Helical hair styling device

Abstract

A hair accessory can include an elongate member constructed of an elastic material formed into a helix having a plurality of coils. The elongate member can include a first end segment, a second end segment, and an intermediate segment located between the first and second end segments. The first and second end segments can have a smaller average diameter than the intermediate segment.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A hair accessory comprising:
 an elongate member comprising a helix having a plurality of coils, the elongate member being constructed from an elastic material and having a first end segment, a second end segment, and an intermediate segment located between the first and second end segments;   wherein the first end segment, second end segment, and intermediate segment each have an inner diameter and an outer diameter;   wherein the inner diameter of the first end segment is equal to the inner diameter of the second end segment;   wherein the outer diameter of the first end segment is equal to the outer diameter of the second end segment;   wherein the inner diameter of the first and second end segments is substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the intermediate segment;   wherein the outer diameter of the first and second end segments is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the intermediate segment; and   wherein the elongate member has substantially the same thickness in the first, second, and intermediate segments.   
     
     
         2 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the first end segment has substantially the same dimensions and configuration as the second end segment;
 wherein the inner diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.15 inches, the outer diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.4 inches, the inner diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.55 inches, and the outer diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.8 inches; and   wherein the hair accessory has a length of approximately 6 inches when the hair accessory is in a relaxed state.   
     
     
         3 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member further comprises an inner core and an outer layer. 
     
     
         4 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is constructed of a material selected from polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         5 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end segments comprise a slip-resistant surface. 
     
     
         6 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is impregnated with a fragrance. 
     
     
         7 . The hair accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the first end segment includes a means for attaching the elongate member to one or more decorative items. 
     
     
         8 . A hair accessory comprising:
 an elongate member comprising a helix having a plurality of coils, the elongate member having a first end segment, a second end segment, and an intermediate segment located between the first and second end segments;   wherein each segment has an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and an average diameter, the average diameter being equal to the arithmetic mean of the inner diameter and the outer diameter;   wherein the average diameter of the first end segment is substantially smaller than the average diameter of the intermediate segment; and   wherein the average diameter of the second end segment is substantially smaller than the average diameter of the intermediate segment.   
     
     
         9 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate member is constructed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The hair accessory of  claim 9 , wherein the first end segment has substantially the same dimensions and configuration as the second end segment;
 wherein the inner diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.15 inches, the outer diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.4 inches, the inner diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.55 inches, and the outer diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.8 inches; and   wherein the hair accessory has a length of approximately 6 inches when the hair accessory is in a relaxed state.   
     
     
         11 . The hair accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate member has substantially the same thickness in the first, second, and intermediate segments. 
     
     
         12 . The hair accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the outer diameters of the first end segment, the second end segment, and the intermediate segment are approximately equal. 
     
     
         13 . The hair accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second end segments comprise a slip-resistant surface. 
     
     
         14 . The hair accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate member is constructed of a material selected from polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         15 . A method of bundling hair comprising:
 disposing a hair accessory around a bundle of hair, the hair accessory comprising an elongate member comprising a helix having a plurality of coils, the elongate member being constructed from an elastic material and having a first end segment, a second end segment, and an intermediate segment located between the first and second end segments;   wrapping the hair accessory around the bundle of hair; and   securing the first and second end segments upon each other by twisting the first and second end segments together, thereby interlocking two or more coils of the first end segment with two or more coils of the second end segment;   wherein the first end segment, second end segment, and intermediate segment each have an inner diameter and an outer diameter;   wherein the inner diameter of the first end segment is equal to the inner diameter of the second end segment;   wherein the outer diameter of the first end segment is equal to the outer diameter of the second end segment;   wherein the inner diameter of the first and second end segments is substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the intermediate segment;   wherein the outer diameter of the first and second end segments is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the intermediate segment; and   wherein the elongate member has substantially the same thickness in the first, second, and intermediate segments.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first end segment has substantially the same dimensions and configuration as the second end segment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inner diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.15 inches, the outer diameter of the first and second end segments is approximately 0.4 inches, the inner diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.55 inches, and the outer diameter of the intermediate segment is approximately 0.8 inches; and
 wherein the hair accessory has a length of approximately 6 inches when the hair accessory is in a relaxed state.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate member has substantially the same thickness in the first, second, and intermediate segments. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate member further comprises an inner core and an outer layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate member is constructed of a material selected from polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride.