Hair clip apparatus and method for constructing same

Abstract

A hair accessory device with a cover is provided. Through the use of this novel device one can facilitate hair styling while shielding from view the hardware that is used to style the hair. The device provides a cover that shields most if not all of any spring, hinge or other mechanical system that is used to style one's hair.

1 . A hair clip apparatus comprising:
 a. a hair association element comprising
 i. a first set of elongated branches and 
 ii. a second set of elongated branches, wherein said first set of elongated branches and said second set of elongated branches are hinged together at their first ends about a hinge axis thereby enabling the first set of elongated branches and second branches to pivot between a first position and a second position, and 
 iii. a gripping element, wherein said gripping element enables a user to manipulate said hair association element between said first position and said second position; and 
   b. a cover, wherein said cover encases the gripping element and the hinge.   
   
   
       2 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cover further encases a portion of the first set of elongated branches and a portion of the second set of elongated branches. 
   
   
       3 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cover further comprises an ornamental element. 
   
   
       4 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the ornamental element is selected from the group consisting of a ribbon, a fabric, a jewel, a feather, and a bow. 
   
   
       5 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the ornamental element comprises hair. 
   
   
       6 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the ornamental element is reversibly attachable. 
   
   
       7 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said set of first elongated branches and said set of second elongated branches each comprise at least three teeth. 
   
   
       8 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein when said first set of elongated branches and said second set of elongated branches are in said first position the teeth within the first set of elongated branches alternate with the teeth within the second set of elongated branches. 
   
   
       9 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said cover comprises:
 a. a first covering element, wherein said first covering element has a first end that is attached to said first set of elongated branches and a second end that is attached to said second set of elongated branches; and   b. a second covering element, wherein said second covering element is attached to said first covering element.   
   
   
       10 . The hairclip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said second covering element is not attached to said hair association element. 
   
   
       11 . A hair clip apparatus comprising:
 a. a cover; and   b. a hair association element, wherein said hair association element comprises an engagement mechanism that enables said hair association element to exist in at least two positions and said cover shields at least 50% of said engagement mechanism from view when said hair association element is associated with hair.   
   
   
       12 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said cover shields at least 80% of said engagement mechanism from view when said hair association element is associated with hair. 
   
   
       13 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a hinge. 
   
   
       14 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said engagement mechanism further comprises a spring. 
   
   
       15 . There hair clip apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the cover shields the spring and hinge from view when said hair association element is associated with hair. 
   
   
       16 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the engagement is configured as a butterfly clip. 
   
   
       17 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising tines. 
   
   
       18 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising an ornamental element. 
   
   
       19 . The hair clip apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the ornamental element comprises hair. 
   
   
       20 . A hair clip apparatus comprising:
 a. a cover; and   b. a hair association element, wherein said hair association element comprises an engagement mechanism that enables said hair association element to exist in at least two positions and said cover shields at least 50% of said engagement mechanism from view when said hair association element is associated with hair, wherein said cover is attached to said hair association element.