Ponytail Holder

Abstract

A holder for a person's ponytail includes a frustoconical shell comprised of a first and second parts each mutually connected at a hinged edge and positionable between open and closed positions. Clasping edges of each part are mutually, selectively fastenable with at least one mechanical clasp to secure the shell in the closed position. Each part has a top edge and a bottom edge that together form a top opening and a bottom opening for receiving the ponytail therethrough. A frustoconical, decorative cover is fixable with the shell when the shell is in the closed position, the ponytail being threaded therethrough. The shell and the cover each include one part of a two-part mechanical fastening mechanism for selectively fixing the cover to the shell when the shell is in the closed position.

1 . A ponytail holder, comprising:
 a frustoconical shell having first and second parts each mutually connected at a hinged edge and positionable between open and closed positions, each part having an inner surface, and outer surface, and a clasping edge opposite the hinged edge, the clasping edge of each part mutually, selectively fastenable to secure the shell in the closed position, each part having a top edge and a bottom edge that together form a top opening and a bottom opening, respectively, when the shell is in the closed position;   a frustoconical cover fixable with the shell when the shell is in the closed position, the cover including a circumferentially uninterrupted outer surface, an inner surface adapted to abut the outer surface of each part of the shell, a top opening and a bottom opening; and   a plurality of freestanding parallel spikes projecting away from each part of the shell, the spikes of both parts of the shell being substantially mutually parallel when the shell is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The ponytail holder of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spikes are aligned in at least one horizontal row of spikes. 
     
     
         4 . The ponytail holder of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of spikes are aligned in at least two horizontal rows of spikes. 
     
     
         5 . The ponytail holder of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of spikes are aligned in an upper horizontal row and a lower horizontal row. 
     
     
         6 . The ponytail holder of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of spikes are aligned in two upper horizontal rows and a lower horizontal row. 
     
     
         7 . The ponytail holder of  claim 1  wherein the shell and the cover each include one part of a two-part mechanical fastening mechanism for selectively fixing the cover to the shell when the shell is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The ponytail holder of  claim 7  wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one inward projection proximate the bottom opening of the cover and at least one recess in the outer surface of each part of the shell proximate the bottom opening of the shell, the projection adapted for a snap fit with the recess to secure the cover to the shell. 
     
     
         9 . The ponytail holder of  claim 8  wherein the at least one recess is a plurality of recesses, and wherein the at least one inward projection is a plurality of inward projections. 
     
     
         10 . The ponytail holder of  claim 8  wherein the at least one recess is a groove formed about the outer surface of each part of the shell proximate the bottom opening thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The ponytail holder of  claim 7  wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one magnet fixed with the inner surface of the cover and at least one magnet fixed with the outer surface of the shell. 
     
     
         12 . The ponytail holder of  claim 7  wherein the fastening mechanism includes a hook and loop type fastening material. 
     
     
         13 . The ponytail holder of  claim 7  wherein the fastening mechanism includes a low-tact adhesive applied to either the inner surface of the cover, the outer surface of each part of the shell, or both the inner surface of the cover and the outer surface of each part of the shell. 
     
     
         14 . The ponytail holder of  claim 1  wherein each part of the shell includes at least one loop proximate the hinged edge thereof, and wherein each part of the shell includes at least one hook proximate the clasping edge thereof, whereby an elastic band may be engaged with the hooks and loops to create an elastic ponytail grip to compress the ponytail when the shell is secured around the ponytail in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . A ponytail holder, comprising:
 a frustoconical shell having first and second parts each mutually connected at a hinged edge and positionable between open and closed positions, each part having an inner surface, and outer surface, and a clasping edge opposite the hinged edge, the clasping edge of each part mutually, selectively fastenable to secure the shell in the closed position, each part having a top edge and a bottom edge that together form a top opening and a bottom opening, respectively, when the shell is in the closed position;   a plurality of frustoconical covers each fixable with the shell when the shell is in the closed position, each cover including a circumferentially uninterrupted outer surface, an inner surface adapted to abut the outer surface of each part of the shell, a top opening and a bottom opening, the outer surface of each cover being mutually visually distinct; and   a plurality of freestanding parallel spikes projecting away from each part of the shell, the spikes of both parts of the shell being substantially mutually parallel when the shell is in the closed position.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The ponytail holder of  claim 15  wherein the shell and each cover include one part of a two-part mechanical fastening mechanism for selectively fixing the cover to the shell when the shell is in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The ponytail holder of  claim 15  wherein each part of the shell includes at least one loop proximate the hinged edge thereof, and wherein each part of the shell includes at least one hook proximate the clasping edge thereof, whereby an elastic band may be engaged with the hooks and loops to create an elastic ponytail grip to compress the ponytail when the shell is secured around the ponytail in the closed position.