Single-blade nail clippers

Abstract

A nail clipper including a first member and a second member is provided. The first end of the first member includes a blade. The first end of the second member does not include a blade. The first member and the second member are coupled such that the first member is movable relative to the second member between a first position and a second position, and the blade moves toward the first end of the second member when the first member moves from the first position to the second position. The third member is coupled to the first member and is movable between a third position and a fourth position. Moving the third member from the third position to the fourth position moves the first member relative to the second member from the first position to the second position. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Nail clippers are hand-held grooming tools designed for cutting (e.g., clipping) and trimming fingernails and toenails. Typically, nail clippers consist of a pair of blades and a lever mechanism for bringing the blades toward each other. Each of the blades is typically made of stainless steel and is designed to crush / clip a nail. Thus, when a nail is located between the blades and the blades are brought toward each other, the blades crush / clip a portion of the nail. Summary of the invention

[0002] The present invention provides a new and creative nail clipper, and a method for cutting nails (e.g., human nails). The nail clipper of the present invention adopts a single blade design, which includes a first member having a blade, a second member having a bladeless relative surface, and the first member is opposite to the second member. The bladeless relative surface bears a large part of the force required to cut the nail, thereby slowing down the process of the blade becoming blunt. In some aspects, the bladeless relative surface can be made of a material with a sufficiently low hardness to significantly reduce the blunting of the blade when it contacts the bladeless relative surface, thereby further slowing down the blunting process. In some aspects, the single blade design limits or prevents the blade from contacting the bladeless relative surface through a recess and / or a blade stop mechanism, which can even further slow down the blunting process. The single blade design of the nail clipper of the present invention also provides flexibility for the nail clipper, so that the nail clipper has other functions besides supporting and cutting nails, for example, by eliminating the need for the relative blade design to align the relative blades closely with each other, preventing nail bed separation or limiting how short the nail can be cut. The single blade design also provides greater flexibility in the material selection of the various components of the nail clipper.

[0003] In an example, a nail clipper includes a first member and a second member. The first end of the first member includes a blade. The second member has a first end that does not include a blade but has a recess that is positioned to receive the cutting edge of the blade of the first member, and the second member is coupled to the first member so that the first member can move between a first position and a second position relative to the second member. When moving from the first member to the second member, the blade moves toward the first end of the second member so that during the movement from the first position to the second position and during the static position when the movement is completed and the cutting edge of the blade is received in the recess, the cutting edge of the blade is received in the recess and does not contact any surface of the second member. The third member is coupled to the first member and can move between a third position and a fourth position. The third member is configured to move the first member from the first position to the second position relative to the second member when the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

[0004] In an example, a method of cutting a person's nails includes placing the nail between a blade of a first member of a nail clipper and a first end of a second member of the nail clipper, wherein the first end of the second member does not include the blade; and when the nail is placed between the blade and the first end of the second member, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member so that the blade cuts off the nail.

[0005] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed methods and apparatus will be described in and will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Not all features and advantages are described herein, and in particular, many additional features and advantages will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the accompanying drawings and description. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in the specification is selected primarily for readability and instructional purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be achieved by reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numeral. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference numeral with a dash and a second reference numeral to distinguish the similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, without regard to the second reference numeral.

[0007] Figure 1 A perspective view of a nail clipper according to an aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the nail clippers in the closed position.

[0009] Figure 3 According to one aspect of the present disclosure, Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the nail clippers in the open position.

[0010] Figure 4 The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 Exploded view of a nail clipper.

[0011] Figure 5A The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 Top view of the blade of a nail clipper.

[0012] Figure 5B The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 5A Front view of the blade.

[0013] Figure 6The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 Side view of the lower member of the nail clipper.

[0014] Figure 7 The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a nail clipper showing the cutting edge of the blade of the nail clipper within a recess.

[0015] Figure 8 The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a nail clipper.

[0016] Fig. 9 A nail according to one aspect of the present invention is shown being Figure 1 Schematic diagram of nail clippers cutting.

[0017] Fig.10 The present invention is shown in one aspect Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cutting path of the blade of a nail clipper.

[0018] Fig.11 A flow chart of an example method for cutting nails according to an aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings represent like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the detailed description includes specific details, the purpose of which is to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every case.

[0021] Nail clippers typically include a pair of opposing blades and a lever mechanism for moving the blades toward each other. With this design, the opposing blades apply opposing forces to the nail during the nail clipping operation and contact each other after the nail is clipped, which can cause one or both of the opposing blades to become blunt or bent. As the opposing blades become increasingly blunt with continued use, more energy (e.g., force) must be applied to the lever mechanism to cause the opposing blades to cut the nail. With blunt blades, a significant portion of the energy is stored and released after the distal nail edges finally separate, causing the blades to contact each other with great force and make a "clicking" sound, further accelerating the blunting process. The force required between the opposing blades also makes the cut edge of the nail rougher and causes the nail clippings to be discharged at a higher rate.

[0022] On the other hand, the nail clippers of the present invention have a single blade design, which includes a first member with a blade, a second member with a bladeless relative surface, the first member being opposite to the second member, which at least solves the above-mentioned shortcomings of typical nail clippers. For example, the bladeless relative surface (rather than the cutting edge of the blade) bears a large part of the force required to cut the nail, which slows down the process of blade passivation. In some aspects, the bladeless relative surface can be made of a material with a sufficiently low hardness to significantly reduce the passivation of the blade when it contacts the bladeless relative surface, thereby further slowing down the passivation process. In some aspects, the blade design limits or prevents the blade from contacting the bladeless relative surface, which can even further slow down the passivation process. The single blade design of the nail clippers of the present invention also provides flexibility for the nail clippers, so that the nail clippers have other functions besides supporting and cutting nails, for example, by eliminating the need for the relative blade design to align the relative blades closely with each other, preventing the nail bed from separating or limiting how short the nail can be cut. The single blade design also provides greater flexibility for the material selection of the various parts of the nail clippers. Through the following description of the accompanying drawings, these advantages and other advantages of the nail clippers of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0023] The shortcomings mentioned here are only representative, and are intended to emphasize the problems that the inventor has found relative to existing nail clippers and seek improvements. The various aspects of the nail clippers described below can solve some or all of the shortcomings and other shortcomings known in the art. The various aspects of the improved nail clippers described herein can present other advantages different from the above description and the following description, and can be used for other applications except the above description and the following description.

[0024] Figures 1 to 4 Various views of an example nail clipper 100 capable of cutting a nail (e.g., a human nail) are shown. The nail clipper 100 includes a cutting member 102 (e.g., a first member). The cutting member 102 includes a body 104 and a blade 108. The blade 108 is disposed at a first end 106 of the cutting member 102. The first end 106 is opposite to a second end 107 of the cutting member 102. In some aspects, the blade 108 can be integral with the body 104. In other aspects, the blade 108 can be a separate component coupled to the body 104. The blade 108 includes a cutting edge 109 that is sharp enough to cut a nail. The cutting edge 109 can have a curvature that is anatomically consistent with a human nail. For example, as Figure 5A As shown, the cutting edge 109 can be curved in a first direction, for example by having a curvature (radius) in the xy plane. In this example, the cutting edge 109 is anatomically consistent with the longitudinal curvature of a person's fingernail (e.g., the curvature of the fingernail tip). The longitudinal curvature is the curvature of the fingernail in the direction of fingernail growth when viewed from a top view of the hand (perpendicular to the palm). Figure 5AThe z-axis in the page points in and out of the page. In another example, Figure 5B As shown, the cutting edge 109 can be curved in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, for example by having a curvature (radius) in the yz plane. In this example, the cutting edge 109 is anatomically consistent with the transverse curvature of a person's fingernail (e.g., the curvature of the entire fingernail). The transverse curvature is the curvature of the fingernail perpendicular to the direction of nail growth (end view of the finger). Figure 5B The x-axis in the figure points to the inside and outside of the page. In some aspects, the cutting edge 109 can be bent in both the first direction and the second direction. In these aspects, the cutting edge 109 is anatomically consistent with the longitudinal curvature and the transverse curvature of the nail of the person.

[0025] Back to Figures 1 to 4 , the nail clipper 100 also includes a relative member 110 (e.g., a second member), which can be a nail support platform. The relative member 110 includes a body 111 having a first end 114 opposite to a second end 115. The relative member 110 does not include a blade but instead serves as a nail support platform. For example, the first end 114 of the body 111 does not include a blade. The relative member 110 is coupled to the cutting member 102 so that the cutting member 102 can move between a first position and a second position relative to the relative member 110. For example, the relative member 110 can be coupled to the cutting member 102 via a pivot pin 112. The pivot pin 112 can be positioned as shown through openings 400A and 400B of the cutting member 102 and openings 400E and 400F of the relative member 110. When the cutting member 102 moves from the first position to the second position, the blade 108 moves toward the first end 114 of the relative member 110. For example, Figure 1 An example of the cutting member 102 is shown in a first position, which is where the blade 108 is sufficiently separated from the first end 114 to allow a nail to be positioned anywhere between the blade 108 and the first end 114 . Figure 2 An example of the cutting member 102 being in the second position is shown, wherein the blade 108 is closer to the first end 114 than when the blade 108 is in the first position. For example, the blade 108 may be in the second position while the blade 108 is cutting a nail or immediately after the blade 108 cuts a nail.

[0026] In at least some aspects, the first end 114 of the opposing member 110 includes a recess 116. The recess 116 can prevent any and all contact between the cutting edge 109 of the blade 108 and any portion and / or surface of the opposing member 110. The recess 116 can also prevent any and all contact between the cutting edge 109 of the blade 108 and any portion and / or surface of any part or member located within the recess 116 or above the opposing member 110. In these aspects, the recess 116 is shaped and positioned to receive the cutting edge 109 of the blade 108 when the cutting member 102 is in the second position. For example, Figure 8 The cutting edge 109 is shown positioned within the recess 116. The cutting edge 109 and the recess 116 can be aligned so that when the cutting edge 109 is received within the recess 116, the cutting edge 109 does not contact any portion and / or surface of the opposing member 110 that forms the recess 116. For example, the recess 116 can have a curvature that matches the curvature of the cutting edge 109. Reducing or eliminating contact between the cutting edge 109 and the opposing member 110 by the recess 116 slows down the dulling process of the cutting edge 109 and increases the service life of both the cutting edge 109 and the opposing member 110.

[0027] Typical nail clipper designs with relative blades use common materials for most of the nail clippers. Therefore, the common material must meet the functional requirements and manufacturing requirements of both the relative blade and the lever mechanism. On the other hand, the bladeless nature of the relative member 110 and / or the presence of the recess 116 provide greater flexibility for the materials used for the nail clipper 100. For example, the blade 108 can include a first material or be entirely composed of a first material, which is different from the second material included in or entirely composed of the relative member 110. The body 104 of the cutting member 102 can include the same material as the blade 108 or a material different from the blade 108 or be entirely composed of the same material as the blade 108 or a material different from the blade 108. In some aspects, the first material of the blade 108 has a greater hardness than the second material of the relative member 110. For example, the first material of the blade 108 can have a greater hardness than the blade material of the typical nail clippers, because the nail clipper 100 eliminates the contact between the blade and the blade, and because, for example, the recess 116 eliminates the contact between the blade and the relative surface (a material with a higher hardness is not suitable for withstanding such contact). A blade with a higher hardness provides better retention of the nail edge when cutting nails.

[0028] In some aspects, the hardness of the first material of the blade 108 is at least 55HRC on the Rockwell hardness scale of section C. For example, the hardness of the first material of the blade 108 can be in the range of 55HRC to 65HRC. In contrast, the blade hardness of the nail clippers with a typical relative blade design is 48HRC to withstand the contact between the blades and provide sufficient compliance for the mechanism to bend when the lever is pressed. The first material of the blade 108 may include a metal (e.g., steel) or other suitable hard materials. For example, the first material of the blade 108 may include steel, and its hardness may be in the range of 61HRC to 62HRC. The relative member 110 may be composed of a material with a sufficiently low hardness to significantly reduce the dulling of the blade 108 when the blade 108 contacts the relative member 110. In various aspects, the second material of the relative member 110 may include a polymer material. In one example, the polymer material may be a resin. The first end 114 of the relative member 110 may include a resin or may be entirely composed of a resin. Alternatively, the second material of the opposing member 110 may include glass-filled nylon.

[0029] Back to Figures 1 to 4 , the nail clipper 100 also includes a lever 120 (e.g., a third member). The lever 120 includes a first end 121 opposite to a second end 122, and the lever 120 is coupled to the cutting member 102 so that the lever 120 can move between a third position and a fourth position. For example, the second end 122 of the lever 120 can be coupled to the second end 107 of the cutting member 102 via a pivot pin 123. The pivot pin 123 is positioned by openings 400C and 400D of the cutting member 102 and corresponding openings of the lever 120. The lever 120 can also be considered to be coupled to the opposing member 110 by being coupled to the cutting member 102, and the cutting member 102 is coupled to the opposing member 110. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Each shows an example where the lever 120 is in the third position ( Figure 1 shows the cutting position, and Figure 3 shows the open / clear position), while Figure 2An example of lever 120 being in the fourth position is shown. The mechanism is adjusted so that the normal / cutting position and the open / emptying position of the lever are two stable positions and require energy input to move from one position to another. This is achieved by the movement of the pin backwards by the force applied thereto by the spring. The position of the pin at these two lever positions is lower than the position between the two levers. The nail clipper 100 is constructed so that when the lever 120 moves from the third position to the fourth position, the cutting member 102 moves from the first position to the second position relative to the relative member 110. For example, when the user presses the lever 120 with a component force in the direction of arrow 124, the lever 120 forces the blade 108 to move toward the first end 114 of the relative member 110 in the direction of arrow 126 to reach a point. Before reaching this point, the lever 120 can pivot around the axis of the pivot pin 123 without causing the blade 108 to move toward or away from the first end 114 of the relative member 110.

[0030] The third position of lever 120 may be any position of lever 120 where pressing lever 120 with a force component in the direction of arrow 124 does not cause blade 108 to move, or causes blade 108 to move, but blade 108 is in the first position. For example, before blade 108 cuts a nail, lever 120 may be in the third position. The fourth position of lever 120 may be any position of lever 120 where pressing lever 120 with a force component in the direction of arrow 124 causes blade 108 to be in the second position. For example, lever 120 may be in the fourth position when blade 108 cuts a nail, or may be in the fourth position immediately after blade 108 cuts a nail.

[0031] The nail clipper 100 is configured such that a force for a nail cutting operation is applied to the lever 120 closer to the first end 121 than the second end 122. In other words, the pivot point of the lever 120 is farther from the blade 108 than the point on the lever 120 at which the force for the nail cutting operation is applied. In this manner, the lever 120 is coupled to the cutting member 102 such that when the lever 120 moves from the third position to the fourth position, the first end 121 of the lever 120 moves toward the first end 114 of the relative member 110. Limiting the span between the position where the user controls the lever 120 to perform a nail cutting operation and the position where the cutting action is performed enables precise control of the position of the blade 108 and precise cutting. In at least some aspects, the relative member 110 includes at least one fulcrum on which the lever 120 pivots when the lever 120 is pressed to move the first end 121 toward the first end 114 of the relative member 110. For example, the relative member 110 may include a fulcrum 302A and a fulcrum 302B. Figure 6A side view of the fulcrum 302B extending above the portion between the opening 400E and the fulcrum 302B of the body 111 is shown. The lever 120 can be pivoted so that contact between the lever 120 and the fulcrums 302A, 302B can be interrupted. Pivoting the lever 120 in this manner enables greater access to the compartment 300 formed by the opposing member 110, which will be further described below.

[0032] Another advantage of the single blade design of nail clippers 100 is the adjustable pivot ratio that the single blade design provides.For example, nail clippers 100 can be manufactured to have various sizes that realize various mechanical properties.For example, any one of the following distances can be changed so that nail clippers 100 shows different mechanical properties: the distance between blade 108 and pivot pin 112, the distance between pivot pin 112 and pivot pin 123, the distance between pivot pin 123 and fulcrum 302A, fulcrum 302B and the distance between fulcrum 302A, fulcrum 302B and the part where lever 120 applies force.

[0033] In various aspects, the nail clipper 100 includes a biasing mechanism that biases the lever 120 away from the fourth position and toward the third position. For example, the opposing member 110 may include a biasing member 304 that may include a metal (e.g., steel) or other suitable hard material. Alternatively, the biasing member 304 may include a polymer material such as a resin. Alternatively, the polymer material may be glass-filled nylon. Figure 7 As best shown, the biasing member 304 rests on top of the pivot pin 123 so that the biasing member 304 can apply a force to the pivot pin 124 in a direction away from the lever 120. By applying this force to the pivot pin 123, the biasing member 304 pushes the pivot pin 123 toward the second end 115 of the opposing member 110, which urges the first end 121 of the lever 120 away from the first end 114 of the opposing member 110. In this manner, once the nail is cut, the first end 121 of the lever 120 is able to spring away from the first end 114 of the opposing member 110. In the case where the lever 120 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the opposing member 110, the biasing member 304 does not apply a biasing force to the pivot pin 123.

[0034] To help slow the rate at which the cutting edge 109 becomes dull, the nail clipper 100 can include a mechanism that prevents the cutting edge 109 from moving too far and contacting at least the distal end of the recess 116 of the opposing member 110. In various aspects, the mechanism prevents the cutting edge 109 from contacting any surface of the recess 116. For example, Figures 1 to 4The opposing member 110 is shown to include a stopper 118 extending outwardly from the body 111. The same or at least similar stopper may be located on the opposite side of the opposing member 110 (on either side). Figures 1 to 4 The stopper 118 is configured such that when the blade 108 moves toward the first end 114 of the opposing member 110, the body 104 of the cutting member 102 contacts the stopper before the cutting edge 109 contacts the recess 116. In this way, the stopper 118 prevents the cutting edge 109 from contacting the opposing member 110.

[0035] As previously mentioned, the relative member 110 forms the compartment 300. When the nail is cut by the cutting edge 109 of the blade 108, the nail scraps are collected in the compartment 300. In at least some aspects, the lever 120 can be moved to the fifth position, in which the lever 120 is releasably coupled to the relative member 110 and covers the compartment 300. The lever 120 thus acts as a lid in the fifth position, so that the nail scraps are contained in the compartment 300. In this way, the lever 120 can be used as a lever for actuating the nail cutting operation, and can also be used as a lid for sealing the nail scraps. The above-mentioned dual function of the lever 120 reduces the number of parts and the complexity of the design.

[0036] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a nail 902 of a finger 900 being cut by a nail clipper 100 is shown. For simplicity, only a portion of the blade 108 and the opposing member 110 of the nail clipper 100 are shown. In various aspects, the distance between the leading edge of the first end 114 and the recess 116 of the first end 114 can be such that the first end 114 of the opposing member 110 limits the length by which the nail 902 can be cut. This distance and the shape of the leading edge of the first end 114 and / or the angle of the blade can also mitigate the separation of the nail 902 from the nail bed 904 of the finger 900.

[0037] In some aspects, nail clippers 100 can be configured so that the cutting edge 109 of blade 108 cuts the nail in a curved cutting path. Typical opposing blade nail cutting pliers designs include opposing blades traveling in a path substantially in line with the blade cutting edges during the nail cutting operation, with the blade cutting edges oriented perpendicular to the nail. Such a design results in a less than ideal cut of about 90° at the end of the nail. On the other hand, the curved cutting path of nail clippers 100 provides a more ideal cutting edge of less than 90° on the edge of the nail. For example, Fig.10 An example of a curved cutting path 1000 is shown through which the blade 108 travels during a nail cutting operation. In aspects having a curved cutting path 1000, the blade 108 is further away from the second end 115 of the opposing member 110 when the cutting member 102 is in the second position than when the cutting member 102 is in the first position.

[0038] In some aspects, the mechanical pivot pin 112 and the mechanical pivot pin 123 of the nail clipper 100 can be replaced by a compliant mechanism with a flexible hinge point, for example, in the overall design of the nail clipper, wherein all parts of the nail clipper 100 except the blade 108 are integrated. Alternatively, all parts of the nail clipper 100 are integrated with each other. For example, the lever 120 is integrated with the cutting member 102 at the first hinge, and the cutting member 102 is integrated with the relative member 110 at the second hinge. The fulcrum 302A is integrated with the relative member 110 at the third hinge. The lever 120 includes a first handle, and the relative member 110 includes a second handle. When the first handle and the second handle are close to each other, the nail clipper 100 bends at all three hinges so that the blade 108 is close to the recess 116. The compliant mechanism aspects of nail clipper 100 reduce the number of parts, reduce failure modes, increase the adjustability of the compliant mechanism response, and increase durability (eg, relatively moving parts in a mechanical hinge may wear over time) compared to typical nail clipper designs.

[0039] Fig.11 A flow chart of an example method for cutting a person's nails is shown. Fig.11 , but it should be understood that other methods of performing the actions associated with method 1200 may be used. For example, additional blocks may be added, and some of the blocks described may be omitted. Method 1200 includes, at block 1202, placing a nail between a blade (e.g., blade 108) of a first member (e.g., cutting member 102) of a nail clipper (e.g., nail clipper 100) and a first end (e.g., first end 114) of a second member (e.g., opposing member 110) of the nail clipper 100. The first end of the second member does not include a blade.

[0040] At block 1204, when the nail is placed between the blade and the first end of the second member, the blade moves toward the first end of the second member so that the blade cuts the nail. In some aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member includes pressing a third member (e.g., lever 120) of the nail clippers. For example, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member may include pressing a first end (e.g., first end 121) of the third member of the nail clippers toward the first end of the second member. In at least some aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member is performed so that the cutting edge (e.g., cutting edge 109) of the blade is received in a recess (e.g., recess 116) in the first end of the second member. In at least some aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member is performed so that the cutting edge of the blade is prevented from contacting the second member. After the nail is cut, the cut nail can be received in a compartment (e.g., compartment 300) of the second member. In some aspects, method 1200 includes releasably coupling the third member to the second member so that the third member covers the compartment.

[0041] In one or more aspects, the nail clippers and nail cutting methods of the present invention may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below, or in combination with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, the nail clippers include a first member; a second member; and a third member. The first end of the first member includes a blade. The second member has a first end that does not include a blade, and is coupled to the first member so that the first member can move between a first position and a second position relative to the second member. When the first member moves from the first position to the second position, the blade moves toward the first end of the second member. The third member is coupled to the first member and can move between a third position and a fourth position. The third member is configured to move the first member from the first position to the second position relative to the second member when the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

[0042] In a second aspect, in conjunction with the first aspect, the first end of the second member includes a recess positioned to receive a cutting edge of the blade when the first member is in the second position.

[0043] In a third aspect, in combination with one or more of the first or second aspects, the second member includes a stopper configured to contact the first member when the first member is in the second position and prevent the cutting edge of the blade from contacting the second member.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the blade includes a first material; and the second member includes a second material having a lower hardness than the first material.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the first material includes metal.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the second material comprises a polymer material.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the first material comprises a metal, and the second material comprises a polymer material.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the polymer material comprises fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first material has a hardness of at least 55 HRC.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the blade is integrated with the main body of the first member.

[0051] In an eleventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, the cutting edge of the blade is curved in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0052] In a twelfth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, the third member is coupled to the first member so that the first end of the third member moves toward the first end of the second member while the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

[0053] In the thirteenth aspect, in combination with one or more aspects of the first to twelfth aspects, the second end of the third member can be pivotally coupled to the second end of the first member, and the first member can be pivotally coupled to the second member at a position between the first end of the second member and the second end of the second member.

[0054] In a fourteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to thirteenth aspects, the blade is disposed farther from the second end of the second member when the first member is in the second position than when the first member is in the first position.

[0055] In a fifteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fourteenth aspects, the second member defines a compartment configured to receive nail clippings between the blade and the first end of the second member.

[0056] In a sixteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fifteenth aspects, the third member is movable to a fifth position in which the third member is releasably coupled to the second member.

[0057] In a seventeenth aspect, in combination with one or more of aspects one to sixteen, the second member defines a compartment configured to receive nail clippings between the blade and the first end of the second member, and the third member is movable to a fifth position, in which the third member is releasably coupled to the second member and covers the compartment.

[0058] In the eighteenth aspect, in combination with one or more aspects of the first to seventeenth aspects, a method for cutting human nails includes: placing the nail between a blade of a first member of the nail clippers and a first end of a second member of the nail clippers, wherein the first end of the second member does not include a blade; and when the nail is located between the blade and the first end of the second member, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member so that the blade cuts the nail.

[0059] In a nineteenth aspect, in combination with the eighteenth aspect, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member is performed so that the cutting edge of the blade is received in a recess in the first end of the second member.

[0060] In a twentieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the eighteenth to nineteenth aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member is performed so that the cutting edge of the blade is prevented from contacting the second member.

[0061] In a twenty-first aspect, in combination with one or more of aspects eighteen to twentieth, the blade comprises a metal having a hardness of at least 55 HRC, and the second member comprises a polymer material.

[0062] In a twenty-second aspect, in combination with one or more of the eighteenth to twenty-first aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member includes pressing a third member of the nail clipper.

[0063] In a twenty-third aspect, in combination with one or more of aspects eighteen to twenty-second, after the nail is cut, the cut nail is received in the compartment of the second member.

[0064] In a twenty-fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of aspects eighteen to twenty-third, the method includes releasably coupling a third member to the second member such that the third member overlies the compartment.

[0065] In a twenty-fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of aspects 18 to 24, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member includes pressing a third member of the nail clipper. After the nail is cut, the cut nail is received in the compartment of the second member, and the method includes releasably coupling the third member to the second member so that the third member covers the compartment.

[0066] In a twenty-sixth aspect, in combination with one or more of the eighteenth to twenty-fifth aspects, moving the blade toward the first end of the second member includes pressing the first end of the third member of the nail clipper toward the first end of the second member.

[0067] All numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers, non-negative integers or fractions within the range, including both ends of the range. In addition, these numerical ranges should be interpreted as providing support for claims for any number or subset of numbers within the range. For example, the disclosure from 1 to 10 should be interpreted as supporting the ranges from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, etc.

[0068] Unless expressly stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise, "or" herein is inclusive and not exclusive. Thus, herein, "A or B" means "A, B, or both A and B" unless expressly stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. In addition, "and" is conjunctive unless expressly stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. Thus, herein, "A and B" means "A and B together or A and B separately" unless expressly stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

[0069] The above description provides a complete description of the structure and use of the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity or with reference to one or more separate embodiments, the scope of the present disclosure includes all changes, substitutions, variations, changes and modifications to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein that will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein. In addition, although the present disclosure describes and illustrates the various embodiments herein as including specific parts, elements, features, functions, operations or steps, any of these embodiments may include any combination or arrangement of parts, elements, features, functions, operations or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein that will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, in the appended claims, references to devices, systems, devices or parts of systems that are suitable for, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to or operable to perform a specific function include the device, system, part, whether it or the specific function is activated, turned on or unlocked, as long as the device, system, part is very suitable, arranged, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable or operable. Furthermore, although the present invention may describe or illustrate a particular embodiment as providing particular advantages, that particular embodiment may provide none, some, or all of those advantages.

Claims

1. A nail clipper, comprising: a first member, wherein a first end of the first member includes a blade; and A second member, wherein the first end of the second member: The blade is not included; having a recess positioned to receive a cutting edge of a blade of the first member, wherein the second member is coupled to the first member such that the first member is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the second member, wherein when the first member moves from the first position to the second position, the blade of the first member moves toward a first end of the second member such that: The cutting edge of the blade of the first member is received within the recess; and The cutting edge of the blade of the first member does not contact any surface of the second member, Wherein, the second member includes a stopper configured to contact the first member and prevent a cutting edge of a blade of the first member from contacting the second member when the first member is in the second position.

2. The nail clipper according to claim 1, further comprising: A third member is coupled to the first member and is movable between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third member is configured to cause the first member to move from the first position to the second position relative to the second member when the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

3. The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein The blade of the first member comprises a first material; and The second member includes a second material having a lower hardness than the first material.

4. The nail clipper according to claim 3, wherein: The first material comprises a metal; and The second material comprises a polymer material.

5. The nail clipper according to claim 4, wherein: The polymer material includes fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix.

6. The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: The first end portion of the second member includes resin.

7. The nail clipper according to claim 3, wherein: The hardness of the first material is at least 55 HRC.

8. The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: The blade of the first member is integrated with the body of the first member.

9. The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: The cutting edge of the blade of the first member is bent in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

10. The nail clipper according to claim 2, wherein: The third member is coupled to the first member such that when the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position, the first end of the third member moves toward the first end of the second member.

11. The nail clipper according to claim 10, wherein: The second end of the third member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the first member; and The first member is pivotably coupled to the second member at a position between the first end of the second member and the second end of the second member.

12. The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: The second member is coupled to the first member such that a blade of the first member is closer to a second end of the second member when the first member is in the second position than when the first member is in the first position.

13. A nail clipper comprising: a first member, wherein a first end of the first member includes a blade; A second member, wherein the first end of the second member: The blade is not included; having a recess positioned to receive a cutting edge of a blade of the first member, and wherein the second member is coupled to the first member such that the first member is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the second member, wherein when the first member moves from the first position to the second position, a blade of the first member moves toward a first end of the second member such that: The cutting edge of the blade of the first member is received within the recess; and the cutting edge of the blade of the first member does not contact any surface of the second member, a third member, which is coupled to the first member and is movable between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third member is configured to move the first member from the first position to the second position relative to the second member when the third member moves from the third position to the fourth position, in: the second member defines a compartment configured to receive a nail cut between a blade of the first member and a first end of the second member; and The third member is movable to a fifth position in which the third member is releasably coupled to the second member and covers the compartment.

14. A method of cutting a human nail, the method comprising: placing the nail between a blade of a first member of a nail clipper and a first end of a second member of the nail clipper, wherein the first end of the second member does not include a blade but has a recess positioned to receive a cutting edge of the blade of the first member; and When the nail is placed between the blade of the first member and the first end of the second member, the blade of the first member is moved toward the first end of the second member so that the blade of the first member cuts the nail, the cutting edge of the blade of the first member is received in the recess, and the cutting edge of the blade of the first member does not contact any surface of the second member, The second member includes a stopper configured to contact the first member and prevent a cutting edge of the blade of the first member from contacting the second member when the blade of the first member moves toward the first end of the second member.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The blade of the first member comprises a metal having a hardness of at least 55 HRC; and The second member comprises a polymer material.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: The cutting edge of the blade of the first member is bent in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

17. A method of cutting a human nail, the method comprising: placing the nail between a blade of a first member of a nail clipper and a first end of a second member of the nail clipper, wherein the first end of the second member does not include a blade but has a recess positioned to receive a cutting edge of the blade of the first member; and When the nail is placed between the blade of the first member and the first end of the second member, the blade of the first member is moved toward the first end of the second member so that the blade of the first member cuts the nail, the cutting edge of the blade of the first member is received in the recess, and the cutting edge of the blade of the first member does not contact any surface of the second member, in: Moving the blade of the first member toward the first end of the second member includes pressing a third member of the nail clipper; After the nail is cut, the cut nail is received in the compartment of the second member; and The third member is releasably coupled to the second member such that the third member covers the compartment.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Moving the blade of the first member toward the first end of the second member includes pressing the first end of the third member of the nail clipper toward the first end of the second member.

Images