TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hair styling accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to headbands.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Headbands, are well known in the art. Typically, these hair styling accessories incorporate a flexible band dimensioned for positioning about a wearer's head. The bands may be fabricated from a variety of materials and come in varying shapes and sizes. Headbands are used for both functional and aesthetic purposes. For practical purposes, headbands hold a wearer's hair back and away from the face and eyes. Headbands are also fashion accessories that may feature decorative ornamentation.

It would be advantageous to provide a headband having versatility in styling. It would further be advantageous to provide a headband capable of conveying multiple looks. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a headband having adjustable sizing by changing the material of the band insert.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to hair styling accessories, particularly headbands. The headband includes a hair band and a band insert. The hair band has a generally arcuate shape with opposed free ends and is adapted for positioning on a wearer's head. The hair band has an inner band or hair contacting surface positionable against the wearer's head, an outer surface opposed thereto, and an aperture extending through both the inner and outer band surfaces. The band insert is adapted to be releasably mounted within the aperture of the hair band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the headband of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the headband of the FIG. 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the headband of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headband of the present disclosure with the hair band and the band insert separated and attachment points aligned in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the headband of the present disclosure having teeth on the hair band;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the headband shown in FIG. 5 with the hair band and the band insert separated and attachment points aligned in phantom;

FIG. 6A is a top view of the hair band of the headband of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the band insert of the headband of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the headband of the present disclosure with the hair band and the band insert separated and attachment points aligned in phantom; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the headband of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 7 with the band insert attached to the hair band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is directed to a hair styling accessory, i.e., a headband, for styling hair in order to achieve a desired look. The headband includes a hair band and a band insert and is capable of achieving different looks by changing the band insert within the hair band. Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical or substantially similar parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective view, headband 100 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Headband 100 incorporates hair band 110 and band insert 150. Band insert 150 is releasably mountable with respect to hair band 110 as will be discussed in further detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, in conjunction with FIG. 1, hair band 110 is adapted and configured for positioning about a wearer's head, e.g., along the crown of the head. Hair band 110 may define a generally arcuate configuration, such as a c-shape, u-shape, or horseshoe-shape. Other shapes are also envisioned to those skilled in the art, such as rectangular, circular, and the like. Hair band 110 defines central axis "x" which extends between opposed free ends 112 of hair band 110.

Free ends 112 may be rounded, squared tapered, pointed, scalloped, or any shape within the purview of those skilled in the art. Free ends 112 may also be capped. Cap 113 (not shown) may be a fabric, plastic, or material that can pad or add comfort to the wearer.

Hair band 110 defines a width "w" transverse to the central axis "x". The width "w" may be constant along the length of hair band 110. Alternatively, hair band 110 may define a width "w" that is greatest at the apex "a" or crown of hair band 110 and decreases in dimension toward free ends 112. The width "w" of hair band 110 may decrease in a linear manner as depicted in FIG. 4 or may define other arrangements such as a varying width along the length in a non-linear design, such as a wave.

Hair band 110 defines inner and outer band surfaces, 114 and 116, respectively (FIG. 4). Inner band surface 114 defines a hair contacting surface which is positionable against the wearer's head. Hair band 110 also defines aperture 118 extending between inner band surface 114 and outer band surface 116. In embodiments, aperture 118 may only partially extend through hair band 110, creating a niche or cavity for retaining band insert 150.

Aperture 118 is aligned with hair band 110 along central axis "x". Aperture 118 may encompass any portion of the length of hair band 110. Additionally, aperture 118 may encompass any portion of the width of hair band 110. Aperture 118 may be linear and of a constant width or may be shaped. One skilled in the art will understand that more than one aperture 118 may be present on hair band 110. It is also envisioned that the aperture may assume a variety of configurations which are randomly or systematically placed about hair band 110.

Aperture 118 defines an internal dimensions "b" sufficient in size to receive band insert 150. Band insert 150 may be secured to hair band 110 by any suitable method including, but not limited to, friction fitting or snap fitting, as well as slot and peg or tongue and groove configurations.

Aperture 18 has first and second ends 119, 120. First and second ends 119, 120 may oppose each other or be asymmetric to each other along a length of hair band 110. Aperture 118 may have slot 122 at first and second ends 119, 120 extending into hair band 110 for receiving first and second ends 151, 152 of band insert 150.

FIGS. 5-6B illustrate another embodiment of the presently described headband shown generally as 200. Headband 200 includes a hair band 210 and a band insert 250. Hair band 210 has free ends 212, an inner band surface 214, and an outer band surface 216. Hair band also defines an aperture or cavity 218 which is dimensioned to receive band insert 250.

Aperture 218 has a pair of lips 224 along periphery 227 of aperture 218 for supporting and/or securing band insert 250 with aperture 218 of hair band 210. Recesses 226 may be arranged across width "w" of aperture 218 or may be located on lips 224. Each recess 226 defines a mating structure which interacts with mating structure 256 on band insert 250 to secure band insert 250 to hair band 210. Hair band 210 may have more than one recess. Two or more recesses may be used. Further, recesses 226 may be spaced substantially evenly about aperture 218.

Each recess 226 of hair band 210 may be snap fit with a corresponding projection 256 of band insert 250. The shape of recess 226 and projection 256 may vary. For example, recess 226 may be circular, rectangular, square, star-shaped, or other geometric shape cut-out as known to those skilled in the art. Projection 256 has a corresponding shape in the form of a protrusion. It should be known to those skilled in the art that the mating structures may also be in reverse position such that recesses may be on the band insert and projections on the hair band.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, band insert 150 is removably mountable into aperture 118 of hair band 110. Band insert 150 may be monolithically formed or composed of several connected components. Band insert 150 has first and second ends 151, 152, which fit within first and second ends 119, 120 of aperture 118 of hair band 110. Band insert 150 may also have a projection 156 complimentary to a recess 126 on hair band 110 so that when hair band is aligned with aperture 118 of hair band 110, projection 156 aligns with recess 126. As discussed above with respect to headband 200, projection 156 is positioned within recess 126 to secure band insert 150 within aperture 118 of hair band 110.

With reference to FIGS. 5-6B, hair band 210 includes a plurality of teeth 228 or projecting members. Teeth 228 are adapted to engage strands of hair to assist in retaining hair band 210 on the wearer's head. Teeth 228 may also assist in pulling hair away from the face of the wearer. Teeth 228 are of a sufficient length to be captured within strands of hair. Teeth 228 may have rounded outer surfaces 229 to avoid trauma to the wearer's head. Teeth 228 may be arranged about aperture 218 or, alternatively, in one or more linear rows provided in spaced relation along hair band 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, first and second rows of teeth 228 depend from inner band surface 214 on opposite sides of aperture 218 and converge towards free ends 212, such that the rows meet at opposite ends of aperture 218 of hair band 210. Alternatively, first and second substantially linear rows of teeth 228 may depend from inner band surface 214 along opposed sides 230 of hair band 210. Other teeth configurations are also envisioned.

FIG 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the band insert 150 shown generally as 350. Band insert 350 may have a woven, braided, or other ornamental design. Band insert 350 may also have any color, texture, or pattern thereon. Band insert may also have accessories attached thereto, such as bows, jewels, and the like. Band insert may be of a height to lie flush with hair band 310. Alternatively, band insert 350 may be of a thickness to be recessed within aperture 318 of hair band 310 or extended above aperture 318 of hair band 310.

The hair bands and band inserts described above may be fabricated from suitable rigid or flexible material. In embodiments, the hair bands may be made from a polymeric material manufactured via known injection molding techniques. Such hair bands may be adapted to flex outwardly whereby the free ends may be displaced from an unbiased position to a biased position to fit about the wearer's head. Alternatively, the hair bands may also be fabricated from a fabric, metal, or combinations thereof.

Similarly, the band inserts may be made of fabric, polymeric, or metal materials which may provide additional structure, stiffness, or flexibility to the headband to assist in sizing the opening between the free ends.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as an exemplification of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the following claims.