Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Seamless Hair Extension System and Method of Use
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with the field of devices and methods
that provide an appearance of longer or thicker hair. More specifically, the
invention is concerned with a hair attachment comprised of natural or
synthetic hair that is releasably attached directly to hair of a wearer in
order to provide the wearer with an appearance of highlighted and or
longer and or thicker hair, without causing any tension to the wearer's
scalp and or hair.
It is a common desire among many people to acquire hair that is
longer and thicker than that which they posses for a variety of reasons,
such as self esteem and satisfaction, quickly changing fashion styles, and
the like. For example, short hair, which is in fashion for a period of time,
may quickly be replaced as current fashion with longer fuller hairstyles. In
another example, bangs worn on a forehead may be in fashion for the
winter and by the summer this style may be quickly replaced by another
style. As hair grows at a rate of approximately less than one inch per
month, many people find that it is exceedingly difficult to acquire a
contemporary hairstyle in a reasonable time. Even when someone
possesses hair of substantial length, the hair may lack thickness or overall
volume to achieve a desirable hairstyle. People may also want to add
highlights to their hair without having to cause damage to their hair.
Various devices and techniques are available in the prior art and in
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the marketplace that attempt to satisfy a need and desire for longer and
thicker hair. A common well known device is a wig. Although wigs provide
a quick and simple means to achieve longer hair, they do not present a
fully natural appearance, a condition that leads to their recognition when
they are being worn. More recently, a variety of more natural hair
enhancement techniques have become popular with a variety of users.
These consist of hair weaves, hair extensions, hair braiding and the like,
whereby natural or synthetic hair is attached to a scalp of existing hair of a
wearer by a variety of techniques in order to provide an appearance of
longer, thicker hair without a noticeable artifice of a wig. These techniques
and systems, which overcome obvious disadvantage of a wig, also suffer
from several drawbacks as they are relatively expensive and time
consuming to acquire and frequently discomfort the wearer during
application, as well as possibly being difficult to maintain.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous designs, devices, and methods for lengthening and
enhancement have been provided in the prior art. Even though these
designs may be suitable for specific individual purposes to which they are
addressed, they would not be suitable for purposes of the invention as
they involve relatively elaborate and time consuming techniques and
methods as referenced earlier. These techniques are exemplified by: U.S.
Pat. No. 5,072,745, Hair Extension Process, issued to Cheh on Dec.17,
1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,867, Process for Extending Human Hair, issued
to Barrington on Apr.28, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,868145, Hair Extension
and Thickening process, issued to Spann on Feb.9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No.
5,881737, Method of Attaching A Hair Weft To The Hair Of A Wearer,
issued to Nelson on Mar.16, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,736, Method
of Using A Self Adhesive Hair Extension, issued to Townsend on Jun. 18,
2002, which discloses a hair attachment device designed to provide an
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appearance of longer, thicker, and fuller hair. The attachment device
consists of a quantity of natural or synthetic human hair that is sewn to a
rectangular shaped, self-adhesive tape having a removable back, which
is applied to a scalp or hair of a wearer in a releasably engageable
manner. While a hair attachment is relatively simple to apply, the
self-adhesive tape provides a less than adequate means to secure ends
of strands of natural or synthetic hair, which can become prematurely
separated from the self-adhesive tape and become unusable in the future.
As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a
new and improved method and device for providing an appearance of
longer and thicker hair in a manner that is relatively simple and
inexpensive to achieve. In these respects, the present invention
substantially departs from conventional concepts and designs of the prior
art, and in so doing provides an apparatus that substantially fulfills this
need. Additionally, the aforementioned patents and commercial
techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of
component elements arranged and configured as disclosed herein.
The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and
advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method
steps and component elements, with use of a minimum number of
functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and with use of
readily available materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, which will be described in greater detail
hereinafter, relates to a field of devices and methods that provide an
appearance of longer, thicker or highlighted hair. More specifically, the
invention is concerned with a hair attachment comprised of natural or
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synthetic hair that is releasably attached directly to hair of a wearer to
provide the wearer with an appearance of longer, thicker or highlighted
hair. The invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in
addition to providing novel aspects that will be described in detail
hereinafter.
Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment, the invention
presents a hair attachment device or hair extension that is releasably
attached to hair of a wearer in order to provide an appearance of longer,
thicker fuller and/or highlighted hair without use of chemicals that will
cause damage to the wearer's hair and/or scalp. The hair extension thus
allows the wearer to change an appearance of their hair without chemical
damage in order to achieve fashion styles that use longer hair, or simply
to enhance his/her appearance by achieving particular hair designs
heretofore impossible without aid of a hair extension and/or damaging
chemicals. The hair extension that is the subject of the instant invention
consists of a quantity of natural or synthetic hair strands that are disposed
in a parallel relationship and are attached or secured at one end to a
flexible strip of polyurethane. The polyurethane securely anchors the hair
strands to one end of a double face adhesive tape so that the strands do
not become separated from the double face adhesive tape. This
ventilated strip of polyurethane is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a
shape of the wearer's head. A fastener comprised of a rectangular strip of
self-adhesive double-sided tape with a removable backing is attached to
the ventilated polyurethane strip in order to provide adhesion necessary
to secure the hair extension to hair of the wearer. The hair extension can
be applied to the wearer's hair in various quantities and locations thereon
as needed to achieve a desired look and appearance. The hair extension
may be reused as well by simply wetting the fastener, or double-sided
self-adhesive tape on the hair extension, with citrus oil, separating the
tape from the strip of polyurethane base support, and discarding the tape.
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A new rectangular strip of double-sided self-adhesive tape may be
reapplied to the strip of polyurethane in order to reuse the hair extension.
The strands of hair secured to the ventilated polyurethane strip as
referenced earlier can be natural or synthetic and are also available in a
variety of textures, colors and lengths.
The invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features
per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them as herein
disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular
combination of all of its structures for functions specified as follows: can
be used on those wearers who have sensitive scalps; for those who just
had a face lift performed wanting to disguise a receded hair line surgery
has produced; for those wanting to achieve highlighted hair without use of
damaging solutions; for those whose crown hair line has receded due to
age or other factors; as well as for those wanting a temporary eyebrow lift
which is achieved by simply disguising side temples of the hair line which
in turn has receded due to age or other factors; or for those who simply
desire longer and or thicker hair.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and
important features of the present invention in order that a detailed
description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that
the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated.
Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and the
disclosed specific method and structures may be readily utilized as a
basis for modifying or designing other structures for obtaining the same
purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in
the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in
its application to details of construction and to arrangements of
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is cable of other embodiments, and of being
practiced and performed in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for a purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for
designing of other structures, methods and systems for obtaining the
several purposes of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an easy to use,
comfortable to wear, and no tension caused to a scalp or a wearer's hair,
reusable seamless self-adhesive hair extension.
A significant object of the invention is to provide a seamless
self-adhesive hair extension that is comprised of a strip of polyurethane
that has been ventilated with a quantity of parallel arranged natural or
synthetic hair strands attached to one side of a strip of clear double face
self-adhesive tape, which is then secured to hair of a wearer by another
strip of clear double face self-adhesive tape which will encompass
alternating parallel % sections of the wearer's own natural existing hair.
Another very significant object of the invention is to provide a
seamless self-adhesive hair extension that provides an appearance of
longer, thicker, and/or highlighted hair by overcoming disadvantages of
conventional hair enhancing and supplementing devices and techniques,
such as wigs, hair weaves and braids, and removable hair extensions and
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attachments.
A final but very important aspect of the invention is that it is virtually
undetectable to the eye or touch, due to the hair being ventilated through
a very thin but durable polyurethane layer and or strip, and then attached
with a double face self-adhesive tape, thus making it easy to apply to the
wearer's crown and or temples, if so desired.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should
be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
they are illustrated as a preferred embodiment of the invention.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of
the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative
of some of more prominent features and applications of the present
invention. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the
invention may be had by referring to the Summary of the Invention and the
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment in addition to the scope
of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, feature and advantages of the
invention will become more fully understood from the following description
of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the
accompanying illustrations in which like reference characters refer to the
same parts throughout different views.
FIG. 1 is an actual view of a seamless self-adhesive hair extension front
complete view.
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FIG. 2 is an exploded front or face view of a seamless self-adhesive hair
extension.
FIG. 3 is an actual view of a seamless self-adhesive hair extension with a
double-sided self-adhesive tape or fastener attached to the hair extension
by virtue of ventilating hair through a polyurethane strip, and then a coat of
polyurethane is applied so as to seal both ends of a base support unit. A
removable backing is separated from the self-adhesive double-sided tape
or fastener to reveal a construction thereof.
FIG. 4 is an actual view of a back side or an attachable side of the
seamless hair extension with a backing attached to a fastener of
self-adhesive double-sided tape.
FIG. 5 is an actual view of a process and method of attachment herein
referred to as step 1.
FIG. 6 is an actual view of a process and method of attachment herein
referred to as step 2.
FIG. 7 is an actual view of a process and method of attachment herein
referred to as step 3.
DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS
Seamless Self-Adhesive Hair Extension system
12 Hair Extension Hair Strands
14 Fastener (self-adhesive double-sided tape)
16 Polyurethane Strip Ventilated with Supplemental Hair
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18 Attached End of Hair Strands
20 Unattached End of Hair Strands
22 Self-Adhesive Double-Sided Tape
24 Tape Backing
28 Wearer
30 Part Line of Hair
32 Upper Portion of Hair
34 Lower Portion of Hair
36 Velcro Strip
38 Wearer's Natural Hair Strands
40 Crotchet needle
42 Top View of Seamless Self-Adhesive Hair Extension System
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to illustrations, and in particular to FIG. 1, wherein
there is an actual view of a seamless self-adhesive hair extension 10. The
hair extension 10 consists of a plurality of supplemental hair strands 12.
The hair strands 12 are comprised of natural or synthetic supplemental
hair in a variety of lengths, diameters, textures, and colors in order to
accommodate desires and needs of a variety of wearers and fashion
styles. A quantity of hair strands 12 is arranged generally or typically in a
parallel arrangement so the strands 12 are aligned at a first attached end
18 and a second non-attached end 20.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exploded front or face
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view of a polyurethane strip 16 containing the attached end of the hair
strands which are ventilated throughout the polyurethane strip 16.
In FIG. 3 is illustrated an exploded back view to reveal components
and construction of a support polyurethane base or the polyurethane strip
16, with the hair strands 18 being ventilated through the polyurethane
strip by virtue of knotting each supplemental hair strand 12, implanting the
supplemental hair strands 12 through the polyurethane strip 16, and
applying a coat of polyurethane thus sealing attached ends of the
supplemental hair strands 12 to the polyurethane strip 16. The
polyurethane strip 16 is comprised of flexible and durable material that
conforms to a shape and contour of various scalps and scalp surfaces in
order to achieve a comfortable and unobstructed fit thereon. A fastener 14
of double-sided self-adhesive tape is rectangular and preferably narrow
and elongate in order to correspond with a perimeter of the polyurethane
strip 16. The fastener 14 is comprised of a self-adhesive double-sided
tape 22 and a removable backing 24. The self-adhesive double-sided
tape 22 is secured to the polyurethane strip 16, in order to prevent the
tape 22 from being separated or repositioned during use.
In FIG. 4 a back view or attachable view of the seamless
self-adhesive hair extension system is illustrated with the removable
backing 24 attached.
In FIG. 5 a process and method of attachment referred to as step I
is illustrated, wherein a strip of Velcro 36 is used to secure and part an
upper portion 32 and a lower portion 34, of a wearer's 28 hair, thus
achieving a part line 30.
In FIG. 6 a process and method of attachment referred to as step 2
is illustrated, with the upper portion 32 and lower portion 34 being secured
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in an upward position by the Velcro 36, wherein a strip of double-sided
self-adhesive tape 22 is placed onto the lower portion 34 of the wearer's
hair 38 approximately W away from the wearer's scalp 44, and by using a
crotchet needle 40 the wearer's natural hair strands 38 are withdrawn in
approximately '/." alternating sections from the upper portion 32 and
placed onto the double-sided self-adhesive tape 22,preferably an entire
length of the self-adhesive double-sided tape 22.
In FIG. 7 a process and method of attachment referred to as step 3
is illustrated, wherein once the wearer's natural hair strands 38 are placed
onto the double-sided self-adhesive tape 22 in alternating "A" sections
preferably along the entire length of the self-adhesive double-sided tape
22, as described and illustrated previously in step 2 with reference to FIG.
7, the backing 24 can be removed and the seamless hair extension 10
can be adhered to the double-sided self-adhesive tape 22 on wearer 28. If
necessary, the hair extension 10 can be cut or trimmed either vertically or
horizontally to conform to an existing or proposed hair style or preference
of the wearer. Once the hair extension 10 is secured and aligned onto the
double-sided tape 22, the upper portion 32 of the hair can be dropped by
removing the Velcro strip 36, and releasing the lower portion 34 via
removing the Velcro strip 36 as well. Once the hair is in its original
position
it will conceal the self-adhesive tape 22 as well as the polyurethane strip
16 resulting in a seamless, lifelike natural appearance of longer, thicker
and or highlighted hair. Of course the hair extension 10 can be attached to
the head of the wearer 28 in a variety of styles and quantities and at an
assortment of locations and positions thereon, with placement only limited
by imagination of the wearer and hair dresser. It should be recognized
that the example of attachment described previously by no means limits
the spirit and the scope of the invention, and that all possible variations of
attaching the seamless self-adhesive extension 10 to either the hair or
scalp of a wearer remains within the purview of the instant invention.
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As the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
illustrations and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only
the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the
invention are desired to be protected. With respect to the above
description then, it is to be realized that optimum dimensional
relationships for parts of the invention, to include variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and
use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art,
and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the illustrations and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the
appended claims.
CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION
It will be understood, from the foregoing, to persons skilled in the art,
that an improved seamless self-adhesive hair extension system has been
provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet
affords a variety of uses. While the description contains many
specifications, these should not be constructed as limitations on the
scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred
embodiment thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit
the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims. Although
this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain
degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the
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preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous
changes in terms of construction and combination and 'arrangement of
parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
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