US20040226574A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20040226574A1
Application number: US10/400,765
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason Winn; Travis Winn
Original assignee: Trippie Klipz Inc
Current assignee: Trippie Klipz Inc
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2004-11-18

Abstract

The hair holder of the present invention is formed of two complementary halves having finger tabs and hair gripping elements, which are hinged together to move the hair holder from a first closed position to a second open position. A lever having a groove on its first end and an elongated member on its second end engages with a locking structure to lock the hair holder in the closed position in the user's hair and serves to shield the spring, hinge or other connection assembly. The groove pivotally engages the first finger tab and the elongated member engages the locking structure in the second finger tab. The locking structure comprises a channel and a pair of projections along its sidewalls to reversibly lock the elongated member in the channel. The lever also comprises a reversible attachment means for interchanging decorative appliqués on the hair holder. The hair holder is simple, easily manipulated and serves to secure the hair holder, while providing an attachable/detachable surface for interchangeable decorative elements and shielding the pivot spring or other connection means.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to United States Design Patent Application filed concurrently herewith for IMPROVED CLAW CLIP (identified by Attorney's Docket No. 02-11082), which application is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention[0002]

The present invention relates to an improved hair holder, to a system for interchangeable appendages for the improved hair holder, and to a method for using the same.[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art[0004]

“Claw-type” hair holders typically comprise a pair of jaw-like members pivotally coupled together by a spring and pivot shaft. The jaw-like members each have one end with teeth for engaging hair and have finger grips or tabs on the other end. The spring and pivot shaft communicate with the finger grips for biasing the teeth towards each other to engage the hair in the closed position. The user pinches the tab ends together for causing the teeth to move apart to disengage the hair from the clip. When in the hair, the tabs are spread which exposes the spring and pivot shaft. Other people can see the spring and shaft, and the tabs, which is not aesthetically pleasing.[0005]

Attempts have been made to devise hair devices which provide the advantages of jaw-type hair holders but which lessen or block visibility of the spring and pivot pin mechanism and the chance of catching the user's hair in the mechanism. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,296 to Chin-Chin Chen discloses a claw clip having a decorative hinged cover plate, which connects to a pin in each of two extension plates. The decorative cover plate serves primarily to shield the spring and pivot shaft of the claw clip to provide an aesthetic appearance. The hinge portion of the cover plate renders the cover plate bendable along a flexible mediate section of the cover plate during separation of the hair clip teeth.[0006]

Others have attempted to devise improved claw-type hair holders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,740 discloses a pair of panels that are pivotally coupled together and are coupled to handles on the clip. The panels rotate relative to the handles to a closed position to visually shield the pivot shaft and spring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,096 discloses a claw-like hair clip comprising a flexible connection member that spans the space between the finger tabs to shield the spring and pivot shaft.[0007]

Decorative designs also exist for other hair fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,437 to Wen-Hsiung Chang discloses a barrette to which a decorative plate may be attached. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,469 to Wanda G. Sowell discloses a barrette having a hook and loop type fastener surface or other reusable adhesive surface to which decorative items such as a bow may be removably affixed.[0008]

Existing devices that improve the claw clip-type hair devices by lessening visibility of the spring and pivot shaft, however, generally involve the use of additional complicated parts or parts that are not easily manipulated, particularly where the user applies the hair clip to her (or his) own hair and must work with a mirror or without being able to see the clip as it is set in the hair. Moreover, claw clips are prone to undesirable opening while holding a hairstyle, particularly where the user tries to clip a relatively large amount of hair yet for aesthetic reasons does not wish to use a large size claw clip or multiple clips. Existing devices that shield the spring and pivot shaft are generally configured to be elastic or bendable at the center to permit movement of the jaws or hair gripping portions of the hair holder, and do not address inadvertent opening of the claw clip. Further, the elastic or bendable portions may cause the finger tabs to be tensioned towards one another and increase the chance of inadvertent opening of the jaws, particularly where the claw clip holds a greater amount of hair. These types of aesthetic devices also may limit the amount that the clip may be opened when pinching, and may not always be in a flush or flat position in use, detracting from the aesthetics. They are also not readily changeable by the user.[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least some embodiments, the present invention provides an easily manipulated improved claw clip that can be secured to stay in place in the hair and which can be easily interfaced with an interchangeable decorative appliqué.[0010]

In one embodiment, a clip according to the invention has a pivotable locking lever that snaps open and closed. The locking lever is preferably pivotally attached to a first finger tab of the claw clip. The lever has a rib assembly along its underside. The rib assembly preferably mates with a gap disposed within a second finger tab. There may be a projection into or at the gap to enhance engagement of the rib assembly on the lever with the claw clip. In an alternate embodiment, the lever has a serrated portion on its underside. The serrated portion may mate with both of the finger tabs or with one finger tab, in which case the opposite finger tab may be pivotably attached to an end of the lever by way of, for example, a pivoting mechanism such as a pin and hole assembly.[0011]

An interchangeable decorative appliqué may be placed on the outer portion of the lever. A mechanism to attach the appliqué may include holes in the lever for engaging projections on the appliqué to press fit the applique onto the lever. When the lever is closed, the clip will stay in place and the spring and pin or other connection mechanism will be obscured or blocked. When the lever is open, the user may squeeze the finger tabs toward each other to release the clip.[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the improved claw clip and lever in the closed position according to the preferred embodiment.[0013]

FIG. 2 is a side view of the claw clip and lever in the closed position.[0014]

FIG. 3 is a top view of the claw clip and lever according to a preferred embodiment.[0015]

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0016]

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0017]

FIG. 6 is a front view of the claw clip and lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0018]

FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view of the lever and applique according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0019]

FIG. 8 is a top view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0020]

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0021]

FIG. 10 is a side view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0022]

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0023]

FIG. 12 is a front view of the lever according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0024]

FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.[0025]

FIG. 14 is a side view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.[0026]

FIG. 15 is a top view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.[0027]

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lever removed.[0028]

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0029]

FIG. 18 is a front view of the claw clip according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3.[0030]

FIG. 19 is a side view of the claw clip and lever according to an first alternate embodiment.[0031]

FIG. 20 is a side view of the claw clip and lever according to a second alternate embodiment.[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. References in the specification and claims to right/left, first/second, upper/lower etc. are merely noted in relative terms for clarity and are interchangeable and reversible without departing from the spirit of the invention, unless otherwise noted.[0033]

Referring to the figures, a[0034]

claw clip

2 is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention, which generally comprises a body4 (labeled in FIG. 14), an upper portion20 (labeled in FIGS. 5 and 6), and a mediateportion12 disposed between body4 andupper portion20.Claw clip2 may be made of suitable materials known in the art, such as polypropylene, cellulose acetate and polyamide.Clip2 is preferably formed by two complementary halves such that body4 has first and secondhair gripping members6, such as jaws. Similarly, mediateportion12 has first and second mediate portions disposed respectively between first andsecond finger tabs8 inupper portion20 ofclip2, and the clip body4.Jaws6 preferably compriseteeth10, which are disposed at a distal end22 ofjaws6.

The[0035]

finger tabs

8 each have front surfaces facing generally towards each other and back surfaces facing generally away from each other. In a first position, each front surface of thefinger tabs8 is preferably at an angle of less than approximately ninety (90) degrees to the center axis ofclip2 so that a user can easily grasptabs8 with one hand and apply pressure to move them towards one another so thatjaws6 open.

[0036]

Clip

2 may be said to have two halves which are preferably joined together at a point adjacent the mediateportion12 via a connection element. In the preferred embodiment, the connection element is a pivotable connection element such as apin shaft26, and more preferably is a biasing connection element such as apin shaft26 andcoil spring28 assembly, such that clip halves are pivotally joined. For example, the connection element orpin shaft26 may be disposed within openings inear projections32 that are attached to, or formed integral with clip halves thereby pivotally joined.

The[0037]

ear projections

32 are preferably disposed adjacent mediateportion12 and projecting toward one another. In the preferred embodiment, theear projections32 are configured on each clip half such that they have a slightly staggered configuration in relation to the opposing set ofear projections32 on the other clip half so that theear projections32 and their openings can be aligned to permit insertion ofpin shaft26. Where the connection element comprises apin shaft26 andspring28 assembly, theear projections32 are preferably spaced apart on each clip half at a distance that allows for placement of thespring28 in a space between theear projections32. The connection element preferably permitsclip2 to pivotably move between a first or closed position and a second or open position, biasing it to the closed position.

The[0038]

improved claw clip

2 preferable has a mating mechanism, which, in the preferred embodiment, includes an elongate member and a locking structure. The locking structure is disposed on at least one of thefinger tabs8 and, together with the elongate member, permits releasable attachment of the claw clip to a securing element. For example, the locking structure may include achannel34 defined by two parallel, spaced sidewalls. The upper end ofchannel34 is preferably open and has at least one, and more preferably a pair of, locking members. In the preferred embodiment, the locking member has a pair ofbutton projections40. The configuration and location of the button projections may vary but are preferably such that agap44 is created between thebutton projections40. In a preferred embodiment, thebutton projections40 are disposed at approximately the same location on each sidewall ofchannel34 and project intochannel34.

According to the present invention,[0039]

clip

2 andgap44 are configured to interface with the securing element that substantially immobilizes movement ofjaws6, and thereby locks clip2 in place in the user's hair. In the preferred embodiment, the securing element is alever46 that comprises anupper surface48, aback surface50 and first and second ends52a,52b. Thelever46 may have any geometric shape, but is preferably shaped to enable easy manipulation by a user'sfingers handling clip2, and to block or diminish the visibility of the connection element ofclip2 for a more aesthetic appearance. For example,lever46 may have a flat elongated shape as is shown in FIG. 8. At least one of theupper surface48 and back surface50 oflever46 is preferably made of a rigid or relatively rigid material and is preferably configured such that it is non-bendable or substantially non-bendable, so thatlever46 serves to ‘lock’clip2 in position.

A[0040]

hinge receiving groove

54 is disposed preferably onback surface50 atfirst end52aoflever46 and may be either attached to, or formed unitary or integral with, back surface50 oflever46.Groove54 is preferably configured such that it may be friction fit onto one of thefinger tabs8 and so that it pivots thereupon. In this preferred embodiment,groove54 is configured as a semi-circular or substantially semi-circular groove that interfaces with thefinger tab8 via afinger tab notch68 and afinger tab member70 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17.Groove54, however, may interface pivotably with other finger tab configurations, such as anun-notched finger tab8 having an indentation, groove or ridge to help seat groove54 onfinger tab8.

In an alternate embodiment, the[0041]

back surface

50 of thelever46 may comprise aserrated member74 that may attached to or formed unitary or integral withback surface50 oflever46. Theserrated member74 is preferably comprised of a plurality ofgroove elements76. Thegroove elements76 are preferably configured so that they anindividual groove element76 may be friction fit onto one of thefinger tabs8 and so that it pivots thereupon. In this alternate embodiment, thegroove elements76 are configured as a semi-circular or substantially semi-circular grooves that may interface with thefinger tab8 via thefinger tab notch68 and thefinger tab member70 shown in FIG. 15. Thegroove elements76, however, may interface pivotably with other finger tab configurations, such as anun-notched finger tab8 having an indentation, groove or ridge to help seat anindividual groove element76 onfinger tab8.

[0042]

Groove

54 orgroove elements76 preferably have a dimension that is the same as or slightly smaller than the corresponding dimension (e.g. width or thickness) offinger tab8, and may be made of a slightly softer or more flexible material than the finger tab so thatgroove54 orgroove elements76 are frictionally held onfinger tab8 but is able to pivot thereupon. Alternately, thefinger tab8 may be made of a slightly softer or more flexible material in relation to groove54 orgroove elements76 so thatgroove54 orgroove element76 andfinger tab8 may be friction fit and secured yet still in pivotable engagement.

In the preferred embodiment, second or[0043]

opposite end

52boflever46 is preferably configured such that it interfaces with and is engaged with the mating mechanism to lock in place. In this preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by way of an elongate member that may be part of arib assembly56 that is attached to, or formed unitary or integral withback surface50 oflever46.Rib assembly56 includes the elongate member orengagement portion58, abase60 andside portions62.Engagement portion58 andbase60 are preferably parallel to one another and, together withside portions62, define arib assembly opening64. In the preferred embodiment,rib assembly56 is configured so that, when the user applies slight downward pressure tofront surface48 oflever46,engagement portion58 is pushed throughgap44 betweenbutton projections40 to snap into place inchannel34.Button projections40 provide a “stop” to keepengagement portion58 inchannel34 andclip2 secured whengroove54 is engaged with theopposite finger tab8. Conversely, when the user applies upward pressure to lever46,engagement portion58 moves out ofchannel34 and throughgap44 to disengage therib assembly56 fromclip2. For ease of interfacing, thebutton projections40 may be made of a relatively softer or more flexible material than that which formsengagement portion58, or vice-versa.

In the preferred embodiment, engagement of[0044]

groove

54 andrib assembly56 withrespective finger tabs8 serves to secureclip2 in the user's hair. Oncelever46 has been locked into place onclip2, thefinger tabs8 andjaws6 will stay substantially immobilized and in place.Clip2 will remain secured in the desired hair style, even if inadvertent contact or bumping uponclip2 orlever46 were to occur. The use of theprojections40 and the elongate rib allow the levers to be closed and locked regardless of the position of thefinger tabs8, so that the jaws will be closed to the extent required by the user. It also ensures that the lever will lay flat.

In the alternate embodiment, one[0045]

end

52aoflever46 may be configured so that it is pivotably attached to one of thefinger tabs8. This may be accomplished for example, by way of a hole or pin and hole arrangement wherein oneend52aof thelever46 attaches to and pivots upon one of the finger tabs8a(FIGS. 20, 21). Alternately, both ends of the finger tabs8a,8bmay engagerespective groove elements76 on theserrated portion74 disposed on theback surface50 of thelever46 to secure the clip2 (FIG. 19). In the alternate embodiment, engagement of thegroove elements76 on thelever46 withrespective finger tabs8 serves to secureclip2 in the user's hair. Oncelever46 has been locked into place onclip2, thefinger tabs8 andjaws6 will stay substantially immobilized and in place. The use of thegroove elements76 allow thelever46 to be closed and locked regardless of the position of thefinger tabs8, so that the jaws will be closed to the extent required by the user. It also ensures that the lever will lay flat.

[0046]

Lever

46 may also serve as an attachment surface for a decorative element orapplique72 that interfaces withfront surface48 oflever46. In the preferred embodiment,applique72 attaches tofront surface48 by way of attachment recesses orholes66 that may engage withapplique projections74. While recesses or holes are preferred, the decorative element orapplique72 may also interface withfront surface48 by way of other suitable attachment mechanisms known in the art. For example, adhesive or Velcro™ hook and loop fasteners may be used, or appliqué72 may be configured so that it slides into locking engagement in a recess in the front surface oflever46. The recesses or holes help ensure that the appliquéis positioned properly on the lever, and they may have beveled edges to assist in seating the appliqué. In accordance with the invention, decorative appliqués may be easily interchanged without disturbing an existing hairstyle, and without removingclip2 from the user's hair, either by interchanging the appliqués themselves or by removing afirst lever46 and replacing it with a similar lever already having another decorative appliqué.Appliqué72 may be manufactured in different solid colors or patterns or may include a three-dimensional decoration, such as a flower or bow, on itsupper surface76. Because the lever will lay flat, the appliquéwill always be oriented facing away from the clips radically outward from the user's head.

In operation, the clip according to the preferred embodiment is used initially as is any standard or conventional claw clip. The user simply applies pressure to[0047]

finger tabs

8 to move these tabs towards one another so thatjaws6 are moved to the open position. The user incorporates a portion of hair into theopen jaws6 in accordance with the user's desired hairstyle and releasestabs8 to allowjaws6 to close. The user then snapslever46 into place onclip2 by engaginggroove54 with a finger tab and applying slight pressure to lever46 so thatengagement portion58 ofrib assembly56 is pushed throughgap44 and seated inchannel34.

In the alternate embodiment, the user snaps[0048]

lever

46 into place onclip2 by engaging a first groove element76aon theserrated portion74 with one of the finger tabs8a, and applies pressure to thelever46 so that the opposite finger tab8bengages a second groove element76bon theserrated portion74. Alternately, one end of thelever46 may be pivotably attached to a finger tab8aand theclip2 locked by applying slight pressure to thelever46 so that agroove element76 on itsback surface50 snaps into place onto the opposite finger tab8b.

If the user wishes to add or interchange a decorative appliqué, he or she snaps the appliquéinto place on the[0049]

front surface

48 oflever46 via attachment points66, which can be done without removingclip2 or lever46 from the hair. Alternately, the user may even interchange appliqués by interchanginglever46, also without removingclip2 from the hair.

While the present invention has been described with regard to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.[0050]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An improved clip for securing a user's hair, said clip comprising:

a body comprising a pair of hair-gripping members having a first closed position and a second open position;

an upper portion comprising a pair of finger tabs for causing the hair-gripping members to move apart to the second open position in response to pressure in one direction;

a mediate portion disposed between the body and the upper portion of the clip and comprising a connection mechanism for pivotally connecting the pair of hair-gripping members;

means for mating which include an elongate member and a locking structure such that the elongate member and locking structure releasably lock the elongate member in place regardless of the distance between the finger tabs; and

a securing element having a front surface, a back surface, a first end and a second end, and being configured to interface with the means for mating.

2. The improved clip ofclaim 1, wherein the locking structure comprises means for forming a channel and a pair of button projections disposed within the channel and forming a gap between the button projections.

3. The improved clip ofclaim 2, wherein a width dimension of the elongate member is greater than a corresponding dimension of the gap such that, when pressure is applied to the securing element, the elongate member passes through the gap and is releasably locked into position in the channel.

4. The improved clip ofclaim 1, wherein the securing element further comprises a groove formed in the first end of the securing element.

5. The improved clip ofclaim 4, wherein the pair of finger tabs comprises a first and a second finger tab, and wherein the groove is configured for pivotally engaging the first finger tab.

6. The improved clip ofclaim 5, wherein the elongate member mates with the second finger tab, via the locking structure.

7. The improved clip ofclaim 6, wherein the groove is engaged with the first finger tab and the elongate member is engaged with the second finger tab such that the securing element substantially immobilizes the hair-gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs.

8. The improved clip ofclaim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a serrated portion and the locking structure comprises a plurality of groove elements disposed along the length of the serrated portion.

9. The improved clip ofclaim 8, wherein a width dimension of a groove element is smaller than a corresponding dimension of at least one of the finger tabs, such that when pressure is applied to the securing element, the elongate member is releasably locked into position on the finger tab.

10. The improved clip ofclaim 9 comprising a means for pivotably engaging an end of the securing element to one of the finger tabs.

11. The hair clip ofclaim 10, wherein the means for pivotably engaging the securing element and finger tab comprises a transverse groove element in the serrated portion friction fit over a pin in a first finger tab.

12. The hair clip ofclaim 10, wherein the means for pivotably engaging the securing element and finger tab comprises a pin and hole assembly in a first finger tab.

13. The improved clip of claims11 and12, wherein a second finger tab engages a second groove element thereby locking the securing element onto the clip.

14. The improved clip ofclaim 8, wherein engagement of the securing element onto the clip may be adjusted to varying distances between the first and second finger tabs by releasing one of the first and second finger tabs from a first groove element and engaging the finger tab with a second groove element, such that the searing element substantially immobilizes the hair-gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs.

15. The improved clip ofclaim 1, wherein the securing element further comprises an attachment mechanism on its upper surface for attaching a decorative element to the securing element.

16. The improved clip ofclaim 1, wherein the securing element is configured to visually block at least a portion of the connection element when engaged with the clip.

17. The improved clip ofclaim 16, wherein the connection means is a torsion spring and pin assembly and the securing element substantially visually blocks the spring and pin assembly.

18. The improved claw clip ofclaim 1, wherein the securing element is substantially rigid and non-bendable.

19. An improved hair holding clip comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw for gripping hair;

a means for pivotally connecting the jaws and biasing them from a first open position to a second closed position;

a first finger tab and a second finger tab in communication with, respectively, the first and second jaws, wherein the first and second finger tabs cause the first and second jaws to move apart to the open position in response to pressure in one direction;

a channel having first and second parallel spaced sidewalls, an upper end and a lower end, said channel being disposed in the second finger tab and comprising a first and a second projection disposed on, respectively, the first and second sidewalls and configured and disposed for forming a gap between the first and second projections;

a lever configured to engage the claw clip to visually substantially block the means for pivotally connecting the first and second jaws, wherein the lever comprises an elongate member having a width dimension larger than a corresponding dimension of the gap; and the clip further comprises means for pivotally engaging the first finger tab and lever, whereby pressure applied to the lever causes the elongate member to pass through the gap and be seated in the channel, such that the lever will be locked in position regardless of the distance between the first and second finger tabs.

20. The hair clip ofclaim 19, wherein the means for pivotally engaging the lever and first finger tab comprises a transverse groove in the lever friction fit over a pin in the first finger tab.

21. The hair clip ofclaim 19, wherein the lever may be engaged and disengaged from the hair clip without altering an existing configuration of the clip in the user's hair.

22. The hair clip ofclaim 19, wherein the lever further comprises an attachment member on its upper surface for attaching a decorative first appliqué.

23. The hair clip ofclaim 22, wherein the lever comprises at least one hole on its upper surface that interfaces with a projection on the first appliqué to secure the first appliqué to the lever.

24. The hair clip of clam22, wherein the first appliqué may be interchanged for a second appliqué without altering placement of the clip and the lever.

25. An improved clip for securing a user's hair, said clip comprising:

an upper portion comprising a first and a second finger tab which, when pressure is applied thereupon, causes the hair-gripping members to move apart to the second open position;

a mediate portion disposed between the body and the upper portion of the clip and comprising a connection means for pivotally connecting the pair of hair-gripping members;

a securing element having a front surface, an underside surface, a first end and a second end; and

a means for mating which includes an elongate member and a locking structure such that the elongated member and locking structure lock the position of the hair gripping members regardless of the distance between the finger tabs,

wherein the elongate member has a bottom dimension that is wider than a top dimension of the elongate member, such when the elongate member engages with the locking structure, the securing element is releasably locked at its second end.

26. The improved clip ofclaim 25, wherein the locking member comprises a pair of button projections disposed on the sidewalls of a channel for forming a gap between the button projections.

27. The improved clip ofclaim 26, wherein the channel is disposed in the second finger tab and wherein the elongate member passes through the gap and into the channel to form a releasable locking engagement of the second end of the securing element with the second finger tab.

28. The improved clip ofclaim 27, wherein the securing element further comprises a groove disposed on the first end of the securing element to pivotally engage the first finger tab.

29. The improved clip ofclaim 28, wherein the securing element substantially blocks visibility of the connection means when engaged with the first and second finger tabs.

30. The improved clip ofclaim 25, wherein the securing element further comprises an attachment means on its upper surface for attaching a decorative element to the securing element.

31. A method for securing a user's hair using a hair holder having a first and a second gripping portion for gripping hair, a biased connection means for pivotally connecting the first and second portions, and first and second finger tabs for moving the first and second gripping portions from a first closed position to a second open position, said method comprising the steps of:

applying pressure to the first and second finger tabs to move the hair holder to the open position;

placing the hair holder in the hair;

releasing pressure on the first and second finger tabs to allow the hair holder to assume the closed position;

engaging a groove disposed on a first end of a lever with the first finger tab; and

mating an elongate member disposed on the lever with a locking mechanism disposed on the second finger tab.

32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a channel having sidewalls.

33. The method ofclaim 32, wherein at least a pair of projections is disposed on the sidewalls, said projections being disposed on the sidewalls to create a gap therebetween.

34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the elongate member passes through the gap into the channel.

35. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising the step of attaching a decorative element to a reversible attachment means disposed on the front surface of the lever.