Dual comb hair accessory having planar stretch elements with embedded decorative designs

Abstract

A dual comb hair accessory has two opposed combs and at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element, preferably silicone, extending between the spines of the combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair. The planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element contacts the hair when the hair accessory is worn and provides an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the planar form.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
 two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and   at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,   said planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element.   
     
     
         2 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein a single planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extends between the spines of said combs, at least portions of said planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element having a width that is comparable to the width of the combs. 
     
     
         3 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein at least two planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extend between the spines of said combs, 
     
     
         4 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30. 
     
     
         5 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi. 
     
     
         6 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of at least about 150 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of between about 175 and about 250 psi. 
     
     
         9 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has the following properties:
 i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30; 
 ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and 
 iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi. 
 
     
     
         10 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 9  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element can be elongated by at least 200% from its original non-stretched length. 
     
     
         11 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 1  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element is a silicone part. 
     
     
         12 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 11  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch. 
     
     
         13 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 11  wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and 0.075 inches. 
     
     
         14 . A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
 two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and   a non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,   said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element,   said silicone based planar elastomeric stretch element has the following properties:   i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30;   ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and   iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi.   
     
     
         15 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 11  wherein said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is treated with a silicone based oil to reduce stickiness. 
     
     
         16 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 11  wherein said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and 0.075 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 11  wherein at least a portion of the width of said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is comparable to the width of the combs to which it is attached. 
     
     
         18 . A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
 two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and   a non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,   said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element,   said silicone based planar elastomeric stretch element having thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and about 0.075 inch., at least a portion of the width of said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is comparable to the width of the combs to which it is attached, said planar elastomeric stretch element having the following properties:   i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30;   ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and   iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi,   iv) can be elongated by at least 200% from its original non-stretched length.   
     
     
         19 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 18  wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 25. 
     
     
         20 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 19  wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi. 
     
     
         21 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 20  wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi. 
     
     
         22 . The dual comb hair accessory of  claim 21  wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of between about 175 and about 250 psi.