Hair retention device

Abstract

A device for styling hair is disclosed. The device includes a wire threaded into a flexible hollow tube which is covered by flexible material. The ends of the hollow tube are either joined by a closure device into a circle or independently closed by separate closure devices to form a cylindrical device. The device can be used to form hairstyles with different lengths and textures of hair and can form multiple hairstyles.

1 . A hair styling device, comprising: 
 a flexible, hollow elongate body having an inner diameter and a longitudinal axis;    a flexible elongate internal element having a longitudinal axis which has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the elongate body and which is threaded into the elongate body;    a flexible covering which covers the elongate body and the internal element subsequent to threading the internal element into the elongate body.    
   
   
       2 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the elongate body is made from a material which is flexible, capable of returning to an original configuration and which will not cause damage to a user's hair.  
   
   
       3 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the elongate body is made from vinyl tubing.  
   
   
       4 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the internal element is made from a material which is flexible, which is capable of retaining a desired orientation such that a hair style is maintained and which is capable of returning to an original configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the internal element is made from a metal.  
   
   
       6 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the internal element is made from insulated copper wire.  
   
   
       7 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of fabric and synthetic hair.  
   
   
       8 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the flexible material is fabric which is formed into a cylinder into which the elongate body and the threaded internal element are placed.  
   
   
       9 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the ends of the flexible material being secured such that the elongate body and the threaded internal element are entirely covered.  
   
   
       10 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the ends of the flexible material are secured by a means selected from the group consisting of stitches and adhesive.  
   
   
       11 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a connection means for connecting the ends of the elongate body to each other.  
   
   
       12 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the connection means is a dowel which has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the elongate body and which is placed into the ends of the elongate body such that the ends of the elongate body are connected and the internal element is retained within the elongate body.  
   
   
       13 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein an adhesive is applied to dowel prior to placing the dowel into the ends of the elongate body.  
   
   
       14 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a closing means for closing the ends of the elongate body.  
   
   
       15 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the closing means is a pair of dowels which have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the elongate body and wherein each dowel is placed into one end of the elongate body such that the ends of the elongate body are closed and the internal element is retained within the elongate body.  
   
   
       16 . The hair styling device as set forth in  claim 15  wherein an adhesive is applied to dowels prior to placing the dowels into the ends of the elongate body.