Hair extension apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

A hair extension apparatus includes a plurality of hair strands attached to a support structure configured for positioning on the wearer's head. The support structure can have an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure, a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member, a plurality of lace segments attached to the upper member and the lower member, and a plurality of wefts functionally attached to the lower member and the lace segments. The wefts can be positioned in substantially perpendicular orientation to the lace segments. The wefts and lace segments can be made of an elastic material, so that the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions. A plurality of hair engaging members can be attached to the support structure to engage the natural hair of the wearer's head.

1 . A support structure for use in a hair extension apparatus comprising:
 (a) an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure;   (b) a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member;   (c) a plurality of substantially vertical members functionally attached to the upper member and the lower member;   (d) a plurality of substantially horizontal members functionally attached to the lower member; and   (e) wherein the substantially vertical members and the substantially horizontal members are comprised of an elastic material, whereby the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions.   
     
     
         2 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper member and the lower member are comprised of an elastic material. 
     
     
         3 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is configured for positioning on a head of a person, and the support structure conforms to the person's head. 
     
     
         4 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic material comprises an elastomeric fiber. 
     
     
         5 . A support structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the elastomeric fiber comprises spandex. 
     
     
         6 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical members comprise lace segments. 
     
     
         7 . A support structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the lace segments are comprised of an elastic material that is stretchable along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the lace segments. 
     
     
         8 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal members comprise wefts for attaching hair strands. 
     
     
         9 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper member is substantially convex. 
     
     
         10 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower member is substantially concave. 
     
     
         11 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hair engaging members attached to the upper member and the lower member for engaging natural hair of a person wearing the support structure. 
     
     
         12 . A support structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the hair engaging members comprise snap lock clips. 
     
     
         13 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising first and second temporal sections functionally attached at opposed ends of the upper member and the lower member, each temporal section having at least one hair engaging member attached thereon for engaging a section of hair proximate a temple of a person wearing the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . A support structure according to  claim 13 , wherein the support structure is configured to extend below a crown of a wearer's head from a first temple to a second temple. 
     
     
         15 . A support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower member includes a nape support segment configured to be positioned over the nape of a wearer's head, and further wherein at least one hair engaging member is attached to the nape support segment. 
     
     
         16 . A hair extension apparatus comprising a plurality of hair strands attached to a support structure configured for positioning on a wearer's head, the support structure comprising:
 (a) an upper member defining an upper edge of the support structure;   (b) a lower member defining a lower edge of the support structure functionally attached at opposed ends to the upper member;   (c) at least one substantially vertical member functionally attached to the upper member and the lower member;   (d) at least one substantially horizontal member functionally attached to the at least one vertical member and the lower member; and   (e) wherein the substantially vertical members and the substantially horizontal members are comprised of an elastic material, whereby the support structure is stretchable in vertical and horizontal directions.   
     
     
         17 . A hair extension apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one vertical member comprises a plurality of lace segments, and the at least one horizontal member comprises a plurality of wefts, and the hair strands are attached to the wefts. 
     
     
         18 . A hair extension apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one hair engaging member attached to the support structure for engaging natural hair of the wearer's head, whereby the hair extension apparatus is maintained on the wearer's head. 
     
     
         19 . A hair extension apparatus comprising:
 (a) a plurality of hair strands;   (b) a support structure configured for positioning on a wearer's head and including a plurality of wefts attached to the plurality of hair strands; and   (c) wherein the wefts are comprised of an elastic material.   
     
     
         20 . A hair extension apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the support structure further comprises:
 (a) a substantially convex elastic upper member having first and second ends;   (b) a substantially concave elastic lower member having first and second ends, the first end of the lower member attached to the first end of the upper member, and the second end of the lower member attached to the second end of the upper member;   (c) a plurality of elastic lace segments attached to the upper member and the lower member, and attached to the wefts in substantially perpendicular orientation; and   (d) at least one hair engaging member for engaging natural hair of the wearer functionally attached to the upper member, whereby the support structure is maintained on the wearer's head.