Hair clip

Abstract

A hair clip includes a first paddle extending from a first tab. The first paddle has at least a portion with a width that is greater than a width of the first tab. The first paddle has a first curved shape. A second paddle extends from a second tab. The second paddle has at least a portion with a width that is greater than a width of the second tab. The second tab is connected to the first tab. The second paddle has a second curved shape. The second paddle overlapping the first paddle. A biasing element is disposed between the first tab and the second tab. The biasing element applies a biasing force to the first and second paddles so that in a rest position, the first and second paddles are in a closed position, and, in a use position, a first force is applied to the first tab and a second force is applied to the second tab so that the first tab and second tab are moved closer to one another and the first and second paddles are moved further apart from one another than in the rest position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair clip comprising:
 a first paddle extending from a first tab and supported by a first body portion extending from the first tab, the first paddle having at least a portion with a width that is greater than a width of the first tab and a tapered profile in a first plane forming an apex at a distal edge, and the first paddle having a generally curved shape with respect to a second plane generally orthogonal to the first plane such that an exterior surface of the first paddle is generally concave and an opposite, interior surface of the first paddle is generally convex;   a second paddle extending from a second tab and supported by a second body portion extending from the second tab, the second paddle having at least a portion with a width that is greater than a width of the second tab and a tapered profile in a first plane forming an apex at a distal edge, and the second paddle having a generally curved shape with respect to a second plane generally orthogonal to the first plane so that an exterior surface of the second paddle is generally convex and an opposite, interior surface of the second paddle is generally concave;   a hinge pivotally connecting the first paddle and the second paddle; and   a biasing element disposed between the first tab and the second tab, the biasing element applying a biasing force to the first and second paddles so that in a rest position the first and second paddles are in a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second paddles are made of a material that is more flexible than material of the first and second body portions. 
     
     
         3 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first paddle and the second paddle are the same shape. 
     
     
         4 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion has a curvature that is the same as the first paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the second body portion has a curvature that is the same as the second paddle. 
     
     
         6 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first paddle is symmetrical about a first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the second paddle is symmetrical about a second axis. 
     
     
         8 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the first paddle is connected to the first body portion by portions of material of first paddle passing through a plurality of apertures through the first body portion, and wherein the plurality of apertures are a line of circular holes along a center of the first body portion that receive the portions of the first paddle to hold the first paddle. 
     
     
         9 . The hair clip of  claim 1 , wherein the second paddle is connected to the second body portion by portions of material of second paddle passing through a plurality of apertures through the second body portion, and wherein the plurality of apertures are a line of circular holes along a center of the second body portion that receive the portions of the second paddle to hold the second paddle.