WO2011073611A1

WO2011073611A1 - Swimming headwear for long hair

Info

Publication number: WO2011073611A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/002253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gladys Asogbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-18
Filing date: 2010-12-13
Publication date: 2011-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-18
Also published as: GB201212781D0; GB2476290A; GB0922136D0; GB2488744A

Abstract

A triangular flexible sheet suitable for forming swimming headwear for users having long hair is disclosed. The sheet has a high friction surface, which means it may be tied around a user's head and hair, and remain stably in place until untied. To further enhance stability, the sheet has a non- wettable surface, which means that it is not lubricated by contact with water and friction between tied surfaces is not reduced. The sheet is waterproof and comprises a durable material, and preferably comprises silicone rubber. A method for tying the sheet around a user's head and hair prior to swimming is also disclosed.

Description

Patent Application of

Gladys Asogbon

for

Swimming headwear for long hair

Field of Invention

This invention relates to swimming headwear, in particular to swimming headwear for people having long hair.

Background of the Invention

People having long hair who do not wish their hair to become wet whilst swimming have to try and push their hair into a swimming cap. Typically a swimming cap is chosen that is a little oversize, which is likely not to remain in place during swimming.

The same is true for those having long hair, who, for matters relating to faith, do not wish for their hair to be exposed to public view. Disclosure of Invention

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a swimming headwear able to accommodate long hair and remain stably in place on the swimmer's head. The headwear is formed from a triangular flexible sheet that has a high friction surface, which means it may be tied around a user' s head and hair and remain stably in place until untied. To further enhance stability, the sheet has a non-wettable surface, which means that it is not lubricated by contact with water and friction between tied surfaces is not reduced. The sheet is waterproof and comprises a durable material, and preferably comprises silicone rubber.

A method for tying the sheet around a user's head and hair prior to swimming is also disclosed. The sheet is placed over the head that the long edge is across the brow of the swimmer, the opposite corner is at the back of the head, and the left and right corners hang over the side of the head. These corners are then crossed and tied to form a simple knot at the base of the back of the head. This knot is pulled tight to keep the headwear firmly in position around the head. The corner opposite the long edge now hangs down forming a tail, and is tucked under the knot to form a loose sac or bun for the hair. Each of the loose ends is wrapped around the loose bun, keeping the headwear smooth and tight over the head. The end is tucked securely into the bun to prevent it from becoming loose or untying.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a more complete explanation of the present invention and the technical advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a sheet to form swimming headwear of the present invention; and

Figure 2 shows a method for tying the sheet to form protection for the head and hair while swimming.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention and their technical advantages may be better understood by referring to Figures 1 and 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, which shows swimming headwear of the present invention comprising a triangular sheet (100) of waterproof material having a long edge (102) and two shorter edges (104) of equal length. The angle (106) opposite the long edge is preferably a right angle. The material is a flexible sheet having a high friction surface. This kind of surface makes it possible to tie the triangular piece of material around the head and hair so that it remains stably in place on the head until untied. It is also important that the surface of the material is non-wettable by water, which means that the surface is not lubricated by contact with water thereby reducing friction between tied surfaces . Preferably the material is silicone rubber, which is durable and waterproof, as well as having a tactile, high friction surface.

Referring now to Figure 2, which shows a method for tying the material to form protection for the head and hair while swimming, in a first step, the material is placed over the head (202) of the person so that the long edge is across the brow of the swimmer, and the opposite corner is at the back of the head. The left and right (204) corners will hang over the side of the head as shown .

In a second step the left and right corners are crossed and tied to form a simple knot at the base of the back of the head. This knot is pulled tight to keep the headwear firmly in position around the head. The corner opposite the long edge now hangs down forming a tail. In a third step the tail is tucked under the knot formed in step 2 and pushed under to form a loose sac or bun (206) for the hair.

In a fourth step one of the loose ends is wrapped around the loose bun, keeping the headwear smooth and tight over the head. The end is tucked securely into the bun to prevent it from becoming loose or untying.

In a fifth step, the other loose end is wrapped around the loose bun, keeping the headwear smooth and tight over the head. The end is tucked securely into the bun to prevent it from becoming loose or untying.

Claims

A triangular flexible sheet (100) suitable for forming swimming headwear for users having long hair, said sheet having a long edge (102) and two shorter edges (104) of equal length, characterised by said sheet having a high friction surface, whereby it may be tied around a users head and hair so that it remains stably in place on the head until untied, further characterised by said sheet having a surface that is not wettable by water, whereby said surface is not lubricated by contact with water and friction between tied surfaces is not reduced.

The triangular flexible sheet of claim 1 comprising a waterproof material .

The triangular flexible sheet of claims 1 or 2 comprising a durable material .

The triangular flexible sheet of the preceding claims comprising silicone rubber.

The triangular flexible sheet of the preceding claims in which an angle (106) opposite said long edge is a right angle.

Λ method of tying a triangular flexible sheet (100) to form swimming headwear for users having long hair comprising the steps:

(a) providing a sheet having a long edge (102) and two shorter edges (104) of equal length;

(b) placing said sheet over a head (202) of a user so that said long edge is across a brow of said user; an opposite corner (106) is at the back of said head; and left and right (204) corners hang over the side of said head forming loose ends;

(c) crossing said left and right corners and tying them to form a

simple knot at the base of the back of said head, leaving said opposite corner hanging down and forming a tail;

(d) pulling said knot so that it is sufficiently tight to keep said headwear firmly in position around said head;

(e) tucking said tail under said knot and forming form a loose bun

(206) for said user's hair;

(f) wrapping one of said loose ends around said loose bun, keeping said headwear smooth and tight over said head, and tucking said end securely into said bun preventing it from becoming loose or untying; and

(g) wrapping the other of said loose ends around said loose bun,

keeping said headwear smooth and tight over said head, and tucking said end securely into said bun preventing it from becoming loose or untying; characterised by said sheet having a high friction surface, whereby it may be tied around the head and hair so that it remains stably in place on the head until untied, further characterised by said sheet having a surface that is not wettable by water, whereby said surface is not lubricated by contact with water and friction between tied surfaces is not reduced.

The method of claim 6 in which said triangular flexible sheet comprises a waterproof material.

The method of claims 6 or 7 in which said triangular flexible sheet comprises a durable material .

The method of claims 6 to 8 in which said triangular flexible sheet comprises silicone rubber.

The method of claims 6 to 9 in which an angle (106) opposite said long edge is a right angle.