Claw-scratching implement

Abstract

The present invention provides an easy-to-use claw-scratching implement capable of suppressing localized wear of a scratch pad. The present invention pertains to a claw-scratching implement X for a small animal to scratch its claws upon that comprises a scratch pad 1 in which is formed a placement surface F on which a small animal can be placed, and a housing part 2 in which an accommodation space S for accommodating the scratch pad 1 is formed. The scratch pad 1 has a plurality of scratch pad constituent bodies 11 disposed adjacent to each other. The placement surface F is such that at least a peripheral edge thereof constitutes a scratching surface H. The scratch pad constituent bodies 11 each include an inner-side edge IE that faces another of the scratch pad constituent bodies 11 that is adjacent thereto, and an outer-side edge OE that forms the outer line of the placement surface F. A portion of the outer-side edge OE and the inner-side edge IE of each can be respectively switched with one another by the scratch pad constituent bodies 11 being transposed in the accommodation space S.

Description

Nail sharpener

[0001] The present invention relates to a nail sharpener used by small animals to sharpen their claws.

[0002] Conventionally, nail sharpeners used by small animals to sharpen their claws have been equipped with, for example, a surface large enough for the small animal to place on, a rectangular nail sharpening plate with a certain thickness, and a container for accommodating the nail sharpening plate.

[0003] However, when small animals sharpen their claws, they tend to position themselves in the center of the sharpening plate, which means that use is concentrated near the edges of the plate, making it difficult to ensure even wear at the edges.As a result, even though the center of the plate, which is used less frequently, can still be used, the sharpening plate must be replaced because the edges of the plate have worn out.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, various nail grinders have been proposed that are designed to allow cats to sharpen their claws over the entire surface of the grinding plate.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cat scratcher in which a scratching plate divided into a plurality of scratching plate components is housed in a case.

[0006] Patent document 2 also describes a pet nail sharpening board and a pet nail sharpener, which have multiple sharpening plates with convex and concave portions at their ends, and the convex portion of one sharpening plate engages with the concave portion of another sharpening plate to form a sharpening surface.

[0007] JP-A-10-056907 Patent No. 6739135

[0008] However, in the nail sharpeners described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, use is concentrated near one of the opposing ends of the sharpening plate or sharpening plate assembly, and this area is more likely to wear out than the areas near the other ends.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly nail sharpener that can suppress localized wear of the sharpening plate.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a nail grinder for small animals to sharpen their claws, comprising: a grinding plate formed with a mounting surface on which the small animal can be placed; and a housing portion formed with a storage space for accommodating the grinding plate; the grinding plate has a plurality of grinding plate components arranged adjacent to each other; the mounting surface has at least its periphery configured as a grinding surface; each grinding plate component includes an inner end face adjacent to and facing another adjacent grinding plate component, and an outer end face that forms the outer shape of the mounting surface; and a portion of the outer end face and the inner end face are configured to be interchangeable with the inner end face and part of the outer end face, respectively, by transposing each grinding plate component in the storage space.

[0011] According to the present invention, a portion of the outer end face and an inner end face of the sharpening plate assembly can be replaced with a portion of the inner end face and an outer end face, respectively, thereby making it possible to suppress localized wear of the sharpening plate.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a side wall that defines the storage space, and the grinding plate and the side wall define a dust collecting space within the storage space.

[0013] This configuration allows for the accumulation of shavings produced when small animals sharpen their claws, and prevents the shavings from spreading.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the grinding plate components has a polygonal shape in plan view.

[0015] By adopting such a configuration, the grinding plate assembly can be easily processed, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the grinding plate components has its top cut away and includes a notched end surface which, together with the outer end surface, defines the outer shape of the mounting surface, the chip accumulation space being formed between the notched end surface and the side wall, and the outer end surface and the side wall being adjacent and opposing each other.

[0017] This configuration allows the shavings to be collected compactly and prevents them from scattering in the collection space, and also makes it easy to store and remove each grinding plate assembly in and from the storage space.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grinding plate assembly has a plurality of the notched end surfaces.

[0019] This configuration allows the shavings to be accumulated in the accumulation space depending on the location of the shavings. Also, it is possible to form the shavings accumulation space in approximately the same position without having to transpose or replace the scratching structure.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a discharge port communicating with the debris accumulation space.

[0021] With this configuration, it becomes easy to discharge the shavings accumulated in the shavings accumulation space to the outside.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a lid that closes the sweep port in an openable and closable manner.

[0023] This configuration makes it possible to prevent the shavings accumulated in the shavings accumulation space from being unintentionally discharged from the sweep-out opening.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the sanding boards are stacked and housed in the housing space.

[0025] With this configuration, it is possible to store unused sharpening plates in the storage space.

[0026] The housing has a stopper on the inside of a side surface of the housing.

[0027] This configuration makes it possible to prevent the sharpening plate from jumping out of the storage space.

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a user-friendly nail sharpener that can suppress localized wear of the sharpening plate.

[0029] 1 is a perspective view of a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a perspective view of a sharpening plate; FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a perspective view of a storage section; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a method of using a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a method of using a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a method of using a nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] A nail sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that the embodiment shown below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In these figures, the symbol X indicates the nail sharpener according to this embodiment. In addition, the dashed lines in Figures 1 to 10 represent hidden lines that show the shape of parts that cannot be seen.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the nail sharpener X comprises a sharpening plate 1 having a mounting surface F on which a small animal A (see Figure 6) can be placed, and a housing portion 2 having a storage space S for storing the sharpening plate 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the mounting surface F of the sharpening board 1 is configured to be the same as the sharpening surface H. In other words, the entire mounting surface F doubles as the sharpening surface H. This allows the small animal A to sharpen its claws while placed on the nail sharpener X. While laminated cardboard is preferably used as the material for the sharpening surface H, there are no particular limitations as long as it is hard enough to be sharpened by a small animal's nail sharpener. For example, the sharpening surface H can be made of a board-shaped material such as hemp rope or cotton rope wrapped around a substrate, a fibrous material such as carpet, or wood.

[0033] The sharpening plate 1 has a sharpening surface (not shown) on the entire back surface thereof, so that when the sharpening surface H is worn out, a new sharpening surface can be provided by turning the sharpening plate 1 over.

[0034] 2 or 3, the sharpening plate 1 has a plurality of adjacently arranged sharpening plate components 11. This makes it possible, when the sharpening plate 1 is locally worn, to replace only the sharpening plate components 11 that are more worn, while allowing the sharpening plate components 11 that are less worn to continue to be used.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sharpening plate components 11 have an octagonal shape formed by cutting off the tops of the square shapes in a plan view. In particular, each sharpening plate component 11 includes an inner end face IE adjacent to and facing the adjacent other sharpening plate components 11, an outer end face OE that forms the outer shape of the mounting surface F, and a notched end face CE that is formed by cutting off each of the tops as described above and that, together with the outer end face OE, forms the outer shape of the mounting surface F. By including the notched end face CE, each sharpening plate component 11 can be easily stored in and removed from the storage space S.

[0036] The sharpening plate components 11 are not particularly limited in shape as long as they are adjacent to and face other sharpening plate components 11, such as triangular in plan view, and have an inner end face IE and an outer end face OE that form the outer shape of the mounting surface F. Each sharpening plate component 11 may have only some of its tops removed, rather than all of its tops.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sharpening plate components 11 have substantially the same outer shape and substantially the same size in a plan view, but they may have different shapes, etc. For example, one of the sharpening plate components 11 may be configured without the notched end surface CE.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of the grinding plates 1 are stored in the storage space S in a stacked state.

[0039] 4 or 5, the housing 2 has side walls W that form the storage space S, and the cutout end face CE and side wall W of each grinding plate component 11 form a chip collection space D within the storage space S. More specifically, one chip collection space D is formed by communication between the space formed by the cutout end face CE and side wall W that is adjacent to the inner end face IE of one grinding plate component 11 and the space formed by the cutout end face CE and side wall W that is adjacent to the inner end face IE of the other grinding plate component 11. In this embodiment, since each grinding plate component 11 is octagonal, two approximately triangular chip collection spaces D are formed adjacent to the inner end face IE.

[0040] The housing 2 has a discharge port 21 that communicates with the debris accumulation space D, and a lid 211 that opens and closes the discharge port 21 .

[0041] 5, in this embodiment, the housing 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. A cardboard box is preferably used as the housing 2, but it may also be a wooden box, a plastic case, or the like.

[0042] In this embodiment, pillars P having a triangular shape in a plan view are provided at the four corners of the housing 2. As a result, when each sharpening plate component 11 is housed in the housing space S, the cutout end face CE of each sharpening plate component 11 and the pillars P are adjacent to each other, so that the size of the housing 2 in the width direction can be made compact and the housed sharpening plate components 11 can be prevented from moving.

[0043] The housing 2 has a stopper 22 on the inside of the side wall. The material of the stopper 22 is preferably silicon, but is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of preventing the sharpening plate 1 from jumping out of the storage space S.

[0044] In this embodiment, the housing 2 has a stick hole 23 on the top surface of one of the pillars P. The position of the stick hole 23 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where a cat toy N (see FIG. 10 ) or the like inserted into the stick hole 23 can stand on its own.

[0045] The housing 2 has anti-slip sections (not shown) at the corners of the bottom outside surface, which prevent the housing 2 from moving from its designated position due to vibrations caused when the small animal A sharpens its claws. The anti-slip sections are preferably made of rubber, but are not limited to any material as long as they have a high coefficient of friction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the storage space S is configured so that a portion of the outer end face OE and the inner end face IE of each sharpening plate component 11 can be replaced with the inner end face IE and the outer end face OE, respectively, by transposing each sharpening plate component 11.

[0047] Hereinafter, a method of using the nail sharpener X will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] First, the user places the nail sharpener X on a floor such as a wooden floor. It is preferable to place the nail sharpener X in a place where the small animal regularly uses it or near an entrance or exit of a room, but there is no particular limitation as long as it is in a location that is easy for the small animal to use.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the small animal A stands on the rest surface F and scratches the sharpening surface H with its claws.

[0050] In this way, the small animal A can sharpen its own claws.

[0051] Next, after the small animal A has left the nail sharpener X, the user checks the degree of wear on a portion of the outer end face OE of the sharpening surface H as necessary.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 7(a), if the user determines that a portion of the outer end face OE of the sharpening surface H is significantly worn, the user removes the sharpening plate structure 11 having the sharpening surface H from the storage space S.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the user rotates the removed grinding plate assembly 11 so that the inner end face IE of the grinding surface H is positioned substantially in the same position as a part of the outer end face OE.

[0054] 7(c), the user stores the removed sharpening plate assembly 11 in the storage space S. By repeating this process, it is possible to suppress localized wear of the sharpening surface H.

[0055] Furthermore, if the user determines that the sharpening surface H has been worn out, the user can remove the sharpening plate assembly 11 having the sharpening surface H from the storage space S, turn it over, and then store it in the storage space S, thereby providing a new mounting surface and sharpening surface (not shown).

[0056] In addition, when the user confirms that the sharpening surface H and the sharpening surface on the back surface of the sharpening plate construct 11 are both worn out near the periphery, the user removes the sharpening plate construct 11 from the storage space S. Because multiple sharpening plates 1 are stacked, the user can remove the sharpening plate construct 11 from the storage space S and simultaneously provide a new mounting surface and sharpening surface.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8( a ), the user checks the amount of accumulated shavings G in the shavings accumulation space D, which are generated when the small animal A sharpens its claws.

[0058] Next, as shown in FIG. 8( b ), when the user confirms that the chip collecting space D is in a state where chips G are collected, the user opens the lid portion 211 .

[0059] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the user carries the nail sharpener X close to the trash can B and tilts the nail sharpener X to discharge the shavings G into the trash can B through the sweep-out opening 21.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 10, by inserting a cat toy N or the like into the stick hole 23, it is possible to encourage the small animal to come to the scratching tool X.

[0061] According to this embodiment, by displacing a portion of the outer end face OE and the inner end face IE, it is possible to provide a nail sharpener X that allows small animals to sharpen their claws around the periphery of the sharpening plate 1, by making it possible to replace the inner end face IE and the outer end face OE, respectively.

[0062] In addition, the housing part 2 has a chip collection space D formed within the storage space S by the cutout end face CE and side wall W of the sharpening plate structure 11, which makes it possible to collect chips G generated when small animals sharpen their claws and prevent the chips G from spreading.

[0063] Furthermore, since each sharpening plate component 11 has an octagonal shape formed by cutting off the top of a square shape when viewed in a plane, each sharpening plate component 11 can be easily processed, making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0064] Each sharpening plate component 11 has its top cut away to form a notched end surface CE, which, together with the outer end surface OE, defines the outer shape of the mounting surface F. A chip collection space D is formed between the notched end surface CE and the sidewall W. The outer end surface OE and the sidewall W are adjacently opposed to each other, allowing for compact accumulation of chips G and preventing scattering of chips G in the chip collection space D. Furthermore, the notched end surface CE of each sharpening plate component 11 is adjacently opposed to the pillar P, thereby enabling the widthwise dimension of the housing 2 to be compact and preventing movement of the accommodated sharpening plate components 11. Furthermore, each sharpening plate component 11 can be easily stored in and removed from the storage space S.

[0065] Furthermore, since each sharpening plate component 11 has a plurality of cutout end faces CE, the scrap collection space D can be formed at approximately the same position regardless of the displacement or replacement of the nail scratching component.

[0066] In addition, the housing part 2 has a sweep-out port 21 that communicates with the chip accumulation space D, making it easy to discharge the shavings G accumulated in the chip accumulation space D to the outside.

[0067] In addition, the housing part 2 has a lid part 211 that can be opened and closed to close the discharge port 21, thereby preventing the shavings G accumulated in the chip accumulation space D from being unintentionally discharged from the discharge port 21.

[0068] Furthermore, since a plurality of sharpening plates 1 are stacked and stored in a storage space S, unused sharpening plates 1 can be stored in the nail sharpener X, preventing loss and enabling the nail sharpener X to be used for a long period of time.

[0069] In addition, the housing part 2 has a stopper 22 on the inside of the side, which prevents the sharpening board 1 from moving from a predetermined position and being released from the storage space S when the small animal A sharpens its claws.

[0070] The shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc.

[0071] For example, the grinding plate structure 11 may have a circular shape in a plan view.

[0072] By doing this, it is possible to replace a portion of the outer end face OE and the inner end face IE with the inner end face IE and the outer end face OE of each sharpening plate component 11 without removing the sharpening plate component 11 from the storage space S.

[0073] The stopper 22 may also be configured by an L-shaped part and a slot in the side wall W for inserting the L-shaped part.

[0074] This configuration not only makes it possible to fix the grinding plate 1 in the height direction, but also makes it easy to repair or replace the stopper if it breaks down.

[0075] X Nail sharpener 1 Sharpening plate 11 Sharpening plate structure 2 Housing 21 Sweeping opening 211 Lid 22 Stopper 23 Stick hole S Storage space F Placement surface H Sharpening surface IE Inner end surface OE Outer end surface CE Notched end surface W Side wall D Scrap accumulation space P Pillar G Shavings A Small animal B Garbage bin

Claims

1. A nail sharpener for small animals to sharpen their claws, comprising: a sharpening plate formed with a mounting surface on which the small animal can be placed; and a housing portion formed with a storage space for accommodating the sharpening plate; the sharpening plate has a plurality of sharpening plate components arranged adjacent to each other; at least the periphery of the mounting surface is configured as a sharpening surface; each of the sharpening plate components includes an inner end face adjacent to and facing the adjacent other sharpening plate components, and an outer end face that constitutes the outer shape of the mounting surface; and a portion of the outer end face and the inner end face are configured to be replaceable with the inner end face and a portion of the outer end face, respectively, by transposing each of the sharpening plate components in the storage space.

2. A nail sharpener as described in claim 1, wherein the housing has a side wall that defines the storage space, and the sharpening plate and the side wall define a debris collection space within the storage space.

3. The nail sharpener according to claim 2, wherein each of said sharpening plate components is polygonal in plan view.

4. A nail sharpener as described in claim 3, wherein at least one of said sharpening plate components is formed by cutting away its top portion and includes a notched end surface which, together with said outer end surface, constitutes the outer shape of said placement surface, said debris accumulation space is formed between said notched end surface and said side wall, and said outer end surface and said side wall are adjacent to and opposed to each other.

5. The nail sharpener according to claim 4, wherein said sharpening plate structure has a plurality of said notched end surfaces.

6. A nail sharpener as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the housing portion has an outlet port communicating with the debris accumulation space.

7. A nail sharpener as described in claim 6, wherein the housing portion has a lid portion that closes the sweep-out opening in an openable and closable manner.

8. The nail sharpener according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of said sharpening plates are stacked and housed in said housing space.

9. The nail sharpener according to claim 8, wherein the housing portion has a stopper on the inside of a side surface of the housing portion.

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