Abstract
A ponytail holder comprises a generally elongated, generally cylindrical member having first and second ends of a first diameter and a central section of lesser diameter, defining a relief for receiving an elastic band for securing a bundle of hair to said ponytail holder.
Claims
1. A method for securing the hair of a wearer securely in a ponytail, comprising the steps of: providing a ponytail holder, said ponytail holder comprising an elongated, substantially inflexible cylindrical central section and first and second end caps, said first end cap being of at least a first diameter and said second end cap being of at least equal diameter as said first end cap, said second end cap forming a partially spherical bulb, and said cylindrical central section being of lesser diameter than said first end cap and spacing said first end cap from said second end cap, whereby said central section of lesser diameter defines a relief for receiving an elastic band for securing a bundle of hair to said ponytail holder, and further comprising a sleeve of rubber material disposed over said relief; forming the hair of the wearer into a bundle; disposing said ponytail holder within said bundle at a desired position; and maneuvering an elastic band over the bundle and the ponytail holder such that said elastic band draws the bundle into the relief.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the external surface of said bulb is grooved.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said ponytail holder further comprises a tongue having an aperture therein for having an adornment secured thereto.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ponytail holder has a central bore for having an adornment secured hereto.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said generally elongated, generally cylindrical member is molded of a thermoplastic.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a profile view of a woman with her hair in a ponytail, secured by the holder of the invention, and having an adornment in the form of a ribbon attached thereto;
(3) FIG. 2 shows an elevation and partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention;
(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;
(5) FIG. 4 is an elevation and partial cross-section of a second embodiment of the invention, showing certain further options and improvements;
(6) FIG. 5 is a view from the left end of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and
(7) FIG. 6 is a view from the right end of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(8) As shown by FIGS. 2 and 3, in its simplest embodiment the ponytail holder 10 of the invention comprises a unitary bobbin which in production will typically be molded of a thermoplastic. As shown by FIG. 3, the ponytail holder is a generally cylindrical elongated member that in this embodiment is radially symmetric. Ponytail holder 10 defines first and second end caps 12 and 14 respectively, which are spaced from one another by a central section 16 of smaller diameter, referred to as the relief 16. Relief 16 thus defines a bottom 16a and end walls 16b. The end surfaces of first and second end caps 12 and 14 may be broadly radiused, as illustrated. A central bore 18 may extend through ponytail holder 10, to receive a string carrying an adornment such as a ribbon, feather, hair extension, or the like.
(9) Typical dimensions for the ponytail holder in this embodiment are as follows: The end caps 12 and 14 are in diameter and 0.200 thick while relief 16 is in diameter and long for an overall length of about 1.025.
(10) FIG. 1 shows the ponytail holder of the invention in use, although in this drawing the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6, discussed below, is illustrated. In practice of the invention, the wearer's hair is drawn by hand into a bundle, and the ponytail holder 10 inserted into the bundle, near the scalp. An elastic band 20 is then stretched over the bundle and maneuvered into position so that it fits into the relief 16, and so that the hair of the bundle is drawn into frictional relation with the bottom 16a and end walls 16b of the relief 16. Noting that the force exerted by the hairband can only be a few pounds, to allow the user to readily stretch the band and maneuver it into place, it will be appreciated that the additional surface area provided by the relief will provide substantial additional frictional force holding the ponytail in place. That is, employment of the ponytail holder of the invention provides substantial additional frictional engagement between the hair of the bundle and the ponytail holder as compared to the typical practice of simply using a rubber band or elastic hair band to confine the wearer's hair into the bundle. Therefore, the ponytail holder 10 of the invention stays in place and the ponytail is unlikely to become loose during activity.
(11) FIGS. 4-6 show further enhancements that may be provided. In order to provide an attractive shape to the ponytail, the distal end of the bobbin 10 may comprise a substantially enlarged, generally part-spherical bulb, as indicated at 22. The bobbin in this embodiment can be molded of a thermoplastic; alternatively, bulb 22 can be molded of rubber, and have a bore formed therein sized to as to be a light press fit over a separate bobbin. Bulb 22 may have grooves formed on its surface, as shown at 22a; especially where the hair of the bundle exits the relief, grooves 22a would provide additional friction, further tending to hold the ponytail holder 10 in place. Bulb 22 may be 1.5 in diameter and long. The overall length of the ponytail holder in this embodiment is thus about 1.625.
(12) Similarly, to provide additional friction, a rubber sleeve 24 may be disposed over the relief 16. A similar rubber sleeve may be employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.
(13) Further, in lieu of bore 18 shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3 embodiment, a tongue 26 defining an aperture 26a may be formed on the distal end of the bobbin 10, for convenient attachment of a ribbon 28 or like adornment, as shown in FIG. 1. Such a tongue with aperture could be provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.
(14) The invention also includes the method of use of the ponytail holder, as described above.
(15) Further improvements and modifications will occur to those of skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described above, but only by the following claims.
