Patent Publication Number: US-6212790-B1

Title: Protective cover for hairdryer

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/129,376 filed on Apr. 15, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to pads, covers, and the like for protecting various devices from damage due to impact, and more specifically to a protective cover for a hand held electric hairdryer to preclude damage thereto if the device is dropped or otherwise receives a sharp impact. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electromechanical devices are generally relatively fragile, and are subject to damage if dropped or otherwise suffer from an impact. While solid state devices are also subject to such impact damage, devices having electrically resistive heating elements, electric motors, switches, etc., are particularly prone to impact damage in the event of a sudden physical shock, as by dropping the device on a hard floor or similar impact. 
     The above statement applies particularly to one specific type of electrical appliance, i.e., the portable, hand held electric hair dryer, and particularly when used in the hairstyling or beauty salon environment. Many, if not most, such appliances are configured for professional use and may have greater durability for operating for a much higher percentage of the time than a household unit. However, this also means that they are handled a great deal more than a typical household unit of similar function, and are thus subject to accidental impact or dropping more frequently than a household unit as well. Add to this the fact that most salons where such devices are used have hard flooring for ease of cleanup, as opposed to the carpeting typically found throughout most rooms of a household, and it becomes apparent that the professionally used hand held hairdryer is subject to considerable wear and tear, particularly due to impact damage. 
     While manufacturers have done their best within the economic constraints imposed to produce devices which are resistant to such damage, the relatively heavy electric motors and the relatively fragile electrically resistive heating elements and plastic cases or housings result in such devices often being rendered inoperable if they are dropped onto a hard surface from just a few feet above the surface. Such devices are often damaged beyond economic repair when dropped, and the replacement of such devices is obviously quite costly. 
     Accordingly, a need will be seen for a padded protective cover for hand held hairdryers, which extends about the housing or case of the device to cushion the most massive portion of the hairdryer in the event of a fall. The present protective cover comprises one or more bands which extend about the upper or back surface of the motor housing, serving to cushion that area of the dryer particularly. The present protective cover is readily adaptable to various sizes and styles of hand held hairdryers by means of the adjustment provided, and includes clearances for the inlet area of various types and styles of hairdryers. The present cover is particularly well suited for protecting hand held hairdryers from damage, as the device will tend to orient itself with the relatively heavy motor housing positioned downwardly during a fall, due to the drag of the electrical cord and other lighter components. Thus, the present protective cover is particularly well suited for reducing or precluding damage to the hair dryer motor and its housing, which components are most likely to incur damage if not otherwise protected. 
     A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,597,552 issued on May 20, 1952 to Stanley T. Wagner, titled “Combined Cover And Silencer For Electric Shavers,” describes a continuous wrapping of resilient strip material about the body of an electric razor, with the resilient material being covered by a continuous fabric sheet. The only openings provided in the Wagner cover are a relatively small access for the starting wheel for the particular make and model of electric razor for which the cover is constructed, and an openable cover for the shaver head itself. Wagner does not provide additional openings for air inlets and outlets, as provided by the present hairdryer protective cover. Moreover, Wagner covers the resilient material with a “textile material” (col. 2, lines 16, 17), but does not make any statement regarding water resistance for such material. In contrast, the present protective cover provides protection for the motor case or housing area without unnecessarily encompassing the remainder of the device, and provides a waterproof (or at least water resistant) covering for the protective padding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,149 issued on May 15, 1990 to Peter DiFrancesca et al., titled “Shock Absorbing Unit,” describes a unitary device formed of a molded resilient material for protecting a television remote control unit or the like. The DiFrancesca et al. device comprises opposed protective end components which slip over each end of the remote unit, with the two end components being connected by a single band of the same material as the end components. No outer cover of water resistant material is disclosed by DiFrancesca et al., as provided by the present protective cover. Moreover, DiFrancesca et al. teach away from the present invention, as the central portion of the remote unit is left exposed with the two ends being covered, essentially opposite the configuration of the present protective cover with its wraps about the central portion of the hairdryer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,720 issued on Nov. 30, 1993 to Loris Meliconi, titled “Shock-Proof Protective Jacket For A Remote Control Unit,” describes a device made of a resilient material which essentially encloses the entire remote unit, excepting the front face with its control panel. The sides, bottom, and both ends are completely enclosed by the Meliconi cover, unlike the present protective cover. Meliconi teaches away from the present cover, in that such remote control devices require only a single opening for signal transmission and do not require both inlet and outlet openings, as in the case of a hairdryer or similar device. In any event, the Meliconi device does not include a moistureproof outer cover, as provided by the present invention, and the rectangular shape is not adaptable to the generally cylindrical body of a hairdryer, as provided by the present protective cover. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,920 issued on Feb. 28, 1995 to Richard Prete, titled “Impact Protector For Fragile Article,” describes a device for protecting a small, hand held computer, calculator or the like. The Prete device comprises a peripheral frame formed of a relatively dense plastic, such as polyurethane or the like. The device has a pair of opposed flanges extending outwardly from the periphery for absorbing impact, while leaving the center of the device open and exposed. The Prete device is thus more closely related to the protective devices of the DiFrancesca et al. &#39;149 and Meliconi &#39;720 U.S. Patents discussed above, than to the present invention which leaves the ends of the hairdryer exposed while protecting the main body of the hairdryer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,209 issued on Oct. 8, 1996 to Patricia N. Jackson et al., titled “Heat Resistant Curling Iron Cooler,” describes a generally cylindrical curling iron holder with a conical mouth. The device has a foam rubber outer cover, with a heat resistant inner coating (Teflon™, etc.). The device completely encloses and covers the hot end of the iron when the iron is placed therein, whereas the present protective cover leaves both the inlet and outlet ends or vents open, in order to provide for operability of the hair dryer secured therein. Thus, the function of the Jackson et al. container is essentially opposite that of the present invention, as the Jackson et al. holder is intended for use only when the appliance is not being used, and is intended to preclude contact with the hot elements of the iron. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,757 issued on Jul. 15, 1997 to Salvatore J. Vernace et al., titled “Remote Control Protective Holder And Detection Device,” describes a device for fitting about the periphery of a remote control device, while leaving the center open for access to the control keys. At least a portion of the device is formed of an elastomer material, but the device also includes electronic circuitry enabling it to be seen in the dark and providing a light source for the keypad portion of the controller. The peripheral padding, as opposed to the circumferential padding of the present protector, results in a device more closely related to the DiFrancesca et al. &#39;149, Meliconi &#39;720, and Prete &#39;920 U.S. Patents discussed above, than to the present invention. 
     Finally, British Patent Publication No. 2,064,319 published on Jun. 17, 1981 to Handydryer Products Ltd., titled “Hair Drying Equipment,” describes a rack or holder for holding a hand held hairdryer when the dryer is not in use. The device mounts semipermanently to the edge of a table, shelf, or the like, and does not secure to the hairdryer itself. The hairdryer only nests in the device when not in use, and is not positively secured to the Handydryer Products Ltd. holder in any way, as opposed to the present protective cover which is positively secured about the body of the hairdryer. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a padded protective cover for a hand held hairdryer, essentially comprising plural bands of resilient material which extend about the generally ovoid body of the hairdryer. The resilient material is covered with a waterproof or at least water resistant protective covering. The bands are permanently joined at their ends with elastic straps or the like extending between the opposed joined ends to close the device and secure it about the body of the hairdryer. Other embodiments may utilize mating hook and loop fastener material (e.g., Velcro™) or other separably connectable fastening means to secure the protective device about the hairdryer. 
     Still other embodiments provide resilient pneumatically or liquid filled tubes for cushioning impact forces. Yet another embodiment provides protection for side vent type dryers, with vent openings provided to each side of the cover. These various embodiments may be combined as desired with one another to provide great versatility in the present hairdryer protective cover invention. 
     The present invention in its various embodiments thus provides a protective wrap about the main body of such a hand held hairdryer, serving to lessen impact forces to the body portion in the event the hairdryer is dropped or otherwise suffers an impact. The relatively heavy electric fan motor housed in the central body portion of such hairdryers, and the plastic case surrounding the motor, are particularly vulnerable to impact and are generally the first component of such hairdryers to contact the floor when the device is dropped. The present protective cover embodiments thus provide protection from damage in the vast majority of instances where such a hand held appliance may be dropped or otherwise suffer an impact. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved protective cover for a hand held hairdryer, comprising a plurality of padded bands which wrap about the body of the hairdryer with ends secured to one another beneath the hairdryer body, to protect the body of the hairdryer with its motor and case. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved protective cover for a hand held hairdryer, another embodiment of which comprises a wrap for removably securing about the majority of the outer circumference of a side inlet hairdryer and having open areas on at least one side thereof for clearance for the inlet opening of the hairdryer. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved hairdryer protective cover which may be formed of a resilient material covered with a waterproof or water resistant material, or which may be formed of hollow pneumatic or liquid filled tubular elements, as desired. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved hairdryer protective cover including means for removably securing the cover about the body of the hairdryer, as desired. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved hairdryer protective cover which removable attachment means may comprise permanently connected elastic bands or separably mating hook and loop or other fastener material as desired. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of the present protective cover for hand held hairdryers, showing its installation upon such a hairdryer. 
     FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the protective cover embodiment of FIG. 1, showing further details thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the protective cover of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating further details. 
     FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of the present protective cover in which the protective bands are formed integrally with one another and in which at least one of the securing straps comprises separable hook and loop fastener material. 
     FIG. 5 is a broken away perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, showing the waterproof plastic or rubberized covering of the foam core material and a snap fastener for the separable fastener means. 
     FIG. 6 is a broken away perspective view of yet another embodiment, illustrating a hollow core structure for pneumatic or liquid fill. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention, comprising a protective cover for a side inlet or side vent type hairdryer and showing the installation of the cover to such a hairdryer configuration. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention comprises various embodiments of a padded cover for protecting hand held hairdryers from damage due to a fall or other impact, particularly for guarding the relatively fragile motor housing or shell of such appliances. FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present hair dryer protective cover, designated by the reference numeral  10  throughout the drawing Figures. The cover  10  of FIGS. 1 through 3 essentially comprises a first band  12  and a second band  14 , each formed of a resilient material  15 , as shown in FIG. 2 (open or closed cell foam plastic, foam rubber of suitable density, etc.). The bands  12  and  14  may be covered with a water resistant fabric material or waterproof material, as desired. Other alternative constructions are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and discussed further below. 
     Each band  12  and  14  has a first end, respectively  16  and  18 , and an opposite second end, respectively  20  and  22 . The first ends  16  and  18  are permanently joined (stitched, etc.) to form a first juncture  24  of the two bands  12  and  14 , with the opposite second ends also being similarly joined to form a second juncture  26 . By joining the two bands  12  and  14  obliquely together, they spread apart at each juncture  24  and  26  to define a medial open area  28  therebetween. The spreading of the two bands  12  and  14  serves to spread them more widely over the oblate shape of the motor case C 1  of the hairdryer H 1 , without requiring a continuous protective sheet over the entire casing C 1 . 
     The present protective cover  10  includes hairdryer attachment means for securing the cover over the casing C 1 , comprising a plurality of straps extending from each juncture and wrapping about the underside of the casing C 1  to each side of its attachment with the hairdryer hand grip G 1  which extends from the casing C 1 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, a first elastic strap  30  extends across the first and second junctures  24  and  26  to close the loop defined by the first and second bands  12  and  14  and strap  30 . The first strap  30  is in essentially the same plane as that defined by the first band  12 , and is adapted to extend behind the hand grip G 1  and beneath the casing C 1  of the hairdryer H 1 . A second elastic strap  32  also extends between the first and second junctures  24  and  26 , but is oriented to be generally normal or perpendicular to the plane defined by the first band  12  and first strap  30 , to wrap about the front side of the hand grip G 1  and below the casing C 1 . 
     The above described configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 allows the protective cover  10  to be secured easily to a conventional hand held hairdryer H 1 , having a forwardly disposed nozzle N 1  with a rearwardly disposed inlet I 1  at each end of the casing C 1 . The nozzle N 1  is inserted between the first and second straps  30  and  32 , and between the second strap  32  and first band  12 . The first and second bands  12  and  14  and first strap  30  are then pulled over the top of the casing C 1 , with the first strap  30  then being brought down around the back of the hairdryer casing C 1  and its inlet end I 1  to rest adjacent the back of the handgrip G 1 . 
     Additional variations or embodiments on the present invention are illustrated in the remaining drawing Figures. FIG. 4 illustrates a protective cover  40  embodiment in which the bands which pass over the top of the casing C 1  are integrally formed as a unitary structure, rather than being stitched or otherwise fastened together, as in the case of the two bands  12  and  14  of the protective cover  10  of FIGS. 1 through 3. The single band  42  of the cover  40  of FIG. 4 is formed to have a configuration resembling that of the two band cover  10  of FIG. 3, with the band  42  being split to define a generally medial open area  44  in order to broaden the protective area of the band  42  without requiring a continuous unbroken sheet of material. 
     The band  42  includes a first end  46  and opposite second end  48  to which first and second attachment means are attached, as in the case of the first embodiment  10  of FIGS. 1 through 3. The first attachment means comprises separate rearward first and second straps  50  and  52 , which extend respectively from the first and second ends  46  and  48  of the band  42  and are oriented generally coplanar with the body of the band  42 . The two straps  50  and  52  are not elastic, but include mating fastening means, such as the first and second types of hook and loop fastener material  54  and  56  (e.g., Velcro™) disposed respectively upon the two straps  50  and  52 . The forwardly disposed strap  58  extends between the two ends  46  and  48  of the band  42  and is disposed generally normal to the band  42  and rearward straps  50  and  52 , in the manner of the second strap  32  of the cover embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. 
     As the two rearward straps  50  and  52  are not elastic and cannot stretch, they must be separable in order to fit the cover  40  about the hairdryer H 1 . Otherwise, the cover  40  is applied to a hairdryer H 1  having a rearwardly disposed inlet I 1 , in the manner described further above for securing the cover  10  to a hairdryer H 1 . The nozzle N 1  of the hairdryer H 1  is passed between the band  42  and the elastic forward strap  58 , with the band  42  being passed over the top of the motor casing C 1  until the forward strap  58  contacts the hand grip G 1 . The separate first and second straps  50  and  52  are then secured about the underside of the casing C 1  and behind the hand grip G 1  and secured to one another by means of the mating fastener material  54  and  56  respectively provided on each strap end  50  and  52 . 
     It will be seen that various alternatives may be provided for the resilient nature of the bands which encircle the upper portion of the motor case of the hairdryer in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two additional variations on the construction of such protective bands. In FIG. 5, a portion of a band  60  is illustrated, with the band  60  having a core  62  of a resilient foam material hermetically sealed in a waterproof flexible plastic or rubberized cover  64 . A rearward strap  66  and portion of the forward strap  68  are shown imbedded in the core material  62 , with the cover material  64  being molded in place around the core  62  and straps  66  and  68  extending therefrom. The rearward strap  66  (and its mate, not shown) may include mating snap fasteners  70 , or other mating attachment means as desired. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment, in which the band  72  comprises a flexible and resilient, hollow, generally tubular structure  74 . The hollow structure  74  may be formed of various plastics, natural or synthetic rubber (e. g., Neoprene™), or other suitable materials as desired. The critical point with the material of the band  72  is that it be gas and liquidproof, depending upon the application, as the resilience of the band  72  is provided by filling the hollow core  76  with a gaseous or liquid fluid (e. g., air or water). The attachment straps, e. g., strap  78 , may be adhesively secured to the outer surface of the tubular structure  74 , or secured using some other suitable means, so long as the wall of the material is not penetrated to allow the fluid within the core  76  to escape. It is recognized that the provision of a fluid core in such a protective device may not be as desirable as a core of solid resilient material, due to the possibility of puncture in the styling salon environment, but such a configuration may be desired by some users, particularly in the case of an air filled core with its resulting light weight. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention, in which a cover  80  is configured for securing about the motor case C 2  of a side inlet type hairdryer H 2 . The cover  80  comprises a semicircular, arcuately shaped pad  82  which conforms closely to the generally circular curved shape of the outer periphery of the motor case C 2  of such a side inlet hairdryer H 2 . A first and a second side panel, respectively  84  and  86 , extend from the respective sides or edges  88  and  90  of the pad  82 . 
     The semicircular pad  82  and side panels  84  and  86  may be formed of the same materials and covered in the same manner as the core and covering materials noted above for previously discussed embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 6. That is, the core of each of the components  82  through  86  may comprise a resilient foam or other impact absorbing material as desired, or the cover  80  may be formed as an integral unit and filled with a liquid or pneumatically filled. The critical point of the cover  80  of FIG. 7, is its shape for enclosing the circular motor casing C 2  of a side inlet hairdryer H 2 , as opposed to the shapes of other cover embodiments for end inlet hairdryers H 1 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. 
     At least one side panel  84  and/or  86  is provided with an inlet opening  92  formed therethrough, allowing the hairdryer inlet I 2  to take in air for heating and blowing from the nozzle N 2 . Preferably, both panels  84  and  86  are provided with such inlet openings  92 , for adaptability for different models of hairdryers which may have their inlet openings on opposite sides of the motor casing. 
     Each of the side panels  84  and  86  includes an attachment portion, respectively  94  and  96 , disposed generally opposite the center of the semicircular motor casing pad  82 . First and second straps, respectively  98  and  100 , extend respectively from the attachment portions  94  and  96  of the side panels  84  and  86 , and attach to one another by mating hook and loop fastener means, as shown with the straps  50  and  52  of FIG. 4, mating snap fastener means, as shown with the strap  66  of FIG. 5, or other mating attachment means (ties, buckles, etc.) as desired. 
     Alternatively, a single elastic strap may be provided to extend between the two attachment portions  94  and  96  of the two side panels  84  and  86 , in the manner of the elastic straps  30  and  32  of FIGS. 1 through 3, if so desired. Where such a single elastic strap is provided, the protective cover  80  may be secured to the hairdryer H 2  by passing the nozzle N 2  of the hairdryer H 2  into the bottom opening  102  defined by the arcuate pad  82  and such a single elastic strap, through the interior of the cover  80 , and outwardly through the front opening  104  defined by the forward edge of the pad  82  and the single elastic strip. The cover  80  is worked back over the hairdryer H 2  until the strap reaches the juncture between the nozzle N 2  and hand grip G 2 , and the cover  80  is rotated back over the motor casing C 2  to position the inlet opening(s)  92  over the inlet(s) I 2  of the hairdryer H 2 . 
     In summary, the present hairdryer protective cover provides much needed protection for hand held hairdryers of various types from impact damage due to falls or other accidents. Typically, such hairdryers will fall with their motor casings oriented downwardly, due to the mass of the motor and particularly the drag from the trailing cord. The present protective cover embodiments provide the required protection for the motor casing portion of the hairdryer, thus increasing the longevity of such equipment and reducing operational costs for the salon or other operation. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.