HAIRACCESSORY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is an International Patent Application, which claims the benefit of United States Patent Application No. 12/124,323, filed May 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hair accessories, and more specifically, the invention is related to a hair accessory to assist the user in styling the hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Traditionally, when women want to put their hair into an "updo" style they tease their hair and put lots of styling product in it to physically hold the hair into the desired shape. However, teasing the hair and using lots of styling products can cause breakage and other damaging effects to the hair. The products are also expensive and must be purchased on an ongoing basis. As a result, it would be advantageous to provide a safe and easy way for women to put their hair into a desired "updo" style without damaging the hair or using styling products. The instant invention is accordingly directed to providing a hair accessory that addresses these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The hair accessory is made from a semi-rigid material, such as soft molded plastic forming a body with a hidden hair attachment device on the under side of the body. The hidden attachment device can be a comb, a barrette or another means of securing the hair accessory to the user's head. The hair accessory preferably arches upward slightly from the front of the product and slopes downward towards the back of the product so that the lift of the hair make the "updo" possible. The invention, which can be of different colors and sizes, is used to shape the hair into the "updo" style by combing the hair over and around the hair accessory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a top view of the hair accessory described herein. [0006] Figure 2 is a side view of the hair accessory described herein. [0007] Figure 3 is a front view of the hair accessory described herein. [0008] Figure 4 is a view of the hair accessory in situ as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In a first embodiment is a hair accessory 100 comprising a soft body 110 having an upper side 112 and a lower side 114. The upper side 112 of the soft body 110 has a bulbous portion 150. The lower side 114 of the soft body 110 is preferably concave and has a hair attachment device that holds the soft body 110 within the hair of the user. Figure 1 shows the hair accessory 100 comprising the soft body 110 and the hair attachment device 120, in this case a hidden comb attachment. As seen in Figure 1, the hair accessory 100 has a front end 130 and a rear end 140. The front end 130 and the rear end 140 form the concave side of the soft body 110. Specifically, the soft body 110 arches upward slightly from the front end 130 and slopes downward toward the rear end 140. Additionally, Figure 1 shows the soft body 110 having an optional slit 160 that is used to attach or secure the hair attachment device 120 to the soft body 110.

[0010] The soft body 110 is preferably made from a quantity of molded plastic. The soft body 110 may be made from a soft molded plastic to allow it to better conform to the shape of the user's head. The soft body 110 may come in a variety of sizes to allow the user to achieve differently sized "updo" styles. In certain embodiments, the soft body may be approximately 3.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 0.5 inches deep. This size may be well suited for the top of the user's head to add height and volume to the hair in order to achieve the popular, sleek "updo" hair styles. In another embodiment, the soft body 110 may be clear in color. Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a hair accessory 100 where the soft body 110 may be clear or colorless thereby allowing the hair attachment device 120 to be seen through the top of the soft body 110. Figure 2 shows the optional slit 160 that is used to attach or secure the hair attachment device 120 to the soft body 110. In still other embodiments, the soft body 110 may come in a variety of shades or colors in order to match the user's hair color.

[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the accessory. This view illustrates the way the hair accessory sits on the head of the user if the hair accessory is on the top of the user's head behind the user's front hairline without the hair being combed over and around the hair accessory. The front end 130 of the soft body 110 sits on the user's head while the hair attachment device 120, the hidden comb attachment, is inserted into the user's hair. The soft body 110 curves upward from the front end 130 for a distance and then downward to the rear end of the soft body (rear end not shown in Figure 3). In addition to the hidden comb attachment shown in Figures 1-3, the hair attachment device may also be a hidden barrette, or another hidden means for holding the soft body within the hair of the user such as a rubber band, bobbie pins, et cetera. In further embodiments, the hair accessory may be used by users loosing their hair due to aging or damage from chemicals.

[0012] The instant invention also encompasses a method of using the hair accessory 100. In order to add more height and volume to the hair through the use of the hair accessory, a portion of the hair should be combed or brushed forward. The quantity of hair combed or brushed forward should be sufficient to cover the soft body when combed thereover. Next, the hair accessory may be placed at a location on the head of the user and secured in the hair by using the hair attachment device connected to the hair accessory 100. Then, the portion of hair should be combed or brushed over and around the soft body to cover and camouflage the hair accessory while styling the hair as desired. Figure 4 illustrates the hair accessory in situ with the dashed line representing the scalp of the user. The hair accessory 100 has been sat upon the head of the user such that the lower side 114 of the soft body 110 is touching the head of the user. In proper use, the upper side 112 of the soft body 110 does not touch the head of the user. The soft body 110 has been covered by the hair 415 of the user after being held within the hair using the hair attachment device 120.

[0013] While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from Hie spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.