U.S. patent application number 12/217109 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for powered nail clipper.
Invention is credited to James Joseph Doyle, Sean Patrick Doyle.
Application Number | 20090119922 12/217109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40622338 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090119922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doyle; Sean Patrick ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Powered nail clipper
Abstract
The submission is an electrically powered, self-operated,
hands-free, fingernail clipper for persons having neither the
strength nor the flexibility to use a conventional leaf-spring type
nail clipper. The unit is mounted in a PVC housing, with an
aluminum cover, and consists of an electric, 3 RPM Hi-Torque motor,
mounted on the side of a chassis strut, with a direct shaft drive
to a Tri-Lobe cam that depresses the activating lever of a pair of
conventional, leaf-spring type nail clippers. The motor is
activated by a rocker switch, applying power through a cable
plugged into normal house current (115-120V).
Inventors: |
Doyle; Sean Patrick;
(Brockton, MA) ; Doyle; James Joseph; (Smithfield,
RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEAN P. DOYLE
214 PERKINS AVE.
BROCKTON
MA
02302
US
|
Family ID: |
40622338 |
Appl. No.: |
12/217109 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61002676 |
Nov 13, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
30/28 ; 132/75.5;
30/272.1; 30/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/28 ; 30/273;
30/272.1; 132/75.5 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/02 20060101
A45D029/02 |
Claims
1. The invention described herein is an electrically powered device
operating a pair of conventional lever-type clippers.
2. An electric powered, fingernail clipping machine, comprising: a.
a base unit that securely positions a conventional, lever-type
fingernail clipper, under a rotating cam, b. a high torque electric
motor, driving the cam at a steady rotational speed, thereby
activating the opening/closing, cutting action of the clippers, c.
said action parts enclosed by a cover and provided with an on/off
switch to activate power to the device, Whereby, said machine is
available to be used to cut fingernails without the need to squeeze
a conventional lever-type clipper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to fingernail clippers, and
more specifically to a new and improved self-operating, hands-free
fingernail clipper especially adapted for individuals who, through
lack of strength in one or both hands or because of any deformity,
find using conventional clippers too difficult or impossible.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Various types of nail clippers are known in the prior art. A
typical example of such an item is found in: [0005] U.S. Pat. No.
7,222,427 to Kaidi et al. This patent teaches a conventional
leaf-spring type clipper having a sleeve attached to catch
clippings. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,807 issuing to Weiss is a
variation of the former with a different apparatus to catch the
clippings. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,318 to Farag discloses a
clipper unit having a shield with various configurations of shapes
cut into it for the purpose of sticking the user's nail through to
be sheared off. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,812 issuing to Martin
Jr. primarily teaches a toenail clipper due to the presence of an
extended handle. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,845 to Jung teaches a
scissor-type nail clipper. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,673 to
McMullen teaches a clipper somewhat similar in concept to a
conventional leaf-spring type clipper wherein the cutters are
positioned on the side rather than on the leading edge. Lastly,
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,257 to Kiura discloses another nail
clipper similar to a conventional leaf-spring type clipper but
having a chamber to collect the clippings.
[0012] While all the above-mentioned devices may be suitable for
their intended usage, none is specifically designed for persons who
have some degree of difficulty in squeezing the clipper's levers
due to inherent deformity or strength problems, nor are these
devices particularly adapted for persons who suffer from certain
bone and/or joint diseases whose strength and/or flexibility
negates the use of conventional means to cut their nails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention addresses the deficiencies of prior
art nail clippers as relate specifically to usage by persons having
digital strength problems or joint/bone disease that result in lack
of strength and/or deformity. The present invention is a new and
greatly improved hands-free nail clipper which can be used by the
group of individuals described above as well as by persons who have
no problem using the currently available, conventional-type nail
clippers. The nail-clipper of this invention makes use of an
electric motor-driven, Tri-lobed cam to power a conventional
leaf-spring type clipper. When the unit of this invention is placed
on a surface and turned on, the user can easily place his/her nail
in the clipper and allow the motorized cam to depress the clipper
handle to operate the clipper; or, in the case of individuals with
some degree of deformity, such as caused by arthritis or other bone
diseases, such individuals will be able to guide each fingernail
into the clipper with the other functional hand. Because this motor
runs continuously once the activation switch is activated, the user
needs only to sit in front of the unit and guide his/her nails into
the cutting edges.
[0014] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved self-operating, hands-free fingernail
clipper for use by persons who may be unable to squeeze a
conventional nail clipper or who may be unable to physically align
their fingernails with a conventional clipper while simultaneously
try to manage a conventional clipper with the other hand.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved self-operating, hands-free fingernail clipper.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to introduce
a self-operating fingernail clipper which is of durable and
reliable construction.
[0017] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide self-operating clipper which is of simple construction,
providing low cost of manufacture and assembly, and which can be
easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
[0018] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
description of the Preferred Embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a left-side view of the nail clipper of
this invention .
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the device of
this invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the device of this
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side perspective view of the
device of this invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a left-side perspective view of the
device of this invention with a portion cutaway, exposing the
Tri-lobed cam.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a right-side perspective view with a
portion cutaway, exposing the drive mount.
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a right-side perspective view of the
cover that encloses the mechanism and wiring connections of the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a left-side view of the nail clipper of
this invention, showing the relative position of the Leaf-Spring
type clipper 2, and illustrating that said clipper extends far
enough away from PVC Chassis 1, and that there is ample room for
the user to approach the cutting edges regardless of degree of
angle necessitated by any deformity of the user. As seen in FIG. 1,
the Pressure Lever 10, is under, and will be depressed by the
Tri-Lobed Cam 4 as it rotates.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the device of
this invention, showing the relative simplicity of the unit.
Chassis 1 is produced using four separate pieces of PVC secured
together with screws. Tri-Lobed Cam 4 operates leaf-spring type
clipper 2 mechanism. This operation is performed by Tri-Lobed Cam 4
which places enough force on Pressure Lever 10 which is held to
leaf-spring type clipper by Lever Pinion 11. Also in the base plate
of the Chassis 1 is a shallow channel for the leaf-spring type
clipper to rest in for alignment with the Tri-Lobed Cam 4. The
clipper is solidly attached to the base plate with a nut/bolt.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the device of this
invention, showing the relative location of activation switch 5
which is mounted on the top surface of the Unit Cover 6 as well as
showing the clearance on either side of the clipper's cutting edges
for purposes of allowing for any physical problem with aligning the
user's nail to the clipper's cutting edges.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side perspective view of the
device, showing some visual parts and Chassis 1 construction of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a left-side perspective view of the
device of this invention with a portion cutaway, exposing the
Tri-Lobed Cam 4. FIG. 5 provides a glimpse of the actual operating
system of the device, namely, Tri-Lobed Cam 4 and its orientation
to the active leaf-spring clipper 2 relative to pressure lever 10
and lever pinion 11.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a right-side perspective view with a
portion cutaway exposing the drive mount and Motor 8 location.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a right-side perspective view of the
device Cover 3 showing the Activating Switch 5 in place, as well as
the strain relief plug for the power cord.
[0033] In operation, the device of this invention is a
self-operated, hands-free fingernail clipper having a PVC chassis
1, an upright strut upon which an electric high-torque 3 RPM drive
assembly 8 is mounted, with a direct drive camshaft, pressure
fitted to a Tri-lobed cam 4. When the device is seated upon a table
or countertop, activation switch 5 is pressed to activate the unit.
Optimally the high-torque motor revolves at 3 RPM, thereby causing
the Tri-Lobed Cam 4 to come in contact with the activating lever 10
of a pair of leaf-spring type nail clippers at a rate of
approximately 9 times per minute. As a result of actual trials,
this speed of operation has been determined to be the most
advantageous speed for operation of the nail clipper of this
invention.
[0034] It should be noted that power to the drive motor can be
obtained from any normal household 120V electrical outlet, through
a power cord not shown in the drawings. In other iterations, the
basic chassis of this invention with the same leaf-spring type
clipper as described above, can also operated by being powered with
a solenoid, with foot switch, or alternately with a cable/foot
pedal.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be
substituted therefore without departing from the principles and
spirit of this invention.
DRAWING LEGEND
[0036] 1 PVC Chassis [0037] 2 Leaf-Spring Type Clipper [0038] 3
Cutout to Accommodate Clipper [0039] 4 Tri-Lobe Cam [0040] 5
Activation Switch (On/Off) [0041] 6 Unit Cover [0042] 7 Strain
Relief [0043] 8 Motor [0044] 9 Drive Shaft [0045] 10 Pressure Lever
[0046] 11 Pressure Lever Pinion
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