US20060032999A1

US20060032999A1 - Curling iron hanging bracket

Info

Publication number: US20060032999A1
Application number: US10/915,315
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Livingston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-10
Filing date: 2004-08-10
Publication date: 2006-02-16

Abstract

A vertical affixed hanging bracket with a hanging surface, side extensions, and attachment members adapted to attach to a vertical support surface for vertically hanging curling irons on the hanging surface by their thumb presses.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field
This invention pertains to curling iron hanging brackets. In particular it pertains to a hanging bracket, which vertically hangs by the thumb press suspended curling irons from a vertical support surface.
2. State of the Art
A number of curling iron storage systems are known. Losenno, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,773, BEUTICIAN'S TOOL HANGER provides a wall mounted bracket for hanging a curling iron by its barrel via an expandable releasable C clip system and other beautician tools, such as a hot comb. Bracken, U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,102, ANNULAR IRON CRADLE discloses an iron cradle to hold a curling iron in a horizontal position when laid therein. Andrew, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,189, CURLING IRON HOLDER discloses a device for holding a curling iron within a protective heat shield via a clip system to secure therein the curling iron by its handle. Baird et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,019, CURLING IRON SAFETY HOLDER APPARATUS, provides an inner and outer cylinder coaxially arranged to provide an insulated barrier to maintain a curling iron barrel vertically mounted there within. Bennett, Des. 266,195, HAIR CARE TOOL HOLDER discloses an ornamental design for a variety of hair care tools and includes a sleeve for mounting the barrel of a curling iron vertically therein. Smart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,415, MOUNTABLE ADJUSTABLE HOLDER APPARATUS FOR HAIR APPLIANCES discloses a wall mounted holder for securing hair care appliances thereto, wherein a curling iron is mounted within a holster sleeve by its barrel.
Cited for general interest is Weldon, U.S. Pat. No. 2.992,805 WALL BRACKET FOR ELECTRIC SHAVERS.
The invention described below provides a curling iron bracket adapted to secure to a vertical support surface and hold a curling iron in a vertical position by its thumb press, such that the power chord dangles below. It is of a more simple construction, and can be readily positioned to carry one or more curling irons by their thumb press.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a curling iron hanging bracket for curling irons having a thumb press and tongue as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The typical curling iron has an electronically heated barrel around which hair is wrapped for heating to curl the hair. A tongue is pivotally attached along the length of the barrel to pivot open by the depression of the thumb press so that hair can be placed there between and pressed in place for heating by the heated barrel. This thumb press insulated and is positioned just above an insulated handle so that the thumb of the hand can activate the same. Below the handle of a typical curling iron is a power cord and plug for insertion into a wall socket to power the device and heat the barrel. Many curling irons have an on off switch so that the power cord can be left in the wall socket and activated when needed. As the barrel of a typical curling iron is much longer than the handle, its center of gravity generally is located above the thumb press as shown and makes curling irons held by their thumb press top heavy. This may cause the thumb press suspended curling iron to tip outward from the point of suspension, depending on the model
The hanging bracket invention has a hanging support section of a width adapted to accommodate and support at least one curling iron in essentially a vertical position by its thumb press, such that the cord hangs downward below the handle and the barrel extends vertically. The height of the hanging support surface is sufficient length to position and aid in aligning the handle of the curling iron to hold its barrel in an approximately vertical position so that the barrel is held away from the vertical support surface if the weight of its dangling cord is not sufficient to pull the same in a vertical position. This height thus insures that the curling iron is held in the crook of the thumb press on the vertical support surface so that it does not readily fall out, while preventing burning of the vertical support surface by a hot curling iron stored on the hanging bracket. The width of the hanging bracket hanging support section is also selected for the number and size of curling irons to be supported thereon.
The hanging support section has side extensions attached to its ends sized to extend the hanging support section away from a vertical support surface, such as a wall, to enable a hot curling iron stored thereon to cool without contacting the vertical support surface. These side extensions must at least be of a width to extend the hanging support section away from the vertical support surface sufficiently to accommodate the thumb press inserted there between. The side extensions may also be angled to hold the hanging support section at an angle relative to the vertical support surface to accommodate larger diameter handles, which force the barrel to angle toward and contact the vertical support surface, when mounted on the hanging support section. Thus the angle of the hanging support section relative to the vertical support surface is selected to off-set the angle of the barrel of larger handled curling irons, and hold said barrel at a sufficient angle so that it doesn't contact the vertical support surface. This variation is also used where the weight of the cord is not sufficient to hold the barrel of the curling iron away from the vertical support surface. This typically occurs when the stored curling iron is plugged in and the weight of its power cord is partially supported from the wall socket. Alternatively, where larger handle curling irons are to be accommodated, the length of the side extensions may be increased to extend the hanging support section farther away from the vertical support surface rather than employing angled side extensions.
Attachment members, such as flaps and flanges, are then associated with the side extensions to affix the support bracket to the vertical support surface via fasteners, such as wall screws, nails, etc. These attachment members generally have slots to slide over and secure to the fasteners. These slots generally have a keyhole or rounded shape to slip over fastener heads such as a screw or nail, to then slide down to secure the attachment member between the head and the vertical support surface. This slot-securing embodiment may then be easily removed by lifting the attachment members to re-align the slots to slip over the fastener heads for removal.
In one preferred embodiment, the curling iron support bracket is formed of one continuous piece of metal, or heat resistant rigid material, which can be bent to form the hanging support section, side extensions and attachment members.
In another preferred embodiment, the curling iron hanging bracket has an integrated hanging support section and side extensions forming a continuous arc support surface bowing away from the vertical support surface to extend sufficiently such that a hot curling iron placed thereon does not contact the vertical support surface. Attachment members are then affixed to the ends of the continuous arc support surface to secure the same to the vertical support surface. Preferably, the attachment members comprise flaps, or flanges positioned within the continuous arc surface to be hidden by the continuous arc support surface when mounted to the vertical support surface. Usually, the attachment members contain similar slots described above to accommodate corresponding mounting fasteners affixed to the vertical support surface to hold the curling iron hanging bracket thereto.
In another preferred embodiment, the curling iron hanging bracket is U shaped with vertical side extensions affixed to the hanging support section. The attachment members are positioned within the U shaped interior space created the hanging support section and side extensions such that they are also hidden when mounted to a vertical surface. This preferred embodiment also has similar slots in the attachment members to accommodate corresponding mounting fasteners affixed to the vertical support surface.
These preferred embodiments allow the curling iron to be positioned at a desired location on a vertical support surface. The preferred location generally selected is near an electrical power outlet near a mirror so that the curling iron power cord can be left plugged in for heating and quick access.
The curling iron hanging bracket is preferably made of a heat resistant rigid material of sufficient strength to support a plurality of curling irons. It is colored or patterned to suit the preference of a user so that it may provide a decorative accent to a room or bathroom. The invention thus provides a hanging bracket of simplified construction that can be readily mounted to a vertical support surface to vertically hold curling irons by their thumb presses such that heated barrels to not scorch walls or vertical support surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the curling iron hanging bracket 10 consists of a front hanging support surface 12 adapted to hold hair styling curling irons vertically by their thumb presses to hold hot barrels of these irons vertically away from a wall or vertical support surface with their power cords hanging down. The hanging support surface 12 has side extensions 13 with wall attachment members 14 adapted to attach to a wall via fasteners (not shown), such as screws or nails, via accommodating corresponding slots 16. Preferably, the attachment members 14 have pairs of slots 16 to employ pairs of fasteners to firmly support brackets 10 accommodating one or more curling irons. The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is made of a single bendable metal piece with folded hanging support surface 12, side extensions 13 and attachment members 14, which extend the hanging support surface 12 sufficiently away from the wall to hold the curling iron via its thumb press in a generally vertical position away from the wall to prevent scorching by a hot barrel. The dimensions for a preferred embodiment to hold a number of curling irons have a width of the hanging support surface 12 of approximately 8.5 inches, and a height of 2.5 inches. The side extensions 13 are approximately 1 inch 2.5 inches. The attachment members 14 are approximately 2 inches by 2.5 inches. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing both keyed and rounded slots 16. FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is another variation wherein the hanging support surface 12 and side extensions 13 are one continuous arced piece attached to attachment members 14 structured as bracket ends. The combination hanging support surface12/side extensions 13 segment is bent in a manner to curve the hanging support surface 12 away from the wall. If the combination support surface 12/extension members 13 are not pre-formed into a curved surface, the desired arched hanging support surface 12 results when the hanging support surface 12 is flex mounted to the vertical support surface via similar slots 16. This embodiment has may have horizontally aligned key shaped slots 16 (not shown) to aid in pressure mounting the attachment members 14 by tension positioning these slots 16 over the wall fasteners.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention 10 having angled side extensions 13 to hold the hanging support surface 12 at an inclined angle relative to the vertical support surface to off-set the angle of the barrel of larger handled curling irons.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention 10 wherein the side extensions 13 are flangedly attached and exposed. This embodiment has a hanging support surface 12 bowed approximately 1½ inches away from the wall at the farthest point when mounted. It has a height of approximately 1¼ inches. It is secured to the wall with screws (not shown) with a ball head inserted within the mounting slots 16.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 6, only having a height of approximately 2 inches so that double screws are employed to hold more curling irons and weight. The actual dimensions of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be varied depending upon the number and weight of the curling irons to be carried. The height of the hanging support surface 12 is selected to securely hold curling irons in position at a minimum distance from the vertical support surface so that hot curling irons do not burn it. The distance of the hanging support surface from the vertical support surface is selected such that the curling iron thumb press fits therein, but does not overly project the hanging curling irons into a room for contact and dislodgment.
This invention 10 is used primarily to store and support hair styling curling irons as shown, but could be used for other wall mounted support bracket purposes.
Although this description has referred to illustrated embodiments, it is not intended to restrict the scope of the claims. The claims themselves recite those features deemed essential to the invention.

Claims

1. A curling iron hanging bracket for electric powered curling irons having a heated barrel attached to an insulated handle, and a projecting thumb press pivotally attached forming an acute angle opening proximate the barrel to open and close a tongue press aligned along the barrel, comprising:

a support bracket with

i. a hanging support section with a top edge of a width adapted to accommodate and hold t least one curling iron by insertion within the acute angle opening of its thumb press when inserted over the top edge, and of a height of sufficient dimension to align the mounted insulated handle of the curling iron in a vertical position to hold the barrel of the curling iron in a vertical position,

ii. side extensions attached to the ends of the hanging support section to extend the hanging support section away from a vertical support surface sufficiently for the thumb press to be inserted over the hanging support surface between the vertical support surface and hanging support section to hold the curling iron with its barrel in a vertical position to prevent contact with the vertical support surface to prevent burning or scorching by a heating curling iron barrel, and

iii. attachment members associated with the side extensions to affix the support bracket to the vertical support surface.

2. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 1, wherein the hanging support section comprises a continuous arc surface bowing away from the vertical support surface.

3. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 2, wherein the attachment members are positioned within the continuous arc surface to be hidden by the continuous arc surface when mounted to the vertical support surface.

4. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 2, wherein the attachment members extend from the continuous arc surface and are exposed when the curling iron hanging bracket is mounted to the vertical support surface.

5. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 3, wherein the attachment members contain slots to accommodate and attach to corresponding mounting wall fasteners affixed to the vertical support surface.

6. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 1, wherein the hanging support surface, side extensions, and the attachment members are formed by folds in a continuous piece forming a U-shape such that the attachment members are positioned within the interior space of he U-shape to be hidden therein by the hanging support section and side extensions when mounted to the vertical surface.

7. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 6, wherein the attachment members contain slots to accommodate corresponding mounting fasteners affixed to the vertical support surface.

8. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 1, wherein the hanging support surface, side extensions, and the attachment members are formed by folds in a continuous piece forming a U-shape with interior space such that the attachment members are positioned outside of the interior space of the U-shape and exposed when mounted to the vertical surface.

9. A curling iron hanging bracket according to claim 1, wherein the hanging bracket is colored or constructed of metal, or a heat resistant rigid material.