Hair extension devices and methods

Abstract

A hair extension device comprises a biocompatible anchor adapted to be secured directly to a user's cranium adjacent natural hair, a connector adapted to be secured directly to the anchor, and at least one elongate strand of hair secured directly to the connector so that the at least one strand of hair flows freely relative to the natural hair. The connector or the at least one elongate strand of hair may be adapted to yield to excessive forces so that the anchor is not dislodge from the cranium should the at least one elongate strand of hair be pulled with sufficient force.

1 . A hair extension device, comprising:
 a biocompatible anchor adapted to be secured directly to a user's cranium adjacent natural hair;   a connector adapted to be secured directly to the anchor; and   at least one elongate strand of hair secured directly to the connector so that the at least one strand of hair flows freely relative to the natural hair.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises:
 an elongate base member adapted to be secured directly to the anchor; and   a clasp member having a proximate portion connected to a first end of the base member via a spring element, the proximate portion extending away from the base member and transitioning into a middle portion substantially parallel to the base member, the middle portion transitioning into a distal portion, the distal portion extending toward the base member and terminating at a free end, the free end adapted to releasably engage a second end of the base member such that the free end disengages the second end of the base member upon the application of a predetermined force.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 the at least one strand of hair is folded upon itself and secured to itself to define an overfolded end portion; and   the middle portion of the clasp member is interposed between overlapping portions of the overfolded end portion.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 the anchor includes a universal mount adapted to receive the connector; and   the base member is adapted to releasably engage the universal mount.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the anchor includes an exposed end opposite a portion of the anchor adapted to be secured to the cranium, the exposed end having an elongate channel formed therein and a pin disposed within the elongate channel so that the pin is substantially perpendicular to the elongate channel and such that wall portions of the elongate channel and a portion of the pin define a guide channel adapted to receive a hook-shaped connector; and   the connector includes a hook-shaped portion adapted to be inserted into the guide channel.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises an elongate base element including a first fastener adapted to releasably engage the anchor and a second fastener opposite the first fastener, the second fastener adapted to releasably engage a second anchor, and further comprising a plurality of hair strands secured to the base element such that each of the hair strands flows freely relative to the natural hair. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one elongate strand of hair is adapted to releasably engage the connector so that a tensile force necessary to pull the at least one elongate strand of hair from the connector is less than a tensile force necessary to dislodge the anchor from the cranium. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the connector is adapted to releasably engage the anchor so that a tensile force necessary to pull the connector from the anchor is less than a tensile force necessary to dislodge the anchor from the cranium. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one strand of hair includes natural hair. 
   
   
       10 . A hair extension system, comprising:
 a plurality of biocompatible anchors secured directly to a user's cranium adjacent natural hair; and   a plurality of connectors, each of the connectors secured directly to one of the anchors and each of the connectors including a plurality of elongate hair strands secured directly thereto so that the elongate hair strands flow freely relative to the natural hair.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein each of the connectors comprises:
 an elongate base member secured directly to the anchor; and   a substantially C-shaped member including a pivotal end connected to a first end of the base member via a spring element and a clasp end opposite the pivotal end, the clasp end releasably engaging a second end of the base member such that the clasp end disengages the second end of the base member upon the application of a predetermined force.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 the plurality of elongate hair strands are folded and secured to themselves to define a loop of hair; and   the substantially C-shaped member runs through the loop of hair, thereby directly securing the plurality of elongate hair strands to the connector.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 each of the anchors includes a universal mount; and   each of the base members releasably engages one of the universal mounts.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein:
 each of the anchors includes a receiver for receiving a hook-shaped connector; and   each of the connectors includes a hook-shaped portion inserted into one of the receivers.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the connectors comprises an elongate base element including a first fastener releasably engaging one of the anchors and a second fastener opposite the first fastener, the second fastener releasably engaging one of the other anchors. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of elongate hair strands are adapted to releasably engage the respective connector so that a tensile force necessary to pull the plurality of elongate hair strands from the respective connector is less than a tensile force necessary to dislodge the respective anchor from the cranium. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein each of the connectors is adapted to releasably engage the respective anchor so that a tensile force necessary to pull the respective connector from the respective anchor is less than a tensile force necessary to dislodge the respective anchor from the cranium. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of elongate hair strands includes natural hair. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a mesh secured to at least two of the anchors, the mesh including a plurality of openings through which the natural hair passes and a plurality of elongate hair strands secured directly to the mesh so that the elongate hair strands attached to the mesh flow freely relative to the natural hair. 
   
   
       20 . A hair extension device, comprising:
 a plurality of biocompatible anchors adapted to be secured directly to a user's cranium adjacent natural hair;   a mesh adapted to be secured directly to each of the anchors, the mesh including a plurality of openings for receiving the natural hair; and   a plurality of elongate hair strands secured directly to the mesh so that the elongate hair strands flow freely relative to the natural hair.