Ponytail holder

Toilet – Hair device – Hair fastener

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C132S273000, C132S275000, C132S276000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06311699

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to hair accessories, and more particularly to a clamp that securely grasps and holds fine hair in place.
BACKGROUND
During the seventeen years that the inventor has been a hair stylist, she has received many complaints from her clients who have been unable to find a barrette or ponytail holder that will securely grasp and hold fine hair in place. This is true for adults with fine hair, but more so for children's extremely fine hair. Fine hair has a tendency to slip through the clamping arms, so people with fine hair need to reposition their ponytail holders frequently.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A ponytail holder includes a hinged pair of first and second arms with at least one elastic sling bridging at least one arm. In a preferred embodiment, the ponytail holder includes a hinged pair of first and second arms with first and second opposed elastic slings bridging respective arms. When the ponytail holder is closed on a bunch of hair, the rounded arms form a substantially cylindrical shape, and the slings extend to accommodate the thickness of the bunch of hair. Fastening means are provided for releasably fastening the arms in a closed position. First and second non-slip rubber-type formations define first and second elastic slings respectively, each sling having a non-slip gripping surface. First and second slings are supported at each end to bridge inner surfaces of first and second arms, respectively.
Each non-slip rubber-type formation includes an elastic sling portion, and a curved supporting portion, the formation defining a D-shaped aperture between the elastic sling portion and the supporting portion. Each formation is formed as one piece. Each inner surface includes two retaining walls for retaining a curved portion. The gripping surface defines a row of triangular shaped non-slip rubber-type teeth. Each tooth has two faces and a pointed linear apex. Each face and each apex is transverse to the clamping portion. The teeth of the first formation are in an offset interlocking mating relationship with the teeth of the second formation. A thin bunch of hair is interlock-gripped between mating faces of opposed formations. A thick bunch of hair is squeeze-gripped between adjacent faces of one formation. The ponytail holder accommodates a wide range of bunch thickness.
In another embodiment each formation is an elongate structure defining the elastic sling, and the ends of each sling are attached to a hinged end and an opposite end to bridge an inner surface. In this embodiment each sling is formed as a curved structure, and each sling is held in tension across an inner surface.
In another embodiment the ponytail holder includes a foam cushion located between each formation and its associated inner surface.
In another embodiment a single formation defines two elastic sling portions.
In another embodiment the ponytail holder includes one elastic sling portion bridges the inner surfaces of both arms.
In another embodiment the ponytail holder is a barrette-style ponytail holder.


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