Locking hair sticks

Abstract

A hair-retaining device to be worn on the head comprising two attached hair sticks with two locking beads connected to each of the hair sticks. The hair sticks retain a portion of a user's hair between the hair sticks and between the locking beads.

1 . A hair retaining device comprising two rigid stick portions, each includes a first end and a second; both stick portions are attached to each other by a first locking bead and a second locking bead which are located away from both of the first and second ends, thereby forming a first open end and second open end between the stick portions; the first locking bead and the second locking bead comprise a button member with a hole in its side; the button member mates to each locking bead by placing the button member into an opening in the locking bead with a spring intermediate the button member and the locking bead; the hole in the button member is not lined up with the hole in the bead when the button member is not depressed; wherein the locking bead can be attached to the sticks by pressing the button until the hole in the button member aligns with the hole in the locking bead. When the locking bead is placed on the stick portions and slid in place, the button is released, wherein the pressure from the spring between the button member and the locking bead pushes the button member against the sticks keeping the locking bead from sliding back in the opposite direction from which the sliding bead was slid along the stick portions, until the user presses the button member to remove the locking bead; and each of the stick portions having an outer textured surface, the outer textured surface being selected from the group consisting of ridges, detents, dimples, or a rubberized coating along its length to further keep the sliding bead from sliding, whereby a section of hair may be neatly secured between the stick portions by attaching and sliding the second locking bead toward the first locking bead with the hair there between.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each locking bead and each button member has a separate hole for each stick to be inserted.  
   
   
       3 . A method of retaining hair of a person comprising steps of: 
 providing a hair retaining device comprising two rigid stick portions, each includes a first end and a second; both stick portions are attached to each other by a first locking bead and a second locking bead which are located away from both of the first and second ends, thereby forming a first open end and second open end between the stick portions; the first locking bead and the second locking bead comprise a button member with a hole in its side; the button member mates to each locking bead by placing the button member into an opening in the locking bead with a spring intermediate the button member and the locking bead; the hole in the button member is not lined up with the hole in the bead when the button member is not depressed; wherein the locking bead can be attached to the sticks by pressing the button until the hole in the button member aligns with the hole in the locking bead. When the locking bead is placed on the stick portions and slid in place, the button is released, wherein the pressure from the spring between the button member and the locking bead pushes the button member against the sticks keeping the locking bead from sliding back in the opposite direction from which the sliding bead was slid along the stick portions, until the user presses the button member to remove the locking bead; and each of the stick portions having an outer textured surface, the outer textured surface being selected from the group consisting of ridges, detents, dimples, or a rubberized coating along its length to further keep the sliding bead from sliding, placing the stick portions into or around a section of hair with the second locking bead unattached;    inserting both stick portions adjacent the second end through the hole of the second locking bead;    sliding the bead toward the section of hair, whereby the section of hair is neatly secured between the first locking bead and the second locking bead.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each locking bead and each button member has a separate hole for each stick to be inserted.