The present invention relates to a cosmetic hairpiece for wearing on a wearer's head, and to a method of fitting a cosmetic hairpiece to a wearer's head.

There are occasions when it is desirable for a person's existing hair to be enhanced for cosmetic reasons. Hair may be shorter or thinner than desired. In such cases cosmetic hair extensions may be attached to existing hairs. However, this can create further problems such as hair being pulled out or adverse scalp reactions. It is also an expensive and time consuming process best carried out by a professional hairdresser.

A preferable alternative is to use a cosmetic hairpiece which can be self-attached to create longer or thicker hair, or to add hair of a contrasting colour to existing hair.

It is known to attach a cosmetic hairpiece to thicken, lengthen or otherwise alter the appearance of the wearer's hair. For example, wefts of hair may be attached to a band configured to encircle a wearer's head. However, different sizes of band may be required to fit different wearers.

There is a requirement for an improved cosmetic hairpiece and method of fitting the same.

According to the present invention there is provided a cosmetic hairpiece for wearing on a head. The hairpiece comprises a hairpiece body for mounting on a wearer's head and lengths of hair having free ends which extend away from the hairpiece body. The hairpiece further comprises an attachment arrangement for securing the hairpiece body on a wearer's head. The attachment arrangement comprises a flexible elongate member for attachment to the hairpiece body, so that the hairpiece encircles part of the wearer's head. The attachment arrangement further comprises a fixing device configured to allow the length of the flexible elongate member to be adjusted and then fixed suitably to secure the hairpiece body on a wearer's head. The fixing device allows the flexible elongate member of the attachment arrangement to be set at a particular length, e.g. suitable to be fitted to the head of the wearer. The hairpiece is thus adjustable, so can be suitable for a range of head sizes. In exemplary embodiments, the flexible elongate member has first and second ends, wherein the first end may be fixedly attached to the hairpiece body, with the second end intended for cooperation with the fixing device. This arrangement allows the length of the flexible elongate member to be readily adjusted to suit a wearer's head. Once the desired length has been determined, the second end can be fixed in place, e.g. by securing to the fixing device, such as by tying a knot.

It will be understood that the second end of the flexible elongate member may define a protruding free end, after fixing to the fixing device. Typically, this will be cut off (e.g. using scissors). After use, the flexible elongate member may be removed from the hairpiece body (e.g. by cutting) and discarded. Accordingly, it may be desirable to supply the flexible elongate member in a length suitable for multiple securing operations, so that the free end can be cut off after a first securing operation, and used in a subsequent securing operation, and so on (dependent on the initial length of the flexible elongate member).

In exemplary embodiments, the fixing device is configured for clamping the flexible elongate member, e.g. in order to temporarily fix the length of the flexible member once one end of the flexible member has been attached to the hairpiece body. Advantageously, the fixing device can be used to set the flexible elongate member conveniently at a length longer than the desired length whilst the hairpiece is not fitted to the wearer's head. The hairpiece can then be placed on the wearer's head and the second end pulled to tighten the elongate member to the correct length. Fitting can thus be carried out by the wearer themselves, without external assistance. In exemplary embodiments, the fixing device comprises a pair of fixing elements, each fixing element defining an aperture through which a free end of the flexible elongate member can pass. In exemplary embodiments, each fixing element comprises a ring or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the two fixing elements are arranged adjacent one another, and movable relative to one another from an open position to a closed position for clamping the flexible elongate member.

In exemplary embodiments, the fixing device is arranged at one end of the hairpiece body, and a first end of the flexible elongate member is attachable to an opposite end of the hairpiece body. In exemplary embodiments, the free end of the flexible elongate member can be used to tie the two fixing elements together, in order to securely clamp the flexible elongate member and fix the length of the flexible elongate member relative to the hairpiece body. The use of the elongate member second end to secure the fixing device is a simple and effective method of securing the clamp without an undue number of parts.

The hairpiece may further comprise an elastic connection between the fixing device and the hairpiece body. This allows for flexibility when fitting and removing the hairpiece. In exemplary embodiments, the hairpiece body comprises a plurality of hair wefts secured together, e.g. to form a band of hair wefts. The hair wefts may be secured to one another in order to define the band, e.g. by stitching the wefts together.

There is also provided a method of fitting a hairpiece to a wearer' s head comprising the steps of:

a) providing a hairpiece comprising: lengths of hair, a hairpiece body from which the hair extends, and an attachment arrangement for securing the hairpiece body on a wearer's head; wherein the hairpiece body has first and second ends, attachment arrangement comprises a flexible elongate member having first and second ends, and a fixing device carried at a second end of the hairpiece body;

b) attaching the first end of the flexible elongate member to the first end of the hairpiece body; c) passing the second end of the flexible elongate member through the fixing device;

d) pulling the second end of the flexible elongate member to tighten the hairpiece body on the wearer's head; and

e) using the fixing device to clamp the length of the flexible elongate member.

This method allows the hairpiece to be adjusted to the correct size whilst in position on the wearer's head. The clamping action of the fixing device allows the hairpiece to be fitted single-handedly by the wearer themselves, without the need for additional assistance.

The method may further comprise the additional step of:

f) tying the second end of the flexible elongate member to the fixing device. Other aspects and preferred features of the invention will be readily apparent from the claims and following description of preferred embodiments made, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hairpiece according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail side view of a clamp of the hairpiece of Figure 1 showing a first step of a method of fitting a cosmetic hairpiece to a wearer's head; Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the clamp of Figure 2 showing a second step of the method of fitting a cosmetic hairpiece to a wearer's head;

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the clamp of Figures 2 and 3 showing a third step of the method of fitting a cosmetic hairpiece to a wearer's head; and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the clamp of Figures 2, 3 and 4 showing a fourth step of the method of fitting a cosmetic hairpiece to a wearer's head. With reference to Figure 1, a cosmetic hairpiece is generally indicated at 10. The hairpiece 10 is of the type intended to thicken, lengthen or otherwise alter the appearance of the wearer's hair. The hairpiece 10 consists of a hairpiece body, in the form of a band 14 having first and second ends 14a, 14b and configured to at least partially extend around a wearer's head. The hairpiece 10 further consists of a plurality of hair strands 12 for incorporation with the wearer's own hair, the hair strands having free ends that extend away from the band 14.

In exemplary embodiments, the band 14 is formed from a plurality of hair wefts (not shown) attached together, e.g. by stitching together. In other embodiments, the band 14 may be in the form of a strip of material to which hair wefts or strands may be secured, for example.

The hairpiece 10 has an attachment arrangement 16 by which the band 14 is secured on a wearer's head. The attachment arrangement 16 includes a flexible elongate member 18 in the form of a filament, thread or wire (e.g. of plastics or other suitable material) and a fixing device 20 attached to one end 14b of the band 14.

In general terms, a first end 18a of the flexible elongate member 18 is attached to the first end 14a of the band 14, and the other end 18b is used to cooperate with the fixing device 20 at the second end 14b of the band 14. In this embodiment, the first end 18a is tied to an elastic loop 26 attached to the first end 14a of the band 14. In alternative embodiments, the first end 18a may be fixedly attached to the band 14 by some other suitable means, e.g. by stitching or adhesive. After the first end 18a has been attached to the band 14, the second end 18b defines a free end.

The fixing device 20 is configured to allow the length of the flexible elongate member to be adjusted and then fixed suitably to secure the band on a wearer's head. As can be seen in Figure 2, the fixing device 20 takes the form of first and second rings 20a, 20b arranged proximate one another, each defining an aperture 21a, 21b through which the second end 18b can be passed. Figures 2 to 5 show an exemplary method of use. After securing the first end 18a of the elongate member 18 to the loop 26, the second end 18b is threaded through the two rings 20a, 20b in a first direction (e.g. in the direction x in Figure 2), then passed back over the top of the second ring 20b and back through the first ring 20a (e.g. in the direction y in Figure 2). Pulling the second end 18b will cause the band 14 to tighten on the wearer's head. The fixing device is configured so that, after the above operation has been carried out, pulling on the free end in the direction y will cause the first and second rings 20a, 20b to be brought together, and thereby clamp the flexible elongate member 18 between the rings 20a, 20b. If desired, manipulation of the second end 18b will allow the rings 20a, 20b to separate, releasing the member 18 from its clamped condition.

In use, the second end 18b of the elongate member 18 is pulled tight, in order to position the hairpiece 10 in a desired position on the wearer's head, and is then pulled once again to tighten the member 18 to the desired length, e.g. as shown in Figure 4.

Advantageously, the hairpiece 10 can be removed from the wearer's head, whilst the fixing device 20 retains the second end 18b so that the member 18 stays at the desired length. Once removed from the wearer's head, the member 18 can be fixed at the desired length, for example with a knot 28 tied to one or both rings 20a, 20b, e.g. as shown in Figure 5. In alternative embodiments, some suitable type of fastener may be used to fix the length of the member 18, e.g. a separate clip. Any excess length of the second end 18b can then be removed, for example by cutting with scissors 24, e.g. as shown in Figure 5.

As will be understood, the hairpiece 10 is adjustable, so can be used to fit a range of wearers. The hairpiece allows a wearer to fit the hairpiece 10 to their own head easily and successfully, without the need for assistance. Advantageously, a small number of components is required, and the hairpiece is relatively simple to produce.

The fixing device 20 of the illustrated embodiment consists of first and second rings 20a, 20b (e.g. of annular configuration), arranged for allowing adjustability and clamping of the elongate member. The rings 20a, 20b are attached to the band 14 via a loop 22 of elastic material. In alternative embodiments the loop 22 and or loop 26 may be of elastic material to provide additional flexibility. The rings 20a, 20b are in this embodiment of plastics material, though in alternative embodiments other suitable materials may be used, such as metal.

In alternative embodiments, the fixing device 20 may take a different form, e.g. another form of selectively operable clamp, or a ratchet-type mechanism.

In exemplary embodiments, loop 22 and or loop 26 may be of inelastic material.