US20110036368A1

US20110036368A1 - Wig and hairpiece extension arrangement

Info

Publication number: US20110036368A1
Application number: US12/540,245
Authority: US
Inventors: Hui Sue Park
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-12
Filing date: 2009-08-12
Publication date: 2011-02-17

Abstract

A wig and hairpiece extension arrangement is provided with a top wig, an intermediate wig, and a lower wig. The top wig has a generally circular first foundation. The intermediate wig has a second foundation that is arcuate, while the lower wig has a third foundation that is a portion of a semi-circle. The top wig is structured and arranged to be secured to the top of a human head with the intermediate wig located along the upper rear of the head and the lower wig located along the rear of the head below the intermediate wig. The wig arrangement can be worn with different spacings, colors and styles and either with or without the intermediate wig so as to change the look and styling of the wearer's head.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wigs and hairpieces worn by human beings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many reasons, women and men wear wigs, or hairpieces, or hairpiece extensions, to change their appearance. For example, someone who has suffered hair loss due to disease, genetic factors, or medical treatment may wish to wear a wig to help restore their natural appearance. Others wear wigs for fashion reasons, seeking to temporarily alter the style of their hair. Just as many persons enjoy accessorizing their wardrobe, persons who wear wigs enjoy changing their appearance by adding one or more hairpiece extensions or attachments.
Full wigs tend to be relatively expensive, even when made with synthetic hair. Such wigs, which cover the wearer's head, also must be styled from time to time.
Hair extensions cover only a small part of the wearer's head and need not be styled and are less costly than full wigs. An extension is typically worn for some period of time and then disposed of.
It is desired to enhance the stylability of hairpieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wig arrangement comprising a top wig, an intermediate wig and a lower wig. The top wig comprises a top foundation and hair strands secured to the top foundation. The top foundation is generally circular so as to fit on a crown of a wearer's head. The intermediate wig comprises an intermediate foundation and hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation. The intermediate foundation has a concave first edge that is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the top wig and a convex second edge. The lower wig comprises a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation. The lower foundation has a third edge that is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the intermediate wig and a convex fourth edge.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, fasteners are provided on the top, intermediate and lower wig foundations.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation are of a different color than the hair strands secured in the top foundation.
The present invention also provides a wig arrangement comprising a top wig and a lower wig. The top wig comprises a top foundation and hair strands secured to the top foundation. The top foundation is generally circular so as to fit on a crown of a wearer's head. The lower wig comprises a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation. The lower wig foundation has a first edge with the first edge being closer than the second edge to the top wig when the top and lower wigs are worn on a head.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, fasteners are provided on the top and lower wig foundations.
The present invention also provides a wig arrangement mounted on a human head having a top, sides and a rear. The wig arrangement comprises a top wig and a lower wig. The top wig comprises a top foundation and hair strands secured to the top foundation. The top foundation is generally circular. The top wig is located on the top of the head. The lower wig comprises a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation. The lower wig is located below the top wig along the rear of the head. The lower wig foundation has a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is convex. The lower wig foundation has ends that are located on the sides of the head. The first edge is located above the second edge. The hair of the top wig overlays the first edge.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, fasteners are provided on the top and lower wig foundations.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, an intermediate wig is provided. The intermediate wig comprises an intermediate foundation with hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation. The intermediate foundation has a concave third edge and a convex fourth edge. The intermediate wig foundation also comprises ends which are located on the sides of the head above the lower wig ends. The third edge is located adjacent to the top wig and the fourth edge is located adjacent to the lower wig.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation are of a different color than the hair strands secured to the top foundation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a person wearing a wig arrangement of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, or underneath, view of the primary, or top, wig foundation, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a bottom, or underneath, view of the intermediate wig foundation, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a bottom, or underneath, view of the lower wig foundation, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a close-up isometric view of a hairclip, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a close-up isometric view of a hair comb, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a profile view of a person wearing the wig arrangement, showing the foundation in dashed lines, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a profile view of a person wearing the wig arrangement, showing the foundation in dashed lines, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a profile view of a person wearing the wig arrangement, showing the foundations in dashed lines, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a profile view of a person wearing the wig arrangement of two pieces, showing the foundations in dashed lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a wig and hairpiece extension arrangement that can be easily and quickly altered so as to change the overall look of the wearer's head. The head is a human head and may be an actual human being head or a mock up of a human head, such as a mannequin head. Referring to FIG. 1, the wig arrangement has hair strands 16. The top of the head is covered by hair strands 16. Hair strands 16 also cover the back of the neck beyond the shoulders. The wig arrangement is typically used to supplement the natural hair of a wearer. The wig arrangement can be of the same color or different colors than the natural hear.
FIGS. 2-4 show the foundations of the wig arrangement 14; the hair strands 16 are not shown for clarity. In FIGS. 2-4, the sides of the foundation that are closest to the wearer's head are shown. The wig arrangement has plural wig pieces in various combinations. One such combination has three pieces, namely a top wig 18, an intermediate wig 20 and a lower wig 22. The top wig 18 is located on the top or crown of the wearer's head (see FIG. 7), with the intermediate wig 20 located below the top wig and the lower wig 22 below the intermediate wig. The wigs 18, 20, 22 can be coupled together. Each wig 18, 20, 22 has fasteners 24 (or 26 or both 24, 26) for coupling the wig to the wearer's natural hair or to one another. The top wig 18 is coupled to the head of the wearer by fasteners such as 24 or by sewing or clipping the wigs to the wearer's natural hair. The intermediate wig 20 can be coupled to the top wig 18 by the respective fasteners 24 or coupled to the wearer's natural hair. The lower wig 22 can be coupled to the intermediate wig 20 by way of the respective fasteners 24 or coupled to the wearer's natural hair.
Another combination has two pieces. For example, the intermediate wig 20 need not be used. As shown in FIG. 10, the top and lower wigs 18, 22 are used. Alternatively, the top and intermediate wigs can be used without the lower wig, or the intermediate and lower wigs can be used without the top wig.
As depicted in FIG. 2, the top wig 18 is comprised of a top wig foundation 28, hair clips 24, and hair strands 16 (see FIG. 7). As depicted in FIG. 3, the intermediate wig 20 is comprised of an intermediate wig foundation 30, hair clips 24, and hair strands 16 (see FIG. 7). As depicted in FIG. 4, the lower wig 22 is comprised of a lower wig foundation 32, hair clips 24, hair combs 26, and hair strands 16 (see FIG. 7).
The foundations 18, 20, 22 are conventional and commercially available. One type of foundation is a mesh type to which rows of hair 16 are attached. Another type is lace foundation, which has lace material and ribs. Still another type of foundation is known in the industry as monofilament foundation, which tends to be of a fine weave.
The top wig 18 is so-called because its foundation 28 can attach, or be secured, to the top or crown of the wearer's head, either directly or indirectly. Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the top wig foundation 28 is generally circular in shape. The foundation 28 has a less rounded portion 19 which, when worn, is close to the wearer's forehead. The foundation 28 need not be truly circular but can be oval shaped or some other shape that approximates the top of a wearer's head, which shape is referred to herein as “circular”. The top wig 18 may be coupled to the wearer's natural hair. The wearer arranges the natural hair, typically at the crown of the head, so that it may receive the top wig fasteners 24. The top wig foundation 28 is then put over this arrangement. The top wig 18 can also directly be secured to the head, such as by fitting around the head, or by adhesives. The top wig 18 can also indirectly be secured to the wearer's head, such as by securing to a bun or other type of hair knot, or by combs, etc.
The intermediate wig 20 can couple to the top wig 18. The intermediate wig 20 can also be structured and arranged to be secured to, or couple to, the wearer's head. For example, the intermediate wig 20 can be coupled to the wearer's natural hair using the fasteners 24. Referring to FIG. 3, the intermediate wig foundation 30 of the preferred embodiment is elongated and curved so that it may generally conform to the wearer's head and blend the hair strands 16 of the wigs 18, 20, 22 when worn together. The foundation 30 has a first edge 37 that is concave and is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the top wig, and a second edge 39 that is convex and is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the lower wig. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the first and second edges 37, 39 is fairly constant, although this need not be the case in other embodiments.
The lower wig 22 can couple to the intermediate wig 20 or to the top wig 18. The lower wig 22 can also be structured and arranged to be secured to, or couple to, the wearer's head. For example, the lower wig 22 can be coupled to the wearer's natural hair. Referring to FIG. 4, the lower wig foundation 32 of the preferred embodiment has a third upper edge 35 that is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the intermediate wig. The third edge 35 can be straight or have a slight curve. The third edge 35 is about the same length as the first edge 37. The first edge is about 2-4 times as long as the width of the top wig foundation. There is a fourth lower edge 33 that is convex. The lower wig foundation 22 approximates a portion of a semi-circle. This shape creates a natural appearance for the wearer when the lower wig 22 is worn.
The wigs can be coupled to each other as described or coupled to the wearer's natural hair using the fasteners 24, 26, or by sewing, gluing or shaping, or some other means.
The hair strands 16 on the top wig 18, intermediate wig 20, and lower wig 22, can be natural human, animal, or artificial hair 16. These strands 16 can be all of the same color or of different colors. For example, the wearer may choose a top wig 18 with strands of one color and a lower wig 22 with strands of another.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, attached to the outside perimeter of the top wig foundation 28, the intermediate foundation 30, and the lower foundation 32 are fasteners 24, 26. In the preferred embodiment, these fasteners are hair clips 24 and hair combs 26 (FIGS. 5 and 6), which are conventional and commercially available. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, hair clips 24 are attached to the outside perimeter of the top 28 and intermediate 30 foundations and, referring to FIG. 4, hair clips 24 and hair combs 26 are attached to the outside perimeter of the lower wig foundation 32. Hair combs 26 can be provided on all the wigs 18, 20, 22.
The operation and use of the wig and hairpiece extension arrangement will now be described. When the wig arrangement 14 is worn, the top wig 18 is positioned on top of the head. The edge 19 is positioned by the forehead. The top wig 18 is attached over and to the wearer's hair by inserting the fasteners 24 into the hair. The hair clips 24 each contain a plurality of bristle members 34 biased towards a clip base 36 (FIG. 5). The hair clips 24 can be opened, the wearer's hair inserted and then closed to clamp the wearer's hair into the clip. Wearer's hair placed between the bristle members 34 and base 36 remains in position and retained. The top wig 9 may be worn in conjunction with either of the intermediate 20 or lower wigs 22 or both.
The top and intermediate wigs 18, 20 can be coupled together. To connect the top wig 18 to the intermediate wig 20, the wearer, using the hair clips 24, couples the first edge 37 of the intermediate foundation 30 to either the top wig 18 hair strands 16 or the top wig foundation 28 in the manner described above. The intermediate wig is located opposite of the edge 19 on the top wig. Alternatively, the intermediate wig 20 is not coupled directly to the top wig, but is instead coupled to the wearer's head. When worn by the wearer, the intermediate wig is below the top wig and is located along the back and sides of the head, below the crown. The ends 40 of the intermediate wig are typically located about the ears. The front edge 27 is on top and is adjacent to the top wig. The second edge 39 is below the first edge.
The lower wig foundation 32 has integrated hair combs 26 attached to further secure the foundation 32 to the wearer's natural hair 16 and prevent shifting or moving. To connect the intermediate wig 20 to the lower foundation 32, the wearer, using the hair clips 24 and hair combs 26, couples the lower foundation 32 to either the intermediate wig 20 hair strands 16 or the intermediate wig foundation 30 in the manner described above. The third edge 35 is located adjacent to the intermediate wig. The ends 42 are located on the sides of the head, above the ears. Alternatively, the lower wig 22 can be coupled to the wearer's head. When worn by the user, the lower wig is located below the top and intermediate wigs and is at the rear of the head. The curved fourth edge 33 is located along the lower rear of the head.
The hair strands 16 of one wig 18, 20, 22 overlay the strands 16 of the top wig overlay the first edge 37 of the intermediate wig and the third edge 35 of the lower wig. Likewise, the hair strands of the intermediate wig overlays the third edge 35 of the lower wig. The hair 16 obscures the foundations 28, 30, 32 and the fasteners 24, 26 from view.
FIG. 7 shows the three piece wig arrangement where the individual wigs 18, 20, 22 are coupled together by way of the wearer's hair. The wig foundations are physically spread apart. The first edge 37 is adjacent to the top wig and the third edge 35 is adjacent to the intermediate wig.
FIG. 8 shows the three piece wig arrangement where the individual wigs are coupled to one another. FIG. 9 shows the three piece wig arrangement with the intermediate wig and top wig separated by a gap with each coupled to the wearer's hair. The lower wig 22 is also coupled to the wearer's hair. The second edge 39 of the intermediate wig 20 overlaps the third edge 35 of the lower wig. FIG. 10 shows a two piece wig arrangement, with the top and lower wigs separated, but coupled together using the wearer's hair.
These arrangements allow the wigs to be used on a variety of head shapes and sizes and also allows a variety of styling arrangements.
With the wig and hairpiece extension arrangement 14 of the present invention, a wig wearer may easily use a top wig 18 with an intermediate wig 20 and/or lower wig 22. The wearer can mix and match top wigs 18 with intermediate 20 and/or lower wigs 22 and achieve a high quality, high cost look at a relatively low cost.
The top, intermediate and lower wigs can be of the same color and styling or of different colors or different styles. For example, the intermediate wig can be a different color than the top and lower wigs for a highlighting type of look.
In the preferred embodiment, the fasteners 24, 26 are described as hair clips 24 and hair combs 26. As has been discussed, other types of fasteners can be used. Also, the fasteners 24, 26 shown couple only a small portion of the outer perimeter of the top wig 18 to a small portion of the intermediate 20 and lower 22 wigs. The wigs 18, 20, 22 may be coupled to a smaller or larger portion of the wig 18, 20, 22 perimeters, depending on styling considerations.
The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A wig and hairpiece extension arrangement, comprising:

a) a top wig comprising a top foundation and hair strands secured to the top foundation, the top foundation being generally circular so as to fit on a crown of a wearer's head;

b) an intermediate wig comprising an intermediate foundation and hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation, the intermediate foundation having a concave first edge that is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the top wig, and a convex second edge;

c) a lower wig comprising a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation, the lower wig foundation having a third edge that is structured and arranged to be located adjacent to the intermediate wig, and a convex fourth edge.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising fasteners on the top, intermediate and lower wig foundations.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation are of a different color than the hair strands secured to the top foundation.

4. A wig arrangement, comprising:

b) a lower wig comprising a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation, the lower wig foundation having a first edge and a convex second edge, with the first edge being closer than the second edge to the top wig when the top and lower wigs are worn by a human.

5. The arrangement of claim 4 further comprising fasteners on the top and lower wig foundations.

6. A wig arrangement mounted on a human head having a top, sides and a rear, comprising:

a) a top wig comprising a top foundation and hair strands secured to the top foundation, the top foundation being generally circular, the top wig located on the top of the head;

b) a lower wig comprising a lower foundation and hair strands secured to the lower foundation, the lower wig located below the top wig along the rear of the head, the lower wig foundation having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being convex, the lower wig foundation having ends that are located on the sides of the head, the first edge located above the second edge, the hair of the top wig overlaying the first edge.

7. The wig arrangement of claim 6 further comprising fasteners on the top and lower wig foundations.

8. The wig arrangement of claim 6 further comprising an intermediate wig comprising an intermediate foundation hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation, the intermediate wig having a concave first edge and a convex second edge, the intermediate wig foundation having ends, the ends of the intermediate wig foundation located on the sides of the head above the lower wig foundation ends, the third edge being located adjacent to the top wig and the fourth edge being located adjacent to the lower wig.

9. The wig arrangement of claim 8 wherein the hair strands secured to the intermediate foundation are of a different color than the hair strands secured to the top foundation.