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(11) | EP 0 726 035 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A hair-prosthesis attachment device |
| (57) A hair-prosthesis attachment device (1) comprises a spring (2) pre-loaded so that
its turns touch each other with a predetermined mutual contact pressure; a pair of
end portions (3, 4) for the attachment of prosthetic hair each have an enlarged end
portion (9) which can be pressed to separate the turns of the spring (2). |
[0001] The present invention concerns a device for attaching hair-prostheses, for example to areas of the head affected by baldness, based on the use of springs which are attached to the remaining real hair.
[0002] As is known, the aesthetic effect of attaching hair-prostheses or hairpieces to the head depends essentially on the quality of the prosthesis and the attachment system used, which must not allow any movement of the prosthesis on the head when attached and which must be easily removable.
[0003] Attachment systems based on the use of biocompatible glues are known; the glue is spread on the bald areas of the head so that the hair-prosthesis or wig can be attached.
[0004] The systems described above do, however, have some disadvantages. First of all, the glues used are not always compatible with all the different scalp types and in the event of prolonged use may, for example, cause skin irritation. In addition, prostheses attached by these systems are difficult to remove and require the assistance of specialised centres which are usually very expensive.
[0005] The aim of the present invention is to provide a hair-prosthesis attachment device which does not have the disadvantages specified above and which is, at the same time, easy to use and very reliable.
[0006] The aforesaid aim is achieved by the present invention in that it concerns a hair-prosthesis attachment device, characterised in that it comprises;
at least one resilient element comprising a wire formed into a plurality of turns and pre-loaded so that each turn touches the adjacent turns with a predetermined mutual contact pressure;
means for opening the resilient element from a first condition, in which each turn touches the adjacent turns with the said contact pressure, to a second condition in which each turn is separated from the adjacent turn to allow the insertion of real hair;
hair-prosthesis attachment means associated with the resilient element for holding at least one lock of prosthetic hair.
[0007] In this way, the hair-prosthesis attachment device is not affected by problems of compatibility with different scalp types, it is simple to attach and remove and its use does not require the assistance of specialised centres, with a consequent reduction in costs.
[0008] In addition, the aforesaid device is also suitable for users not affected by baldness but who wish to change their hairstyles frequently; in fact it is possible, for example, for a person to alter the length or volume of his or her own hair simply by anchoring locks of prosthetic hair to it.
[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of several non-limitative embodiments, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention;
Figure 2a is a horizontal section of a second embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention;
Figure 2b illustrates the device in Figure 2a on an enlarged scale including a manually-operable tool in a working position;
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of a variant of the device of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view, in partial section, of a third embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a possible variation of the device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a section taken on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a plan view, in partial section, of a fifth embodiment of the hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention;
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 in an operative position;
Figure 11 is a vertical section of a preferred embodiment of a manually-operable tool; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device according to the present invention.
[0010] In Figure 1, a first embodiment of the hair-prosthesis attachment device indicated 1 includes a cylindrical helical torsion spring 2 which is preloaded such that each turn thereof touches the adjacent turns with a predetermined mutual contact pressure.
[0011] The spring 2 includes a pair of end portions 3, 4 of the wire from which the spring 2 is formed for enabling the attachment of the prosthetic hair. Each of the end portions 3, 4 includes an eyelet 5 and a straight rod 6 which extends longitudinally within the spring 2 from a respective end 7, 8 through the entire length of the spring 2 and protrudes therefrom to a predetermined extent; each rod 6 has an enlarged end portion 9 on which a predetermined pressure can be exerted in order to separate the turns of the spring 2.
[0012] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the enlarged end portion 9 is formed from the wire of the spring 2, which is wound into a coil.
[0013] In Figures 2a, 2b and 3, a second embodiment of the hair-prosthesis attachment device is indicated 10. This includes a cylindrical helical torsion spring 11, pre-loaded in the same way as the spring 2 of the device 1, and a pair of plugs 12, 13 with helical grooves in their outer surfaces, each for screwing into a respective end 14, 15 of the spring 11. The plug 12 has an axial through-hole 16 on the inner surface of which is a shoulder 17. The plug 13 has a blind hole 19 with a lead-in surface in its face 18 facing the other plug 12. As will be described more fully below, a manually-operable tool 20, illustrated in Figures 2b and 11, is adapted to engage the shoulder 17 and to exert a predetermined axial force on the blind hole 19 of the plug 13 so as to cause each turn of the spring 11 to separate from the adjacent turns.
[0014] The plug 13 extends laterally to form a side arm 21 which extends parallel to the axis of the spring 11 and has a hole 22 in which there is inserted a straight bar 23 formed from the wire projecting from the end 14 of the spring 11 and extending parallel to the axis of the spring. The bar 23 enables the prosthetic hair to be attached.
[0015] Figure 3 shows a variant of the device described above. The plug 12 has a second side arm 24 positioned on the opposite side of the spring 11 from the bar 23 and extending parallel to the axis of the spring; this side arm 24 has a hole 25 in which is inserted a second straight bar 26 coaxial with the arm 24 and formed from the wire projecting from the end 15 of the spring 11. Both of the bars 23, 26 enable the prosthetic hair to be attached.
[0016] In Figures 4, 5 and 6, a third embodiment of the hair-prosthesis attachment device is indicated 27.
[0017] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the device 27 includes a cylindrical helical torsion spring 28 pre-loaded in the same way as the spring 2 of the device 1 and the spring 11 of the device 10, wound coaxially on a pin 29 so as to be slidable thereon and having an end 30 free while its other end 31 is fixed to one (33) of the shorter sides 32, 33 of a rectangular frame 34; for this purpose, the end 31 can be inserted through a hole 35 in this shorter side 33 and then upset onto the outer surface of the frame 34. This latter can also have two further holes 36 and 37 formed centrally in each of the shorter sides 32, 33 to allow insertion of the pin 29, the ends 38 of which are then rivetted to the frame 34. This latter allows the attachment of a fabric piece 39 (Figure 10) to which the prosthetic hair (hairpiece) is attached.
[0018] Figure 6 illustrates a variant of the device described above; a second cylindrical helical spring 40 is wound on the pin 29 so as to be slidable thereon and is pre-loaded in the same way as the spring 28 and positioned to face it. The spring 40 has a free end 41 and its other end 42 inserted in a hole 43 in the shorter side 32 of the frame 34; the end 42 is then upset onto the outer surface of this latter.
[0019] In Figures 7 and 8, a fourth embodiment of the hair-prosthesis attachment device indicated 44 includes a cylindrical helical torsion spring 45 pre-loaded in the same way as indicated for all the springs described above, and housed in a concave, central portion 46 of a rectangular plate 47. The spring 45 has one end 48 attached to the plate 47 and its other end 49 attached to a movable element 50 shaped as a closed rectangular frame and arranged with its longer sides 51 slidable longitudinally in corresponding circular-section seats 52 formed between the plate 47 and two arcuate elements 53 attached to the plate 47 on the opposite side from the spring 45.
[0020] The plate 47 further includes a set of transverse holes 54 which pass through its entire thickness and are arranged outside the assembly constituted by the spring 45 and the seats 52; these transverse holes 54 communicate with corresponding holes 55 in the elements 53 such that each pair of holes 54 and 55 may be traversed by wires which attach the plate 47 to the fabric piece 39 to which the prosthetic hair is attached, as seen clearly in Figure 10.
[0021] With reference to Figure 9, a fifth embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device indicated 56 includes three cylindrical helical torsion springs 57, these also being pre-loaded as described previously, which are connected together by lengths 58 of the wire from which the springs 57 themselves are formed so as to form an annular element; the lengths 58 are coiled so as to create a plurality of eyelets for enabling the attachment of the prosthetic hair.
[0022] A respective pair of plugs 61, 62 with helical grooves for engaging the turns of the springs 57 is screwed into the ends 59, 60 of each of the springs 57. The first plug 61 of each pair has an axial hole 63, on the inner surface of which is formed a shoulder 64; the second plug 62 of each pair has a blind hole 66 in its face 65 facing the plug 61. The manually-operable tool 20 (Figure 11) is hook-engagable with this shoulder 64 to exert a predetermined axial force on the blind hole 66 of the plug 62 in the same way as indicated for the device 10.
[0023] In Figure 12, a sixth embodiment of a hair-prosthesis attachment device indicated 80 includes an elongate, C-section body 81 defining a longitudinal cavity 82 and a cylindrical, helical torsion spring 83 pre-loaded as previously described and housed in the cavity 82 with opposite ends projecting longitudinally from the body 81.
[0024] The body 81 allows a plurality of artificial hairs to be attached to its outer surface and is formed from resiliently-deformable material such that it can be snap-engaged with the spring 82.
[0025] In particular, the shape of the body 81 allows the user's own hair to be inserted in the cavity 82 to be anchored between the turns of the spring 83.
[0026] Preferably, respective plugs 86, 87 of the same type as the plugs 61, 62 of the device 56 are screwed into the opposite ends 84, 85 of the spring 83; the constituent parts of the plugs 86, 87 are indicated by the same reference numerals as the corresponding parts of the plugs 61, 62.
[0027] With reference to Figure 11, the tool 20 includes a tubular rod 67 provided on its outer surface with a recess 68 which can hook-engage the shoulder 17, 64 of the plug 12, 61, 86, a helical spring 69 coaxial with the tube 67 and housed within it, and a second rod 70 slidable axially in the tubular rod 67 and projecting from it for part of its length. The hollow rod 67 also has a pair of grips 71 projecting from its outer surface, being fixed thereto and adapted to be gripped by the fingers of a hand. The second rod 70 has a conical end portion 72 for exerting a predetermined axial force on the blind hole 19, 66 of the plug 13, 62, 87, a stop 73 for the helical spring 69 and a pusher member 74 by which the rod 70 can be moved axially.
[0029] First of all it is necessary to choose from the various embodiments that which is most able to satisfy the demands of a particular use. It is generally thought that the devices illustrated in Figures 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 9 and 12 are particularly adapted for fixing locks of prosthetic hair while the embodiments of Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are preferably used to fix wigs or hairpieces; in addition, the device illustrated in Figure 9 lends itself to the fixing of artificial ponytails.
[0030] As already indicated in the preceding description, prosthetic hair is attached:
to the end portions 3, 4 of the wire of the spring 2 in the case of the device 1 of Figure 1;
to the bar 23 formed from the wire of the spring 11 in the case of the device 10 of Figures 2a and 2b;
to the bars 23 and 26 formed from the wire of the spring 11 in the case of the embodiment of the device 10 illustrated in Figure 3;
to the eyelets of the lengths 58 of the wire of the springs 57 in the case of the device 56 of Figure 9; and
to the outer surface of the body 81.
[0031] With regard to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, the prosthetic hair is attached to the fabric 39 (Figure 10) to form a wig or hairpiece; this latter is then attached, for example by sewing, to the frame 34 of the device 27 or to the plate 47 of the device 44.
[0032] In all of the examples considered, the springs 2, 11, 28, 40, 45, 57 and 83 are moved by opening means from a first condition in which the turns of each of them touch the adjacent turns with a mutual contact pressure, to a second condition in which each turn of each spring is separated from the adjacent turns to allow the insertion of the user's own hair, which, once the opening means are disengaged, is subject to contact pressure. In this way the device is firmly anchored to the user's own hair: this anchoring mechanism ensures a high resistance to acts which tend to dislodge the prosthetic hair due to the fact that a large number of hairs is inserted between the turns of the spring and a very high contact pressure is applied by the spring to the hair which is thus clamped. This situation remains unchanged even when the device is used for long periods of time and in the presence of the mechanical and chemical stresses to which hair-prosthesis or wigs are subject during normal use (frequent washing, sporting activity etc).
[0033] The way in which the springs of the various embodiments of the device of the invention described above are opened to enable the prostheses to be fixed to or removed from the head of the user will now be described.
[0034] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, both of the enlarged portions 9 of the end portions 3, 4 are pressed with the fingers to separate the turns of the spring 2 so that the user's own hair can be inserted between them or removed from them.
[0035] In the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 2a, 2b and 3, it is necessary to use the manually-operable tool 20 to separate the turns of the spring 11: the hollow rod 67 is hooked behind the shoulder 17 of the apertured plug 12 and the pair of projecting finger-grips 71 and the pusher 74 of the second rod 70 are acted on at the same time so as to bring them closer together, the helical spring 69 is compressed and the rod 70 which projects from the hollow rod 67 exerts an axial force on the hole 19 of the plug 13 which separates the turns of the spring 11.
[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the turns of the spring 28 are separated by a pull on the free end 30 of the spring 28 with the fingers (or with a suitable tool having an analogous effect to manual traction).
[0038] In the variant device 27 illustrated in Figure 6, it is necessary to pull both the end 30 of the spring 28 and the end 41 of the spring 40 with the fingers (or as indicated above) to bring them closer together and separate the turns of the springs 28 and 40.
[0039] Finally, in the example illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, it is necessary to push the movable element 50 with the fingers axially towards the plate 47, the element sliding axially in the seats 52; since the spring 45 has its end 48 fixed to the plate 47, which is itself fixed, and its other end 49 fixed to the movable element 50, when this latter moves axially, the spring 45 is lengthened and its turns separate.
[0040] Finally, it is clear that further modifications and variations can be made to the hair-prosthesis attachment device which do not leave the scope of protection defined by the claims.
[0041] For example, instead of a cylindrical helical torsion spring, it is possible to use any other type of spring provided it is formed from a wire, coiled into a plurality of turns and pre-loaded in such a way that each of the turns touches the adjacent turns and is subject to a predetermined mutual contact pressure.
1. A hair-prosthesis attachment device, characterised in that it comprises;
at least one resilient element (2, 11, 28, 40, 45, 57, 83) comprising a wire formed into a plurality of turns and pre-loaded so that each turn touches the adjacent turns with a predetermined mutual contact pressure;
means for opening the resilient element from a first condition, in which each turn touches the adjacent turns with the said contact pressure, to a second condition in which each turn is separated from the adjacent turn to allow the insertion of real hair;
hair-prosthesis attachment means associated with the resilient element for holding at least one lock of prosthetic hair.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said resilient element is
an helical torsion spring (2, 11, 28, 40, 45, 57, 83).
3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the said opening means comprise
a pair of end portions (3, 4) of the wire from which the coil is formed, each of the
portions (3, 4) being formed into an eyelet (5) and a straight rod (6), each rod (6)
extending from one end (7, 8) of the spring longitudinally through the entire length
of the spring (2) and projecting from the spring (2) to a predetermined extent, each
rod (6) having an enlarged end portion (9) on which a predetermined pressure may be
exerted in order to separate the turns of the spring (2); the end portions (3, 4)
of the wire from which the coils are formed also forming the hair-prosthesis attachment
means.
4. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the means for opening the spring
(11; 57; 83) include a pair of plugs (12, 13; 61, 62; 86, 87) coaxial with the spring
(11; 57; 83), the first (12; 61; 86) of which is inserted into a first end (14; 59;
84) of the spring (11; 57; 83) and has an axial hole (16; 63) while the second (13;
62; 87) is inserted in the second end (15; 60; 85) of the spring (11; 57; 83), the
first plug (12; 61; 86) including a shoulder (17; 64) formed on the inner surface
of the hole (16; 63); and the opening means also including a manually-operable tool
(20) for engaging the shoulder (17; 64) of the first plug (12; 61; 86) and exerting
a predetermined force on the second plug (13; 62; 87) so as to separate each turn
of the spring (11; 57; 83) from the adjacent turns.
5. A device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the two plugs (12, 13; 61, 62;
86, 87) are provided with helical grooves in their outer surfaces for screwing into
the spring (11; 57; 83).
6. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that the hair-prosthesis
attachment means includes an elongate body (81) defining a longitudinal cavity (82)
housing the spring (83).
7. A device according to Claim 6, characterised in that the body (81) has a substantially
C-shape section.
8. A device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised in that the body (81) is formed
from resiliently-deformable material and is snap-engageable with the spring (83).
9. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that the hair-prosthesis
attachment means includes at least one bar (23) formed from the wire projecting from
the first end (14) of the spring (11), and extending parallel to the spring; the bar
(23) being engageable in a hole (22) in a side arm (21) extending parallel to the
spring (11) and formed integrally with the second plug (13).
10. A device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the wire which projects from
the second end (15) of the spring (11) generates a second bar (26) extending parallel
to the spring (11); the second bar (26) being engageable in a hole (25) in a second
side-arm (24) formed integrally with the first plug (12).
11. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that it includes at least
two springs (57) joined together by lengths (58) of the wire from which the coils
are formed such that the springs (57) and the lengths (58) together create an annular
element; each of the springs (57) having two said plugs (61, 62) inserted in the respective
ends (59, 60) of the spring (57).
12. A device according to Claim 11, characterised in that there are three springs (57).
13. A device according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, characterised in that the lengths (58)
of the spring wire are formed into a plurality of eyelets constituting the hair-prosthesis
attachment means.
14. A device according to any one of Claims 4 to 13, characterised in that the manually-operable
tool (20) comprises a tubular rod (67) having a recess (68) in its outer surface for
hook-engaging the shoulder (17, 64) of the first plug (12, 61, 86), a helical spring
(69) housed coaxially within the tubular rod (67), a second rod (70) slidable axially
in the tubular rod (67) and projecting from it for part of its length; the second
rod (70) being adapted to exert the predetermined force on the second plug (13, 62,
87) and having a stop (73) for the helical spring (69) and a pusher member (74) whereby
the rod (70) can be moved axially.
15. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the hair-prosthesis attachment
means comprise an annular frame (34), the spring (28) being positioned inside the
frame (34) and one end (31) of the spring (28) being fixed to a point on the frame
(34).
16. A device according to Claim 15, characterised in that the frame (34) is rectangular
and has a pin (29) coaxial with the spring (28) and arranged to act as a guide for
the spring (28).
17. A device according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, characterised in that a second spring
(40) is slidable on and wound on the pin (29) in such a position that it faces the
spring (28) and has one end (42) attached to the frame (34).
18. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the spring (45) is housed in
a plate (47) and has one end (48) fixed to the plate (47) and its other end (49) fixed
to an element (50) which is movable axially relative to the plate (47); the movable
element (50) allowing, by its translational movement, the separation of the turns
of the said spring (45).
19. A device according to Claim 18, characterised in that the movable element (50) is
in the form of a closed rectangular frame and its longer sides (51) are slidable longitudinally
in cooperating seats (52) formed between the plate (47) and two arcuate elements (53)
fixed to the plate (47) and arranged on the opposite side thereof from the spring
(45).
20. A device according to Claim 19, characterised in that the plate (47) includes a set
of transverse holes (54) which pass through its entire thickness and are arranged
outside the assembly constituted by the spring (45) and the seats (52); the transverse
holes (54) being adapted to be traversed by wires which attach the plate (47) to a
fabric piece (39) to which the prosthetic hair is attached.