CLAW CLIPS WITH MULTIPLE ROWS OF TEETH

Abstract

A hair clip includes a first side and a second side that are connected to each other with a hinge. Each side of the clip includes two or more rows of teeth, imparting the clip with at least two rows of teeth, including an outer row at or near a bottom of the clip and an intermediate row closer to a top of the clip. As the sides of the clip close together, corresponding rows of teeth on the two sides of the clip may face, or oppose, each other. Teeth of the opposed rows may mesh, or interleave with each other. Methods for using clips with multiple rows of teeth are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A clip for hair, comprising: a first side including: a top; a bottom; a first row of teeth protruding somewhat laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom; and a second row of teeth defining the bottom of the first side and protruding somewhat laterally; a second side opposing the first side including: a top; a bottom; a first row of teeth protruding somewhat laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom, the first row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the first row of teeth of the first side; and a second row of teeth defining the bottom of the second side and protruding somewhat laterally, the second row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the second row of teeth of the first side; a hinge connecting the first side and the second side; a spring that forces: the first row of teeth of the first side toward the first row of teeth of the second side; and the second row of teeth of the first side into an interleaved arrangement with the second row of teeth of the second side; and handles for forcing: the first row of teeth of the first side apart from the first row of teeth of second side; and the second row of teeth of the first side and the second row of teeth of the second side out of the interleaved arrangement, the handles including: a first handle on the top of the first side and extending in a first direction, at least partially away from the second side; and a second handle on the top of the second side and extending in a second direction, at least partially away from the first side.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the first row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and curve laterally toward the second side; and the first row of teeth of the second side extend downwardly from the top of the second side and curve laterally toward the first side.

3. The clip of claim 2, wherein: the second row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and curve laterally toward the second side; and the second row of teeth of the second side extend downwardly from the top of the second side and curve laterally toward the first side.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the first row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and bend to extend laterally toward the second side; and the first row of teeth of the second side extending downwardly from the top of the second side and bend to extend laterally toward the first side.

5. The clip of claim 4, wherein: the second row of teeth of the first side extend laterally from the bottom of the first side; and the second row of teeth of the second side extend laterally from the bottom of the second side.

6. The clip of claim 5, wherein: the first side comprises a window between the top and the bottom; and the second side comprises a window between the top and the bottom.

7. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the first side further includes: a third row of teeth protruding laterally; and the second side further includes: a third row of teeth protruding laterally, the third row of teeth opposable to the third row of teeth of the first side.

8. The clip of claim 7, wherein: the third row of teeth of the first side protrude from the top of the first side; and the third row of teeth of the second side protrude from the top of the second side.

9. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the first handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the first side; and the second handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the second side.

10. A clip for hair, comprising: a first side including: a top; a bottom; a first row of teeth extending substantially laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom; and a second row of teeth extending substantially laterally from the bottom; a second side opposing the first side including: a top; a bottom; a first row of teeth extending substantially laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom, the first row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the first row of teeth of the first side; and a second row of teeth extending substantially laterally from the bottom of the second side, the second row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the second row of teeth of the first side; a hinge connecting the first side and the second side; a spring that forces: the first row of teeth of the first side into a first interleaved arrangement with the first row of teeth of the second side; and the second row of teeth of the first side into a second interleaved arrangement with the second row of teeth of the second side; and handles for forcing: the first row of teeth of the first side and the first row of teeth of second side out of the first interleaved arrangement; and the second row of teeth of the first side and the second row of teeth of the second side out of the second interleaved arrangement.

11. The clip of claim 10, wherein the handles include: a first handle on the top of the first side and extending in a first direction; and a second handle on the top of the second side and extending in a second direction, away from the first side and opposite from the first direction.

12. The clip of claim 11, wherein: the first handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the first side; and the second handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the second side.

13. The clip of claim 10, wherein: the first side further includes: a third row of teeth protruding laterally; and the second side further includes: a third row of teeth protruding laterally, the third row of teeth opposable to the third row of teeth of the first side.

14. The clip of claim 13, wherein: the third row of teeth of the first side protrude from the top of the first side; and the third row of teeth of the second side protrude from the top of the second side.

15. A method for securing hair, comprising: arranging hair in an arrangement; while holding the hair in the arrangement, opening a clip and placing the clip over the arrangement, including: positioning first rows of teeth of the clip over first locations on substantially opposite sides of the arrangement; and positioning second rows of teeth of the clip over second locations behind the arrangement or on substantially opposite sides of the arrangement, the second locations differing from the first locations; and engaging the arrangement with the clip to hold the hair in the arrangement in place, including: closing the clip around at least a portion of the arrangement to cause: the first rows of teeth to protrude into the first locations of the arrangement to grasp the arrangement at an intermediate location and to secure the clip in place in the hair; and the second rows of teeth to close over at least a portion of the arrangement to further secure the clip in place on the arrangement.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the closing the clips includes causing the first rows of teeth to interleave within the arrangement.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein closing the clip includes causing the second rows of teeth substantially around an exterior of the arrangement.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein closing the clip includes causing the second rows of teeth to protrude into the second locations of the arrangement to further grasp the arrangement and to further secure the clip in place on the arrangement.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein closing the clips includes causing the second rows of teeth to interleave within the arrangement.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the arrangement with the clip further includes: closing a third row of teeth in the arrangement, the third row of teeth engaging the hair within the arrangement to even further secure the clip in place in the hair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 is side view of an embodiment of a hair clip according to this disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an end view of the embodiment of the hair clip shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a first side and a second side of the hair clip in an open arrangement;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hair clip of FIG. 1, with the first portion and second portion in the open arrangement;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a hair clip of this disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a claw clip according to this disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 is an end view of the embodiment of the hair clip shown in FIG. 5; and

[0027] FIG. 7 is an end view of still another embodiment of a hair clip of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of a clip 10 for hair. The clip 10 may, as depicted, comprise a so-called claw clip, although other types of hair clips, including so-called octopus clips, may include features that are similar to or the same as the features of the clip 10 described in reference to FIGS. 1-3.

[0029] The clip 10 may include a first side 11a and a second side 11b, each of which may be referred to as a side 11 of the clip 10. Each side 11 of the clip 10 may include a top 12, with the first side 11a including a top 12a and the second side 11b including a top 12b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a hinge 13 may pivotally secure the first side 11a and second side 11b to each other at or near their respective tops 12a and 12b.

[0030] The hinge 13 may enable the first side 11a and second side 11b to have a closed arrangement relative to one another, as illustrated by FIG. 1, an open arrangement relative to each other, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a plurality of at least partially open arrangements between the closed arrangement and a completely open arrangement.

[0031] A length of the top 12a, 12b of each of the first side 11a and second side 11bof the clip 10 may correspond to an overall length of the clip 10. The clip 10 may have any suitable length. For example, the clip 10 may be short (e.g., it may have a length of as small as about 1 cm (about 0.4 inch)), although the clip 10 may have any suitable length. Without limitation, the clip may have a length of about 7.5 cm (about 3 inches) to about 15 cm (about 6 inches) or longer).

[0032] In addition to the top 12a, the first side 11a of the clip 10 may include first teeth 14a that extend downwardly a first distance from the top 12a and then laterally inward toward the second side 11b, as well as a second teeth 16a that extend downwardly a second distance from the top 12a and then laterally inward toward the second side 11b. The first teeth 14a and/or the second teeth 16a may be curved. The first teeth 14a and second teeth 16a may alternate with each other. As depicted by FIGS. 2 and 3, the first side 11a includes six second teeth 16a alternating with seven first teeth 14a. Thus, the outermost teeth are first teeth 14a.

[0033] The first teeth 14a may be arranged in a first row 15a. Each of the first teeth 14a extends downward to an intermediate location along a height of the first side 11a and, thus, along a height of the clip 10. The second teeth 16a may be arranged in a second row 17a. Each of the second teeth 16a may extend downward to a bottom of the first side 11a and, thus, define a bottom of the clip 10.

[0034] Optionally, as FIG. 2 shows, the first side 11a of the clip 10 may further include third teeth 18a, which may be arranged in a third row 19a. While the third teeth 18a may protrude laterally inward toward the second side 11b from any location of the first side 11a, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the clip 10 in which the third teeth 18a protrude laterally inward from intermediate locations along the lengths of the first teeth 14a. A third tooth 18a may protrude from each first tooth 14a; there may be seven first teeth 14a and seven third teeth 18a on the first side 11a.

[0035] The second side 11b of the clip 10 may include first teeth 14b that extend downwardly a first distance from the top 12b and then laterally inward toward the first side 11a, as well as a second teeth 16b that extend downwardly a second distance from the top 12b and then laterally inward toward the first side 11a. The first teeth 14b and/or the second teeth 16b may be curved. The first teeth 14b and second teeth 16b may alternate with each other. As depicted by FIG. 3, the second side 11b includes six first teeth 14b alternating with seven second teeth 16b. Thus, the outermost teeth are second teeth 16b.

[0036] The first teeth 14b may be arranged in a first row 15b. Each of the first teeth 14b extends downward to an intermediate location along a height of the second side 11b and, thus, along a height of the clip 10. The second teeth 16b may be arranged in a second row 17b. Each of the second teeth 16b may extend downward to a bottom of the second side 11b and, thus, define a bottom of the clip 10.

[0037] Optionally, as FIG. 2 shows, the second side 11b of the clip 10 may further include third teeth 18b, which may be arranged in a third row 19b. While the third teeth 18b may protrude laterally inward toward the first side 11a from any location of the second side 11b, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the clip 10 in which the third teeth 18b protrude laterally inward from intermediate locations along the lengths of the first teeth 14b. A third tooth 18b may protrude from each first tooth 14b; there may be six first teeth 14b and seven third teeth 18b on the second side 11b.

[0038] As illustrated by FIG. 1, as the first side 11a and second side 11b of the clip 10 pivot to their closed arrangement, bottom portions of the second teeth 16a of the first side 11a may mesh with, or interleave with, bottom portions of the second teeth 16b of the second side 11b. Optionally, tips or bottom portions of the first teeth 14a of the first side 11a and tips or bottom portions of the first teeth 14b of the second side 11b may also mesh with, or interleave with, each other. The optional third row 19a of third teeth 18a of the first side 11a may face the optional third row 19b of third teeth 18b of the second side 11b without any of the third teeth 18a and 18b meshing with, or interleaving with, each other.

[0039] Including teeth 14a and 14b, teeth 16a and 16b, and optional teeth 18a and 18b at two or more different elevations along the height of the clip 10 may enable the clip 10 to better grip hair, including fine or thin hair, as well as medium hair and coarse or thick hair.

[0040] The first side 11a of the clip 10 may include a handle 20a, while the second side 11b of the clip 10 includes a handle 20b. Handle 20a may extend in a first direction, away from the first side 11a, while handle 20b may extend in a second direction, away from the second side 11b. For example, each handle 20a, 20b may protrude somewhat upwardly and laterally outward from the top 12a, 12b or its respective side 11.

[0041] As FIG. 3 shows, the hinge 13 may be located between handles 20a and 20b of the clip 10, although other locations are also possible (e.g., between tops 12a and 12b, etc.). The hinge 13 may include knuckles 13k-a that protrude from the first side 11a that cooperate and align with knuckles 13k-b that protrude from the second side 11b. The hinge 13 may also include a pin 13p that may extend through aligned holes of the knuckles 13k-a and 13k-b to secure the first side 11a and second side 11b to each other and to enable the first side 11a and second side 11b to pivot relative to each other. In addition the hinge 13 may include a torsion spring 13s, which may cause, or force, the first side 11a and second side 11b to pivot to their closed arrangement.

[0042] The handles 20a and 20b may enable an individual to move the first side 11a and second side 11b into their open arrangement, against the force the spring 13s applies to the first side 11a and second side 11b to cause them to close or, more specifically, to pivot them to their closed arrangement. Thus, use of the handles 20a and 20b may force the first row 15a of teeth 14a of the first side 11a and the first row 15b of teeth 14b of the second side 11b apart from each other. Use of the handles 20a and 20b may also force the teeth 16a of the second row 17a of the first side 11a and the teeth 16b of the second row 17b of the second side 11b out of their interleaved arrangement and apart from each other, opening the clip 10, or placing the clip 10 in an open arrangement (e.g., a partially open arrangement or a complement open arrangement).

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of clip 10 that is similar to but longer than the embodiment of clip 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. Compared with the up to seven first teeth 14 of each first row 15, up to seven second teeth 16 of each second row 17, and up to seven optional third teeth 18 of each optional third row 19 (FIG. 2) on each side 11 of clip 10, clip 10 includes up to nine of the first teeth 14 in each first row 15, up to nine second teeth 16 in each second row 17, and optionally up to nine third teeth 18 (not shown) in each optional third row 19 (not shown).

[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a clip 110. The clip 110 includes two sides 111 that are connected to each other with a hinge 113. The hinge 113 of the clip 110 may be configured similarly to the embodiment of clip 13 shown in and described with reference to FIG. 3. The hinge 113 may enable movement of bottom portions of the sides 111 toward each other to place the clip 110 into its closed arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and movement of the bottom portions of the sides 111 apart from each other to open the clip 110, placing it in a partially open arrangement or in a completely open arrangement.

[0045] Each side 111 includes a top 112t, an intermediate portion 112i, and a bottom 112b. Each side 111 may be substantially flat. Alternatively, as FIG. 6 shows, each side 111 may have a slight curvature, or a slight arc, from its top 112t to its bottom 112b. For example, each side 111 may curve outwardly. The intermediate portion 112i of each side 111 may include a window 130. The bottom 112b of each side 111 may be curved along its length, imparting a base of the clip 110 with a concave surface from one end of the clip 110 to the other end of the clip 110.

[0046] Each side 111 of the clip 110 may include first teeth 114 that extend downwardly a first distance from the top 112t of the side 111 and then laterally inward toward the other side 111. The first teeth 114 may be curved. The first teeth 114 of each side 111 may be arranged in a first row 115. Each of the first teeth 114 extends downward to an intermediate location along a height of its corresponding side 111 and, thus, to an intermediate location along a height of the clip 110. In embodiments where a side 111 of the clip 110 includes a window 130, the first teeth 114 may be visible through the window 130.

[0047] The second teeth 116 may extend laterally inward from the bottom 112b of each side 111, at a lower elevation than the first teeth 114. The second teeth 116 may be substantially straight. The second teeth 116 may be arranged in a second row 117 at a bottom of the clip 110.

[0048] Optionally, each side 111 of the clip 110 may further include third teeth (not shown), which may be arranged in a third row (not shown). The third teeth may protrude laterally inward toward the other side 111 from any location along the height of the side 111 from which they protrude.

[0049] As the sides 111 of the clip 110 pivot to their closed arrangement, the second teeth 116 of each side 111 may mesh with, or interleave with, the second teeth 116 of the other side 111. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, tips or bottom portions of the first teeth 114 of the each side 111 may also mesh with, or interleave with, tips or bottom portions of the first teeth 114 of the other side 111. The optional third row of third teeth of the each side 111 may face the optional third row of third teeth of the other side 111 without any of the third teeth meshing with, or interleaving with, each other.

[0050] Each side 111 of the clip 110 may include a handle 120. Each handle 120 may extend away from the top 112t of the side 111. For example, each handle 120 may protrude somewhat upwardly and laterally outward from the top 112t of its respective side 111. The handles 120 may enable an individual to move the sides 111 of the clip 110 into their open arrangement, against the force a spring of the hinge 113 applies to the sides 111 to cause them to close or, more specifically, to pivot them to their closed arrangement. Thus, use of the handles 120 may force the first row 115 of teeth 114 of each side 111 apart from the first row 115 of teeth 114 of the other side 111. Use of the handles 120 may also force the teeth 116 of the second row 117 of each side 111 apart from the teeth 116 of the second row 117 of the other side 111 out of their interleaved arrangement and apart from each other, opening the clip 110, or placing the clip 110 in an open arrangement (e.g., a partially open arrangement or a complement open arrangement).

[0051] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a clip 110 that resembles the embodiment of clip 110 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but in which first teeth 114 of a first row 116 of each side 111 of the clip 110 are bent at substantially perpendicular angles (rather than curved).

[0052] Returning reference to FIGS. 1-3, a method for securing hair is described. The method may include arranging hair and, while holding the hair in the arrangement, opening a clip 10 with a plurality of rows 15a and 15b, 17a and 17b, 19a and 19b of teeth 14a and 14b, 16a and 16b, and 18a and 18b, as illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3. While the clip 10 is open, it may be placed over the arrangement of hair. The clip 10 may then be closed, as shown in FIG. 1, whereupon the teeth 14a and 14b, 16a and 16b, and 18a and 18b on opposite sides 11a and 11b of the clip 10 may engage the arrangement of hair. For example, the second rows 17a and 17b of teeth 16a and 16b may close around at least a portion of the arrangement of hair.

[0053] Closing the second rows 17a and 17b of teeth 16a and 16b may secure the clip in place in the hair. The second rows 17a and 17b of teeth 16a and 16b may extend substantially around an exterior of the arrangement of hair, or they may engage hair of the arrangement.

[0054] Closing the first rows 15a and 15b of teeth 14a and 14b may enable the teeth 14a and 14b of the first rows 15a and 15b to grasp hair at an intermediate location within the arrangement of hair to further secure the clip 10 in place in the hair. Closing the optional third rows 19a and 19b of teeth 18a and 18b may enable the teeth 18a and 18b to further engage the hair within the arrangement to even further secure the clip 10 in place in the hair.

[0055] When removal of the clip 10 is desired, the handles 20a and 20b may be squeezed together to open the clip 10 and at least partially remove the teeth 14a and 14b, 16a and 16b, and 18a and 18b from the hair, facilitating removal of the clip 10 from the hair and releasing the arrangement of hair.

[0056] Although this disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their elements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.