WO2002035962A1

WO2002035962A1 - Hair clip

Info

Publication number: WO2002035962A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/004214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laura Virginia West; Norman Charles Cornelius West
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-03
Filing date: 2000-11-03
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2003-05-03
Also published as: AU2001211582A1; GB2385522A; CA2377219A1; GB0311952D0; US20020092539A1; GB2385522B

Abstract

A hair clip (1) for hair dressing and hair fashion comprises a plurality of discrete fingers (10,11,12), each having a first end and a second end, and a tensioning means; wherein the fingers lie adjacent each other in a single plane; each finger is linked to an adjacent finger by a hinge which enables the first end of the fingers to be opened or closed with respect to each other; and the tensioning means biases the first end of the fingers in a closed position.

Description

HAIR CLIP

The present invention relates to hair dressing and hair fashion. In particular the invention relates- to a hair clip which comprises a plurality of fingers.

Within the context of this specification the word "comprises" is taken to mean "includes, among other things". It is not intended to be construed as "consists of only".

Historically, hair grips and clips have been available in many different forms, ranging from a simple length of shaped spring wire bent double to clips consisting of two parts held closed by spring action. When placed in the hair the known hair clips are suitable for holding the hair in a certain configuration. However, in general they suffer from the problem that they are not capable of holding a plurality of strands or bunches of hair and they are only capable of holding hair over a narrow distance on the head.

Furthermore, the known hair clips suffer from the problems that they are not able to grip hair propping it up and promoting it to stand away from the head adjacent the roots of the hair while allowing the loose ends of the hair to fall naturally.

Therefore, a need exists for a new hair clip which addresses the problems associated with known hair clips; which can be used to hold a person's hair over a wider distance than known hair clips; and which holds the hair propped up away from the head adjacent the scalp allowing the ends of the hair to fall freely; and which provides an attractive alternative to known hair clips.

The present invention addresses the problems set out above. Remarkably, it has now been found that a clip having a plurality of fingers adjacent each other and which are tensioned to grip hair between the fingers is more likely to hold more than one bunch of hair; more likely to be able to hold the hair over a wide distance across the head; and more likely to hold the hair away from the head adjacent the roots of the hair. The design of a new clip has resulted from a desire to hold not one, but many separate strands of hair over a wider distance across the head than is possible with normal known clips, and to encourage the hair to stand away from the head before falling down naturally.

Accordingly the present invention provides a hair clip which comprises a plurality of fingers, each having a first end and a second end, and a tensioning means; wherein the fingers lie adjacent each other side by side in a single plane; each finger is linked to an adjacent finger by a hinge which enables the first end of the fingers to be opened or closed with respect to each other; and the tensioning means biases the first end of the fingers in a closed position.

Advantageously, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention mimics the action of a hand running through the hair, gripping the hair between the fingers and holding the hair in the form of shower or spray away from the scalp.

Preferably, a hinge links each finger to its adjacent finger on each side.

Preferably, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention has fingers linked together side by side, by an interlocking key and slot arrangement to form a multiple fingered clip.

Advantageously, the key and slot arrangement ensures that the fingers, when assembled, neither rotate nor slide in any direction relative to each other, ie. the fingers are inhibited from moving relative to each other in any direction except the desired scissor type movement.

Preferably, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention has fingers that are held together by a tensioning means comprising a tension spring having two ends. More preferably, the tension spring is anchored at both of its ends to the outermost fingers . Most preferably , the spring is positioned through a tunnel formed of adjacent openings defined in intermediate fingers between the outermost fingers. Therefore, the tension spring preferably passes through each intermediate finger.

Preferably, in an alternative embodiment, the tensioning means comprises a length of elastic material. For example, a rubber band. Alternatively, the tensioning means includes a rubber bungee inserted through the intermediate fingers and secured at the ends of the bungee to the outermost fingers or a stout rubber band or other elastic device positioned around the outside of all the fingers just forward of a pivot point. Preferably, a recessed slot on the underside of an embodiment of the clip reduces the chance of hair getting caught up in the rubber band.

These tensioning means provide the advantage of allowing a user to assemble the hair clip themselves in various configurations comprising a varying number and/or colour of fingers and the tensioning means could easily be replaced if snapped.

Preferably, a tension spring is positioned through a hole (tunnel) in each intermediate finger and secured at the ends of the spring to the outermost fingers. Preferably, the spring is coated in plastics, or enclosed in a tube, preferably a plastics tube. In addition, preferably gaps where the spring is exposed are minimised by optimising the spring design.

Advantageously, this minimises the chance of hair getting tangled in the spring wire when the spring is extended.

Preferably, the centre of the tunnel through which the spring passes is just a little forward of the hinge pivot. Preferably, the spring has a small outside diameter, more preferably 5mm or less, and it provides adequate but not excessive tension with little stretch. Advantageously, a low stretch spring minimises the chance of hair being caught in coils of the spring when the spring is stretched and thereby exposed. The spring ends are preferably of the open hook type.

The end of the tensioning means may be anchored by a peg, which is positioned for example, inside a recess in each outside finger. Preferably the peg is of a size that accommodates a hook at the end of the tensioning means and the recess allows the hook to pass behind the peg before being anchored to the peg. Preferably, the peg is inserted through the eye of a tensioning means, eg. a spring, during assembly of the hair clip.

Alternatively, the end of the tensioning means may be anchored by a disk. For example, the disk is positioned inside a recess in each outermost finger. Preferably, a slot through the disk extends radially to the disc, through the longitudinal axis of the disk and has an end just beyond the longitudinal axis of the disk. Preferably a spring wire tensioning means is anchored by the disk and the slot has a sufficient width to receive the diameter of the spring wire. Preferably, a channel through the disk parallel to the longitudinal axis of the disk is positioned between the end of the slot and the edge of the disk. Preferably, the diameter of the channel is sufficient to accommodate a spring wire. In use, a hook formed in the spring wire is looped through the slot and the channel, and the end of the spring wire is positioned adjacent the channel. Preferably, the disk is manufactured of a metal material, for example steel, which provides the advantage that it can be machined without difficulty.

In a preferred embodiment, a tensioning means is incorporated into each key such that when the key is inserted into a slot, an attempt to open the fingers of the hair clip meets resistance and a tendency to return the fingers of the hair clip to the closed position.

An alternative tensioning arrangement comprises a leaf or torsion spring positioned between a pair of fingers, adjacent a hinge between the fingers, between the hinge and the second end of the fingers. A pivot rod is secured through a pivot provided by the hinge and prevents the fingers from separating.

Advantageously, the tensioning means causes the fingers to close and grip firmly whatever is positioned between the fingers, eg. strands of hair.

Preferably, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention has fingers wherein the overall shape of each finger is such that at least one surface of the assembled clip accords to a section of the outside surface of a sphere approximating the dimensions of an adult human cranium. More preferably, the lower surface of the assembled clip conforms to a section of the surface of a sphere of dimensions approximating the size of a human cranium . Preferably the sphere has a diameter of about 250mm to about 350mm, more preferably about 300mm. Tests have shown that if the hair clip has a flat base, it does not sit well on the head. Therefore, an embodiment of a hair clip has a spheroid under surface, that enables the clip to sit snugly against the scalp. Preferably the spheroid has a diameter of 300mm, being roughly the size of an adult human head. Preferably the base of each individual fmger between each of its ends is curved and lies on the surface of the spheroid and the base of each finger between each of its sides is curved and lies on the surface of the spheroid. Preferably the sides of each finger extend radially from the circumference of a spheroid of diameter 300mm. Advantageously, this enables each fmger, when placed next to an adjacent fmger to lie on the surface of a 300mm diameter spheroid. If enough fingers are used, they could, in theory, form a complete annulus, however preferably the clip comprises up to about twelve fingers. This provides a hair clip which is probably as wide as is practical.

Preferably, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention has fingers having sides which comprise a plurality of projections. Preferably the side surfaces comprise a plurality of interlocking projections and/or indents. Preferably, there are at least two projections and/or indents on each fmger, more preferably there are at least three. The projections and/or indents provide the advantage that they grip hair. It will be appreciated that the projections could be of any cross section. For example, the projections could comprise mounds or cylinders of circular, eliptical, triangular, rectangular, square or other polygon cross section. In a preferred embodiment the indents are defined by openings which are shaped to receive a corresponding projection.

In an alternative embodiment, the projections and/or indents are provided by undulations in the side surfaces of each fmger. Preferably, the undulations extend between the first end and the second end of at least one fmger. Alternatively, or in addition, the undulations extend between the top and the base of at least one finger. More preferably, the undulations are provided on the side surfaces of at least the intermediate fingers. Most preferably, the undulations are provided in the side surfaces of each finger where the fingers are capable of gripping hair.

Preferably, an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention has fingers wherein at least the outermost fingers comprise handles adjacent the second end of the fingers. Preferably, the handles are positioned at the second end of at least the outermost fingers. More preferably, they are at the end of each finger.

Preferably, when an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention is in use, the handles are the only part of the clip that is visible and the remainder of the clip is obscured by hair.

Preferably, the handles are removable or detachable. Advantageously, this allows the hair clip to be personalised by, for example providing handles having various colours on their surface and/or a set of handles having alpha numeric characters on their surface. The characters could be used, for example, to spell a name.

The overall dimensions of each fmger must be appropriate so that the assembled clip is not cumbersome. If the widest part of each finger is too narrow the taper to each handle is reduced, thus reducing the amount that the space between adjacent fingers can be opened.

It will be appreciated that the taper from the greatest width of the fingers to the handles is in direct proportion to the distance that the finger tips open with respect to each other. Therefore, the shape and size of the handles must be appropriate. If the end of each handle is too big the fingers do not open sufficiently. In contrast, if the end of each handle is too small, depending on the material used in the manufacture, the handle might not have sufficient strength to overcome the tension provided by the tensioning means.

Preferably, the fingers of an embodiment of a hair clip according to the invention have a certain minimum depth of at least about 5mm at their deepest, more preferably about 13mm, and the depth tapers towards both ends. It is the side surface of each finger that grips hair, therefore the depth must be optimised to provide the greatest grip. In addition, if the depth is too small it does not provide sufficient size for construction of a tunnel through each finger for the tensioning means or an outer key /plug recess.

Preferably, the handles are as short as possible, preferably less than 20mm, more preferably less than 10mm, and commensurate with having sufficient leverage to overcome the tension provided by the tensioning means. It will be appreciated that this does not rule out the possibility of an alternative embodiment wherein the handles are extended for mechanical or decorative purposes.

A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :-

Figure 1 shows a clip in perspective having fingers in a closed position.

Figure 2 shows a clip in perspective having fingers in an open position.

Figure 3 shows an individual finger of a clip in perspective showing a key side.

Figure 4 shows an individual finger of a clip in perspective showing a slot side. Figure 5 shows an individual finger of a clip in plan view.

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, an embodiment of an assembled hair clip (1) comprises a plurality of discrete fingers including a first outermost finger ( 10) , a number of intermediate fingers (11) and a second outermost finger

(12) held in a closed position by a tensioning means. In use, the fingers can be opened with respect to each other as shown in Figure 2 by squeezing together the detachable finger handles (14, 15) and the fingers close under the action of a tensioning means.

It will be appreciated that the hair clip could be manufactured in a variety of alternative sizes to suit various age groups, hair types, hair, styles etc.

The hair clip (1) comprises a number of individual fingers the tips of which open relative to each other, and when closed grip material, eg. hair, between the fingers firmly.

A key (16) comprising a semi circular cylinder is provided on the side of intermediate fingers (11) and outermost fmger (12) which fits into a slot (17) defined by a semi circular cylindrical cavity in the opposite side of intermediate fingers (11) and outermost fmger (10). The key (16) and slot (17) together provide a hinge and assist in preventing movement in certain directions of the fingers relative to each other. Referring to figures 3 and 4, the individual fingers are assembled by pushing a key (16) of a first finger into a slot (17) of a second fmger ensuring that the tips (2) of each finger are adjacent to each other.

Referring to figure 5, the sides of each finger taper in a direction towards the tip

(2) of the finger and in a direction away from the tip (2) of the finger. A hinge is formed with adjacent fingers because the key and/or slot is/are positioned adjacent the side of a finger where the sides are at their maximum distance from each other, ie. this is where each finger has a maximum width. Preferably, each key and/or slot has a curved side and the point at which each finger has a maximum width lies on or adjacent the centre of curvature. Thus each finger is free to rotate about a pivot point 18.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hair clip which comprises a plurality of fingers, each having a first end and a second end, and a tensioning means; wherein the fingers lie adjacent each other side by side in a single plane; each finger is linked to an adjacent fmger by a hinge which enables the first end of the fingers to be opened or closed with respect to each other; and the tensioning means biases the first end of the fingers in a closed position.

2. A hair clip according to claim 1 which comprises two outermost fingers and intermediate fingers between the outermost fingers wherein a hinge links each intermediate finger to an adjacent finger on each side.

3. A hair clip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the fingers linked together, side by side, by an interlocking key and slot arrangement.

4. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is selected from the group which comprises a tension spring, a length of elastic material, a rubber band and a rubber bungee.

5. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is anchored to the outermost fingers.

6.. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is positioned through a tunnel formed of adjacent openings defined in the intermediate fingers.

7. A hair clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the tensioning means is positioned around the outside of all the fingers.

8. A hair clip according to claim 7 wherein the tensioning means is positioned in a recessed slot on the underside of each finger.

9. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is coated or enclosed in a tube.

10. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is positioned between the hinge and the first end of the fingers.

11. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the tensioning means is anchored by a peg or disk inside a recess in each outermost fmger.

12. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the fingers have, a shape such that at least one surface of the assembled clip accords to, a section of the outside surface of a sphere approximating the dimensions of an adult human cranium.

13. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein the fingers have sides which comprise a plurality of interlocking projections and/or indents.

14. A hair clip according to claim 13 wherein there are at least two projections and/or indents on each fmger.

15. A hair clip according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the indents are openings shaped to receive a corresponding projection in the opposing side surface of an adjacent fmger or the projections and/or indents are provided by undulations in the opposing side surfaces of each fmger.

16. A hair clip according to any preceding claim wherein at least the outermost fingers comprise handles adjacent the second end of the fingers.

17. A hair clip according to claim 16 wherein the handles are positioned at the second end of at least the outermost fingers.

18. A hair clip according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the handles are positioned at the end of each fmger.

19. A hair clip according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the handles are removable or detachable.

0 . A hair clip according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the handles have various colours on their surface and/or alpha numeric characters on their surface.