Abstract
As shown in one preferred embodiment, a two-blade vice-type nail clipper comprising a thin safety-cover-guard with ergonomic upward angle and wrap-around safety edges, that is permanently mounted just below said nail clipper's lower cutting blade and that follows or mirrors the shape of said nail clipper's lower cutting surface, including wrapping around the sharp sides, corners and edges of said lower cutting surface, so as to provide an industry advancing level of nail cutting safety with minimal invasiveness.
Claims
1. A two-blade vice-style nail clipper comprising: a first blade and a second blade; the first blade comprising a curved edge, a first corner portion at one end of the curved edge, a second portion at the other end of the curved edge, the curved edge having a concave shape when viewed from above the first blade; a cover guard coupled to the nail clipper at an area just below the first blade; the cover guard being in the form of a single strip that has a first end and a second end; the single strip having a cross section that corresponds to a shape of the first blade; the single strip comprising a curved portion that corresponds in shape and size to the curved edge of the first blade; the single strip comprising a first edge portion at the first end and corresponding in shape to the first corner portion of the first blade; the single strip comprising a second edge portion at the second end and corresponding in shape to the second corner portion of the first blade; the cover guard being coupled to the nail clipper at the area just below the first blade by one of molding, pressing stamping, welding or gluing; and the curved portion of the single strip having an edge spaced from the curved edge of the first blade.
2. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the cover guard projects from the two-blade vice-style nail clipper to cover flesh under a nail of a user during a nail cutting process.
3. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the cover guards projects from the two-blade vice-style nail clipper to pry a nail upward while simultaneously placing the two-blade vice-style nail clipper into a proper cutting position.
4. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the cover guard projects from the two-blade vice-style nail clipper to clean under a nail of a user.
5. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the cover guard projects from the two-blade vice-style nail clipper to prevent cutting into a portion of a user's finger nail or toe nail.
6. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the cover guard comprises at least one of stainless steel, steel, metals, plastic, synthetics and rubber.
7. The two-blade vice-style nail clipper of claim 1, wherein: the edge of the curved portion of the single strip is approximately level with the curved edge of the first blade.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) While this invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings and descriptions within this application, still other modifications are possible. Such modifications should be deemed within the intent and spirit and scope of the present invention. Various preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed two-blade vice-style nail clipper comprising an angled safety-cover-guard with wrap-around edge protection are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows an enlarged front-facing view of a two-blade vice-style nail clipper with the present invention, a safety-cover-guard, properly attached.
(3) FIG. 2 shows how said safety-cover-guard would look prior to being attached to a nail clipper, and how said nail clipper would look without said safety-cover-guard in place.
(4) FIG. 3 shows the same nail clipper with safety-cover-guard as in FIG. 1 but with reduced part references for a clearer view of the general appearance of one preferred embodiment.
(5) FIG. 4 shows an elevated top view of preferred embodiment as it may appear in its final form, with safety-cover-guard in place.
(6) FIG. 5 shows an elevated top view of how safety-cover-guard would look prior to being attached to a nail clipper, and how said nail clipper would look prior to being fitted with said safety-cover-guard.
(7) FIG. 6 is a top view and shows how safety-cover-guard would look prior to being attached to nail clipper, and how said nail clipper would look prior to having said safety-cover-guard properly attached.
(8) FIG. 7 is a top view showing safety-cover-guard properly attached to nail clipper.
(9) FIG. 8 is a top view of nail clipper cutting a fingernail at a difficult corner angle, showing how safety-cover-guard protects an end-user even in a most difficult nail cutting angle by curving around the dangerous and sharp sides, edges and corners of said nail clipper.
(10) FIG. 9 is a slightly elevated front and side view, showing an additional view of how a nail clipper would look with a safety-cover-guard properly attached.
(11) FIG. 10 is a simplified side view showing upward angle of thin safety-cover-guard, and said safety-cover-guard prior to being attached to a nail clipper.
(12) FIG. 11 is a simplified side view showing thin angled safety-cover-guard properly in place, and showing how said safety-cover-guard's wrap-around design protects end-users from a nail clipper's dangerous sharp edges and corners.
(13) FIG. 12 is a simplified side view of nail clipper with angled safety-cover-guard prior to placing said safety-cover-guard underneath the fingernail.
(14) FIG. 13 is a simplified side view of nail clipper with angled safety-cover-guard placed above the flesh found right below a finger nail, and below said nail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
(15) While this invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings and descriptions within this application, still other modifications are possible. Such modifications should be deemed within the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention, a two-blade vice-style nail clipper comprising a safety-cover-guard as depicted in the preferred embodiment and described within this application could be made from any acceptable industrial material such as but not limited to stainless steel, steel, metals, plastic, synthetics or rubber, and that said safety-cover-guard could be attached to said nail clipper by any acceptable industrial method such as but not limited to pressing, molding, stamping, welding, gluing or bonding. It should also be understood that though the preferred embodiment of the present invention features a safety-cover-guard with a unique upward angle, that other angles or no angle may be possible or desired on any particular host nail clipper, depending on the design or physical shape and requirements of said host nail clipper, and would be within the intent, scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the description of a certain exemplary embodiment should not be deemed to limit the scope of the present invention.
(16) FIG. 1 is a front facing view showing the general shape and appearance of the preferred embodiment, a common two-blade vice-type nail cutter 20 with a thin bumper-shaped safety-cover-guard 50 in place. Said safety-cover-guard 50 follows the shape of said nail clippers lower cutting blade 21, and is permanently attached to said nail clipper in the area 22 just below said lower cutting blade 21. Said safety-cover-guard 50 continues around said nail clippers sharp right-side corners and edges 25 and around said nail clippers left-side sharp corners and edges 24, offering a novel and unique level of protection from said right 25 and left 24 sharp sides, edges and corners that often cause injuries during the nail cutting process, especially when said nail clipper 20 needs to be used at a less common, more dangerous angle (shown in FIG. 8). Being so thin, said safety-cover-guard 50 fits ergonomically and with minimal invasiveness between a finger nail and the vulnerable flesh below said finger nail (shown in FIG. 13), which uniquely allows the present invention to provide maximum protection with minimal or no contact with human flesh. When viewing a preferred embodiment from top, bottom or front views, said safety-cover-guards 50 upward angle would be barely noticeable, if at all, but said upward angle is shown better in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is to be understood that a variety of angles, or no noticeable angle, may be appropriate depending on the host nail clippers physical and manufacturing specifics, but would be within the intent, scope and spirit of the present invention. For clarity, said nail clippers upper cutting blade 30 is depicted.
(17) FIG. 2 shows the same front view of said nail clipper 20 as in FIG. 1, but this time with said safety-cover-guard 50 removed from, or not yet attached to the area 22 below said nail clippers lower cutting blade 21. The unique design of said safety-cover-guard 50 takes on the general shape of a bumper, or mustache or handle bar, which allows the present invention to provide an end-user protection not only from the sharp front-facing lower cutting blade 21 areas, but also uniquely around the sharp sides, corners and edges of the left 24 and right 25 sides of said lower cutting blade 21. The upper cutting blade 30 is shown for clarity.
(18) FIG. 3 shows the same front view of said nail clipper 20 as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but this time with less reference lines and numbers, so as to clarify and simplify the view of said safety-cover-guard properly 50 in place. We see said safety-cover-guard 50 attached below the lower cutting blade 21, and we see the upper cutting blade 30 for reference.
(19) We can see that said safety-cover-guard 50 is thin and small, requiring an absolute minimum of design change to a standard two-blade vice-type nail clipper 20, almost to the point of being unnoticeable upon first glance, or if not highlighted in the drawings.
(20) FIG. 4 shows an elevated top, front view of nail clipper 20, in one preferred embodiment, with said safety-cover-guard 50 properly in place or fully attached onto said nail clipper 20. In this figure we see how small said safety-cover-guard is in relationship to said nail clipper 20. A novel aspect of the present invention is its small size, allowing no or minimal contact with human flesh, and said safety-cover-guard's 50 unique wrap-around design which offers the unique remedy of providing an end-user protection from a nail clippers sharp left-side corners and edges 24 and sharp right sharp side corners and edges 25. That such an effective safety improvement could go unnoticed at first glance because of its small size is further proof of the present invention's novel and unique design.
(21) FIG. 5 shows the same elevated top, front view of nail clipper 20 as in FIG. 4, with said safety-cover-guard 50 as it would appear if it were not yet attached to said nail clipper 20, and how said nail clipper 20 would look prior to having said safety-cover-guard 50 attached to it. We can see that said nail clipper's left-side sharp corners and edges 24 and right-side sharp corners and edges 25 will benefit from said safety-cover-guard's 50 bumper or handlebar design, once said safety-cover-guard is placed into position, wrapping around those dangerous said sharp left-side 24 and right-side 25 corners and edges. Present invention provides consumers en masse a novel safety remedy not previously offered for the preferred common two-blade vice-style nail clipper 20.
(22) FIG. 6 shows a top view of a nail clipper 20 in a preferred embodiment prior to having said safety-cover-guard 50 attached. This view shows how said safety-cover-guard 50 would appear prior to being attached to said nail clipper 20. We also see the sharp left side corners and edges 24 and sharp right side 25 corner edges as they would appear prior to having said safety-cover-guard 50 attached to said nail clipper 20. Said sharp corners and edges 24 and 25 of said nail clipper 20 cause many cuts and injuries. The unique design of said safety-cover-guard 50 provides a remedy for this problem, as shown in FIG. 8.
(23) FIG. 7 shows the same top view and nail clipper 20 depicted in FIG. 6, but this time with said safety-cover-guard 50 in place, as it would appear when properly attached to said nail clipper 20. Said nail clipper's 20 sharp left side, corner and edge 24 and sharp right side, corner and edge 25 are now safely neutralized by said safety-cover-guard's 50 unique wrap-around remedy.
(24) FIG. 8 shows the same top view and nail clipper 20 as in FIGS. 6 and 7, and shows how said safety-cover-guard's 50 unique wrap-around shape provides a novel level of safety protection for a finger's lateral nail folds 45, and how said safety cover-guard can pry a difficult nail upward and simultaneously place said nail clipper's blades into proper cutting position, a remedy previously not known. Even when cutting at difficult angles, or when cutting difficult nails, or areas of a finger nail 42 where it would be necessary to tilt a nail clipper 20 at an angle, said safety-cover-guard 50 would provide the same degree of safety due to said safety-cover-guard's 50 unique wrap-around design. Also shown is how said safety-cover-guard 50 fits above the fingertip 41, and can be ergonomically positioned to safely cut near said finger nail's lateral nail fold 45 with said nail clipper's upper cutting blade 30 in position to make a cut. This is a revolutionary advancement for cutting near the lateral nail folds 45. We also see that the sharp left corner and edge 24 of said nail clipper 20 would normally be in a position to easily cause injury if said safety-cover-guard 50 was not attached. Thus, the novel design of said safety-cover-guard 50 provides an end-user with a level of lateral nail fold 45 protection not previously known. By viewing the opposite side of said safety-cover-guard 50b, we can see said nail clipper's 20 right sharp corners and edges 25 safely neutralized by the wrap-around design of said safety-cover-guard, and this is the same neutralization that is currently happening on the left sharp corners and edges 24 currently not seen as they are beneath said nail 42. Present invention's unique design and thinness allow for protection to be provided regardless of what angle a nail clipper 20 is needed to be held at. Also of significance is we can see how said safety-cover-guard 50 can be used to pry under a nail 42, and automatically and simultaneously place said nail clipper 20 into cutting position. This is done in one motion. The safety-cover-guard pries under the nail, and the nail clipper automatically ends up in perfect cutting position for that particular cut. This is a novel feature and advancement of the present invention.
(25) FIG. 9 shows an elevated front, side and top view for the purpose of showing another angle of how a nail clipper 20 may appear with a safety-cover-guard 50 attached. Said safety-cover-guard 50 is mounted in the area just below said nail clipper's lower cutting blade 21, and wraps around said nail clipper's 20 left side sharp corners and edges 24 and right side sharp corners and edges 25. Also shown is said nail clipper's top cutting blade 30. This figure shows that a thin, minimally invasive safety-cover-guard 50 leaves might be unnoticed at first glance, which is part of said safety-cover-guard's 50 uniqueness. The present invention has made substantial safety improvements with minimal change to the popular two-blade vice-style nail clipper 20.
(26) FIG. 10 is an enlarged simplified side view showing said safety-cover-guard 50 as it would appear prior to being attached to a nail clipper 20, and how said nail clipper 20 would look prior to having said safety-cover-guard 50 attached. The area 22 just below said nail clipper's lower cutting blade 21 is where said safety-cover-guard 50 would be attached. By strategically placing said safety-cover-guard 50 below said lower cutting blade 21, said safety-cover-guard 50 can now be slightly angled upward, which allows said safety-cover-guard 50 to provide several unique functions and benefits described herein. We also see the left side sharp corner and edge 24 said nail clipper 20 exposed and able to cause injury.
(27) FIG. 11 is the same enlarged simplified side view as in FIG. 10 but now with said safety-cover-guard 50 properly attached to said nail clipper 20, and physically neutralizing said nail clipper's left side sharp corner and edge 24, one of several unique remedies provided by the present invention. This view also shows where said safety-cover-guard 50 would be attached in the area 22 just below said nail clipper's lower cutting blade 21. Attaching said safety-cover-guard 50 in said lower area 22 allows room for said safety-cover-guard 50 to be placed at a novel and strategic upward angle.
(28) FIG. 12 shows the same enlarged simplified side view as in FIGS. 10 and 11, with said safety-cover-guard 50 properly attached to said nail clipper 20. We see the curvature of a fingertip 43, and how said safety-cover-guard's 50 upward angle allows for ergonomic, minimally invasive placement above said fingertip 43 and the vulnerable flesh below a finger nail 42. Vulnerable flesh below said nail 42 and above said fingertip 43 would be ergonomically covered or blanketed, not physically pushed or shoved away, and thus isolated away from said nail clipper's sharp cutting blade 21. One of several unique advantages to said safety-cover-guard 50 is the ability to protect an end-user's vulnerable flesh from injury with little or no contact with flesh.
(29) FIG. 13 shows the same enlarged simplified side view as in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, but moves forward in time from FIG. 12 in that said safety-cover-guard 50 is now properly in place under an end-users nail 42 and ready for the nail cutting process to begin. We can see how said nail clippers lower cutting blade 21 has been isolated from any vulnerable flesh with minimal invasiveness but maximum efficiency, and thus unable to cause injury. A blade cannot cut what it cannot touch. We also see from this same angle how said safety-cover-guard 50 can pry under said nail 42 and automatically and simultaneously situate said nail clipper 20 into cutting position, in one motion, without the need of another tool such as a file. This is a novel feature of the present invention.
