U.S. patent application number 14/317974 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for nail clippers.
The applicant listed for this patent is ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS AG. Invention is credited to Paul Boldt.
Application Number | 20150000139 14/317974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52017060 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150000139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boldt; Paul |
January 1, 2015 |
Nail Clippers
Abstract
Nail clippers comprise two legs extending in longitudinal
direction, which are connected to one another with their one ends
and the free ends of which form inner cutting edges, so as to cut
through a fingernail or a toenail between both cutting edges. Both
legs including the connecting area are of a metallic glass or an
amorphous metal in one piece. Nail clippers also comprise two
two-armed levers that cross one another and are articulated on one
another at a crossing point. The free levers of one side form inner
cutting edges at their ends so as to cut through a fingernail or
toenail between both cutting edges, and wherein the free levers of
the other side form handles. Both of the two-armed levers including
the joint in each case are of a metallic glass or an amorphous
metal in one piece.
Inventors: |
Boldt; Paul; (Solingen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS AG |
Solingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
52017060 |
Appl. No.: |
14/317974 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/28 ;
29/592 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49 20150115;
A45D 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/28 ;
29/592 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/02 20060101
A45D029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 28, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 010 786.5 |
Claims
1. Nail clippers, comprising: two legs extending in a longitudinal
direction and having first ends connected to one another at a
connecting area; and free ends opposite the first ends, the free
ends forming inner cutting edges shaped to cut at least one of a
fingernail and a toenail therebetween, the two legs and the
connecting area being at least one of: a one-piece metallic glass;
and a one-piece amorphous metal.
2. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein the two legs and
the connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-based metallic
glass.
3. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein the two legs and
the connecting area comprise a one-piece, injection-molded,
zirconium-based metallic glass.
4. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein the two legs and
the connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-based amorphous
metal.
5. The nail clippers according to claim 1, wherein the two legs and
the connecting area comprise a one-piece, injection-molded,
zirconium-based amorphous metal.
6. A method for producing nail clippers according to claim 1,
wherein the two legs and the connecting area are injected molded
with the metallic glass by injection into a mold having cavities
that form all of the two legs and the connecting area.
7. A method for producing nail clippers according to claim 1,
wherein the two legs and the connecting area are injected molded
with the amorphous metal by injection into a mold having cavities
that form all of the two legs and the connecting area.
8. Nail clippers, comprising: two two-armed levers crossing one
another and articulated on one another at a crossing point,
wherein: free levers of a first side of the two-armed levers form
inner cutting edges at first ends thereof, the cutting edges shaped
to cut at least one of a fingernail and a toenail therebetween;
free levers of a opposite second side of the two-armed levers
forming handles; and both of the two-armed levers including a joint
and being at least one of: a one-piece metallic glass; and a
one-piece amorphous metal.
9. The nail clippers according to claim 8, wherein the two legs and
the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based metallic glass.
10. The nail clippers according to claim 8, wherein the two legs
and the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based amorphous
metal.
11. A method for producing nail clippers according to claim 8,
wherein the two legs and the joint are injected molded with the
metallic glass by injection into a mold having cavities that form
all of the two legs and the joint.
12. A method for producing nail clippers according to claim 8,
wherein the two legs and the joint are injected molded with the
amorphous metal by injection into a mold having cavities that form
all of the two legs and the joint.
13. A method for producing nail clippers, which comprises: forming
an injection mold with cavities in a shape of two legs extending in
a longitudinal direction and having: first ends connected to one
another at a connecting area; and free ends opposite the first
ends, the free ends forming inner cutting edges shaped to cut at
least one of a fingernail and a toenail therebetween; and injecting
at least one of metallic glass and amorphous metal into the mold to
form a one-piece nail clippers having both of the two legs and the
connecting area.
14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises
carrying out the injecting step with zirconium-based metallic glass
to form the two legs and the connecting area in one-piece.
15. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises
carrying out the injecting step with a zirconium-based amorphous
metal to form the two legs and the connecting area in
one-piece.
16. The nail clippers according to claim 13, wherein the two legs
and the connecting area form a one-piece nail clippers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn..sctn.119 and 371, of German patent application No. 10 2013
010 786.5, filed Jun. 28, 2013; the prior application is herewith
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention lies in the field of implements. The
invention relates to nail clippers comprising two legs extending in
longitudinal direction, which are connected to one another with
their one ends and the free ends of which form inner cutting edges,
so as to cut through a finger or toenail between both cutting
edges. In the alternative, the invention relates to nail clippers
comprising two two-armed levers, which cross one another and which
are articulated on one another at the crossing point, wherein the
free levers of one side form inner cutting edges at their ends, so
as to cut through a fingernail between both cutting edges, and
wherein the free levers of the other side form handles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is known to produce nail clippers from two metal
profiles, which are joined at one end. In addition to the joining,
several additional operations are also required, such as the
production of ribbing at the outer handle surfaces. Further
grinding operations are also necessary.
[0005] A need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art
systems, designs, and processes as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides nail clippers that overcome the
hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices
and methods of this general type and that provide such features
with in as few operating steps as possible.
[0007] According to the invention, both legs or arms, including the
connecting area or the joint, are of a metallic glass or an
amorphous metal in one piece.
[0008] The invention relates to nail clippers comprising two legs
extending in longitudinal direction, which are connected to one
another with their one ends and the free ends of which form inner
cutting edges, so as to cut through a finger or toenail between
both cutting edges. Both legs including the connecting area are of
a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in one piece. The invention
further relates to nail clippers comprising two two-armed levers,
which cross one another and which are articulated on one another at
the crossing point. The free levers of one side form inner cutting
edges at their ends, so as to cut through a fingernail or toenail
between both cutting edges, and the free levers of the other side
form handles, wherein both two-armed levers including the joint in
each case are of a metallic glass or an amorphous metal in one
piece.
[0009] In the case of such a one-piece production, the entire pair
of nail clippers with all of its parts and areas is produced in a
single injection molding process, so that it is not necessary to
subsequently fasten the legs of the nail clippers to one another
and extensive machine finishing operations are no longer
necessary.
[0010] With such an injection molding, the legs of the nail
clippers and the connection location have a final shape that makes
subsequent profiling, ribbing, and ribs unnecessary and even
embellishments and the application of a logo already occur with the
first operating process. From this, a high degree of creative
freedom is created.
[0011] The chosen material is highly elastic, free from corrosion
and has a high durability and a low wear/low abrasion. The
production effort is extremely low. A pleasing visual appearance
can be attained because more design and freedom/leeway/variances
are at hand, in particular, due to certain designs of the surfaces,
such as ergonomic shaping and/or ribbing.
[0012] Due to the fact that a machine finishing is not required or
is hardly required, a significant amount of material is saved.
[0013] As a method for producing nail clippers of the
above-mentioned type, it is preferable to inject the metallic glass
or the amorphous metal into a mold, the cavity (cavities) of which
form both legs of the clippers and the connecting area.
[0014] Preferably, the metallic glass or the amorphous metal of the
nail clippers contains zirconium as base. Preferably, the
individual parts of the nail clippers are produced in the injection
molding process.
[0015] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, nail clippers
comprising two legs extending in a longitudinal direction and
having first ends connected to one another at a connecting area and
free ends opposite the first ends, the free ends forming inner
cutting edges shaped to cut at least one of a fingernail and a
toenail therebetween, the two legs and the connecting area being at
least one of a one-piece metallic glass and a one-piece amorphous
metal.
[0016] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the two
legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece zirconium-based
metallic glass.
[0017] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the
two legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece,
injection-molded, zirconium-based metallic glass.
[0018] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the
two legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece
zirconium-based amorphous metal.
[0019] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the two legs and the connecting area comprise a one-piece,
injection-molded, zirconium-based amorphous metal.
[0020] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the
two legs and the connecting area are injected molded with the
metallic glass by injection into a mold having cavities that form
all of the two legs and the connecting area.
[0021] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention,
the two legs and the connecting area are injected molded with the
amorphous metal by injection into a mold having cavities that form
all of the two legs and the connecting area.
[0022] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided nail clippers comprising two two-armed levers crossing one
another and articulated on one another at a crossing point, wherein
free levers of a first side of the two-armed levers form inner
cutting edges at first ends thereof, the cutting edges shaped to
cut at least one of a fingernail and a toenail therebetween, free
levers of a opposite second side of the two-armed levers forming
handles, and both of the two-armed levers including a joint and
being at least one of a one-piece metallic glass and a one-piece
amorphous metal.
[0023] In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention,
the two legs and the joint comprise a one-piece zirconium-based
metallic glass.
[0024] In accordance with yet an additional feature of the
invention, the two legs and the joint comprise a one-piece
zirconium-based amorphous metal.
[0025] In accordance with again another feature of the invention,
the two legs and the joint are injected molded with the metallic
glass by injection into a mold having cavities that form all of the
two legs and the joint.
[0026] In accordance with again a further feature of the invention,
the two legs and the joint are injected molded with the amorphous
metal by injection into a mold having cavities that form all of the
two legs and the joint.
[0027] With the objects of the invention in view, there is also
provided a method for producing nail clippers including the steps
of forming an injection mold with cavities in a shape of two legs
extending in a longitudinal direction and having first ends
connected to one another at a connecting area and free ends
opposite the first ends, the free ends forming inner cutting edges
shaped to cut at least one of a fingernail and a toenail
therebetween, and injecting at least one of metallic glass and
amorphous metal into the mold to form a one-piece nail clippers
having both of the two legs and the connecting area.
[0028] In accordance with again an added mode of the invention, the
injecting step is carried out with zirconium-based metallic glass
to form the two legs and the connecting area in one-piece.
[0029] In accordance with again an additional mode of the
invention, the injecting step is carried out with a zirconium-based
amorphous metal to form the two legs and the connecting area in
one-piece.
[0030] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention,
the two legs and the connecting area form a one-piece nail
clippers.
[0031] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in nail clippers, it is, nevertheless, not intended to
be limited to the details shown because various modifications and
structural changes may be made therein without departing from the
spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of
equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of
exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in
detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details
of the invention.
[0032] Additional advantages and other features characteristic of
the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description
that follows and may be apparent from the detailed description or
may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the
invention. Still other advantages of the invention may be realized
by any of the instrumentalities, methods, or combinations
particularly pointed out in the claims.
[0033] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required,
detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various
forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the
present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed
structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not
intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable
description of the invention. While the specification concludes
with claims defining the features of the invention that are
regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better
understood from a consideration of the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference
numerals are carried forward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together
with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form
part of the specification, serve to illustrate further various
embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in
accordance with the present invention. Advantages of embodiments of
the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description
should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0035] Two exemplary embodiments of the nail clippers according to
the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described
in more detail below.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
of a first configuration of nail clippers; and
[0037] FIG. 2 is side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment
of a second configuration nail clippers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases
used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide
an understandable description of the invention. While the
specification concludes with claims defining the features of the
invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the
invention will be better understood from a consideration of the
following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in
which like reference numerals are carried forward.
[0039] Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from
the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known
elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be
described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the
relevant details of the invention.
[0040] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it
is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting. The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are
defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used
herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as
used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms
"including" and/or "having," as used herein, are defined as
comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled," as used
herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,
and not necessarily mechanically.
[0041] Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom,
and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action
from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or
implying any actual such relationship or order between such
entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any
other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded
by "comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0042] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" applies
to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These
terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in
the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e.,
having the same function or result). In many instances these terms
may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant
figure.
[0043] Herein various embodiments of the present invention are
described. In the different embodiments, features are similar.
Therefore, to avoid redundancy, repetitive description of these
similar features may not be made in some circumstances. It shall be
understood, however, that description of a first-appearing feature
applies to the later described similar feature and each respective
description, therefore, is to be incorporated therein without such
repetition.
[0044] Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail
and first, particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a first exemplary
embodiment of nail clippers encompassing a first leg 1 and a second
leg 2. One end area of each of the first and second legs 1, 2 is
connected in one piece and in a positive manner to a connecting
area 3. The free ends 4 of the first and second legs 1, 2 form
blade edges 5, 6. At least one non-illustrated logo is embossed on
the outer side of the connecting area 3 but is not illustrated.
[0045] So that the two blade edges 5, 6 can be pressed against one
another, a bolt 9 protrudes from an inner side of the first leg 1
close to the blade edges 5, 6. The bolt 9 passes through an opening
in the second leg 2 and projects beyond the upper side of the
second leg 2 to such an extent that it passes through an opening,
in particular, a hole, of a single-edge toggle lever 10, the free
end of the toggle lever 10 being able to be pressed by hand in a
direction of the second leg 2 to move the two blade edges 5, 6
against one another.
[0046] The entire pair of nail clippers is a metallic glass or is
an amorphous metal in one piece and is injected into an injection
mold in an injection molding tool. The one cavity (i.e., hollow
space) of the injection mold forms all of the parts of the clippers
and, thus, both legs 1, 2 of the clippers and the connecting area
3, as well as forming all profiling, embellishments, ribbing, and
ribs. From this, a machine finishing of the tool is no longer
required. Thus, the finished clippers are produced in a single
production process from a material that is highly elastic and free
from corrosion while having a high durability and, thus, minimal
wear.
[0047] The metallic glass or the amorphous metal has zirconium as
basis.
[0048] The nail clippers according to FIG. 2 are of the same
materials but differ from the nail clippers according to FIG. 1 in
that the two legs are formed respectively by a two-armed lever 1,
2, which levers 1, 2 cross one another and which are articulated on
one another at a crossing point 11. Regions of the lever arm that
form the blade edges (e.g., 5, 6) are significantly shorter than
the regions of the lever arm forming the handles (e.g., 7, 8). On
the outer sides, the legs 1, 2 respectively have an outer handle
surface 7, 8, which preferably includes ribbing or ribs. A flexible
tongue 12 attached to handle 7 is shaped to press the levers 1, 2
into an open position as shown.
[0049] It is noted that various individual features of the
inventive processes and systems may be described only in one
exemplary embodiment herein. The particular choice for description
herein with regard to a single exemplary embodiment is not to be
taken as a limitation that the particular feature is only
applicable to the embodiment in which it is described. All features
described herein are equally applicable to, additive, or
interchangeable with any or all of the other exemplary embodiments
described herein and in any combination or grouping or arrangement.
In particular, use of a single reference numeral herein to
illustrate, define, or describe a particular feature does not mean
that the feature cannot be associated or equated to another feature
in another drawing figure or description. Further, where two or
more reference numerals are used in the figures or in the drawings,
this should not be construed as being limited to only those
embodiments or features, they are equally applicable to similar
features or not a reference numeral is used or another reference
numeral is omitted.
[0050] The phrase "at least one of A and B" is used herein and/or
in the following claims, where A and B are variables indicating a
particular object or attribute. When used, this phrase is intended
to and is hereby defined as a choice of A or B or both A and B,
which is similar to the phrase "and/or". Where more than two
variables are present in such a phrase, this phrase is hereby
defined as including only one of the variables, any one of the
variables, any combination of any of the variables, and all of the
variables.
[0051] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings
illustrate the principles, exemplary embodiments, and modes of
operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be
construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed
above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and the
above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that
variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *