Abstract:
The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a casing that encloses an extension cord system. The casing has slots that allow access to retractable electrical power cords. The cord system comprises a plurality of spring-loaded and ratcheted spools containing electrical power cords. The preferred embodiment of the method includes steps for preventing the entanglement of power cords and maintaining a clutter-free and efficient work environment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of hair styling, and more particularly to an apparatus for holding and organizing hair styling tools and defining a work zone around the tools.  
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     Hairstylists customarily use two or more different types and/or sizes of electric tools when styling hair. Examples are hair dryers and clippers. These devices are generally of a power rating sufficient to require a connection to an electrical outlet.  
         [0003]     In a work environment, the tools are connected an electrical outlet which is typically found on a wall in front of the hairstyling chair. The cord used to connect the tool is usually about four feet long with an attached plug at one end. When the electric tools are in use, the electrical cords are routinely moved across the chair in a flat radius defined by the cord length of the tool. When several tools are used, the electrical cords typically become tangled due to the repetitive switching between tools and differing electrical cord lengths. Between uses, the tools are usually placed in a location where they are readily accessible or are hung by the loop. The most convenient location is usually a shelf or bench close to or mounted on the wall, also in front of the hairstyling chair.  
         [0004]     Prior art devices for storage of electrical cords as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,338 to Zeller, U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,952 to Randall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,393 to Jansen and U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,903 to Smith.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The preferred embodiment of the invention generally includes a casing that encloses an extension cord system. The casing has slots that allow access to retractable electrical power cords. The cord system comprises a plurality of spring-loaded and ratcheted reels containing electrical power cords. The preferred embodiment of the method includes steps for defining a work zone that prevents the electrical cords from traversing the axis of the chair and the entanglement of power cords and further aids in maintaining a clutter-free and efficient work environment.  
         [0006]     The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a mounting base having several spring loaded and ratcheted cord reels securely attached to it. A power strip is also attached to the mounting base to distribute power to the power cords. A cover is provided over the reels and is attached to the mounting base. Each electrical power cord reel is retractably extendable through a slot in the cover. Lighting is also provided for increasing light to the work environment and for entertainment of patrons.  
         [0007]     In use, the mounting base is attached to the ceiling above a work area and slightly behind the chair. The cover faces toward the floor. Hair styling tools are secured to the connectors of the power cords. The cords, when retracted, suspend the tools overhead. When extended, the cords allow convenient use and define a frustroconical work zone around the chair. When use of any one tool is complete, downward motion of the tool activates a ratchet and allows the spring loaded reel to retract the cord placing the tool in its original position.  
         [0008]     The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention can be embodied in different forms.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the defined embodiment of the overhead storage device;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a partially assembled configuration of the preferred embodiment;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a partially assembled configuration of a preferred embodiment including a cover;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of a prior art work zone; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view of the work zone provided by a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Overhead storage device  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows cover  15  which surrounds the functional elements of the device and protects them from contamination in the work environment. The female or outlet end of a retractable extension cord is shown at  20 , each having locking device  22  for securing the plug of an electrical hair styling tool (not shown). Other locking devices, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Des. 337,309 to Mally and similar attachment devices can be used as well. Power is distributed to the extension cords through main power cord  25 . Each extension cord extends through a slot in the cover. Each slot in the preferred embodiment is shown as  24 . The preferred embodiment includes four slots  24 , but the number is not limited and fewer or greater number of slots and extension cords may be provided in other embodiments as required by the work environment.  
         [0015]     Moving to  FIG. 2 , the preferred embodiment of the invention with the cover removed is shown as  30 . The preferred includes base  32 . Base  32  in the preferred embodiment is constructed of a light aluminum alloy which is rigid and capable of supporting retractable cord reels  34 . Base  32  can be made of alternate materials such as Teflon, polyethylene, wood or other metal alloys depending on the strength required and weight considerations of various implementations. Retractable cord reels  34  are attached to base  32  through screw attachments  36 . In the preferred embodiment, there are four screw attachments for each retractable cord reel. Of course, other fasteners may be used to accomplish a rigid attachment between base  32  and retractable cord reels  34 . In an alternate embodiment, base  32  can be retracted by a frame (not shown) which offers rigid support to the retractable cord reels. Retractable cord reels  34  in the preferred embodiment are spring loaded and ratcheted so that when a downward force is applied to extension cord  20 , a length of cord is allowed to extend from retractable cord reels  34 . When the force on extension cord  20  is released, the ratchet function of retractable cord reels  34  engages to prevent retraction of extension cord  20 . When a downward force is again applied to extension cord  20 , the ratchet function of retractable cord reels  34  allows the spring within retractable cord reels  34  (not shown) to retract extension cord  20 .  
         [0016]     Each cord reel  34  is supplied with a plug  36  for supplying electrical power to outlet  22 . Each plug  36  is inserted into plug bar  38  for distribution of power. Plug bar  38  includes a fuse  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the fuse is 30 amps, but can be adjusted depending on the power requirements of the tools employed. Plug bar  38  also includes a cord  40  which is sized for the appropriate power load and adapted to connect through a convenient source of power.  
         [0017]     In the preferred embodiment, plug bar  38  is known in the art and available from a number of sources. In the preferred embodiment, retractable cord reels  34  are 30-foot, 20 amp retractable reels manufactured by Woods Industries, Inc. of Carmel, Ind.  
         [0018]     Base  32  is also provided with four mounting holes  35  for mounting of the overhead storage device to an overhead surface.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the overhead storage device. Cover  15  is sized to fit over retractable cord reels  34  and attached to base  32 . Attachment is provided by screws which fit through holes  46  and thread into holes  48  on base  32 . In the preferred embodiment, four holes  48  are provided, two on each side of base  32 . Of course, other ways to attach cover  15  to base  32  exist and will work as well. Cover  15  is provided with slots  24  which are designed to allow exit of extension cords  20 . In the preferred embodiment, cover  15  is a shrink molded polypropylene plastic. In other embodiments, cover  15  can be made of stainless steel, a blow molded plastic, a cast alloy, such as brass, or an injected molded plastic of various colors. In the preferred embodiment, cover  15  is an opaque colored plastic, but other embodiments could be transparent to allow visual inspection of the internal components of the overhead storage device.  
         [0020]     In one alternate embodiment, a light producing fixture  50  is provided and sized to fit within cover  15  when it is attached to base  32 . Light producing fixture  50  in the alternate embodiment is a helium neon light source which lights the interior of the overhead storage device and also provides light through transparent cover  15  toward the work embodiment. In other embodiments, light producing fixture  50  can be a strobe light, a colored light, or other light producing fixtures which produce an interesting visual effect. Light producing fixture  50  draws its power from power bar  38  through a cord attachment (not shown).  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the work zone defined by the prior art. In the prior art, a work environment is typically provided which includes mirror  60 , shelf  62 , power outlet  64  and a chair  66 . A hairstyling tool  68  is connected to power outlet  64  by cord  70 . During use, cord  70  defines a radius which is swept across chair  66  in arc  72 . Arc  72  necessarily intersects chair  66 . Therefore, in use, cord  70  must be lifted above chair  66  or passed between mirror  60  and chair  66  to move from one side of chair  66  to the other.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the preferred embodiment of the work zone method of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, an environment is provided which includes mirror  80 , shelf  82 , and chair  84  placed in front of mirror  80 . Overhead storage device  10  is mounted above and slightly behind chair  84  and in front of mirror  80 . Overhead storage device  10  is shown connected to styling tools  86  and  88 .  
         [0023]     In use, the preferred embodiment of the overhead storage device allows styling tools  86  and  88  to be extended along radius  90 . Radius  90  sweeps a circular arc around chair  84  defining a frustro conical work zone  94 . When use of tool  88  is complete, cord  20  may be retracted into overhead storage device  10  for storage. Styling tool  86  may then be extended to a length defining a radius which when swept around chair  84 , also provides for a frustro conical work zone particular to styling tool  86 . Work zone  94  allows styling tools to be moved from one side of the chair and from the front to the back of the chair without intersecting the chair or allowing dangling of cord  20 .