Ergonomic device for cutting nails

Abstract

The invention relates to an ergonomic device for cutting nails, comprising a support (8) on which a conventional jaw-type nail clipper (9) is mounted; and said support (8) comprising a handle (80) on which an actuator for the lever (9e) of the conventional nail clipper is mounted, and said actuator comprising a controller (13) at its free end.

Description

[0001]

[0002] ERGONOMIC DEVICE FOR CUTTING NAILS

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to an ergonomic device for cutting nails, intended very specifically for cutting toenails, but which is also advantageous in its use on fingernails.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There are various tools for cutting nails, such as scissors, pliers, nail clippers, etc., where handling can be cumbersome, especially for cutting toenails if the person has little flexibility due to their physiognomy or age, since it forces them to adopt hunched postures, a problem that is solved with the device of the invention.

[0007] The applicant is unaware of any similar device on the market.

[0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The ergonomic nail-cutting device of the invention comprises a support on which a conventional jaw-type nail clipper is mounted, comprising two diverging halves of the jaw, provided with blades facing each other at their proximal end to the cutting area, a joint between them at their distal end to the cutting area, a pin with an end stop for support or fixing on the first half of the jaw, and a lever that rests on the opposite end of the pin and on the second half of the jaw to force the approximation between them; where the divergent configuration of the halves of the jaws and the joint between them, together with the flexibility of the material, normally metal, causes them to be separated in a resting position, and the action on the end of the lever forces their closure and the approximation of the blades, with the guillotining of the nail that is inserted between them;the support also includes a handle on which a nail clipper lever actuator is mounted, said actuator comprising a control at its free end.

[0010] With this configuration, thanks to the handle and the actuator arranged in it, the device of the invention offers the possibility of operating at a certain distance and with easy manipulation, making it very comfortable and efficient by avoiding forced postures and being able to actuate the cutting remotely.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 shows a view of the internal elements of the device of the invention in the rest position, and a detail of the joint that joins the rod and the trigger of the drive.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a view similar to Figure 1, in cut position.

[0014] Figure 3 shows an external view of the device of the invention according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a partially sectioned view of a variant of the device of the invention where the actuator control comprises a cam.

[0016] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The ergonomic nail-cutting device of the invention comprises a support (8) on which a conventional jaw-type nail clipper (9) is mounted, which comprises two diverging semi-jaws (9a, 9b), provided with blades (90a, 90b) facing each other at their proximal end to the cutting area, a joint (9c) at their distal end to the cutting area, a pin (9d) with a support stop (9da) on a first semi-jaw (9a) and a lever (9e) that rests on the opposite end of the pin (9d) and on the second semi-jaw (9b); the support (8) comprising a handle (80) on which an actuator of the lever (9e) is mounted, the actuator comprising a control (13) at its free end.

[0018] In the preferred example of the invention, shown in the figures, the actuator comprises: -a transmission rod (16), arranged longitudinally in the handle (80), and at whose distal end to the nail clipper (9) is arranged the control (13) for actuation, for example by support of the thumb or palm of the hand, or closing of the hand,

[0019] -a support protrusion (15) arranged externally on the handle, for the support of other fingers, to retain the handle against the push on the control (13).

[0020] -a trigger (11) for actuating the lever (9e) (see figs. 1 and 2), coupled at the proximal end to the nail clipper of the rod (16) through a joint (11a), the trigger (11) comprising a mechanical engagement (19) to an edge (88) of the support (8) to allow the trigger to fold down on the lever and retract when actuating and de-actuating the rod.

[0021] In the variant of figures 1, 2 and 3 the control (13) is a push button, while in the variant of figure 4 the control (13) is a cam superimposed on the protrusion (15), which is shaped like a handle, and which allows, by closing the hand together on the cam and on the protrusion (15) in the shape of a handle, to perform the actuation.

[0022] Ideally, in the variant of figures 1 to 3 the protrusion (15) is ring-shaped to provide support in any position of the handle.

[0023] For its part, it is preferred that the joint (11a) (see detail of Fig. 1) comprise a fork-shaped element (10) attached to the rod (16), with a pivot (10a) connecting the fork's branches (10aa) to the trigger area (11) located between said branches (10aa). This joint provides precise guidance of the trigger's movement and high robustness. Furthermore, it is preferred that the trigger (11) include an end wheel (5) to facilitate rolling support on the nail clipper lever when the device is actuated, and to minimize effort. The trigger (11) has a shorter length between the shaft (10a) and the mechanical fitting (19) than between the shaft (10a) and the wheel (5), thus reducing the rod's travel compared to the range of motion of the nail clipper lever.

[0024] Furthermore, an advantageous feature is that the fork (10) may have a complementary section (similar to and slightly smaller than) the inner section of the handle (80), giving it the additional functionality of guiding the end of the rod along the handle. Likewise, the handle (80) may comprise one or more internal bushings (12) for guiding the rod (16). In addition, the handle (80) comprises a first internal stop (80a), including a return spring (14) disposed between said stop (80a) and a bushing (12), for returning the device to its rest position.

[0025] It is also preferred that the handle (80) form an acute angle with the cutting plane of the nail clipper (9) to improve ergonomics.

[0026] It is preferred that the nail clipper (9) be attached to the support (8) through the distal joint (9c) of both semi-jaws (9a, 9b), minimizing the number of parts required and maintaining good functionality of the nail clipper.

[0027] Proper handling for operating the device involves grasping the raised section (15) with your fingers and pressing the control (13) with your hand or thumb to perform the cut. The ring, if present, facilitates an omnidirectional grip. This operation is performed in two steps:

[0028] -The first step involves reducing the displacement of the lever (18) of the nail clipper (9) relative to the displacement of the control (13). To achieve this, at the beginning of the tightening of the control (13), the return spring (14) is compressed, and the thrust is transmitted to the fork (10) via the rod (16). During this displacement, the trigger is held by the mechanical engagement on the edge (88) of the support (8), forcing it to fold down.

[0029] -In this position, only the final and powerful tightening of the control (13) remains to achieve the cutting of the nail, which constitutes the second step.

[0030] -When the control (13) is released, the parts retract due to the reaction of the nail clipper's own recoil and the recoil spring (14). During recoil, the trigger (11) also retracts (Fig. 2), serving as a limit stop.

[0031] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, it is indicated that the description thereof and of its preferred embodiment should be interpreted in a non-limiting manner, and that it covers all possible embodiment variants that can be deduced from the content of this memorandum and the claims.

Claims

1. An ergonomic nail-cutting device comprising a support (8) on which a conventional jaw-type nail clipper (9) is mounted, comprising two diverging halves (9a, 9b) provided with blades (90a, 90b) facing each other at their proximal end to the cutting area, a joint (9c) at their distal end to the cutting area, a pin (9d) with a stop (9da) resting on a first half-jaw (9a), and a lever (9e) resting on the opposite end of the pin (9d) and on the second half-jaw (9b); the support (8) comprising a handle (80) on which an actuator for the lever (9e) is mounted, the actuator comprising a control (13) at its free end; and wherein the device is characterized in that the actuator comprises: -a transmission rod (16), arranged longitudinally in the handle (80) at whose distal end to the nail clipper (9) the control (13) is arranged, -a support projection (15) arranged externally on the handle, -a trigger (11) for actuating the lever (9e), coupled at the proximal end to the nail clipper of the rod (16) through a joint (11 a), the trigger (11) comprising a mechanical crimp (19) to an edge (88) of the support (8).

2. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to claim 1, wherein the control (13) comprises a push button.

3. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (15) is ring-shaped.

4. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to claim 1, wherein the control (13) comprises a cam superimposed on the protrusion (15), which has the shape of a handle.

5. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the joint (11 a) comprises a fork (10) attached to the rod (16), with an axle (10a) that is rotating between the branches (10aa) of the fork (10) and the trigger area (11) that is arranged between said branches (10aa).

6. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the trigger (11) comprises an end wheel (5).

7. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to claim 6, wherein the trigger (11) has a shorter length between the shaft (10a) and the mechanical crimp (19) than between the shaft (10a) and the wheel (5).

8. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of claims 5 to 7, where the fork (10) has a section complementary to the inner section of the handle (80).

9. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of claims 1 to 8, where the handle (80) comprises one or more internal rod guide bushings (12) (16).

10. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to claim 9, wherein the handle (80) comprises a first internal stop (80a), comprising a return spring (14) disposed between said stop (80a) and a bushing (12).

11. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (80) is at an acute angle to the cutting plane of the nail clipper (9).

12. -Ergonomic device for nail cutting according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nail clipper (9) is attached to the support (8) through the distal joint (9c) of both semi-jaws (9a, 9b).

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