Abstract:
A hair iron holder is configured to provide protection from incidental contact to users while holding a heated iron. A barrel for detaining irons may include a side wall with vent holes to dissipate heat. The holder may also prevent damage to hair irons as they are inserted into the holder. An open end of the barrel may include a rounded flange preventing scratching of irons during insertion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61506345 filed Jul. 11, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to receptacles, and more particularly, to a hair iron holder. 
         [0003]    Hair irons, for example, hot irons, crimping irons, or curling irons operate by typically heating an elongated barrel for direct contact with hair. The heated barrel is typically coupled to a clamp where the hair is disposed between the barrel and clamp when heated. The clamp is typically disposed over one side of the barrel leaving the other side of the barrel exposed. When not in use, it may be common for a user to lay the hair iron down on a counter top. An unattended hair iron can easily come into skin contact with a distracted person or a child unaware that the barrel is hot. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that can safely detain a hair iron while heated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a hair iron holder comprises a barrel; a rounded flange on an open end of the barrel; and a wall mount coupled to the barrel. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a hair iron holder comprises a first barrel and a second barrel coupled in juxtaposition by a mounting flange disposed between the first and second barrel, wherein the first barrel includes an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the second barrel; a rounded flange on an open end of the first and second barrels; side walls on the first and second barrels, the side walls including vent holes; and a wall mount coupled to the mounting flange. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a hair iron holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective rear view of the hair iron holder of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows the perspective rear view of the hair iron holder of  FIG. 2  with a hair iron hung onto a hook of the hair iron; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a front perspective view of a hair iron holder according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the hair iron holder of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claim. 
         [0014]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides an apparatus to hold hair irons while heated that can protect inattentive persons from accidently touching a heated iron. Aspects of the hair iron holder may conduct heat away from the hair iron and dissipate heat into environment. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary embodiment of a hair iron holder  100  is shown. The hair iron holder  100  may hold for example, curling irons, flat irons, or crimping irons. In one exemplary embodiment, a dual barreled hair iron holder  100  is shown. The first barrel  110  may have an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the second barrel  120 . Thus, in one aspect, the hair iron holder  100  can hold, for example, a flat iron (not shown) in the first barrel  110  and a thinner curling iron (not shown) in a second barrel  120 . 
         [0016]    The first barrel  110  and second barrel  120  may be coupled together in juxtaposition by a mounting flange  135  of a wall mount  130 . The mounting flange  135  may be between the first barrel  110  and second barrel  120 . The wall mount  130  may include an angled brace  138  configured to permit the first barrel  110  and second barrel  120  to project outward and tilted away from its mounting surface. A hook  170  may project outward from the mounting flange  135 . The hook  170  may be configured to carry, for example, a hair iron HI while the hair iron is being used, for quick access of use by the user. 
         [0017]    For sake of illustration, reference to elements in the first barrel  110  will be understood to include like elements in the second barrel  120 . Accordingly, the remaining description will be described in the context of the first barrel  110 . 
         [0018]    In one aspect, the barrel  110  may be configured to dissipate heat from a detained hair iron (not shown) so that a person touching the hair iron holder  100  is protected from burns. The barrel  110  may include a stainless steel body  111 . The body  111  may include a side wall  125  including vent holes  140 . The vent holes  140  maybe arranged in an array  150 . In an exemplary embodiment, the side wall  125  may include an upper section  157  and a lower section  155  where respective arrays  150   a  and  150   b  are positioned. A bottom floor  160  of the barrel  110  may be opposite an open end  145 . The bottom floor  160  may also include vent holes  140 . When a heated hair iron is inserted into the barrel  110 , the stainless steel body  111  may act as a heat sink drawing heat away from hair iron. As heat is distributed around the barrel  110 , the vent holes  140  may help draw heat out of the barrel  110  and into the surround air. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, the barrel  110  may help protect hair irons from being damaged when detained. For example, the barrel  110  may include a rounded flange  115  on the open end  145 . The rounded flange  115  may be a polished lip projecting outward from the open end  145 . As hair irons are inserted into the barrel  110 , the sides of the irons may engage the smooth lip thus, preventing scratching of the hair irons. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a hair iron holder  200  is shown. The hair iron  200  is similar to the hair iron holder  100  except that instead of being configured for wall mounting, a stand  180  is connected to the barrels  110  and  120  so that the hair iron holder  200  may rest atop a horizontal surface, for example, a countertop. A flange  230  may be connected between the barrels  110  and  120 . A bent portion  235  of the flange may angle away from a flange main portion  240  bridging the stand  180  to the flange main portion. The stand  180  may be attached to the bent portion  235  so that the barrels  110  and  120  project upward at an obtuse angle from a horizontal surface (not shown). In some exemplary embodiments, the stand  180  may be circular so that it may rest planar to the horizontal surface (not shown) it sits stop. During use, a hair iron (not shown) may be inserted at an angle into either of the barrels  110  or  120  maximizing line of sight of the user with entry into the barrel and minimizing contact along a barrel edge. 
         [0021]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claim.