US3165107A - Laminated wig with thickened portion adjacent the front edge - Google Patents

Description

1955 E. H. MARTIN ETAL 3,155,107

LAMINATED WIG WITH THICKENED PORTIO N ADJACENT THE FRONT EDGE Filed June 7, 1962 Java "702/ 0 @me7/4MM 3y M R f QM United States Patent 3 165,107 LAEHNATED WIG WITH THICKENED PORTIGN ADEACENT THE FRGNT EDGE Earl H. Martin, 2603 Columbia Bay Drive, Lake Villa, BL, and Kenneth A. .Iohanson, Forest Lake, Ili.; said .lohanson assignor to said Martin Filed June 7, 1962, Scr. No. 200,805 7 Claims. (Cl. 132-63) This invention relates generally to improvements in Wigs and more particularly, relates to a wig or toupee construction which utilizes a novel laminated plastic base or foundation having portions of different flexibility characteristics whereby a more natural or realistic front hairline is realized.

A major object of the invention is to provide a toupee or wig of the character described which comprises a flexible plastic base or foundation moulded to the configuration of the bald portion of the head, said base having a first portion adjacent the front edge thereof which is substantially more rigid than the remainder of the base, said first portion having a downwardly extending flexible front edge which is pressed against the head at the front hairline when the wig is Worn.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a wig of the character described in which said base or foundation is comprised of a pair of flexible plastic members laminated together, one of said members being molded substantiallyto the configuration and contour of the bald area of the head to be covered, the second of said members being a cap laminated to a portion of the upper surface of said first member and having a downwardly extending resilient front edge protruding beyond the front or lead edge of the first member, there being hair secured between said members and extending outwardly and upwardly around said resilient front edge to provide a front hairline which is more realistic than heretofore obtainable in such structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wig of the character described in which the hairpiece is'adhesively secured overlying the upper surfaces of both of said plastic members and a portion of the hairpiece is pinched between the two members shortly spaced from the front hairline and extending around the front edge of the cap member.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a wig-which includes short hairs secured adjacent the front or lead edge of the laminated plastic base or foundation which are pressed downward and outwardly to achieve a more natural front hairline.

Other objects of the invention will be seen to reside in the relatively simple and economical wig construction and method of making the same which is realized, which wig can be accurately and easily fitted to each individual wearer and which is long lasting and very natural looking especially as to the front hairline.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof ensues, in connection with which a preferred embodiment has been described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. It is contemplated that minor departures from the structure ofthe invention may occur to the skilled 3,lb5,l@7 Patented Jam-12, 1$65 of the advantages thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 3 and in the general direction indicated.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and enlarged to reveal details of the wig.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wig embodying the invention covering the bald area of a wearers head.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base or foundation without the hair attached thereon, the plastic members being positioned one relative to the other in operative position.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference character 20 designates generally the wig or toupee embodyingthe invention. The toupee 20 is comprised of a laminated plastic base or foundation designated generally 22 upon which a hairpiece or hair 24 is secured overlying the upper surface of the base 22. The base 22 is comprised of a pair of plastic members 26 and 28 permanently secured together in predetermined superimposed relationship to achieve the distinctive advantages of the invention.

The plastic member 26 is molded of a suitable plastic, preferably a vinyl plastic material, to the size and contour of the bald area 30 of the head 32. In fitting the bald portion 30, precise and accurate measurement is done by well-known casting techniques. The member 26 thereafter is molded of uniform thickness approximately .040 of an inch thick. The member 26 is flexible and light in weight.

The plastic member 28 also is molded, preferably of the same plastic material as the member 26, however, the member 28 may be somewhat less flexible than member 26. The member 28 also is of uniform thickness and approximately .025 of an inch thick to achieve such greater rigidity, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The member 26 is considerably larger than the member 28 since it covers area 30. Member 26 has a rounded front edge 34 which continues into wing portions 36 on opposite sides of member 26, the wing portions 36 corresponding approximately in position to the temples 33 of the head when the wig is worn. Because the member 26 conforms to the shape and dimensions of the bald portion 30, it is generally concave so that front edge 34 extends downwardly toward the desired front hairline. The member 28 also has a rounded front edge 40 which conforms generally in curvature to the front edge 34 and it connects with wing portions 41 on opposite sides thereof identical to wings 36. The rear edge 42 of the member 28 is straight. The member 28 also generally is concave in shape and is secured on the upper surface of the member 26 in a selective position by a suitable adhesive, such as, an epoxy resin. The position of member 28 relative to member 26 in their secured together condition is important.

As seen in FIG. 4, the straight rear edge 40 of the member 28 is spaced slightly to the left or rear of the wing portions 36 with the wings 41 overlying the wings 36 in a matched engagement indicated :by the flush marginal edges thereof respectively in FIG. 4. The cap 26 is sufliciently long so that the front edge 40 of member 28 will extend downwardly and beyond the front edge 34 of member 36. In fitting the base 22, the front edge 49 will correspond to the front hairline of the wearer in the worn position of the wig 20.

Thus, upon the members 26 and 28 being secured together, the body portion 44 of member 26 from the rear edge 42 of member 28 to the rear curved edge 46 is single-ply and hence, is quite flexible. The body portion 44 may be considered the rear portion of the wig 2%. On the other hand, the front body portion of the wig which is two-ply, that is, comprised of member 28 secured on top of member 26 is substantially more rigid with the exception of the front edge 40 of member 28 which protrudes beyond the front edge 34 of member 26.

The hairpiece 24 preferably is of conventional construction commonly used in making wigs. The hair is sewn or stitched to a flexible mesh or fabric foundation 48 which, in turn, is adhesively secured on the upper surface of portion 44 commencing at rear edge 46 and over the uppersurface of member 28 by a suitable adhesive. The front end portion of the hairpiece then passes around and under the front edge as of member 28 and between the members 26 and 2-8, as indicated at St) in FIG. 2. In making the wig or toupee 2%, short or so-called baby hairs are ailixed also between the members 28 and as, these hairs 52 being suificiently long to extend beyond the edge ll a short distance. It will be seen that hairs 52 are pinched between the members 26 and 28 in the completed wig 2i).

Familiar pads 54 are used for removably attaching the wig 26 on the scalp. The actual number of pads used may vary but, for effective usage, a pair of pads 54 are located on the stiller front portion of the laminated base inwardly spaced from edge 34 of member 26 and a single pad is sufficient on the body portion 44. Each pad is secured to the undersurface of member 26 by means of a suitable adhesive and the outer face of the pad carries a pressure-sensitive adhesive which engages the scalp. The thickness of each pad 5 is approximately the same as the thickness of member 26.

To put on the wig 2b, the wig is located in proper position overlying the bald area 3t and then pressed downwardly to adhere the pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces of the pads 54 to the scalp. In pressing downwardly, the front edge 4d of member 26 engages against the scalp at the desired front hair-line and slightly depresses the scalp along the line of engagement which corresponds to front edge 4% seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the portion of the hairpiece passing around and under the edge 40 as Well as the small hairs 52 are sprung outwardly somewhat, with the longer hairs 56 of the hairpiece capable of being combed backwardly. The portion of the member 28 rotruding beyond the edge 34 of member 26 is sulficiently resilient to flex slightly in its engagement with the scalp so that a spring-action is achieved which presses the hairs 52 and 56 outwardly a small amount to achieve a natural and realistic hairline at edge 40. The laminated portions of members 26 and 28 however are stiffer and they resist flexing when the wig is pressed downwardly on the head. The body portion 44 however is flexible and does adjust itself to the shape of the bald area. The base 22 is supported on the pads 54 slightly spaced above the scalp to provide ventilation space 58, as seen in FIG. 2. The portion 44 may be perforated, although this is not necessary and hence, has not been illustrated. The edge is pressed against the scalp so that no gapping is occasioned.

To make the toupee 2.2, a casting material, such as wax is fitted and shaped over the bald area St) to make a mold. Then, by well-known vacuum molding techniques, the lower plastic member 26 of the base 22 is made. The upper plastic member 28 then can be made following the same procedure. The cap member 28 is positioned over the member. 26, as desired, the hairpiece 24 fitted in place with the front end portion thereof passed around edge 41? and between the members 26 and 28, as seen in FIG. 2. The short hairs 52 also are inserted between members 26 and 28 and the assemblage secured together by means of a suitable adhesive. Epoxy resin adhesive has been found to be satisfactory for this purpose. The pads 54 may then be secured in place on the bottom surface of member 26.

it is believed that the invention has been described in sufiicient detail to enable the skilled artisan to understand and practice the same. In the claims appended hereto, it is intended that the language used to point out the invention be liberally construed commensurate with the scope of the improvement over the prior art contributed thereby.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A wig comprising, a molded laminated plastic base of predetermined size and contour, hair secured on the upper surface of said base, said base having a downwardly extending flexible front edge portion arranged to coincide with the front hairline of said head when the wig is worn, said hair extending from the said upper surface around the front edge, said base comprised of a pair of flexible members secured together one above the other, the upper member being smaller than and secured to the lower member at a location on said lower member whereby said upper member has a front edge spaced forwardly of the front edge of the lower member thereby forming said flexible front edge portion and defining a laminated forward end portion and a rear body portion, the front edge and rear body portions having a substantially greater degree of flexibility than the laminated forward end portion, and means secured on the lower member for holding the wig on the head.

2. A wig as described in claim 1 in which said hair comprises a hairpiece having a front end portion extending around said front edge and secured between said members spaced from said front edge.

3. In a toupee, a base adapted to conform to the size and shape of a bald spot on a head comprising, a pair of members superimposed one upon the other, the lower member formed of a flexible plastic material substantially to conform to said bald spot, the upper member comprising a cap of flexible plastic material smaller than the lower member secured upon the front end portion of said lower member whereby the thus laminated front end portion of the base is more rigid than the remainder of the base, said cap having a front edge extending downwardly and beyond the front edge of the lower member to coincide with the front hairline of the head upon which the toupee is installed.

4. A toupee comprising, a laminated foundation comprised of a pair of relatively flexible plastic members secured together one on the upper surface of the other, the foundation conforming in size and shape to the bald spot of a head to be covered by the toupee, said upper member of the pair being smaller than said lower member and secured thereto protruding downwardly beyond the front edge thereof at a location thereon whereby the conjoined portion of said foundation is substantially less flexible than the remaining areas of the foundation, and a hair piece secured on said foundation, said hair piece having a front end extending around the front edge of the upper member and secured between said pair of conjoined members.

5. A toupee as described in claim 4 in which there are a plurality of individual short hairs secured between said members and extending around and upwardly from said front edge of the upper member.

6. A toupee as described in claim 5 in which said upper and lower members are adhesively secured together.

7. A wig comprising, a laminated foundation comprised of a pair of relatively flexible plastic members secured together one on the upper surface of the other, the lower one of said members being conformed in size and shape to the bald spot of the head to be covered, the upper one of said members being smaller than the lower one of said members and secured to said lower member whereby to protrude downwardly beyond the front edge thereof to define the front edge portion of said foundation, the lower member extending rearward from the rear edge of the upper member to define the rear end portion of said foundation, said front edge and rear end portions of said foundation having a greater degree of flexibility than the portions defined by the conjoined upper and lower members, hair secured on the upper surface of the foundation, the hair extending from said upper surface around the front edge of the founda- 5 lower member for holding the foundation on the head.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,814,301 11/57 Schmitz 132 5 2,850,023 9/58 Taylor 132-53 X 3,977,891 2/63 Lane 132-5 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 3. IN A TOUPEE, A BASE ADAPTED TO CONFORM TO THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF A BALD SPOT ON A HEAD COMPRISING, A PAIR OF MEMBERS SUPERIMPOSED ONE UPON THE OTHER, THE LOWER MEMBER FORMED OF A FLEXIBLE PLASTIC MATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY TO CONFORM TO SAID BALD SPOT, THE UPPER MEMBER COMPRISING A CAP OF FLEXIBLE PLASTIC MATERIAL SMALLER THAN THE LOWER MEMBER SECURED UPON THE FRONT END PORTION OF SAID LOWER MEMBER WHEREBY THE THUS LAMINATED FRONT END PORTION OF THE BASE IS MORE RIGID THAN THE REMAINDER OF THE BASE, SAID CAP HAVING A FRONT EDGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND BEYOND THE FRONT EDGE OF THE LOWER MEMBER TO COINCIDE WITH THE FRONT HAIRLINE OF THE HEAD UPON WHICH THE TOUPEE IS INSTALLED.

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