U.S. patent application number 12/728247 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for machine for sanding, buffing and polishing fingernails and toenails.
Invention is credited to Michael Arthur Filonczuk.
Application Number | 20110226268 12/728247 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44646222 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Filonczuk; Michael Arthur |
September 22, 2011 |
Machine for Sanding, Buffing and Polishing Fingernails and
Toenails
Abstract
A machine for sanding, buffing and polishing fingernails and
toenails with a flat disc of abrasive, smoothing or polishing
material, a disc mount made of flexible material to easily adhere
the disc to, a rotationally reciprocating disc mounting platform to
affix the disc mount to, a removeable head that can be easily
interchanged, a power transmission shaft to transfer power to the
removeable head, a motor, a rotationally reciprocating power
transmission to change rotational motion of the motor to
rotationally reciprocating motion, a battery, a power switch on the
body to control the motor on and off, a body to house the power
components, a 90 degree power transmission to change rotationally
reciprocating motion of the power transmission shaft to
rotationally reciprocating motion of the disc mounting platform,
and a power transmission shaft receiver in the removeable head to
receive the power transmission shaft.
Inventors: |
Filonczuk; Michael Arthur;
(Woodland Hills, CA) |
Family ID: |
44646222 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728247 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73.6 ;
132/76.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/05 20130101;
A45D 29/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73.6 ;
132/76.4 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/05 20060101
A45D029/05 |
Claims
1. A machine for sanding, buffing and polishing fingernails and
toenails comprising: a flat disc of abrasive, smoothing or
polishing material; a disc mount made of flexible material to
easily adhere said disc to; a rotationally reciprocating disc
mounting platform to affix said disc mount to; a removable head
that can be easily interchanged with multiple removable heads of
varying abrasive and buffing or polishing discs; a power
transmission shaft to transfer power to said removeable head; a
motor; a rotationally reciprocating power transmission to change
rotational motion of said motor to reciprocating rotational motion;
a battery; a power switch on said body to control said motor on and
off; a body to house said battery, said motor, said switch and said
rotationally reciprocating power transmission; a connecting wires
to conduct power from said battery to said motor; a 90 degree power
transmission to change rotationally reciprocating motion of said
power transmission shaft to rotationally reciprocating motion of
said disc mounting platform; and a power transmission shaft
receiver to receive said power transmission shaft and transfer
rotationally reciprocating motion to said 90 degree power
transmission.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of personal
hygeine and more specifically to a machine for Sanding, Buffing and
Polishing Fingernails and Toenails.
[0002] Fingernail and toenail finishing systems have been in use
throughout history. New technology has not advanced the current
rotating drum sander technology for decades. Hand held tools gave
way to powered rotating drum sanders in the early 1920's. Today
there are millions of these type of sander/polisher tools in use
around the world.
[0003] The most basic nail finishing device is the emery board.
This is a hand held and operated device that takes a skilled
operator and a lot of time to get the nails smooth. Further prior
technology for fingernail sanding and polishing systems in use
today rely on a spinning sanding paper drum supported inside and
locked into place by a rubber core that expands to hold the drum
secure when a screw is tightened in the end of the mounting shaft.
This shaft is directly attached to the armature of the motor that
drives it usually by a collet type mount.
[0004] Home devices utilize a small motor that is usually powered
by a low voltage motor that receives power from a wall transformer.
Some variations on this are a disc sander also mounted to the shaft
or a 90 degree disc sander. Further variations include heavy duty
salon models that require a remotely mounted motor and flexible
transmission shaft that leads to a hand unit that has the spinning
drum or disc. Note that all of these devices rotate in one
direction only.
[0005] A new device uses an internal drum sander that one inserts
the nail into the interior of the drum which is coated in abrasive
material. These are the major nail finishing systems available
today and have been in use since the 20's or earlier.
[0006] Prior art technologies rely on a direct drive motorized
rotating drum sander that has the following deficiencies.
[0007] First of all the devices according to prior art nick
sensitive skin adjacent to the nail surface making the skill of the
operator important to the operation of the device. The cuticle is
situated between the skin of the finger and the growing nail plate
fusing these structures together and providing a waterproof
barrier. Damaging the cuticle can open the nail up to
infection.
[0008] Secondly, the uni-directional rotating drum and disc devices
tend to heat up the nail surface rapidly causing painful irritation
and actual burning of the flesh under the nail that occurs so
rapidly that the person whose nail is being sanded doesn't react to
the burn until it has already occurred.
[0009] Third of all, the devices according to the prior art cannot
get into the crevice along the nail between the nail plate and the
perioncyhium. The perioncyhium is the skin that overlies the nail
plate on its sides. It is also known as the paronychial edge. The
diameter of the drum and the depth of the crevice prohibits
finishing this area of the nail without sanding the surrounding
skin.
[0010] Fourth of all, the drum sander, by definition is a curved
surface that makes it difficult for operators to create a flat
surface on the nail bed as the drum tends to follow the natural
undulations of the nail itself. Only the skill of the operator can
remove the high spots and make an even surface on the nail, which
is the ultimate goal of nail finishing.
[0011] Next, the devices according to prior art are under powered
and tend to stop rotating under moderate pressure from the
operator. This deficiency makes salons use a nail sander that
utilizes a remotely powered device that has a large motor remotely
hanging from a obtrusive stand connected to the sander with a
flexible power transmission shaft. This extra power is needed to
maintain the rotation of the drum when pressure is applied.
Underpowered home units simply stop under pressure and the operator
must ease up on the pressure to get the device according to the
prior art to start rotating again.
[0012] Further, the prior technology for fingernail sanding and
polishing systems in use today are not very user friendly when it
comes to changing the grit of the sanding drum mounted on the shaft
in the tool. A small screwdriver must be employed by the operator
to release the pressure on the rubber core and allow the sanding
drum to be pulled off. Oftentimes the sanding drum is stuck on the
rubber core. A further method would have multiple complete shaft,
rubber core and sanding drum assemblies available to interchange.
This interchanging of sanding assemblies requires further tools
such as a wrench and a shaft locking tool to loosen the collet type
mount and allow the shaft of the sanding assembly to be pulled out
and changed to a different size grit for lighter or heavier sanding
or changing between customers at a nail salon to avoid cross
contamination between customers of harmful bacteria or germs. Also
the drums themselves are moderately expensive due the manufacturing
involved to make each paper drum that backs the sanding paper.
[0013] Another example of prior art deficiencies is that prior art
devices, when used on fungus-infected nails will throw microscopic
spores into the air off the drum infecting an area as large as a
room. Many podiatrists are not allowed to treat fungus nails in
their offices anymore due to health regulations and fear of
spreading infection.
[0014] Finally the devices according to the prior art cannot be
used in the presence of any cooling agent or dust mitigating agent
such as water. The spinning drum means that when used with water,
the operator would need to take care that the drum does not came
out of the water until it has stopped spinning or the contaminated
water will be thrown into the air. Also the paper nature of the
drum structure in not conducive to wet use. Further the home units
are not waterproof and usually have a low voltage power cord
attached that may not shock the user, but the nature of water and
electrical mixing makes the operator wary of using the device near
water.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The primary object of the invention is To provide a device
that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails without
danger to surrounding skin.
[0016] Another object of the invention is To provide a device that
will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails using a flat
disc that operates in a rotationally reciprocating motion the
definition of this motion for the purpose of this document is meant
to define the motion of the sanding disc to rotate through 45
degrees, reverse rotational motion back 45 degrees and repeat at
6,000 cycles per minute without heating fingernails and toenails
and burning skin underlying the fingernails and toenails.
[0017] Another object of the invention is To provide a device that
will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails in nail crevice
areas not accessible to other powered fingernail drum sanding
machines.
[0018] A further object of the invention is To provide a device
that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails using a
flat disc that operates in a rotationally reciprocating motion that
will quickly and easily flatten irregularities in fingernail
surfaces.
[0019] Yet another object of the invention is To provide a device
that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails using a
battery powered, portable, lightweight and easily maneuverable
machine to rotate, sand and polish the contour of the fingernail
without friction between the sanding medium and the nail stopping
the sanding process.
[0020] Still yet another object of the invention is To provide a
device that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails
using a disc of abrasive material that is easily changed when the
abrasive is worn away.
[0021] Another object of the invention is To provide a device that
will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails using a
multitude of detachable heads each with different coefficient of
abrasive material to allow successive smoothing of fingernails and
toenails.
[0022] Another object of the invention is To provide a device that
will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails using an
abrasive disc backed by a flexible or semi flexible material.
[0023] Yet another object of the invention is To provide a device
that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails that
utilizes rechargeable batteries.
[0024] Still yet another object of the invention is To provide a
device that will sand, buff and polish fingernails and toenails wet
or dry.
[0025] Another object of the invention is To provide a device that
will aid in the application of liquid and gel nail care
products.
[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0027] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed a machine for Sanding, Buffing and Polishing
Fingernails and Toenails comprising: a flat disc of abrasive,
smoothing or polishing material, a disc mount made of flexible
material to easily adhere said disc to, a rotationally
reciprocating disc mounting platform to affix said disc mount to, a
removeable head that can be easily interchanged with multiple
removeable heads of varying abrasive and buffing or polishing
discs, a power transmission shaft to transfer power to said
removeable head, a motor, a rotationally reciprocating power
transmission to change rotational motion of said motor to
reciprocating rotational motion of said disc mounting platform, a
battery, a power switch on said body to control said motor on and
off, a body to house said battery, said motor, said switch and said
rotationally reciprocating power transmission, connecting wires to
conduct power from said battery to said motor, a 90 degree power
transmission to change oscillating rotational motion of said power
transmission shaft to oscillating rotational motion of said disc
mounting platform, and a power transmission shaft receiver to
receive said power transmission shaft and transfer reciprocating
rotational motion to said 90 degree power transmission.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 100 is a plan view of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 200 is an elevation view of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 300 is a cut away view of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0033] Embodiments of the invention disclose a machine for sanding,
buffing and polishing fingernails and toenails. The preferred
embodiment is pictured in drawings FIG. 100, FIG. 200 and FIG.
300.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 100 there is shown a Body 17 which is shaped
to fit comfortably in the hand without slipping when wet and is a
reasonably light weight to allow ease of control, maneuverability
of the device by the operator around the fingernails or toenails
(nails). We further see a Removable Head 13 which allows the
operator to easily change multiple heads of different grit and
polishing means to allow successive sanding and polishing of the
nails. There is a preferred embodiment Head Locking Means 18 that
would require the operator to twist and lock the head on to the
Body 17 and lock it in place so it will remain steadfast while the
operator is applying the device to the nails. Other means may be a
press friction fit, or a locking button that would be familiar to
any schooled in the art. Extending from the Body 17 is a Power
Transmission Shaft 14 which transfers power from the body 17 to the
Removable Head 13 once the Head Locking Means 18 is engaged. The
device would then be ready for sanding and polishing the nails. The
Body 17 also has a convenient power switch of any type familiar to
those schooled in the art of power switches. The preferred
embodiment would be water proof or water resistant to allow use of
the device in the presence of water or even submerged. The
Removable Head 13 may be waterproof, but need not be. The Body 17
in the preferred embodiment would be water proof or water resistant
with a sealing means where the Power Transmission Shaft 14
penetrates the body.
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, in FIG. 200 there
is shown an elevation of the device and specifically a side view of
the Removable Head 13. The preferred embodiment shows a Mounting
Platform 10, Disc Mount 12 and a flat Abrasive Disc 11. These 3
components constitute a sanding assembly that is a rotationally
reciprocating assembly and allows the novice or skilled operator to
sand and polish fingernails and toenails without heating the
sensitive underlying skin or nicking the cuticle which is painful
and leads to infection. Rotating back and forth rather than
complete circular rotation keeps the nail cool by reducing the
friction and thus the heat on the nail. The preferred embodiment
would rely on a flexible Disc Mount 12 to allow some shock
absorption and to transmit less vibration to the fingernail and
transfer heat away from the fingernail.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 300 there is further shown a cutaway view of
the Body 17. The Motor 19 is powered by the Battery 20 controlled
by the Power Switch 15 and connected by the Connecting Wires 23.
The preferred embodiment would utilize a rechargeable battery and
another embodiment might include an inductive charging system
although many other power sources would work including a remote
power source.
[0037] In accordance with an important feature of the present
invention, there is shown in FIG. 300 the advantage of the current
invention over prior art which is the fact that the Motor 19
transfers power through a Reciprocating Transmission 21 which
changes rotational motion into reciprocal rotational motion so that
the said assembly would rotate between 45 and 180 degrees and
switch direction and rotate the equal amount of degrees back again
ready to repeat. This reciprocating rotational motion is what
reduces heat transfer to the nail and makes the device safe if it
touches sensitive skin. The preferred embodiment rotates 45 degrees
at 6000 rotations per minute but this exact embodiment should not
limit the scope of the present invention as other degree rotations
and rotations per minute combinations are possible. FIG. 300 also
shows a cut away view of the removable Head 13. The cut away view
shows a Power Transmission Shaft Receiver 24 that allows the Power
Transmission Shaft 14 to easily slide and lock into the Power
Transmission Shaft Receiver 24 when the Removable Head 13 is
changed. The Power Transmission Shaft Receiver 24 and Power
Transmission Shaft 14 lock together by a connecting means that can
be of many types. The preferred embodiment is a simple half shaft
male end of the Power Transmission Shaft 14 inserting into a female
half shaft Power Transmission Shaft Receiver 24.
[0038] Operation of the device according to the present invention
begins with the selection of the Removable Head 13 that has the
appropriate grit size for the job of sanding a fingernail or
toenail. The rougher the fingernail, the larger the grit. Generally
the operator would start with a 120 wet and dry grit paper that has
been affixed to said Disc Mount 12 by an adhesive attachment means,
preferred embodiment being an adhesive that can be removed and
replaced at will; "Peel and stick" is the term used by those
schooled in the art. Other attachment means might be the hook and
loop attachment known as "Velcro." Once the appropriate Removable
Head 13 is selected and attached the Body 17, the operator
activates the device by pushing the Power Switch 15 which starts
the reciprocating action of said sanding assembly. The operator
then applies said sanding assembly to the fingernail or toenail and
begins sanding. The shape of the sanding assembly allows the
operator to sand all areas of the nail, including the crevice along
the nail between the nail plate and the perioncyhium. The flat
reciprocating disc sands the high ridges of the nail first until
the entire nail is uniformly flat along the nail's curved natural
form. The operator then changes the Removable Head 13 with another
Removable Head 13 that already has a finer grit sandpaper. The
preferred embodiment is a wet and dry 400 grit sandpaper. The
preferred embodiment utilizes quick interchange ability of the
Removable Head 13 so the sanding time is efficiently reduced.
Successive finer sanding and polishing grits finish the nail to a
high gloss shine. Generally four varying Removable Head 13 are used
in the beginning to sand fingernail and toenails and subsequent
touch up of the nails only require the final two smoothing and
polishing grits. Once completed, the operator may remove the
Removable Head 13 and in a commercial setting, throw the Removable
Head 13 away to eliminate cross contamination of client fingernails
or toenails. the device would then be placed in a charger to be
recharged for the next use.
[0039] A further advantage of the present invention is its use to
mitigate nail fungus in a safe manner. Fungus nails thicken over
time and any sanding of the nail may contaminate a room or area
with fungus spores that can spread to other people's toe and finger
nails. The device according to the present invention allows the
sanding of infected nails wet or under water. This not only cools
the nails during sanding, but also contains the spores in the water
to be safely disposed of without contaminating surrounding areas.
Further, using the device wet keeps the sanding means unclogged and
extends the life of the sanding disc. In podiatric applications,
the device would allow podiatrists to again treat infected nails in
the office. Sanding and thinning infected nails also allows better
penetration of topical anti-fungal nail treatments into the
nail.
[0040] The device according to the present invention allows the
polishing of nails without applying a nail coating that doesn't
allow the nail to breathe. Many women like a more natural approach
to nail finishing without the use of sealing polishes and
paints.
[0041] The current device would also allow the use of a detachable
head with a disc of absorbent material that could easily apply nail
gel and other natural products to the nail to enhance the nail's
health.
[0042] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *