Dreadlock interlocking tool

Abstract

A dreadlock interlocking tool is described. The dreadlock interlocking tool can comprise four principal elements, including: lock clamp, anti-snag guard; guide rod; and anti-scratch guard. The dreadlock interlocking tool is designed to have a principally linear shape, in order to grasp the tip of the dreadlock such that the body of the dreadlock is in-line with the tool. Thus, the tool can provide ease of use when pulling the body of the dreadlock through the root of the dreadlock during interlocking. The linear structure of the tool, and the provided safety features, such as the anti-snag guard and anti-scratch guard, allow for interlocking without unintentional twisting, snagging and/or damaging the scalp.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongated rod;   a body member coupled to a proximal end of the elongated rod, the body member comprising:
 a top portion, and 
 a bottom portion moveably coupled to the top portion at a hinged joint, such that an opening is formed between the top portion and bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion move away from each other to an open position for receiving a lock of hair inserted into the opening:
 wherein the top portion and the bottom portion move towards each other to a closed position for gripping the received lock of hair, and wherein the hinged joint is configured sustain the body member in the closed position, and 
 wherein the top portion defines a plurality of first ridges and the bottom portion defines a plurality of second ridges, wherein the plurality of first ridges are configured mate with the second plurality of ridges to engage the lock of hair in the closed position; 
 
   a rod guard arranged at the distal end of the elongated rod, comprising a rounded shape; and   joint guard covering a portion of the hinged-joint.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rod is coupled to the body member forming a linear geometry for the apparatus, extending from a proximal end of at least one of the top portion or bottom portion. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the closed position grips the received lock of hair such that the lock of hair is positioned in line with the linear geometry of the apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rod comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinged joint is arranged at the a proximal end of the body member. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body member comprises a metal, and the opening and closing mechanism comprises a metal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the joint guard comprises at least one of rubber or plastic, such that the joint guard covers the hinged joint to reduce hair contact during the interlocking motion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinged joint comprises at least one of: a clip grip, a cam tightening grip, and a slide tightening grip. 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A dreadlock interlocking tool, comprising:
 a guide rod, wherein the guide rod comprises an anti-scratch guard at the distal end of the guide rod, such that the rod guard comprises a rounded shape; and   a lock clamp coupled to the guide rod forming a linear body of the tool, the lock clamp, comprising a hinge joint, configured to grip a portion of a dreadlock such that the dreadlock is positioned in line with the linear body of the tool, and the guide rod guides a movement of the dreadlock in the horizontal alignment through hair at the root of the dreadlock during an interlocking motion, wherein the lock clamp defines a plurality of first ridges and a plurality of second ridges, wherein the plurality of first ridges are in a regressed arrangement and configured to mate with the second plurality of ridges in an extended arrangement, and wherein the plurality of first ridges and plurality of second ridges are configured to engage the dreadlock in a closed position, wherein the lock clamp further comprises a joint guard configured to cover a portion of the hinged joint.   
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 placing a lock clamp of a dreadlock interlocking tool in an open position to receive a dreadlock;   placing the lock clamp of the dreadlock interlocking tool in a closed position to secure a tip of dreadlock in the lock clamp;   positioning the dreadlock interlocking tool such that the dreadlock is horizontally aligned with the dreadlock interlocking tool and the dreadlock interlocking tool is parallel to a bead of a user; and   guiding the dreadlock interlocking tool through a root of the dreadlock to tighten the dreadlock.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein guiding the dreadlock interlocking tool through a root of the dreadlock further comprises: pushing a distal end of dreadlock interlocking tool into a first side of the root of the dreadlock. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein guiding the dreadlock interlocking tool through a root of the dreadlock further comprises:
 pulling the dreadlock interlocking tool to exit a second side of the root of the dreadlock in a manner that pulls the entire dreadlock through the root of the dreadlock.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein pulling the dreadlock interlocking tool further comprises:
 moving a scratch guard of the dreadlock interlocking tool along a horizontal axis through the root of the dreadlock.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion defines an external surface that comes to rest inside an internal surface of the bottom portion at the closed position. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion defines an external surface that comes to rest inside an internal surface of the top portion at the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises a width dimension that tapers along a length dimension of the top portion. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a width dimension that tapers along a length dimension of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where in the rod guard comprises at least one of rubber, plastic or resin. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a length dimension of the elongated rod ranges from about 1.5 inches to about 3.0 inches.