US20020189627A1

US20020189627A1 - Apparatus and methods for fastening a hairpiece

Info

Publication number: US20020189627A1
Application number: US09/885,348
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon Tang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-12-19

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for attaching a hairpiece to a head of a wearer. The apparatus defines a relatively tight-fitting skull-cap that is custom fitted to generally assume a contour of corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer. The hairpiece is capable of being attached to or formed integrally with the skull-cap.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for fastening or attaching an artificial hairpiece, such as a toupee or a wig, to a head of a wearer.

BACKGROUND ART

The need to reliably attach or secure an artificial hairpiece, such as a toupee or a wig, to a head of a wearer is widely recognized within our society. For centuries, hair pins have been manufactured and used to attach a hairpiece to remaining natural hair of the wearer. However, hair pins offer very little assurance that the hairpiece will remain in place.

Strips of double-sided adhesive tape have been juxtaposed between the hairpiece and the head of the wearer to hold the hairpiece in place. However, such double-sided adhesive tape is expensive, cannot be reused, leaves unwanted residue on the scalp and hairpiece when removed, is uncomfortable to wear, and may fail to perform its intended task if exposed to moisture and/or perspiration from the wearer's scalp. The adhesive tape material is usually urged directly against the scalp of the wearer and does not generally permit breathing of the adjacent skin. Consequently, when the scalp perspires or is rained upon, a moist and damp environment is created between the scalp of the wearer and the hairpiece. The feelings of dampness, moisture and sweating are very distracting and uncomfortable for the wearer. Furthermore, the adhesive forces between the adhesive tape material and the scalp are greatly reduced in such a damp environment, often causing the device to fail. Under such circumstances, the wearer feels very insecure about the reliability of using such adhesive material.

If the patient frequently replaces the device in order to avoid the unpleasant feeling of moisture and dampness, the wearer must purchase, stock and replenish a vast number of replacement devices. Due to the exorbitant price of such devices, frequent replacement of the devices can be extremely expensive, inconvenient and time consuming.

If the device is not frequently replaced, the capacity of the adhesive tape strips to hold the hairpiece in place may be exceeded. The result, much to the dismay and embarrassment of the wearer, is failure of the device to properly retain the hairpiece in position.

In addition, when the adhesive tape strips are adhered to the wearer's scalp for prolonged periods of time, various skin diseases and chaffing of the skin and/or scalp of the wearer may result.

Surgical implants have also been developed to attach a hairpiece to the head of a wearer. For example, a plurality of pins or posts may be surgically secured to the skull bone of the wearer. This requires that the scalp of the wearer be pierced, a plurality of holes be drilled into the skull bone, and threaded pins or posts be forced and rotated into the drilled holes. Each pin or post extends outwardly from the skull bone, through a hole in the scalp, past the skin of the scalp, and terminates in an exposed and accessible boss or stud. The hairpiece would then be mechanically secured to the outwardly projecting, terminal end of the pins or posts by the use of snaps.

Surgical placement of the implanted pins or posts into the skull bone of the wearer is a dangerous, painful and expensive operation. The skin surrounding the pins or posts may not heal properly. Infections of the scalp may occur. If the hairpiece is not worn, the appearance of the person wearing such pins or posts is unattractive. Forces applied against the pins or posts, such as those imparted by a pillow when sleeping or from making unintentional contact with other objects, are not only uncomfortable but place undue leverage against the pins or posts and increase the possibility that the skull bone might fracture about the base of the pins or posts. Furthermore, the effects of heat and cold are quickly transmitted through the metallic pins or posts into the scalp and skull bone of the wearer. Surgical implants significantly sacrifice the comfort and safety of the wearer in an attempt to secure the hairpiece against inadvertent removal.

A wide variety of other hairpiece attachment devices have also been invented. For example, the following patents illustrate various hairpiece holding structures: Jung (U.S. Pat. No. 520,785; issued June 1894); Senegas (U.S. Pat. No. 1,558,931; issued Oct. 27, 1925); Donoher (U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,246; issued May 12, 1936); Lover et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 2,198,546; issued Apr. 23, 1940); Rosenberg et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,949; issued May 10, 1966); Johnson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,820; issued Mar. 28, 1972); Brown (U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,935; issued Apr. 11, 1972); Nelson (U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,092; issued Jul. 20, 1976); Agiotis (U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,713; issued Sep. 25, 1979); Levin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,669; issued Dec. 4, 1979); Finamore et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,486; issued Jul. 23, 1991); Finamore et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,846; issued Jun. 2, 1992); Hargrett (U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,986; issued Oct. 25, 1994); Tang (U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,389; issued Jun. 29, 1999); Netherlands Letters Patent No. 8,403,597, issued Jul. 1, 1985; and United Kingdom Letters Patent No. 481,957, issued June 1936.

Use of the devices identified above often present several significant problems. For example, many of such devices are very expensive to design, engineer, manufacture, mass produce and mass distribute. In many cases, the persons who need such devices the most often are the least able to afford them. This is particularly true in the case of elderly persons and senior citizens who may have a restricted source of income.

Another notable disadvantage is the dramatically limited application of the above-mentioned devices to different scalp conditions. In other words, the devices are designed to only function in particular scalp and hair conditions. For example, a double sided adhesive strip would not work well when hair of the wearer is only thinning and a sufficient amount of scalp is unavailable for adequate adhesion. Conversely, if the wearer's scalp is completely bald, devices that utilize interlacing of the wearer's hair through a mesh material to hold the hairpiece in place cannot be effectively used. The structural requirements and limitations of such known hairpiece holding devices significantly limit the actual market for those devices.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of many of the devices listed within the above-cited patents is less than desired.

The inventor believes that the above-cited devices and patents, whether taken alone or in combination, neither anticipate nor render obvious the current invention. The foregoing explanation and citations do not constitute an admission that such devices or patents are relevant or material to the appended patent claims. Rather, such devices and patents relate only to the general field of the current invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

This invention provides simple, reliable, easily used apparatus and methods that may be used by any person, young or old, male or female, who suffer from hair loss and/or hair thinning, and desire to wear an artificial hairpiece, such as a toupee or a wig. For example, this invention may be used by persons undergoing chemotherapy which resulted in the loss of their hair and/or by persons who through aging or genetic heredity have lost or are losing the hair on their scalp.

The apparatus and methods taught herein enable a person to quickly, effectively, and safely fasten and/or attach an artificial hairpiece to their head, without necessarily requiring the application of adhesive strips to the scalp or requiring the wearer to undergo painful surgery. The apparatus may be worn without any invasive surgery or piercing of the wearer's skin.

The apparatus is: easily constructed; custom fit; simple, inexpensive and economical to manufacture; compact; unobtrusive; easily concealed; efficient; durable; rugged; reusable; and washable. The complexity of the apparatus is greatly reduced, when compared to the complexity of the prior known devices.

Once manufactured and initially custom fitted to the head of the wearer, the apparatus requires only a minimum amount of manipulation, physical dexterity and effort to secure, wear and remove the apparatus.

The apparatus of this invention represents a dramatic increase in wearing comfort, as compared to the prior known devices. It is, therefore, anticipated that persons using this invention will experience a significant increase in their level of confidence and will lead more product lives during its use. More particularly, this invention may be used to minimize the inconvenience, embarrassment and self-conscious worrying that a person might experience who suffers from hair loss or hair thinning. The custom contoured fit and thinness of the invention also enables the wearer to avoid drawing undesired and undue attention to the hairpiece or to the attaching apparatus.

This invention not only increases the speed and simplifies the procedure to secure or attach the hairpiece to the head of the wearer, it also provides means for protecting oneself against the embarrassment of having the hairpiece become dislodged during use or be blown off when subjected to wind forces. Consequently, freedom of movement is increased without endangering the placement and/or retention of the hairpiece. The wearer of this invention is freed to concentrate upon other activities without having to constantly worry about the condition and position of the hairpiece and holding apparatus.

Other important and particularly beneficial features of this invention include: (a) the ability to custom fit the specific contours of the apparatus to the head of a particular user, which maximizes comfort and more closely duplicates or approximates the natural hair placement of the wearer; (b) the ability to modify or adjust the gripping forces of the apparatus which are applied to head; (c) minimize the number, thickness and bulkiness of components used within the apparatus; and (d) eliminate the need to make further adjustments to the apparatus once a custom fit is initially obtained.

Within the preferred embodiment, the apparatus of this invention could be referred to as a light, thin-shell design having an uni-construction structure which duplicates or significantly approximates the particular curvatures, indentations, bumps and skull-bone or scalp patterns of the wearer.

Although when removed from the wearer's scalp the apparatus may be semi-rigid, with limited flexibility, when the apparatus is placed upon the head of the wearer and is worn as a skull-cap juxtaposed between the scalp and the hairpiece, the geometry of the head contributes to the rigidity and structural integrity of the apparatus. This feature may be better described by using an example. When a basketball shell is cut open and the air inside is allowed to escape, the basketball shell can be easily collapsed upon itself. However, if the basketball shell is not cut open and the air inside is not allowed to escape therefrom, but maintains adequate pressure therein, it is very difficult if not impossible to collapse the basketball. When a force is applied to the basketball shell, such as when it is struck against a backboard, the force is distributed throughout the entire structure of the shell. Within the current invention, the skull-cap acts somewhat like the basketball shell and the head of the wearer acts like the compressed and retained air within the basketball shell. When worn, if a force is exerted against one portion of the skull-cap, such force is distributed throughout a large portion, if not all, of the remaining portions of the skull-cap. Consequently, less deflection is permitted or allowed when the skull-cap is worn. It is as though the skull-cap acts like a tight-fitting helmet or rigid or semi-rigid outer scalp for the wearer. This distribution of forces is available because of the uni-construction structure of the skull-cap.

Uni-construction structures are also found within some modern automobiles which hold the vehicle together and distribute forces around the enclosed cockpit area during an impact. Such uni-construction structures can be made to be relatively light and operate as an integral single unit when forces are applied thereto. Such is the intent with the current invention.

Thus, forces urging the hairpiece to slide backwards are countered by: (a) the relatively rigid front portion of the skull-cap engaging and/or hooking the curved brow of the wearer; (b) the sides of the skull-cap automatically compressing towards each other gripping or increasing the grip of the skull-cap upon the head of the wearer; (c) the ear engaging means hooking or gripping the head between the ears or ear canals of the wearer; and/or (d) the relatively rigid rear collar portion of the skull-cap being urged against and stopped by the back of the neck of the wearer.

Similarly, forces urging the hairpiece to slide forward and/or upward are countered by: (a) the relatively rigid rear collar portion of the skull-cap engaging and/or hooking the base of the skull area, i.e., the occipital tuber, bone, eminence or external occipital protuberance of the skull of the wearer; (b) the sides of the skull-cap automatically compressing towards each other gripping or increasing the grip of the skull-cap upon the head of the wearer; (c) the ear engaging means hooking or gripping the head between the ears or ear canals of the wearer; and/or (d) the relatively rigid front portion of the skull-cap being urged against and stopped by the curved brow of the wearer.

Forces urging the hairpiece to either side of the head of the wearer are countered by: (a) the relatively rigid front portion, the relatively rigid rear collar portion and the relatively rigid side portions of the skull-cap engaging, hooking and/or being urged against and stopped by the corresponding portions of the head of the wearer; (b) the sides of the skull-cap automatically compressing towards each other gripping or increasing the grip of the skull-cap upon the head of the wearer; and/or (c) the ear engaging means hooking or gripping the head between the ears or ear canals of the wearer.

In other words, to minimize the size and dramatically increase comfort for the wearer, the apparatus is custom-fitted or form-fitted to the individual shape of at least a portion of the wearer's head, skull and/or scalp. Such specially and specifically form-fitted apparatus could be manufactured and/or custom molded on site and be immediately provided to a patient, client or customer by medical doctors, plastic surgeons, special medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, drug stores, hair salons, wig shops, toupee shops, small or large retail department stores, and the like, which are located throughout the country and abroad.

In addition to having the foregoing advantages and other advantages described below, the current invention also overcomes all of the previously mentioned disadvantages.

Traditional and/or nontraditional manufacturing apparatus and procedures may be used to manufacture the current invention without requiring significant alteration thereto to accomplish the purposes taught herein.

To accomplish these objectives, the holding apparatus is manufactured from one or more pieces of relatively thin plastic, composite or synthetic material, or the like, which may become malleable for forming about the head of the wearer and then later become relatively rigid or semi-rigid with limited flexibility thereof. Means for changing the plastic or synthetic material between these two phases of malleability and limited or restricted rigidity/flexibility may comprise the use of direct heat, indirect heat such as by immersing the apparatus in heated water, convection, microwaves, use of ultraviolet or other wavelengths of light, and/or chemical reactions.

For example, the apparatus may be manufactured from a sheet of plastic or synthetic material which becomes at least partially malleable when heated and regains relative rigidity with only limited flexibility when cooled. The heat necessary to make the sheet of plastic or synthetic material change from its normally rigid or semirigid state to its malleable state should be higher than what would be naturally found within the environment. In other words, the skull cap should not become malleable when worn in a hot environment such as outside in Arizona during the summer. On the other hand, the heat necessary to make the sheet of plastic or synthetic material change from its normally rigid or semirigid state to its malleable state should not be so high that the scalp or remaining hair of the wearer is damaged or scalded when the malleable plastic or synthetic material is placed upon and form fitted to the head of the wearer.

These two conditions are met if the plastic or synthetic material is a thermo-polycaprolactone based material such as the material sold as product number A963-42 under the trademark Aquaplast. The sheet material is preferably about one-sixteenth of an inch ({fraction (1/16)}″) or about 1.6 millimeter in thickness. Of course other materials having other thicknesses could be used if the same objectives are maintained.

Within the preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus is soaked in hot water or otherwise heated until it becomes at least partially malleable or bendable. When in its heated relatively malleable state, the plastic material is placed upon the head of the wearer and thereupon manipulated to generally conform to the contours of one or more portions of the wearer's head. If desired, a sheet of protective material, such as tin foil, a sheet of thin cotton or the like may be placed over the head of the wearer during the molding process. The malleable sheet material of the apparatus is bent, pulled, shaped or molded to generally conform to the contours or comfort level of the wearer. The wearer's head thereby serves as a male mold for the molded skull-cap. A doctor, trained technician or the wearer could accomplish this molding procedure. Once cooled, the apparatus will generally retain its molded shape.

If necessary, portions which are not uniform or conform to the desired hairline of the wearer may be removed or cutoff and any sharp edges sanded or heated.

Then, the apparatus may be at least partially reheated, further manipulated, and cooled to increase or decrease the gripping forces between the apparatus and the head of the wearer when the skull-cap is worn.

Within the preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus is manufactured or molded from a durable and relatively stiff material, such as from a hard plastic or composite material, into a single unitary or integral skullcap. The material from which the skull-cap is manufactured may have sufficient give, forgiveness or elasticity to enable the sides thereof to be pulled apart slightly without breakage and placed upon the head of the wearer. Upon releasing such pressure, each of the sides of the skull-cap should retract back to their respective original or near original positions relative one to another to grip the head of the wearer there between. Consequently, during use the relatively rigid or semi-rigid skull-cap is capable of selectively and removably clasping or gripping the head of the wearer. This is even more effective when the skull-cap is formed or molded to generally fit against and be custom fitted to the head of the wearer.

If desired, the plastic or synthetic sheet material may have nonreflective and/or transparent characteristics. Alternatively, the apparatus may be manufactured from translucent or opaque materials that are colored to match or contrast with the skin tone of the wearer.

Within the preferred embodiment of this invention, the plastic or synthetic material of the apparatus is perforated with numerous holes therein. The holes permit air to circulate near the scalp of the wearer, permit perspiration to evaporate, and permit easier manipulate of the sheet material when it is being formed about the head of the wearer.

It is also preferred that the skull-cap be manufactured of material that would have a flesh-like tone or color to further camouflage or hide its appearance from view.

Although this invention is intended to be used in a custom-fit manner, the apparatus may alternatively be manufactured for mass distribution in one or more different initially pre-formed sizes and/or shapes which generally approximate the contour of the head of similar persons, i.e., similar age, size and/or skull shape. This initial pre-forming is intended to accommodate the needs of a larger consumer base. In other words, initial, pre-formed apparatus of standardized sizes and shapes could be mass produced and commercially distributed. For example, the skull-cap can be easily, quickly and inexpensively manufactured using an injection, vacuum and/or rotational molding process, with each portion of the skull-cap being created at nearly the identical time during the same molding process. Only a single mold needs to be created for each embodiment which also significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

Once the initially pre-formed apparatus of approximate size and shape is selected, the chosen apparatus may be heated and easily adjusted or modified to custom fit the selected apparatus to the particular head of the intended wearer. Such adjustment or modification can be accomplished with a minimum amount of delay or difficulty. The tension or gripping forces of the apparatus to the wearer's head may also be easily adjusted.

Since this invention can be used by a large consumer base, such mass produced initially pre-formed apparatus can be manufactured and distributed at very competitive prices. Persons suffering from hair loss no longer need to pay exorbitant fees, purchase specially ordered apparatus from medical supply companies, or undergo painful and expensive surgery to accommodate their needs. Please note that this invention may be used without requiring the scalp of the wearer to be pierced when the apparatus is worn.

Since each individual apparatus can be custom-fitted to the intended wearer, this invention may be used to accommodate the needs of virtually every person suffering from hair loss or hair thinning, irrespective of his or her head size and/or active or passive lifestyle. The potential consumer base for this invention is significantly broader than what would otherwise be available for the heretofore known devices. The scope and versatility of this invention are also very much broader than the previously known devices.

It is no longer necessary to manufacture numerous, different, stationary and movable parts that are bolted or screwed together in an effort to achieve some of the above-stated objectives. This invention eliminates use of a multiplicity of individual and separate component parts, which were heretofore believed to be essential to address some of the above-stated concerns. Consequently, connection points, seams and joint lines, where contaminants and bacteria might hide and through which crucial strength was lost, are eliminated from the invention. The danger that such multiplicity of individual and separate component parts might break apart is also eliminated. The ability to manufacture, clean and maintain the apparatus of the current invention is dramatically improved.

The current invention also contemplates a method for manufacturing an apparatus for attaching a hairpiece to a head of a wearer as explained above. Such methods may include one or more of the following steps:

(a) causing or permitting a sheet of rigid or semi-rigid plastic or synthetic material to become at least partially and temporarily malleable or generally flexible;

(b) placing the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material upon the head of the wearer;

(c) forming or pulling the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material to generally assume a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer;

(d) causing or permitting the sheet of plastic or synthetic material to become rigid or semi-rigid to form a generally tight-fitting skull-cap which is capable of selectively and removably clasping or gripping the head of the wearer;

(e) causing or permitting the skull-cap to again become at least partially and temporarily malleable, after the skull-cap has generally been formed or molded about the head of the wearer;

(f) reforming or modifying the contour of the temporarily malleable skull-cap to obtain an otherwise tighter final fit about the head of the wearer;

(g) causing or permitting the temporarily malleable skullcap to again become a rigid or semi-rigid tight-fitting skull-cap; and/or

(h) attaching, securing or bonding the hairpiece to the skull-cap.

The above-mentioned step of forming or pulling the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material to generally assume or approximate a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer may be expanded to include the steps of:

(a) forming or pulling a first temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material about the head of the wearer, the first sheet of plastic or synthetic material being formed or pulled about at least a portion of the crown area of the head of the wearer;

(b) forming or pulling a second temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material about the head of the wearer, the second sheet of plastic or synthetic material being formed or pulled about at least a portion of the side areas and back area of the head; and/or

(c) attaching, securing or bonding the molded first sheet and the molded second sheet together to form the skullcap having a generally tight final fit about the head of the wearer.

The preceding step of attaching, securing or bonding the molded first sheet to the molded second sheet may also include a step of using adhesive, direct heat, indirect heat, convection heat, microwaves, ultraviolet or other wavelengths of light, and/or chemical reactions to bond, weld, or melt the first molded sheet to the second molded sheet to form the skull-cap.

The method of this invention may also include the step of attaching, securing or bonding means for engaging the ear of the wearer either to the sheet of plastic or synthetic material or to the molded skull-cap.

The preferred and several alternative embodiments of the apparatus and associated structures of the current invention, and the processes for manufacture and use thereof, are further described in greater detail in the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings of this Specification. However, to avoid any possible confusion as to the scope of the current invention, each of the following sections, claim language, and the drawings of this Specification in their entirety are incorporated herein by this reference.

The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of the current invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following disclosure and referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, left side, elevational view of a head of a wearer, illustrating a first measurement or a first direction of measurement around or about a girth of the head, which is measured adjacent to an actual or desired center front or forward actual or desired hairline of the head. [0064]
FIG. 2 is a schematic, left side, elevational view of the head shown within FIG. 1, illustrating a second measurement or a second direction of measurement from the center front or forward actual or desired hairline to a center back or rearward actual or desired hairline of the head. [0065]
FIG. 3 is a schematic, left side, elevational view of the head shown within FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating a third measurement or a third direction of measurement from a left side actual or desired hairline to a right side actual or desired hairline of the head. [0066]
FIG. 4 is a schematic, rear perspective view of the head of the wearer and a first embodiment of the apparatus of this invention prior to the apparatus being molded to the contour of the head. More particularly, FIG. 4 illustrates a crown portion, a rear band or collar portion, and ear engaging means of the preferred first embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. [0067]
FIG. 5 is a schematic, left side, exploded, elevational view of the apparatus of the first embodiment of this invention made in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. More particularly, FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred first embodiment of the apparatus, wherein the crown portion is molded to the contour of a corresponding crown area of the head, the rear band or collar portion is molded to the contour of a corresponding back, left side and right side of the head, and the ear engaging means is secured to the rear band or collar portion. [0068]
FIG. 6 is a schematic, left side, elevational view of the head of the wearer and the apparatus of the preferred first embodiment of this invention. More particularly, FIG. 5 illustrates the molded crown portion being attached or secured to the rear band or collar portion of the apparatus to generally form a skull-cap. The skull-cap is contoured to duplicate or approximate the corresponding contour of the crown area, back, left side and right side of the head. The ear engaging means is secured to the rear band or collar portion and has a portion thereof which engages one or both ears of the wearer. [0069]
FIG. 7 is a schematic, rear perspective view of the head of the wearer and the preferred first embodiment of the apparatus secured thereto. [0070]
FIG. 8 is a schematic, exploded, rear perspective view of the head of the wearer wearing a second embodiment of this invention. Within the second embodiment of this invention, the apparatus has a molded crown portion and a rear band or collar portion that are unitary in construction and/or are made from similar material. The molded crown portion and the molded rear band or collar portion general form a skull-cap which is similarly contoured to duplicate or approximate the corresponding contour of the crown area, back, left side and right side of the head. The ear engaging means is secured to the skull-cap and has a portion thereof which engages one or both ears of the wearer. An artificial hairpiece, such as a toupee or wig, is secured to the apparatus of this invention. The artificial hairpiece may be manufactured from natural fibers, such as from hair, or from man-made fabricated fibers. [0071]
FIG. 9 is a schematic, enlarged, partial, perspective view of the fibers of the artificial hairpiece being woven into or attached to the apparatus. [0072]
FIG. 10 is a schematic, left side, elevational view of a third embodiment of this invention. [0073]
FIG. 11 is a schematic, rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention. [0074]
FIG. 12 is a schematic, rear perspective view of a fifth embodiment of this invention.[0075]
One should understand that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and the elements are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations, and fragmentary views. In certain instances, the inventor may have omitted details which are not necessary for an understanding of the current invention or which render other details difficult to perceive. [0076]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the attached drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the present invention generally comprises an [0077] apparatus 20 for attaching a hairpiece 22 to a head 24 of a wearer 26.
To better understand how the invention is manufactured, structured and used, reference is made to FIGS. 1 through 3 which show the various pertinent anatomical parts of the [0078] wearer 26, including: a scalp 28, a crown area 30, a left side area 32, a right side area 34 (shown in FIG. 11), a front-forehead area 36, a back head area 38, a left ear 40 and a right ear 42 (shown in FIG. 11). Each area of the head 24 has a distinct corresponding contour. The left ear 40 and the right ear 42 may each have a front side 44, a back side 46, a concha 48, a cymba of concha 50, a helix 52, a crus of helix 54, an antihelix 56, a crus of antihelix 58, an antitragus 60, an intertragic notch 62, an pinna or an auricle 64, and an ear canal 66.
FIG. 1 illustrates a [0079] first measurement 68 or a first direction of measurement around or about a girth 68′ of the head 24 as shown by arrows 68″. The first measurement 68 or girth 68′ is measured adjacent to an actual or desired center front or forward actual or desired hairline 70 of the head 24.
FIG. 2 illustrates a [0080] second measurement 72 or a second direction of measurement indicated by arrows 72″ from the center front hairline 70 to a center back or rearward actual or desired hairline 74 of the head 24.
FIG. 3 illustrates a [0081] third measurement 76 or a third direction of measurement from a left side actual or desired hairline 78 to a right side actual or desired hairline 80 (shown in FIG. 11) of the head 24.
If desired, the [0082] apparatus 20 may also cover an actual or desired side burn area 82 of the head 24.
To achieve the general and specific objectives discussed above, the [0083] apparatus 20 of the current invention generally comprises a relatively tight-fitting but comfortable skullcap 84 that generally assumes a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head 24 of the wearer 26. The hairpiece 22 is capable of being initially or subsequently attached to or formed integrally with the skull-cap 84.
The [0084] hairpiece 22 may comprise either a toupee or a wig and be formed of fibers 86. The fibers 86 may be manufactured from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, hair, or the like. If desired, as shown within FIGS. 8 and 9, the fibers 86 may be woven into, attached to or formed integrally with the skull-cap 84.
The apparatus may also include means [0085] 88 for mechanically securing the hairpiece 22 to the skull-cap 84. For example, the securing means 88 my include at least one length of thread, string, wire or elastic cord, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape 88′ (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), a hook, or the like which accomplishes such a purpose.
As illustrated within FIGS. 4, 5, [0086] 6 and 7, the skullcap 84 may be manufactured from a plurality of plastic sheets 90 and 92, sheets of synthetic material, or the like. The sheets 90 and 92 are subsequently secured, attached or bonded together along a joint line 94 to form the skull-cap 84. For example, the first sheet 90 may be used to form a crown portion 96 of the skull-cap 84. The second sheet 92 may be used to form a rear band or collar portion 98 of the skullcap 84. After forming, the rear band or collar portion 98 is then attached, secured, affixed or bonded to the crown portion 96 of the skull-cap 84 by any desirable means.
When more than one [0087] sheet 90 and 92 are used, each sheet may be made from a similar or dissimilar material. Within the preferred embodiment of this invention the first sheet 90 is manufactured from a mesh sheet material that has one or more holes 100, perforations, openings or apertures therein. Such holes 100, perforations, openings or apertures permit the scalp 28 of the wearer 26 to breath and permit perspiration to evaporate therefrom. The holes 100, perforations, openings or apertures also permit easier or greater movement and deflection of the flat sheet 90 of plastic or synthetic material, enabling the first sheet 90 to be more easily stretched over the rounded or oval crown area 30 of the wearer 26. In essence the first sheet 90 is preferably manufactured from a sheet of mesh plastic or mesh synthetic material.
If desired, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and [0088] 12, the first sheet 90 or skull-cap 84 in its unitary state may also have one or more larger openings 100′ or portions 100″ removed therefrom or not formed therein. Such openings 100′ and/or 100″ will permit greater venting of the perspiration of the wearer 26 without necessarily weakening the rigidity or structural integrity of the skull-cap 84.
For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of this invention, wherein a [0089] portion 100″ of the skull-cap 84 is removed or otherwise not formed therein from the crown portion 96 and/or the rear band or collar portion 08 of the sheet 90″ above the ear 40 and/or 42 of the wearer 26. This third embodiment is intended to emphasize that the apparatus 20 need not grip both the front side 44 and the back side 46 of the ear 40 and/or the ear 42.
Another example is illustrated within FIG. 11, which depicts a fourth embodiment of this invention. Within the fourth embodiment, [0090] openings 100′ or segments of the skull-cap 84 are removed therefrom or otherwise not formed therein to emphasize that the apparatus need not include uniform holes and or apertures therein.
A further example is shown within FIG. 12, which depicts a fifth embodiment of this invention. Within the fifth embodiment of this invention, the molded [0091] crown portion 96 and the molded rear band or collar portion 98 generally form a modified skull-cap 84, wherein a crown segment 96′ of the skull-cap 84 is removed therefrom or otherwise not formed therein. The modified skull-cap 84 is contoured to duplicate or approximate the corresponding contour of the back 38, left side 32, right side 34 and a center front hairline 70 along the front-forehead 36 areas or portions of the head 24 of the wearer 26. A front-forehead 36 hairline portion 102 is generally formed around or about the first measurement 68 or girth 68′ of the head 24 near the actual or desired center front hairline 70 of the head 24.
Referring back to FIGS. 4, 5, [0092] 6 and 7, the second sheet 92 within the preferred embodiment of this invention is manufactured from a solid or uniform sheet material which does not necessarily have holes 100, perforations, openings or apertures therein. Such solid material gives the rear band or collar portion 98 of the molded skull-cap 84 greater rigidity or semi-rigidity once formed.
Alternatively, as shown within FIGS. 8, 10, [0093] 11 and 12, the skull-cap 84 may be initially manufactured from a single sheet of plastic, synthetic material, or the like.
Either way, the skull-[0094] cap 84 generally still has a crown portion 96 which is molded or contoured to correspond to, approximate, or generally duplicate the contour of the crown area 30 of the head 24 of the wearer 26. Similarly, the skull-cap 84 still generally has a rear band or collar portion 98 which is molded or contoured to correspond to, approximate, or generally duplicate the contour of the back 38, left side 32 and right side 34 areas of the head 24 of the wearer 26. Generally, when a single sheet 90 of plastic or synthetic material is used, the crown portion 96 may be formed integrally with the rear band or collar portion 98 of the skull-cap 84 to form an integrally and unitarily constructed skull-cap 84.
When worn, the skull-[0095] cap 84 should be urged against the head 24 of the wearer 26 by it own internal forces. In other words, the skull-cap 84 is sized or shaped in such a manner that the skull-cap 84 generally grips, clasps, or snaps onto the head 24 of the wearer 26 when worn. This may be accomplished by causing the molded skull-cap 84 to again become slightly malleable or formable, pressing the sides of the rear band or collar portion 98 toward each other and permitting the skull-cap 84 to again harden and become stiff, rigid or semi-rigid. Consequently, the skull-cap 84 will fit more tightly upon the head 24 of the wearer 26 than could be possible if the skull-cap 84 followed the curvature of the head 24 precisely.
Alternatively or in addition thereto, as best illustrated within FIG. 6, the rear band or [0096] collar portion 98 may be joined to the crown portion 96 along a joint line 94 that is purposefully tighter than the natural curvature of the head 24 would otherwise dictate. For example, the rear band or collar portion 98 may be moved upwardly slightly toward the crown portion 96 as generally indicated by arrow 104 prior to such portions 98 and 96 being bonded or attached together. Similarly, the rear or collar portion 98 which is juxtaposed near the ears 40, 42 and/or sideburn 82 areas of the head 24 may be moved rearwardly slightly toward the back 38 of the head 24 as generally indicated by arrow 106 prior to such portions 98 and 96 being bonded or attached together. This modification of the contour of the skull-cap 84 causes the apparatus 20 to fit tighter upon the head 24 of the wearer 26 than would otherwise be possible if only the contours of the head 24 were followed exactly.
The [0097] apparatus 20 of this invention may further include means 108 for selectively and removably engaging the left ear 40 and/or the right ear 42 of the wearer 26. The ear engaging means 108 is attached, secured or bonded to, or is formed integrally with, the skull-cap 84. Within the preferred embodiment of this invention, the ear engaging means 108 is secured to or formed integrally with the rear band or collar portion 98 of the skull-cap 84 and is positioned adjacent to the left ear 40 and the right ear 42.
The ear engaging means [0098] 108 may include at least one post, plug, boss or membrane 110 which is capable of being at least partially inserted into the ear canal 66 of the wearer 26 when the skull-cap 84 is worn. Alternatively, the membrane 110 of the ear engaging means 108 may be capable of being urged against and/or hooking the concha 48, the cymba of concha 50, the helix 52, the crus of helix 54, the antihelix 56, the crus of antihelix 58, the antitragus 60, the intertragic notch 62, the pinna or the auricle 64 or any other part of the left ear 40 and/or the right ear 42 of the wearer 26 when the skull-cap 84 is worn.
Since the ear engaging means [0099] 108 is actually inserted into the ear canal 66 of the left ear 40 and/or the right ear 42 and/or is urged against the skin and cartilage which form the external portions of such ears 40 and 42, the ear engaging means 108 on each side of the head 24 actually grip or clasp the head 24 of the wearer 26 there between. In other words, the apparatus 20 may be capable of gripping or clasping the head 24 of the wearer 26 between the opposing ear engaging means 108 or membranes 110 of the skull-cap 84 when the skull-cap 84 is worn.
It should be noted that the skull-[0100] cap 84 does not necessarily need to grip or clip onto the front side 44 and the back side 46 of either ear 40 or 42 of the wearer 26.
As illustrated within FIGS. 4, 5, [0101] 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, each side of the skull-cap 84 may be provided with an ear engaging means 108 membrane 110 having a padded bulb 112 of relatively soft material which is respectively urged against the left ear 40 and/or the right ear 42 of the wearer 26. To properly position the padded bulb 112 within the ear 40 and/or 42, the membrane 110 may also be provided with an adjustable wire or extension 114 which is imbedded within, secured to, attached to, bonded to, or formed integrally with the skull-cap 84.
The current invention also contemplates a method for manufacturing and using the above mentioned [0102] apparatus 20. FIG. 4 illustrates the first embodiment of this invention prior to the crown portion 96 and the rear band or collar portion 98 of the apparatus 20 being molded to the contour of the head 26. The wire or extension 114 of the ear engaging means 108 is illustrated as being imbedded within the rear band or collar portion of the skull-cap 84.
One of the first steps for manufacturing this invention is to cause or permit the [0103] sheet 90 and/or 92 of rigid or semi-rigid plastic or synthetic material to become at least partially and temporarily malleable or generally flexible.
If desired, the ear engaging means [0104] 108 may be attached, secured, bonded or formed integrally with the sheet 90 and/or 92 of rigid or semi-rigid plastic or synthetic material.
Alternatively, the ear engaging means [0105] 108 may be attached, secured, bonded or formed integrally with the skull-cap 84 after the skull-cap 84 has been molded to the head 24 of the wearer 26. Within the preferred embodiment of this invention, the ear engaging means 108 is attached, secured, bonded or formed integrally with the rear band or collar portion 98 of the skull-cap and has a portion thereof, such as the membrane 110 or padded bulb 112 which engages one or both ears 40 and 42 of the wearer 26.
The temporarily malleable or generally [0106] flexible sheet 90 and/or 92 of plastic or synthetic material is then placed upon the head 24 of the wearer 26.
The temporarily malleable or generally [0107] flexible sheet 90 and/or 92 of plastic or synthetic material is then formed or pulled to generally assume or approximate a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head 24 of the wearer 26 as illustrated within FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12.
For example, the first temporarily malleable or generally [0108] flexible sheet 90 of plastic or synthetic material may be formed or pulled about at least a portion of the crown area 30 of the head 24 of the wearer 26. This is best shown within FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, wherein the crown portion 96 is molded to the contour of a corresponding crown area 30 of the head 24.
Similarly, the second temporarily malleable or generally [0109] flexible sheet 92 of plastic or synthetic material may be formed or pulled about at least a portion of the left side 32, right side 34 and back 38 areas of the head 24 of the wearer 26. The rear band or collar portion 98 is thus molded to the contour of a corresponding back 38, left side 32 and right side 34 of the head 24.
As shown within FIGS. 5, 6 and [0110] 7, the molded first sheet 90, which forms the molded crown portion 96, and the molded second sheet 92, which forms the rear band or collar portion 98, are then attached, secured or bonded together to generally form the skull-cap 84 having a generally tight final fit about the head 24 of the wearer 26. An adhesive, direct heat, indirect heat, convection heat, microwaves, ultraviolet or other wavelengths of light, and/or chemical reactions may be used to attach, secure, bond, weld or melt the molded first sheet 90 to the molded second sheet 92 to form the skull-cap 84. Thus constructed, the skull-cap 84 is contoured to duplicate or approximate the corresponding contour of the crown area 30, back 38, left side 32 and right side 34 of the head 24.
However, a plurality of [0111] sheets 90 and 92 need not be used. For example, within the second embodiment of this invention, the molded crown portion 96 and the rear band or collar portion 98 are made from the same material and are unitary in construction. The molded crown portion 96 and the molded rear band or collar portion 98 still form a skull-cap 84 which is similarly contoured to duplicate or approximate the corresponding contour of the crown area 30, back 38, left side 32 and right side 34 of the head 24, but only a single sheet 90 is used.
The [0112] sheet 90 and/or 92 of plastic or synthetic material is then caused or permitted to become rigid or semi-rigid to form the generally tight-fitting skull-cap 84 which is capable of selectively and removably clasping or gripping the head 24 of the wearer 26.
As seen in FIG. 4, if necessary, [0113] portions 116 which are not uniform or conform to the desired hairline of the wearer 26 may be removed or cutoff and any sharp edges sanded or heated. For example a sideburn portion 118 may be cut from the otherwise flat or molded skull-cap 84.
After the skull-[0114] cap 84 has generally been formed or molded about the head 24 of the wearer 26, the skull-cap 84 is caused or permitted to again become at least partially and temporarily malleable.
The contour of the temporarily malleable skull-[0115] cap 84 is then reformed or modified to obtain an otherwise tighter final fit about the head 24 of the wearer 26.
The temporarily malleable skull-[0116] cap 84 is caused or permitted to again become a rigid or semi-rigid tight-fitting skull-cap 84.
If not previously formed integrally with the skull-[0117] cap 84, the hairpiece 22, such as a toupee or wig, is then attached, secured or bonded to the skull-cap 84. The hairpiece 22 may be manufactured from natural fibers, such as from hair, or from man-made fabricated fibers.
The position of the ear engaging means [0118] 108, and more particularly the wire or extension 114 thereof, may then be adjusted to properly engage the left ear 40 and/or the right hear 42 and create a snug fit.
The means and construction disclosed herein are by way of example and comprise primarily the preferred and several alternative forms of putting the invention into effect. Although the drawings depict the preferred and several alternative embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are described within the preceding and following text. [0119]
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed apparatus and devices may have a wide variety of different designs, shapes and configurations. Additionally, persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains might consider the foregoing teachings in making various modifications, other embodiments, and alternative forms of the invention. [0120]
It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments or specific features shown herein. To the contrary, the inventor claims the invention in all of its various forms, including all equivalents, modifications and alternative embodiments that fall within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted under the Doctrine Of Equivalents. [0121]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The apparatus and methods taught herein enable persons suffering from hair loss or hair thinning to quickly, efficiently, effectively and safely fasten or attach a hairpiece to their head, without requiring the wearer to undergo painful surgery, use adhesive tape or hairpins. [0122]
This invention could be specially manufactured to be initially custom and formed fit to the wearer by medical doctors, plastic surgeons, trained technicians, or from personnel of medical clinics, hospitals and the like. [0123]
Alternatively, a more generally fitted apparatus of particular sizes and/or shapes could be manufactured, mass produced and commercially distributed. The generally fitted apparatus may then be later modified at the point of purchase to create a customized or form-fitted skull-cap to hold and secure the hairpiece upon the head of the wearer. Thus manufactured for general consumer use, this invention could also be readily purchased at nursing homes, pharmacies, drug stores, hair salons, wig shops, barber shops, toupee shops, department stores, and the like. [0124]

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus for attaching a hairpiece to a head of a wearer having a scalp without requiring the scalp of the wearer to be pierced when said apparatus is worn, the head having a crown area, side areas and a back area, each area of the head having a corresponding contour, the head having at least a portion of one ear, the ear having a front side, a back side, a concha, a cymba of concha, a helix, a crus of helix, an antihelix, a crus of antihelix, an antitragus, an intertragic notch, an pinna or an auricle, said apparatus comprising a generally tight-fitting skull-cap that generally assumes a contour of corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer, the hairpiece capable of being attached to or formed integrally with said skull-cap, said skull-cap being rigid or semi-rigid, said skull-cap capable of selectively and removably clasping or gripping the head of the wearer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said skullcap is formed or molded to generally fit against and be custom fitted to the head of the wearer.

3. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising means for mechanically securing the hairpiece to said skullcap, said securing means being at least one length of thread, string, wire or elastic cord, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape, or a hook.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising fibers woven into, attached to or formed integrally with said skull-cap to define a toupee or wig.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said fibers are manufactured from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or hair.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said skullcap has:

(a) a crown portion; and

(b) a rear band or collar portion secured, attached or formed integrally with said crown portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said crown portion is molded or contoured to correspond to, approximate or generally duplicate the contour of the crown area of the head of the wearer.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said rear band or collar portion is molded or contoured to correspond to, approximate or generally duplicate the contour of the side and back areas of the head of the wearer.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said crown portion and said rear band or collar portion are generally unitary in construction or are made from similar material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said skull-cap has an opening, a plurality of holes, perforations or apertures or a portion of mesh material therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said skullcap does not grip the front side and the back side of the ear of the wearer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for selectively and removably engaging the ear of the wearer, said ear engaging means being attached, secured to or formed integrally with said skull-cap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said ear engaging means is secured to or formed integrally with said rear band or collar portion of said skull-cap.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said ear engaging means includes at least one membrane which is capable of being at least partially inserted into the ear canal when said skull-cap is worn.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said ear engaging means is capable of being urged against and hooking the concha, the cymba of concha, the helix, the crus of helix, the antihelix, the crus of antihelix, the antitragus, the intertragic notch, the pinna or the auricle of the ear when said skull-cap is worn.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said ear engaging means is capable of gripping or clasping the ear of the wearer between said ear engaging means and said skull-cap when said skull-cap is worn.

17. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for attaching a hairpiece to a head of a wearer having a scalp without requiring the scalp of the wearer to be pierced when the apparatus is worn, the head having a crown area, side areas and a back area, each area of the head having a corresponding contour, the head having at least a portion of one ear, the ear having a front side, a back side, a concha, a cymba of concha, a helix, a crus of helix, an antihelix, a crus of antihelix, an antitragus, an intertragic notch, an pinna or an auricle, said method comprising steps of:

(a) placing the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material upon the head of the wearer;

(b) forming or pulling the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material to generally assume a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer; and

(c) causing or permitting the sheet of plastic or synthetic material to become rigid or semi-rigid to form a generally tight-fitting skull-cap which is capable of selectively and removably clasping or gripping the head of the wearer.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of causing or permitting the sheet of rigid or semirigid plastic or synthetic material to become at least partially and temporarily malleable or generally flexible prior to said step of placing the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material upon the head of the wearer.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of causing or permitting the skull-cap to become at least partially and temporarily malleable after the skull-cap has generally been formed or molded about the head of the wearer.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of reforming or modifying the contour of the temporarily malleable skull-cap to obtain an otherwise tighter final fit about the head of the wearer.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of causing or permitting the temporarily malleable skull-cap to become rigid or semi-rigid tight-fitting skullcap.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of attaching, securing or bonding the hairpiece to the skull-cap.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of forming or pulling the temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material to generally assume a contour of the corresponding or underlying portions of the head of the wearer further comprises a step of forming or pulling a first and a second temporarily malleable or generally flexible sheet of plastic or synthetic material about the head of the wearer, the first sheet of plastic or synthetic material being formed or pulled about the crown area of the head of the wearer, the second sheet of plastic or synthetic material being formed or pulled about the side areas and back area of the head.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising a step of attaching, securing or bonding the molded first sheet and the molded second sheet of plastic or synthetic material together to form the skull-cap.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said step of attaching, securing or bonding the molded first sheet to the molded second sheet comprises a step of melting the first molded sheet to the second molded sheet to form the skullcap.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said step of attaching, securing or bonding the molded first sheet to the molded second sheet enables the joining of the molded first sheet to the molded second sheet to form the skull-cap having a generally tight final fit about the head of the wearer.

27. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of attaching, securing or bonding means for engaging the ear of the wearer either to the sheet of plastic or synthetic material or to the molded skull-cap.