The invention relates to a hair clamp and an assembly comprising such a hair clamp and an ornament.

In order to hold up or fix their hair, people use hair claws and hair clips which are clamped into the hair. For the sake of this application, the hair claws, hair claw clips and hair clips are all called ^λ hair clamps' . Nowadays, all kinds of clamps are available in every shape and colour. To make the clamps more attractive, some manufacturers even put decorations like shiny stones and the like, on the hair clamps.

Once bought, the appearance of a decorated hair clamp cannot be changed. If a person is tired of the colours and or shape of the decorations on the clamp, she will most probably buy a new clamp. This not only costs money, but there is a risk that hair clamps start piling up in the bedroom.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide a hair clamp of which the appearance can easily be changed.

This goal is achieved by providing a hair clamp comprising two clamp elements pivotably connected with each other by means of a hollow pivot, the hollow pivot being arranged to receive connecting means for connecting an ornament to the hair clamp.

In an embodiment the hollow pivot comprises a metal rivet. The hollow metal rivet has a shoulder on one side which prevents the rivet from sliding through the embodiment. The other side of the rivet can be secured from sliding through the embodiment by creating a second shoulder . In a further embodiment both clamp elements comprise two couple members for coupling one of the clamp elements to the other of the clamp elements.

In a further embodiment each of the couple members comprise a see through hole for receiving said hollow pivot .

In an embodiment each of the two clamp elements comprises a grip section and a clamp section.

In a further embodiment the clamp elements at the clamp section are comb-shaped. The clamp section of this embodiment comprise comb teeth for grabbing the hair of the user.

In a further embodiment each of the two clamp elements in a plane perpendicular to a pivot axis is substantially S-curved.

Preferably the two clamp elements comprise a metal or a metal alloy. Metal is a very strong material as compared to other suitable material such as plastic.

The hair clamp may comprise a torsion spring having windings and two extensions, said windings being arranged around said hollow pivot. Such a torsion spring results in a very simple and stable design.

In a further embodiment each of the two clamp elements comprise a groove for receiving one of the outer ends of the torsion spring improving the stability of the torsion spring and minimizing the wrenching forces of the ends of the torsion spring and the protruding coupling parts of the clamp during use, thus prolonging the

lifecycle of the clamp. Also, these grooves let the ends of the torsion spring sink in the hair clamp making them less visible and less likely to entangle the wearers hair.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a hair clamp as described above and an ornament connectable to the clamp by means of the connecting means inserted through the hollow pivot. The connecting means may comprise a pin, a chain and/or a string. The ornament may comprise a chain, a string, hair, such as a natural piece of hair, an ear ring, a necklace, a ring, a watch, flowers and/or a stone, such as a gem stone. Other objects, substances are possible.

Embodiments of the invention will now be

described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

- Figure 1 shows the components of a hair clamp according to an embodiment in a 3D view;

- Figure 2 shows a top view of two identical clamp elements which are connected by way of the pivot,

according to an embodiment;

- Figure 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the hair clamp wherein each of the clamp elements comprise a groove;

- Figure 4 shows a side view of the clamp of

Figures 2 and 3 in a semi opened state;

- Figure 5 shows a side view of the hair clamp in an opened state;

- Figure 6 is a front view if the clamp according to an embodiment wherein the teeth of the clamp elements form an arc;

- Figure 7 schematically shows an embodiment of the pivot together with a pin for connecting an ornament to the hair clamp.

Figure 1 shows the components of a hair clamp 1 according to an embodiment in a 3D view. The hair clamp 1 comprises two clamp elements 2,3 connectable with each other by means of a pivot 4. Each of the clamp elements 2,3 has two couple members 5,6 and 7,8 respectively, for coupling the clamp elements 2,3 to each other. Coupling is achieved by inserting the pivot 4 through holes of the couple members 5,6,7,8. The hair clamp 1 further comprises a torsion spring 9 having windings and two extensions, see outer ends 10,11. When assembled, the windings of the torsion spring 9 are arranged around the pivot 4 of the hair clamp 1.

In a particular embodiment, the clamp elements 2,3 are identical. Figure 2 shows a top view of two identical clamp elements 2,3 which are connected by way of the pivot 4. In this case, the distance between the couple members 5 and 6 is equal to the distance between the couple members 7 and 8. When arranging the pivot 4, it is stuck through a couple member of a first clamp element, i.e. clamp element 2, then through a couple member of the second clamp element, i.e. clamp element 3, then through a couple member of the first clamp element, i.e. element 2, and finally through a couple member of the second clamp element, i.e. element 3. The order of couple members through which the pivot may be stuck in Figure 1 can thus be, 6,8,5,7 or 8,6,7,5 depending on the exact position of the couple members on the clamp elements 2,3. Of course the pivot 4 can also be inserted from the front side of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the hair clamp 1, wherein each of the clamp elements 2,3 comprise a groove 31,32 respectively for receiving an outer end 10,11 of the torsion spring 9, see Figure 1. Preferably the torsion spring has a length approximately equal to the distance between the two couple members of a clamp element 2,3 minus the thickness of a couple member. In this way, the torsion spring will not only force the hair clamps into the closed (i.e. clamping) state, but is will also fix the clamp elements 2,3 in the direction of the pivot axis. The grooves 31,32 will enhance the

fixation of the spring 9 and the clamp elements 2,3.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the clamp 1 of Figures 2 and 3 in a semi opened state. The outer ends 10,11 of spring 9 are visible as well as couple members 5 and 7. As indicated by reference numbers 41, 42 the clamp elements 2,3 have a curved grip section 41 and a curved clamp. As shown in Figure 4, each of the clamp elements 2,3 are substantially S-curved when looking from the side. Other forms are possible, as will be known by the skilled person.

In the embodiments discussed above, the clamp elements 2,3 at the clamp section 42 are comb-shaped having comb teeth. It should be noted that other clamp types are conceivable, and that in this invention the clamp section 42 is not necessarily comb shaped. It may well be closed like in case of a hair clip (as compared to hair claw) .

Figure 5 shows a side view of the hair clamp 1 in an opened state. By pressing the grip section to each other, the hair clamp 1 is opened and can be positioned in hair of a user. Because of the force of the torsion spring, not shown in Figure 5, the clamp 1 will close automatically when the user lets go of the grip sections.

Figure 6 is a front view if the clamp 1 according to an embodiment wherein the teeth of the clamp elements 2,3 form an arc. The advantage of the arc shape of the endings of the teeth is that the clamp 1 will better fit to the skull of the user. It can be positioned closer to the skull than in case of a straight form. For esthetic reasons the grip sections of the clamp 1 are curved as wel, as can bee seen in Figure 6.

Preferably, the two clamp elements 2,3 comprise a metal or a metal alloy. The clamp elements can be

manufactured using a mould. By moulding the clamp

elements, mass production is possible. If both clamp elements 2,3 are identical, see Figure 2, only one mould is needed for production. Furthermore, no seperate storage or handling is needed for two types of clamp elements.

The advantage of using a metal or a metal alloy as compared to plastic, is that the hair clamp 1 is much stronger and more durable. Because metal clamp elements are much stronger than plastic ones, a very strong torsion spring 9 can be used. As a result, once positioned, the hair clamp 1 will stay in place all day long.

According to the invention, the pivot 4 of the hair clamp 1 is hollow. Figure 7 schematically shows the pivot 4 together with a pin 71 for connecting an ornament to the hair clamp 1. The pivot 4 may for example be made of a hollow metal rivet comprising a tube and two collars at both openings. In an embodiment, the pin 71 is locked in the pivot 4 by way of a blocking element 75 which can be removably coupled to the pin 71 by way of e.g. threads.

Figure 7 further shows a ring 76 fixed to an outer end of the pin 71. Through ring 76 a further ring 77 is arranged to which a chain 78 is coupled. In the example of Figure 7 three types of ornaments are shown, a ^λ moon' , a 'star' and a 'sun' . Please note that the chain 78,

together with the ring 77 and the objects 72 can be seen as the ornament, but others may regard the objects 72 as being the real ornament. In Figure 7, the ornament is connectable to the hair clamp 1 by means of connecting means inserted through the hollow pivot. It should however be noted that other connection means are possible such as a thin chain or a string inserted throught the hollow pivot 4. Also the ornament may comprise a plurality of objects being one or more of:

- a chain;

- a string;

- hair, such as a natural piece of hair;

- an ear ring;

- a necklace;

- a ring;

- a watch;

- flowers;

- a stone, such as a gem stone.

By connecting an ornament to the clamp 1 it is possible to decorate the hair clamp in a personal way. The ornament can easily be removed and/or replaced. The user will stay content, and if not, can buy new ornaments without the need for buying a complete new hair clamp.

The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.