Hair clip

Abstract

A hair clip made of plastic that has a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge. The hair clip is circular in shape when in a closed position. Both the first and second portions each have a latch member extending from the inner surface of the hair clip at the distal or free end of each portions. The latch member of the first portion has a body with a stem and a chamfered edge that define a recess. The second latch member of the second portion engages the recess of the first latch member. The inner surfaces of both the first and second portions are provided with pairs of teeth to secure hair of the wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hair clip comprising: 
 a first portion having a first latch member extending from a first inner surface of said first portion, said first latch member having a body with a stem and a chamfered edge that define a recess, said stem extending perpendicularly from said first inner surface, said first inner surface being provided with a first pair of teeth;    a second portion having a second latch member extending from a second inner surface of said second portion, said second inner surface being provided with a second pair of teeth, said second latch member being adapted to releasably engage said first latch member, said second pair of teeth positioned adjacent said first pair of teeth; and    a hinge for pivotally connecting said first portion and said second portion.    
     
     
         2 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion has a first end connected to said hinge and a second, free end that is adapted to mate with said second portion to define an opening therebetween.  
     
     
         3 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are semicircular in shape.  
     
     
         4 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first latch member extends along said second, free end of said first portion.  
     
     
         5 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first latch member has a pyramidal shape in cross section.  
     
     
         6 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first latch member has an apex that faces away from said hinge.  
     
     
         7 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said recess is substantially L-shaped at an approximately 135° angle with said stem.  
     
     
         8 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first pair of teeth extend perpendicularly from said first inner surface so that they are parallel with said stem.  
     
     
         9 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said second pair of teeth extend perpendicularly from said second inner surface so that they are parallel to said second latch member.  
     
     
         10 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first pair of teeth and each of said second pair of teeth are conical in shape.  
     
     
         11 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first pair of teeth and each of said second pair of teeth have a tapered shaft and a rounded tip.  
     
     
         12 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first pair of teeth and each of said second pair of teeth are anchored to said first and second inner surfaces, respectively, by a support member.  
     
     
         13 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first pair of teeth and said second pair of teeth are positioned such that said rounded tip of said first pair of teeth peripherally contact said rounded tip of said second pair of teeth.  
     
     
         14 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first pair of teeth and second pair of teeth cooperatively function to secure hair of a wearer in place.  
     
     
         15 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said second latch member extends along said free end of said second portion.  
     
     
         16 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said second latch member has a pyramidal shape in cross section.  
     
     
         17 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said second latch member has an apex that faces toward said hinge.  
     
     
         18 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface of said second portion has a flange surface with a nub positioned thereon and a tab extending therefrom.  
     
     
         19 . The hair clip of  claim 18 , wherein said tab is a release member for disengaging said second latch member from said first latch member.  
     
     
         20 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said hinge has an hourglass shape.  
     
     
         21 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein said hair clip is made of plastic.