Toilet – Hair device – Hair fastener
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-24
2001-12-04
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Hair fastener
C132S275000, C063S028000, C063S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325074
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hair clip. In particular, this invention is directed to a hair clip having a structure such that a variety of decorative ornamentations can be accommodated easily and securely to the hair clip.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Hair clips have been used for a long time to keep hair up in a particular style or to keep hair away from the face and eyes. In addition to its functionality, hair clips also provide the user with an opportunity to add an ornamental flair to their hair.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 348,121 to Park discloses a hair clip. This hair clip has a prominent curve on the upper bill and a straight lower bill. Park does not suggest that ornamentation can be affixed to the upper bill, and the side wings of the upper bill of Park are too upright to allow ornaments such as beads or jewels to be sufficiently visible.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 117,861 to Woodford discloses a hair curler having parallel clamping jaws wherein the top jaw has a groove. However, this device is a hair curler and there is no suggestion that the groove can be used for ornamentation. Indeed, there would be no point to the curling device having ornamentation and the design of the groove has upright wings that would conceal any ornamentation affixed within it.
A problem frequently arises that the hair pin can become tangled in the hair making it difficult for the user to clip or unclip the hair. This problem is exacerbated when an ornament or the like is present on the hair clip. The presence of an ornament greatly increases the chance of entangling the hair in the clip. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,215 to Grandis et al discloses an improvement to a hair clip in which the upper jaw serves as a clamp and as an ornament. This clip, however, can suffer from the problem that hair can be easily tangled in the ornamentation. Further, the ornament is limited in design to a floral shape and there is no ability of the Grandis et al hair clip to change the design easily.
Another problem with conventional hair clips is that the user may want the hair clip to hold the hair effectively but not want the non-ornamental parts of the clip to be visible. For example U.S. Pat. No. Des. 177,617 to Ecker et al discloses an essentially flat, metal clip with ornamentation disposes on the handle portion. The Ecker et al clip suffers from the problem that the hair can easily become tangled in the clip. Further, the functional part of the clip, i.e. the clamping portion contains no ornamentation. Thus, the clamping portion is visible. Moreover, the design cannot accommodate the user's own ornaments and the design itself is limited to a bow.
A still further problem with hair clips is that they contain very little or no ornamentation at all. For example, U.S. Pat. Des. Nos. 415,312 and 403,111 show a duckbill type hair clip that contains no ornamentation. Moreover, they have no ability to accommodate easily and securely ornamentation selected by a user or designer.
Thus, conventional hair clips have limited types of designs or no ornamentation at all. No clips allow the consumer to add their own ornaments such as beads or jewels to the hair clip. A manufacturer is generally limited by existing molds and cannot continually modify their designs to suit market trends. In addition, the colors of the ornaments may also be limited, and the manufacturer may lack flexibility in changing colors.
Other problems arise because the ornament is not securely fastened to the clip. This can cause the ornament to fall off during use sometimes soon after the consumer purchases it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a hair clip with an efficient clamping jaw construction that contains an ornamental design.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hair clip with an elegant and decorative appearance without increasing the problem of hair entanglement.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a hair clip that is safe to use and inexpensive to manufacture.
In addition, an object of the invention is to provide a hair clip capable of accommodating a large variety of ornaments having numerous colors and shapes.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hair clip that allows the consumer to create their own style and color of ornamentation that is easily and securely accommodated to the hair clip.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hair clip that allows a manufacturer to modify or customize the ornamentation to suit fashion trends.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hair clip whose ornamentation is clearly visible above the hair, but whose functional components are concealed.
These and other objects and advantages are accomplished by a hair clip, comprising a top jaw having a center portion and two side wing portions, said side wing portions being disposed at an angle substantially 45 degrees with respect to said center portion, a bottom jaw opposing said top jaw for grasping hair in cooperation with said top jaw, and a jaw opening mechanism for opening said top jaw and said bottom jaw.
In a further embodiment, the opening mechanism comprises a top clamping member attached at one end of said top jaw at an angle with respect to said top jaw, a bottom clamping member attached to said bottom jaw and opposing, said top clamping member, a bolt which interlocks said top clamping member and said bottom clamping member; and a tension spring disposed around the bolt to bias said top jaw and said bottom jaw in a closed position.
In a still further embodiment, the hair clip further comprises one or more ornamentations accommodated to the center portion of said top jaw between said two side wings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1586025 (1926-05-01), Burkhart
patent: 2133145 (1938-10-01), Jones
patent: 2160346 (1939-05-01), Valentine
patent: 2200624 (1940-05-01), Jones
patent: 2594230 (1952-04-01), Solomon et al.
patent: 4912944 (1990-04-01), Crosley et al.
patent: 5857469 (1999-01-01), Sowell
Comstock David
Manahan Todd #E.
Smith Patent Office
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