ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND Field of Invention The present invention relates to an adjustable headband. Background

Headbands (also called hair bands) are used, principally by females, to push back and hold back hair from a user's face.

The traditional hair band or headband is made from one element and is generally designed around the shape of the light bulb; the widest part is at the top and the narrowest at the bottom. However, because the band is in one piece and narrow this causes discomfort and pressure to the head when in use. In particular, it is pressure behind the ears which causes the most discomfort.

There have been attempts to make headbands more comfortable and less likely to cause pressure and discomfort. Examples of such attempts include: using a wider framed headband; using lightweight and very flexible materials such as plastic; and placing cushioning and extra padding on the ends of the band which sit behind the ears. However, there are flaws to each of these designs. The wider frame adaptation of the classic headband is too loose and does not fit the head properly. The lightweight plastic variations are too fragile and easily break or fracture. And the cushioned variety is ineffective at soothing or diminishing the pressure.

An example of an existing headband design is a headband called the Ouchless Flex Pressure-Free Headband by Goody™. The Goody headband is made of plastic and uses the traditional headband shape but the ends of the headband flick out slightly. When the band is placed on a wearer's head the ends clip down to secure the band behind the ears on the hairline as an attempt at increasing comfort. However, the ends still sit behind the ear and apply pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable headband which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a headband comprising: a curved main portion; and two end members pivotally connected to said curved main portion, each end member being pivotable by self- adjustment according to the shape of the head of the wearer about at least one axis which is generally parallel to a plane containing the curve of said main portion, wherein each end member is pivotable to a first position wherein the end member and the curved main portion are generally aligned and to a second position so that the end member is generally perpendicular to the plane containing the curve of said main portion. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided headband comprising: a main portion; and two end members pivotally connected to said main portion, each end member being pivotable by self-adjustment according to the shape of the head of the wearer about at least one axis, wherein each end member is pivotable from a first position to a second position such that, in use, the end members move along the head of the wearer away from the face.

Other aspects of the invention are described within the claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 : shows diagrammatically an isometric view of a headband in a first configuration accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2: shows diagrammatically an isometric view of a headband in a second configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3: shows diagrammatically a headband in use on a wearer's head in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention generally relates to a headband that can be adjusted to fit securely on a wearer's head.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the headband will be described.

Figure 1 shows the headband 100 in a first configuration. A wearer of the headband places the headband 100 into this configuration before placing the headband 100 over their head.

The headband 100 includes five segments: a central member 101 , two side members 102 and 103, and two end members 104 and 105.

Central member 101 , side members 102 and 103 and end members 104 and 105 may consist of three different lengths. In one embodiment, the central member 101 is approximately 140mm in length with a width of 5.5mm. The side members 102 and 103 are of equal length of approximately 90mm with a width of 5.5mm. The end members 104 and 105 are also of equal length of approximately 65mm with a width of 5.5mm.

The members 101 , 102, 103, 104, and 105 are pivotally connected to one another. The end members 104 and 105 are pivotally connected to the side members 102 and 103 at pivot points 106 and 107 respectively. The side members 102 and 103 are connected to the central member 101 at pivot points 108 and 109 respectively. The central member 101 and side members 102 and 103 form a curved main portion.

In particular, all the members 101 , 102, 103, 104, and 105 may be curved to form a U-shape or light-bulb shape to assist fit on the head of a wearer.

In this first configuration, the end members 104 and 105 are positioned in the same plane as the curve of the main portion.

The pivots are configured to permit rotation of the end members 104 and 105 and side members 102 and 103 perpendicular to this plane. For example, end member 104 is pivotable about axis L1 -L2, end member 105 is pivotable about axis M1 -M2, side member 102 is pivotable about axis N1 -N2, and side member 103 is pivotable about axis 01 -02. The members 101 , 102, 103, 104, and 105 may be made out of the same material. Preferably this material is a resilient material such as metal or hard plastic (for example, acrylic).

In an alternative embodiment, the side members 102 and 103 and central member 101 are integral and do not pivot relative to one another.

In one embodiment, the central member 101 and/or the end members 104 and 105 include grip combs which may provide extra hold to a wearer. Figure 2 shows the headband 100 in a second configuration. A wearer of the headband 100 during placement of the headband 100 on their head may pivot the side members 102 and 103 relative to the central member 101 to adjust the fit of the headband 100 to their head shape, and may pivot the end members 104 and 105 relative to the curved main portion to a second position substantially perpendicular to the plane which contains the curve formed by the curved main portion.

Figure 3 shows the headband 100 in use on the head of a wearer 300.

Potential advantages of some embodiments of the invention are that the headband can be adjusted to fit the curve of the head better and that different head shapes can be more easily accommodated without compromising the structure of the headband. Furthermore, embodiments of the headband fit securely on the head of a wearer within applying force to the pressure points behind the ears of the wearer. In addition, wearers can put their hair into a ponytail without the headband being visible behind the ears

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.