U.S. patent application number 12/168877 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for illuminated filing device.
Invention is credited to Adam Barnett Keene.
Application Number | 20100000557 12/168877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41463401 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100000557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keene; Adam Barnett |
January 7, 2010 |
Illuminated Filing Device
Abstract
A handheld device for performing motorized filing with
illumination of the filed surface at the point of contact is
disclosed. The device is comprised of a translucent file attached
to a shaft that contains a light-emitting diode disposed to
transilluminate the file. The device also contains a motor to
rotate said shaft and file as well as a power source. The device
will provide more effective and efficient trimming of the nails of
an infant, filing and shaping of the nails of an adult, and
sanding, filing, or polishing of other surfaces.
Inventors: |
Keene; Adam Barnett; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adam Keene
317 East 3rd Street #14
New York
NY
10009
US
|
Family ID: |
41463401 |
Appl. No.: |
12/168877 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73.6 ;
132/73.5; 132/76.4; 362/119; 362/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73.6 ;
132/76.4; 132/73.5; 362/119; 362/253 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/14 20060101
A45D029/14 |
Claims
1. A device for providing illuminated filing, trimming, polishing,
or sanding comprising: a) a translucent abrasive surface of
predetermined size, shape, and composition attached to a shaft in
which is embedded a light-emitting diode that is disposed to pass
light through said abrasive surface b) a handheld element that
contains a motor that provides rotation to said abrasive surface
and shaft and also transmits electrical power both to said motor
and to said light-emitting diode whereby said device will provide
illumination at the point of contact between said abrasive surface
and the object to be filed, trimmed, polished, or sanded.
2. The device in claim 1 specifically designed to trim the nails of
an infant as wherein: a) said abrasive surface is a round disc with
a fine abrading surface, b) said motor is of low torque and, c)
said power source is comprised of batteries contained within said
handheld unit.
3. The device in claim 1 specifically designed to file or shape the
nails of an adult wherein: a) said abrasive surface is a file with
a predetermined shape and composition depending whether the nail is
to be trimmed or shaped, b) said motor is of moderate torque and,
c) said power source is either batteries or an electrical cord
contained within the handheld unit.
4. The device in claim 1 specifically designed to file, sand, or
polish a work surface wherein: a) said abrasive surface is a file
with a predetermined shape and composition depending on the task
being performed and the material being worked upon, b) said motor
is of moderate or high torque and, c) said power source is either
batteries or an electrical cord contained within the handheld unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] This invention relates to motorized filing devices,
specifically to an improved means of providing illumination of the
surface to be filed.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] When attached to a motor that provides rotation, abrasive
surfaces are useful for a number of applications. In construction,
such surfaces are used for sanding, trimming, and polishing wood,
metal, rock, and other materials. In personal grooming, motorized
files are used for smoothing, shaping, and trimming adult
fingernails and toenails. These motorized files are too powerful
for the delicate fingers and toes of infants.
[0008] The trimming of infant fingernails is frequently problematic
for parents, since the use of manual nail clippers is difficult and
can lead to troublesome lacerations of the fingers. Manual nail
files are recommended by pediatricians to avoid this problem, but
are time-consuming and ineffective. As a result, many parents do
not trim their infants' nails properly, which is problematic since
fingernail scratches are the most common cause of eye injuries in
children.
[0009] There have been attempts to develop motorized files that are
safe and effective for the fingernails of infants. An example of
such a device is described in Fingernail Trimmer Having
Rotationally Abrasive Oscillating Surface issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,188,628 in the name of Lawrence G. Shubert (Mar. 3, 2007). This
patent generally relates to a motorized nail trimmer for infants
with an undefined shock absorbing material. Such a material is
unnecessary since the soft fingernails of infants allow for
effective trimming with a very low torque motor that will not cause
damage to the skin. In addition, this device lacks a mechanism for
providing illumination to the fingernail surface. Illumination is
all-important when attempting to trim the fast-moving fingernails
of an infant to ensure that the file is applied to the nail rather
than the skin. Illumination that is effective and does not disturb
a sleeping infant would be particularly desirable since it is much
easier to trim the nails of an infant while he or she is
asleep.
[0010] In the field of animal grooming, the Illumi Nail.TM. pet
nail grinder from Master Grooming Tools.TM. provides a motorized
rotational abrasive surface with external light-emitting diodes for
illumination. However, the device does not integrate the
light-emitting diode within the abrading surface, so that
illumination at the point of contact between the abrading surface
and the nail can be blocked by shadows and is not ideal. In the
field of construction, handheld devices to which abrasive bits may
be attached which have integrated lighting have been developed such
as U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,905 in the name of Mark Etter (Nov. 20,
2007). Again, the light source of such devices may not be ideal
since it is not integrated within the functioning bit. In the field
of dentistry, handheld drilling and grinding devices have been
developed which with integrated lighting such as U.S. Pat. No.
4,561,845 in the name of Moshe Meller (Dec. 31, 1985). However, the
illumination supplied by such devices may be less than ideal since
the light source is not integrated within the working bit and may
be blocked by shadows or objects.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with one specific embodiment, the device
consists of a battery-powered low-torque motor that rotates a
translucent file for trimming an infant's nails. The file has a
battery-powered light-emitting diode embedded in its supporting
shaft that allows for direct illumination of the infant's finger
and fingernail.
[0012] In accordance with an alternate specific embodiment, the
device consists of a cord-powered moderate torque motor with a
translucent file and embedded light-emitting diode for manicuring
the finger or toenails of an adult.
[0013] In accordance with an alternative specific embodiment, the
device consists of a cord-powered hand drill with a high torque
motor and a bit that has an embedded light-emitting diode and a
translucent file for detailed sanding, filing, or polishing of
surfaces such as wood, rock, or metal.
DRAWINGS
Figures
[0014] FIG. 1A shows the device as a motorized pediatric nail
trimmer in accordance with one embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 1B shows the device as a motorized adult nail filer in
accordance with another embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 1C shows the device as a motorized filer or sander to
be used on wood, metal, or other surfaces in accordance with
another embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 2A shows a detail of the abrasive surface, shaft and
commutator with an embedded light-emitting diode and resistor in
accordance with one embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 2B and 2C show different possible shapes of the
abrasive surface in accordance with alternative embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the abrasive surface and shaft with
commutator, electrical brushing with housing, and motor.
[0020] FIGS. 4A and 4D show various views of the electrical
brushing with housing.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows an alternative view of the abrasive surface
with commutator, electrical brushing with housing and motor when
attached.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram of the device in accordance
with one embodiment.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
TABLE-US-00001 [0023] 10A abrasive surface, disc shape 10B abrasive
surface, conical shape 10C abrasive surface, dome shape 12 shaft 14
commutator 16 resistor 18 light-emitting diode 20A device body,
pediatric nail trimmer 20B device body, adult nail filer 20C device
body, motorized sander 22A switch, pediatric nail trimmer 22B
switch, adult nail filer 22C switch, motorized sander 24 electrical
cord 30 electrical brushing 32 brushing housing 34 motor shaft 35
hole 36 motor 38 battery 40 electrical wire 42 switch, internal
component
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment
[0024] One embodiment of the device as a pediatric nail trimmer is
illustrated in FIG. 1A. The device consists of a disc-shaped fine
abrasive surface 10A which is attached to an opaque shaft 12 and
inserted into the device body 20A that has an on-off switch 22A
attached. In the preferred embodiment abrasive surface 10A is a
fine reusable abrasive surface made of transparent glass and is
permanently attached to shaft 12 but may be made of transparent
plastic or other material and may be detachable from shaft 12 for
replacement. The abrasive surface 10A is one centimeter in diameter
but may have alternative sizes and shapes as in FIG. 2B part 10B
and FIG. 2C part 10C. Shaft 12 is made of opaque plastic in the
preferred embodiment but may be made of metal or other material.
Device body 20A is made of plastic in the preferred embodiment but
may be made of metal or other material.
[0025] A detail of the file-light assembly is illustrated in FIG.
2A. It consists of abrasive surface 10A attached to shaft 12 and
electrical commutator 14. Within shaft 12 is embedded resistor 16
and light-emitting diode 18 which are electrically connected to
commutator 14 as shown. In the preferred embodiment 18 is a 3
millimeter white light-emitting diode and resistor 16 is 0.1 ohms
but different colors, sizes, and resistances may be used.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the abrasive surface 10A and shaft
12 with commutator 14 juxtaposed with electrical brushing 30,
brushing housing 32 and motor 36. In the preferred embodiment the
motor 36 is the FA-130RA from Mabuchi Motors of Japan which has a
speed of 6150 revolutions per minute and a torque of 0.55
millinewton meters when operating under 3 volts. However other
small low-torque motors could be used. In the preferred embodiment
commutator 14 is inserted into the hole 35 such that it makes
contact with electrical brushing 30 and is attached to motor shaft
34. In the preferred embodiment brushing 30 has two arms but it may
have a single arm to transmit electricity from the battery 38 to
the light-emitting diode 18 as well. Electrical power is
transmitted from the battery to the brushing via electrical wires
40.
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B show additional views of the brushing
housing and brushing in the preferred embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an additional view of the abrasive
surface 10A and shaft 12 with commutator 14 when in contact with
brushing 30 and attached to motor shaft 34 via hole 35 in brushing
housing 32.
[0029] FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram showing power being
transmitted via battery 38 to the internal component of the on-off
switch 42 and then to both motor 36 and brushing 30. In accordance
with one preferred embodiment this battery is 3 volts.
Operation--Preferred Embodiment
[0030] The pediatric nail trimmer shown as the preferred embodiment
is operated by holding the device in one's hand and turning on
switch 22A which will cause the abrasive surface 10A to rotate and
also illuminate said abrasive surface via light-emitting diode 18.
The device is then pointed towards the infant's fingernail as shown
in FIG. 1A, illuminating the nail to be trimmed. Abrasive surface
10A is then applied to the infant's nail briefly for the trimming
process.
[0031] Internally, the turning on of switch 22A closes internal
switch 42 which then transmits electricity from battery 38 both to
motor 36 and to brushing 30. Electrical energy is transmitted to
the light-emitting diode 18 from the brushing 30 via the commutator
14. This internal operation is illustrated in FIG. 6.
Detailed Description--Alternative Embodiments
[0032] One alternative embodiment of the device as an adult nail
filer is shown in FIG. 1B. This embodiment is different in that
abrasive surface 10A may be rougher and the motor may be of higher
torque. Also, it may be powered by an electrical cord 24 rather
than by a battery. Otherwise the basic assembly of the file, shaft,
light-emitting diode, commutator, and brushing, and motor are the
same as shown in FIGS. 2-6.
[0033] Another alternative embodiment of the device as a motorized
sander, filer, or polisher is shown in FIG. 1B. This embodiment is
different in that the abrasive surface 10A may be rougher, the
motor may be of high torque, and the device may be powered by an
electrical cord or rechargeable battery. Otherwise the basic
assembly of the file, shaft, light-emitting diode, commutator, and
brushing, and motor are the same as shown in FIGS. 2-6.
ADVANTAGES
[0034] From the description above, a number of advantages of some
embodiments of my illuminated filing device become evident:
[0035] a) The pediatric nail trimmer will allow for more efficient
trimming of an infant's nails since it will directly illuminate the
point of contact between the nails and the abrasive surface.
[0036] b) The pediatric nail trimmer will allow for more convenient
trimming of an infant's nails since the work surface can be
illuminated without waking a sleeping infant.
[0037] c) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent injury to the
infant's skin during trimming since direct illumination of the work
surface will limit contact time and help to ensure that the
abrasive surface is applied to the nail rather than the finger.
[0038] d) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent injury to the
infant's skin since it recognizes that the thin nails of infants
can be trimmed with a very low torque motor which will stop when
excessive pressure is applied.
[0039] e) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent nail
clipper-related lacerations of the infant's fingers which are
troublesome to parents and prevent them from trimming their
infant's nails regularly.
[0040] f) The adult nail filer will allow for easier and more
precise trimming and shaping of an adult's nails since it will
provide direct illumination at the work surface.
[0041] g) The motorized sander, filer, or polisher will allow for
more precise work in many applications and on many different
materials since it will provide direct illumination at the work
surface.
CONCLUSION
[0042] Accordingly, the reader will see that the illuminated filing
devices of the various embodiments can be used to file, trim, sand,
or polish surfaces in a precise and convenient manner by providing
illumination directly at the point of contact between the abrasive
surface and the work surface.
[0043] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments. Many other possibilities are
possible, for example: [0044] a) Electricity could be transmitted
to the light-emitting diode by a single brush and metal connector
rather than the double brush and commutator technique described.
[0045] b) Multiple light-emitting diodes could be embedded into the
file and shaft in order to increase the illuminating power. [0046]
c) The size, shape, material and roughness of the abrasive surface
could be altered to make it suitable for use as a surgical or
dental file. [0047] d) The size and shape of the body of the device
could be altered and air and water ducts could be added to the
device to make it suitable as a surgical or dental file. [0048] e)
The motor could provide variable rather than fixed speed, torque,
and rotational direction for additional applications. [0049] f) The
light-emitting diode and motor could have separate power
sources.
[0050] Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the
examples given.
* * * * *