Reverse Actuated Nail Clipper with Mechanical Advantage

Abstract

A device for clipping fingernails and toenails of human beings that differs from other nail clippers by reversing the end of the clipper on which a user presses to perform nail clipping. Instead of the user pressing down on the end opposite the nail clipper's cutting edges, the current invention allows the user to press down directly above where the clipper cuts the user's nail. This invention also incorporates a roller on the primary lever that engages with the second lever that the user presses down on, in a manner that continuously increases the cutting force of the clipper as the second lever is pressed further down. These features make the nail clipper easier to use while also giving the user greater control, an easier and more powerful clipping force and greater accuracy, which are the objects of the invention.The invention is an extension of traditional nail clippers in that it adds a second lever assembly that pivots on a hinge located at the end of a common art nail clipper, opposite the end having the cutting edges. The second lever assembly is shaped so that a roller mounted on the free end of the first lever, and attached at its other end close to the cutting edges of the clippers, rolls along the inside back surface of the second lever starting near the underside of the second lever's thumb pad and continuing to roll towards the hinged end of the second lever as the second lever is pressed down towards the clipper cutting edges to execute clipping a fingernail or toenail.As the user presses down on the second lever the first lever also moves down towards the clipper cutting spring arms forcing the clipper cutting edges to close and clip a nail. The user operates the nail clipper by pressing a thumb pad, which is located at the free end of the second lever, down towards the cutting edges, which close together as the user executes this operation. When the user releases their downward pressure from the thumb pad, the nail clipper's cutting edges separate again as the two levers free ends move back up away from the clipper's cutting spring arms.

Description

REFERENCES CITEDU.S. Patent Documents[0001]U.S. Pat. No. 741,709 October 2003 Petrelli . . . 30 / 28,30 / 188[0002]U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,025 December 2048 Davis . . . 30 / 28[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,449 December 2079 Lee, Lee . . . 30 / 28[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,011 February 2087 Gamble . . . 30 / 28[0005]U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,849 July 2093 Johnson . . . 30 / 28[0006]U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,518 February 2095 Means . . . 30 / 28[0007]U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,136 June 2096 Larisey . . . 30 / 28[0008]U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,014 B2 March 2004 . . . Park 30 / 28[0009]U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,869 B2 May 2004 Lau . . . 30 / 28[0010]U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,238 B2 June 2007 Wong . . . 30 / 28[0011]U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,170 B2 May 2009 Shackelford. 30 / 28[0012]U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,612 B2 October 2013 Doane . . . 30 / 28, 30 / 26BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0013]The invention relates to a nail clipper for clipping the fingernails or toenails of human beings in a manner that makes it easier to clip tough nails and to contr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The current invention is a fingernail and toenail clipper that reverses the traditional design, requiring the user to apply pressure closer to the cutting edges. This makes the tool more ergonomically correct and easier to use. It includes a pivot point attachment for a second lever arm assembly that rotates on the edge of the cutter arms. Pushing down on the additional lever arm assembly will push down on the roller mounted on the clipper's other lever arm, causing the cutting edges to close together with increasing force to clip the nail.

Problems solved by technology

Further, this invention also differs from the current invention in that it is not an integrated part of the nail clipper, which reduces aesthetic beauty and could result in the invention clamp loosening and separating from the nail clipper during use.

The problem with this design is the mechanical advantage, and resulting clipper cutting force, is reduced as the roller on the second lever moves forward on the first lever as they are both pressed down during use.

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