US20140209115A1

US20140209115A1 - Invertible hairpiece and method of using same

Info

Publication number: US20140209115A1
Application number: US14/164,621
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan E. Eaton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-25
Filing date: 2014-01-27
Publication date: 2014-07-31

Abstract

A hairpiece for positioning on a person's head and augmenting her natural hair includes a first layer of material having a plurality of hair strands attached thereto. A second layer of material has a plurality of hair strands stylized in a different manner than the hair strands attached to the first layer. The first and second layers are attached to each other. The hairpiece can be worn in a first position in which the second layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the plurality of hair strands attached to the first layer extend outwardly from the wearer's head. When desired the hairpiece can be removed from the wearer's head and inverted so that the first layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the hair strands on the second layer extend outwardly from the wearer's head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/756,584, filed Jan. 25, 2013, which is incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hairpiece for positioning on a person's head. A particular embodiment of the invention comprises a single hairpiece that can provide two distinct hairstyles at the selection of the wearer.
Cosmetic hairpieces have long been used by women and men for a variety of purposes. For example, a hairpiece can be used to cover bald or thinning areas on the wearer's head. Also, women who have a generally full head of hair, often wear hairpieces having hair of a different color or length than their natural hair in order to alter their appearance for different occasions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a single hairpiece capable of providing two different hairstyles, such as having different hair length and/or color, in which the wearer could select the desired style and easily change to the other style, would be desirable. Another object of the invention is to provide a hairpiece having two distinct hairstyles, in which the wearer can change from one hairstyle to the other by inverting the hairpiece, rather than by turning or rotating, and/or attaching the hairpiece from a different angle. These and other objects of the present invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention described below.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a hairpiece for positioning on a wearer's head comprising a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head, and a first plurality of hair strands attached to the first layer. A second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head is attached to the first layer, and a second plurality of hair strands are attached to the second layer. The hairpiece can be selectively worn in a first position in which the second layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the first plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the wearer's head, and a second position in which the first layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the second plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the wearer's head.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are styled in a first hairstyle and the second plurality of hair strands are styled in a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle, whereby the first hairstyle is displayed when the hairpiece is worn in the first position and the second hairstyle is displayed when the hairpiece is worn in the second position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the wearer can wear the first hairstyle by wearing the hairpiece in the first position, or wear the second hairstyle by wearing the hairpiece in the second position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are substantially straight, and the second plurality of hair strands are substantially curled in relation to the first plurality of strands.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are wavy, and the second plurality of hair strands are substantially straight in relation to the first plurality of hair strands.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are longer than the second plurality of hair strands.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are a different color than the second plurality of hair strands.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of hair strands are attached to the first layer in wefts.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the second plurality of hair strands are attached to the second layer in wefts.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first layer of material and the second layer of material are comprised of an elastic mesh.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the hairpiece includes attachment means for attaching the hairpiece to the wearer's head.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second layers of material are substantially circular.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the second layer is sewn to the first layer with zigzag stitching.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an outer pocket is formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring running within the outer pocket and exiting through an opening in the outer pocket, whereby pulling the drawstring pulls outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly.
According to another embodiment of the invention, two combs are attached to the outer edge of the second layer for engaging the wearer's natural hair.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a hairpiece for positioning on a wearer's head comprises a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head, and a first plurality of hair wefts attached to the first layer. The first plurality of wefts comprise a plurality of hair strands that have a first hairstyle. A second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head is attached to the first layer. A second plurality of hair wefts are attached to the second layer, and the second plurality of wefts comprise a plurality of hair strands having a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle. The hairpiece can be selectively worn in a first position in which the second layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and only the hair strands of the first plurality of hair wefts extend freely and outwardly from the wearer's head, and a second position in which the first layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and only the hair strands of the second plurality of hair wefts extend freely and outwardly from the wearer's head. As such, the wearer can selectively display the first hairstyle or second hairstyle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an outer pocket is formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring positioned within the outer pocket and exiting through an opening in the outer pocket, wherein pulling the drawstring pulls outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly, whereby the hairpiece can be tightened on the head of the wearer.
According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one comb is attached to the first layer of material to engage the wearer's natural hair so that the hairpiece is maintained in place on the wearer's head
According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of augmenting a person's natural hair comprises placing a portion of the person's natural hair in a bound configuration, such as a ponytail or bun, and providing a hairpiece comprising a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head, and a first plurality of hair strands having a first hairstyle attached to the first layer. A second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head is attached to the first layer, and a second plurality of hair strands having a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle is attached to the second layer. An outer pocket is formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring is positioned within the outer pocket and exits through an opening in the outer pocket, such that pulling the drawstring pulls the outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly. The hairpiece is positioned over the bound configuration with the second layer adjacent to the wearer's natural hair and the drawstring is pulled so that the hairpiece is tightened around the bound configuration. The second plurality of hair strands are contained under the second layer of material and the first plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the first layer of material thereby displaying the first hairstyle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the drawstring is loosened, and the hairpiece removed from the person's natural hair. The hairpiece is inverted and positioned over the bound configuration with the first layer adjacent to the wearer's natural hair. The drawstring is pulled so that the hairpiece is tightened around the bound configuration, the first plurality of hair strands are contained under the first layer of material, and the second plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the second layer of material thereby displaying the second hairstyle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an invertible hairpiece according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the hairpiece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an environmental view illustrating a method of using the hairpiece of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is another environmental view illustrating a method of using the hairpiece of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE

A hair piece according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The hairpiece 10 comprises a first layer 11, shown in FIG. 1, and a second separate layer 21, shown in FIG. 2. The two layers 11, 21 are sewn together and define two sides of the hairpiece 10. Each layer 11, 21, can be comprised of a stretchable elastic material having mesh construction, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Preferably, each layer 11, 21 is substantially circular in shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the layers 11, 21 can be other shapes such as oval.
Hair wefts 12, 22 are attached to the first and second layers 11, 21, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The wefts 12, 22 can comprise a plurality of hair strands 14, 24, respectively, that can be natural or synthetic. The hair wefts 12, 22 can be regular wefted or stretch wefted for greater flexibility. The two layers 11, 21 are sewn together with the hair 14, 24 exposed on each layer 11, 21 as shown in FIGS. 4-10. The second layer 21 has an outer edge 26 sewn to the outer perimeter of the first layer 11 with zigzag stitching 28. Alternatively, the first layer 11 and second layer 21 can be attached together by an adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, or other suitable attachment means.
The wefting 12 on the first layer 11 can comprise hair forming a completely different hairstyle design than the wefting 22 attached to the second layer 21. For example, the hair wefts 12 on the first layer 11 can be straight while the hair wefts 22 on the second layer 21 can be curled, as shown in FIGS. 4-10. Alternatively, the hair wefts 22 on the second layer 21 can be wavy or some other style. In addition, the hair wefts 12, 22 can comprise hair strands of varying length. For example, the hair wefts 12 of the first layer 11 can be longer than the wefts 22 of the second layer 21, as shown in FIGS. 4-10. For example, wefts 12 attached to the first layer 11 can have hair strands 14 measuring six to eight inches in length, while hair wefts 22 of the second layer 21 can have hair strands 24 measuring three to five inches in length. Alternatively, the hair wefts 12 of the first layer 11 can be shorter than the wefts 22 of the second layer 21. As such, the first layer wefts 12 and the second layer wefts 22 provide two unique hairstyles on a single hairpiece 10.
The hairpiece 10 includes attachment means, such as a drawstring pocket, for attaching the hairpiece 10 to a wearer's head. The first layer 11 has an outer pocket 16 formed along the outer perimeter of the first layer 11, and the outer pocket 16 contains a drawstring 18 therein. Attachment means can also include engaging members, such as a pair of combs 36, 38 sewn to the outer edge 26 of the second layer 21 at diametrically opposed positions, as shown in FIG. 2.
Preferably, the inner diameter of the first layer 11 measured from the inside seam 15, shown in FIG. 1, is approximately six inches, and the outer pocket 16 is approximately one-quarter inch deep. As such, the first layer 11 has an outer diameter of approximately six and one-half inches. Preferably, the second layer 21 has a diameter of approximately six inches.
In a method of using the hairpiece 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wearer puts her own natural hair in a bound configuration, such as a ponytail, bun or other similar configuration, and positions the hairpiece 10 over the ponytail or bun, with the desired layer 11 or 21 of the hairpiece 10 exposed. For example, if the wearer wants to wear the hairstyle of the first layer 11, then she positions the hairpiece with the second layer 21 facing down directly on her natural hair, and the first layer 11 exposed. The wearer can then pull the drawstring 18, which draws the hairpiece 10 tightly closed over the wearer's natural hair. The wearer can position the combs 36, 38 into the base of the wearer's own pony tail or bun to strengthen attachment of the hairpiece 10 to the wearer's head H. Once so attached only the exposed layer 11 of the hairpiece 10 is visible, while the other layer 21 is tucked under and not visible or part of the presented finished style, as shown in FIG. 11.
When the user desires to wear a different hairstyle, the hairpiece 10 is removed from the wearer's head, and inverted, i.e., turned upside down, such that the previously unexposed layer 21 now faces outward, while the previously exposed layer 11 is adjacent to the wearer's natural hair. The hairpiece 10 can then be reattached to the wearer's head H by positioning the hairpiece 10 with the first layer 11 facing down directly on the wearer's natural hair, and the second layer 21 exposed, as shown in FIG. 12. As previously described, the wearer pulls the drawstring 18, drawing the hairpiece 10 tightly closed over the wearer's natural hair. The wearer can position the combs 36, 38 into the base of the wearer's own pony tail or bun to strengthen attachment of the hairpiece 10 to the wearer's head H. As such, the hairpiece 10 provides two unique hairstyles for the wearer by inverting the hairpiece 10.
A hairpiece and method of using same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—the invention being defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hairpiece for positioning on a wearer's head comprising:

(a) a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head, and a first plurality of hair strands attached to the first layer;

(b) a second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head and attached to the first layer, and a second plurality of hair strands attached to the second layer; and

(c) wherein the hairpiece can be selectively worn in a first position wherein the second layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the first plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the wearer's head, and a second position wherein the first layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and the second plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the wearer's head.

2. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are styled in a first hairstyle and the second plurality of hair strands are styled in a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle, whereby the first hairstyle is displayed when the hairpiece is worn in the first position and the second hairstyle is displayed when the hairpiece is worn in the second position.

3. The hairpiece according to claim 2, wherein the wearer can wear the first hairstyle by wearing the hairpiece in the first position, or wear the second hairstyle by wearing the hairpiece in the second position.

4. The hairpiece according to claim 2, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are substantially straight, and the second plurality of hair strands are substantially curled in relation to the first plurality of strands.

5. The hairpiece according to claim 2, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are wavy, and the second plurality of hair strands are substantially straight in relation to the first plurality of hair strands.

6. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are longer than the second plurality of hair strands.

7. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are a different color than the second plurality of hair strands.

8. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of hair strands are attached to the first layer in wefts.

9. The hairpiece according to claim 8, wherein the second plurality of hair strands are attached to the second layer in wefts.

10. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of material and the second layer of material are comprised of an elastic mesh.

11. The hairpiece according to claim 1, further comprising attachment means for attaching the hairpiece to the wearer's head.

12. The hairpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of material is substantially circular, and the second layer of material is substantially circular.

13. The hairpiece according to claim 12, wherein the second layer is sewn to the first layer with zigzag stitching.

14. The hairpiece according to claim 12, further comprising an outer pocket formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring running within the outer pocket and exiting through an opening in the outer pocket, whereby pulling the drawstring pulls outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly.

15. The hairpiece according to claim 12, further comprising a pair of combs attached to the outer edge of the second layer for engaging the wearer's natural hair.

16. A hairpiece for positioning on a wearer's head comprising:

(a) a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head;

(b) a first plurality of hair wefts attached to the first layer, said first plurality of wefts comprising a plurality of hair strands having a first hairstyle;

(c) a second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head and attached to the first layer;

(d) a second plurality of hair wefts attached to the second layer, said second plurality of wefts comprising a plurality of hair strands having a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle; and

(e) wherein the hairpiece can be selectively worn in a first position wherein the second layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and only the hair strands of the first plurality of hair wefts extend freely and outwardly from the wearer's head, and a second position wherein the first layer is adjacent to the wearer's head and only the hair strands of the second plurality of hair wefts extend freely and outwardly from the wearer's head, whereby the wearer can selectively display the first hairstyle or second hairstyle.

17. The hairpiece according to claim 16, further comprising an outer pocket formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring positioned within the outer pocket and exiting through an opening in the outer pocket, wherein pulling the drawstring pulls outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly, whereby the hairpiece can be tightened on the head of the wearer.

18. The hairpiece according to claim 16, further comprising at least one comb attached to the first layer of material for engaging the wearer's natural hair whereby the hairpiece is maintained in place on the wearer's head

19. A method of augmenting a person's natural hair comprising:

(a) placing a portion of the person's natural hair in a bound configuration;

(b) providing a hairpiece comprising:

(i) a first layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head, and a first plurality of hair strands having a first hairstyle attached to the first layer,

(ii) a second layer of material adapted for positioning on the wearer's head and attached to the first layer, and a second plurality of hair strands having a second hairstyle that is distinct from the first hairstyle attached to the second layer, and

(iii) an outer pocket formed along an outer perimeter of the first layer of material, and a drawstring positioned within the outer pocket and exiting through an opening in the outer pocket, whereby pulling the drawstring pulls outer edges of the first and second layers inwardly; and

(c) positioning the hairpiece over the bound configuration with the second layer adjacent to the wearer's natural hair and pulling the drawstring, whereby the hairpiece is tightened around the bound configuration, the second plurality of hair strands are contained under the second layer of material and the first plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the first layer of material thereby displaying the first hairstyle.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

(a) loosening the drawstring and removing the hairpiece from the person's natural hair; and

(b) inverting the hairpiece and positioning the hairpiece over the bound configuration with the first layer adjacent to the adjacent to the wearer's natural hair and pulling the drawstring, whereby the hairpiece is tightened around the bound configuration, the first plurality of hair strands are contained under the first layer of material and the second plurality of hair strands extend outwardly from the second layer of material thereby displaying the second hairstyle.