WO2012010814A1

WO2012010814A1 - Hair beads or charms

Info

Publication number: WO2012010814A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/000585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisa Jill Stapleton
Original assignee: Lisa Jill Stapleton
Priority date: 2010-07-20
Filing date: 2011-04-15
Publication date: 2012-01-26
Also published as: GB201012130D0; GB2482131B; GB2482131A

Abstract

A hair bead or charm comprises a tubular component configured to receive hair therein. The tubular component comprises a first part and a second part configurable between an open hair-receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition. The tubular component is provided with a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding the first and second tubular component parts together in the closed hair-gripping condition. The first part and the second part of the tubular component each have an internal surface from which a plurality of hooks having differing lengths extend; whereby the hooks prevent movement of the hair bead in relation to hair received therein. The tubular component may have hair extension material and/or a decorative embellishment secured thereto. The hair bead or charm may be used for an aesthetic and/or a functional purpose.

Description

HAIR BEADS OR CHARMS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair bead or charm to be worn in the hair.

Background to the Invention

Ornamental hair beads are known that are configured to be threaded onto strands of hair and then fixed in place. Threading the ornamental hair bead onto strands of hair is a very delicate and time consuming task, often involving either wrapping the hair, braiding the hair, using equipment to facilitate threading beads onto the hair or using a type of adhesive on the hair.

Hair extensions are known that are configured to be attached onto the hair. Known methods for attaching the hair extension to the hair include weaving, taping, gluing, grafting, braiding and sewing, requiring specialist expertise and/or specialist products, or using clips to fix the hair extensions into the hair.

It is an object of the invention to provide a hair bead configured to be worn in the hair as an ornamental addition or as a functional aid for hair management or hair extensions. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a hair bead comprising a tubular component configured to receive hair therein, said tubular component comprising a first part and a second part configurable between an open hair- receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition and said tubular component provided with a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding the first and second tubular component parts together in the closed hair-gripping condition; said first part and said second part of said tubular component each having an internal surface from which a plurality of hooks having differing lengths extend; whereby said hooks prevent movement of the hair bead in relation to hair received therein.

In an embodiment, the first and second parts of the tubular component of the hair bead are hinged together at one side. In an embodiment, the first and second parts of the tubular component are configured to present a notch when in the closed hair-gripping condition for facilitating opening of the tubular component from the closed hair-gripping condition.

In an embodiment, hair extension strands are secured to the tubular component. In an embodiment, a decorative embellishment is secured to the tubular component. Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a hair bead comprising a tubular component configured to receive hair therein;

Figure 2 shows a side view of first and second parts of the tubular component of the hair bead of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a top view of a part of the tubular component of the hair bead of Figure 1, having an internal surface from which a plurality of hooks having differing lengths extends;

Figure 4 shows features of a hair bead according to a first specific example; Figure 5 shows features of a hair bead according to a second specific example;

Figure 6 shows a notch feature of a hair bead;

Figure 7 shows a plurality of hair beads, each having differing proportions;

Figure 8 shows a plurality of hair beads, each having different tubular component cross-sectional shapes;

Figure 9 shows a top view of a hair bead according to a further specific example; Figure 10 shows a hair bead having hair extension material secured to the tubular component thereof;

Figure 11 shows first and second hair beads each having a different decorative embellishment secured to the tubular component thereof;

Figure 12 illustrates different ways in which a hair bead or charm as described herein may be worn.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventor. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

Figure 1

A hair bead 101 is shown in Figure 1. The hair bead 101 comprises a tubular component 102 configured to receive hair therein. The tubular component 102 comprises first and second parts 103, 104, configurable between an open hair-receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition and said tubular component provided with magnetic closure means. In this Figure, the first and second parts 103, 104 of the tubular component 02 are shown in the closed hair-gripping condition.

As will be described in further detail below, the hair bead is configured to be worn in the hair as an ornamental addition and/or as a functional aid for hair management or hair extensions.

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows the first and second parts 103, 104 of the tubular component of the hair bead of Figure . In this illustrated example, each of the first and second parts 103, 104 is a dimensional half of the tubular component. The provision of a hair bead having first and second parts configurable between an open hair-receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition advantageously improves the ease of placing the hair bead on the hair. Figure 3

Further features of the first and second parts 103, 104 of the tubular component of the hair bead of Figure 1 are shown in Figure 3.

Each of the first and second parts 103, 104 has an internal surface 301 from which a plurality of flexible hooks 302 having differing lengths extend. It can be seen from this Figure hook 303 of the plurality of hooks 302 has a length that is different from the length of hook 304 of the plurality of hooks 302.

The plurality of hooks of the tubular component of a hair bead functions to prevent movement of the hair bead in relation to hair received within the tubular component. The provision of hooks having different lengths advantageously improves the grip of the hooks onto the hair.

According to this example, the internal surface 301 of each of the first and second tubular component parts 103, 104 is profiled such that a hollow having a circular cross-sectional shape is created when the first and second tubular component parts 103, 104 are held together for use. Thus, the overall shape of the tubular component of the hair bead of Figure 1 is cylindrical.

Figure 4

Figure 4 shows features of a hair bead according to a first specific example.

Hair bead 401 comprises a first tubular component part 402 and a second tubular component part 403. The hair bead comprises a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding the first and second tubular component parts together.

The provision of a magnetic closure arrangement advantageously holds the first and second tubular component parts together in the closed hair-gripping condition in a convenient and easy to deploy manner.

According to this illustrated example, each of the first and second tubular component parts 402, 403 is provided with magnetic material along each side edge. In this example, the magnetic material 404 along a first edge of the first part 402 is configured to co-operate with the magnetic material 405 along a corresponding first edge of the second part 403. Similarly, the magnetic material 406 along the second edge of the first part 402 is configured to co-operate with the magnetic material 407 along the corresponding second edge of the second part 403.

In a preferred arrangement, and as shown in this illustrated example, the first and second tubular component parts are configured to present a notch when in the closed hair-gripping condition, for facilitating opening of the tubular component of the hair bead from the closed hair-gripping condition. This serves to facilitate removal of the hair bead from the hair.

As shown, in this illustrated example, the magnetic material 404 and 406 of the first tubular component part 402 extends all the way along the side edges thereof, whilst the magnetic material 405 and 407 of the second tubular component part 402 extends only partially along the side edges thereof, such that each side edge of the second tubular component part 402 has an exposed edge portion 408, 409 at the same end 410 thereof. When the first and second tubular component parts 402, 403 are in the closed hair-gripping condition, the exposed edge portions 408, 409 provide a pair of notches.

In an alternative example, the tubular component is configured to present only a single notch. In an alternative example, the tubular component is configured to present a pair of notches at both ends thereof.

In an example, a magnetic material strips is used along an edge of a tubular component part. In an alternative example, a plurality of individual magnetic material elements is used along an edge of a tubular component part. In a further alternative example, the tubular component parts are fabricated from magnetic material.

Figure 5

Figure 5 shows features of a hair bead according to a first specific example. Hair bead 501 comprises a first tubular component part 502 and a second tubular component part 503. The hair bead comprises a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding the first and second tubular component parts together. According to this illustrated example, the first and second tubular component parts 502, 503 are connected by a hinge 504 at one side, and are each provided with a magnetic material along the other side. The provision of the hinge advantageously serves to keep the first and second tubular component parts 502, 503 together during handling. The hinge may be any suitable type.

In this example, the magnetic material 505 provided along the other edge of the first part 502 is configured to co-operate with the magnetic material 506 along the corresponding other edge of the second part 503. In a preferred arrangement, and as shown in this illustrated example, the magnetic material 505 of the first tubular component part 502 extends all the way along the side thereof, whilst the magnetic material 506 of the second tubular component part 503 extends only partially along the side edge thereof so as to present an exposed edge portion 507. Thus, hair bead 501 is configured such that when the first and second tubular component parts 502, 503 are in the closed hair-gripping condition, a notch is provided to facilitate opening of the hair bead 501 from the closed hair-gripping condition into the open hair-receiving condition.

Figure 6

Figure 6 shows a notch feature of a hair bead 601. In this illustrated example, the notch 602 is a triangular-shaped recess, provided by appropriate profiling of one or both of a pair of mating side edges of the first and second tubular component parts thereof. In this example, a straight edge of one of the hair bead tubular component parts is effectively shortened, with a cut being made at an angle to the remaining edge to provide a gap. A notch recess may have a different shape in alternative examples.

Figure 7

Figure 7 shows a plurality of hair bead tubular components 701-705 having differing proportions of length (L) and width (W). It is to be appreciated therefore that the internal diameters of the hair bead tubular components may vary between examples. Differently dimensioned hair bead tubular components may be provided for use on different types of hair and/or for different functional or aesthetic purposes.

Different hair beads or charms as described herein may be provided for use with different hair types, for example fine, thick, straight or curly hair, or for use across a range of hair types. Different hair beads or charms as described herein may be provided for capturing different hair amounts or capturing a hair amount within a hair amount range. For example, a hair bead or charm intended for use as decoration may be configured to capture a relatively small amount of hair whilst a hair bead or charm intended for use in hair management may be configured to capture a relatively large amount of hair.

Figure 8

Figure 8 shows a plurality of hair bead tubular components 801-805 having different shapes. Thus, the external shape of a hair bead tubular component may vary between applications. It is to be appreciated that a hair bead tubular component may have the same or a varying overall cross-sectional shape along its length. Differently shaped hair beads may be provided for different functional or aesthetic purposes. Figure 9

A top view of a hair bead 901 according to a further specific example is shown in Figure 9.

The hair bead 901 comprises a tubular component 902 configured to receive hair therein. The tubular component 902 comprises first and second parts 903, 904, configurable between an open hair-receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition and said tubular component provided with magnetic closure means. In this Figure, the first and second parts 903, 904 of the tubular component 902 are shown in the closed hair-gripping condition. The hair bead 901 comprises a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding both pairs of edges of the first and second tubular component parts 903, 904 together. The tubular component 902 comprises an internal surface 905 from which a plurality of hooks 906 having differing lengths extend.

In this example, the hollow of the tubular component 902 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The elliptical cross-sectional shape is advantageous for larger hair beads, to improve the efficiency of grip by the plurality of hooks when compared to a circular cross-sectional shape having a diameter equivalent to the major axis of the elliptical cross-sectional shape.

Thus, the internal shape of a hair bead tubular component may vary between applications. It is to be appreciated that a hair bead tubular component may have the same or a varying internal hollow cross-sectional shape along its length.

One or more of the following materials may be used in the fabrication and/or decoration of the hair bead: a plastics material, a metal material, a ceramic material, a wood material, a glass material, a modeling material, a foam material, a paper material, a textile material. A hair bead may include silver or gold, or a gem stone or other precious material. Thus, the use of different materials allows hair beads of different value to be created. The use of different materials allows a wide variety of hair bead designs. The use of different materials enables different weights of hair bead to be provided. . The use of different materials allows for variation of external texture. The hair bead may be any colour or combination of colours.

The strength of the magnetic material may vary between examples.

A hair bead as described herein may be manufactured by any suitable method or process or combination of techniques.

Figure 10

Figure 10 shows a hair bead 1001 having hair extension material 1002 secured to the tubular component 1003 thereof. The hair extension material may comprise one of: natural hair strands, synthetic hair strands. The hair extension material may be provided to look real or for alternative aesthetic effect. Thus, the hair beads or charms may be selected to blend with the users hair, and so remain unobtrusive, or may be selected to contrast with the users hair. Thus, the hair beads or charms provide apparatus for allowing temporary hair extensions. The strands may have a natural colour or other colour or a combination of both, and may vary between examples. The number of strands secured to a hair bead may vary between examples. The strands may be of all the same length or of differing lengths and may vary between examples. The strands may be of all the same thickness or of differing thicknesses and may vary between examples. Different design hair extension hair beads will allow different effects to be achieved. A decorative embellishment may be arranged to extending outwardly in any direction or combination of directions.

It is to be appreciated that the magnetic closure arrangement of the hair extension hair beads allows for hair extensions to be quickly and easily put in and taken out. This allows for a person to conveniently experiment with different looks achievable with hair extensions.

The provision of a magnetic closure arrangement of the hair bead advantageously negates the use for any damaging materials or treatments to be used on the hair.

Figure 11

Figure 11 shows a first hair bead 101 having a decorative embellishment 1102 secured to the tubular component 1 03 thereof. In this example, the decorative embellishment 1102 comprises spirals for encasing the hair.

Figure 11 also shows a second hair bead 1 104 having a decorative embellishment 1105 secured to the tubular component 1 106 thereof. In this example, the decorative embellishment 1 105 comprises chains and gemstones. It is to be appreciated that any type or types of decorative embellishment may be used, for example wires, cords, fibre optics or LED lights.

It is thus to be appreciated that the construction, shape, proportions and appearance of a hair bead embodying the present invention may be selected for the purpose of function and/or decoration.

Hair beads or charms may be designed to appeal to different types of consumer across the genders and ages, for example: from children's to adult versions; from male to female designs. A hair bead or charm as described herein may be designed for decoration and/or hair management and/or to provide hair extensions.

Figure 12

Figure 12 illustrates different hair beads embodying the present invention and different ways to wear a hair bead embodying the present invention.

The present invention thus provides a hair bead comprising a tubular component construction in 2 parts for attachment around a section of hair. The tubular component is held together by magnetic material. The tubular component defines a hollow. A plurality of flexible hair-gripping hooks having differing lengths extend from the internal surfaces of the 2 parts of the tubular component hollow so as to grip hair received between the 2 parts of the tubular component. The hair-gripping hooks of the hair bead prevent the hair bead from slipping along the hair. The hair bead may have any of an unlimited number of design possibilities, and may have hair extension strands and/or decorative embellishment secured to the tubular component thereof.

A hair bead or charm as described herein is easy to attach around the hair and remove from the hair without damaging the hair, yet remain secure whilst worn due to the internal hooks grabbing the hair.

The ease of use and the wide scope for design variation of a hair bead or charm as described herein allows a myriad of opportunities for temporarily adorning the hair; adding length, colour, thickness, decoration and the ability to customise the look.

Claims

1. A hair bead comprising a tubular component configured to receive hair therein, said tubular component comprising a first part and a second part configurable between an open hair-receiving condition and a closed hair-gripping condition and said tubular component provided with a magnetic closure arrangement for releasably holding the first and second tubular component parts together in the closed hair-gripping condition;

said first part and said second part of said tubular component each having an internal surface from which a plurality of hooks having differing lengths extend; whereby said hooks prevent movement of the hair bead in relation to hair received therein.

2. A hair bead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first part and said second part of said tubular component are hinged together at one side.

3. A hair bead as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first part and said second part of said tubular component are configured to present a notch when in said closed hair-gripping condition for facilitating opening of the tubular component from said closed hair-gripping condition.

4. A hair bead as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tubular component has a cross-sectional shape that is one of: a circle, an ellipse.

5. A hair bead as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising hair extension strands secured to said tubular component.

6. A hair bead as claimed in claim 5, wherein said hair extension strands are one of: natural hair strands, synthetic hair strands.

7. A hair bead as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a decorative embellishment secured to said tubular component.

8. A hair bead substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.