A COMB

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a comb for a hair clip used in the styling and decoration of hair.

[0002] A comb which is used in a hair clip and the hair clip which consists of two identical and opposing combs and an elastic which is attached to the two combs and which pulls the two combs together in use are known. The elastic often includes intricate beadwork to produce a decorative pattern between the two combs.

[0003] The elastic is attached to the respective combs in various ways and depending on weaving patterns and configurations a variety of lengths of elastic tie strings are employed to hold the beads.

[0004] Known combs each has a shoulder from which a plurality of teeth extend. The shoulder is of constant width and is curved. A number of attachment brackets are formed on the shoulder and lie in a curved line which follows the curve of the shoulder. The teeth terminate at leading ends and the leading ends lie in a curved line which is complementary and opposing to the inner curve of the shoulder from which the teeth extend.

[0005] The fact that the attachment brackets lie in a curved line results in variations in distance between the directly opposing attachment brackets on opposing combs. As a result of the variations in distance the use of strings of different lengths is required in order to obtain certain weave patterns between the opposing combs. This places limitations on appropriate designs and increases assembly or production time and difficulty.

[0006] In order to interengage the teeth of known combs, the opposing combs must be twisted in different directions relatively to each other as the combs are being brought together in a user's hair. This technique might be difficult to master by some users and requires some skill and co-ordination from the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention aims to provide an alternative comb and hair clip which might alleviate some of the aforementioned problems.

[0008] The invention provides a comb for a hair clip which includes a body which has an upper side and an under side, a plurality of attachment formations formed on the body, a plurality of teeth which extend from the body and wherein each tooth has an elongate shaft which is attached to the body and a leading end on the shaft which is opposite to the body, and wherein a first set of teeth has an

enlarging taper towards the upper side on the leading end and a second set of teeth has an enlarging taper towards the underside on the leading end.

[0009] The body may include a curved outer side which curves in a first direction and on a first curved line and a curved inner side from which the shafts extend and which curves in a second direction and on a second curved line which second direction and second line are opposite and opposing to the first direction and the first line.

[0010] The leading ends may form a curved edge which curves in a third direction and on a third curved line. The third direction and the third line may curve in the same direction as the first direction and the first line. The third curve and the third line may be complementary and opposing to the second curve and the second line.

[0011] The body is preferably elliptical shaped in plan.

[0012] The attachment formations may be spaced apart on the body and are preferably positioned in a straight line on the body.

[0013] Preferably a tooth from the first set is alternated with a tooth from the second set.

[0014] Each of the teeth may include a catch formation on the shaft between the body and the leading end. Preferably the catch formation stands proud of the shaft.

[0015] The invention further provides a hair clip which includes opposing first and second combs, each comb being of the aforementioned kind and a biasing member which extends between, and is attached to the first and second combs.

[0016] The invention also provides a comb for a hair clip which includes a body which has an upper side, an opposing under side, a curved outer side which curves in a first direction and on a first curved line and a curved inner side which curves in a second direction and on a second curved line which second direction and second line are opposite and opposing to the first direction and the first line, a plurality of attachment formations formed on the body and a plurality of teeth which extend from the inner side and wherein each tooth has an elongate shaft which is attached to the body.

[0017] The leading ends may form a curved edge which curves in a third direction and on a third curved line, which third direction and third line curve in the same direction as the first direction and the first line.

[0018] The invention further provides a comb for a hair clip which includes a body, which has an upper side and an under side a plurality of attachment

formations formed on the body, a plurality of teeth which extend from the body and wherein each tooth has an elongate shaft which is attached to the body, a leading end on the shaft which is opposite to the body and a catch formation on the shaft between the body and the leading end.

[0019] The catch formation may stand proud of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is further described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a hair clip according to the invention in a closed position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the clip of Figure 1 in an open position;

Figure 3 is a view from below of the clip of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view from below of the clip of Figure 2 with opposing combs thereof facing towards each other;

Figure 5 is a view from below of the clip of Figure 1 wherein the opposing combs are inter connected; and

Figure 6 is a view from below of one of the combs used in the clip of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figures 1 to 5 show a hair clip 10 which has opposing first and second combs 12, 14 and a biasing member or structure 16 which is attached to, extends between and acts between the first and second combs 12, 14.

[0022] The combs 12, 14 are identical and only the first comb 12 is described.

[0023] The first comb 12 which is also shown in Figure 6, is made from any appropriate plastics material and is manufactured by way of injection moulding. The first comb 12 has a shoulder body 18 with an upper side 20 and an underside 22 and a plurality of spaced apart teeth 24 which extend from the shoulder 18.

[0024] The shoulder 18 has a curved outer side 26 which curves in a first direction 28 and on a first curved line 30 and an opposing curved inner side 32 which curves in a second direction 34 and on a second curved line 36 from which the teeth 24 extend. The first direction 28 and the first line 30 are opposite to the second direction 34 and the second line 36. The radii of the first line 30 and the second line 36 are identical and the shoulder 18 has an elliptical shape in plan.

[0025] A plurality of attachment brackets or formations 38 are formed on the shoulder 18. The brackets 38 are spaced apart on the shoulder 18 and is positioned in a straight line on the shoulder 18. Each of the brackets 38 has a recess 40 in the underside 22 and two or more spaced apart apertures 42 which

extend inside the recess 40 from the underside 22 to the upper side 20. An insert (not shown) can be engaged with the recess 40 in order to cover the apertures 42 on the underside 22.

[0026] The fact that the body 18 has an elliptical shape and that the outer and inner sides 28, 32 curve in opposite directions allows for the placement of the brackets 38 in a straight line.

[0027] Each of the teeth 24 has an elongate shaft 44 which is attached to the shoulder 18 and a leading end 48 on the shaft 44 which is opposite to the shoulder 18. The width of the respective shafts 44 is greater than the width of the respective spaces between adjacent shafts 44. The teeth 24 have a first set of teeth 24A wherein each tooth 24A has an enlarging taper 50 towards the upper side 20 on the leading end 48 and a second set of teeth 24B wherein each tooth 24B has an enlarging taper 52 towards the underside 22 at the leading end 48. The teeth from the first set 24A alternate with the teeth of the second set 24B so that a tooth from the first set 24A is adjacent to a tooth 24B of the second set

24B.

[0028] The leading ends 48 form a curved edge 54 which curves in a third direction 56 and on a third line 58. The third direction 56 and the third line 58 curve in the same direction as the first direction 28 and the first line 30 and the third direction 56 and the third line 58 are complementary and opposing to the second direction 34 and the second line 36.

[0029] The respective directions and lines of the outer side 28, inner side 32 and the edge 54 are important as this allows opposing combs 12, 14 of the clip 10 to interengage in the manner illustrated in Figure 5 so that the leading ends 48 of the opposing comb 12, 14 lie adjacent to and follow the curve of the inner side 32 of the opposing comb 12, 14. This ensures that hair of the user (not shown) is properly trapped between the opposing combs 12, 14 and that the combs 12, 14 interengage in a neat and aesthetic manner.

[0030] The alternating directions of the tapers 50, 52 on the leading ends 48 are important as this can simplify the manner in which the clip 10 is used and wherein the opposing combs 12, 14 are interengaged with the user's hair. When the opposing combs 12, 14 are brought towards one another in the same plane in a user's hair and against the user's scalp in the manner illustrated in Figure 4, the opposing leading ends 48 of the opposing combs 12, 14 meet head on and the opposing tapers 50, 52 on the opposing teeth 24 interengaged to force some of the teeth 24 from the first comb 12 to overlap same of the teeth 24 from the second comb 14 and visa versa.

[0031] As the width of the shafts 44 is greater than the width of the spaces between adjacent shafts 44 as the opposing teeth 24 of the opposing combs 12, 14 interleave in the manner shown in Figure 5. In use the biasing member 60 retains the opposing combs 12, 14 in this position in the user's hair.

[0032] As is illustrated in Figure 6 each of the teeth 24 has a catch formation 60 formed on the shaft 44 between the shoulder 18 and the leading end 48. The catch 60 has a ridge 62 which stands proud of the shaft 44.

[0033] When the opposing combs 12, 14 are interengaged in the manner described the ridges 62 on the shafts 44 of the opposing combs 12, 14 meet and are forced past one another as the teeth 24 are resiliently deformable. Once the opposing ridges 62 on the opposing combs 12, 14 move past one another a locking arrangement is created between the opposing ridges 62 which limits the likelihood of the opposing combs 12, 14 being pulled apart while engaged with a user's hair.

[0034] The shape of the shoulder 18 and the positioning of the brackets 38 allow for the use of ties 64 of equal lengths from which the biasing member 16 is created.

[0035] The opposing curves of the inner side 32 and the leading end 48 ensure that the opposing combs 12, 14 meet in a manner which uses the entire length of the opposing shafts 44.

[0036] The alternative tapers 50, 52 on the leading ends 48 assists in simplifying the manner in which the clip 10 is inserted into a user's hair.

[0037] The catches 60 results in a positive lock being created between the opposing combs once inserted into a user's hair.