US20030200982A1

US20030200982A1 - Claw clip hair fastener

Info

Publication number: US20030200982A1
Application number: US10/133,067
Authority: US
Inventors: David Silva
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-26
Filing date: 2002-04-26
Publication date: 2003-10-30
Also published as: US20040255968A1; US7222631B2

Abstract

A multiple clip hair fastener with a plurality of claw clips integrally attached to the next. The clips are fastened to separate sections of hair while each clip remains aligned and integrally attached.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention and method relates to a claw clip hair fastener. More particularly a plurality of claw clips connected to each other in various formations to create a multitude of new hairstyles.

2. Description of Prior Art

Many people like to put their hair up in various styles. One way to put the hair up is to clip a plurality of sections of hair and secure them with individual hair clips. This process is effective and stylish but it is difficult for a non-hairstylist to achieve, especially when trying to keep the clips in alignment. It is also a time consuming process.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an instrument, which is convenient, practical, and inexpensive for use in hair styling.

A further object is to provide an instrument that will keep a plurality of claw clips neatly aligned.

A further object is to provide a single instrument that will keep a plurality of hair sections neatly secure.

A further object is to provide such an instrument that can be used unassisted by the individual styling their hair, eliminating the expense of a professional stylist.

A further object is to provide an instrument that can be reused over and over again.

A further object is to provide an instrument that will quickly hold the user's hair up in a neatly secured style.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a multiple claw clip hair fastener comprising a plurality of claw clips integrally attached and aligned longitudinally. The clips are the “bulldog” type, wherein the gripping arms of the clips bend in a direction away from the clips pivot in a concave since.

According to the arrangement described above a first claw clip is secured to a section of hair. Other sections of hair are then secured to the other remaining claw clips. As you will see below the claw clips can be integrally attached together in different formations allowing the hair sections to be put in the claw clips at different angles while all clips remain attached. Because all the claw clips are integrally attached and aligned with each other, the hair sections remain in conveniently separate sections within a single apparatus while the clips don't move out of alignment.

Accordingly a preferred embodiment is a plurality of spring loaded plastic claw clips integrally attached. The clips are either aligned one after another or are attached in alternating directions. They are connected at their ears or at their edge portion right above the clips teeth. The clips may be snap-locked together, which would make them removably connected or simply attached together permanently. Latches, hinges, or ball and joint could also connect them.

According to another embodiment the claw clips have spacer bands between each clip, connecting each clip to the next. The spacers may or may not be removably connected by latches, hinges, or ball and joint. They can be a strip or continue around to form a circular formation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings: [0016]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the multiple claw-clips attached to each other according to the present invention. [0017]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multiple claw-clips attached to each other according to the present invention. [0018]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the current invention. [0019]
FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the current invention. [0020]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the current invention. [0021]
FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the current invention.[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. There is illustrated the multiple clip fastener embodying the present invention. The multiple clip fastener, generally designated by reference numeral [0023] 1, shows a plurality of integrally attached clips. The clips 10, 11, and 12 have a first claw and handle portion 15 a with teeth 15 b penetrating from claw and handle portion 15 a and a second claw and handle portion 16 a with teeth 16 b penetrating from claw and handle portion 16 a. Each portion 15 a and 16 a has a pair of lugs 17 and 18. The lugs 17 and 18 are aligned with a spring 19 intermediate them and a pin 20 is placed through holes 21 and 22 of lugs 17 and 18. Wherein the first claw and handle portion 15 a is secured to the second claw and handle portion 16 a. Each clip 10, 11, and 12 is integrally attached to the next at 13. Preferably the clip portions 10, 11, and 12 are made of plastic.
In use of the multiple clip fastener [0024] 1 described above, the center clip 11 is clamped to a section of hair by using the clips 10 and 12 as the open and close handles. The first and third clip 10 and 12 are attached to a second and third hair section.
FIG. 3 shows [0025] clips 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 connected with the clips facing alternate directions so hair sections can be grabbed from different sides.
FIG. 4 shows two [0026] clips 40 and 42 attached back to back.
FIG. 5 [0027] shows clips 50, 51, 52, and 53 attached in a circular since.
FIG. 6 shows the [0028] clips 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 with spacer bands 67 between each clip to connect them.
The present invention being thus described, it is obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For instance, the clips can be attached to each other by a ball and socket, hinged, or any other way to integrally attach them. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such variations as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. [0029]

Claims

In the claims:

1. A multiple clip hair fastener comprising:

a plurality of claw clips integrally attached by attaching means to the next; said claw clips comprising: a pair of jaws having a mutual pivotal connection, each of said jaws having an edge portion spaced from said pivotal connection, said edge portion being formed with mutually engaging gripping teeth; said edge portion and said gripping teeth being bent in a concave since in a direction away from said pivotal connection; said clips further comprise spring means which urges said edge portions of said jaws together and said gripping teeth into mutual engagement; said clips further comprise a pair of edge portions disposed on the side of said spring means remote from said claw;

whereby, at least one said edge portions is pressed and said jaws are opened against a force exerted by said spring means such that sections of hair of said human being may be fastened by each clip with said teeth grasping said hair when said jaws are closed and said claw clips remain integrally attached.

2. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 1 wherein said claw clips are removably attached by attaching means.

3. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 1 wherein said claw clips are attached by hinges.

4. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 1 wherein said claw clips are attached by a ball-and-socket joint.

5. A multiple clip hair fastener comprising:

three or more claw clips integrally attached by attaching means to the next by a spacer band between each said claw clips; said claw clips and said spacer bands are aligned longitudinally, said claw clips comprising: a pair of jaws having a mutual pivotal connection, each of said jaws having an edge portion spaced from said pivotal connection, said edge portion being formed with mutually engaging gripping teeth; said edge portion and said gripping teeth being bent in a concave since in a direction away from said pivotal connection; said clips further comprise spring means which urges said edge portions of said jaws together and said gripping teeth into mutual engagement; said clips further comprise a pair of edge portions disposed on the side of said spring means remote from said claw;

whereby, at least one said edge portions is pressed and said jaws are opened against a force exerted by said spring means such that sections of hair of said human being may be fastened by each clip with said teeth grasping said hair when said jaws are closed and said claw clips stay in alignment while holding a plurality of hair sections.

6. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 5 wherein each said spacer bands are removably attached by attaching means.

7. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 5 wherein each said spacer band is attached to each said claw clips by ball-and-socket joint.

8. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 5 wherein each said spacer is attached to each said claw clips by a hinge.

9. The multiple clip hair fastener of claim 5 wherein each said spacer is made of a rigid material.

10. A method of securing and styling hair comprising: selecting a hair fastening band comprising: a plurality of claw clips integrally attached;

clamping each said claw clip to a section of hair until all said claw clips are secured to a section of hair.