Device for holding hair in a bun and method of holding hair in a bun

Abstract

There is provided a device for holding hair in a bun. The device includes a hair stick which has a female segment formed on a top part of the hair pin and includes a band that is also connected to the top part of the hair stick. The band has a free untethered end that terminates in a male segment. There is also provided a method of holding hair in a bun using the device. The method includes forming a ponytail with hair, forming a bun with the hair stick or alternatively without the hair stick and then securing the bun with the hair stick. The method also includes the steps of encircling a base of the hair bun with an band and inserting the male segment end of the band into the female segment of the hair stick in order to secure the hair bun.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 734,849, filed on Dec. 17, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure to the extent such a disclosure is not inconsistent with the disclosure herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of hair care. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the securing of hair buns.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Hair styling has existed for generations. Advancements in tools and products, such as hair straighteners, curling wands, and innovative styling products, have transformed hair styling into an art form. Today, hairstylists often blend traditional techniques with modern trends to create unique looks tailored to individual preferences. Overall, hair styling continues to evolve, reflecting personal expression, cultural influences, and societal changes.

[0004] Long hair styles are popular with people of all ages, particularly with women. Because of the popularity of long hair styles, several devices have been invented for styling long hair. Examples include barrettes, hair ties, combs, and ornamental hair pins.

[0005] Long hair provides women with many styling options and can be very attractive. However, long hair can be a tremendous inconvenience to a woman who is involved in athletics or many recreational activities that involve vigorous movement. More particularly, long, hanging hair retains heat and leads to discomfort and excessive perspiration. Furthermore, many athletic and recreational activities tend to tangle hair and complicate efforts to clean and style the hair at the end of the athletic or recreational activity.

[0006] Athletes or those involved in sports activities often prefer to keep their hair in a tightly formed bun. The bun is very well suited for even the most vigorous activity. However, such people must secure their buns with several hairpins. Proper placement of hairpins is time consuming and cumbersome, particularly since the woman cannot see the precise locations while she is manipulating the pins. Improperly positioned pins may not hold the hair sufficiently tight throughout the course of a vigorous athletic or recreational workout.

[0007] Another method of securing hair in a bun can be with hair sticks. Hair sticks are not just practical tools for hairstyling; they embody cultural heritage and artistry. Whether used for everyday wear or special occasions, they offer a unique way to express personal style while connecting to a rich history

[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need for a solution to at least one of the aforementioned problems. For instance, there is an established need for a means to secure hair in a bun which can keep the hair in position during sports and recreational activities.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention can be directed to a device for holding hair in a bun. The device includes a hair stick which has a female segment formed on a top part of the hair stick. The device also includes a band that is also connected to the top part of the hair stick. The band has a free untethered end that terminates in a male segment. There is also provided a method of holding hair in a bun using the device. The method includes forming a ponytail with hair, and then forming a bun with the hair stick or alternatively forming a bun without the hair stick and then securing the bun with the hair stick. The method also includes the steps of encircling a base of the hair bun with a band and inserting the male segment end of the band into the female segment of the hair stick in order to secure the hair bun.

[0010] Surprisingly, it has been discovered that with the use of the one device described herein a hair bun can be held in position with increased unlikeliness from collapse and without the need for further securing components. Furthermore, the hair bun can be secured quickly and just as quickly removed from the hair bun.

[0011] The term “about” as used herein can entail a variance of 10% greater or lower than the value recited.

[0012] The term “comprising” as used herein also encompasses the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”.

[0013] The expression “hair stick” as used herein can also include hair pins.

[0014] The values of any endpoint(s) of any range(s) recited herein can be used to create different ranges or different endpoints of ranges to those described herein. The endpoints in any of the ranges described herein can also include any integer value in the recited range even if not expressly described. Thus, for example, a range of from 1.0 to 10 can include as alternate range endpoints any integer between 1 and 10, such as, the non-limiting integer examples of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

[0015] In a first implementation of the invention there can be provided a device for holding hair in a bun comprising:

[0016] a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a female segment formed thereon; and

[0017] a band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which terminates in a male segment, and wherein the female segment in the hair stick is configured to receive the male segment of the band.

[0018] In one aspect of the invention, the term “bun” as used herein will be understood to mean its conventional meaning of a tightly wound coil of hair that forms a somewhat spherical shape.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can be a rigid hair stick, i.e., not bendable without breaking.

[0020] In yet another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can have any suitable cross section such as, but not limited to circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, and octagonal.

[0021] In yet even another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can be curvilinear, e.g., it can be a spiraling form that has a braided form shape.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can be from about 6 inches long to about 12 inches long, preferably from about 6 to about 10 inches long.

[0023] In yet another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can have a thickness or diameter of from about ⅛ of an inch to about ⅓ of an inch.

[0024] In yet one other aspect of the invention, the hair stick can taper from the top portion of the hair stick to a lower portion of the stick, preferably the hair stick tapers from the top end to the bottom end of the hair stick.

[0025] In yet even one other aspect of the invention, the female segment on the top portion can be any form that can receive and retain the male segment of the band. Preferably the female segment crowns the top portion of the hair stick.

[0026] In yet still one other aspect of the invention, the female segment can comprise a pocket having a U- or V-shaped indent therefrom which pocket can hold a corresponding male segment such as a ball male segment and the U- or V-shaped indent can include a slot that permits the band to pass therethrough. The pocket can comprise a circular depression such as a bowl-shaped area and the U- or V-shaped indent can extend out from the edge of the bowl and include a slot to permit the band to pass therethrough while the male ball segment sits in the lower located bowl-shaped area. The female segment is configured to lock the male segment therein when placed therein.

[0027] In yet still even another aspect of the invention, the female segment can comprise any other female type segment such as the non-limiting examples of bowls, sockets, slots, prong holes, female threading, and the like. Preferably the female length or diameter of the female segment can be from about ¼ of an inch to about 1 inch.

[0028] In another aspect of the invention, the band can comprise any one of an elastic band covered in cloth, a spring, a chain, and the like. Preferably the band is an elastic band with cloth covering it that has elasticity such that it can retain the base of the bun in place when it is wrapped therearound as described herein.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention the first end of the band can be connected to the top portion of the hair stick by any suitable manner. Preferably the hair stick has a hole passing through the thickness of the hair stick at a position immediately beneath (e.g., about ¼ of an inch to 1 inch beneath) the female segment on the top portion thereof. The band's first end can be attached to the hair stick by passing through the hole in the hair stick and then being knotted on the other side such that the knot is larger than the hole and prevents the band from being pulled out of the hole. Alternatively, the first end of the cord can have larger metal fitting attached to the cord after it passes through the hole, e.g., a washer or a rivet which is larger than the hole and thus, again connects the first end of the band to the top portion of the stick.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, the first end of the band can be tied in a knot around a base of the female segment to tether the first end of the band to the hair stick.

[0031] In yet another aspect of the invention, the hair stick can have the hole passing therethrough the thickness of the stick mentioned above, and the first end of the elastic band can be adhered with adhesive inside the hole.

[0032] In yet another aspect the band can have a length in an unstretched condition of from about 4 inches to about 8 inches.

[0033] In another aspect of the invention, the male segment can be any commercially available or conventionally known male segment, such as, but not limited to a ball, a post, prongs, male threading, and the like. The male segment can be of any suitable size that complements the female segment into which it is received. Preferably the male segment may have a length or diameter of from about ¼ of an inch up to about 1 inch.

[0034] In a second implementation of the invention there can be provided herein a method of holding hair in a bun comprising:

[0035] providing a device for holding hair in a bun comprising:

[0036] a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a female segment formed thereon; and

[0037] a band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which terminates in a male segment, and wherein the female segment in the hair stick is configured to receive the male segment of the band;

[0038] pulling hair into a ponytail;

[0039] coiling the ponytail into a hair bun;

[0040] inserting the hair stick into the hair bun to secure the hair bun;

[0041] encircling a base of the hair bun with the band;

[0042] inserting the male segment of the band into the female segment of the hair stick.

[0043] In one aspect of the invention, the hair may be pulled into a ponytail with one or both hands behind the head.

[0044] In yet another aspect of the invention, the step of coiling the ponytail into a hair bun can comprise coiling the ponytail lengthwise to create coils in the ponytail and then, while holding the base of the ponytail, wrapping the coiled ponytail in a circumferential direction around the base of the ponytail to provide a hair bun.

[0045] In another aspect of the invention, the step of inserting the hair stick into the hair bun to secure the hair bun can comprise inserting the hair stick so that it passes through at least two or more of the coils of the ponytail which has been put into the bun and thus secures the bun from becoming unraveled. Preferably the hair stick is inserted such that it passes through the entire hair bun.

[0046] In yet another aspect of the invention, the step of encircling a base of the hair bun with the band can comprise pulling the band tight in at least one circle around the base of the hair bun, i.e., wherein the base of the ponytail was formed. In a preferable embodiment, the band can be encircled twice or three times to further secure the base of the hair bun.

[0047] In yet still another aspect of the invention, the step of inserting the male segment of the band into the female segment of the hair stick can be done by pulling the elastic band tight around the bun and extending the male segment, e.g., a ball such that it passes through the U-shaped or V-shaped indent and the slot of the female segment, e.g., the bowl, and then can be inserted into and locked into the bowl.

[0048] In a third implementation of the invention there can be provided herein an alternative method of holding hair in a bun comprising;

[0049] providing a device for holding hair in a bun comprising:

[0050] a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a female segment formed thereon; and

[0051] a band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which terminates in a male segment, and wherein the female segment in the hair stick is configured to receive the male segment of the band;

[0052] pulling hair into a ponytail;

[0053] coiling the ponytail with the hair stick to form a hair bun;

[0054] encircling a base of the hair bun with the band;

[0055] inserting the male segment of the band into the female segment of the hair stick.

[0056] The step herein of coiling the ponytail with the hair stick to form a hair bun comprises creating a coil of the ponytail hair by coiling the ponytail, and then coiling the coil of ponytail hair around the hair stick while also simultaneously twisting it circumferentially into a bun.

[0057] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for holding hair in a bun of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of holding hair in a bun of FIG. 1 from a different side;

[0061] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a first method which starts with the step of providing a device for holding hair in a bun, pulling the hair into a ponytail, and coiling the ponytail and preparing to coil the coil of ponytail hair around the device for holding hair in a bun;

[0062] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the first method and the step of coiling the coil of ponytail hair around the device;

[0063] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the first method and the step of forming the bun;

[0064] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the first method and the step of encircling a base of the hair bun with the band;

[0065] FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the first method and the final step of inserting the male segment, i.e., the ball, of the band into the female segment of the hair bun.

[0066] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second method and the second step of that method of pulling the hair into a ponytail and coiling the ponytail into a coil and preparing to coil the coil of ponytail into a hair bun;

[0067] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the second method and the step of coiling the ponytail into a hair bun;

[0068] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the second method and the step of inserting the hair stick into the hair bun to secure the hair bun;

[0069] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the second method and the step of encircling a base of the hair bun with the band; and,

[0070] FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the second method and the final step of inserting the male segment of the band into the female segment of the hair stick.

[0071] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0073] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided a device 100 for holding hair in a bun comprising a hair stick 102 having a top portion 104 and an opposing lower portion 106, the top portion 104 having a female segment 108 formed thereon. The device 100 also includes a band 110 having a first end 112 that is connected to the top portion 104 of the hair stick 102 and an opposing untethered second end 114 which terminates in a male segment 116, and wherein the female segment 108 in the hair stick 102 is configured to receive the male segment 116 of the band 110.

[0074] In yet even another aspect of the invention, the hair stick 102 can be curvilinear, e.g., it can be a spiraling form that has a braided form shape such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0075] In yet one other aspect of the invention, the hair stick 102 can taper from the top portion 104 of the hair stick 102 to a lower portion 106 of the hair stick 102, preferably the hair stick 102 tapers from the top end 118 to the bottom 120 of the hair stick 102. Preferably the female segment 108 crowns the top end 118 of the hair stick 102.

[0076] In yet still one other aspect of the invention, the female segment 108 can comprise a pocket 122 having a U-shaped indent or slot 124 therein which pocket 122 can hold a corresponding male segment 116 such as the ball male segment 116 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the U-shaped indent or slot 124 can permit the band 110 to pass therethrough and prevent ball segment 116 from being pulled out of the pocket 122 which results in the ball 116 being locked in the pocket 122. The pocket 122 can comprise a circular depression such as a bowl-shaped area and the U-shaped indent or slot 124 can be indented from the edge 121 of the pocket 122 to permit the band 110 to pass therethrough while the male ball segment 116 sits in the pocket 122. Preferably the band 110 enters the pocket 122 from the side 123 opposite the pocket 122 so that the ball 116 slides into the pocket 122 and the band 110 passes through the indent or slot 124 so that when the cord 110 is pulled from the side 123, the ball 116 is locked in the pocket 122 and the wall of the pocket 122 prevents the ball 116 from escaping the pocket 122.

[0077] In another aspect of the invention, the first end 112 of the band 110 can be connected to the top portion 104 of the hair stick 102 by passing through a hole 126 in the top portion 104 of the hair stick 102 at a position immediately beneath (see FIGS. 1 and 2) the female segment 108. The band's first end 112 can be attached to the hair stick 102 by passing through the hole 126 in the hair stick 102 and then being knotted on the other side (not shown) such that the knot is larger than the hole and prevents the band 110 from being pulled out of the hole 126. Alternatively, the first end of the cord 112 can have larger metal fitting (not shown) attached to the cord 110 after it passes through the hole 126, e.g., a rivet 128 which is larger than the hole 126 and thus, again connects the first end of the band 112 to the top portion 104 of the stick 102.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E there can be provided herein a method of holding hair in a bun comprising providing the device 100 for holding hair 127 in a bun 132, as described herein; pulling hair 127 into a ponytail; optionally coiling the ponytail into a twisted braid (see twisted braid 131 in ponytail 130 formed by coiling in direction 129 in FIG. 4A); coiling the ponytail into a hair bun 132 by coiling the ponytail 130 in FIG. 4A in the direction of the arrow B to form the hair bun 132 shown in FIG. 4B; inserting the hair stick 102 into the hair bun 132 in the direction of the arrow C (FIG. 4C) to secure the hair bun 132 see arrow shown in FIG. 4C; encircling a base 134 of the hair bun 132 with the band 110 (see FIG. 4D); inserting the male segment 116 of the band 110 into the female segment 108 of the hair stick from the side 121 and into the pocket 122, as shown in FIG. 4E to lock the male segment 116 into the female segment 108.

[0079] In yet another aspect of the invention, the step of encircling a base 134 of the hair bun 132 with the band 110 can comprise pulling the band 110 tight in at least one circle (see direction of arrow D in FIG. 4D) around the base 134 of the hair bun 132.

[0080] In yet still another aspect of the invention, the step of inserting the male segment 116 of the band 110 into the female segment 108 of the hair stick 102 can be done by pulling the elastic band 110 tight around the bun 132 and extending the male segment, e.g., a ball 116 such that it passes through the U-shaped or V-shaped indent or slot 124 of the female segment 108 and then can be inserted into and locked into the bowl 122. The pulling of the elastic band 110 on the ball 116 causes the ball 116 to become locked into the bowl 122.

[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E there can be provided herein an alternative method of holding hair in a bun comprising; providing a device 100 for holding hair in a bun 132 as described herein; pulling hair into a ponytail 132; optionally coiling 129 the ponytail 130 into a twisted braid (see twisted braid 131 in ponytail 130 formed by coiling in direction 129 in FIG. 3A); coiling the ponytail 130 with the hair stick 102 in the direction of the arrows 3B (see FIG. 3B) to form a hair bun 132 as shown in FIG. 3C; then optionally pushing the hair stick 102 all the way into the hair bun 132 in the direction of the arrows 3C shown in FIG. 3C, encircling a base 134 of the hair bun 132 with the band 110 as shown by arrow 3D in FIG. 3D; inserting the male segment 116 of the band 110 into the female segment 108 of the hair stick 102 as shown by arrow 3E in FIG. 3E. The step herein of coiling the ponytail 130 with the hair stick 102 to form a hair bun 132 comprises creating a coil (braided twist 131) of the ponytail hair 127 by coiling the ponytail 130 (see FIG. 3A), and then coiling the coil 131 of ponytail hair 127 around the hair stick 132 while also simultaneously twisting it circumferentially (see arrow directions 3B in FIG. 3B) into a bun 132. The pulling of the elastic band 110 on the ball 116 causes the ball 116 to become locked into the bowl 122.

[0082] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for holding hair in a bun comprising:a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a pocket formed thereon, wherein the pocket includes a bowl-shaped area and a slot located on a portion of the bowl-shaped area; anda band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which is connected to a ball, and wherein the pocket is configured to receive the ball and the slot is configured to receive a portion of the band.

2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a hole located in the top portion of the hair stick, wherein the hole is configured to retain the first end of the band.

3. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the band further comprises:an elastic band.

4. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a curvilinear, spiraling hair stick.

5. A method of holding hair in a bun comprising:providing a device for holding hair in a bun comprising;a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a pocket formed thereon, wherein the pocket includes a bowl-shaped area and a slot located on a portion of the bowl-shaped area, anda band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which is connected to a ball, and wherein the pocket is configured to receive the ball and the slot is configured to receive a portion of the band;pulling hair into a ponytail;coiling the ponytail into a hair bun;inserting the hair stick into the hair bun to secure the hair bun;encircling a base of the hair bun with the band;inserting the ball and the band into the pocket; andlocking the ball within the pocket in order to retain the device in the hair bun.

6. The method, according to claim 5, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a hole located in the top portion of the hair stick, wherein the hole is configured to retain the first end of the band.

7. The method, according to claim 5, wherein the band further comprises:an elastic band.

8. The method, according to claim 5, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a curvilinear, spiraling hair stick.

9. A method of holding hair in a bun comprising:providing a device for holding hair in a bun comprising;a hair stick having a top portion and an opposing lower portion, the top portion having a pocket formed thereon, wherein the pocket includes a bowl-shaped area and a slot located on a portion of the bowl-shaped area, anda band having a first end that is connected to the top portion of the hair stick and an opposing untethered second end which is connected to a ball, and wherein the pocket is configured to receive the ball and the slot is configured to receive a portion of the band;pulling hair into a ponytail;coiling the ponytail around the hair stick to form a hair bun;encircling a base of the hair bun with the band;inserting the ball and the band into the pocket; andlocking the ball within the pocket in order to retain the device in the hair bun.

10. The method, according to claim 9, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a hole located in the top portion of the hair stick, wherein the hole is configured to retain the first end of the band.

11. The method, according to claim 9, wherein the band further comprises:an elastic band.

12. The method, according to claim 9, wherein the hair stick further comprises:a curvilinear, spiraling hair stick.

Images