Abstract:
A personal care device support for supporting and powering a personal care deivce such as a hair dryer. A hair dryer support which removably connects to an electrical outlet to support a hair dryer comprising a base having a first opening and a second opening wherein the second opening is positioned below the first opening. The base further includes a beveled portion connecting the first opening to the second opening. The support further includes an extension attached to the base wherein the extension positions the base away from the electrical outlet. A plug is positioned within the extension opposite the base wherein the plug connects with the hair dryer and connects with the power source to power the hair dryer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to supporting a personal care device, and is particularly concerned with methods and apparatus for supporting a hair dryer while supplying power as a function thereof.  
           [0002]    Electric hair dryers are a common personal care product used to style and blow dry hair after washing it. The electric hair dryers typically include a handle and an air-discharge nozzle extending away from the handle. Efficiently and conveniently handling the hair dryer is crucial to maintaining the preferred style and an organized schedule, in particular in the morning prior to leaving for work. As such, handling the hair dryer in an easy manner is extremely important. During operation, it is often necessary to put the hair dryer down to be able brush or style the hair. During such instances, users often turn the unit off, and then turn it back on again when blow-drying is to continue.  
           [0003]    A problem with this method, however, is the continuous starting and stopping of the unit tends to shorten the life of components within the unit. Some users have simply left the unit running on a countertop while styling their hair, but the vibration of the motor can send the unit moving across the counter or sink. This movement poses a safety hazard, as the heated air may be directed against the user&#39;s body or against some object that can be damaged by excessive heat. Further, the hair dryer could fall into a sink filled with water and pose an electrical hazard. Additionally, some users place the hair dryer on some other item on the sink to contain the hair dryer. This placement, however, leads to a messy, unorganized condition.  
           [0004]    A need, therefore, exists to accurately and easily support the hair dryer while the user is brushing or styling the hair. The solution, however, must be capable of allowing the hair dryer to stay “on” without the hair dryer moving across areas such as the sink. Accordingly, a need exists to power the hair dryer while its being supported. The solution, however, must provide a safe method of powering the hair dryer. Further, a need exists for the support to plug directly into a power source, wherein the solution, must also electrically connect the hair dryer to the support. Still further, a need exists for the user to manipulate the support for optional convenience and use of the support.  
           [0005]    Supports presently available do not provide any flexibility for the user. For example, hotels often provide a hair dryer permanently attached to the power source. This device does not solve the current need as the user is limited to only using the hair dryer where the holder is located, typically in the bathroom wall. Accordingly, the user cannot use the hair dryer in another room. Also, this device typically shuts off the hair dryer each time it is put in the holder leading to a shorter operating life as previously mentioned.  
           [0006]    Also, within the prior art, it has been known to support a hair dryer from some type of bracket assembly relative to a wall surface. However, these bracket assemblies require complex construction. Also, these bracket assemblies are not universal in connecting with different types of hair dryers.  
           [0007]    Other types of supports relate to fixtures attached to the wall. These supports do not solve the current need as most users do not want a permanent fixture for a device that is only briefly used each day. Still other supports are directed to the hair dryer handle wherein the supports include a strap that wraps around the handle. This support only secures the dryer when the strap is extremely tight and if the strap has sufficient width in order to overcome the moment caused by the user in the movement of the dryer into the proper position. Movement, however, can loosen the dryer, which will cause it to sit in an awkward position or potentially fall from the support. Accordingly, these supports do not solve the current need. In addition, in some dryers the switches that control the heat, airflow and power are positioned on the front of the handle. If the strap wraps around the handle, this would potentially obstruct these switches from the user.  
           [0008]    Thus, the current need requires a support that is convenient to use, simple in construction and includes a fastening device for rapid attachment and detachment to a power source while supporting a wide variety of hair dryers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides for supporting a personal care device, in particular, a support which holds a hair dryer while supplying power to the hair dryer. To that end, the invention provides a device and method that efficiently and conveniently supports a hair dryer while allowing a user to style hair.  
           [0010]    Described in the accompanying drawings and following text is a support that powers and holds a hair dryer in an easy and convenient method wherein this configuration leads to improved styling. Thus, the present invention disclosed herein provides a hair dryer support which overcomes many of the inadequacies of supports known in the art.  
           [0011]    In an embodiment, the present invention provides a base which has openings and a member to surround the openings. The hair dryer is inserted into the openings wherein the openings are configured to receive the hair dryer. In order to distance the base, and subsequently the hair dryer, away from a room wall, an extension is placed between the base and the wall. Additionally, the plug is associated with the extension wherein the plug connects to a power source typically located in the room wall. Thus, during use, the extension is connected to the power source via the plug. Since the base is positioned away from the power source, the hair dryer can be conveniently inserted into the base while still being powered by the plug.  
           [0012]    An advantage of the present invention is to provide a support that efficiently and conveniently supports a hair dryer while the user is brushing or styling the hair.  
           [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is to allow the hair dryer to remain powered while being supported.  
           [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is directly plug the support into a power source. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a support embodying the principles of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a front view of the dryer in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2 shown without the hair dryer.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an another embodiment embodying principles of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 4 with the embodiment shown connected to a power source.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another embodiment embodying principles of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6 embodying principles of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method utilized in the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    As discussed above, the present invention provides structures and other accommodations to support a personal care device such as a hair dryer. The present invention efficiently and conveniently supports the hair dryer while supplying power.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of an exemplary support  10  to hold a personal care device dryer  12 . In FIG. 1 there is generally shown the personal care device  12  as a hair dryer. As shown in FIG. 1, the hair dryer  12  is separated from the support  10  while still being connected to the support  10  via a cord  14 . The support  10 , in turn, is connectable to a power source  24  typically associated with a wall  16 .  
         [0025]    The support  10  comprises a base  18 , an extension  20  and a plug  22  typically associated with the extension  20 . In order to attach and detach from the wall  16 , the plug  22  connects with the power source  24  such as a wall socket as commonly known. Thus, the cord  14  extends within the extension  20  to connect to the plug  22  and the hair dryer  12 . Accordingly, the hair dryer  12  is powered by the power source  24  through the support  10 .  
         [0026]    Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, base  18  is configured to hold the hair dryer  12 . The base  18  includes a first opening  30 , a second opening  32  and a portion  34  connecting the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 . The base  18  further includes a member  36  which surrounds the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 . As shown, the first opening  30  and the second opening  32  are round wherein the first opening  30  is larger than the second opening  32 . The first opening  30  and the second opening  32  may, however, include other shapes, such as but not limited, to oval or square. Since the first opening  30  is larger than the second opening  32 , the first opening  30  is positioned above the second opening  32  in order to support the hair dryer  12  in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0027]    Due to the positioning of the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 , the portion  34  connects the first opening  30  with the second opening  32 . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion  34  is bevel shaped from the first opening  30  to the second opening  32 . In the embodiment shown, the second opening  32  is positioned within the member  36  resulting in the portion  34  being bevel shaped to form a cone shape to receive the hair dryer  12 . The second opening  32 , however, may also be positioned at an end  40  of the member  36  to accommodate different styles and lengths of hair dryers  12 . In this configuration, the portion  34  is typically straight shaped to connect the first opening  30  with the second opening  32 . Alternatively, the portion  34  may be angled shaped to connect the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 .  
         [0028]    Returning to FIG. 1, the extension  20  connects to and extends away from the member  36 . By extending the extension  20  away from the member  36 , the base  18  can be positioned off the wall  16  allowing clearance for the hair dryer  12  to be properly supported. Accordingly, the extension  20  extends planarly away from the member  36  toward the wall  16 . The extension  20  further extends perpendicularly away from the member  36  to provide proper leverage against the wall  16 . Additionally, the extension  20  perpendicularly extends to enclose a portion of the cord  14  within the extension  20 .  
         [0029]    Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plug  22  is positioned within the extension  20 . Further, since the hair dryer  12  is an electrical device used near water, the plug  22  includes an ALCI adapter. Thus, the plug/ALCI adapter  22  is housed within the enclosure  20  while connecting to the power source  24  to power the hair dryer  12 . FIG. 3 shows the support  10  with the hair dryer  12  removed to show more clearly the plug  22  associated with the extension  20 .  
         [0030]    Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the extension  20  extends away from the member  36  toward the wall  16  (shown in FIG. 5) in an elongated form. Accordingly, the plug  22  is positioned at an end of the extension  20 . Additionally, the extension  20  as shown, is tubular shaped but may include other shapes such as rectangular. As shown in FIG. 5, the support  10  connected to the power source  24 . Still further in this embodiment, the extension  20  may be adjustable to provide different spacing distances between the base  18  and the room wall  16 . As such, the base  18  may reciprocate with respect to the wall  16  to accommodate different configuration of hair dryers  12 .  
         [0031]    Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention is shown.  
         [0032]    As shown, the extension  20  perpendicularly extends away from the member  36  toward the wall  16  in an elongated form. Accordingly, the plug  22  is positioned at an end of the extension  20 . The plug  22 , however, perpendicularly extends out of a surface  42  such as the top or bottom of the extension  20 . With this positioning, the plug  22  may connect to the power source  24  positioned in a different configuration such as the side. Additionally as shown, the extension  20  is rectangular shaped but may include other shapes such as tubular. As shown in FIG. 7, the support  10  is connected to the power source  24 . Still further in this embodiment, the extension  20  maybe adjustable to provide different spacing distances between the base  18  and the wall  16 . As such, the base  18  may reciprocate with respect to the wall  16  to accommodate different configuration of hair dryers  12 .  
         [0033]    In use, the present invention provides a unique method of supporting a hair dryer  12 . In particular, the present invention provides a unique method supporting a hair dryer  12  while still providing power to the hair dryer  12 . Turning to FIGS. 1-3 and  8 , an exemplary method of the present invention is shown. In use, the support  10  holds the hair dryer  12  at an optimal position for the user. The base  18 , having the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 , is positioned near the power source  24  via the extension  20 . The base  18  is capable of adjusting to the proper spacing with respect to the power source  24  by extending or shortening the extension  20 .  
         [0034]    Next, the base  18  is connected to the power source  24  via the plug  22  which is typically positioned within the extension  20 . In turn, the cord  14  connects the hair dryer  12  to the plug  22  as shown in FIG. 1. After blow-drying, the hair dryer  12  is inserted into the base  18  via the first opening  30  and the second opening  32 . Since the first opening  30  is larger than the second opening  32 , the hair dryer  12  is properly directed into the base  18  for a tight fit as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the portion  34  is configured to direct the hair dryer  12  toward the second opening  32 . The hair dryer  12  may then be turned “off: when positioned in the base  18  and further turned “on” when taken out of the base  18 .  
         [0035]    As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. It should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.