Ballasted wig block and or stand for a wig block

[57] ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to a ballasted wig block and/or stand therefor to provide a stable support as a wig supported thereon is being worked on or styled. The ballasted wig block stand comprises a base member for supporting the wig block thereon. Connected to the base member is an upwardly extending collar which is arranged to be drawn tight above the reduced neck portion of the wig block to firmly seat the block in position on the base member within the collar. Either the collar and/or the base member is weighted by a ballast in the form of sand, liquid or a weighted substance, to provide the requisite stability for the wig block.

In another form of the invention the wig block may be internally formed with a hollow and ballasted by filling the hollow with a dense or heavy material.

Claims, 13 Drawing Figures

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PATENTEDMnTO

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SHEET 1 OF 4

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PATENTEL JUL τ 71973

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PATENTED Μ Η1973

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BY

INVENTOR

Z OR FT rj SU VTA

ATTORNEY

PAWED

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SHEET U OF 4

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INVENTOR

LORETTA R SILVIA

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ATTORNEY

3,746,293

BALLASTED WIG BLOCK AND/OR STAND FOR A WIG BLOCK

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Ser. No. 110,130 filed Jan. 27, 1971 for A Ballasted Stand For A Wig Block.

PROBLEM AND PRIOR ART

Wig blocks in common use today for supporting a wig as the wig is being worked on or styled by a hairdresser or its owner are generally formed of a light weight plastic, as for example, styrofoam, wood or the like. As a result, such wig blocks have very little stability, thereby rendering it virtually impossible to work on any wig supported thereon unless the wig block is first firmly secured in some manner.

To obviate this problem of instability of such wig blocks, many efforts have been made to provide a stand or suitable support to stabilize such wig blocks to facilitate the working and/or styling of a wig supported thereon. Some of the known efforts to stabilize such wig blocks include the construction of a wig block or stand therefor having connected suction cups for maintaining the wig block fixed in position while the wig thereon was being worked or styled. Stands or wig blocks embodying such suction cups are evidenced by U. S. Letters Pat. No. 3,198,408 granted Aug. 3, 1965 to L. E. Benner and U. S. Letters Patent No. 3,276,734 granted to Goldblatt on Oct. 4, 1966. However, it has been noted that wig blocks and/or stands anchored by suction cups had only limited application in that they would only function where a suitable flat surface was available. Also it has been observed that stands or blocks anchored by such suction cups would invariably lose their holding power or force when the wig block was subjected to violent movements as when a teasing operating was being performed on the wig supported on such anchored block. Stands anchored by suction cups have also been known to mar or damage the surface to which the suction sups were adherred. Consequently many wig owners would be reluctant to utilize such suction cup supported stands on their dresser or other available pieces of furniture.

Other known stand construction included the use of clamps and/or other fixtures for anchoring a wig block in place while the wig was being worked on. Such clamps and/or fixtures had the disadvantage in that their use did not permit the wig block to be readily portable. Further such clamps or other fixtures require the need of a table top, shelf or other like structure for securement. Such clamps also required, in conjunction therewith the use or need of a prong or other means to support the wig block thereon. Because the wig block is generally formed of a soft, easily marred material, wig blocks so supported have been subjected to serious damage.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,503,581 granted Mar. 31, 1970 to A.D. Rouleau evidenced still another form of known construction. However, stands of this construction required an operator to physically maintain pressure on the stands by holding the same between her legs while at the same time applying a force on the pedestal. Experience has shown that holding and stabilizing a stand in this manner produces considerable body fatigue which was difficult to maintain over any extended pe riod of time. Also the use of such stands did not enhance portability of the wig block.

OBJECTS

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved wig block stand construction which is ballasted in a novel manner to render it a free-standing, self-stabilizing stand for firmly supporting a wig block as a wig supported on the wig block is being worked on and/or styled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a readily portable wig block stand which is ballasted to provide the requisite weight for maintaining a wig block stable on any type of supporting surface as a wig supported thereon is being styled or worked upon.

Another object is to provide an improved wig stand having a collar portion which is adapted to snuggly embrace the reduced neck portion of a wig block to firmly secure a wig block as the wig supported thereon is being styled or worked upon.

Another object is to provide a readily portable selfsupporting wig stand which is self-ballasted and which includes means for effectively rotating the wig block so as to facilitate the working or styling of a wig supported thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a readily portable self-supporting stand for a wig block which is ballasted by a fluent, dense material, as for example, sand, to provide the requisite stability for a wig block when working on and/or styling a wig supported thereon.

Another object is to provide a ballasted wig block stand for supporting a wig stand having a pin catcher and/or hold operatively connected thereto.

Another object is to provide a liquid inflatible stand for a wig block.

Another object is to provide a ballasted wig block in which the ballast is integrally contained within the wig block.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of this invention are attained by a self-ballasted stand for stabilizing a wig block as a wig supported thereon is being worked on and/or styled. The ballasted stand comprises a base member forming a support for the wig block. Connected to the base is an upwardly extending collar which is adapted to circumscribe and be drawn tight against the reduced neck portion of the wig block supported on the base member within the collar. The arrangement is such that the collar firmly maintains the wig block in seated relationship with the base member. Either the base member and/or the collar may be formed of a hollow construction which may be ballasted by a ballasting material, as for example, a heavy density sand, lead B—B’s, a liquid, e.g., water, salt water and/or other weighted or dense material or liquid, to render the stand self-stabilizing. The collar is also provided with fastening means t’o secure the collar in snug relationship about the small of the neck of the wig block.

If desired, the base member may be rotatably journalled on a support pedestal to permit rotation of the wig block and associated stand relative to the pedestal.

A pin catacher is detachably connected to the base member to circumscribe the base member. The pin catcher is arranged to extend laterally outwardly from

3,746,293 the base to define a trough-like receiver for catching pins which may be dropped by an operator during the working on and/or styling of a wig. Also the catcher may be provided with a retainer or cup for holding the pins which a hair stylist may use during the styling of a wig.

In another form of the invention the wig block is formed with an internal hollow which can be readily filled with a dense or heavy material, e.g., sand, water and/or the like.

FEATURES

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a relatively simple stand construction that is ballasted so as to be self-stabilizing and which can be inexpensively manufactured to maintain a wig block in a firmly supported position as a wig thereon is being styled and/or worked on.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved wig block stand which is ballasted with a dense material to provide the requisite stability for maintaining a wig block firmly supported as a wig thereon is being worked on or styled.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved wig block stand having a ballasted collar means constructed and arranged so as to be drawn tight about the reduced neck portion of the wig block to firm it against a supporting base.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a wig block stand which may be rendered readily portable and suitably supported on any supporting surface without resulting injury occurring to the wig block support thereon.

Another feature resides in the provision of a ballasted wig block stand having means connected thereto to define a pin catcher and/or receptacle.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ballasted wig block stand rotatably supported on a rotating stand.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision whereby a wig block is provided with a special internal hollow which can be readily filled and/or emptied of a dense ballasting material to provide the requisite stability therefor as a wig supported thereon is being worked upon.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specifications in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical elevation view of a wig block stand embodying the present invention having portions thereof illustrated in section.

FIG. 2 is an expanded detailed view of the ballast collar of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3—3 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken along line 4—4 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of FIG. 1 having portions thereof shown in section.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an expanded detail view of the collar construction embodied in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 8—8 on FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified collar construction taken along line 9—9 on FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of another modified stand construction.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a modified construction.

FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another modified form of the invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a wig stand construction 20 for stabilizing a wig block 21 to facilitate the styling and/or working on a wig adapted to be supported on the wig block. Generally the wig block is formed of a light weight material, as for example, styrofoam, wood or the like, having a reduced neck portion 21A that flares outwardly at 21B to define the base or bottom for the block 21. Because such wig blocks 21 are very light in weight, they have little or no natural stability to withstand movements to which such blocks are subjected to when a hairdresser or wig owner is setting or styling a wig supported thereon.

To stabilize the wig block 21, to facilitate the styling of a wig supported on such block 21, the present invention contemplates a wig block stand 20 comprising a base member 22 which may be substantially circular with a diameter slightly greater than the flared bottom portion 21B of the wig block 21. The base member 22 may be made of any suitable material, as for example, wood, plastic, metal or the like. The base member 22 may be formed of either a solid structure as shown in FIG. 1 or as a hollow structure as will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Circumscribing a major circumferential portion of the base member 22 and extending upwardly therefrom is a collar means 23.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the collar means 23 is defined as a tubular member which may be formed of a single piece of fabric-like or sheet-like material which is reverely folded to define opposed side portions 23A, 23B. The side portions 24A, 23B are longitudinally seamed as at 24 and 25 to define fine a tubular pocket or hollow 26 as evidenced in FIG. 3.

Alternately the tubular collar 23 may be formed of two strips or webs of sheet-like material suitably secured together by seams 24 and 25 which may be formed by sewing, bonding or fusing, depending on the nature of the sheet material of the collar 23, to define the tubular collar 23. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 a seam is formed slightly below the upper edge of the collar 23 to define a passageway or channelway 27 through which a draw means 28 is inserted for reasons as will be hereinafter described.

The bottom portion of the tubular collar 23 is provided with a depending web or marginal portion 29 in which the respective side portions 23A, 23B are contiguously secured together. Disposed along the web 29 at spaced intervals between the connecting seams 25 and 30 are a plurality of apertures or openings 31 adapted to receive fasteners 32 by which the collar may be secured to the circumferential portion of the base member 22. The collar, when formed, is filled with a ballasting material, as for example a heavy density sand, B—B’s, or the like 33, so as to provide the requisite weight to stabilize the block 21 adapted to be seated on the base member 22.

The draw means 28 threaded through the channelway 27 extending along the upper edge of the collar 23 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a stretchable member, as for example, a stretchable cord or elastic member.

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Connected to the opposed extended ends of the flexible or elastic cord 28 are suitable fastening means 34 by which the collar 23 may be drawn and secured about the small or reduced portion 21A of the neck of the wig block 21. As best seen in FIG. 1, the collar 23, when ballasted with the sand, or other like material, is such that it will tend to draw the wig block 21 firm against the supporting base member 22 as the upper edge of the collar is drawn tight around the small of the neck of the wig block, and secured by coupling fastening means 34. Due to the elasticity of the elastic cord 28 the collar 23 is drawn tightly about the neck of the wig block causing the bulge of the ballasted collar 23 to exert a downward force against the flared portion 21B of the block 21 to firmly seat the wig block against the base member 22. The fastening means in the illustrated embodiment comprises a hook 34A and complementary eye 34B. However, it will be understood that any suitable complementary fastening means may be substituted in lieu of the hook and eye 34A, 34B.

If desired, an auxiliary fastener means 35 may be connected to the base member 22 of the wig block, as indicated in FIG. 5, to apply a further biasing force on draw means 28 to urge the wig block 21 into firm seating on its base member 22. As seen in FIG. 5, the auxiliary fastening means 35 comprises an elastic member 35B having connected to the free end thereof a hook 35A which attaches to the draw means 28. When the hook 35A latches over the draw means 28 the bias imparted by the elastic portion 35B tends to pull the elastic draw means 28 toward the base member thereby further urging the wig block to seat firmly on its base member.

If desired, locating means in the form of a projecting prong 36 may be connected to the base member 22 centrally thereof which is adapted to be received in a recess 37 generally formed in the bottom of a wig block.

If desired, the wig block 21 with the ballasted stand 20 may be rotatably supported to facilitate the working and/or styling of a wig supported thereon. This is attained by a stand 38 having a spindle 39 or bearing means for rotatably supporting thereon the base member 22 of the stand 20. As shown, the upper end of the spindle 39 is adapted to be received with a recess 40 formed in the bottom of the base member so that the wig stand 20 and wig block 21 supported therein may be rotated relative to the supporting stand 38.

If desired, a pin catcher 41 in the form of a horseshoe shaped plate may be detachably secured to the base member 22. The pin catcher 41 extends laterally, outwardly of the base 22. Preferably the pin catacher 41 may be formed of a suitable plastic material which may be resiliently or frictionally secured by a snap connection to the base 22. Integrally formed on the pin catcher 41 is a cup or receptacle 42 adapted to contain a supply of pins which a hairdresser or stylist may use during the styling or working on a wig.

With the wig block stand thus far described it will be noted that the base 22 and associated ballasted collar 23 impart the requisite weight to the relatively light weight wig block 21 to maintain it sufficiently stabilized and/or in place on any type of supporting surface as a wig supported on the block 21 is being worked on or styled. For example, an operator may support the head block 21 supported on stand 20 on her lap or other supporting surface, e.g., a table, dresser or the like, while the wig supported on the wig block is being styled or worked upon. Also the need for clamps or other fixtures or attachments is completely eliminated by the ballasted wig stand described. The configuration resulting from the ballasted collar due to the bulging thereof further functions as a means for applying a force on the flared portion 21B of the wig block 21 to maintain it firmly seated against the base member 22.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the base member 50 of the stand 51 is defined as a hollow structure which may be filled with a heavy density sand 53 or other suitable weighted material, as for example B—B’s, to supply the requisite weight for stabilizing a wig block 21 supported thereon.

Connected to the circumferential portion of the base member 50 by any suitable fastening means is an upwardly extending collar 54. The collar may be weighted as hereinbefore described or may be defined as a sheet of web material 54A, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, having a channelway 55 formed longitudinally along the upper end thereof for receiving a draw means, e.g., an elastic cord or string 56, as described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The lower portion of the collar 54 is provided with a depending web 54B similar to that of collar 23 of FIG. 1 by which it may be suitably secured to the base member 50.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the opposed free ends of the collar may be provided with a fastening means in the form of complementary zipper elements 57, 58, whereby the ends of collar may be secured to confine the head block 21 within the collar 54. In operation, the stand construction 51 of FIGS. 6-9 operates in a manner similar to that described with respect to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, with the exception that the base member 50 may be weighted and the weighting of the collar portion rendered optional.

In this embodiment it will be noted that when the draw means or cord 56 is drawn tight against the reduced neck portion of the wig block 21, and with the zipper means 57, 58 fastened, the collar 54 is drawn tightly against the neck portion of the wig block 21 so that the collar exerts a biasing force on the flared portion of the wig block to effect a firm seating of the block 21 against the base member 50.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 may also be rotatably journalled on a rotatable stand 60 similar to that described in FIG. 1. Also, if desired a pin catcher 40 as described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 may be detachably secured to the base member 51 as hereinbefore described.

Alternately it will be understood that a stand may be made of weighted base member 50 of FIG. 6 having a weighted collar member as described with respect to FIG. 1, to increase the stabilizing weight of the stand member to a maximum degree, if desired.

FIG. 10 illustrates another modified embodiment. In this embodiment the structure of stand 70 is substantially similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 with the exception that the base member 71 is provided with an upper surface 71A which is inclined relative to the bottom surface 71B thereof. With the upper surface 71A of the base member 71 so inclined, the arrangement is such that when a head block 21 is supported thereon it will be slightly tilted as indicated. It

3,746,293 has been noted that by imparting a slight tilt to the wig block 21, the ability to work on a wig supported on a tilted block is enhanced.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the wig block 21, which is generally formed of the light weight material, as for example, styrofoam, is supported and ballasted by a liquid inflatible stand 80. The liquid inflatible stand 80 comprises a base member 81, which may be formed of any suitable sold material, as for example plastic, wood or the like, or it may comprise a hollow structure. In the illustrated embodiment the base 81 if formed of liquid impervious sheet material, e.g., plastic sheeting, to define a liquid inflatible member. The base is defined as having a bottom wall 81A of suitable plastic sheet material and a circumscribing peripheral wall of sheet plastic 82B suitably connected or formed integral with the bottom wall 81A, and a top wall 81C, which defines a support for the wig block 21. Connected to the top wall 81C or to the circumscribing end wall 81B is an inflatible collar 82 which when inflated will snugly embrace the lower portion of the wig block 21. It will be understood that the inflatible collar 82 may be formed of suitable, flexible sheet plastic or other liquid impervious material, as for example, rubberized fabric or the like to define either a single inflatible chamber or a plurality of inflatible chambers 82A. In the illustrated form of the invention the inflatible collar is defined by a pair of superimposed circumscribing inflatible chambers 82A, which may be either independent or connected into communication with one another. At least one of the chambers 82A is provided with a nipple or valve 83 through which the inflatible collar may be filled with a ballasting liquid, as for example water or other dense liquid to provide the necessary ballast when the collar is to be used. Where the chambers are not in communication with one another a valve 83 is provided for each chamber of the collar.

In the illustrated form of the invention, separate inlets 83 are provided for each compartment and for the inflatible base member 81.

As best seen in FIG. 11 it will be noted that the inflatible compartments or chambers of the collar extend substantially about the entire circumference of the bottom or neck portion of the wig block 21.

Suitable fastening means, as for example, ties 84—84 are connected to the opposed end portions of the inflatible collar 80 to securely fasten the collar about the neck portion of the wig block 21. In the illustrated form of the invention the adjacent ends of ties 84—84 are suitably connected by appropriate fastening means, e.g., or the like.

Experience has shown that an inflatible collar 80 ballasted by a liquid, such as water, is sufficient to provide the necessary stability to the wig block 21. Also the inflatible wig stand 80 has a further advantage in that the structure of the stand is relatively light in weight, which when not filled with water can be readily collapsed and folded to occupy a minimum of space. Because of this the stand 80 can be packaged and carried by the user. This feature is particularly advantageous when traveling. Thus to render the inflatible stand 80 operative, the user can secure the wig block simply by filling the stand 80 with water when desired. The readily collapsible, liquid inflatible stand further has the added convenience that it is rendered readily portable and that the user can transport it in traveling without being burdened or weighted down with a ballast.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the ballasted wig stand described with respect to the various 5 embodiments is constructed and arranged so as to impart the requisite stability to a light weight wig block 21 so as to facilitate working on or styling a wig supported thereon. Also the arrangement is such that the construction of the respective collar portion of the stand is • 0 such that it will exert a biasing force which will tend to firmly seat the flared portion of the head block 21 against the upper surface of the associated base member. The ballasted wig stand further provides a readily portable device which a hair stylist and/or wig owner I³ may carry or travel with which was not readily heretofore feasible.

FIG. 13 illustrates still another modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the wig block 21A is provided with an integrally formed hollow por²® tion or chamber 90. As best seen in FIG. 13, the hollow or chamber 90 is defined or formed as a conical or pyramid type chamber, the base of which is located adjacent the bottom or base of the wig block.

₂₅ In the illustrated form of the embodiment the apex of the hollow is disposed in communication with a narrow passageway 91 which opens to the top of the block at 92. It will be understood that the opening 92 of passageway 91 is suitably plugged with a stopper or closure ⁹³·

As shown in FIG. 13 the wig block 21A can be readily weighted or ballasted by fitting the hollow 90 with a suitable ballasting material, as for example, sand, water, or other dense material which can readily flow 35 through the opening 92. With the hollow 90 filled with the ballasting material, be it sand or water, the closure 93 is then inserted in opening 92 to prevent any loss of the ballasting medium.

Due to the specific configuration of the hollow or 40 chamber 90 it will be noted that the hollow, when filled with ballast, lowers the center of gravity into the vicinity of the base portion of the block 21A thereby enhancing the stability of the block. Thus the light weight wig block 21A can be readily ballasted at the will of the 45 operator in a simple and expedient manner.

While the illustrated form of the invention shows the filler opening 92 located at the top of the block 21 A, it will be readily understood that in an alternate construction the passageway 91 may be eliminated by lo5θ eating the filler opening in the bottom wall 94 of the wig block 21A. With the construction of FIG. 13, the initially light weight head construction 21A is internally ballasted by a readily flowable material, as for example sand, water or the like. Thus the wig block, per se, is ⁵⁵ provided with the requisite stability to maintain the block 21A suitably supported on a supporting surface white a wig thereon is being worked upon.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.