Toilet – Hair device – Hair fastener
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-17
2001-11-20
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Hair fastener
C132S156000, C132S148000, C132S212000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318379
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing devices to hold the hair and/or to maintain an ornament in the hair are not always satisfactory, whether as a result of a weak or imperfect grip of the hair or because they are of limited usage or are of relatively complex structure and are expensive to manufacture.
It is accordingly a goal and purpose of the present invention to provide a hair-holding device which is of simple and convenient operation.
Still another purpose and goal of the present invention is to provide a hair-holding device which is of simplified construction, and which can be manufactured easily and economically.
Yet another purpose and goal of the present invention is to provide a hair-holding device which has teeth to hold the hair which can be moved between alternate positions for insertion into the hair and maintaining the hair.
A further purpose and goal of the present invention is to provide a hair-holding device which may be adapted to a variety of configurations, and which may include or support decorative or ornamental elements to further expand its usefulness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing goals and purposes, the present invention comprises at least one comb-like element having teeth joined to a common base or barrette portion. The base is flexible and can alternatively take a first orientation in which the free ends of the teeth are separated from each other, allowing hair to pass and be inserted between them, and a second orientation in which the free ends of the teeth are brought towards each other in order to grip the hair therebetween.
Means are provided to retain the base alternatively in the first and the second orientations.
The device is placed in the hair while in the first orientation in such a way that teeth can penetrate the mass of hair, whereby sections of hair lie between the separated or splayed teeth. The base or barrette is then brought to its second orientation, which causes the free ends of the teeth to be urged towards each other, closing upon the hair, providing a firm grip of the hair and thus snugly retaining the device in the chosen position in the hair.
The teeth can be arranged generally perpendicularly to the length of the base or barrette. In such an embodiment, the free ends diverge from one another in the first orientation and converge toward each other in the second orientation. Preferably, however, the teeth may be oriented with respect to the barrette in such a way that they are more or less parallel to one another in the first orientation. Introduction of the comb into the hair is thereby facilitated, a sufficient quantity of hair being introduced between the teeth along the entire length of the device to allow a firm grip of the hair by the teeth to be made when the barrette is placed in the second orientation, the teeth converging to provide the desired grip.
The means that allow the barrette to be alternatively maintained in the first and second orientations may comprise a nonelastic material that can be manually transiently deformed, such as an appropriate metallic material. In accordance with a preferred construction, the device entails the inclusion of such a material in the form of a rigid element in the base or barrette. The rigid element preferably has a curved configuration along its length. The rigid element is mounted to the barrette, whereby the rigid element can be transformed from a first position, in which a convex side of the rigid element is facing the teeth supported by the barrette, to a second position in which the concave side of the rigid element is facing the teeth. The barrette, which is constructed of a suitable flexible material, such as plastic, adapts itself to the shape of the rigid element and itself takes either a convex shape or a concave shape in accordance with the position of the rigid element, such that the teeth projecting from the length of the base or barrette are presented in alternatively separated or closed configurations.
A pivoting arm may further be mounted on one end of the barrette. The arm can pivot between a first, open position in which it is clear of the teeth and presents no obstacle to the introduction of the teeth into the hair, and a second, closed position across the teeth, in which a free end of the arm can be attached to the other end of the barrette, assisting in the further retention of the hair by the closed teeth. The arm can provide supplementary security for the retention of the hair.
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patent: 4844103 (1989-07-01), Vick et al.
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patent: 6050272 (2000-04-01), Droin
Doan Robyn Kieu
Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP
Wilson John J.
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