US20050257804A1

US20050257804A1 - Headband

Info

Publication number: US20050257804A1
Application number: US10/839,321
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Neal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-05
Filing date: 2004-05-05
Publication date: 2005-11-24

Abstract

A headband is provided having a coronal section and a first arm and a second arm. The first and second arms are hingedly attached to the coronal section. When the headband is in the open position, the first and second arms are generally perpendicular to the coronal section. When the headband is in the closed position, the first arm is folded adjacent to the coronal section and the second arm is folded adjacent the first arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a headband used to hold back hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most headbands are curved to fit the shape of the top of a person's head. However, with this type of shape, prolonged use of the headband can cause discomfort or extreme pain. This is because typical headbands are curved inward toward the wearer's ears so that prolonged use can cause the headband to apply a great deal of pressure to the wearer's head around the ear area. This curved shape headband also has a tendency to lift up at the top of the head due to the curved angle and pressure required to keep the headband on the head. This curved shape and the propensity to lift up away from the head increases the pain involved in wearing the headband and requires constant adjustment to correct the pain and reset the hairstyle. The curved headband is also difficult to store or easily transport as it maintains a shape that is large enough to fit on a wearer's head.
Some headbands are curved but do not drastically curve in by the wearer's ears. These types of headbands are more horseshoe shaped. Although this type of headband may not cause as much pain or discomfort to the wearer, there is a need for constant readjustment because the headband may be too loose and does not hold the hairstyle for long periods of time. The horseshoe shaped headband has the same storage/portability problem as the curved headband; it maintains its shape when not in use which makes it more difficult to store or bring along during travel.
It is desirable to provide a headband having a more reliable method for staying in place on a wearer's head without constant adjustment to both decrease the pain level and/or readjust the hairstyle. It is also desirable to provide a headband that folds compactly for storage or travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A headband in accordance with the present invention includes a coronal section with a first end and a second end, a first arm hingedly attached to one end of the coronal section and a second arm hingedly attached to the other of end of the coronal section. When the headband is in the open position, the arms are generally perpendicular to the coronal section. When the headband is in the closed position, the first arm and second arm fold toward the coronal section so that the first arm lies adjacent to the coronal section and the second arm lies adjacent to the first arm. In another embodiment, the coronal section is slightly bowed at the ends where the arms are attached. The ends of the arms opposite attachment to the coronal section may be curved slightly to match the shape of the wearer's ears for a more comfortable fit.
The present headband has the benefits of eliminating the pressures on the side of the head that can be created by the use of curved headbands. The inventive headband does not need constant readjustment to keep the wearer's hair in place. The inventive headband also has the added benefit of compact portability. When not in use, the inventive headband can be folded for storage or for easy portability.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood after reviewing the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A are side views of a portion of the headband according to the present invention. [0011] is a side view of a portion of the headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a portion of the headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a partially folded headband according to the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 6A are an enlargement of a portion of the headband shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a detailed front view of a portion of the headband.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of a headband according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a headband constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and shown positioned on top of the head of the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar components in the various views, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two embodiments of a headband 5 in accordance with the present invention. The headband 5 has a coronal section 10, a first arm 15 and a second arm 20, and hinges 25.
The coronal section 10 is formed to fit on the top portion of a person's head. The length and width of the coronal section 10 will vary depending upon the size and design aspects of the headband 5. The coronal section 10 keeps the wearer's hair out of the wearer's face. The coronal section 10 can be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or light metals.
At either end of the coronal section 10 are tabs 13 that extend perpendicular to the coronal section 10. The tabs 13 are sized for placement of hinges 25 that connect the first arm 15 and second arm 20 to the coronal section 10. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6, the tabs 13 are long enough for connection of the hinge 25 and for the first arm 15 and the second arm 20 to be folded against the coronal section 10. Tabs 13 are an extension of either the coronal section 10 or arms 15, 20 and can be made of the same material as the coronal section 10 or arms 15, 20 or some other suitable material. As shown in FIG. 9, when tabs 13 are extensions of the arms 15, 20 they are connected to the coronal section using small screws 26 that insert at the under surface of the coronal section 10. Hinges may be placed on the side of the tabs 13 and arms 15, 20 (see FIG. 6A) or on the inside (see FIG. 6). The placement of the hinges 25 on the tabs 13 and arms 15, 20 can vary depending upon the type of hinge used.
Hinges 25, are conventional in the art and are small enough for placement on the coronal tabs 13 and arms 15, 20. Hinges 25 are attached to allow the arms 15, 20 to bend inward toward the coronal section 10 when the headband 5 is in the closed position (see FIG. 5). Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, hinges 25 may be attached to the coronal section 10 at ends 9. In this alternate embodiment, the coronal section 10 does not have tabs 13. In another alternate embodiment (not shown), hinges 25 may be spring latches that are sized for placement on the tabs 13 and arms 15, 20.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the coronal section 10 may be covered with decorative padding or material 11 or may have some other type of design 12 such as beads, paint, crystal, jewels, metals, etc. The designs and material options available are endless. In another embodiment of the preferred invention, the ends 9 of the coronal section 10 may be slightly curved 14 as shown in FIG. 2.
Arms 15, 20 are long enough so that the ends 16, 21 reach to the wearer's ear. A shorter or longer arm 15, 20 can be used as long as the headband 5 remains on the wearer's head during use. The particular details of the arms 15, 20 will be discussed with reference to arm 15. It should be understood that these same details apply to arm 20. The arm 15 end can be squared 16 (FIG. 3) or rounded 16′ (FIG. 3A) or can be curved 17 (FIG. 4). Curved end 17 of arm 15 is curved to match the curvature of the back of the wearer's ear. The curved end 17 allows for a more comfortable fit and helps keep the headband 5 in place on the wearer's head. Arms 15, 20 can be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or light metals. The material used for arms 15, 20 does not have to be the same as the material used for the coronal section 10.
Referring to FIGS. 1,2 and 10, the headband 5 is shown in the open position. When in the open position, the wearer can place the headband 5 on his or her head to keep the hair back or maintain a specific hairstyle (FIG. 10). The headband 5 can be placed on the wearer's head by placing the headband 5 directly on top of the wearer's head or by initially putting the headband 5 in front of the wearer's eyes so that the arms 15, 20 contact the wearer's head just above the ears. The wearer then rotates the headband 5, maintaining the arms 15, 20 contact with the head, so that the coronal section 10 is moved on top of the wearer's head. The curved end 17 may be covered in plastic-like material for additional comfort.
When the wearer is not using the headband 5 and desires to store the headband 5 for future use, the first arm 15 can be folded inward via the hinge 25 so that the first arm 15 is adjacent the coronal section 10. The second arm 20 is then folded in a similar manner. When the second arm 20 is folded, it lies adjacent the first arm 15. It should be appreciated that the second arm 20 could be folded before the first arm 15 so that the second arm 20 lies adjacent the coronal section 10 and the first arm 15 lies adjacent to the second arm 20.
Again, while the invention has been shown and described with reference to one or more particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although each of the illustrated embodiments of the headband 5 shows the arms 15, 20 at a 900 angle in relation to the coronal section 10, a greater or lesser angle could be used and still maintain a comfortable fit while on a wearer's head. Further, the styles and ornamental features of coronal section 10 are endless based upon current fashions. In addition, the ends 16,16′ of the arms 15, 20 can take on various shapes in addition to those shown in FIG. 3.

Claims

1. A headband comprising a coronal section with a first end and a second end,

a first arm with a first end and a second end, said first end hingedly attached to one of said first end or second end of said coronal section,

a second arm with a first end and a second end, said first end hingedly attached to the other of said first end or second end of said coronal section, wherein said second end of said first arm and said second end of said second arm are curved in a general J-shape to match the contour of ears when the headband is in the open position and placed on top of a head, said J-shaped curved ends extending downwardly away from a main axis of said first and second arms,

said first arm and second arms are generally perpendicular to the coronal section when in an open position and when in a closed position, the second end of the first arm folds toward the coronal section so the first arm is adjacent the coronal section and the second end of the second arm folds toward the coronal section and first arm and lies adjacent the first arm and wherein said hinged attachment comprises a pair of hinges located on an inside of said coronal section and said first and second arms, respectively.

2. The headband of claim 1 wherein the first and second ends of the coronal section bow slightly toward the first and second arms.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The headband of claim, further including tabs extending from and generally perpendicular to said coronal section.