Devices and methods for holding hair back without applying significant pressure

Abstract

A headband adapted for effectively holding hair back from a person's face without smashing or crimping a substantial portion of the hair at the top of a person's head. The headband comprises an elongated band having at least a top portion and two side portions, with the top portion defining at least two humps separated by a lowered restrictive component. In application, the lowered restrictive component engages the wearer's head and/or hair to hold the headband in place, while the majority of the wearer's hair is allowed to flow freely down the back of the wearer's head. In this manner, a secure hold is achieved, without applying significant pressure to the hair and reducing hair volume.

1 . A headband comprising an elongated band having at least a top portion and two side portions, wherein the top portion defines at least two humps separated by a lowered restriction component, each of the humps comprising a height and defining a space thereunder. 
     
     
         2 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the lowered restriction component is configured to securely engage a head. 
     
     
         3 . The headband of  claim 2 , wherein the lowered restriction component further comprises one or more friction enhancing components configured to facilitate secure engagement with the head. 
     
     
         4 . The headband of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the friction enhancing components is selected from a group consisting of a comb, a friction enhancing material, and teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The headband of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the friction enhancing components comprises a rubber or synthetic material. 
     
     
         6 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises at least three humps, each of the at least three humps separated from each other by a lowered restriction component, and wherein at least one of the lowered restriction components comprises a length between 0.25 inches and 1 inch. 
     
     
         7 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein each of the humps is configured to secure hair back from a face of the head without unmoveably compressing hair against the head. 
     
     
         8 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated band is flexible, semi-flexible, or stiff. 
     
     
         9 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated band further comprises a setting configured to receive one or more decorative ornaments. 
     
     
         10 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the elongated band comprises a semi-flexible material and the side portions of the elongated band comprise a stretchable material. 
     
     
         11 . The headband of  claim 10 , wherein the side portions of the elongated band comprises a stretchable material. 
     
     
         12 . The headband of  claim 10 , wherein the elongated band comprises a continuous loop or band of stretchable material. 
     
     
         13 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the elongated band is configured such that, when the elongated band is positioned on a head, the top portion does not apply a continuous pressure against the head along a length of the top portion. 
     
     
         14 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein each of the side portions of the headband further comprise a lowered restriction component comprising a first length and defined, at least in part, by a hump, and the lowered restriction component of the top comprises a second length, with the first length being shorter than the second length. 
     
     
         15 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein each of the humps further comprises a length, and wherein the height of a hump is between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches and the length of a hump is between two inches and three inches. 
     
     
         16 . The headband of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the humps comprises dimensions that are unique to that hump as compared to the other humps. 
     
     
         17 . A method for loosely restricting hair, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying a headband to a head having hair, the headband comprising an elongated band having a top portion and two side portions, wherein the top portion defines at least two humps separated by a lowered restriction component, each of the humps having a height and defining a space thereunder; and   loosely restricting the hair against the head within each space while concurrently flattening the hair against the head under each of the lowered restriction components.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 each of the side portions of the headband further comprises a restriction component comprising a first length and is defined, at least in part, by a hump; and   the lowered restriction component of the top comprises a second length, with the first length being longer than the second length.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein when the headband is applied to a head the hair that is loosely restricted within each space is not indented or crimped due to the heights of the humps. 
     
     
         20 . A band comprising:
 at least a top portion and two side portions defining a length, the top portion defining at least two humps separated by a lowered restriction component, each of the humps having a height and defining a space thereunder; and   one or more settings positioned at least along the top portion of the band, each setting configured to receive one or more decorative ornaments;   wherein the lowered restriction component of the top portion is configured to securely engage a head and comprises one or more friction enhancing components configured to facilitate secure engagement with the head; and   wherein the band is flexible or semi-flexible and when the band is positioned on a head, the top portion does not apply a continuous pressure against the head along the length of the band.