DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE SHARPENING OF NAIL NIPPERS

Abstract

The device and method of this disclosure provides for nipper sharpening by providing: a nipper device holding surface; a clamp for securing the nipper device to the holding surface; a sharpening strip holder coupled to a motor, wherein activation of the motor causes the sharpening strip holder to move between a first and second position; a sharpening strip having a roughened surface; wherein the placement of the sharpening strip in the strip holder causes the sharpening strip to contact the nipper device and wherein motor activation moves the sharpening strip across the area of the nipper device to be sharpened. A pivotably connected positioning magnet holds the sharpening strip in place through magnetic attraction to the metal nipper with sufficient magnetic force to secure the strip in place, but with light enough magnetic force to allow back and forth lateral movement of the strip across the nipper.

Claims

1. A nipper sharpening device comprising: a holding surface for receiving a nipper device; a clamp for securing the nipper device to the holding surface; a sharpening strip holder coupled to a motor, wherein upon activation of the motor, the sharpening strip holder moves from a first position to a second position; a sharpening strip having at least one surface wherein at least a portion of such surface comprises a roughened area; wherein placement of the sharpening strip in the sharpening strip holder positions the sharpening strip such that the roughened area of the sharpening strip contacts a nipper device placed on the holding surface and activation of the motor moves the roughened area of the sharpening strip across at least a portion of the surface of the nipper device placed on the holding surface.

2. The nipper sharpening device of claim 1 wherein the roughened area of the sharpening strip contacts at least one cutting edge of a nipper placed on the holding surface.

3. The nipper sharpening device of claim 1 wherein the activation of the motor causes the roughened area of the sharpening strip to reciprocally contact at least one cutting edge of a nipper placed on the holding surface.

4. The nipper sharpening device of claim 1 further comprising a positioning magnet placed in contact with the sharpening strip to magnetically engage with a nipper placed on the holding surface such that the sharpening strip is positioned, at least in part, between the positioning magnet and a nipper placed on the holding surface.

5. The nipper sharpening device of claim 4, wherein the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet and a nipper device placed on the holder surface is sufficiently strong to prevent the sharpening strip from moving upwardly from the surface of the nipper device placed on the holding surface.

6. The nipper sharpening device of claim 4, wherein the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet and a nipper device placed on the holder surface is sufficiently weak to allow lateral movement of the sharpening strip from a first to second position.

7. The nipper sharpening device of claim 1 wherein the holding surface and sharpening strip holder are coupled to a device housing.

8. The nipper sharpening device of claim 7 further comprising a positioning magnet positioned within a magnet holder, wherein the magnet holder is pivotally coupled to the device housing and movable between a first and second position.

9. The nipper device of claim 8 wherein the magnet holder moves from a first non-contact position to a second position wherein the positioning magnet is placed in contact with the sharpening strip to magnetically engage with a nipper placed on the holding surface such that the sharpening strip is positioned, at least in part, between the positioning magnet and a nipper placed on the holding surface.

10. The nipper sharpening device of claim 9, wherein the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet and a nipper device placed on the holder surface is sufficiently strong to prevent the sharpening strip from moving upwardly from the surface of the nipper device placed on the holding surface.

11. The nipper sharpening device of claim 9, wherein the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet and a nipper device placed on the holder surface is sufficiently weak to allow lateral movement of the sharpening strip from a first to second position.

12. A method for sharpening a nail nipper comprising: providing a holding surface for receiving a nipper device; securing the nipper device to the holding surface; providing a sharpening strip holder coupled to a motor, wherein upon activation of the motor, the sharpening strip holder moves from a first position to a second position; providing a sharpening strip having at least one surface wherein at least a portion of such surface comprises a roughened area; placing the sharpening strip in the sharpening strip holder to position the sharpening strip such that the roughened area of the sharpening strip contacts a nipper device placed on the holding surface and activation of the motor moves the roughened area of the sharpening strip across at least a portion of the surface of nipper device placed on the holding surface.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of causing the roughened area of the sharpening strip to contact at least one cutting edge of a nipper placed on the holding surface.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of activating the motor to cause the roughened area of the sharpening strip to reciprocally contact at least one cutting edge of a nipper placed on the holding surface.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of positioning a magnet in contact with the sharpening strip to magnetically engage with a nipper placed on the holding surface such that the sharpening strip is positioned, at least in part, between the positioning magnet and a nipper placed on the holding surface.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of coupling the holding surface and sharpening strip holder to a housing.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of placing a positioning a magnet within a magnet holder, wherein the magnet holder is pivotally coupled to the housing and movable between a first and second position.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of moving the magnet holder from a first non-contact position to a second position wherein the positioning magnet is placed in contact with the sharpening strip to magnetically engage with a nipper placed on the holding surface such that the sharpening strip is positioned, at least in part, between the positioning magnet and a nipper placed on the holding surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a top left side perspective view of the nipper sharpening device;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the various components of the nipper sharpening device;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the nipper sharpening device showing placement of the nipper on the device and a sharpening strip exploded from the device;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a view of the positioning magnet holder which is pivotally attached to the nipper sharpening device;

[0019] FIG. 5 shows the sharpening side of the sharpening strip;

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a portion of a portion of nipper sharpening device showing placement of the sharpening strip and rotation direction of the positioning magnet holder;

[0021] FIG. 7. shows the top view of the portion of the nipper sharpening device with the magnet holder placed over the sharpening strip and the direction of motorized movement of the sharpening strip holder;

[0022] FIG. 8. shows directional insertion of the nipper into a slot associated with the side mounted center punch;

[0023] FIG. 9. shows placement of the nipper below the center punch and directional movement of the center punch for engaging the nipper device;

[0024] FIG. 10. shows placement of the nippers into the side mounted inner edge sharpening support; and

[0025] FIG. 11. shows use of the sharpening strip on the nipper inner edges of the nipper cutting edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a device for sharpening a nipper and method of use and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized, nor are the described methods the only methods that could be employed. The description sets forth the various structure and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structure and/or functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.

[0027] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing dimensions, quantities, quantiles of ingredients, properties of materials, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the disclosure are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term about. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the disclosure may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0028] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of a, an, and the includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of in includes in and on unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0029] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term coupled to is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms coupled to and coupled with are used synonymously.

[0030] Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

[0031] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. such as) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claimed inventive subject matter. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the inventive subject matter.

[0032] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0033] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0034] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0035] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an exterior top left perspective view of the nipper sharpener device 10. The exterior features include nipper holding surface 12 for receiving a nipper to be sharpened to be supported by the surface 12. The nipper holding surface is generally planar and has first and second ends. The first end is for placement of nipper jaws to be sharpened and the second end interconnects to a clamp 14 which is pivotally connected to the support 12 and spring biased to receive the ends of the nipper handles to secure the nipper in place at the second end of the support 12. The device 10 includes outer upper housing 16 and outer lower housing 18. The lower housing is supported by a base 20 that provides support and stability of the device when in use. A battery compartment 22 is pivotally connected to the lower housing 18 to provide access for insertion of a battery (not shown) as a means of powering the device 10. A platform 24 extends laterally from the base 20 to support nipper working accessories including a nipper blade inner edge sharpening support member 26 and center punch 28. A retractable drawer 30 is positioned to be slidably received within the base 20 with a drawer grip 32 providing a grip point to pull the drawer 30. A motor activation button 34 is provided in an easily accessible location on the top of upper housing 16.

[0036] Referring particularly to FIG. 2 there is shown an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the assembled components of the device 10. The lower housing 18 is connected to the base 20, with the lower housing supporting the various internal components. More particularly nested within the lower housing 18 is a motor 36 which is electrically connected to the motor activation button 34. Upon activation, the motor 36 turns a drive shaft 38 which in turn pulls and pushes the linkage 40 such that aperture 42 for engaging sharpening strip support 44 to move the support 44 back and forth laterally relative to housing 18. Although motorized movement of the strip support 44 is disclosed, this disclosure contemplates that a hand operated during device with gears can also be used to turn the drive shaft and linkage to move the support 44. A battery 46 is provided within the battery compartment 22. The battery 46 is electrically connected to the motor 36 to supply power to the motor. The battery compartment 22 is pivotably connected to the base at pivot point 48 to allow the compartment 22 to swing away from the lower housing 18 to provide access to battery 46 to allow placement or replacement of a battery. The battery compartment 22, in the extended position, is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. The battery 46 may be a 9V or 12V battery or other suitable battery or combinations of batteries. As an additional power source, a 12V DC adapter is provided to plug into a standard wall outlet to provide power to the motor 36. The drawer 30 in FIG. 2 is shown exploded away from the base 20. A user can store tools such as a hammer to use with the punch 28, or other such items such as replacement sharpening strips to use with the device 10.

[0037] The device 10 includes sharpening strip support 44 that engages aperture 42. The support 44 includes protrusion 50 that fits within aperture 42 to couple the support 44 to the linkage 40. The support 44 includes a horizontal base 52 that includes the protrusion 50 extending downwardly therefrom, along with side supports 54 and 56. The inward sides of supports 54 and 56 include slanted slots 58 (not shown) and 60. The slanted slots 58 and 60 are each slanted toward the back of the device 10 such that the lower portion of the slanted slots 58 and 60 are positioned rearwardly and the higher portion of the slanted slots are positioned forwardly. Above the horizontal base 52, the nipper device support components including support surface 12 are positioned. The nipper device support components include the support surface 12 interconnected to the clamp 14 which is pivotably connected to the support surface via a pivot mechanism that includes pivot cylinder 62 connected to the support 12 and pivot cylinder 64 connected to a grip 66 such that the openings of the cylinders 62 and 64 are aligned to receive pivot pin 66 that extends through both openings to hold the grip 66 and allow rotational movement of the grip 66. A spring bias is provided to close the grip 66 to the support 12 to form the clamp 14. Rail supports 70 and 72 provide support to the nail nipper support components by engaging slots 74 and 76 respectively. The rail supports 74 and 76 are configured to receive side positioner 78 within grooves formed on the lower side of the rail supports. The side positioner 78 is slidable within the rail supports 74 and 76 to accommodate various size nipper devices and to hold the nipper devices in place while sharpening.

[0038] A jaw support 80 is provided between the rail supports 74 and 76, and provides a jaw support surface 82 along with an upper jaw limiter 84 that keeps the nipper device from unwanted upper movement during the sharpening process. On the back end of the jaw support 80, a magnet holder loop 86 is provided to engage a magnet holder 88 that includes two lower prongs that engage the loop 86 through a pivot bar that extends through each of the prongs via apertures on each side and the loop 86 in the middle. The loop 86 comprises an elongate slot to allow movement of the magnet holder 88 between the ends of the slot, and to also pivot forward. The magnet holder 88 houses a magnet 90 and provides an exposed surface of the magnet 90. The magnet 90 may be formed of any magnet type or shape sufficient to be attracted to the metal of a nipper device and may comprise a rare earth magnet, which may comprise neodymium. The magnet holder may be formed of a plastic material so as to not interfere with the magnetic field of the magnet 90, however, it is contemplated by this disclosure that the magnet holder 88 may be formed of steel or other material that could enhance the magnetic field of the magnet 90.

[0039] FIGS. 3-7 show the device in operation. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a nipper device 94 to be sharpened is placed upon the nipper support surface 12. The jaws of the nipper 94 are placed under the jaw limiter 84 and the ends of the nipper 94 handles are secured by the clamp 14. A sharpening strip 92 is placed into the slanted slots 58 and 60 of the side supports 54 and 56 respectively of the strip support 44. The magnet holder 88 houses the magnet 90 and the magnet holder 88 is pivotably connected to the magnet holder loop 86. The sharpening strip 92 is an elongate member formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or PVC. The strip includes a roughened area 96 that may be silicon carbide material. For example a silicon carbide powder could be affixed to the area 96 to form the roughened surface. Alternatively the roughened surface may be formed of metal ridges, similar to a metal file, or may comprise a swatch of durable sandpaper affixed to the strip 92. The disclosure contemplates that the sharpening strip may be a single use product, as after a single use the silicon carbide may be worn down. However where more durable roughened surfaces are used the strip may be a multiple use product.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6 the strip 92 is set in place with the roughened surface 96 (not shown) placed in contact with the blades of the nipper 94. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of the magnet holder 88 to place it in position to contact the back of the strip 92 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the magnet holder 88 is placed such that the exposed surface of the magnet 90 is in contact with the back of the sharpening strip 92. The use of the positioning magnet 90 causes the nipper blades of the nipper 94 to be positioned in an even plane for sharpening. This provides positioning for even and precise sharpening of the blades of the nipper device 94. In operation, a user will press the motor activation button 34 (not shown) to cause the strip support to reciprocate in a later direction as indicated by the arrows 98 to cause the strip 92 to move across the blades of the nipper 94 to sharpen the blades of the nipper 94. The positioning magnet 90 placed in contact with the sharpening strip 92 to magnetically engage with a nipper 94 placed on the holding surface 12 such that the sharpening strip 92 is positioned between the positioning magnet 90 and a nipper 94 placed on the holding surface 12. On the one hand the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet 90 and the nipper device 94 placed on the holding surface 12 is sufficiently strong to prevent the sharpening strip 92 from moving upwardly from the surface of the nipper device 94. On the other hand, the magnetic attraction between the positioning magnet 90 and a nipper device 94 placed on the holder surface is sufficiently weak to allow lateral movement of the sharpening strip 92 to move from a first to second position to create the reciprocal movement to allow the roughed surface 96 to engage the blades of the nipper 94 to facilitate sharpening of the nipper 94 blades.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown the positioning of a nipper 94 into a punch base 100 that is positioned on the extended platform 24. During use of a nipper device, the handles and jaws move around a pivot 102 and over time the pivot can become loose. As such it is advantageous to tighten the pivot by forcing the pivot back into place. Base 100 provides an opening to receive a nipper device 94 to align the pivot 102 of nipper 94 with the end of the center punch 28. A user can force the center punch 28 onto the pivot 102 of the nipper 94 by striking the center punch 28 with a ball pein hammer or other similar device in the direction of the arrow 104 to affect a tightening of the pivot 102.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown the sharpening support 26 that is positioned on the extended platform 24. The sharpening support includes groove 106 that allows a user to extend the jaw of the nipper 94 to expose the inner blade of the nipper jaws for further sharpening. As shown in FIG. 10 the groove 106 receives one of the blades of the nipper 94 to allow a user to deploy the sharpening strip 92 to further sharpen the inner blade by running the strip 92 over the blade, by hand, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0043] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the device and method disclosed herein, including various ways of providing a device and method for sharpening nail nippers. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.