Combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device

Abstract

A combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device. The device includes an elongated flexible strap having a first end and an opposed second end. A double-securing mechanism includes a protruding connector extending from the first end of the strap and a plurality of receiving connectors spaced apart on the strap, wherein the protruding connector connects with one of the receiving connectors and the protruding connector also connects with another of the receiving connectors.

Claims

1. A combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device, which device comprises: an elongated flexible strap having a first end and an opposed second end, wherein said flexible strap is comprised of a plurality of links in the form of loops; and; a securing mechanism having a protruding connector extending from said first end of said elongated flexible strap, wherein said protruding connector is a bead and wherein said plurality of links form a plurality of receiving connectors spaced apart on said elongated flexible strap, wherein said bead connects with one of said receiving connectors and said bead also connects with another of said receiving connectors, and wherein said elongated flexible strap forms a plane and said bead extends from said first end in said plane.

2. The combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated flexible strap has a length at least as long as the circumference of a wrist.

3. The combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device as set forth in claim 1 including an alternate protruding connector extending from said opposed second end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device;

(3) FIGS. 3 through 7 and FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate sequential views of the installation procedure or method to install and use the device;

(4) FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate use of the device; and

(5) FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further preferred embodiment of the combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope.

(7) While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

(8) Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device 30.

(9) The device 10 includes an elongated flexible strap 12 having a first end 14 and an opposed second end 16. The strap is flexible so that it may be wrapped around hair.

(10) As will be explained in detail, the device 10 includes a double-securing mechanism which includes a protruding connector 18 extending outward from the first end 14 of the strap 12. In the embodiment shown, the protruding connector 18 is a bead; however, a button, a hook, or similar item might be employed. The elongated flexible strap 12 forms a plane prior to installation and use. The protruding connector 18 extends outward from the first end 14 of the strap 12 in the same plane.

(11) The double-securing mechanism also includes a plurality of receiving connectors 20 which are spaced apart on and along the elongated flexible strap 12.

(12) In the present embodiment, the receiving connectors 20 form slits similar to a button hole; however, the receiving connectors may alternately be in the form of slots or loops within the spirit and scope of the invention.

(13) The elongated strap 12 has a pair of opposed sides, one of which is visible in FIG. 1. As will be described herein, at least one of the opposed sides of the strap 12 provides a frictional engagement surface. The frictional engagement surface assists in engaging the strap with the hair. Velvet or other similar material may be utilized. In addition, at least one of the opposed sides of the strap 12 includes a decorative surface.

(14) An alternate and optional protruding connector 22 extends from the opposed second end 16 of the strap 12. The second protruding connector 22 may act as a decorative element or may act as a secondary securing mechanism with another receiving connector.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a second preferred embodiment of a combination hair strap and wrist bracelet device 30 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The device 30 includes an elongated flexible strap 32 having a first end 34 and an opposed second end 36. The strap 32 is flexible so that it may be wrapped around hair.

(16) The device 30 includes a double-securing mechanism which includes a protruding connector 38 extending outward from the first end of the flexible strap 32. In the embodiment shown, the protruding connector 38 is a bead; however, a button, a hook, or similar item might be employed as a protruding connector. The elongated flexible strap 32 forms a plane prior to installation and use. The protruding connector 38 extends outward from the first end 34 of the strap in the same plane.

(17) The double-securing mechanism includes a plurality of receiving connectors 40 which are spaced apart on and along the elongated flexible strap 32.

(18) In the present embodiment, the receiving connectors 40 form slits similar to a button hole; however, the receiving connectors alternately may be in the form of slots or loops within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(19) The elongated strap 32 has a pair of opposed sides, one of which is visible in FIG. 2. As will be described herein, at least one of the opposed sides of the strap 32 provides a frictional engagement surface. The frictional engagement surface assists in engaging the strap with the hair. Velvet or similar material may be used. In addition, at least one of the opposed sides of the flexible strap 32 includes a decorative surface.

(20) An alternate and optional protruding connector 42 extends from the opposed second end of the strap 32.

(21) FIGS. 3 through 7 and FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate sequential views of the installation procedure or method to install and use the device.

(22) As seen in FIG. 3, while the user is holding locks or a bunch of hair which have been gathered in one hand, a first end 14 of the elongated flexible strap 12 is wrapped around the locks of hair with the other hand. FIG. 7 illustrates this initial step of the procedure from another perspective.

(23) Thereafter, as seen in FIG. 4, the protruding connector 18 is inserted through one of the receiving connectors 20 so that the strap surrounds and circumnavigates the locks of hair 24 and forms a circumference around the hair. One of the receiving connectors 20 is chosen based on the circumference of the gathered locks of hair 24.

(24) FIG. 8 illustrates a view of this step in the method after securing of the protruding connector 18 to the receiving connector 20 from another perspective.

(25) Thereafter, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, the remainder of the elongated strap 12 is wrapped at least once, and possibly more than once, in order to surround the first end 14 of the strap and surround the hair in place. Arrow 26 illustrates the movement of the strap 12. FIG. 10 illustrates the strap 12 being wrapped around itself and the hair.

(26) The protruding connector 18 is then inserted and connected to another of the receiving connectors 20 to form a double-securing mechanism. The completion of the operation is shown in FIG. 11. The second receiving connector 20 is chosen based on the circumference of the strap 12.

(27) In the event that an alternate protruding connector 22 is available, the same installation procedure may be utilized starting from the opposed end 16 of the strap 12 with the alternate protruding connector 22 utilized to connect with receiving connectors 20 for the double-securing mechanism.

(28) FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate use of the device. The strap 12 is brought around a wrist 44. Thereafter, the protruding connector 18 is inserted and connected to one of the receiving connectors in order to form a wrist bracelet. It will be appreciated that the length of the elongated strap is at least as long as the circumference of the wrist.

(29) FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 50 includes an elongated strap 52 having a first end 54 and an opposed second end 56. The device 50 includes a double-securing mechanism which includes a protruding connector 58 extending from the first end 54 of the strap. The protruding connector 58 extends outward from the first end 54 of the strap 52 in the same plane. In the embodiment shown, the protruding connector is a bead; however, a hook or similar item might be employed.

(30) The securing mechanism also includes a plurality of receiving connectors 60. In the embodiment shown, the receiving connectors 60 are in the form of loops or links. The protruding connector 58 is capable of engaging any of the receiving connectors 60.

(31) In yet a further alternate configuration, it is possible to wrap the strap more than twice around the hair, while making a single connection with the protruding connector and a single receiving connector.

(32) Whereas, the invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope of this invention.