Patent Publication Number: US-2015083886-A1

Title: Adjustable hair dryer holder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/883,028 filed Sep. 26, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a portable appliance holder and more specifically a hair dryer holder that is capable of holding a portable hair dryer in a fixed position. 
     Hair dryers as styling aides are well used by both women and men in creating artful and decorative hair styles. However, in creating such a hair style, it may be necessary for the user to use both hands, for example one hand holding the hair and one hand holding the brush. This makes use of a portable hair dryer complicated as the user is required to juggle different elements. This difficulty is exacerbated for those individuals with physical limitations, whether due to age, injury or a disability. Limitations in mobility including strength, reach, dexterity or flexibility, may increase the difficulty in holding a hair dryer in the desired position for the duration of a hair styling session. As a result, some individuals who would otherwise be able to perform their own hair styling may be forced to forego the style of their choice or else hire a professional stylist to provide the service for them. 
     A number of hair dryer holders are available, such as that described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,447. This hair dryer holder describes an apparatus that includes a base for attaching to a wall and a retainer assembly to receive a portable hair dryer. A pivot is positioned between the base and the retainer assembly to provide for angular adjustment of the retainer assembly. While this apparatus solves the problem of retaining a portable hair dryer, allowing for hands-free use, the apparatus does not solve all of the problems of using a portable hair dryer. Specifically, the devices does not provide for means of holding the portable hair dryer in a fixed orientation. 
     In view of the limitations of previously available products, there remains a need for a hair dryer holding apparatus that is capable of retaining a portable hair dryer in a fixed position. There also remains a need for a hair dryer holding apparatus that is usable by those individuals with reduced mobility or other physical limitations so that such people are not forced to forego the style of their choice or turn to paid professionals due to their physical limitations 
     Presently disclosed is a hair dryer holder for securing a hair dryer having a handle portion and a blower portion. In embodiments, the hair dryer holder includes a base portion configured to secure the hair dryer holder to a surface; and a retainer portion pivotally secured to the base portion and configured to hold the hair dryer in a fixed position, wherein the retainer portion includes an opening configured to receive the handle portion of the hair dryer and a ring extending at least partially around the opening, with the ring having a plurality of recessed sections with each of the plurality of recessed sections configured to support the blower portion of the portable hair dryer in a fixed position. 
     The ring of the hair dryer holder in another embodiment may further comprise a top surface having rounded undulations defining a plurality of raised sections alternating between the plurality of recessed sections. In some embodiments, the rounded undulations may be sinusoidal. 
     In some embodiments, the ring of the hair dryer holder may further comprise a top surface having a textured surface defining the plurality of recessed sections. In some embodiments, the ring of the hair dryer holder further comprises a top surface defining a plurality of raised ridges alternating between the plurality of recessed sections. In some embodiments, the ring of the hair dryer holder further comprises a cord opening disposed opposite the base portion and configured to receive a cord of the hair dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the cord opening of the hair dryer holder is sized to receive the handle portion of the hair dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the base portion of the hairdryer holder includes a base opening configured to receive a fastener for securing the hair dryer holder to a surface. In some embodiments, the fastener of the hair dryer holder comprises a suction cup. 
     The hair dryer holder may further comprise an arm pivotally secured to the base portion and connecting to the retainer portion, such that the retainer portion is pivotally secured to the base portion. 
     Also disclosed is a method of fixing a hair dryer in place. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of: providing a hair dryer having a handle portion and a blower portion; providing a hair dryer holder for supporting the hair dryer, the hair dryer holder including: a base portion configured to secure the hair dryer holder to a surface; and a retainer portion pivotally attached to the base portion and configured to hold the hair dryer in a fixed position, the retainer including an opening configured to receive the handle portion of the hair dryer and a ring extending at least partially around the opening, the ring comprising a plurality of recessed sections with each of the plurality of recessed sections configured to support the blower portion of the hair dryer in a fixed position; inserting the handle of the portable hair dryer through the opening in the retainer portion of the holder; automatically rotating the hair dryer so that the blower portion is received within one of the plurality of recessed sections; and adjusting the position of the retainer portion. 
     In some embodiments, the base portion used in the method of fixing a hair dryer in place may further comprise a fastener for securing the hair dryer holder to a surface. 
     In some embodiments, the ring used in the method of fixing a hair dryer in place further comprises a top surface having sinusoidal undulations defining a plurality of raised sections alternating between the plurality of recessed sections, and wherein the hair dryer is automatically rotated into one of the plurality of recessed sections by the force of gravity. In some embodiments, the ring used in the method of fixing a hair dryer in place further comprises a cord opening disposed opposite the base portion and configured to receive a cord of the hair dryer. In even another embodiment, the ring used in the method of fixing a hair dryer in place further comprises a top surface having a textured surface defining the plurality of recessed sections, and wherein the hair dryer is automatically rotated into one of the plurality of recessed sections by the force of gravity. 
     In another embodiment, the method of fixing a hair dryer in place further comprises an arm pivotally secured to the base portion and connecting to the retainer portion, such that the retainer portion is pivotally secured to the base portion. 
     Also disclosed is a retainer for securing a portable hair dryer having a handle portion and a blower portion to a base, the retainer comprising: a ring for supporting the blower portion of the portable hair dryer; an opening for receiving the handle portion of the portable hair dryer; a plurality of raised and recessed sections for supporting the blower portion in a fixed position. In some embodiments, the plurality of raised and recessed sections of the retainer comprise sinusoidal undulations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the hair dryer holder in use supporting a portable hair dryer; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hair dryer holder; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the retainer portion of the hair dryer holder; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the retainer portion of the hair dryer holder; 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the retainer portion of the hair dryer holder; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the retainer portion of the hair dryer holder; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the base portion of the hair dryer holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates a hair dryer holder for use with a portable or handheld hair dryer in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The hair dryer holder is generally designated by reference numeral  10 , and may be corded or battery operated. 
     The hair dryer holder  10  includes a base portion  12 , a retainer portion  14 , and hinge elements  16 ,  18 , coupling the base portion  12  to the retainer portion  14 . A portable hair dryer  20  is also provided and includes a handle portion  22 , blower portion  24 , and cord  26  extending from the handle portion  22 . The portable hair dryer  20  is supported by the retainer portion  14  of the hair dryer holder  10  and the base portion  12  is adapted to be attached to a substantially planar surface, such as a wall or minor. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer portion  14  includes a ring  27  for supporting the blower portion  24  of the portable hair dryer  20  surrounding a central opening  28  for receiving the handle portion  22  of the portable hair dryer  20 . The ring  27  includes structure for supporting the portable hair dryer in a fixed position. The central opening  28  is sized to accept a variety of handle sizes and shapes for accommodating a variety of different portable hair dryer brands. The central opening  28  may also be sized to receive the blower portion  24  of the portable hair dryer  20 . In addition to the central opening  28 , the retainer portion  14  includes a cord opening  30  ( FIG. 2 ) for receiving the cord  26  of the portable hair dryer  20 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the hair dryer holder  10  without a portable hair dryer  20  positioned thereon. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the hair dryer holder  10  includes a base portion  12  and retainer portion  14 . The retainer portion  14  includes a first hinge portion  16  and the base portion  12  includes a second hinge portion  18 . The first  16  and second hinge portions  18  are adapted to engage one another and allow adjustment of the retainer portion  14  relative to the base portion  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, this adjustment is limited to rotating the retainer portion  14  about the hinge  16 ,  18 . Other arrangements between the base  12  and retainer  14  portions are contemplated. In one arrangement, the hinge may be a ball-and-socket joint, or the hinge may have multiple degrees of freedom. Additionally, while the retainer portion  14  is shown as coupled directly to the base portion  12 , in other embodiments an arm is provided between the base portion  12  and retainer portion  14 . This arm may be rigid, flexible, fixed, or movable between a variety of positions for adjusting the position and angular arrangement of the retainer portion  14 . 
     In addition to the retainer portion  14  being positionable in a variety of orientations by the hinge, the retainer  14  also includes structure for supporting and fixing the portable hair dryer  20  at various orientations. The retainer portion  14  includes a plurality of raised  32 A and recessed  32 B sections. The recessed sections  32 B are positioned between adjacent raised sections  32 A. When the blower portion  24  of the portable hair dryer  20  rests on the recessed section  32 B the portable hair dryer is prevented from moving by the adjacent raised sections  32 A. 
     Various configurations of raised sections  32 A and recessed sections  32 B may be used for fixing the position of the portable hair dryer  20  on the ring  27 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a hair dryer retainer portion  14  having a ring  27 , a hinge element  16 , and rounded undulations forming raised sections  32 A and recessed sections  32 B. The ring  27  has a rounded top surface, undulating between the raised sections  32 A and recessed sections  32 B. In this embodiment the top surface has a continuous and smooth surface. In other embodiments, the retainer portion  14  may have a constant thickness so that the bottom surface of the ring  27  also follows a rounded shape. This allows the retainer portion  14  to be usable in different orientations. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a hair dryer holder  20  having a hinge  16  and a ring  27 , the ring having a textured surface  101 . The textured surface  101  defines the structure and shape of the ring  27  and acts to grip a portable hair dryer  20 . In some embodiments, the textured surface  101  may be a rubber layer, and in other embodiments may be a large number of small rounded undulations in the surface of the ring  27  forming both recessed sections and raised sections. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a hair dryer retainer portion  14  having a ring  27  with raised ridges  102  located on the surface. The raised ridges  102  act to hold the hair dryer  20  in place in the recesses located in between the raised ridges  102 . In some embodiments, the raised ridges  102  may be triangular, while in other embodiments the raised ridges  102  may be rounded. 
       FIG. 3D  illustrates an embodiment of a hair dryer retainer portion  14  having a ring  27  with scalloped cuts  103  located on the surface and edges of the ring  27 . The scalloped cuts  103  secure the hair dryer  20  in place either by allowing the hairdryer to rest inside the scalloped cuts  103  or alternatively increasing the friction between the ring  27  and the hairdryer  20 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a base portion  12 . The base portion  12  includes a hinge element  18  complementary to the hinge element  16  of the retainer portion  14 . The base portion  12  may also include an opening  34  for attaching the hair dryer holder  10  to a wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  34  includes a hole for receiving a fastener and a slot for securing the fastener. The fastener may be selected from, among others, a suction cup, screw, nail, hook, or other fastener that passes through an opening in the base portion  12 . Alternatively, the fastener may be integrally formed with the base portion  12  and may include a suction cup, screw, or other fastener for attaching the base portion  12  to a wall or other flat surface. 
     The base portion  12  has been generally described as attachable to a flat surface such as a wall, minor, or countertop. However, it is also contemplated that the base portion  12  may be attachable to other surfaces, or may include a weighted base for holding the hair dryer holder  10  in place. 
     Also described is a method of fixing a portable hair dryer  20  having a handle portion  22  and blower portion  24  in place. The method includes providing a hair dryer holder  10  that includes a base portion  12 , a retainer portion  14 , and a ring  27 . The handle portion  22  of the portable hair dryer  20  is inserted through an opening  28  in the retainer portion  14 . If the blower portion is positioned on a raised section, the portable hair dryer is automatically rotated under the force of gravity so that the blower portion  24  is received within a recessed section in the retainer portion  14 . The retainer portion  14  is finally adjusted to the preferred position. 
     According to this method, the base portion  12  of the hair dryer holder  10  includes structure for securing the hair dryer holder  10  to a surface, such as a wall or minor. This structure may be a permanent fastener, such as a screw or nail, or may be a temporary element, such as an opening for a hook or a suction cup for attachment to a mirror. Further, the base may be weighted to be independently supported. 
     In embodiments, the retainer portion  14  is pivotally attached to the base portion  12 . The retainer portion  14  may be directly connected to the base portion  12  by means of a hinge, ball-and-socket, or other type of joint allowing at least one degree of freedom between the base portion  12  and retainer portion  14 . Alternatively, an intermediary element, such as a flexible or rigid arm, may be provided between the base portion  12  and the retainer portion  14 . 
     In embodiments, the retainer portion also includes an opening  28  for receiving the handle portion  22  of the portable hair dryer and a ring  27  for supporting the blower portion  14  of the portable hair dryer  20  in a fixed position. The ring  27  may include a plurality of recesses, such as those illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
     Also disclosed is a retainer for securing to a base a portable hair dryer having a handle portion and a blower portion. The retainer includes a ring for supporting a blower portion of the portable hair dryer, an opening for receiving the handle portion of the blow dryer, and a plurality of raised and recessed sections for supporting the blower portion in a fixed position. 
     The described hair dryer holder may also be useful for those having reduced or limited mobility. The holder allows for hands-free use of a hair dryer that may be positioned at a variety of angles and positions. This allows a person having reduced mobility to position the hair dryer at a preferred position and dry his or her hair at previously unattainable angles or positions. Such improved positioning and functionality allows for improved independence and convenience. 
     In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, any use of the terms “first,” “second,” etc., do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. 
     As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.” 
     While certain embodiments have been described, it must be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope.