Keyboard input fingertip sleeve device

Abstract

A keyboard input fingertip sleeve device for facilitating keyboard use while protecting a fingernail includes a sleeve having an open end and a closed end. The sleeve defines an interior space having a fingertip portion and a nail portion extending from the fingertip portion. An exterior surface of the sleeve has a peripheral section and an arcuate tip extending from the peripheral section. The arcuate tip is positioned adjacent to the nail portion of the interior space. The exterior surface of the sleeve has a planar section extending from the arcuate tip to the peripheral section positioned in alignment with a fingertip of a finger inserted into the sleeve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

[0004] Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention.

[0006] The disclosure relates to keyboard input device and more particularly pertains to a new keyboard input device for facilitating keyboard use while protecting a fingernail.(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

[0007] The prior art relates to keyboard input device. Known keyboard input devices that attach to a finger or fingernail lack a planar surface angled relative to the device to facilitate striking of kays on the keyboard.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve having an open end and a closed end. The sleeve defines an interior space having a fingertip portion and a nail portion extending from the fingertip portion. An exterior surface of the sleeve has a peripheral section and an arcuate tip extending from the peripheral section. The arcuate tip is positioned adjacent to the nail portion of the interior space. The exterior surface of the sleeve has a planar section extending from the arcuate tip to the peripheral section positioned in alignment with a fingertip of a finger inserted into the sleeve.

[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top front side perspective view of a keyboard input fingertip sleeve device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom front side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new keyboard input device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the keyboard input fingertip sleeve device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12 having an open end 14 and a closed end 16. The sleeve 12 is constructed of a resiliently expandable material such as rubber or the like. The sleeve 12 can provided in various sizes to snugly fit various sized fingertips without excessive compression on the fingertip. The material may also be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The sleeve 12 defines an interior space 18 having a fingertip portion 20 and a nail portion 22 extending from the fingertip portion 20. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 has a generally cylindrical main portion 24 and a rounded end portion 26. By generally cylindrical it is understood the main portion may not be a precise circular cross section but may be oval or obround. The sleeve 12 has an exterior surface 28. The exterior surface 28 has a peripheral section 30 and an arcuate tip 32 extending from the peripheral section 30. The arcuate tip 32 is offset relative to a central axis of the sleeve 12 such that the arcuate tip 32 is positioned adjacent to the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The exterior surface 28 of the sleeve 12 has a planar section 34 extending from the arcuate tip 32 to the peripheral section 30 wherein the planar section 34 is configured to be positioned in alignment with a fingertip 36 of a finger 38 inserted into the interior space 18 with a nail 40 of the finger 38 inserted into the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The planar section 34 has a proximal end 42 relative to the open end 14 of the sleeve 12. The proximal end 42 of the planar section 34 is offset from a terminal end 46 of the fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 and laterally aligned medially relative to the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. A junction 48 between the planar section 34 and each of the arcuate tip 32 and the peripheral section 30 and extending around a full perimeter edge 50 of the planar section 34 is smoothly curved. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 may have an oval cross sectional shape perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve 12. A lip 52 is coupled to the sleeve 12. The lip 52 extends laterally from the sleeve 12 around the open end 14.

[0019] In use, the sleeve 12 is positioned on the fingertip 36 with the nail 40 positioned within the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The planar section 34 is positioned for striking against keys of a keyboard without damaging the nail 40.

[0020] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new keyboard input device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018]As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the keyboard input fingertip sleeve device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12 having an open end 14 and a closed end 16. The sleeve 12 is constructed of a resiliently expandable material such as rubber or the like. The sleeve 12 can provided in various sizes to snugly fit various sized fingertips without excessive compression on the fingertip. The material may also be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The sleeve 12 defines an interior space 18 having a fingertip portion 20 and a nail portion 22 extending from the fingertip portion 20. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 has a generally cylindrical main portion 24 and a rounded end portion 26. By generally cylind...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

[0004] Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention.

[0006] The disclosure relates to keyboard input device and more particularly pertains to a new keyboard input device for facilitating keyboard use while protecting a fingernail.(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

[0007] The prior art relates to keyboard input device. Known keyboard input devices that attach to a finger or fingernail lack a planar surface angled relative to the device to facilitate striking of kays on the keyboard.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve having an open end and a closed end. The sleeve defines an interior space having a fingertip portion and a nail portion extending from the fingertip portion. An exterior surface of the sleeve has a peripheral section and an arcuate tip extending from the peripheral section. The arcuate tip is positioned adjacent to the nail portion of the interior space. The exterior surface of the sleeve has a planar section extending from the arcuate tip to the peripheral section positioned in alignment with a fingertip of a finger inserted into the sleeve.

[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top front side perspective view of a keyboard input fingertip sleeve device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom front side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new keyboard input device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the keyboard input fingertip sleeve device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12 having an open end 14 and a closed end 16. The sleeve 12 is constructed of a resiliently expandable material such as rubber or the like. The sleeve 12 can provided in various sizes to snugly fit various sized fingertips without excessive compression on the fingertip. The material may also be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The sleeve 12 defines an interior space 18 having a fingertip portion 20 and a nail portion 22 extending from the fingertip portion 20. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 has a generally cylindrical main portion 24 and a rounded end portion 26. By generally cylindrical it is understood the main portion may not be a precise circular cross section but may be oval or obround. The sleeve 12 has an exterior surface 28. The exterior surface 28 has a peripheral section 30 and an arcuate tip 32 extending from the peripheral section 30. The arcuate tip 32 is offset relative to a central axis of the sleeve 12 such that the arcuate tip 32 is positioned adjacent to the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The exterior surface 28 of the sleeve 12 has a planar section 34 extending from the arcuate tip 32 to the peripheral section 30 wherein the planar section 34 is configured to be positioned in alignment with a fingertip 36 of a finger 38 inserted into the interior space 18 with a nail 40 of the finger 38 inserted into the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The planar section 34 has a proximal end 42 relative to the open end 14 of the sleeve 12. The proximal end 42 of the planar section 34 is offset from a terminal end 46 of the fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 and laterally aligned medially relative to the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. A junction 48 between the planar section 34 and each of the arcuate tip 32 and the peripheral section 30 and extending around a full perimeter edge 50 of the planar section 34 is smoothly curved. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 may have an oval cross sectional shape perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve 12. A lip 52 is coupled to the sleeve 12. The lip 52 extends laterally from the sleeve 12 around the open end 14.

[0019] In use, the sleeve 12 is positioned on the fingertip 36 with the nail 40 positioned within the nail portion 22 of the interior space 18. The planar section 34 is positioned for striking against keys of a keyboard without damaging the nail 40.

[0020] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new keyboard input device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018]As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the keyboard input fingertip sleeve device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12 having an open end 14 and a closed end 16. The sleeve 12 is constructed of a resiliently expandable material such as rubber or the like. The sleeve 12 can provided in various sizes to snugly fit various sized fingertips without excessive compression on the fingertip. The material may also be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The sleeve 12 defines an interior space 18 having a fingertip portion 20 and a nail portion 22 extending from the fingertip portion 20. The fingertip portion 20 of the interior space 18 has a generally cylindrical main portion 24 and a rounded end portion 26. By generally cylind...

Claims

1. A keyboard input fingertip sleeve device comprising:a sleeve having an open end and a closed end, said sleeve defining an interior space having a fingertip portion and a nail portion extending from said fingertip portion; andsaid sleeve having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a peripheral section and an arcuate tip extending from said peripheral section, said arcuate tip being positioned adjacent to said nail portion of said interior space, said exterior surface of said sleeve having a planar section extending from said arcuate tip to said peripheral section wherein said planar section is configured to be positioned in alignment with a fingertip of a finger inserted into said interior space with a nail of the finger inserted into said nail portion of said interior space, a transition between said arcuate tip and said planar section being laterally and forwardly spaced from a distal end of said nail portion relative to said open end of said sleeve.

2. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising said fingertip portion of said interior space having a cylindrical main portion and a rounded end portion.

3. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising a lip coupled to said sleeve, said lip extending laterally from said sleeve around said open end.

4. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising said planar section having a proximal end relative to said open end of said sleeve, said proximal end of said planar section being offset from a terminal end of said fingertip portion of said interior space and laterally aligned medially relative to said nail portion of said interior space.

5. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising a junction between said planar section and each of said arcuate tip and said peripheral section and extending around a full perimeter edge of said planar section being smoothly curved.

6. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1. further comprising said sleeve being constructed of a resiliently expandable material.

7. The keyboard input fingertip sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising said fingertip portion of said interior space having an oval cross sectional shape perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of said sleeve.

8. A keyboard input fingertip sleeve device comprising:a sleeve having an open end and a closed end, said sleeve being constructed of a resiliently expandable material, said sleeve defining an interior space having a fingertip portion and a nail portion extending from said fingertip portion, said fingertip portion of said interior space having a cylindrical main portion and a rounded end portion; andsaid sleeve having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a peripheral section and an arcuate tip extending from said peripheral section, said arcuate tip being positioned adjacent to said nail portion of said interior space, said exterior surface of said sleeve having a planar section extending from said arcuate tip to said peripheral section wherein said planar section is configured to be positioned in alignment with a fingertip of a finger inserted into said interior space with a nail of the finger inserted into said nail portion of said interior space, said planar section having a proximal end relative to said open end of said sleeve, said proximal end of said planar section being offset from a terminal end of said fingertip portion of said interior space and laterally aligned medially relative to said nail portion of said interior space, a junction between said planar section and each of said arcuate tip and said peripheral section and extending around a full perimeter edge of said planar section being smoothly curved, said fingertip portion of said interior space having an oval cross sectional shape perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of said sleeve, a transition between said arcuate tip and said planar section being laterally and forwardly spaced from a distal end of said nail portion relative to said open end of said sleeve; anda lip coupled to said sleeve, said lip extending laterally from said sleeve around said open end.

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