CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial No. 61/109,719, filed October 30, 2008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hairstyling accessories and, in particular, to clips for holding hair in place.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Barrettes have always been designed to hold only a certain fixed amount of hair. But different people have hair with different thicknesses and volumes. So for women with finer, low-volume hair, standard-sized barrettes are sometimes so loose that they don't stay in place well. And for women with thicker, high-volume hair, standard-sized barrettes can be so tight that they damage the hair and it can be difficult to lock them closed. Thus, finding a barrette that fits properly can be quite difficult and frustrating. In addition, barrettes are typically designed to hold a bundle of hair by compressing it into a fairly flattened arrangement. This flattened style is not always desirable by women.

[0004] There are known autoclasp barrettes with a "double-click" feature that permits compressing the hair slightly more if needed so the barrette is held in place. But these products offer only a very limited range of adjustability. In addition, the mechanical adjustability parts are typically manufactured from stamped metal that tends to get caught in the hair and cause damage. Furthermore, these barrettes all compress hair into a flattened style, which can be undesirable particularly if the user has just used styling products to add volume to her hair. Such styling products include combs with teeth that give hair an extra "bump" and faux hair pieces that can be placed in the hair to give it the illusion of more volume. [0005] Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements to barrettes to permit them to be used on a wider range of hair types and thicknesses. In addition, it would be preferable for such improvements to also provide a teasing feature for adding volume to the hair secured by the barrette. It is to the provision of solutions to these and other problems that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY

[0006] Generally described, the present invention relates to barrettes and other hair-holding accessories that are adjustable to multiple discrete positions for holding different volumes and thicknesses of hair. The hair-holding accessories each include a base member and a retainer member that is adjustably coupled to the base. The retainer and the base together define a receptacle for holding a bundle of the hair. The retainer has at least one freeable end that can be moved between an open position separated from the base and a series of discrete closed positions attached to the base. When the retainer is in the first closed position, the receptacle is generally flat and wide. This position is good for holding smaller amounts of hair or finer hair without a lot of volume. When the retainer is in the last closed position, the receptacle is generally tall and narrow. This position is good for holding larger amounts of hair or thicker hair and providing a more volumized look to the hair. And when the retainer is in an intermediate closed position, the receptacle is has an intermediate height and width. This position is good for holding medium-thickness hair and providing a bit of volume to the hair.

[0007] The retainer member is adjustably coupled to the base member by a retainer adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes catch surfaces on the retainer and the base that releasably engage each other to hold the retainer in the serial discrete closed positions. A first example embodiment, for example, includes two fingers extending from the retainer and defining a first catch surface, and three channel openings formed in the base and defining three female second surfaces. When the retainer fingers are in the first channel, the retainer is in the first/flat position. When the retainer fingers are in the last/third channel, the retainer is in the last/volume position. And when the retainer fingers are in the intermediate/second channel, the retainer is in the intermediate position.

[0008] In addition, the retainer member is releasable from the base member so that it can be moved between the closed positions. In the first example embodiment, for example, the base is a peripheral frame with an internal opening. The top and bottom segments of the peripheral frame can be compressed inwardly together to remove the channels from engagement with the fingers. The retainer can then be moved to another position and released so that the fingers move into engagement with the channel of that position.

[0009] In alternative embodiments, the fingers are on the base and the channels on the retainer and/or there are more than three channels. In other embodiment, the retainer adjustment mechanism includes other structural elements defining the first catch surface and the serial second catch surfaces.

[0010] The adjustment mechanism includes catch surfaces on the retainer and the base that releasably engage each other to hold the retainer in the serial discrete closed positions. A first example embodiment, for example, includes two fingers extending from the retainer and defining a first catch surface, and three channels formed in the base and defining three second catch surfaces.

[0011] A second example embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the internal opening has a decorative shape. A third example embodiment is the similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the retainer adjustment mechanism includes sleeves pivotally coupled to the ends of the retainer that move along and lock to the base. And a fourth example embodiment is the similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the retainer adjustment mechanism includes knob-like fingers at the freeable ends of the retainer that snap into serial openings in the base to hold the retainer is position.

[0012] The specific techniques and structures employed by the invention to improve over the drawbacks of the prior devices and accomplish the advantages described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of the example embodiments of the invention and the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable barrette according to a first example embodiment of the present invention, showing the barrette in a first/flat closed position.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom side view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable barrette taken at line

4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom side view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 1 , showing the barrette in a last/volume closed position.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 5.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a bottom side view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 1 , showing the barrette in an open position.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a front view of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the adjustable barrette in use in a wearer's hair in the first/flat closed position of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the adjustable barrette wearer of FIG. 9.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the adjustable barrette in use in a wearer's hair in the last/volume closed position of FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the adjustable barrette wearer of FIG.

11.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an adjustable barrette according to a second example embodiment of the present invention, showing the barrette in a first/flat closed position. [0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an adjustable barrette according to a third example embodiment of the present invention, showing the barrette in a first/flat closed position.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an adjustable barrette according to a fourth example embodiment of the present invention, showing the barrette in a first/flat closed position.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the adjustable barrette of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention relates to hair-holding accessories such as hairclips that are adjustable to hold almost any desired amount of hair, including adjustability to give an updo for a fuller look, thereby enabling users to easily give themselves a style that is usually difficult to achieve with a comb and brush. The hair- holding accessories combine the features of adjustability in size and volume, won't snag or pull the hair, and are easy to use. These adjustability and teasing features are shown and described herein embodied in barrettes, however, these features can be embodied in other hair accessories such as claw clips, other types of hairclips, rollers, or other hair-holding accessories. In addition, the adjustability and teasing features can be embodied in barrettes that are smaller or larger than those shown and described herein.

[0030] FIGS. 1-12 show an adjustable barrette 10 according to a first example embodiment of the present invention. The barrette 10 includes a laterally elongate base member 12 and a laterally elongate retaining member 14 that adjustably couples to the base. The base member 12 and the retainer member 14 cooperatively define a receptacle 16 through which a bundle 18 of the wearer's hair fits. The size and shape of the receptacle 16 vary depending on the position of the retainer 14 on the base 12. The retainer 14 has a back surface 20 that can have teeth 22 extending from it for gripping the hair bundle 18 for a secure hold, and the base 12 has a back surface 24 that can have teeth (not shown) extending from it for gripping the wearer's hair underneath the hair bundle. In addition, the retainer 14 and/or the base 12 can have embellishments (not shown) such as beads, jewels, differing colors, or other decorative accents to make it a more fashionable item.

[0031] The barrette 10 is adjustable between an open position and a series of closed positions. At least one end of the retainer member 14 is freeable from the base member 12 and, when that end is separated from the base, the barrette is in the open position. In the open position, the barrette 10 can be placed in the hair with the hair bundle 18 in the receptable 16 between the retainer 14 and the base 12. Then the retainer 14 can be moved to one of the closed positions. In a first closed position, the retainer 14 is positioned with its free end laterally farthest away from its other end. The result is that the receptacle 16 is generally flatter and wider (in profile) relative to the other retainer 14 positions. In a last closed position, the retainer 14 is positioned with its free end laterally closest to its other end. The result is that the receptacle 16 is generally taller and narrower (in profile) relative to the other retainer 14 positions. In one or more intermediate closed positions, the retainer 14 is positioned with its free end laterally at an intermediate position between the first and last closed positions. In this way, the user can adjust the position of the retainer 14 to suit the particular thickness and volume of her hair and, if desired, to provide a higher-volume look to her hair.

[0032] In the depicted embodiment, the retainer member 14 has one fixed end

26 and one freeable end 28, and is adjustable between three closed positions: a first (flattest) position, a last (tallest/volume) position, and an intermediate position. FIGS. 1-3 and 9-10 show the barrette 10 in the first/flat closed position with the freeable end 28 of the retainer 14 coupled to the base 12 so that the receptacle 16 is generally flatter and wider in profile (see FIG. 2) relative to the last position. In this position, the hair bundle 18 in the receptacle 16 is generally flattened with a shorter height H _L and a wider width W _L (see FIGS. 9-10) relative to the last retainer 14 position. FIGS. 5-6 and 11-12 show the barrette 10 in the last/volume closed position with the freeable end 28 of the retainer 14 coupled to the base 12 so that the receptacle 16 is generally taller and narrower in profile (see FIG. 5), and larger, relative to the first position. In this position, the retainer 14 provides a different hold by lifting the hair bundle 18 slightly for more volume by increasing its height HF and narrowing its width WF (see FIGS. 11-12). FIGS. 7-8 show the barrette 10 in the open position with the freeable end 28 of the retainer 14 separated from the base 12. In this position, the barrette 10 can be removed from the hair after use and then later placed back in the hair for further use. To place the barrette 10 in hair, the hair bundle 18 is inserted into the receptacle 16, which is enlarged and opened because of the retainer 14 being separated from the base 12, and then the retainer 14 is moved to a desired one of the closed positions.

[0033] There are a number of alternative embodiments of the invention that provide even greater adjustability. In one such alternative embodiment, both ends of the retainer member are freeable from and adjustable on the base member. And in other such alternative embodiments, the freeable end of the retainer is adjustable to more than three positions.

[0034] As used herein, the term "ends" means the portions of the retainer member 14 that attach to the base member 12. In the depicted embodiments, these end portions of the retainer 12 define the lateral ends of the receptacle 16, and these portions are at the lateral end edges of the retainer. In other embodiments, the retainer is attached to the base at the general end portion of the retainer, near but not right at the end edge, and the retainer extends laterally beyond the attachment location. In other embodiments, the retainer includes protruding structures that define the lateral ends of the receptacle.

[0035] The retainer member 14 shown in the drawing figures is made of a resiliency deformable material so that it can deflect and bow up/out when adjusted from the first/flat position to the last/volume position. And the base member 12 is made of a resiliency deformable material so that it can be deflected and compressed (inwardly from the top and bottom) to release the retainer 14 for adjustment between the first/flat position and the last/volume position. The base 12 and the retainer 14 can be made, for example, by injection molding of a material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or K-RESIN plastic resin. In addition, the retainer 14 can be provided by a peripheral frame having top, bottom, left, and right frame segments defining a laterally extending longitudinal internal opening, as depicted. In this way, the retainer 14 includes less material and therefore resiliency flexes more easily.

[0036] The retainer member 14 is adjustably coupled to the base 12 by a retainer adjustment mechanism 40. The adjustment mechanism 40 includes catch surfaces on the retainer 14 and the base 12 that releasably engage each other to hold the retainer in the serial discrete closed positions. In one form, the adjustment mechanism 40 includes one or more fingers 30 extending from the freeable end 28 of the retainer 14 and defining a first catch surface and a series of channels 32 formed in the base 12 and defining second catch surfaces. For example, in the depicted embodiment the adjustment mechanism 40 includes two fingers 30 extending from of the retainer 14 and defining the first catch surface, with one finger extending from the top of the freeable end 28 of the retainer 14 and the other finger extending from the bottom of the freeable end. The fingers 30 wrap around the top and bottom edges of the base 12 and partially across the back of the base, but they do not extend all the way around the base (see FIG. 4). Three channels 32 each extend around the top and bottom edges of the base 12, define one of the serial second catch surfaces, and receive the fingers 30 to hold the retainer 14 in a discrete closed position. Thus, the three laterally spaced channels 32 depicted define three closed positions of the retainer 14, and additional channels can be provided to define additional closed retainer positions.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, the retainer fingers 30 are releasable from the base channels 32 so that the retainer member 14 can be moved to the open position and adjusted between the closed positions. In one form, the base member 12 is compressible to an inwardly compressed position where the catch surface of the retainer fingers 30 are released from the catch surfaces of the base channels 32. For example, in the depicted embodiment the base 12 includes a peripheral frame 34 forming a laterally extending longitudinal interior opening 36. In this arrangement, the top and bottom frame segments can be pressed/squeezed together (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8) to remove the channels 32 from engagement with the fingers 30. To help keep the freeable end 28 from slipping off the base 12, the base can include ends 38 each having an enlarged (extended up and down) portion.

[0038] In alternative embodiments, the barrette includes a different retainer adjustment mechanism. For example, in one embodiment the barrette includes fingers that can be manipulated to resiliency flex and extend outward to be out of engagement with the channels. In another embodiment, the channels are formed in the retainer and the fingers on the base (vice versa from the depicted embodiment). In still another embodiment, the base channels are formed as notches on the inwardly facing edges of the top and bottom base peripheral frame segments and the retainer fingers extend through the interior opening and into the channels, with the fingers being releasable by squeezing together the top and bottom retainer peripheral frame segments. In yet another embodiment, there are a series of laterally spaced fingers, each of which can engage any of the lateral series of channels, thereby providing for more adjustability. And in yet still another embodiment, the base is a solid piece (without the interior opening) the can be resiliency compressed to release the fingers from the channels.

[0039] In other alternative embodiments, the barrette is designed so that the retainer member adjustably couples to the base in a different way such that the base member and/or retainer member do not need to be made of a resiliency deflectable material. For example, in one alternative embodiment the retainer includes fingers that pivot between locked and unlocked positions relative to the channels. In another embodiment, the retainer includes overlapping (e.g., telescopic or stacked) members that are laterally slideable relative to each other between discrete positions (e.g., defined by detents or formed by finger/channel arrangements) so that its length can be adjusted. In still another alternative embodiment, the retainer has segments that can be folded, rolled, or otherwise retracted or extended to adjust its length. And in yet another alternative embodiment the base has a latch or other release member that releases the retainer for adjustment between the first/flat position and the last/volume position. In such embodiments, the retainer and base can be made of metal, a hard plastic, or another material that is not resiliently deflectable.

[0040] The fixed end 26 of the retainer member 14 is pivotally coupled to the base member 12 so that it extends from and does not move laterally relative to the base member. In the depicted embodiment, the fixed end 26 includes a loop 42 that circumscribes the base 12 and is fit to the base so that it does not move laterally. For example, the base 12 can have a channel 44 into which the retainer end loop 42 is received.

[0041] In other embodiments, the fixed end of the retainer member can slide freely along the base member, with the enlarged end of the base preventing the fixed end loop from sliding off that end of the base. In still other embodiments, the fixed end is adhered to the base by an epoxy, glue, etc. In yet other embodiments, the retainer fixed end and the base are attached together by knobs that snap into openings. In other embodiments, the retainer fixed end is mounted to the base by a conventional pivot pin assembly. And in yet still other embodiments, the retainer member 14 and the base member 12 are formed together as a single piece.

[0042] FIGS. 13-16 show additional example embodiments according to the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a barrette 1 10 according to a second example embodiment that is the same as the barrette 10 of the first embodiment except that the central opening 136 of the base member 114 has a decorative design. The barrette 1 10 can be provided with a plurality of central openings 136 forming other decorative designs.

[0043] FIG. 14 shows a barrette 210 according to a third example embodiment that is similar to the barrette 10 of the first embodiment except that it has a different retainer adjustment mechanism. In this embodiment, the retainer adjustment mechanism 240 includes two sleeves 250 that are pivotally coupled to the retainer member 214. One or both of the sleeves slides on the base member 212, and at least one of the sleeves can be slid off the end of the base to the open position. The base 212 include a series of channels (not shown), similar to those of the first embodiment, and the sliding sleeves 250 include a spring-biased finger (e.g., a button) (not shown) that engages the channels in the rest position and that disengages from the channels (e.g., by alignment of a recess in the finger with the channels, by pivoting the finger out of the channels) when moved against the spring force.

[0044] And FIG. 15-16 show a barrette 310 according to a fourth example embodiment that is similar to the barrette 10 of the first embodiment except that it has a different retainer adjustment mechanism. In this embodiment, the retainer adjustment mechanism 340 includes a base member 312 with a series of openings 332 at one or both ends of the base and a finger (e.g., a knob) 330 at one or both freeable ends of the retainer member 314. The openings 332 are sized and shaped to receive the knob 330 with a snap fit. The fingers 330 can be selectively snapped into any of the openings 332 at the same end to laterally adjust the position of the retainer 314.

[0045] Accordingly, the adjustable barrettes of the present invention provide a number of advantages over the prior art. These advantages include that the designs of the adjustable barrettes are much simpler, with only two parts. In addition, the adjustable barrettes can be made entirely of plastic, reducing damage to the hair and increasing the level of comfort to the wearer. Furthermore, the designs allow for many options for variety of looks/styles, from simple to very trendy or elegant.

[0046] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "one" include the plural, the term "or" means "and/or," and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

[0047] While the invention has been shown and described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.