Weftlock Hair Extension Fastening System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching hair extensions and fabricating wigs are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often cause fatigue and discomfort due to the use of needles and threads, while also potentially damaging hair and scalp.

Innovation Solution

The use of a weftlock, a narrow band with a locking mechanism and a threading portion, which allows for secure attachment of hair wefts to a cap or natural hair without the need for needles and threads, thereby reducing tension and promoting ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If needle and thread techniques are used to attach hair extensions, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation time increases and physical fatigue occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the needle from the attachment process by using a pre-threaded elastic band that can be inserted through hair without a needle. The threading portion is already prepared with the band, eliminating the time-consuming step of manually threading needles while maintaining secure attachment through the elastic band's tension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic band is designed to be self-threading through the use of a sharpened needle end attached to the band itself. The band serves its own threading function by using its own tapered end to penetrate the hair and cap material, eliminating the need for separate threading tools and reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If needle and thread techniques are used to attach hair extensions, then secure attachment is achieved, but physical fatigue and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidoperator comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the needle from the beautician's hands and replaces it with a blunt-tipped insertion tool or direct hand insertion of the elastic band. This extraction eliminates the repetitive needle handling that causes finger cramps and hand fatigue while maintaining attachment security through the elastic band's mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual needle-thread mechanics with an elastic band tension system. The elastic band's inherent elasticity and tension provide the securing force without requiring the beautician to manually pull and tighten thread, reducing physical strain on the operator's arms and shoulders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If rubber bands are used to collect hair strands, then hair can be gathered efficiently, but hair damage occurs due to aggressive pulling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair gathering efficiencyVSAvoidhair damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the band from rigid rubber to elastic material with controlled tension. The elastic band stretches to accommodate hair strands without aggressive pulling, then maintains gentle tension to hold the sheaf together. This parameter change eliminates hair breakage while preserving gathering efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic band is designed with predetermined tension characteristics that cushion the hair strands during insertion and tightening. The material's elasticity provides a cushioning effect that prevents the aggressive pulling associated with rigid rubber bands, protecting hair shafts from damage while maintaining secure gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Shape

If wigs are worn close to the scalp, then hair fullness is achieved, but scalp ventilation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair fullnessVSAvoidscalp ventilation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hair attachment into multiple discrete elastic band locations rather than a continuous cap. This segmentation creates small ventilation channels between the individual band attachment points, allowing air to reach the scalp while maintaining overall hair fullness and volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic bands create a flexible, non-continuous attachment system that allows the cap material to flex and create ventilation spaces. Unlike rigid caps that press continuously against the scalp, the discrete elastic band attachments allow for air circulation through the gaps between attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12245650B2Weftlock for hair styling and wig assemblies

Publication Date: 2025.03.11 RICHARDSON ASHIA LANAE

AI summary

A hairstyling weftlock is provided which consists of a narrow band having opposing ends consisting of a locking mechanism at one end and a threading portion. Upon threading the threading portion through the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism is able to secure the threading portion at a desired length along the threading portion. The weftlock of the current invention may satisfy a connective function in the fabrication of a wig assembly or may be utilized to sheave strands of hair of a hairstyle client by connecting wefts of hair to other hair, including human hair and hair styled in braids, twists or cornrows and wig assembly cornrows, as well as facilitate the installation of braid extensions.