US20090235945A1

US20090235945A1 - Hairpiece Having Detachable Hair Accessory

Info

Publication number: US20090235945A1
Application number: US12/125,999
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Eugene Eaton
Original assignee: General Wig Manufacturers Inc
Current assignee: General Wig Manufacturers Inc
Priority date: 2008-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2009-09-24

Abstract

A hairpiece product includes a wig releasably attached to a hair accessory. The hair accessory can be a headband having an outer surface and an inner surface. A strip of hook fasteners can be attached to the inner surface of the headband, and a strip of loop fasteners can be attached to the exterior of the wig's support structure. The strip of loop fasteners can be sized for complementary engagement with the strip of hook fasteners attached to the headband. The strip of hook fasteners can be attached to the inner surface of the headband with an adhesive, and the strip of loop fasteners can be attached to the exterior surface of the upper segment with an adhesive.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hairpieces for positioning on a person's head. A particular embodiment of the invention is a wig with a headband that is detachable so it can be replaced with another headband.
Cosmetic hairpieces such as wigs have long been used by men and women for a variety of purposes. For example, wigs can be used to cover bald or thinning areas on the wearer's scalp. Also, women who have a generally full head of hair, often wear wigs having hair of a different color or length than their natural hair in order to alter their appearance.
A variety of accessories, such as headbands, have also been developed for being worn on the wearer's head. Headbands can be made of a hard, flexible material such as plastic and have an arched horseshoe shape that conforms to the wearer's head. Such headbands are often worn by women to keep their hair back and out of the eyes. These headbands are also worn for decorative reasons to accessorize the wearer's outfit and otherwise complement her appearance. Such headbands typically consist of a hard plastic horseshoe piece with a thin decorative fabric covering the outer surface of the plastic horseshoe piece. The fabric can be of a particular color or have a unique decorative design that matches the wearer's clothes and complements her overall appearance. As such, many women typically have a number of headbands for wearing with different outfits.
There have developed wigs having headbands attached thereto. The attached headbands typically serve a decorative purpose as noted above, as well as assisting in keeping the wig on the wearer's head. The headbands are permanently attached to the wig, thereby preventing the wearer from utilizing a variety of headbands with a single wig.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wig that can be worn in conjunction with multiple headbands.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wig having a detachable hair accessory.
These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed below by providing a hairpiece kit that includes a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head, at least one hair accessory, releasably attached to the wig.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair accessory is a headband.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair accessory includes a plurality of headbands, and each headband has a distinct decorative appearance.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the wig and the hair accessory are releasably attached by hook and loop fasteners.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair accessory comprises a headband having an upper surface and an under surface.
According to another embodiment of the invention, hook fasteners are attached to the under surface of the headband, and loop fasteners are attached to the wig.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the wig includes a support structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of hair attached to the support structure, and the inner surface of the support structure is adapted for being mounted on the wearer's head, and the hair is carried on the outer surface of the support structure.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure comprises an upper segment defining a top of the support structure and a lower segment defining a base of the support structure attached to first and second ends of the upper segment. The upper and lower segments each have an interior surface and exterior surface.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the hair accessory comprises a headband having an outer surface and an inner surface, a strip of hook fasteners is attached to the inner surface of the headband, and a strip of loop fasteners is attached to the exterior surface of the upper segment of the support structure. The strip of loop fasteners is sized for complementary engagement with the strip of hook fasteners attached to the headband.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the strip of hook fasteners is attached to the inner surface of the headband with an adhesive, and the strip of loop fasteners is attached to the exterior surface of the upper segment with an adhesive.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes an engaging member that engages the wearer's natural hair and maintains the wig on the wearer's head.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the engaging member comprises a plurality of combs attached to the inner surface of the support structure proximate the upper segment.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the lower segment comprises an elastic band and loop fasteners attached to the interior surface of the lower segment, and the support structure includes a first complementary elastic band having hook fasteners thereon attached to the first end of the upper segment, a second complementary elastic band having hook fasteners thereon attached to the second end of the upper segment. The hook fasteners of the first and second complementary elastic bands can engage the loop fasteners at varying points on the interior surface of the lower segment so that a perimeter of the support structure can be varied to conform to the wearer's head.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper segment and the lower segment define an interior area of the support structure, and the support structure includes a web disposed in the interior area comprising a plurality of substantially vertical members attached to the lower segment, and a plurality of substantially horizontal members attached to the upper segment and the substantially vertical members, and the hair is attached to the substantially horizontal members.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the support structure is adapted for covering only the rear portion of the wearer's head.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a hairpiece comprises a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head having a support structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of hair attached to the support structure. The inner surface of the support structure is adapted for being mounted on the wearer's head, and the hair is carried on the outer surface of the support structure. A first attachment member is mounted on the outer surface of the support structure for releasably engaging a complementary second attachment member positioned on a hair accessory, so that the hair accessory is releasably attached to the wig.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member comprises loop fasteners, and the complementary second attachment member comprises hook fasteners.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member comprises hook fasteners, and the complementary second attachment member comprises loop fasteners.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a hairpiece includes a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head, and the wig includes a support structure for engaging natural hair on the wearer's head and maintaining the wig on the wearer's head, a plurality of hair strands attached to the support structure, and a plurality of loop fasteners positioned on an exterior surface of the support structure. A headband having an upper surface and a under surface, and a plurality of hook fasteners positioned on the under surface, is releasably attached to the wig by engagement of the hook fasteners of the headband with the loop fasteners of the wig.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a hairpiece product according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a wig of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of a headband of the hairpiece product of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the wig of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the hairpiece product of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevation illustrating the wig of FIG. 2 being utilized in conjunction with multiple headbands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

A hairpiece according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The hairpiece 10 generally comprises a wig 12 and a hair accessory such as a headband 30 that is releasably attached to the wig 12. The headband 30 can be made of a hard, flexible material such as plastic and have an arched horseshoe shape that conforms to the wearer's head. It should be noted that while this particular embodiment of the invention includes a headband 30, the invention can be utilized with any other accessories that are placed on or in the hair.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the means for releasably attaching the wig 12 and the headband 30 include a strip of loop fasteners 14 positioned on the wig 12, shown in FIG. 2, and a similarly sized strip of hook fasteners 34 positioned on the headband 30, shown in FIG. 3. The headband 30 has an underside 32 and an upper side 36. The hook fasteners 34 are positioned on the under side 32 of the headband 30, such that the headband 30 releasably attaches to the wig 12 when the headband 30 is positioned on top of the wig 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The strip of hook fasteners 34 can be attached to the under side 32 of the headband 30 by an adhesive or any other suitable attachment means.
As shown in FIG. 4, the wig 12 comprises a support structure 16 for being mounted on the head of the wearer. The support structure 16 has an interior surface 18 and an exterior surface 20. The support structure 16 includes an upper segment 22 attached to a lower segment 24. The upper segment 22 has an arch shape and is sized to fit over the crown of the wearer's head.
Within the interior area defined by the upper segment 22 and lower segment 24 is a web comprised of substantially vertical members 26 and substantially horizontal members 28. The vertical members 26 are preferably made of an elastic material and are attached to the upper segment 22 at one end, and the lower segment 24 at the other end. The horizontal members 28 are attached at both ends to the upper segment 22. Hair strands 40 are attached to the horizontal members 28 on the exterior surface 20 of the support structure 16, and extend outward therefrom. A hair engaging member such as a plurality of combs 42 are attached to the interior surface 18 of the support structure 16. The combs 42 engage the natural hair of the wearer in order to maintain the hairpiece 10 on the wearer's head.
The lower segment 24 of the support structure 16 is made of an elastic material, and has loop fasteners 44 attached to the interior surface of the lower segment 24. A first complementary elastic band 50 having hook fasteners thereon is attached at one end of the upper segment 22, and a second complementary elastic band 60 having hook fasteners thereon is attached to the second end of the upper segment 22. As such, the hook fasteners of the first and second complementary elastic bands 50, 60, respectively, can engage the loop fasteners 44 at varying points on the interior surface of the lower segment 24 so that the perimeter of the support structure 16 can be varied to conform to the wearer's head. That is, the perimeter of the support structure 16 can be reduced to tighten the support structure 16 on the wearer's head, or the perimeter of the support structure 16 can be increased to accommodate larger heads.
Attached to the exterior surface 20 of the support structure 16 on the upper segment 22 is a strip of loop fasteners 14. The strip of loop fasteners 14 can be attached to the upper segment 22 by an adhesive or any other suitable attachment means.
As shown in FIG. 5, the headband 30 is positioned over the upper segment 18 of the wig 12 so that the hook fasteners 34 of the headband 30 engage the loop fasters 14 of the wig 12. The headband 30 provides stability for the hairpiece 10, and helps maintain the hairpiece 10 on the wearer's head.
Because of the releasable attachment of the wig 12 and the headband 30, a single wig 12 can be utilized with multiple headbands 30 a, 30 b, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As such, the wearer can select a particular headband 30 a with a distinctive decorative appearance to attach to the wig 12, and later replace that headband 30 a with another headband 30 b having a different appearance. The headbands 30 a, 30 b can be comprised of a hard plastic horseshoe piece with a thin decorative fabric covering the outer surface of the plastic horseshoe piece. The number of headbands that can be utilized with the hairpiece 10 is limitless.
A hairpiece and method of using same are disclosed above. Various changes to the invention can be made without departing from its scope. For example, while a preferred embodiment of the invention is described above as including a headband, the invention can be utilized with other hair accessories, such as barrettes and clips. The above description of the preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention are for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—the invention being defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hairpiece kit comprising:

(a) a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head;

(b) at least one hair accessory; and

(c) attachment means for releasably attaching the at least one hair accessory to the wig.

2. A hairpiece kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hair accessory comprises a headband.

3. A hairpiece kit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hair accessory comprises a plurality of headbands, each headband having a distinct decorative appearance.

4. A hairpiece kit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners.

5. A hairpiece kit according to claim 4, wherein the hair accessory comprises a headband having an upper surface and an under surface.

6. A hairpiece kit according to claim 5, wherein the hook fastener is attached to the under surface of the headband, and the loop fastener is attached to the wig.

7. A hairpiece kit according to claim 1, wherein the wig comprises:

(a) a support structure having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) a plurality of hair attached to the support structure; and

(c) wherein the inner surface of the support structure is adapted for being mounted on the wearer's head, and the hair is carried on the outer surface of the support structure.

8. A hairpiece kit according to claim 7, wherein the support structure comprises an upper segment defining a top of the support structure and a lower segment defining a base of the support structure attached to first and second ends of the upper segment, the upper and lower segments each having an interior surface and exterior surface.

9. A hairpiece kit according to claim 8, wherein the hair accessory comprises a headband having an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the attachment means comprises:

(a) a strip of hook fasteners attached to the inner surface of the headband; and

(b) a strip of loop fasteners attached to the exterior surface of the upper segment of the support structure, and sized for complementary engagement with the strip of hook fasteners attached to the headband.

10. A hairpiece kit according to claim 9, wherein the strip of hook fasteners is attached to the inner surface of the headband with an adhesive, and the strip of loop fasteners is attached to the exterior surface of the upper segment with an adhesive.

11. A hairpiece kit according to claim 9, wherein the support structure further comprises an engaging member adapted for engaging the wearer's natural hair and maintaining the wig on the wearer's head.

12. A hairpiece kit according to claim 11, wherein the engaging member comprises a plurality of combs attached to the inner surface of the support structure proximate the upper segment.

13. A hairpiece kit according to claim 8, wherein the lower segment comprises an elastic band and loop fasteners attached to the interior surface of the lower segment, and further wherein the support structure further comprises:

(a) a first complementary elastic band having hook fasteners thereon attached to the first end of the upper segment;

(b) a second complementary elastic band having hook fasteners thereon attached to the second end of the upper segment; and

(c) wherein the hook fasteners of the first and second complementary elastic bands can engage the loop fasteners at varying points on the interior surface of the lower segment whereby a perimeter of the support structure can be varied to conform to the wearer's head.

14. A hairpiece according to claim 8, wherein the upper segment and the lower segment define an interior area of the support structure, and the support structure further comprises a web disposed in the interior area comprising a plurality of substantially vertical members attached to the lower segment, and a plurality of substantially horizontal members attached to the upper segment and the substantially vertical members, and wherein the hair is attached to the substantially horizontal members.

15. A hairpiece according to claim 14, wherein the support structure is adapted for covering only a rear portion of the wearer's head.

16. A hairpiece comprising:

(a) a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head comprising:

(i) a support structure having an inner surface and an outer surface,

(ii) a plurality of hair attached to the support structure, and

(iii) wherein the inner surface of the support structure is adapted for being mounted on the wearer's head, and the hair is carried on the outer surface of the support structure;

(b) a first attachment member mounted on the outer surface of the support structure for releasably engaging a complementary second attachment member positioned on a hair accessory, whereby the hair accessory is releasably attached to the wig.

17. A hairpiece according to claim 16, wherein the first attachment member comprises loop fasteners, and the complementary second attachment member comprises hook fasteners.

18. A hairpiece according to claim 16, wherein the first attachment member comprises hook fasteners, and the complementary second attachment member comprises loop fasteners.

19. A hairpiece comprising:

(a) a wig for being positioned on a wearer's head, the wig comprising:

(i) a support structure for engaging natural hair on the wearer's head and maintaining the wig on the wearer's head,

(ii) a plurality of hair strands attached to the support structure,

(iii) a plurality of loop fasteners positioned on an exterior surface of the support structure; and

(b) a headband having an upper surface and a under surface, and a plurality of hook fasteners positioned on the under surface, whereby the headband is releasably attached to the wig by engagement of the hook fasteners of the headband with the loop fasteners of the wig.

20. A headband according to claim 19, wherein the support structure is adapted for covering substantially only a rear portion of the wearer's head.