Claw clips with multiple rows of teeth

Abstract

A hair clip includes a first side and a second side that are connected to each other with a hinge. Each side of the clip includes two or more rows of teeth, imparting the clip with at least two rows of teeth, including an outer row at or near a bottom of the clip and an intermediate row closer to a top of the clip. As the sides of the clip close together, corresponding rows of teeth on the two sides of the clip may face, or oppose, each other. Teeth of the opposed rows may mesh, or interleave with each other. Methods for using clips with multiple rows of teeth are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A clip for hair, comprising:
 a first side including:
 a top; 
 a bottom; 
 a first row of teeth protruding somewhat laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom; and 
 a second row of teeth defining the bottom of the first side and protruding somewhat laterally; 
   a second side opposing the first side including:
 a top; 
 a bottom; 
 a first row of teeth protruding somewhat laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom, the first row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the first row of teeth of the first side; and 
 a second row of teeth defining the bottom of the second side and protruding somewhat laterally, the second row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the second row of teeth of the first side; 
   a hinge connecting the first side and the second side;   a spring that forces:
 the first row of teeth of the first side toward the first row of teeth of the second side; and 
 the second row of teeth of the first side into an interleaved arrangement with the second row of teeth of the second side; and 
   handles for forcing:
 the first row of teeth of the first side apart from the first row of teeth of second side; and 
   the second row of teeth of the first side and the second row of teeth of the second side out of the interleaved arrangement,   the handles including:   a first handle on the top of the first side and extending in a first direction, at least partially away from the second side; and   a second handle on the top of the second side and extending in a second direction, at least partially away from the first side.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and curve laterally toward the second side; and   the first row of teeth of the second side extend downwardly from the top of the second side and curve laterally toward the first side.   
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and curve laterally toward the second side; and   the second row of teeth of the second side extend downwardly from the top of the second side and curve laterally toward the first side.   
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first row of teeth of the first side extend downwardly from the top of the first side and bend to extend laterally toward the second side; and   the first row of teeth of the second side extending downwardly from the top of the second side and bend to extend laterally toward the first side.   
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the second row of teeth of the first side extend laterally from the bottom of the first side; and   the second row of teeth of the second side extend laterally from the bottom of the second side.   
     
     
         6 . The clip of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first side comprises a window between the top and the bottom; and   the second side comprises a window between the top and the bottom.   
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first side further includes:
 a third row of teeth protruding laterally; and 
   the second side further includes:
 a third row of teeth protruding laterally, the third row of teeth opposable to the third row of teeth of the first side. 
   
     
     
         8 . The clip of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the third row of teeth of the first side protrude from the top of the first side; and   the third row of teeth of the second side protrude from the top of the second side.   
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the first side; and   the second handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the second side.   
     
     
         10 . A clip for hair, comprising:
 a first side including:
 a top; 
 a bottom; 
 a first row of teeth extending substantially laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom; and 
 a second row of teeth extending substantially laterally from the bottom; 
   a second side opposing the first side including:
 a top; 
 a bottom; 
 a first row of teeth extending substantially laterally from an intermediate location between the top and the bottom, the first row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the first row of teeth of the first side; and 
 a second row of teeth extending substantially laterally from the bottom of the second side, the second row of teeth opposable to and interleavable with the second row of teeth of the first side; 
   a hinge connecting the first side and the second side;   a spring that forces:
 the first row of teeth of the first side into a first interleaved arrangement with the first row of teeth of the second side; and 
 the second row of teeth of the first side into a second interleaved arrangement with the second row of teeth of the second side; and 
   handles for forcing:
 the first row of teeth of the first side and the first row of teeth of second side out of the first interleaved arrangement; and 
 the second row of teeth of the first side and the second row of teeth of the second side out of the second interleaved arrangement. 
   
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 10 , wherein the handles include:
 a first handle on the top of the first side and extending in a first direction; and   a second handle on the top of the second side and extending in a second direction, away from the first side and opposite from the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The clip of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the first side; and   the second handle protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the top of the second side.   
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first side further includes:
 a third row of teeth protruding laterally; and 
   the second side further includes:
 a third row of teeth protruding laterally, the third row of teeth opposable to the third row of teeth of the first side. 
   
     
     
         14 . The clip of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the third row of teeth of the first side protrude from the top of the first side; and   the third row of teeth of the second side protrude from the top of the second side.   
     
     
         15 . A method for securing hair, comprising:
 arranging hair in an arrangement;   while holding the hair in the arrangement, opening a clip and placing the clip over the arrangement, including:
 positioning first rows of teeth of the clip over first locations on substantially opposite sides of the arrangement; and 
 positioning second rows of teeth of the clip over second locations behind the arrangement or on substantially opposite sides of the arrangement, the second locations differing from the first locations; and 
   engaging the arrangement with the clip to hold the hair in the arrangement in place, including:
 closing the clip around at least a portion of the arrangement to cause:
 the first rows of teeth to protrude into the first locations of the arrangement to grasp the arrangement at an intermediate location and to secure the clip in place in the hair; and 
 the second rows of teeth to close over at least a portion of the arrangement to further secure the clip in place on the arrangement. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closing the clips includes causing the first rows of teeth to interleave within the arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein closing the clip includes causing the second rows of teeth substantially around an exterior of the arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein closing the clip includes causing the second rows of teeth to protrude into the second locations of the arrangement to further grasp the arrangement and to further secure the clip in place on the arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein closing the clips includes causing the second rows of teeth to interleave within the arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein engaging the arrangement with the clip further includes:
 closing a third row of teeth in the arrangement, the third row of teeth engaging the hair within the arrangement to even further secure the clip in place in the hair.