HAIR SECURING DEVICE

Abstract

A hair securing device includes a semi-rigid membrane that conforms to a portion of the user's head. A plurality of tines extend orthogonally from the semi-rigid membrane, away from the user's head. The tines are spaced with sufficient density to securely hold portions of the user's hair when inserted within the field of tines. A securing loop may be disposed on a surface to anchor the hair securing device. Either the surface including the field of tines or an opposite surface may include a decorative or hygienic membrane. Such membrane may include ornamental designs and be disposable and replaceable. Each tine may be topped with an ornamental cap.

Claims

1. A hair securing device comprising: a membrane; and a plurality of tines disposed on a surface of the membrane, wherein: the membrane is configured to conform to a portion of a user's head; the plurality of tines are configured to extend orthogonally from the user's head when in use; and the plurality of tines are disposed with sufficient density to securely, releasably hold lengths of the user's hair when inserted among the plurality of tines.

2. The hair securing device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tines comprises a replaceable ornamental tip disposed distal to the membrane.

3. The hair securing device of claim 1, further comprising an anchor loop disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.

4. The hair securing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of texturing elements disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.

5. The hair securing device of claim 1, further comprising a disposable film disposed on one or more surfaces of the membrane.

6. The hair securing device of claim 1, wherein the membrane defines at least one cutout portion.

7. The hair securing device of claim 6, wherein the at least one cutout portion is disposed to facilitate conformity of the membrane to the user's head.

8. A method of securing a person's hair comprising: placing a hair securing device, including a membrane and a plurality of tines disposed on and extending orthogonally from a surface of the membrane, at a location of a user's head, the membrane conforming to the location; iteratively placing lengths of hair laterally across the hair securing device, the lengths of hair pressed among and interlocking with the plurality of tines.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing an ornamental tip on a distal portion of at least one of the plurality of tines.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising anchoring the membrane to a portion of the user's hair before iteratively placing lengths of hair laterally across the hair securing device via an anchor loop disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein anchoring the membrane comprises attached the anchor loop to the portion of the user's hair with one or more bobby pins.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a hair fixing spray.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the membrane defines at least one cutout portion.

14. An apparatus for securing hair in a desired orientation on a user's head comprising: a membrane; and a plurality of tines disposed on a surface of the membrane, wherein: the membrane is configured to conform to a portion of the user's head; the plurality of tines are configured to extend orthogonally from the user's head when in use; and the plurality of tines are disposed with sufficient density to securely, releasably hold lengths of the user's hair when inserted among the plurality of tines.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of tines comprises a replaceable ornamental tip disposed distal to the membrane.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an anchor loop disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of texturing elements disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a disposable film disposed on one or more surfaces of the membrane.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the membrane defines at least one cutout portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one cutout portion is disposed to facilitate conformity of the membrane to the user's head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The numerous advantages of the embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows an environmental view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Before explaining various embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of a feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1 a, 1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only, and should not be construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.

[0016] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0017] In addition, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts, and a and an are intended to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0018] Also, while various components may be depicted as being connected directly, direct connection is not a requirement. Components may be in data communication with intervening components that are not illustrated or described.

[0019] Finally, as used herein any reference to one embodiment, or some embodiments means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase in at least one embodiment in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination or sub-combination of two or more such features.

[0020] Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a hair securing device having a semi-rigid membrane that conforms to a portion of the user's head. A plurality of tines extend orthogonally from the semi-rigid membrane, away from the user's head. The tines are spaced with sufficient density to securely hold portions of the user's hair when inserted within the field of tines. A securing loop may be disposed on a surface to anchor the hair securing device. Either the surface including the field of tines or an opposite surface may include a decorative or hygienic membrane. Such membrane may include ornamental designs and be disposable and replaceable. Each tine may be topped with an ornamental cap.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing device includes a semi-rigid membrane 100 and a plurality of tines 102 extending from the semi-rigid membrane 100. The semi-rigid membrane 100 conforms to a portion of a user's head when in use such that the tines 102 extend away from the user's head. Lengths of hair are placed among the tines 102 and releasably held in place via friction. Multiple lengths of hair may be placed, overlapping and in different orientations.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 100 may include an ornamental or hygienic film layer. Such film layer may include printed ornamental designs and may be disposable; for example, an adhesive film applied to the surface.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing device includes a semi-rigid membrane 100 and a plurality of tines 102 that extend outward to secure a user's hair via friction. The field of tines 102 are disposed with a density sufficient apply a desired level of security while still allowing hair to be removed and repositioned at will (for example, between three and eight tines 102 per square centimeter).

[0024] Lengths of hair generally fall into place or are placed into the hair securing device from above (engaging the tines 102 first at a distal end and pulled down toward the semi-rigid membrane 100) with no or minimal effort. The user may place lengths of hair linearly. Different lengths may be placed in different, overlapping orientations. Overlapping may generally further secure the lengths of hair in place and generally secure the hair securing device in place. Because the hair securing device is held in place by the user's hair, the hair securing device induces less stress on the user's head as compared to alternative devices.

[0025] Alternatively, or in addition, individual lengths of hair may be placed so as to change orientation within the hair securing device. For example, a length of hair may be placed so as to enter the tines 102 from a side and exit at the bottom.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 100 opposite the field of tines 102 may include an ornamental or hygienic film layer. Such film layer may include printed ornamental designs and may be disposable; for example, an adhesive film applied to the surface.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the surface opposite the field of tines 102 may include a plurality of texturing elements 200 disposed to abut the users head when in use. Texturing elements 200 may provide additional surface area to interface with the user's head/hair and hold the hair securing device relatively stationary with respect to the user's head.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, an anchor loop 202 may be disposed on the semi-rigid membrane 100. The anchor loop 202 may allow the user to affix the hear securing device to the user's head before placing hair in the field of tines 102. For example, the user may use one or more bobby pins to secure the anchor loop 202 to the user's hair.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, an environmental view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. A hair securing device according embodiments of the present disclosure is placed to abut a portion of the user's head 300 so that lengths of hair may be placed over the hair securing device to engage tines 102 extending orthogonally from a semi-rigid membrane abutting the user's head 300. The hair securing device allows the user to place lengths of hair in different, overlapping orientations. Because the tines 102 extend some distance from the user's head 300, different lengths of hair in different, overlapping orientations do not need to be tightly packed. The tines 102 facilitate added hair volume in the vicinity of the hair securing device.

[0030] Furthermore, a hair securing device according to the present disclosure may be used in concert with other hair securing devices or techniques. Embodiments may be effective to retain lengths of hair in a desired location and orientation to allow the user to more easily implement different hair styles that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for an individual. In addition, a hair securing device according to the present disclosure may temporarily hold hair in place to allow the user to apply hair spray or other fixative; the user may then remove the hair securing device.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, some or all of the tines 102 may be adapted to receive ornamental fixtures to a distal tip. For example, magnetic tips may allow ornamental tips to be added to the times. Alternatively, or in addition, an ornamental cap may be placed over the hair securing device, engaging the distal portion of the tines 102.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, a top view of a hair securing device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing device includes a semi-rigid membrane 400 and a plurality of tines 102 extending from the semi-rigid membrane 400. The semi-rigid membrane 400 conforms to a portion of a user's head when in use such that the tines 102 extend away from the user's head. Lengths of hair are placed among the tines 102 and releasably held in place via friction. Multiple lengths of hair may be placed, overlapping and in different orientations.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 400 defines one or more cutouts 402. The cutouts 402 facilitate curvature and conformity to the user's head. It may be appreciated that an ovoid semi-rigid membrane may conform to a user's head within certain limits based on size; cutouts 402 may allow the hair securing device to comfortably fit smaller users while still providing adequate surface contact.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be appreciated that the cutouts 402 define regions without the field of tines 102. Such regions cutouts 402 may be disposed to generally conform to portions of a user's head where the tines 102 may be intrusive (proximal to the user's ears, for example).

[0035] It may be apricated that while embodiments described here specifically refer to a semi-rigid membrane 100, 400 (a membrane having a defined shape but that is deformable to conform to the head of the user while in use), rigid membranes are also envisioned where the rigid membrane includes a field of tines that project outward from the users head while in use.

[0036] It is believed that the inventive concepts disclosed herein and many of their attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein or without sacrificing all of their material advantages; and individual features from various embodiments may be combined to arrive at other embodiments. The forms herein before described being merely explanatory embodiments thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. Furthermore, any of the features disclosed in relation to any of the individual embodiments may be incorporated into any other embodiment.