CUTICLE TOOL SHARPENING SYSTEM AND METHOD
20200009700 ยท 2020-01-09
Inventors
Cpc classification
B24B41/066
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A system and method for sharpening a tool, such as a cuticle nipper, is provided. A first abrasive component has first abrasive surface and a second abrasive component has a second abrasive surface. A motor drives the first and second abrasive components. A securing device secures the tool. A positioning device receives the securing device and permits movement of the securing device relative to the first and second abrasive devices.
Claims
1. An apparatus for sharpening a tool, the tool having blade and wall portions, the apparatus comprising: a first abrasive component comprising a first abrasive surface; a second abrasive component comprising a second abrasive surface; a motor for driving the first and second abrasive components; a securing device adapted to secure the tool; and a positioning device adapted to receive the securing device and permit movement of the securing device relative to the first and second abrasive devices.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first abrasive component is adapted to sharpen the blade portion of the tool; and the second abrasive component is adapted to thin the wall portion of the tool.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a surface; and a track located on the surface and comprising vertically extending portions and horizontally extending portions, wherein the track is adapted to permit movement of the positioning device between the first abrasive component and the second abrasive component.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the first abrasive component comprises a first portion shaped as a disk and comprising an abrasive material located along an outer edge thereof, a funnel shaped portion extending from an outer surface of the first portion, and a third portion which is annular in shape and located on an outer surface of the funnel shaped portion, wherein said third portion comprises an abrasive material.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: the abrasive material located on the third portion has a finer grit as compared to the abrasive material located on the first portion.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first and second abrasive components are coated with a diamond coating.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the positioning device is adapted to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in the roll axis; and the positioning device is adapted to rotate left and right in the yaw axis.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the tool is a cuticle nipper.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the securing device comprises: a first block; a second block located below the first block; a first and second post spaced apart from one another and extending from an upper surface of the second block; and a protruding lip located at the first block, wherein the protruding lip defines a gap between a lower surface of the protruding lip and the upper surface of the second block when the first bock is secured to the second block; wherein the gap, the first post, and the second post are configured to receive the tool in an opened position.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: an elongated member comprising a first and second aperture located at a proximal end, wherein said first and second aperture are configured to receive said first and second posts so as to secure the elongated member to the second block; and a securing section located at a distal end of the elongated member, wherein said securing section is configured to receive said tool in a closed position.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a recess located on a distal end of the second block.
12. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a vertical fastener comprising a knob and a threaded shaft; an aperture located in the first block configured to receive the threaded shaft; and a threaded aperture located in the second block and configured to receive the threaded shaft and permit the first block to be vertically positioned relative to the second block upon rotation of the knob.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the securing device comprises: a first portion; a second portion spaced apart from the first portion to define a gap configured to receive the tool; a vertical fastener comprising a knob and a threaded shaft; an aperture located in the first portion configured to receive the threaded shaft; and a threaded aperture located in the second portion and configured to receive the threaded shaft and permit the first portion to be vertically positioned relative to the second block upon rotation of the knob.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: the securing device comprise a grove located in the first or second portion configured to receive a portion of the tool in an open position.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a chuck configured to interchangeably receive a number of abrasive devices including the second abrasive component; and an adapter configured to attach the chuck to the motor.
16. An apparatus for sharpening a tool, the tool having blade and wall portions, the apparatus comprising: a surface; a motor mounted to the surface; a first abrasive component coupled to a first end of the motor and comprising a first portion shaped as a disk and comprising an abrasive material located along an outer edge thereof, a funnel shaped portion extending from an outer surface of the first portion, and a third portion which is annual in shape and located on an outer surface of the funnel shaped portion, wherein said third portion is comprised of an abrasive material; an adapter configured to be coupled to a second end of said motor; a chuck configured to be received within said adapter and configured to receive one of a number of attachments; a controller configured to control the speed and direction of rotation of the motor; a securing device configured to secure the tool; a positioning device adapted to receive the securing device and move the securing device in at least two dimensions; and a track located on the surface and adapted to receive the positioning device and permit movement of the positioning device between the first abrasive component and the chuck, wherein said track is further configured to permit movement of the positioning device in the third dimension.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a second abrasive component shaped as an hourglass and comprising a rounded edge located on a distal end thereof, wherein said adapter is configured to receive said second abrasive device.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: the securing device comprises: a first block; a second block comprising a half-circle shaped recess located at a distal end thereof; a first and second post spaced apart from one another and extending from an upper surface of the second block; and a protruding lip located at the first block and defining a gap between a lower surface of the protruding lip and the upper surface of the second block when the first bock is secured to the second block; wherein the gap, the first post, and the second post are configured to receive the tool in an opened position.
19. An apparatus for sharpening a tool, the tool having blade and wall portions, the apparatus comprising: a surface; a motor mounted to the surface; a first abrasive component coupled to the motor and adapted to sharpen the blade portion of the tool, the first abrasive component having a disk shape and comprising an outer circumferential portion having a first thickness and an inner circumferential portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness, and wherein the outer circumferential portion comprises a first abrasive surface; a second abrasive component coupled to the motor and adapted to thin the wall portion of the tool, the second abrasive component having a cylindrical shape and comprising a concave chamfered edge on a distal portion thereof, wherein an outer surface and a distal surface of second abrasive component comprise a second abrasive surface; a controller configured to control the speed and direction of rotation of the first and second abrasive devices; a securing device configured to secure the tool; a positioning device adapted to receive the securing device and move the securing device in three dimensions; and a track located on the surface and adapted to receive the positioning device and permit movement of the positioning device between the first abrasive component and the second abrasive component.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: The tool is a cuticle nipper.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
[0013]
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[0020]
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[0023]
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[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0029] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0030] Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
[0031]
[0032] A positioning device 20 may be provided for positioning a tool 40 for sharpening or reshaping. The tool 40 may be nippers, clippers, cuticle nippers, acrylic nippers, cuticle pushers, gel polish tools, gel pushers, toe nail clippers, or any other tool used for nail maintenance. The motor 12 and the positioning device 20 may be mounted to a common surface 22, though such is not required. The positioning device 20 may be mounted to one or more tracks 24 or 26 located on the common surface 20, though such is not required. The tracks 24 and 26 may be configured to permit vertical and horizontal movement of the positioning device 20 along the track 24 and 26, though just vertical or just horizontal movement is also contemplated. The illustrated number and orientation of the tracks 24 and 26 is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limiting. Any number of tracks 24 and 26 in any orientation is contemplated. The positioning device 20 may comprise a receiver 27 configured to receive one or more securing devices 30, 50, or 60. Each of the securing devices 30, 50, or 60 may be configured to receive one or more tools 40.
[0033] The positioning device 20 may be configured to permit multi-axis movement and orientation of the securing devices 30, 50, and 60. Such movement may include, but is not limited to, movement in the x-, y-, and z-directions. In exemplary embodiments, the positioning device 20 may be configured for vertical and/or horizontal movement along the tracks 24 and 26. The positioning device 20 may be configured to tilt up and down along a y-axis (i.e., pitch), rotate clock-wise and counter-clockwise along an x-axis (i.e., roll), and/or rotate left or right along a z-axis (i.e., yaw), though such is not required. Various knobs and other fasteners may be used to temporality secure the positioning device 20 at various positions and orientations. Various movement control devices, such as but not limited to, one or more micrometers 23, or other measuring devices, may be used to track and control the position and movement of the positioning device 20. In exemplary embodiments, at least one micrometer 23 is used to control the movement of the positioning device 20 towards or away from the motor 12 such that the amount of abrasion performed on the tool 40 may be measured and controlled. This may permit detailed instructions to be provided to an unskilled operator. Additionally, this may permit an operator to track and thereby receive feedback regarding the appropriate amount of abrasion performed.
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the second abrasive device 16 may be configured to thin the walls 44 of the tool 40 upon substantially flush application of the walls 44 to the cylinder 17 and/or the chamfered edge 19 the second abrasive device 16 and rotation or other movement of the second abrasive device 16 relative to the tool 40. The second abrasive device 16 may be further configured to level the outer edges 48 of the tool 40 upon substantially flush application of the outer edges 48 to the cylinder 17 and/or the chamfered edge 19 the second abrasive device 16. The second abrasive device 16 may be further configured to trim the inner block 46 of the tool 40 upon placement of the tool 40 in the opened position and substantially flush application of the inner block 46 to the distal end 21 of the second abrasive device 16.
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041] Once secured within the first securing device 30, the positioning device 20 may be manipulated to place the tool 40 in contact with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16. In exemplary embodiments, the first securing device 30 may be rotated to a 5, 10, 15, or 45 degree position and the blades 42 of the tool 40 may be held against the first abrasive device 14 to sharpen the blades 42. However, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Any rotation angle or positioning of the tool 40 is contemplated. Similarly, any surface of the tool 40 may be sharpened or reshaped using any of the abrasive devices 14 or 16.
[0042]
[0043] The vertical and horizontal fasteners 52 and 54 may extend into the securing section 51 to secure the tool 40 within the securing section 51. In exemplary embodiments, the vertical and horizontal fasteners may be positioned to secure the head of the tool 40 in the closed position such that the blades 42 face the one or more abrasive surfaces 14, 16. In exemplary embodiments, the second securing device 50 may be mounted to the first securing device 30, however, such is not required. In such embodiments, the second securing device 50 may be secured to an elongated member 56. The elongated member 56 may comprise a first and second aperture configured to be secured to the first and second posts 38 of the first securing device 30.
[0044] Once secured within the second securing device 50, the positioning device 20 may be manipulated to place the tool 40 in contact with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16. In exemplary embodiments, the second securing device 50 may be rotated to a 0 degree position, but may be rotated to the left or right along a z-axis (i.e., yaw) to place the outer edges 48 of the tool 40 substantially flush with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16 to sharpen the blades 42, though such is not required. However, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Any angle or positioning of the tool 40 is contemplated. Similarly, any surface of the tool 40 may be sharpened or reshaped using any of the abrasive devices 14 or 16.
[0045]
[0046] Once secured within the third securing device 60, the positioning device 20 may be manipulated to place the tool 40 in contact with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16. In exemplary embodiments, the third securing device 60 may be rotated to a 5, 10, 15, or 45 degree position and the blades 42 of the tool 40 may be held against the first abrasive device 14 to sharpen the blades 42 and/or thin the walls 44. However, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Any rotation angle or positioning of the tool 40 is contemplated. Similarly, any surface of the tool 40 may be sharpened or reshaped using any of the abrasive devices 14 or 16.
[0047] In other exemplary embodiments, the third securing device 60 may be rotated to a 0 degree position and may be rotated to the left or right along a z-axis (i.e., yaw) to place the outer edges 48 of the tool 40 substantially flush with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16 to sharpen the level the edges 48. However, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Any angle or positioning of the tool 40 is contemplated. Similarly, any surface of the tool 40 may be sharpened or reshaped using any of the abrasive devices 14 or 16.
[0048] The first, second, or third securing device 30, 50, or 60 may be attached to the positioning device 20 and the tool 40 may be secured in the mounted securing device 30, 50, or 60. The motor 12 may be activated such that the first and second abrasive devices 14 and 16 begin to rotate. The positioning device 20 may be manipulated to place the tool 40 in contact with the first or second abrasive surface 14 or 16. Once the appropriate sharpening or reshaping of the tool 40 is performed, the positioning device 20 may be manipulated to remove the tool 40 from contact with the first or second abrasive device 14 or 16. The process may be repeated as necessary to sharpen or reshape the tool 40. For example, without limitation, this process may be used to sharpen the blades 42, thin the walls 44, level the edges 48, and/or trim the inner block 46. However, it is contemplated that any surface of the tool 40 may be sharpened or reshaped. In other exemplary embodiments, the positioning device 20 and securing devices 30, 50, or 60 are not required and any surface of the tool 40, including but not limited to the blades 42, the walls 44, the edges 48, and/or the inner block 46, may be sharpened or reshaped freehand.
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[0054] The first abrasive device 14 may comprise an inner circumferential member 210. An outer edge 212 of the inner circumferential member 210 may comprise abrasive material. The inner circumferential member 210 may be shaped as a disk and/or cylinder, though such is not required. The inner circumferential member 210 may be configured to sharpen, shape, or otherwise abrade inner surfaces of the tool 40, for example without limitation. A funnel shaped section 214 may extend from an outer surface of the inner circumferential member 210. An outer edge of the funnel shaped section 214 may comprise an outer circumferential member 216, which may comprise an abrasive material. In exemplary embodiments, the outer circumferential member 216 may be annular in shape, though such is not required. In other exemplary embodiments, the outer circumferential member 216 may be a coating applied to the outer edge of the funnel shaped section 214. The funnel shaped section 214, for example without limitation, may facilitate placement of various surfaces of the tool 40 in contact with the outer edge 212 and/or the outer circumferential member 216. The outer circumferential member 216 may, for example without limitation, be configured to sharpen, shape, or otherwise abrade outer surfaces of the tool. The funnel shaped section 214 may further provided better balance when rapidly spinning the first abrasive device 14 as may be required to sharpen, shape, or otherwise abrade the tool 40. The outer circumferential member 216 may comprise a finer grit abrasive as compared to the inner circumferential member 210, though such is not required.
[0055]
[0056] Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.