings on the support panel, each of the plurality of hair strands having a same or different length; a stretchable band extending through the hollow channel and including opposite distal ends that extend beyond opposite edges of the ribbon; and a pair of fasteners each attached to the opposite distal ends of the stretchable band, wherein the stretchable band and the ribbon are removably wrapped around the natural hair style.

2. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the hair extension when wrapped around the natural hair style forms a ponytail, configuring the ribbon in a scrunched together configuration to replicate an appearance of a standard hair tie and camouflage a connecting region of the hair extension with the natural hair style, the pair of fasteners removably secured within a wearers hair.

3. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the natural hairstyle includes any one of a pigtail, a ponytail, a doughnut bun, a braid, a French braid, plait, or a French plait.

4. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the support panel includes a pliable mesh having an arcuate edge that connects to the lateral edge attached to the ribbon.

5. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the support panel includes a rigid lattice having an arcuate edge that connects to the lateral edge attached to the ribbon.

6. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the stretchable band includes an elastic material, a rubber material, a bungee cord, a sport elastic, a cord elastic, or a fabric covered single or multiple elastic strands or bands.

7. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein each one of the pair of fasteners includes a J-hook having a first curvature integral with a hook curvature.

8. The hair extension of claim 7, wherein each one of the J-hooks is about ½ inch to about 1 inch in length, and includes a curved body that is about 1 cm to about 4 cm wide.

9. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of fasteners includes a J-hook having a first curvature that includes a first end and a curved body that begins from the first end and tappers down into a pointed second end, and a second curvature that extends outwards from the first end and terminates into a hook curvature.

10. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein each of the opposite ends of the stretchable band includes an aperture sized to removably receive a portion of the fastener.

11. The hair extension of claim 10, wherein the portion of the fastener received by the aperture of the opposite ends of the stretchable band includes a J-hook curvature.

12. The hair extension of claim 10, wherein each fastener includes a slide cover that extends over the portion of the fastener and aperture of the stretchable band.

13. The hair extension of claim 12, wherein the slide cover is made out of any one material including plastic, ceramic, or a metal material.

14. The hair extension of claim 12, wherein the slide cover comprises a tubular, rectangular, or square shape.

15. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair strands comprise any color including black, brown, blonde, grey, white, dirty blonde, light blonde, red, green, yellow, orange, blue, indigo, violet, or any combination, and/or shade.

16. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair strands comprise any one of straight hair, wavily hair, or curled hair.

17. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of the stretchable band extend beyond the opposite edges of the ribbon a predetermined length.

18. The hair extension of claim 1, wherein the ribbon is constructed from any one material of cloth, fabric, or textile woven or non-woven material including any of polyester, polycotton, silk, linen, Lycra, spandex, micro-fiber, terrycloth, wool, cotton, satin, rayon, denim, or chiffon.

19. A hair extension attachable to a natural hair style formed on a person's head, the hair extension comprising; a ribbon including a hollow channel extending a length of the ribbon; a support panel having a lateral edge attached to the ribbon, and including a plurality of openings formed through the support panel; a plurality of hair strands attached to, and extending downwards from the plurality of openings on the support panel, each of the plurality of hair strands having a same or different length; a stretchable band extending through the hollow channel and including opposite distal ends that extend beyond opposite edges of the ribbon a predetermined length; and a pair of fasteners each attached to the opposite distal ends of the stretchable band, wherein each of the opposite ends of the stretchable band includes an aperture sized to removably receive a portion of the fastener, and wherein the stretchable band and the ribbon are removably wrapped around the natural hair style.

20. A hair extension attachable to a natural hair style formed on a person's head, the hair extension comprising, a ribbon including a hollow channel extending a length of the ribbon; a support panel having a lateral edge attached to the ribbon and a lattice having an arcuate edge connecting to the lateral edge of the support panel, the lattice including a plurality of openings formed through the support panel; a plurality of hair strands attached to, and extending downwards from the plurality of openings on the support panel, each of the plurality of hair strands having a same or different length; a stretchable band extending through the hollow channel and including opposite distal ends that extend beyond opposite edges of the ribbon a predetermined length; a pair of fasteners each attached to the opposite distal ends of the stretchable band, each of the pair of fasteners includes a J-hook having a first curvature that includes a first end and a curved body that begins from the first end and tappers down into a pointed second end, and a second curvature that extends outwards from the first end and terminates into a hook curvature; and a slide cover, wherein each of the opposite ends of the stretchable band includes an aperture sized to removably receive the second end of the fastener, wherein the slide cover extends over the second end of the fastener and aperture of the stretchable band, and wherein the stretchable band and the ribbon are removably wrapped around the natural hair style.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Will Hereinafter be Described in Conjunction with the Appended Drawings Provided to Illustrate and not to Limit the Invention, where Like Designations Denote Like Elements, and in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 presents a perspective, bottom view of a hair extension, showing a ribbon including a hollow channel, a support panel extending from the ribbon, a plurality of hair strands attached to and extending from, the support panel, a stretchable band extending through the hollow channel, and a pair of fasteners attached at opposite distal ends of the stretchable band, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 presents perspective views of one embodiment of a fastener of FIG. 1, showing the fastener including a J-hook having a first curvature integral with a hook curvature readily disposed within an aperture formed at opposite ends of the stretchable band, and a slide cover disposed over the hook curvature and aperture connection to prevent the hook curvature from slipping out of the aperture;

[0023] FIG. 3 presents perspective views of another embodiment of a fastener, showing the fastener including a J-hook having a first curvature integral with a hook curvature readily disposed within an aperture formed at opposite ends of the stretchable band, and a slide cover disposed over the hook curvature and aperture connection to prevent the hook curvature from slipping out of the aperture;

[0024] FIG. 4 presents an operative view of a person holding and manipulating the fastener of FIG. 3 by hand, showing the first curvature held between the distal end of the person's index finger, and thumb to manipulate and readily attach the hair extension to the pigtail, and secure the fasteners within the person's hair;

[0025] FIG. 5 presents a back, perspective view of a person's head including a natural ponytail, showing readily attaching the hair extension with J-hooks of FIG. 3, to the ponytail by encircling the stretchable band and ribbon around the ponytail, and securing the fasteners within the person's hair to form a longer ponytail; and

[0026] FIG. 6 presents a back, perspective view of the person's head of FIG. 3, showing the hair extension attached to the natural ponytail to form a longer ponytail with the wrapped ribbon scrunched together to replicate the look of a standard hair tie and camouflage the connecting region of the hair extension with the natural ponytail to provide a natural cosmetic look.

[0027] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0029] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed to a hair extension comprising a ribbon having a hollow channel, a support panel extending from the ribbon for fixedly accommodating a plurality of hair strands having predetermined lengths, a stretchable band extending within the hollow channel of the ribbon, and a pair of fasteners provided at opposite distal ends of the stretchable band to readily secure the hair extension to a person's existing natural head of hair, or to a natural ponytail to extend the length of the ponytail.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective, bottom view of a hair extension 100 for use on a person's hair, or hair configuration such as a pigtail, to improve the cosmetic appearance of the person's hair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The hair extension 100 includes a soft, pliable ribbon 102 having a hollow channel 104 that extends the length of the ribbon 102 for receiving a stretchable band 106, a support panel 108 attached to, and extending downwards from, the ribbon 102, a plurality of hair strands 110 of the same or differing lengths attached to the support panel 108, and a pair of fasteners 112, 114 provided at opposite distal ends of the stretchable band 106 to attach the hair extension 100 to a wearer's hair, or particular hair configuration.

[0031] The soft, pliable ribbon 102 is generally constructed from a cloth, fabric or textile, woven or non-woven material including for example, polyester, nylon, spandex, rayon, wool, silk, linen, silk, lycra, polycotton, denim, chiffon, terrycloth, micro-fiber, or any combination thereof. The soft, fabric is designed to scrunch or bunch together when wrapped around a pigtail hair configuration to replicate the look a standard hair tie often worn by females when tying or managing their hair. In depicting one exemplary form of fabrication, the ribbon 102 may comprise a square or rectangular piece of material that is rolled into a tubular member and sewn or stitched along a designated seam to define the hollow extending channel 104.

[0032] The support panel 108 includes a mesh or lattice panel 116 having an arcuate edge 118, and a lateral edge 120 affixed along the outer surface, or along the sewn seam of the ribbon 102. The mesh or lattice member 116 includes a plurality of openings for attaching a plurality of hair strands 110 to the panel 108. The support panel 108 may be constructed from any durable material including a thin plastic, or may be constructed from a cloth, fabric or textile material that is reinforced or coated with a stiffening agent, compound, or element. The support panel 108 retains the structural integrity of the hairpiece 100, and helps shape various hair configurations when attached to a wearer's natural hair. For example, support panel 108 helps give the natural appearance of a ponytail having a bow-extension that appears to flow contiguously with the wearer's natural hair, as better illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the support panel 108 may include any number of plurality of openings for receiving and attaching hair strands 110 using for example, glue, adhesive, hot pressing, plastic welding or molding, or by simply sewing or stitching, the hair strands 110. It is appreciated that the support panel 108 may comprise any width or height, and may include other geometric configurations as well including for example, a square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or round shape. The lateral edge 120 of the panel 108 may be stitched to the the ribbon 102. Alternatively, the ribbon 102, and panel 108 can be constructed as one single, integral piece where a portion of the material is folded over and stitched to define the hollow channel 104. In one exemplary embodiment, the support panel 108 is cut in a ½ inches oval shape having a top of 6½ inches and sides that are 5½ inches. A plurality of hair strands 110 are stitched to the support panel 108 starting 2 inches from the top and along the perimeter in the same order until the support panel 108 is covered with hair leaving ½ cm space between each stitched weft of hair. Stitch hair weft across the remaining area until the material is covered completely with hair leaving 1 cm space at top. In one non-limiting embodiment, the ribbon 102 is 16 inches in length, and ½ inch in width. The stretchable band 106 is 7 or 8 inches in length. The stretchable band 106 is disposed within the hollow channel 104 of the ribbon 102 and hooks 112, 212, 114, 214 are affixed to distal ends of the band. The ribbon 102 is stitched to the 1 cm space provided on the support panel 108.

[0033] The plurality of hair strands 110 may comprise real, natural hair, synthetic hair, or any combination thereof. The hair strands 110 may include any number of different colors that correlate to a person's natural looking hair color. As such, the plurality of hair strands 110 may include any color including black, blonde, dirty blonde, grey, white, brown, or light blonde. It is sometimes the case where individuals desire to enhance the cosmetic colored appearance of existing hair by adding highlights. A younger generation often desires brighter, or more pronounced colors such as a bright green, florescent blue, hot pink or fire engine red. Thus, the hair extension 100 may include a plurality of hair strands 110 that include pronounced, bright, and/or florescent colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, or any combination thereof. The plurality of hair strands 110 may comprise the same length, or come in a variety of different lengths and styles including braided hair, wavy hair, curled hair, or other configurations. In one example, the hair strands 110 may be designed to provide a layered cut. The hair strands 110 are preferably susceptible to styling by permitting use of hot irons, hair dryers, and other hair styling tools. Thus, the hair extension 100 may include any number of hair strands 110 that includes the same or different length, the same of different color, and comprise natural or synthetic hair or any combination thereof.

[0034] The hair extension 100 further includes a stretchable band shown at 106. The stretchable band 106 preferably comprises a stretchable material that is capable of withstanding repeated bending, and stretching over time, and durability when exposed to chemicals or sunlight. In one non-limiting embodiment, the stretchable band 106 may include an elastic or rubber band material, fabric covered single or multiple elastic band or strands, a bungee material, or other stretchable material such as braided elastic, sport elastic, or cord elastic. The stretchable band 106 may comprise any dimensional length, width, thickness, and/or diameter if round in shape. In one non-limiting example, the stretchable band 106 comprises of length of 6 to 9 inches when in a non-stretched, relaxed state, and 14 to 18 inches when in a stretched or non-relaxed state. The size of the stretchable band 106 is selected to accommodate entering the hollow channel 104 of ribbon 102. As depicted in FIG. 1, the stretchable band 106 includes a pair of opposite distal ends that extend outwards beyond opposite edges of the ribbon 102 a predetermined length. However, it is understood that ribbon 102 may comprise any length equivalent for example to the length of the stretchable band 106 when in a non-stretched state.

[0035] With reference made to FIGS. 1 and 2, hair extension 100 includes a pair of fasteners 112, 114 each affixed to the opposite distal ends of the stretchable band 106. In one non-limiting embodiment, each fastener 112, 114 includes a J-hook. Description is made to the constructional and functional features of one J-hook 112, as shown in FIG. 2, but it is understood that J-hook 114 (FIG. 1) is identical in construction and function. J-hook fastener 112 includes a first curvature 122 integral with a hook curvature 124 that together form a generally J-shaped hook. In one embodiment, the overall length of each J-hook 112, 114 comprises ½ to 1 inch, and more particularly in one embodiment as ½ inch, as denoted at D1. The width of the body of the first curvature 122 may include anywhere from to 4 cm, and more particularly 3 cm in one embodiment, as denoted at D2. Each opposite distal end of the stretchable band 106 includes an aperture 126 formed through the body of the band 106 for receiving the hook curvature 124 of J-hook 112, shown at 128 in an attached configuration. The top end 130 of the band 106 is disposed within slot 132 of J-hook 112. The opposite end of the stretchable band 106 attaches to J-hook 114 in similar form. Each J-hook 112, 114 may be constructed from any of wood, ceramic, plastic, nylon, metal, or a hard rubber material.

[0036] Slide covers 134, 135 are configured to slide over the outer surface of the stretchable band 106 and into position over the attachment configuration 128 of the hook curvature 124 and aperture 126 to prevent the hook curvature 124 from detaching from the aperture 126 during use. The slide cover 135 provides a similar arrangement as shown in FIG. 2. Each slide cover 134, 135 may comprise a rubber, plastic ceramic, or aluminum material. The slide covers 134, 135 may be secured in place, over the hooked curvature and aperture attachments, by crimping, glue, adhesive, sewing, threading over, or by frictional engagement. Since there is a strong possibility that the hair extension 100 will be exposed to water, the slide covers 134, 135 should include a material that is water resistant, or water proof in nature.

[0037] With reference made to FIG. 3 hair extension 100 may include a different style of fasteners 212, 214 that are each affixed to the opposite distal ends of the stretchable band 106. Description is made to the constructional and functional features of one fastener 212, as shown in FIG. 3, but it is understood that a fastener 114 is identical in construction and function. J-hook fastener 212 includes a first curvature 222 that is integral with a hook curvature 224 that together form a generally J-shaped hook. The first curvature 222 includes a first end 223 and a curved body that begins from the first end 223 and tappers down in size to a point 225. A second curvature extends outwards from the first end 223 and terminates into a hook curvature 224. In one embodiment, the overall length of each J-hook 212 comprises 25 to 30 mm, and more particularly in one embodiment as 28.52 mm, as denoted at D3. The opposite distal ends of the stretchable band 106 includes an aperture 126 formed through the body of the band 106 for receiving the hook curvature 224 of J-hook 212, shown at 226 in an attached configuration. The top end 130 of the band 106 is disposed within slot 228 of J-hook 212. The opposite end of the stretchable band 106 attaches to J-hook 214 in similar form, as shown in FIG. 4. Each J-hook 212, 214 may be constructed from any of wood, ceramic, plastic, nylon, metal, or a hard rubber material.

[0038] Tubular slide covers 234, 235 are adapted to slide over the outer surface of the stretchable band 106 and into position over the attachment configuration 226 of the hook curvature 224 and aperture 126 to prevent the hook curvature 224 from slipping out of aperture 126 during use. The slide cover 235 provides a similar arrangement as shown in FIG. 4. Each slide cover 234, 235 may comprise a rubber, plastic ceramic, or aluminum material. The slide covers 234, 235 are secured in place, over the hooked curvature and aperture attachments, by crimping, glue, adhesive, sewing, threading over, or by frictional engagement. Since there is a strong possibility that the hair extension 100 will be exposed to water, the slide covers 234, 235 should include a material that is water resistant, or water proof in nature.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each J-hook 212, 214 is sized and dimensioned to accommodate effectively grasping, and manipulating the J-hooks 212, 214 with index fingers and thumbs of a user's hands when attaching the hair extension 100 on the person's head of hair. The larger size J-hook 212, 214 permits users to easily manipulate and rotate the curved tapered body of the first curvature 222 between the finger and thumb of one hand as depicted by the rotation arrow. The circumference edge of curvature 222, 227 of each J-hook 212, 214 engages with, and rotates freely between the outer skin surface of the distal end of the index finger, and thumb. Traditional or conventional hair extensions often include smaller, thin, miniature fasteners that make grasping, holding and manipulating such fasteners by hand difficult, cumbersome, and basically in-effective. Prior art hair extensions include smaller sized fasteners that easily slip through the user's fingers and thumb, fail to attach firmly in the hair during use, or make attaching the hair extension to a person's hair difficult and frustrating as repeated attempts are often needed. The larger J-hooks 212, 214 provide more grasping surface area to hold onto and manipulate, a larger curvature 222, 227 to secure firmly into a person's hair, and a durable, bulkier body that can withstand greater pulling forces when stretching the stretchable band 106 by hand. Also, a larger outer edge circumference of each curvature 222, 227 permits the J-hooks 212, 214 to rotate freely between a user's fingers and thumbs when removing the hair extension 100 as well.

[0040] In turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustration is made in attaching the hair extension 100 to a person's natural hair. In one exemplary hair style configuration, a person puts their own natural hair into a ponytail 300 using a rubber band. When securing the hair extension to the naturally created ponytail 300, the person holds the ponytail hair extension 100 in one hand and places on top of the natural ponytail 300 and then secures one of the fasenters 112, 212 into the hair close to the scalp and adjacent the natural ponytail 300. The person wraps the stretchable band 106 and ribbon 102 around the natural ponytail 300 fully encircling the curved perimeter 136 of the ponytail 300 until the desired tightness is reached, securing the other fastener 114, 214 in the person's natural hair near the scalp. Upon securely attaching the hair extension 100 to the natural ponytail 300, the ribbon 102 is scrunched or bunched together to replicate the look of a standard hair tie and camouflage the connecting region of the hair extension 100 with the natural ponytail 300 lengthening the person's natural ponytail 300, and enhancing the cosmetic appearance of the wearer's hair. The support panel 108 helps form an outward extending bow, generally depicted at 202, to provide the natural look of a ponytail that flows contiguously with the wearer's natural hair, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The ribbon 102 is bunched together to mimic a commonly used hair tie, and covers the attachable area of the hair extension 100 to the wearer's natural ponytail 200 emulating the appearance of a longer, natural ponytail.

[0041] Various modifications can be made to the hair extension 100 to improve function and aesthetic appearance. The hair extension 100 may include any design, pattern, or color, and include a plurality of hair strands 110 that comprise straight hairs, wavily hairs, curled hairs, or any combination. The ribbon 102 may include lace, ruffles, beads, stiches, or other decorations and/or ornaments. In circumstances where the J-hooks 112, 114, 212, 214 are attachable together, the J-hooks 112, 114, 212, 214 may be replaced by hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro™, snaps, buttons, magnets, or other attachment fasteners. Each J-hook 112, 212, 114, 214 may be stitched to opposite distal ends of the stretchable band 106 if preferred.

[0042] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.