Helical hair tie

Abstract

The helical hair tie is a spiraling hair tie that is designed to hold a small braid of hair. The helical hair tie features a plurality of teeth along an interior surface that employs a frictional force to stabilize the helical hair tie onto hair. The helical hair tie is installed upon rotation of the hair tie along a small braid of hair. The helical hair tie is made of a highly flexible material that has a memory such that upon straightening and subsequent release, the helical hair tie restores the helical shape.

1 . A helical hair tie comprising:
 a continuously spiraling coil of an undefined length;   wherein the coil has an interior surface that is lined with a plurality of teeth;   wherein a small braid of hair is wrapped within said helical hair tie and secured therein;   wherein the teeth are further defined as raised ridges of equal width;   wherein the teeth are made of a material having a high coefficient of friction such that when the helical hair tie is installed upon a small braid of hair, the teeth adhere against and onto the surface of the hair via a frictional force;   wherein the coil is made of a highly flexible material comprising a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer;   wherein the teeth engage the braid of hair at a bias.   
     
     
         2 . The helical hair tie as described in  claim 1  wherein the diameter of the coil is not less than 1/16 inch to not more than 3 inches. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The helical hair tie as described in  claim 1  wherein the teeth have an overall height ranging from 1/64 to 1/16 inch. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The helical hair tie as described in  claim 1  wherein the teeth may be made of a material comprising a rubber or a plastic. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A helical hair tie comprising:
 a continuously spiraling coil of an undefined length;   wherein the coil has an interior surface that is lined with a plurality of teeth;   wherein a small braid of hair is wrapped within said helical hair tie and secured therein;   wherein the teeth are further defined as raised ridges of equal width;   wherein the teeth engage the braid of hair at a bias;   wherein the teeth are made of a material having a high coefficient of friction such that when the helical hair tie is installed upon a small braid of hair, the teeth adhere against and onto the surface of the hair via a frictional force;   wherein the diameter of the coil is not less than 1/16 inch to not more than 3 inches;   wherein the teeth have an overall height ranging from 1/64 to 1/16 inch;   wherein the teeth may be made of a material comprising a rubber or a plastic;   wherein the coil is made of a highly flexible material comprising a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)