ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 16 -- United States Patent no. 12,667,176, issued on June 30.
"Quick release hair tie" was invented by David Silva (Reno, Nev.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A quick-release hair tie comprising a length of elastic with a spring-loaded cord-lock integrally attached to one end of the elastic. The elastic has a nub at the other free end. The nub is removably attached to the cord-lock, creating a loop, by pressing the button of the cord-lock, placing the nub in the cord-lock opening and releasing the cord-lock button to secure the nub within the cord-lock chamber, creating a looped hair tie. The tie can be secured around and around a ponytail as one would do with a tradition...