Hair accessory and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A hair accessory has a helical elastic band that forms a closed circle. The hair accessory also has a weft having a hair retention member and a plurality of strands that extend from the strand retention member. The weft is spirally wrapped around the elastic band so that the weft completely encases the helical elastic band and allows the helical elastic band to move between an enlarged configuration and a contracted configuration. The helical elastic band is biased to the contracted configuration.

1 . A hair accessory, comprising:
 a helical elastic band forming a closed circle; and   a weft having a strand retention member and a plurality of hair strands extending from the strand retention member, the weft spirally wrapped around the helical elastic band in a manner that completely encases the helical elastic band and allows the helical elastic band to move between an enlarged configuration and a contracted configuration, the helical elastic band being biased to the contracted configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the strand retention member is inelastic. 
     
     
         3 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strands are threaded to the strand retention member. 
     
     
         4 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the weft has opposed ends that are coupled together to form a continuous loop. 
     
     
         5 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of strands is between four inches and ten inches. 
     
     
         6 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band has a diameter between one half and three inches when at the contracted configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the weft is wrapped around the coils in the elastic band in a uniform manner. 
     
     
         8 . A hair accessory, comprising:
 a coiled elastic band forming a closed loop; said elastic band being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, an interior perimeter of said elastic band at said contracted configuration being smaller than an interior perimeter of said elastic band at said expanded configuration; said elastic band having uniform coils, each said coil having a center point and a diameter, a distance between said center points of at least two adjacent said coils changing as said elastic band moves between said contracted and expanded configurations;   a plurality of strands, each strand having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a strand retention member securing the strands, each said strand proximal end being coupled to said strand retention member, each said strand distal end extending freely away from said strand retention member in a common direction;   wherein said strand retention member is spirally wrapped around said elastic band, forming spirals completely encasing and conforming to said coils, said strand retention member forming a closed loop.   
     
     
         9 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said strand retention member is inelastic. 
     
     
         10 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said strand retention member is spirally wrapped around said elastic band such that said strand retention member overlaps itself. 
     
     
         11 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said strand retention member is spirally wrapped in a uniform manner. 
     
     
         12 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein a diameter of said elastic band at said contracted configuration is between one half inch and three inches. 
     
     
         13 . The hair accessory of  claim 12 , wherein said diameter of said elastic band at said expanded configuration is at least two times said diameter of said elastic band in said contracted configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said elastic band is biased to said contracted configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said closed loop has a center point, and wherein said hair strands do not pass through said center point of said closed loop. 
     
     
         16 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of strands extend arcuately from said strand retention member. 
     
     
         17 . A method for fabricating a hair accessory, comprising:
 attaching a plurality of hair strands to a strand retention member to form a weft; and   spirally wrapping the weft around a helical elastic band.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic band is biased towards a contracted state. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic band forms a closed circle having a center point, wherein the hair strands do not pass through the center point. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the weft has opposed ends that are coupled together to form a continuous loop.