Hair tie with an elastic loop and fastener along with methods for using the same

Abstract

A hair tie for securing a piece of hair of a user is provided. The hair tie includes an elastic loop and a fastener that is secured to the elastic loop by a coupler. The hair tie includes an opening formed when the fastener is coupled to the elastic loop by the coupler. The hair tie further comprises cinch-like mechanics to secure a piece of hair of a user, such that the hair tie secures the piece of hair of the user in a manner that prevents the piece of hair of the user from moving by forming a no-slip grip about the piece of hair of the user. A method for securing the piece of hair of a user using the hair tie disclosed herein is also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for securing a piece of hair comprising:
 providing a hair tie with an elastic loop and a hook;
 wherein the hook is coupled to the elastic loop by a coupler at a first end of the hair tie and wherein the second end of the hair tie is formed by a portion of the elastic loop of the hair tie; and 
 wherein an opening of the hair tie is formed by the elastic loop between the first end of the hair tie and a second end of the hair tie that is located opposite the first end of the hair tie; 
 wherein the method for winding the piece of hair using the hair tie includes the steps of: 
 partially wrapping the hair tie around a piece of hair, such that the first end of the hair tie extends over a first side of the piece of hair and the second end of the hair tie extends over a second side of the piece of hair; 
 securing the second end of the hair tie and applying a force on the first end of the hair tie until the elastic loop of the hair tie begins to expand; 
 applying force on the first end of the hair tie until the first end of the hair tie is positioned adjacent to the second end of the hair tie; 
 guiding the first end of the hair tie including the hook through a portion of the opening of the hair tie located at the second end of the hair tie; 
 wrapping the first end of the hair tie around the piece of hair; 
 adjusting the position of the hook until at least a portion of the hook is extending through the elastic loop; and 
 releasing the first end of the hair tie, such that the hook couples to the elastic loop with the elastic loop contracting to apply a radial inward force on the piece of hair being secured in place by the hair tie. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of hair secured by the hair tie is one of a ponytail, a braid or a dreadlock. 
     
     
         3 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the second end of the hair tie is done by a first hand of a user and the step of applying a force on the first end of the hair tie is done by a second hand of a user. 
     
     
         4 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the hair tie is wrapped around the piece of hair at least one time before the hook is coupled to the elastic loop. 
     
     
         5 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic loop is formed by one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a nitrile rubber, a silicone rubber, a urethane rubber, a chloroprene rubber, or an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic loop of the hair tie is covered by a layer composed of a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The method for securing a piece of hair of  claim 6 , wherein the natural fiber or the synthetic fiber can include a color. 
     
     
         8 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 1 , wherein the hair tie includes a decorative piece which can be removably or non-removably coupled to one of the elastic loop, the coupler or the hook of the hair tie. 
     
     
         9 . A method for securing a piece of hair comprising:
 providing a hair tie having including an elastic loop and a fastener;
 wherein the fastener is coupled to the elastic loop by a coupler at a first end of the hair tie and wherein the second end of the hair tie is formed by a portion of the elastic loop of the hair tie; and 
 wherein an opening of the hair tie is formed by the elastic loop between the first end of the hair tie and a second end of the hair tie that is located opposite the first end of the hair tie; 
   the method for securing the piece of hair comprising the steps of:
 partially wrapping the hair tie around a piece of hair, such that the first end of the hair tie extends over a first side of the piece of hair and the second end of the hair tie extends over a second side of the piece of hair; 
 securing the second end of the hair tie and applying a force on the first end of the hair tie until the elastic loop of the hair tie begins to expand; 
 applying force on the first end of the hair tie until the first end of the hair tie is positioned adjacent to the second end of the hair tie; 
 guiding the first end of the hair tie including the fastener through a portion of the opening of the hair tie located at the second end of the hair tie; 
 wrapping the first end of the hair tie around the piece of hair; 
 adjusting the position of the fastener until at least a portion of the fastener is extending through the elastic loop; and 
 releasing the first end of the hair tie such that the fastener couples to the elastic loop while the elastic loop is contracting and applying a radial inward force on the piece of hair being secured by the hair tie. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the piece of hair is one of a ponytail, a braid or a dreadlock. 
     
     
         11 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the step of securing the second end of the hair tie is done by the first hand of a user. 
     
     
         12 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic loop is formed by one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a nitrile rubber, a silicone rubber, a urethane rubber, a chloroprene rubber or an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. 
     
     
         13 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic loop includes an exterior cover that is formed of a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         14 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the hair tie includes a decorative piece that is coupled to one of the elastic loop, the coupler or the hook of the hair tie. 
     
     
         15 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener couples to the second end of the hair tie by a mechanical means, a magnetic means, a vacuum means or an adhesive means. 
     
     
         16 . The method for securing the piece of hair of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener comprises one of a hook, a suction cup, a magnet, a loop, a lynch pin, an R-clip, a split pin, a spring pin, a tapered pin, a snap fastener, a threaded fastener, a twisting fastener, a buckle, a clip or a clamp fastener. 
     
     
         17 . A hair tie comprising:
 an elastic loop;   a first end and a second end;   wherein the second end of the hair tie is formed by a portion of the elastic loop of the hair tie;   a hook coupled to the elastic loop by a coupler at the first end of the hair tie; and   wherein the hair tie further comprises an opening formed by the elastic loop between the first end of the hair tie and a second end of the hair tie that is located opposite the first end of the hair tie.   
     
     
         18 . The hair tie of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic loop can be made from one of the following materials: a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a nitrile rubber, a silicone rubber, a urethane rubber, a chloroprene rubber or an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. 
     
     
         19 . The hair tie of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic loop of the hair tie is covered by a layer composed of a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber and wherein the natural fiber or the synthetic fiber can include a color. 
     
     
         20 . The hair tie of  claim 17 , wherein the hair tie includes a decorative piece coupled to one of the elastic loop, the coupler or the hook of the hair tie.