Hair styling tool and method of using same

Abstract

A hair styling tool for creating an uneven part having a base with a handle, a stem and a web portion. First and second tines extend transversely from the web portion, and in the same direction, generally toward the handle. The tines are spaced apart a distance sufficient to lift and separate hair as the tool is moved through hair to form an uneven part. A method for forming an uneven part in hair includes the steps of engaging first and/or second spaced tines of a hair styling tool with a scalp of a person's head at a desired location for the start of the part near the person's face. Moving the hair styling tool toward the desired location of the part end using an alternating pattern to form a desired predetermined uneven hair part. Finally, slightly lifting a handle of the hair styling tool when the second tine has reached the desired location of the part end to separate and capture hair between the first and second tines so that the captured hair may be divided by the tool user.

1 . A hair styling tool comprising: 
 a base having a handle, a stem and a web portion;    a first tine extending transversely from said web portion, and a second tine spaced from said first tine, and extending transversely from said web portion in the same direction as said first tine, said tines being spaced apart a distance sufficient to lift and separate hair as the tool is moved through hair.    
   
   
       2 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein said handle has a finger grip configuration for engagement with the hand of a tool user.  
   
   
       3 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein said handle supports a coating material for cushioning engagement with the hand of a tool user.  
   
   
       4 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said base is configured to simulate an animate object.  
   
   
       5 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said base is configured to simulate an inanimate object.  
   
   
       6 . The hair styling tool of claims  2 - 5 , wherein said base portion includes openings therethrough for securing the tool to another object.  
   
   
       7 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1  wherein said first tine has a substantially straight configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein said second tine has a somewhat L-shaped configuration for lifting hair during tool use.  
   
   
       9 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein either said first or said second tine has a slightly curved configuration for lifting hair during tool use.  
   
   
       10 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tines each have a slightly curved configuration, with the curvature being in a direction toward the handle.  
   
   
       11 . The hair styling tool of claims  7 - 10 , wherein said first and second tines have tip portions, and of each of said tip portions is provided with a coating for comfortable engagement with a person's head.  
   
   
       12 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced distance between said first and second tines ranges from 0.25 inch to 1.25 inches.  
   
   
       13 . The hair styling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced distance between said first and second tines is at least approximately 0.75 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The hair styling tool of  claim 12 , wherein the overall height of the tool is at least approximately 6 inches.  
   
   
       15 . The hair styling tool of  claim 12 , wherein the overall height of the tool is at least approximately 8 inches.  
   
   
       16 . A method for styling hair with an uneven part comprising the steps of: 
 placing first and/or second spaced tines of a hair styling tool adjacent to or engaged with a scalp at the top of the crown of a tool user's head;    moving the hair styling tool toward the tool user's face in an alternating pattern to form a desired predetermined uneven hair part; and    slightly lifting a handle of the hair styling tool when the second tine has approximately reached the tool user's hair line to separate and capture hair between said first and second tines so that the captured hair may be divided by the tool user.    
   
   
       17 . A method for forming an uneven part in hair comprising the steps of: 
 engaging first and/or second spaced tines of a hair styling tool with a scalp of a person's head at a desired location for the start of the part near the person's face;    moving the hair styling tool toward the desired location of the part end using an alternating pattern to form a desired predetermined uneven hair part; and    slightly lifting a handle of the hair styling tool when the second tine has reached the desired location of the part end to separate and capture hair between said first and second tines so that the captured hair may be divided by the tool user.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  or  17  further comprising the step of using a back and forth alternating pattern to form a zigzag part in a person's hair.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of using shorter back and forth alternating pattern movements to add fullness and volume to a person's hair by adding more zigzags in the person's hair part.