HAIR LOCKING TOOL CHARM

Abstract

A hair locking tool charm has an elongated shaft with a longitudinal channel. The shaft has a cylindrical first end and a tapered second end. The channel has a continuous sidewall parallel to a discontinuous sidewall. The discontinuous sidewall includes two overlapping members with an interspace between. The channel tapers to a narrow end near the first end of the shaft. A method of locking hair with the tool charm includes putting hair in the interspace, manipulating the hair into the narrow end of the channel, and guiding the hair around the first end into a v-shaped notch. Insert the tapered end into a lock or braid, pull the tool charm through, and release the hair from the notch and the channel. When not in use, the tool charm may be worn as an adornment.

Claims

1. A hair locking tool charm comprising: an elongated shaft having a substantially cylindrical first end and a tapered second end; and a longitudinal channel, formed in the elongated shaft, having a continuous sidewall and a discontinuous sidewall disposed parallel to the continuous sidewall, said discontinuous sidewall comprising two overlapping members forming an interspace therebetween; wherein the longitudinal channel tapers to a narrow end proximate the substantially cylindrical first end.

2. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein the continuous sidewall and the discontinuous sidewall define a first recessed longitudinal face and a second recessed longitudinal face.

3. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein the substantially cylindrical first end has a v-shaped notch formed therein.

4. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein the substantially cylindrical first end has a borehole defined diametrically therethrough.

5. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft is conical in shape from the longitudinal channel to the tapered second end.

6. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein the tapered second end is disposed at an obtuse angle to the continuous sidewall.

7. The hair locking tool charm of claim 1, wherein at least one circumferential ridge is scored around the tapered second end.

8. A method of locking hair with the hair locking tool charm of claim 1, comprising: engaging hair in the interspace; manipulating the hair into the longitudinal channel; urging the hair into the narrow end; guiding the hair around the substantially cylindrical first end into a v-shaped notch formed therein; inserting the tapered second end into a lock or braid; pulling the hair locking tool charm through the lock or braid; and releasing the hair from the v-shaped notch and the narrow end of the longitudinal channel.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising repeating the steps of inserting the tapered second end and pulling the hair locking tool charm through the lock or braid until a predetermined pattern is achieved.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hair locking tool charm according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 5 is another front elevation view, shown in use;

[0016] FIG. 6 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0017] FIG. 7 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a detail view thereof, shown in use;

[0019] FIG. 9 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0020] FIG. 10 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0021] FIG. 11 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0022] FIG. 12 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0023] FIG. 13 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0024] FIG. 14 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use;

[0025] FIG. 15 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use; and

[0026] FIG. 16 is another front elevation view thereof, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0028] Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a self-threading, embedded eye hair locking charm.

[0029] The device has a smaller circumference than prior art hair locking devices, so it passes through hair strands and micro hair locks more easily, making the creation and maintenance of micro hair locks easier and less time-consuming.

[0030] The charm has a shaft with a blunt end, an outer overlapping arm stemming therefrom and arching over an open eye located in a concave housing to form a first channel wide enough to introduce a hair lock into the open eye, and a tongue to guide hair down a second narrowing channel. The tongue extends backward into the open eye.

[0031] In some embodiments, the shaft may be curved and/or textured for better control. The bent tip of the device directs the needle in an upward direction after passing through surrounding hair strands, hair lock, braid, or track, making the device easier to locate and reducing the possibility of stray hair strands becoming tangled in the isolated section of hair strands or hair lock. In some embodiments, the tip is bent at an obtuse angle, which lessens repetitive wrist rotations that could potentially lead to carpal tunnel disease.

[0032] In other embodiments, the shaft may be straight.

[0033] In other embodiments, the shaft may be twisted to mimic the natural curl pattern of hair.

[0034] In other embodiments, the shaft may be smooth.

[0035] In some embodiments, the tool charm may have a hole punched above the open eye of the charm.

[0036] The size, length, and weight of the tool charm are not particularly limited as size, length, and weight may vary to accommodate size, length and width of hair strand, hair lock or braid. For example, the tool charm may be about 2-3 inches long and about 0.16-0.25 inches wide.

[0037] The material of manufacture is not particularly limited. The tool charm may be made, for example, of plastic, metal, wood, stone, resin, and any combination thereof.

[0038] The method of manufacture is not particularly limited. For example, the tool charm may be carved or formed in a mold and cured.

[0039] To use the tool charm, the user may gather a section of hair strands, hair lock or thread and feed it into a first channel between an outer arm and side arm. Moving the gathered strand hair or hair lock past a tongue, into the open eye of the needle, the user may guide the hair or hair lock upwards into a second narrowing channel until the hair reaches a place along the channel which best accommodates its size and fastened into the v-notch to prevent slippage to ensure sanitary conditions by reducing the possibility of the hair tool charm dropping onto unsanitary surfaces. The user may insert the blunt, bent tip of the tool charm through hair strands or a hair lock, drawing the secured hair through and repeat until a desired shape, size, length, or the desired amount or retightening of the hair lock is achieved. The user threads hair in and out of hair strands/locks with the inventive device, much in the way one would with a crafting, fashion, or surgical needle. The strands of hair, thread or finished hair lock may be released by gently guiding it out of the second narrowing channel and into the open eye of the needle. Progressing to the next section of hair, the user may repeat the procedure until the complete head of hair is locked, weft secured to track, loose hair strands slip knotted or secured to braid or track.

[0040] Midway along the tool charm, the body has a concave region for smooth entry and exit through hair. The tool charm narrows inward to create an opening to receive hair. The edges of the eye and its channels are smooth and curvy so as to not damage or cut hair that is pinched into the narrowest section of the embedded opening. The sidewalls around the embedded eye of the tool charm are recessed and are substantially flat and concave. The end portions of the tool charm are generally cylindrical.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 16, FIGS. 1 through 3 show a hair locking tool charm 10 having a bent tip 14 at one end and a rounded tip at a second end with a tip notch 22 formed therein. The bent tip has demarcations 16 scored around the circumference of its surface with marked spaces for measuring sections of hair to create a uniformed grid pattern onto the scalp when parting; see FIG. 4. The tool charm 10 has a shaft with a first arm and a tongue forming a slotted expandable eye 12 therebetween.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 13, a strand of hair 28 may be inserted into the center channel 18, moved to the narrow tip 20 thereof, and passed over the notch 22 to secure it in place. The tool charm 10 may then be used to weave the hair 28 through a braided track 30 or through an existing braid 32.

[0043] A bore 24 formed in the tool charm between the eye 12 and the notch 22 can accommodate a variety of suspension devices, such as a bracelet 34, a necklace 36, an earring 38, or hair enabling the user 26 to wear the tool charm 10 as a charm, as seen in FIGS. 14 through 16.

[0044] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.