PCT APPLICATION FOR LETTERS PATENT UNITED STATES RECEIVING OFFICE

Be it known that I, TERESA GEE MOSLEY, residing at 2159 Whitehall Court, Smyrna, GA 30080, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a hair fashioning apparatus and method of use thereof, of which the following is a specification. PRIORITY CLAIM

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present application claims priority to and the full benefit as a Patent Cooperation Treaty application to United States Non-provisional Patent Application entitled "HAIR FASHIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF", filed September 17, 2010, having assigned Serial No. 12/884262.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for forming hair into a desired fashion, and more specifically to a hair styling or fashioning accessory that is bendable and which can be utilized to secure hair in a desired position or style. BACKGROUND ART

In order to fashion hair into a particular style, certain accessory devices are often needed to secure the hair into the particular fashion chosen. One such method is to secure hair via clipping devices, of which many are known and are represented, among others, by "bobby pins" and "barrettes" .

Other devices that do not require clipping mechanisms have also evolved. One previous device teaches a hair accessory that comprises a flexible wire encased in non-cellular vinyl plastisol. The hair accessory is of sufficient strength and gauge to wrap around a quantity of hair and hold its shape into the desired fashion. The vinyl plastisol has soft and clingy characteristics, which aids the accessory in securing hair into position or in securing the accessory to itself. In use, the hair accessory is wrapped or twisted around a quantity of hair by being bent and manipulated into various shapes to create unique hair styles. Unfortunately, this device lacks any ability to provide additional substance to the hair to give the hair the appearance of greater volume in a desired location. Another previous device teaches a bendable fabric- covered rod- like device. The device comprises an elongated flexible wire encased in a flexible fabric or leather sheath. The device may be utilized as a hair fastener to secure a ponytail, as a hair curling rod, or as a headband. Again, the device lacks the ability to provide volume to the hair to a desired style.

Yet another previous device teaches a detachable hair addition that comprises a natural or synthetic hair weft encompassing a thin bendable wire throughout the entire length for attaching to existing hair. The thin bendable wire is utilized to secure the hair wefts to hair pins by means of wrapping the wire onto and around the center member of the hair pin. Unfortunately, this device suffers from the need to have hair pins for securing it to the hair.

Still another previous device teaches a wire threaded into a flexible hollow tube covered by flexible material . The flexible material covering the flexible wire element is preferably a piece of fabric or real or synthetic hair. Again, this device lacks the bulk necessary to provide the appearance of volume to the hair being styled.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a hair fashioning apparatus that provides the appearance of volume in a selected portion of the hair being styled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a velvet or similar material covered hair fashioning or styling apparatus comprising an elongated section that is flexible, but which retains its shape once formed, along with a pillow section that is either removable or integral to the elongated section. The hair fashioning apparatus may include earphones, earplugs, earmuffs or a holder for a media player. The hair fashioning apparatus is utilized to form a "poof" of hair on the top of the head, or, alternatively, pigtails or ponytails. According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a hair fashioning apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated member having a first end and a second end distally disposed from the first end, and a pillow portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein both the flexible, elongated member and the pillow portion have a coating or covering thereon that radially covers the flexible, elongated member and which extends from the first end to the second end. The covering comprises, for exemplary purposes only, velvet. It will be recognized that other suitable materials could be utilized without departing from the spirit of the preferred and alternate embodiments. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of hair strands is disposed radially around the circumference of the flexible, elongated member.

The pillow portion may be integral to the flexible, elongated member or removably secured thereto. The removable pillow portion comprises a first terminus, a second terminus and elastic loops disposed at the termini. The flexible, elongated member passes inside the elastic loops when the latter is removable. In alternate embodiments, the hair fashioning apparatus may selectively comprise earphones, earplugs or earmuffs secured at the first and second ends of the flexible, elongated member. The hair fashioning apparatus may further comprise a retention pocket for securing an electronic component to the flexible, elongated member. A method of fashioning hair on a person' s head into a desired style is provided comprising obtaining hair fashioning apparatus as described hereinabove, disposing the flexible, elongated member thereof on the hair, and securing the hair into a selected shape.

Further, the method comprises disposing the flexible, elongated member having the pillow portion thereon in a selected location on a person's head, and wrapping the hair therewith. The pillow portion may selectively be disposed on a top portion of the person's head and hair is subsequently pulled from in front of the pillow portion over the pillow portion to form a "poof" or, alternatively, hair is pulled upward from a top portion of the person's head and the hair is subsequently wrapped to form a standing ponytail. Hair may alternatively be pulled upward from a rear portion of the person's head and wrapped to form a ponytail or pigtails. In the latter alternative embodiment, the first end is wrapped around a first portion of the hair to form a pigtail on one side of the person's head and around a second portion of the hair on the other side of the person's head to form a second pigtail. More specifically, the present invention is a hair fashioning apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated member and a pillow pad. The flexible, elongated member comprises a center section, a first arm, a second arm, a first end disposed at the extremity of the first arm and a second end disposed at the extremity of the second arm, wherein the second end is distally disposed from the first end. The pillow pad comprises a first elastic loop, a first terminus, a second elastic loop and a second terminus, wherein the first elastic loop is disposed at the first terminus, and wherein the second elastic loop is disposed at the second terminus. The pillow pad is slidably secured to the flexible, elongated member via the elastic loops, wherein the flexible, elongated member passes within and through the elastic loops .

In use, the hair fashioning apparatus is placed on and/or under portions of a person's hair, wherein the pillow pad forms a support for the hair thereon, providing a "poof" as such is known in the art, wherein the poof comprises a portion of hair that is raised above the surrounding hair. Typically, the pillow pad will be hidden from view by the person's hair and may be slidably positioned by moving the flexible, elongated member through the elastic loops. Further, the arms are wrapped around portions of the hair to secure the hair fashioning apparatus, wherein the arms may be utilized to form pigtails or a ponytail, and wherein the arms may be hidden from view by portions of the hair, or wherein the arms and/or ends may be exposed in a decorative fashion.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible, elongated member is approximately 28 inches in length and the pillow pad is approximately one-half to three-quarters of an inch in thickness, wherein both the elongated member and/or the pillow pad are preferably covered with velvet or a similar material that provides a slight grip to hold the hair fashioning apparatus in position on a person's hair. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other lengths for the flexible, elongated member and/or other thicknesses for the pillow pad may be desirable and that materials other than velvet may be utilized .

In an alternate embodiment of the hair fashioning apparatus, the elongated member may selectively comprise hair strands extending radially along its length. Thus, when the elongated member with hair strands is utilized, it can augment a person's hair as the elongated member is concurrently securing the hair in a desired fashion.

The flexible, elongated member can alternatively be utilized separately, after removal of the pillow pad, to fashion hair, such as, without limitation, forming a "top knot" that may or may not have a ponytail extending therefrom. In such use, the flexible, elongated member is coiled in diminishing spirals upwardly from the top of the person's head.

In an alternate embodiment, the hair fashioning apparatus comprises a first arm, a second arm and a center, and wherein the center comprises the pillow section. The first arm comprises a first end and the second arm comprises a second end, wherein the second end is distally disposed from the first end. The hair fashioning apparatus of this alternate embodiment is utilized in similar fashion to the hair fashioning apparatus of the preferred embodiment, except that the pillow section is not removable and further not slidably positionable .

In selected additional alternate embodiments, the hair fashioning apparatus could comprise earphones disposed at the first ends and at the second ends. In use, a person could fashion hair in a desired fashion utilizing the hair fashioning apparatus and may extend the ends towards their ears, plugging the earphones into their ears for listening to an audio device. The first end could also comprise a holder for a media playing device. After fashioning the hair with the hair fashioning apparatus, the earphones are subsequently connected to the media playing device for the wearer's listening pleasure. The hair fashioning apparatus could alternatively comprise earplugs disposed at the first end and at the second end. In use, a person may fashion hair in a desired style utilizing the hair fashioning apparatus and may subsequently extend the ends towards their ears, plugging the earplugs into their ears to block sound and provide hearing protection when working in a noisy environment . In yet another alternate embodiment, the hair fashioning apparatus could comprise earmuffs disposed at the first end and second end. The user may then fashion hair into a desired fashion utilizing the hair fashioning apparatus and may extend the ends towards their ears, covering their ears with the earmuffs to provide protection from adverse weather or other cold environments .

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to shape hair into a selected style and maintain the hair in that style. Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to support hair in a "poof" style . Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide support for ancillary devices, such as, without limitation, earphones, media players, earplugs and earmuffs. Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide additional hair to augment the user's hair.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to cling to hair securely.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide decoration to hair.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG . 1 is a side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG . 2A is a side perspective view of a pillow component of a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG . 2B is a side perspective view of a flexible, elongated member component of a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG . 3A is a rear perspective view of hair styled utilizing a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment; FIG . 3B is a cutaway rear perspective view of hair styled utilizing a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment; FIG . 3C is a side perspective view of hair styled utilizing a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG . 4A is a top plan view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG . 4B is a side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment ;

FIG . 5 is a side perspective view of hair styled utilizing a flexible, elongated member component of a hair fashioning apparatus according to a preferred embodiment ;

FIG . 6A is a partial side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment, including an attached earphone accessory; FIG. 6A is a partial side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment, including an attached music player holder;

FIG. 6A is a partial side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment, including an attached earplug accessory; and

FIG. 6A is a partial side perspective view of a hair fashioning apparatus according to an alternate embodiment, including an attached earmuff accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present application claims priority to and the full benefit as a Patent Cooperation Treaty application to United States Non-provisional Patent Application entitled "HAIR FASHIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF", filed September 17, 2010, having assigned Serial No. 12/884262.

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6A, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3C, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is hair fashioning apparatus 10, wherein hair fashioning apparatus 10 comprises flexible, elongated member 20 and pillow pad 30. Flexible, elongated member 20 comprises center section 80, first arm 65, second arm 75, first end 60 disposed at the extremity of first arm 65 and second end 70 disposed at the extremity of second arm 75, wherein second end 70 is distally disposed from first end 60. Pillow pad 30 comprises first elastic loop 40, first terminus 90, second elastic loop 50 and second terminus 95, wherein first elastic loop 40 is disposed at first terminus 90, and wherein second elastic loop 50 is disposed at second terminus 95. In the preferred embodiment, pillow pad 30 is slidably secured to flexible, elongated member 20 via elastic loops 40, 50, wherein flexible, elongated member 20 passes within and through elastic loops 40, 50. In use, hair fashioning apparatus 10 is placed on and/or under portions of person S's hair H , wherein pillow pad 30 forms a support for hair H thereon, providing "poof" P as such is known in the art, wherein poof P comprises a portion of hair H that is raised above the surrounding hair. Typically, pillow pad 30 will be hidden from view by hair H and may be slidably positioned by moving flexible, elongated member 20 through elastic loops 40 , 50 . Further, arms 65 , 75 are wrapped around portions of hair H to secure hair fashioning apparatus 10 , wherein arms 65 , 75 may be utilized to form pigtails or ponytail T , and wherein arms 65 , 75 may selectively be hidden from view by portions of hair H , or wherein arms 65 , 75 and/or ends 60 , 70 may be exposed in a decorative fashion.

In a preferred embodiment, flexible, elongated member 20 is approximately 28 inches in length and pillow pad 30 is approximately one-half to three-quarters of an inch in thickness, wherein both elongated member 20 and/or pillow pad 30 are preferably covered with velvet or similar material that provides a slight grip to hold hair fashioning apparatus 10 in position on hair H . It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other lengths for flexible, elongated member 20 and/or other thicknesses for pillow pad 30 may be desirable and that materials other than velvet may be utilized. In an alternate embodiment of hair fashioning apparatus 10, flexible, elongated member 20 may selectively comprise hair strands 240 extending radially around the circumference of flexible, elongated member 20, and along its length. Thus, when elongated member 20 is utilized, it can augment person S's hair H as elongated member 20 is concurrently securing hair H in a desired fashion.

Turning now more particularly to FIG. 5, depicted therein flexible, elongated member 20 can be utilized separately, after removal of pillow pad 30, to fashion hair, such as, for exemplary purposes only, forming a "top knot" with or without ponytail T extending therefrom. In this use, flexible, elongated member 20 is coiled in diminishing spirals upwardly from top of person S's head.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 4A-4B, illustrated therein is an alternate embodiment of device 10, wherein the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B is substantially equivalent in form and function to that of the preferred embodiment detailed and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3C except as hereinafter specifically referenced. Specifically, the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B comprises hair fashioning apparatus 100, wherein hair fashioning apparatus 100 comprises first arm 120, second arm 125 and center 180, and wherein center 180 comprises pillow section 130. First arm 120 comprises first end 160 and second arm 125 comprises second end 170, wherein second end 170 is distally disposed from first end 160.

Hair fashioning apparatus 100 of this alternate embodiment is utilized in similar fashion to hair fashioning apparatus 10 of the preferred embodiment, except that pillow section 130 is not removable and further not slidably positionable.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 6A-6C, illustrated therein are alternate embodiments of hair fashioning apparatuses 10 and/or 100, wherein the alternate embodiments of FIGS. 6A-6B are substantially equivalent in form and function to that of the preferred and alternate embodiments detailed and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 except as hereinafter specifically referenced. Specifically, the embodiment of FIG. 6A comprises hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100, wherein hair fashioning apparatuses 10 and 100 comprise earphone 200 disposed at first ends 60, 160 and at second ends 70, 170 (not shown) . In use, person S may fashion hair H in a desired fashion utilizing hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100 and may extend ends 60, 70, 160 and 170 towards their ears, plugging earphones 200 into their ears for listening to an audio device.

Turning now more particularly to FIG. 6B, the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6B comprises an alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, wherein first end 60 or 160 comprises holder 210 for music or other media playing device M. After fashioning hair H with hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100, earphones E are subsequently connected to audio playing device M for the wearer's listening pleasure. Turning now more particularly to FIG. 6C, the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6C comprises hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100, wherein hair fashioning apparatuses 10 and 100 comprise earplugs 220 disposed at first ends 60, 160 and at second ends 70, 170 (not shown) . In use, person S may fashion hair H in a desired fashion utilizing hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100 and may extend ends 60 , 70 , 160 and 170 towards their ears, plugging earplugs 220 into their ears to block sound and provide hearing protection when working in a noisy environment .

Turning lastly to FIG . 6D , the alternate embodiment of FIG . 6D comprises hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100 , wherein hair fashioning apparatuses 10 and 100 comprise earmuffs 230 disposed at first ends 60 , 160 and at second ends 70 , 170 (not shown) . In use, person S may fashion hair H in a desired fashion utilizing hair fashioning apparatus 10 or 100 and may extend ends 60 , 70 , 160 and 170 towards their ears, covering their ears with earmuffs 230 to provide protection from adverse weather or other cold environments.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.