Hair clip

Abstract

A hair clip includes a pair of semi-annular band portions and a living hinge that extends between, and is integrally formed with proximal ends of the band portions to thereby join the band portions together for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. A locking depression is formed at the distal end of one band portion and a locking projection formed at the distal end of the other band portion. The locking projection and depression are mutually engageable in a snap-fit arrangement to thereby secure the band portions together in the closed position.

The embodiments for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A hair clip comprising: 
 a pair of semi-annular band portions, each band portion having a proximal end and a distal end;    a living hinge extending between, and integrally formed with the proximal ends to thereby join the band portions together for pivotal movement between open and closed positions;    a locking depression formed at the distal end of one band portion; and    a locking projection formed at the distal end of the other band portion and engageable with the locking depression of the one band portion to thereby secure the band portions together in the closed position;    the band portions in the open position being adapted to receive a bunch of hair, and in the closed position together forming an opening that compresses the bunch of hair to thereby secure the hair clip to the bunch of hair.    
     
     
         2 . A hair clip according to  claim 1 , wherein each band portion has an inner surface that forms said opening when the band portions are in the closed position; and further comprising at least one resilient member connected to the inner surface of at least one of the band portions to thereby resiliently compress the bunch of hair in the opening.  
     
     
         3 . A hair clip according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one resilient member comprises a pair of resilient members, each resilient member being connected to the inner surface of a respective band portion in opposed relationship.  
     
     
         4 . A hair clip according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner surface of each band portion includes a depression, each resilient member being mounted in a respective one of the depressions.  
     
     
         5 . A hair clip according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one resilient member is formed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         6 . A hair clip according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastomeric material is of an open cell foam construction.  
     
     
         7 . A hair clip according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner surface of the at least one band portion includes a depression, the at least one resilient member being mounted in the depression.  
     
     
         8 . A hair clip according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a tab extending generally circumferentially from the distal end of the other band portion, the locking projection being formed integral with the tab.  
     
     
         9 . A hair clip according to  claim 8 , wherein the locking projection comprising a boss, the boss engaging the locking depression in the one band portion when in the closed position.  
     
     
         10 . A hair clip according to  claim 9 , wherein the locking depression is formed in an outer surface of the one band portion, the locking depression including a ramped section for receiving the tab and a pocket formed in the ramp section for receiving the boss.  
     
     
         11 . A hair clip according to  claim 10 , wherein the living hinge is formed to be in tension when the band portions are in the closed position to thereby create a biasing force that tends to push the band portions toward the open position, the bias force causing the boss to lockably engage the pocket.  
     
     
         12 . A hair clip according to  claim 11 , wherein a free end of the tab includes an out turned lip to thereby facilitate movement of the tab by a user to disengage the boss from the pocket.  
     
     
         13 . A hair clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the living hinge is formed to be in tension when the band portions are in the closed position to thereby create a biasing force that tends to push the band portions toward the open position, the bias force causing the locking projection to lockably engage the locking depression.  
     
     
         14 . A hair clip comprising: 
 a pair of semi-annular band portions, each band portion having a proximal end and a distal end;    a hinge connected to the proximal ends to thereby join the band portions together for pivotal movement between open and closed positions;    a locking depression formed at the distal end of one band portion; and    a tab extending generally circumferentially from the distal end of the other band portion;    a locking projection being formed integral with the tab for locking engagement with the locking depression of the one band portion to thereby secure the band portions together in the closed position;    the band portions in the open position being adapted to receive a bunch of hair, and in the closed position together forming an opening that compresses the bunch of hair to thereby secure the hair clip to the bunch of hair.    
     
     
         15 . A hair clip according to  claim 14 , wherein the locking depression is formed in an outer surface of the one band portion, the locking depression including a ramped section for receiving the tab and a pocket formed in the ramp section for receiving the locking projection.  
     
     
         16 . A hair clip according to  claim 15 , wherein the hinge comprises a living hinge extending between, and formed integral with the proximal ends of the band portions.  
     
     
         17 . A hair clip according to  claim 16 , wherein the living hinge is in tension when the band portions are in the closed position to thereby create a biasing force that tends to push the band portions toward the open position, the bias force causing the locking projection to lockably engage the pocket.  
     
     
         18 . A hair clip according to  claim 17 , wherein each band portion has an inner surface that forms said opening when the band portions are in the closed position; and further comprising at least one resilient member connected to the inner surface of at least one of the band portions to thereby resiliently compress the bunch of hair in the opening.  
     
     
         19 . A hair clip according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one resilient member comprises a pair of resilient members, each resilient member being connected to the inner surface of a respective band portion in opposed relationship.  
     
     
         20 . A hair clip according to  claim 19 , wherein the inner surface of each band portion includes a depression, each resilient member being mounted in a respective one of the depressions.  
     
     
         21 . A hair clip according to claim  20 , wherein the resilient members are constructed of an elastomeric material.