Manicure apparatus and method therefor

Abstract

A manicure apparatus with two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; and a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] NoneFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to manicure apparatuses and more particularly to motorized manicure apparatuses and methods of operation.BACKGROUND

[0003] Manicure is a cosmetic treatment involving shaping and often painting of the nails, and removal of the cuticles. After initial nail preparation, the nail is initially cut to a rugged or jagged shape resembling the desired finished shape, leaving additional length for filing and shaping. The initial cut is a cut purposed for the distal edge and is intended to shorten yet give a noticeable shape to the end of the nail. The nail should still have sufficient length remaining such that additional filing can be performed to smooth the nail edges. When a clipper is used to cut the distal nail edge, the edges of the nail may be sharp and therefore require filing. A glass nail file may be used to manually create the final shape and smooth the nail. This process is time consuming and less precise. For non-professionals who personally manicure their nails instead of using professional manicuring, the process is even more difficult.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the manicure apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 4 are top views of cutting blades in accordance with various embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a partial top view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with various embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a diagram of various nail shapes that may be obtained using the manicure apparatus of the various embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 7A is an internal view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a rack and pinion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 7A view showing further details the rack and pinion linear motion mechanism.

[0012] FIG. 7C is a top cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment to the FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 8A is an internal view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a linear actuator or linear servo in accordance with an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 8A view showing further details of the linear actuator or linear servo linear motion mechanism.

[0015] FIG. 8C is an internal view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a linear actuator or linear servo in an arrangement in accordance with an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional top view of the FIG. 8C view showing further details of the linear actuator or linear servo linear motion mechanism.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of a spring arrangement to enable the vertical buffers to push inwardly against a nail.

[0018] FIG. 10 is an electrical diagram of a motor controller circuit in accordance with an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing operation of a manicure apparatus in accordance with various embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Briefly, a manicure apparatus provides removable cutting blades that may be selected to provide a variety of desired nail shapes. A push button mechanism actuates the removable cutting blades, when inserted into the apparatus housing, to cut a natural nail, or an artificial nail, to the desired shape. Horizontal and vertical nail buffers are motor driven and buffer the nail after cutting in the single manicure apparatus.

[0021] One disclosed manicure apparatus includes: two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; and a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge.

[0022] The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate. The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate. The manicure apparatus may further include: mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the nail is moved back and forth between the two vertical nail buffers. The manicure apparatus may further include: mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge. The manicure apparatus may further include: an upper guide and a lower guide, each having a track to receive an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, respectively, of each of the two vertical nail buffers, the upper guide and the lower guide operative to guide the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge. The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to a first vertical nail buffer of the two vertical nail buffers, at an upper distal end of the first vertical nail buffer; a first gear connected to the first vertical nail buffer; a second gear connected to the second vertical nail buffer; and an idler gear, positioned between the first gear and the second gear, such that the first gear turns the idler gear to drive the second gear and rotate the second vertical nail buffer. The manicure apparatus may further include: a motor, positioned substantially in parallel with the horizontal nail buffer; and a belt drive, operatively coupled to the motor and to the horizontal nail buffer to cause rotation of the horizontal nail buffer when power is applied to the motor. The manicure apparatus may further include: a cutting blade mounting section operative to receive a removable cutting blade having a selectable shape; and a push button operative to actuate the cutting blade when a removable cutting blade is inserted within the cutting blade mounting section.

[0023] Another disclosed manicure apparatus includes: a cutting blade mounting section operative to receive a removable cutting blade having a selectable shape; and a push button operative to actuate the cutting blade when a removable cutting blade is inserted within the cutting blade mounting section.

[0024] The manicure apparatus may further include: two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; and a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge. The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate. The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate. The manicure apparatus may further include: at least one motor, operatively coupled to a first vertical nail buffer of the two vertical nail buffers, at an upper distal end of the first vertical nail buffer; and a first gear connected to the first vertical nail buffer; a second gear connected to the second vertical nail buffer; and an idler gear, positioned between the first gear and the second gear, such that the first gear turns the idler gear to drive the second gear.

[0025] Another disclosed manicure apparatus includes: two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge; a first motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate; and a second motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

[0026] The manicure apparatus may further include: mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge. The manicure apparatus may further include: an upper guide and a lower guide, each having a track to receive an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, respectively, of each of the two vertical nail buffers, the upper guide and the lower guide operative to guide the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge.

[0027] A disclosed method of operating a manicure apparatus implements: rotating two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; and rotating a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, to buffer a front nail edge.

[0028] The method may further implement: activating a first motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate. The method may further implement: activating a second motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

[0029] Turning now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like components, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. The manicure apparatus includes a housing 10, a platform 13 upon which a finger may be positioned in order to cut and shape a nail, and a push button 12 which is used to push a nail cutting blade in order to cut a nail.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the manicure apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments. The manicure apparatus includes a right vertical buffer 14, a left vertical buffer 15, and a horizontal buffer 21. The right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 are positioned substantially in parallel. The term “substantially” refers to the possibility of an angle formed by the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 with respect to each other, with respect to the housing 10, or both with respect to each other and with respect to each other. For example, the right vertical buffer14 and left vertical buffer 15 may form an angle with respect to each other, having an upper vertex or a lower vertex with respect to the housing 10. The angle may be, for example, within a range of approximately between 3° and 45°. In other implementations, the range may be approximately between 45° and 85°.

[0031] Returning to the example of FIG. 2, both the right vertical buffer 14 and the left vertical buffer 15 are connected to vertical buffer guides 17 at an upper distal end via drive shaft coupling 16, and are connected to a lower vertical buffer guide 18 via insertion of the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 shaft 19 into an insertion point within the lower vertical buffer guide 18. The horizontal buffer 21 has shafts 23 which are inserted into horizontal buffer aligning guides 25. The right vertical buffer 14, left vertical buffer 15, and horizontal buffer 21 may be any of various grits, for example a fine grit of between 200 to 240 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the coarseness may be a medium grit between 150 to 180 grit etc. In some embodiments, the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 may be removable and interchangeable such that different grit coarseness buffers may be used as needed.

[0032] The terms “first”, “second”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, etc. are understood to be relative terms that are used herein to describe the relationships of the various components with respect to each other and with respect to the housing 10, and not to impose any particular limitations on the arrangement of the various components. For example, the terms “right” and “left” when referring to components in one implementation from one perspective view may be reversed to opposite sides for the same components in the same implementation viewed from an opposite direction, etc.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. In operation, a fingernail 60 may be positioned within the manicure apparatus such that the horizontal buffer 21 can buffer the underside of the fingernail 60. The right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 rotate so as to buffer the outer left and right edges of the fingernail 60.

[0034] In some embodiments, the shafts 23 include a gearing so as to form a pinion and a rack gear may be positioned in a mounting position 24 within the horizontal buffer aligning guides 25. In other embodiments, the shafts 23 include a cam shaped end that travels within the mounting position 24 to produce an elliptical back-and-forth motion under the fingernail 60. The mounting position 24 may therefore be shaped to accommodate the cam action of the shafts 23.

[0035] In some embodiments, the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 rotate but remain stationary and the user may move their fingernail 60 back-and-forth within the manicuring apparatus to obtain buffering of the nail edges. However, in other embodiments, the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 rotate and also move back-and-forth while hugging the fingernail 60. In such embodiments, buffer guides 31 may be formed as miniature booms that are connected at the upper and lower ends of the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 and to a pivoting point at the opposite distal ends so as to hug the fingernail 60 as they are moved back-and-forth by a miniature motor drive (not shown).

[0036] FIG. 4 are top views of cutting blades 40 in accordance with various embodiments. Each cutting blade 40 may include an upper cutting element and a lower cutting element and the elements are removable from the housing 10, and insertable behind the platform 13 and under the push button 12. The push button 12 includes a spring mechanism underneath such that the push button 12 returns to an un-pushed position after being pressed downwardly to cut a fingernail 60 to a desired shape. The spring mechanism may be one or more metal coil springs or may be a metal lever spring in some embodiments. The cutting blades 40 may be used to cut a natural nail but may also be used to cut artificial nails to a variety of shapes. FIG. 4 provides examples only and many other nail shapes are possible in accordance with the embodiments. The examples shown in FIG. 4 include round, square, and oval nail shapes. However, cutting blades may be provided for any of the nail shapes illustrated in the examples provided in FIG. 6.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a partial top view of a manicure apparatus in accordance with various embodiments. One embodiment of the horizontal buffer 21 is illustrated in which a miniature motor 50, mounted within motor mounting 52, drives the shafts 23 using a drive belt 51. In this case, the horizontal buffer 21 may rotate but remains in a stationary position. In embodiments in which the shafts 23 include a cam shaped distal end, the horizontal buffer 21 may move about and within the mounting position 24 of the horizontal buffer aligning guides 25.

[0038] The right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 may include a right gear 54 and a left gear 55, respectively at the upper distal ends of the drive shaft coupling 16. In some embodiments, one of either the right vertical buffer 14 or the left vertical buffer 15 drive shaft coupling may be connected to a vertically positioned miniature motor (not shown) and an idler gear 53 may be utilized to drive the opposite side gear rotation. In such embodiments, the buffer guides 31 may also operate as miniature booms with pivotal action as described above. In such embodiments the right gear 54 and a left gear 55 may also travel slightly about the idler gear 53 while remaining in contact with it to obtain the driving rotational force.

[0039] In embodiments in which the right vertical buffer 14 or the left vertical buffer 15 form an angle with respect to each other, a motor may be mounted to a stationary mount and be coupled to a beveled driver gear. In other words, the idler gear 53 is replaced by the beveled driver gear. In that case, the right gear 54 and left gear 55 may also be beveled gears such that the beveled driver gear is operative to rotate the right gear 54 and left gear 55 in unison. In such implementations, the beveled driver gear and motor, may be positioned horizontally or vertically with respect to the housing 10, with the driven bevel gears positioned accordingly to drive the vertical buffers.

[0040] FIG. 7A is an internal rear view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a rack and pinion in accordance with an embodiment. A vertically positioned motor 70 is mounted to an upper frame section 72 and the motor shaft 71 is coupled to the drive shaft coupling 16. The motor shaft 71, when actuated, turns one of either side gears to spin one of the corresponding vertical buffers. In the example of FIG. 7A, the motor shaft 71, when actuated, turns the right gear 54 and spins the right vertical buffer 14. The idler gear 53, which is connected to the upper frame section 72 via idler gear shaft 73, is turned by the right gear 54 and transmits to the left gear 55 in order to turn the left vertical buffer 15. The left vertical buffer 15 is fixedly connected to the upper frame section 72 via left gear shaft 74. The right vertical buffer 14 is connected to the rack gear mount 78 via its bottom shaft 19 and moves forward and backward along with the rack gear mount 78 as it moves with respect to the housing 10. The pinion motor 75 is mounted in a fixed position, and has a motor shaft 76 connected to a pinion gear 77. The pinion motor 75 turns the pinion gear 77 forward and backward to move the vertical buffers back and forth (by moving the rack gear mount 78 back and forth). The rack gear mount 78 is connected to a sliding mount 81 via one or more cross members 79 which fixedly connect the rack gear mount 78 to the sliding mount 81 such that they form a frame structure that moves together. The left vertical buffer 15 is connected at its bottom shaft 19 to the sliding mount 81 by, for example, having the bottom shaft 19 inserted into an aperture of the sliding mount 81.

[0041] In some embodiments, the motor shaft 76 extends across the width of the frame and drives a second pinion gear 77B to drive a second rack gear mount (i.e. the sliding mount 81 is in that case the second rack gear mount) such that the rack gear mount 78 and the second rack gear mount move together.

[0042] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of the FIG. 7A view showing further details the rack and pinion linear motion mechanism. The rack gear mount 78, slides within two vertical support members, back vertical support member 82 and front vertical support member 83. The sliding mount 81 also has a corresponding back vertical support member 82 and front vertical support member 83. In some embodiments, the vertical support members are internal molded parts of the housing 10, which may extend outwardly from the housing interior side walls, and include the apertures, or a slotted section, for receiving the rack gear mount 78 and sliding mount 81.

[0043] FIG. 7C is a top cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment to the FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B embodiment. In FIG. 7C, the rack gear mount 78 is centrally positioned between two sliding mounts 81 and the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 are each fixedly connected to a sliding mount 81. The rack gear mount 78 is fixedly connected at each end to a cross member 79 such that the rectangular frame formed by the two sliding mounts 81 and the two cross members 79 move together with the rack gear mount 78 as the pinion gear 77 is rotated.

[0044] FIG. 8A is an internal rear view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a linear actuator or linear servo in accordance with an embodiment. In FIG. 8A a linear actuator 85, which may be a linear servo in some embodiments, drives a linear actuator shaft 86 back and forth to produce the linear motion of the two vertical buffers. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the linear actuator shaft 86 is fixedly connected to the bottom shaft 19 of the right vertical buffer 14 and to a cross member 79. The cross member 79 is fixedly connected to the sliding mount 81. In other implementations, the linear actuator 85 could be positioned on the opposite side with the linear actuator shaft fixedly connected to the bottom shaft 19 of the left vertical buffer 15 and the right vertical buffer 14 mounted on the sliding mount 81.

[0045] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of the FIG. 8A view showing further details of the linear actuator 85 (or linear servo) linear motion mechanism. The back vertical support member 82 and front vertical support member 83 have the necessary apertures or slots to receive the linear actuator shaft 86 and serve as guides.

[0046] FIG. 8C is an internal front view of a linear motion mechanism of two vertical buffers using a linear actuator 85, or linear servo, in a centralized arrangement in accordance with an embodiment. In FIG. 8C, the linear actuator 85 is centrally positioned such that the linear actuator shaft 86 is attached to the cross members 79 to push and pull the frame formed by the sliding mounts 81 and the cross members 79. As shown in FIG. 8D, which is a cross-sectional top view of the FIG. 8C view, the linear actuator shaft 86 is fixedly connected to the cross members 79.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of a spring arrangement to enable the vertical buffers to push inwardly against a nail. The right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 are normally positioned in relative close proximity about the average width of a human finger, for example approximately 0.5 inches or slightly less such as 1 / 32 inch, 1 / 16 inch less etc. than 0.5 inches such that insertion of a nail in between the right vertical buffer 14 and left vertical buffer 15 produces a slight outward force against the vertical buffers away from the nail. As shown in FIG. 9, one or more springs 88 may be positioned between the sliding mounts 81 and sidewalls 89 of the housing 10 to produce an inward force on the vertical buffers to push them against a fingernail (in other words slightly squeezing against the fingernail). The cross members 79 in this case are within slots or apertures of the sliding mounts 81 such that the sliding mounts 81 may move laterally left and right slightly to maintain an inward force against a finger nail. The cross members 79 include stops that limit the left and right travel of the sliding mounts 81. In the implementation of FIG. 9, each vertical buffer is operatively coupled to its own vertically positioned motor 70, and the right gear 54, left gear 55, and idler gear 53 are not present. Instead, the vertically positioned motors 70 are each mounting to a top position sliding mount 81 and have cross members 79 at a top position with the same structure as the lower part of the frame shown in FIG. 9, such that the inner and outer movement of the vertical buffers can be accomplished.

[0048] FIG. 10 is an electrical diagram of a motor controller circuit in accordance with an embodiment. The miniature motor 50 and vertically positioned motor 70 are each operatively coupled to a power circuit 102 which provides a DC voltage to the motors. The power circuit may include an AC transformer, a rectifier, an on / off switch, or other electronic components, etc. and may further be operatively coupled to a battery mount 103. The power circuit 102 is operative to charge one or more batteries when placed in the battery mount 103. In some embodiments, the power circuit 102 may include a USB connector and be operative to power the motors from a USB connection. A motor controller 100 is also connected to the power circuit 102 to receive a DC voltage input. A control output 101 is operatively coupled to either the pinion motor 75, or linear actuator 85 (or linear servo) depending upon the embodiment. The motor controller 100 is operative to receive program instructions (executable instructions, or code) such that it can rotate the pinion motor 75 to drive the rack gear mount 78 forward and backward in an oscillating manner, the correct desired distance. The motor controller 100 may include, or may be operatively coupled to, a non-volatile, non-transitory memory for storing the program instructions (executable instructions or code). In some embodiments, a setting switch may be operatively coupled to the motor controller to set the movement distance of the rack gear mount 78. For example, the rack gear mount 78 movement may be adjusted from 0.5 inches movement, to 1 inch movement, 2 inch movement, 3 inch movement etc. for very long fingernail lengths. The same adjustment switch may be present for linear actuator 85 controlled embodiments. The motor controller 100 may be an ASIC, SoC (system-on-a-chip), Arduino, FPGA, microprocessor, microcontroller, or equivalent, etc., and other peripheral electronic components external to the motor controller may also be present such as any required for proper operation.

[0049] The embodiments may also include a transformer and rectifier for converting 120 volts AC to a DC voltage and current required for driving the motors. In some embodiments, an on-off switch may be operatively coupled to one or more motors to operative the motors independently (i.e. toggle on / off the horizontal buffer or toggle on / off the vertical buffers). In some embodiments, the manicure apparatus may be battery powered and may require batteries having sufficient DC voltage to drive the motors. In such embodiments, the on-off switch may be operatively coupled to the motors and batteries to toggle battery power to the motors on and off. Further, some embodiments may use a rechargeable battery pack, that is charged by a transformer and rectifier such that the manicure apparatus may be used in a cordless manner when the battery pack is charged, or may use the manicure apparatus by plugging a power cord into an AC outlet. In that case, the apparatus may be used while the battery is also being recharged.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing operation of a manicure apparatus in accordance with various embodiments. At operation 1101, a first motor is activated, where the first motor is operatively coupled to two vertical nail buffers to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate. The two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel, rotate in response to activation of the first motor, to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge. At operation 1103, linear motion is activated via either a rack and pinion mechanism, a linear actuator, or a linear servo, to move the two vertical buffers forward and backward relative to the housing 10. At operation 1105, a second motor is activated, where the second motor is operatively coupled to a horizontal nail buffer to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate. The horizontal nail buffer is positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and rotates in response to activation of the second motor to buffer a front nail edge.

[0051] While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A manicure apparatus comprising:two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; anda horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge.

2. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate.

3. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

4. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the nail is moved back and forth between the two vertical nail buffers.

5. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge.

6. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:an upper guide and a lower guide, each having a track to receive an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, respectively, of each of the two vertical nail buffers, the upper guide and the lower guide operative to guide the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge.

7. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to a first vertical nail buffer of the two vertical nail buffers, at an upper distal end of the first vertical nail buffer;a first gear connected to the first vertical nail buffer;a second gear connected to the second vertical nail buffer; andan idler gear, positioned between the first gear and the second gear, such that the first gear turns the idler gear to drive the second gear and rotate the second vertical nail buffer.

8. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a motor, positioned substantially in parallel with the horizontal nail buffer; anda belt drive, operatively coupled to the motor and to the horizontal nail buffer to cause rotation of the horizontal nail buffer when power is applied to the motor.

9. The manicure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a cutting blade mounting section operative to receive a removable cutting blade having a selectable shape; anda push button operative to actuate the cutting blade when a removable cutting blade is inserted within the cutting blade mounting section.

10. A manicure apparatus comprising:a cutting blade mounting section operative to receive a removable cutting blade having a selectable shape; anda push button operative to actuate the cutting blade when a removable cutting blade is inserted within the cutting blade mounting section.

11. The manicure apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; anda horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge.

12. The manicure apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate.

13. The manicure apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

14. The manicure apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:at least one motor, operatively coupled to a first vertical nail buffer of the two vertical nail buffers, at an upper distal end of the first vertical nail buffer; anda first gear connected to the first vertical nail buffer;a second gear connected to the second vertical nail buffer; andan idler gear, positioned between the first gear and the second gear, such that the first gear turns the idler gear to drive the second gear.

15. A manicure apparatus comprising:two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge;a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, and operative to buffer a front nail edge;at first motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers and operative to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate; anda second motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer and operative to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

16. The manicure apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:mechanical linkages, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers at distal ends, operative to pivot to enable the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge.

17. The manicure apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:an upper guide and a lower guide, each having a track to receive an upper shaft end and a lower shaft end, respectively, of each of the two vertical nail buffers, the upper guide and the lower guide operative to guide the two vertical nail buffers to press against a nail as the nail as the two vertical nail buffers move back and forth across a right nail edge and a left nail edge.

18. A method of operating a manicure apparatus comprising:rotating two vertical nail buffers positioned substantially in parallel and operative to buffer a left nail edge and a right nail edge; androtating a horizontal nail buffer positioned substantially perpendicular to the two vertical nail buffers, to buffer a front nail edge.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:activating a first motor, operatively coupled to the two vertical nail buffers to cause the two vertical nail buffers to rotate.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:activating a second motor, operatively coupled to the horizontal nail buffer to cause the horizontal nail buffer to rotate.

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