TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods for hair ties, especially elastic hair ties.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical hair ties for holding a bundle of a user’s hair in a desired conformation, such as a ponytail, are single elastic loops that are repeatedly twisted around the bundled hair. In use, a user must repeatedly pass at least a portion of the bundle through the loop each time it is twisted, which requires manipulation by both hands and can be awkward. Rigid clips that lock into place around the bundle of hair can avoid this repeated insertion but lack the resilience of an elastic loop and are not suitable for many uses.

[0003] A hair tie made from a pliable material that was easier to use, inexpensive and attractive would be an improvement in the art.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure includes apparatus, systems and methods related to hair tires. In a first illustrative embodiment, a securing apparatus, such as a hair tie, has a middle section formed as an elongated pliable member, such as a cord or ribbon. At a first end, a fastener body is attached to the elongated pliable member. The fastener body is larger than the width of the pliable member and may have a larger diameter at a midpoint with relatively narrower ends on an axis orthogonal to the pliable member. At a second end, two connection loops may be disposed. The two connection loops may be joined at a midpoint to which the pliable member is attached and may be formed from the same material as the pliable member.

[0005] In use, the fastener body may be passed through one of the two connection loops to configure the pliable member as a relatively large loop. This relatively large loop may be tightened, by drawing the pliable member further through the loop, until it is drawn tight on material to be retained therein, such as a bundle of hair. The pliable member may then be wrapped around the material to be retained therein, until the material is secured, and the fastener body is adjacent the connection loops. The fastener body may then be passed through the second connection loop to be retained therein, with the material secured by the tie. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The nature of the present disclosure, as well as other embodiments of the present invention, may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, to the appended claims, and to the several drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1A is a top side view of a first embodiment of a wrapping tie in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. IB is a top side view of a second embodiment of a wrapping tie in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the fastener body of the wrapping tie of FIG. 1 A.

[0010] FIGS. 3 A and 3B are front and rear enlarged views of a connection loop end of embodiment of a wrapping tie in accordance wi th the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIGS. 4, 5, 6 A, and 7 depict one illustrative use for the wrapping tie of FIG. 1 A.

[0012] FIG. 6B depicts the connection loop end of FIGS. 3A and 3B during securing use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods for tie downs and fasteners, especially fasteners for hairstyles. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrating certain embodiments, are not intended to so limit the disclosure or the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the embodiments presented herein can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All such alternate embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1A, a first embodiment of a securing apparatus or wrapping tie 10 is depicted. Wrapping tie 10 has an elongated middle section formed as an elongated pliable member 100. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated pliable member 100 may be a cord with a circular cross-sectional shape, as depicted. It will be appreciated that other embodiments, where the elongated pliable member 100 has a different conformation may be used. For example, cords having an oval or polygonal cross-section. For example, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1B, the elongated pliable member 100B is formed as a ribbon having two generally planar opposing sides.

[0015] It will be appreciated that for some embodiments the elongated pliable members 100, 100B may have elastic properties, similar to the elastic cording used for single loop hair ties. This can provide additional securing for certain applications. It will be further appreciated that the elongated pliable members may be of layered construction, with an outer surface that is relatively smooth to avoid snagging on material to be secured, such as a bundle of hair, and an inner core that provides elasticity and/or strength to the member. For example, an elastic cord that is covered by a relatively smooth textile material could be used.

[0016] Referring to again to FIG.1 A, a fastener body 200 may be attached to the elongated pliable member 100. The fastener body 200 and its attachment are depicted in more detail in FIG. 2. As depicted, the fastener body 200 is larger than the width of the pliable member 100. In the depicted embodiment, the fastener member 200, may be formed as a body that is generally symmetrical from a larger diameter at a midline portion 202, tapering to two opposite ends 204A and 204B on an axis that is generally orthogonal to the pliable member 100. This can facilitate installation and use of the tie 10 for a user, as discussed further herein. It will be appreciated, that the different shapes for the fastener 200 may be used and are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, shapes that are decorative or fasteners that lack the taper may be used.

[0017] In the depicted embodiment, the fastener body 200 is formed from a rigid material, and the end of the pliable member 100 is inserted into a bore 205 accessible thereon and retained therein, as by a suitable adhesive. It will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and other connection structures and approaches may be used. For example, the faster could be clamped on the pliable member, or where formed from a polymeric material, could be directly molded thereon. In another example, the embodiment of FIG.

1B, the fastener 200B has two bores formed therethrough, with the pliable member 100B is drawn running through both bores and fastened to itself to retain the fastener 200B.

[0018] One illustrative embodiment of a second end of securing tie 10 is depicted in more detail in FIGS. 3 A and 3B. As depicted, two connection loops are disposed at the second end, generally designated at 300. A first connection loop 304 and a second connection loop 306, may extend from a central body 302.

In the depicted embodiment, the loops 304 and 306 may be formed by positioning the pliable member 100 in a desired conformation to form the connection loops and then securing them with a specialized fastener

301 which forms a portion of the central body 302 as it secures the pliable member defining the loops 304 and 306 in the desired conformation.

[0019] It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the loops 304 and 306 may be formed by positioning the pliable member 100 in a desired conformation to form these structures and then securing them in another manner, as by wrapping with a cord (as depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1) or using another suitable fastener that may form a portion of the central body 302. It will be further appreciated that the body and loops maybe formed on a separate structure that is attached to the second end of the pliable member 100.

[0020] As depicted, the two connection loops 304 and 306 may be joined at a midpoint to form a generally figure 8 shape from the central body 302 to which the pliable member 100 is attached. It will be appreciated that other conformations may be used as well. As shown in the depicted embodiment, in some embodiments, the pliable member 100 may be attached to the midpoint such that it extends in a direction other than generally orthogonal to an axis defined by the joining of the loops 304 and 306 in a common plane.

[0021] As shown in the depicted embodiment, in some embodiments, the pliable member 100 may be attached to the midpoint such that it extends in a direction other than parallel to a midline M defined by the joining of the loops 304 and 306 in a conmion plane. In the depicted embodiment, the elongate pliable member 100 extends away from the body 302 on the same side of the midline axis M as the first connection loop 304. In the depicted the elongate pliable member 100 member extends generally orthogonally to the midline M of the body 302, generally parallel to a long axis of the first connection loop 304. It will be appreciated that the depicted angle is not the only angle that can be used, but that having the pliable member extending in a direction closer to the first loop may be advantageous for some uses, as described further herein. [0022] The connection loops 304 and 306 may be formed from the same material as the pliable member 100. At least second loop 306 should be formed of an elastic material. As depicted, the second loop 306 may be slightly larger than the first loop 304. In other embodiments, the loops may be of equal size or second loop 306 may be slightly smaller than first loop 304. At least second loop 306, and preferably both loops, should be sized to allow the width of the pliable member 100, but not the long axis of the fastener

200 to pass therethough in an unstretched conformation.

[0023] It is noted that for the depicted embodiments of ties 10 and 10B (FIG. 1B), that the connection loops may be as a continuation of the elongated pliable member 100 formed which is folded into the appropriate shape and maintained by the body 302. The elongated pliable member may exit the body

302 parallel to the first connection loop 304, as by exiting a common opening in a rigid body, or by being held parallel in a tied fashion.

[0024] It will be appreciated that the size of particular embodiments of securing ties in accordance with the present disclosure may vary based on the planned use of the particular tie. For use as ponytail holding hair styling ties embodiments similar to those depicted at 100 and 100B may have pliable elongated members 100 formed from elastic cording with a length from about 6 to about 10 inches in an unstretched condition and about 10 to 20 inches in a fully stretched condition, with one particular embodiment having a length from about 7.5 to about 8.5 inches in an unstretched condition and about 12 to 15 inches in a fully stretched condition. It will be further appreciated that in some embodiments, the either the entire tie 10 or

10B, or the connection end 300 and pliable member 100, could be formed as a unitary member molded from a suitable material, such as a silicone material having sufficient elasticity to serve as pliable member 100 and the connection loops 304 and 306. In such embodiments, the fastener body 200 could be molded of the same material or could be a separately attached rigid member.

[0025] Turning to FIGS. 4 through 7, one illustrative method of using the securing tie 10 of FIG.

1A is depicted.

[0026] As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fastener body 200 is passed through one of the two connection loops, in this case first connection loop 304, to configure the pliable member 100 as a relatively large securing loop generally indicated at L. Optionally this can be performed in isolation as depicted in FIG.

4, and then the material to be secured can be inserted into the securing loop L. Alternatively, a user can encircle the material to the secured with the pliable member before passing the fastener body 200 through the connection loop, such that securing loop L is created around the material to be secured. The creation of securing loop L may be performed at the discretion of the user, or in a way that is best suited for the particular application. In either case, the end result will be the position of the material to be secured is within the securing loop L, as depicted in FIG.5. For clarity of illustration, the material to be secured depicted in FIGS.

5, 6, and 7 is represented by a rod R. It will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and the tie 10 may be used to secure any suitable material. For use as a hair tie, the material to be secured may be a bundle of hair, such as strands of hair drawn to together to form a ponytail, or hair with other materials such as decorative ribbons or the like, or hair extension materials.

[0027] As best depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, in embodiments where tire elongated pliable member extends away from the body 302 on the same side of the axis as the first connection loop 304, the second connection loop 306 will extend away from the securing loop L.

[0028] Once the relatively large securing loop L and tie 10 are in the desired position on the material to be secured, the securing loop L may be tightened on the material, by drawing the pliable member

100 further through the connection loop user may vary the level of the constriction of the member 100 on the material to be secured as desired. For example, where the tie 100 is used to secure cabling for electronic devices, it may be pulled quite taut for securing. For other uses, such as certain hairstyles, the level of constriction may be varied for user comfort or for different hairstyles.

[0029] As best depicted in FIG. 6A, in embodiments where the elongated pliable member extends away from the body 302 on the same side of the midline axis as the first connection loop 304 and generally parallel to a long axis of the first connection loop 304, this will cause the second connection loop 306 to extend away from the securing loop L and the material to be fasted, such as rod R, in a generally perpendicular direction. This can be advantageous as it allows a user to easily locate the second loop 306 without difficulty and prevent the second loop 306 from laying sideways or flat with the material being wrapped. Where the material to be secured is a bundle of hair, this can help prevent the second loop 306 from being covered wi th the elongated member as it is wrapped around the bundle of hair.

[0030] The portion of the pliable member 100 drawn through the connection loop 304 may then be wrapped around the material to be retained therein, until the material is secured and the fastener body 200 is adjacent the connection loops 304 and 306. The fastener body 200 may then be passed through the second connection loop 306 to be retained therein. The material is then secured by the tie 10. It will be appreciated that the user may vary the level of the constriction of the member 100 on the material to be secured as desired by the tightness of the wrapping. For example, where the tie 100 is used to secure cabling for electronic devices, it may be wrapped very tightly for securing. For other uses, such as certain hairstyles, the level of constriction may be varied for user comfort or for different hairstyles.

[0031] The fastener body 200 may be passed through the connection loops 304 and 306 by alignment of the long axis of the fastener body 200 with the loop opening and insertion therethough. Upon movement of the long axis of the fastener body away from alignment with the loop opening, the fastener is prevented from passing back though the loop. In some embodiments, the elastic nature of the connection loop material may allow it to be stretched over the fastener body 200 and return to the unstretched position and prevented from passing back through the loop. It will be appreciated that embodiments which utilize both these insertion and retention schema may be used.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the tie 10 may be secured by simply passing the fastener body

200 through one or both connection loops 304 and/or 306 to use the larger securing loop L at its maximum size. This may be desirable for certain hairstyles need a“loosely” held bunch of hair, as for a“loose” ponytail securing for workouts or sleeping. It will further be appreciated that with the fastener body 200 passed through one or both connection loops 304 and/or 306 to form the larger securing loop L at its maximum size, that the tie 10 could be used in the same repeated twisting fashion as a standard hair elastic. These multiple methods of use for a single fastener may be an additional improvement in the art.

[0033] While this disclosure has been described using certain embodiments, the present disclosure can be further modified while keeping within its spirit and scope. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.