Hair Extension Tool

Abstract

A tool used to hold hair extensions while they are being worked upon is described. The tool is typically comprised of an elongated U-shaped channel made of a single piece of metal plate. The upwardly spaced parallel upwardly-extending left and right flanges comprise combs with aligned tines rising from base spines allowing hair extensions to be securely received in the tines. This permits the hair extension stylist to work on the extensions to one or more of repair, de-tangle, dye, augment, and customize them. The tool is typically mounted to a stand. One or more magnets can be provided to secure steel tools, and a spindle can be provided to receive a spool of thread.

Claims

1. A tool for holding hair extension as they are worked on by a stylist, the tool comprising: a single piece elongated U-shaped channel having a base web with opposing generally parallel left and right flanges generally extending orthogonally upwardly from respective left and right longitudinal web edges, each of the left and right flanges forming a comb having a spine of a first height and a plurality of distributed, spaced and planarly-aligned tines extending upwardly therefrom, the base web including at least one hole generally proximate a center of the base web configured to facilitate mounting the tool to a shaft of a stand.

2. The hair extension tool of claim 1, further including at least a first magnet attached with the U-shaped channel, the magnet being capable of holding ferrous containing articles weighing at least 2 ounces.

3. The hair extension of claim 1, further comprising a generally vertically orientated spindle attached with and extending outwardly from the U-shaped channel.

4. The hair extension tool of claim 1, including: at least a first magnet attached with the U-shaped channel, the magnet being capable of holding ferrous containing articles weighing at least 2 ounces; and a generally vertically orientated spindle attached with and extending outwardly from the U-shaped channel.

5. The hair extension tool of claim 2, wherein the first magnet is attached with an end of the U-shaped channel.

6. The hair extension tool of claim 1, including one or more second magnets attached to the spine of at least one of the left and right flanges.

7. The hair extension tool of claim 1, wherein the base web is about 1.5-2.25 inches wide.

8. The hair extension tool of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped channel comprises aluminum.

9. The hair extension tool of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped channel is comprised of steel.

10. The hair extension tool of claim 4, further comprising a steel L-shaped bracket wherein the L-shaped bracket is mounted to a channel end of the U-shaped Channel along a vertical bracket side and a horizontal bracket side overlaying portions of top edges of the respective left and right flanges proximate the end, the first magnet being attached to the vertical bracket side, and the spindle extends outwardly through the horizontal bracket side.

11. The hair extension tool of claim 10, wherein the L-shaped bracket is comprised of steel.

12. The hair extension tool of claim 4 in combination with a stand wherein the hair extension tool is attached to the top of the stand through the at least one hole.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the stand comprises a tripod.

14. The combination of claim 12 further including one or more at least partially steel hand tools attached to the first magnet.

15. The combination of claim 13, further including a spool of thread received over the spindle.

16. A method of using the combination of claim 15 comprising: placing a hair weave having an elongated linear weft in hair extension tool by sliding the weft downwardly to an interior side of the comb of the left flange with the strands of hair along the weft being distributed along the comb and in between the tines thereof until the weft is positioned proximate the spine wherein the strands of hair extend downwardly from an outside of the comb.

17. The method of claim 16 above further comprising: removing a strand of thread from the spool of thread; threading the strand of thread onto a needle; and repairing the weft by sewing it using the needle and thread.

18. The method of claim 16 above further comprising: removing the hair extension tool from the first magnet; and using the hair extension tool to make changes to the hair extension.

19. A tool for holding hair extension as they are worked on by a stylist, the tool comprising: a single piece elongated U-shaped channel having a base web with opposing generally parallel left and right flanges generally extending orthogonally upwardly from respective left and right longitudinal web edges, each of the left and right flanges forming a comb having a spine of a first height and a plurality of distributed, spaced and planarly-aligned tines extending upwardly therefrom, the base web including at least one hole generally proximate a center of the base web configured to facilitate mounting the tool to a shaft of a stand; a steel L-shaped bracket wherein the L-shaped bracket is mounted to a channel end of the U-shaped Channel along a vertical bracket side with a horizontal bracket side overlaying portions of top edges of the respective left and right flanges proximate the end; a first magnet attached to the vertical bracket side, the magnet being capable of holding ferrous containing articles weighing at least 2 ounces; and a generally vertically orientated spindle attached with and extending outwardly from the U-shaped channel and through the horizontal bracket side.

20. The hair extension tool of claim 19, further comprising one or more second magnets, the second magnets being attached to the spine of at least one of the left and right flanges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an assembled hair extension tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hair extension tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tined U-shaped body of the hair extension tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the tined U-shaped body of the hair extension tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an end view of the tined U-shaped body of the hair extension tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a hair extension tool mounted on a tripod and including various hand tools and a spool of thread that are typically used with the tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 7 is an isometric top view showing a hair extension received in one set of tines of the hair extension tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the spindle/magnet assembly is omitted from this view for purposes of clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention comprise a U-shaped tool used to hold hair extensions while they are being worked upon. The tool is typically comprised of an elongated U-shaped channel made of a single piece of metal plate. Importantly, the upwardly spaced parallel upwardly-extending left and right flanges comprise combs with aligned tines rising from base spines allowing hair extensions to be securely received in the tines of one comb or draped across and received in both combs spanning the space therebetween. This permits the hair extension stylist to more easily work on the extensions to one or more of repair, de-tangle, dye, augment, and customize them. The flanges are joined at their respective base edges by a base web that also includes one or more holes that permit the tool to be mounted to a stand, such as a tripod. The floor of the base web provides a convenient space for a stylist to store items used while working on the extensions, such as but not limited a container of decorative beads.

[0013] Proximate an end of certain embodiments of the U-shaped channel, one or both of a vertically-extending spindle and relatively large magnet (also referred to as the first magnet herein) can be attached. The spindle allows a spool of thread to be received over it so that a stylist has convenient and ready access to thread necessary to use when working on the hair extension received in the tool. The first magnet, which typically has a holding capability of over 2 ounces, is used to hold steel hand tools, such as scissors and pliers.

[0014] Some embodiments of the hair extension tool further include additional magnets (also referred to herein as second magnets) that can be arranged along the spines of the left and right flange combs to hold other steel articles useful to a hair extension stylist such as needles and loop tools. The additional magnets can be provided in pairs so that one attached to the outside of a left or right flange comb spine and the other to the inside of the spine thereby holding each other in place.

[0015] A hair extension tool of the present design mounted to its own stand that is further configured to contain or hold most if not all the hand tools and supplies utilized by the hair extension stylist ameliorates many if not all the drawbacks of prior art hair extension tools. It keeps the hair neatly segregated from other hair in the two sets of tines to avoid cross contamination. It eliminates the need for service trays and the resulting table spread by providing specific places of the various tools, supplies and hair on the hair extension tool permitting quick and easy access by the stylist improving workflow efficiency.

Terminology

[0016] The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes ( ) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document including the claims unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

[0017] The term or as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive, rather the term is inclusive meaning either or both.

[0018] References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, a preferred embodiment, an alternative embodiment and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.

[0019] The term couple or coupled as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.

[0020] Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, back, front, lateral, outwardly, and upwardly are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated or dictated by context, the terms generally, approximately and about mean +20% and/or wherein the percentage deviation is not quantifiable, the terms mean for the most part as this would be understood by the relevant person of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise indicated or dictated by context, the term substantially means +10%.

An Embodiment of a Hair Extension Tool

[0022] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate different views and configurations of an embodiment of the hair extension tool 10. The configuration of the tool will be described primarily with reference to the assembled view of FIG. 1 and the exploded view of FIG. 2 with reference to the other figures as necessary.

[0023] Essentially, the tool comprises an elongated U-shaped channel 12 typically with a spindle/magnet assembly 20, and optionally, various second magnets 32 & 34 attached to it. The unitary U-shaped channel, as shown from various perspectives in FIG. 3-5, is typically about 2 wide, 12-16 long and about 1.5 tall, although dimensions can vary. The channel is typically made of aluminum alloy sheet about 0.95 thick but variations comprised of other materials and thickness are contemplated. For instance, versions made of steel or plastic are contemplated.

[0024] The U-shaped channel comprises a base web 14 with a solid floor save for one or more mounting holes 36 & 38 configured for mounting the channel to a stand as shown in FIG. 6 or for mounting a spindle/magnet assembly 20 to the channel. Left and right flanges 15a&b extend orthogonally upwardly from the longitudinal edges of the base web. Each flange is configured as a comb having a spine 16 and parallel aligned planar tines 18 extending upwardly therefrom. The dimensions of the tines can vary but in one embodiment, the spine is about 0.5 tall and the tines are about 1 tall and about 0.1 wide with about a 0.1 spacing between adjacent tines.

[0025] The ends of the channel 12 are typically open. In the illustrated embodiment, a spindle/magnet assembly 20 is attached to one of the channel's ends. The assembly comprises a spindle 22, a steel L-bracket 24, a first magnet 30, and associated washers 26 and wingnuts 28. The spindle/magnet assembly provides additional functionality to the hair extension tool 10 permitting a spool of thread 105 to be conveniently positioned on the spindle and for tools 103 to be attached to the magnet as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0026] As shown, the spindle comprises a 6 long, threaded bolt that is received through an end mounting hole 38 in the base web 14 of the channel 12 and is held in place with a fender washer 26 tightened against the floor of the base web by way of a wingnut 28, such that the spindle's longitudinal axis extends substantially vertically upwardly. Spindles of different configurations, materials, and construction are contemplated that can attach to the tool in various ways over which a spool of thread 105 can be received to allow the thread wound thereon to be conveniently unwound by a stylist during use of the tool.

[0027] The steel L-bracket 24 has a vertical bracket side 25 with a horizontal bracket side 27 extending orthogonally from an edge of the vertical bracket side. The horizontal bracket side includes a mounting hole 40 that received the spindle shaft therethrough as it is positioned against the top of the flanges at the end of the channel 12. The vertical bracket side is typically received flush against the channel end. The L-bracket is held firmly in place by way of another washer 26 and wingnut 28 threaded to the spindle and tightened against the top surface of the horizontal bracket side. The L-bracket is a ferrous steel permitting the first magnet 30 to be magnetically attached to it typically on the vertical bracket side. Variations are contemplated wherein the L-bracket is comprised of a non-magnetic material and the first magnet is mechanically or adhesively affixed to it. The horizontal bracket side provides a surface against which the bottom of the spool of thread 105 can rest when received over the spindle.

[0028] The first magnet 30 is typically large enough to allow several tools, such as scissors 101 and pliers 103 to be magnetically secured to it. Further, the holding power of the first magnet is sufficient to hold tools weighing at least 2 ounces, more preferably tools weighing at least 4 ounces, and most preferably tools weighing at least 6 ounces. In the illustrated embodiment, the first magnet is about 2 long, about 1 wide, and about thick, although the size of the magnet can vary substantially. In some variations, multiple magnets can be magnetically affixed to the steel L-bracket 24.

[0029] Additional magnets 32 & 34, (also referred to herein as second magnets) can be placed at other locations of the channel 12. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 6 & 7, second magnets can be placed along the spines 16 of the flanges, wherein an outer second magnet 32 is placed on the outside surface of the spline and a corresponding inner second magnet 34 is placed on the inside surface of the spline aligned with the outer second magnet to hold the pair in place on the aluminum channel. Additional tools and other steel items, such a needles and lighter weight tools, such as a small scissors 101, can be magnetically secured at these locations. As can be appreciated, wherein the channel is comprised of ferrous steel, the steel L-bracket and an inner second magnet are not required to connect the first and second magnets to the tool. Furthermore, in non-ferrous versions of the channel the magnets can also be mechanically or adhesively secured to the channel.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of the hair extension tool 10 mounted to a tripod-type stand 200 with various tools 101, 103 and a spool of thread 105 attached thereto. Further, a container of beads 107 as our often used with hair extensions is received on the floor of the base web 14 in between the left and right flanges 15a&b. As can be appreciated, other items used by hair extension stylists that are not magnetic can also be stored in between the flanges making these items readily available for use. Typically, the tripod stand 200 includes a threaded stud that extends upwardly from the stand's top mount. The stud is received through the center mounting hole 36 of the u-shaped channel 12 and the channel is secured in place with a threaded nut. In the illustrated embodiment, a wingnut 28 is used to make attachment quick and easy without the use of tools. As shown a pair of pilers 103 is attached to the first magnet 30 and a pair of scissors 101 is attached to a second magnet 32. One or more needles (not shown) may also be attached to the second magnets.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a top view of the tool 10 without the spindle/magnet assembly 20 attached. Specifically, it shows a typical hair extension 300 received in the tines 18 of the left flange as it would be received to permit a hair extension stylist to work on it. Because of the tool's length depending on the length of the extension, two or more extensions can often be received in the combs of each flange permitting work on the multiple extensions as may be desirable for certain operations, such as dying the hair.

Methods of Using the Embodiment of the Hair Extension Tool

[0032] With reference to the various figures, the assembly of the hair extension tool 10 involves the steps of: securing the channel 12 to the mount of the tripod stand 200 by passing the tripod's threaded stud through the mounting hole 36 and securing the channel in place using a wingnut 28. The spindle/magnet assembly 20 is attached to the channel by securing the spindle bolt 22 through the end mounting hole 38 with a washer 26 and a wingnut 28, sliding the L-shaped bracket 24 over and down the spindle in the bracket mounting hole 40, and securing it in place using another washer 26 and wingnut 28. Finally, the first magnet 30 is positioned and magnetically attached to the L-bracket's vertical bracket side 25. If optional second magnets 32&34 are being used, inner and outer second magnet pairs are positioned on the desired spine in the desired location and magnetically coupled to hold them in place. As desired tools are arranged on or in the tool to prepare the tool for use. For instance, pliers 103 and scissors 101 may be magnetically attached to the first magnet, one or more needles may be attached to a second magnet pair, a spool of thread 105 may be placed over the spindle, and one or more jars of beads 107 may be placed on the floor of the base web 14 between the left and right flanges 15a&b.

[0033] To use the hair extension tool, the hair extension stylist will place a hair weave 300 having an elongated weft 302 in the hair extension tool by sliding the weft downwardly along an interior side of one of the combs such that the strands of hair 304 along the weft are distributed along at least a portion of the comb and in between the tines 18 of the comb until the weft is positioned proximate the spine 16 of the comb. The strands of hair are positioned to extend outwardly and downwardly from the outside surface of the comb and associated flange.

[0034] Many different operations can be performed on a hair extension 300 from removing damaged hair and adding replacement hair, dying all or some of the hair, repairing a damaged weft, and adding beads to the hair to name a few. To repair a weft or add additional hair to the weft, a stylist will unwind a strand of thread from the spool of thread 105, thread a needle, and commence sewing the web to one or both repair the weft and secure the new hair in place. To selectively dye portions of the hair, the stylist can tautly suspend sections of the hair and dye the sections.

Variations and Other Embodiments

[0035] The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in the accompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have been contemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention