Apparatus for cutting nails

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting nails comprising a first body (1) comprising a cutting blade (2) on a proximal end and a lever on a distal end and a second body (4) comprising a lever on a distal end. The second body (4) is pivotally mounted to the first body (1). The second body (4) comprises a cutting plate (42) at the proximal end of the device for receiving a user's nail. The apparatus is pivotable from a first to a second position; when in a first position the cutting blade (2) and the cutting plate (42) are not engaged, and when in a second position the cutting blade (2) abuts the cutting plate (42) so as to cut a nail placed therebetween.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING NAILS

[0001] This invention is apparatus for cutting nails and, in particular, this invention relates to apparatus for cutting nails comprising a cutting plate which abuts a cutting blade.Background to the Invention

[0002] Current apparatus for cutting nails, in particular finger and toe nails, are generally referred to as “nail clippers”. Prior art nail clippers comprise a blade- to-blade design whereby a nail is disposed between opposed blades which are then levered together to cut the nail. Such prior art nail clippers require the use of soft metals to function repeatedly and which quickly dulls the blades, leading to a short product life-span and increased waste. Other prior art designs of nail clippers operate by placing a nail through an aperture in a surface and mechanically moving a blade across the top of the surface, however these devices can be uncomfortable for users and potentially cause damage to the nail.

[0003] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome these problems and to provide apparatus for cutting nails and to provide a user with apparatus that provides both a long product life-span and comfortable use.Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for cutting nails comprising: a first body comprising a cutting blade on a proximal end thereof and a lever on a distal end thereof; a second body comprising a lever on a distal end thereof; the second body being pivotally mounted to the first body; and wherein the second body comprises a cutting plate at the proximal end thereof for receiving a user’s nail; the apparatus being pivotable from a first to a second position;whereby when the apparatus is in a first position the cutting blade and the cutting plate are not engaged; and when the apparatus is in a second position the cutting blade abuts the cutting plate so as to cut a nail placed therebetween.

[0005] The device of the present invention is advantageous in that the cutting plate, which comprises an abutment surface to engage with the cutting blade, engages with the cutting blade when the apparatus is in the second position, thus removing the blade-to-blade contact design of prior art nail clippers while providing the user with the same ease of use.

[0006] The cutting blade may comprise a cutting edge which may abut the cutting plate of the second body a distance from a digit engagement edge of the cutting plate, against which a user places a digit such as a finger or toe during use. The distance may be between 0.5-2.0mm, preferably between 0.5-1 .0mm, more preferably 0.75-1 .0mm. This is advantageous because it allows the user to place their nail on the cutting plate a suitable distance from the hyponychium providing a comfortable nail clipping experience without cutting nerves on the skin surface.

[0007] The cutting blade may be made from a hard and thick gauge carbon alloy steel as this provides greater strength and blade edge longevity compared to prior art materials.

[0008] The cutting plate of the second body may comprise a convex profile, curving upwards towards the centre of the plate, wherein the cutting plate may comprise a domed cross-sectional to mirror that of a human nail. This provides the user a comfortable surface on which to place their nail, matching the contour of the nail.

[0009] The cutting plate of the second body may be made from a softer metal compared to the cutting blade. This is advantageous as it prevents the damage or wear to the cutting blade associated with the blade-to-blade engagement of prior art nail clippers.

[0010] The digit engagement edge of the second body may comprise a convex profile, curving inwards towards the centre of the second body and may comprise a recessed arc cross-sectional profile for engagement with a humandigit. This provides the user with a comfortable surface on which to place their nail, matching the contour of the end of a human digit.

[0011] The cutting blade may comprise a concave profile, the cutting edge curving inwards towards the cutting blade and may form a recessed arc cross- sectional profile for use with the cutting plate and a human nail. This provides the user with a comfortable blade to use, matching the contour of the nail.

[0012] The cutting blade may have a curved shape in which the side edges of the cutting blade may curve away from the first body and towards the user when in use. This gives the user a comfortable blade to use, more closely matching the contour of the nail.

[0013] The curvature of the cutting plate of the second body and the curvature of the cutting edge of the cutting blade of the first body may be substantially similar for engagement thereof. This provides the user a comfortable blade to use, which more closely matches the contour of the nail.

[0014] The curvature of the digit engagement edge of the second body and the curvature of the cutting blade may be substantially similar for engagement thereof. This provides the user a with comfortable blade to use, which more closely matches the contour of the nail.

[0015] The lever of the first body may comprise a flange proximal to the distal end of the lever. The flange may protrude perpendicularly from a surface of the first body. This provides the advantage that is easier for a user to operate the lever of the apparatus from multiple hand-held angles, allowing for a more comfortable experience.

[0016] The lever of the second body may comprise a first bent section which may bend away from the plane of a first part of the second body. Further, the second body may comprise a second bent section, which may bend in a second direction opposite to the direction of the bend in the first bent section, so that the second bent section is parallel with the first part of the second body. Further still, the second bent section may be disposed between the distal end of the lever and the first bent section.

[0017] The first body may comprise walls which protrude from side edges of the first body.

[0018] The first body, the walls thereof and the second body may form an enclosed area when the apparatus is in the second position. This provides the advantage that nail clippings are collected in the enclosed area and can be easily and hygienically discarded after use. The walls may comprise side walls extending from either side of the first body, with the second body is disposed between the walls. A pivot bar may be disposed between the side walls of the first body about which pivot bar the second body pivots when the apparatus is moved from the first position to the second position. The pivot bar may be disposed below the second body and a biasing means may be disposed above the first body, the biasing means extending between the side walls of the first body and comprising a resilient bar which biases the apparatus in the first position.

[0019] The cutting blade may be releasably attached to the first body via an attachment means. Further, the attachment means may comprise an extruded body portion and a head portion with a larger diameter than the body portion and the attachment means may attach through an aperture in the cutting blade and an aperture in a blade mounting face in the first body. This provides the advantage that the blade can be replaced when blunted, chipped or damaged.

[0020] The cutting blade may be further supported by a wall of the first part. This is advantageous as it provides further support of the cutting blade during the process of cutting a nail.

[0021] In a further non-limiting aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for cutting nails comprising: a first body comprising a cutting blade on a proximal end and a lever on a distal end thereof; and a second body comprising a lever on a distal end thereof; and the second body being pivotally mounted to the first body; and wherein the lever of the first body comprises a flange proximal to the distal end of the lever.

[0022] This provides the advantage that is easier for a user to operate the lever of the device from multiple hand-held angles, allowing for a more comfortable user experience.

[0023] The flange may protrude perpendicularly to a surface of the first body. This provides the advantage that is easier for a user to operate the lever of the device from multiple hand-held angles, allowing for a more comfortable user experience.

[0024] The lever of the second body may comprise a first bent section which may bend away from the plane of a first part of the second body, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the second body. Further, the second body may comprise a second bent section, which may bend in a second direction opposite to the direction of the bend in the first bent section, so that the second bent section is parallel with the first part of the second body. Further still, the second bent section may be disposed between the distal end of the lever and the first bent section.

[0025] The first body may comprise walls protruding from side edges of the first body.

[0026] The first body, the walls and the second body may form an enclosed area when the apparatus is in the second position.

[0027] The cutting blade may be releasably attached to the first body via an attachment means. Further, the attachment means may comprise an extruded body portion and a head portion with a larger diameter than the body portion and the attachment means may attach through an aperture in the cutting blade and an aperture in a blade mounting face in the first body. This provides the advantage that the blade can be replaced when blunted, chipped or damaged.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for cutting nails comprising: a first body comprising a cutting blade on a proximal end thereof and a lever on a distal end thereof; and a second body comprising a lever on a distal end thereof; the second body being pivotally mounted to the first body; and whereinthe cutting blade is releasably attached to the first body via an attachment means.

[0029] A releasable cutting blade provides the advantage that the blade can be replaced when blunted, chipped or damaged. The attachment means may comprise an extruded body portion and a head portion with a larger diameter than the body portion and the attachment means may attach through an aperture in the cutting blade and an aperture in a blade mounting face in the first body.

[0030] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been provided by way of example only and that modifications or combinations of features of the device in its various embodiments may be affected. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned above, taken singly or in any combination.Description of the DrawingsEmbodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0032] Figures 2A to 2D show a selection of views of the second body;

[0033] Figures 3A to 3E show a selection of views of the cutting blade;

[0034] Figure 4A shows a front view of the apparatus;

[0035] Figure 4B shows a top view of a cutting end of the apparatus;

[0036] Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention and the cutting blade releasably attached;

[0037] Figures 6A and 6B show a selection of views of the first body with the cutting blade released; and

[0038] Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention and the cutting blade and releasable attachment means released from engagement with the first body.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0039] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus where there is shown a first body 1 comprising a cutting blade 2 with a cutting blade edge 22 on a proximal end thereof and a lever on a distal end thereof. The cutting blade 2 is releasably attached to the first body 1 via a releasable attachment means 3, preferably comprising a rivet, through an aperture 26 in the cutting blade 2 and an aperture 11 in a blade mounting face 12 in the first body 1 . The lever comprises a flange 13 proximal to the distal end of the lever. The flange 13 protrudes perpendicularly to a surface 142 of the first body 1 .

[0040] Also shown is a second body generally indicated 4 comprising a cutting plate 42 at the proximal end of the device for receiving a user’s nail. The second body 4 also comprises a first bent section 422 which is bent in a direction away from the surface 44 of a first part of the second body 4. The second body 4 also comprises a second bent section 424 which is bent in a second direction opposite to the direction of the bend in the first bent section 422, the second bent section being parallel with the first part of the between the distal end of the lever and the bent section.

[0041] Also shown is a pivot shaft 5 which pivotally connects the first body 1 and the second body 4. The device is resil iently biased into a first, open position by resilient biasing means 6, comprising a spring bar.

[0042] As is shown at position 426 there is a segment of a circular diameter cut in on the lower surface 428 of the second body 4 for engagement with the pivot shaft 5, preferably matching the radius and diameter of the pivot bar 5 in order to partially encircle the pivot bar 5 at position 426 across a section of the circumference of the pivot bar 5.

[0043] A resilient biasing means 6, a spring bar, is positioned above the second body 4 to resiliently bias the second body 4 against pivot bar 5, allowing the second body 4 to pivotally rotate about pivot bar 5 when in use.

[0044] The device is moveable from the first, opened position to a second, closed position. Bringing the distal ends of the levers of the first body 1 and the second body 4 together causes the cutting blade 2 and the cutting plate 42 tocome together so that the cutting blade 2 abuts the cutting plate 42 so as to cut a nail placed therebetween.

[0045] The resilient biasing means 6 returns the device to the first position when the user no longer applies pressure to the distal ends of the levers of the first body 1 and the second body 4 so that the cutting blade 2 and the cutting plate 42 are no longer engaged.

[0046] Referring to Figures 2A to 2D there is shown the cutting plate 42 of the second body where the cutting plate 42 is of a convex profile, curving upwards towards the centre of the plate, the cutting plate 42 forming a domed cross- sectional profile for use with a human nail. There is also shown a digit engagement edge 46 of the second body generally indicated 4 where the digit engagement edge 46 is of a convex profile, curving inwards towards the centre of the second body and forming a recessed arc cross-sectional profile for use with a human digit.

[0047] Referring to Figures 3A to 3E there is shown the cutting blade 2 where the cutting blade 2 is of a concave profile, the cutting edge 22 curving inwards towards to cutting blade 2 and forming a recessed arc cross-sectional profile for use with the cutting plate 42 and a human nail. There is also shown the cutting blade 2 where the cutting blade 2 has a curved shape in which the side edges of the cutting blade 2 curve away from the first body 1 and towards the user when in use.

[0048] Also shown is a blade aperture 26, a blade mounting face 28 and blade safety corners 29, with a rounded edge and radii that are for the safe use of the apparatus. The blade mounting aperture being of the same diameter as the aperture 11 in the first body 1 .

[0049] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B there is shown the cutting edge 22 of the cutting blade 2 releasably attached to the first body 1 which abuts the cutting plate 42 of the second body generally indicated 4 a distance from a digit engagement edge 46 of the cutting plate 42. Preferably, the distance is between 1 -2 mm, more preferably between 1.5-2 mm, more preferably still 2 mm.

[0050] There is also shown the radius of curvature of the digit engagement edge 46 of the second body generally indicated 4 and the radius of curvature of the cutting blade 2 are substantially similar for engagement.

[0051] Referring to Figure 5 there is shown the first body 1 comprising walls 15 protruding from a surface 144 of the first body 1 . There is also shown the first body 1 , the walls 15 and the second body generally indicated 4 forming an enclosed area generally indicated 16 when the apparatus is in the second position.

[0052] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B there is shown the first body 1 without the cutting blade 2 releasably attached to the body mounting face 12. As shown, the body mounting face 12 is of a radius of curvature similar to that of the cutting blade 2 so the cutting blade 2 can be mounted securely to the body mounting face 12. Also shown are pivot bar mounting apertures 17 and resilient biasing means mounting apertures 18 on each of the walls 15 of the first body 1. The pivot bar 5 and resilient biasing means 6 are mounted in respective apertures 17,18 and extend between walls 15.

[0053] Referring to Figure 7 there is shown the device as described above in the first, open position with the releasable attachment means 6 disengaged and the cutting blade 2 released from the blade mounting surface 12 of the first body 1 . Also shown is supporting wall 19 for engagement with the body of the cutting blade 2.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 it is understood that the radii of the components involved in cutting and for engagement with digits of the present invention are substantially similar to the radii of components to which they are paired when in use. For example, the radii of the cutting edge 22 and cutting plate 42, and the radii of cutting blade 2 and the digit engagement edge 46 radii are substantially similar.

[0055] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements described hereinabove as well as variations and further developments thereof which would naturally occur topersons skilled in the art upon reading the above description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Apparatus for cutting nails comprising: a first body comprising a cutting blade on a proximal end thereof and a lever on a distal end thereof; a second body comprising a lever on a distal end thereof; the second body being pivotally mounted to the first body; wherein the second body comprises a cutting plate at the proximal end thereof for receiving a user’s nail; the apparatus being pivotable from a first to a second position; whereby when the apparatus is in a first position the cutting blade and the cutting plate are not engaged; and when the apparatus is in a second position the cutting blade abuts the cutting plate so as to cut a nail placed therebetween.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a cutting edge of the cutting blade abuts the cutting plate of the second body a distance from a digit engagement edge of the cutting plate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the distance is between 0.5- 2.0mm preferably between 0.5-1.0mm, more preferably 0.75-1 .0mm.

4. Apparatus according any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting plate of the second body comprises a convex profile, curving upwards towards the centre of the surface, the cutting plate comprising a domed cross-sectional profile for use with a human nail.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digit engagement edge of the second body comprises a convex profile, curving inwards towards the centre of the second body and comprising a recessed arc cross-sectional profile for use with a human digit.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting blade is of a concave profile, the cutting edge curving inwards towards the cutting blade and forming a recessed arc cross-sectional profile for use with the cutting plate and a human nail.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting blade comprises a curved shape in which the side edges of the cutting blade curve away from the first body and towards the user when in use.

8. Apparatus according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the curvature of the cutting plate of the second body and the curvature of the cutting edge of the cutting blade of the first body are substantially similar for engagement thereof.

9. Apparatus according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the curvature of the digit engagement edge of the second body and the curvature of the cutting blade are substantially similar for engagement thereof.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever of the first body comprises a flange proximal to the distal end of the lever.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the flange protrudes perpendicularly to a surface of the first body.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever of the second body comprises a first bent away form the plane of a first part of the second body and a second bent section in a second direction opposite to the direction of the bend in the first bent section, so that the second bent section is parallel with the first part of the second body, the second bent section being disposed between the distal end of the lever and the first bent section.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first body comprises walls protruding from a surface of the first body.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first body, the walls and the second body form an enclosed area when the apparatus is in the second position.15 Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the walls comprise side walls extending from either side of the first body, and the second body is disposed between the walls.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a pivot bar is disposed between the side walls of the first body about which pivot bar the second body pivots when the apparatus is moved from the first position to the second position.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pivot bar is disposed below the second body and a biasing means is disposed above the first body, the biasing means extending between the side walls of the first body and comprising a resilient bar which biases the apparatus in the first position.

18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting blade is releasably attached to the first body via an attachment means, the attachment means comprises an extruded body portion and a head portion with a larger diameter than the body portion, the attachment means attachable through an aperture in the cutting blade and an aperture in a blade mounting face in the first body.

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