NAIL BRUSH CRIMPER

Abstract

A crimper for crimping nail brushes includes a pair of guide shafts and an upper jaw coupled to the pair of guide shafts adjacent an upper end portion of the guide shafts. A lower jaw is moveably coupled to the guide shafts, and includes a lower plate and a lower jaw body coupled to the lower plate. An adjustment plate is coupled to the lower end portions of the guide shafts such that the lower jaw is located between the upper jaw and the adjustment plate. An actuating cam is configured to interface with the lower plate and the adjustment plate, with the actuating cam being rotatable between neutral and actuated positions. The upper jaw and lower jaw move toward each other as the actuating cam rotates from the neutral position toward the actuated position and assume a prescribed distance therebetween when the actuating cam is in the actuated position. A size adjustment dial may be positioned on the device to be selectively rotatable to facilitate adjustment of the crimping jaws based to correspond to the size of the nail brush.

Claims

1. A crimper for crimping brushes used to apply nail care products to human nails, the crimper comprising: a pair of guide shafts, each guide shaft having an upper end portion and a lower end portion; an upper jaw coupled to the pair of guide shafts adjacent the upper end portion of the guide shafts, the upper jaw comprising an upper plate and an upper jaw body coupled to the upper plate; a lower jaw moveably coupled to the pair of guide shafts, the lower jaw comprising a lower plate and a lower jaw body coupled to the lower plate; an adjustment plate coupled to the lower end portions of the pair of guide shafts such that the lower jaw is located between the upper jaw and the adjustment plate; and an actuating cam configured to interface with the lower plate and the adjustment plate, the actuating cam being rotatable between a neutral position and an actuated position, the upper jaw and lower jaw moving toward each other as the actuating cam rotates from the neutral position toward the actuated position and assuming a prescribed distance therebetween when the actuating cam is in the actuated position.

2. The crimper recited in claim 1, further comprising an adjustment cam being rotatable relative to the adjustment plate about a rotation axis, the adjustment cam having a plurality of adjustment surfaces, each of which are associated with a distinct radius relative to the rotation axis.

3. The crimper recited in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of adjustment surfaces includes a planar segment.

4. The crimper recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of adjustment surfaces includes at least three adjustment surfaces.

5. The crimper recited in claim 2, wherein the adjustment plate is positioned between the actuating cam and the adjustment cam.

6. The crimper recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating cam is of an oval shape.

7. The crimper recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of springs extending around respective ones of the pair of guide shafts.

8. The crimper recited in claim 7, wherein the pair of springs are configured to bias the upper jaw away from the lower jaw.

9. The crimper recited in claim 1, further comprising a housing, the adjustment plate being moveable within the housing.

10. A method of sizing a crimper adapted for crimping brushes that are of different sizes, the brushes being adapted for applying a coating to a human nail, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting an allowable range of motion of a crimper comprising: a pair of guide shafts, each guide shaft having an upper end portion and a lower end portion; an upper jaw coupled to the pair of guide shafts adjacent the upper end portion of the guide shafts, the upper jaw comprising an upper plate and an upper jaw body coupled to the upper plate; a lower jaw moveably coupled to the pair of guide shafts, the lower jaw comprising a lower plate and a lower jaw body coupled to the lower plate, the upper jaw and lower jaw being moveable relative to each other within the allowable range of motion; an adjustment plate coupled to the lower end portions of the pair of guide shafts such that the lower jaw is located between the upper jaw and the adjustment plate; and an actuating cam configured to interface with the lower plate and the adjustment plate and being rotatable relative to the lower plate and the adjustment plate to facilitate movement of the lower plate relative to the upper plate; the adjustment of the allowable range of motion including movement of the adjustment plate relative to the upper jaw.

11. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the crimper additionally includes an adjustment cam being rotatable relative to the adjustment plate about a rotation axis, the adjustment cam having a plurality of adjustment surfaces, each of which are associated with a distinct radius relative to the rotation axis, the step of adjusting the allowable range of motion including rotating the adjustment cam.

12. A crimper for crimping brushes used in applying nail care products to human nails, the crimper comprising: an upper jaw and a lower jaw moveable relative to each other between a separated position and a crimping position, the distance between the upper jaw and lower jaw decreasing as the upper jaw and lower jaw transition from the separated position toward the crimping position, the upper jaw and the lower jaw being configured to crimp a brush when transitioned toward the crimping position; an adjustment plate positioned relative to the upper jaw and lower jaw such that the lower jaw is located between the upper jaw and the adjustment plate; and an actuating cam configured to interface with the lower plate and the adjustment plate, the actuating cam being rotatable between a neutral position and an actuated position, the upper jaw and lower jaw transitioning from the separated position toward the crimping position as the actuating cam rotates from the neutral position toward the actuated position.

13. The crimper recited in claim 12, further comprising an adjustment cam being rotatable relative to the adjustment plate about a rotation axis, the adjustment cam having a plurality of adjustment surfaces, each of which are associated with a distinct radius relative to the rotation axis.

14. The crimper recited in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of adjustment surfaces includes a planar segment.

15. The crimper recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of adjustment surfaces includes at least three adjustment surfaces.

16. The crimper recited in claim 13, wherein the adjustment plate is positioned between the actuating cam and the adjustment cam.

17. The crimper recited in claim 12, wherein the actuating cam is of an oval shape.

18. The crimper recited in claim 12, further comprising a pair of springs extending between the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

19. The crimper recited in claim 18, wherein the pair of springs are configured to bias the upper jaw away from the lower jaw.

20. The crimper recited in claim 12, further comprising a housing, the adjustment plate being moveable within the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] 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:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front upper perspective view of an adjustable crimper for a nail brush;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the adjustable crimper;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the adjustable crimper;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the crimper;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a layout of indicia on a side adjustment dial;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the crimper having an adjustment cam set at a first crimping depth setting and an actuating cam in a neutral position between a lower jaw and an adjustment plate;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a front view of the crimper of FIG. 5, with the adjustment cam remaining at the first crimping depth setting, while the actuating cam has been transitioned toward an actuated position associated with the first crimping depth setting to move the crimping jaws closer together;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a partial front view of the crimper having the adjustment cam set at a second crimping depth setting and the actuating cam in the neutral position;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a front view of the crimper of FIG. 8, with the adjustment cam remaining at the second crimping depth setting, while the actuating cam has been transitioned toward an actuated position associated with the second crimping depth setting to move the crimping jaws closer together;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a front view of the adjustment cam;

[0029] FIG. 11 is an exploded, front upper perspective view of the crimper;

[0030] FIG. 12 is an exploded, rear upper perspective view of the crimper;

[0031] FIG. 13 is an exploded, front lower perspective view of the crimper; and

[0032] FIG. 14 is a side, cross sectional view of the crimper, with a nail brush aligned with crimping jaws on the crimper.

[0033] Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a nail brush crimper and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. 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.

[0035] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted a crimper 10 for crimping brushes 12 used in applying product to human fingernails or toenails. For purposes of this disclosure, human nails or nails may mean human fingernails or human toenails. Likewise, even though a reference is made to a fingernail, there is equal applicability to a toenail. Crimping the brushes 12 may configure the bristles 14 of the brush 12 in a desirable, fanned-out arrangement. For instance, crimping may cause the bristles 14 to transition from a generally cylindrical configuration to a generally fan-shaped configuration, which may be associated with several advantages, including facilitating precise positioning of the brush for effective treatment, e.g., acrylic powder application, nail sculpting, nail painting etc. In addition, the modified shape of the brush from crimping may facilitate accumulating an appropriate amount of acrylic nail powder evenly on the brush for optimal application of the powder to fingernail or toenail. The fan-shaped configuration may also enhance the speed and efficiency of the treatment. The crimping of the brush 12 may also increase the lifespan of the brush and increase customer satisfaction. The crimper 10 may also reduce workplace injuries by allow for safe and easy crimping of the brush 12, compared to traditional crimping techniques, such as using a door hinge.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a front upper perspective views of the crimper 10, with the nail brush 12 being positioned in alignment with crimping jaws 16 of the crimper 10. FIG. 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the crimper 10, while FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and rear views, respectively. The crimper 10 includes a base 18 adapted to interface directly with an underlying support surface, such as a table or counter. The base 18 may have a slip-resistant lower surface configured to mitigate unwanted sliding or movement of the crimper 10 on the support surface. The base 18 may be formed of rubber, plastic, wood, metal, or other materials known in the art.

[0037] A support pedestal 20 may extend upwardly from the base 18 and may be configured to elevate the crimping jaws 16 to a desirable height. The support pedestal 20 may have a tapered configuration that becomes narrower as the support pedestal 20 extends away from the base 18.

[0038] Extending from the support pedestal 20 is a housing 22, which may be sized and configured to house several internal components, which will be described in more detail below. The exemplary housing 22 is quadrangular in configuration, with opposing front and rear walls 24, 26, and opposing sidewalls 28, 30. The housing 22 may be hollow and define an internal cavity within which the internal components may be located. The housing 22 may be formed of metal, rubber, plastic, wood, or other materials known in the art.

[0039] A size adjustment dial 32 may be positioned in front of the front wall 24 and may be selectively rotatable to facilitate adjustment of the crimping jaws 16 based to correspond to the size of the brush 12, as will be described in more detail below. The size adjustment dial 32 may have indicia printed or formed thereon indicative of sizing associated with different brushes, as exemplified in FIG. 5. For instance, in the exemplary embodiment, the indicia includes the numbers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22, each being associated with a brush associated with that number. Thus, to crimp a size 12 brush, the size adjustment dial 32 is rotated until the 12 is at the top (e.g., the twelve o'clock position), and to crimp a size 14 brush, the size adjustment dial 32 is rotated until the 14 is at the top, and so forth.

[0040] On the rear of the crimper 10, an actuating shaft 34 may protrude through the rear wall 26 and may be adapted to interface with a gripping shaft 36. In one embodiment, the actuating shaft 34 includes a flat end portion 38 that is sized to be inserted into a similarly shaped opening formed in an end portion of the gripping shaft 36. The complementary configurations of the flat end portion 38 and opening may allow the flat end portion 38 to be inserted into the opening along an actuating axis 40 defined by the actuating shaft 34. Once the flat end portion 38 is received within the opening, the gripping shaft 36 may be pivoted about the actuating axis 40, which in turn causes rotation of the actuating shaft 34 about the actuating axis 40.

[0041] The crimper 10 may additionally include a cover plate 42 on top of the housing 22. The cover plate 42 may extend across the cavity defined by the housing 22 and over both the front and rear walls 24, 26 and over the sidewalls 28, 30 to generally enclose the cavity. The cover plate 42 may be secured to the support pedestal 20 through four elongate fasteners 44, with each fastener 44 extending through a respective corner region of the cover plate 42. Each fastener 44 may be externally threaded and configured to engage with corresponding internally threaded openings formed on the support pedestal 20.

[0042] The crimper 10 additionally includes an upper jaw 46 and a lower jaw 48, which collectively define the crimping jaws 16. The upper jaw 46 includes an upper plate 50 and an upper jaw body 52 coupled to the upper plate 50. The upper jaw body 52 includes a upper crimping edge 54 configured to be pressed against the ferrule of the brush 12 while crimping. The lower jaw 48 includes a lower plate 56 and a lower jaw body 58 coupled to the lower plate 56. The lower jaw body 58 includes a lower crimping edge 60 configured to pressed against the ferrule of the brush 12 opposite the upper crimping edge 54 while crimping. In this regard, the upper and lower crimping edges 54, 60 are configured to be simultaneously pressed into a desired portion of the brush 12 to crimp the brush 12. The lower jaw body 58 may protrude through a brush support 55 having support plate 57 including a slot formed therein and sized to allow the lower jaw body 58 to protrude therethrough. The brush support 55 additionally includes a support flange 59 a support notch 61 located on opposite sides of the slot. The support flange 59 may be adapted to allow the bristles of the brush 12 to rest thereon, while the shaft of the brush 12 may be supported by the notch 61 during the crimping process.

[0043] The upper and lower jaws 46, 48 are both attached to a pair of guide shafts 62 which extend through the upper and lower jaws 46, 48, through the cover plate 42, and into the cavity of the housing 22. The configuration of the guide shafts 62 within the housing 22 and how the guide shafts 62 interact with other components within the housing 22 will be discussed in more detail below. The upper jaw 46 is attached to upper end portions of the guide shafts 62, while the lower end portions of the guide shafts 62 are located within the housing 22. The crimper 10 additionally includes a pair of springs 64 extending around respective guide shafts 62. The springs 64 may apply a force on the upper and lower jaws 46, 48 that bias the upper and lower jaws 46, 48 away from each other. The guide shafts 62 may also extend through openings in the cover plate, as well as the brush support 55. The brush support 55 may include sleeves which extend around the guide shafts 62.

[0044] Turning now to FIGS. 6-14, various internal components of the crimper 10 will now be discussed. The crimper 10 includes an actuating cam 66, an adjustment plate 68, and an adjustment cam 70 located within the housing 22. The actuating cam 66 is coupled to the actuating shaft 34 and is configured to be rotatable about the actuating axis 40 between a neutral position and an actuated position. FIG. 6 shows the actuating cam 66 in the neutral position, while FIG. 7 shows the actuating cam 66 in the actuated position, which will be described in more detail below. According to one embodiment, the position of the actuating axis 40 is fixed relative to the base 18, support pedestal 20, housing 22, and cover plate 42. The actuating cam 66 may be positioned between the adjustment plate 68 and the lower jaw 48, with the actuating cam 66 being configured to urge the adjustment plate 68 and lower jaw 48 away from each other as the actuating cam 66 is rotated from the neutral position toward the actuated position. In this regard, the actuating cam 66 may have an oval shape, or other non-circular shape to vary the spacing between the adjustment plate 68 and the lower jaw 48 as the actuating cam 66 rotates. For instance, in one position, the actuating cam 66 may arranged such that the major axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis) 72 of the oval is perpendicular to both the lower jaw 48 and the adjustment plate 68 to create maximum separation between the adjustment plate 68 and the lower jaw 48. In another position, the actuating cam 66 may be arranged such that the minor axis (i.e., the latitudinal axis) 74 of the oval is perpendicular to both the lower jaw 48 and the adjustment plate 68 to create minimum separation between the adjustment plate 68 and the lower jaw 48.

[0045] The adjustment plate 68 is located within the housing 22 and is coupled to the lower end portions of the pair of guide shafts 62 such that the lower jaw 48 is located between the upper jaw 46 and the adjustment plate 68. Furthermore, the adjustment plate 68 is located such that the actuating cam 66 is between the lower jaw 48 and the adjustment plate 68. The position of the adjustment plate 68 is moveable within the housing 22 to adjust the range of motion of the upper and lower jaws 46, 48. For instance, the range of motion may be adjusted to conform to the size of the brush 12; larger brushes 12 may require the upper and lower jaws 46, 48 to be further apart when crimping, while smaller brushers 12 may require the upper and lower jaws 46, 48 to be closer together when crimping.

[0046] The adjustment cam 70 is rotatable relative to the adjustment plate 68 about a rotation axis 76. The adjustment cam 70 may include a plurality of adjustment surfaces 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, each of which are associated with a distinct radius relative to the rotation axis 76. Each adjustment surface 78-88 may include a planar segment capable of abutting a planar surface on the adjustment plate 68.

[0047] The rotation axis 76 of the adjustment cam 70, and the actuating axis 40 of the actuating cam 66 are separated by a fixed distance. The components which may occupy space between the rotation axis 76 and the actuating axis 40 include the actuating cam 66, the adjustment plate 68 and the adjustment cam 70. Given the fixed configuration of the adjustment plate 68, the only variables along that distance include the actuating cam 66 (via rotation thereof), and the adjustment cam 70 (via rotation thereof). Thus, when the actuating cam 66 is in the actuating position, the entirety of the space between the rotation axis 76 and the actuating axis 40 is occupied by the actuating cam 66, the adjustment plate 68 and the adjustment cam 70. When the adjustment cam 70 is set in its desired position, it occupies a certain percentage of the distance between the rotation axis 76 and the actuating axis 40. The remaining percentage is available for the adjustment plate 68 and the actuating cam 66. Thus, the greater percentage occupied by the adjustment cam 70, the lesser percentage that can be occupied by the actuating cam 66, and the lesser percentage occupied by the adjustment cam 70, the greater percentage that can be occupied by the actuating cam 66. Therefore, due to the multi-sided nature of the adjustment cam 70, wherein each side is associated with a unique radius relative to the rotation axis 76, the adjustment cam 70 is capable of occupying a variable percentage of the distance between the rotation axis 76 and the actuating axis 40, which in turn, varies the available space which may be occupied by the actuating cam 66.

[0048] With the basic structure of the device 10 having been described above, the following discussion relates to operation of the device 10. When a user has a desired brush 12, the user may identify the size of the brush 12 from indicia on the brush 12 and/or the packaging associated with the brush 12. When the size is known, the user may rotate the size adjustment dial 32 to a setting corresponding to the size of the brush 12.

[0049] As the size adjustment dial 32 is rotated, the adjustment cam 70 also rotates about the rotation axis 76 until the adjustment surface 78-88 associated with the desired brush size is moved adjacent to, and parallel to the lower surface of the adjustment plate 68. The selected adjustment surface 78-88 defines a unique distance to the rotation axis 76, which allows for adjustment of a closed/crimping position of the crimping jaws 16.

[0050] With the size adjustment dial 32 having been set to its desired position, the brush 12 may be inserted within the crimping jaws 16, while the crimping jaws 16 are in an open position. While the brush 12 remains between the crimping jaws 16, the user grabs the gripping shaft 36 and pivots the gripping shaft 36 relative to the housing 22, which in turn causes the actuating cam 66 to transition from the neutral position toward the actuating position. The rotation of the actuating cam 66 may urge the adjustment plate 68 downwardly, while the lower jaw 48 is urged upwardly. In other words, the adjustment plate 68 and lower jaw 48 may be urged/moved in opposite directions in response to movement of the actuating cam 66 from the neutral position toward the actuating position.

[0051] The upper jaw may move in concert with the adjustment plate 68 through their connection via the guide shafts. Thus, as the adjustment plate moves downwardly in response to the actuating cam 66 transitioning from the neutral position toward the actuating position, the upper jaw may also move downwardly. Such downward movement of the upper jaw may occur concurrently/simultaneously to the lower jaw moving upwardly. Thus, the concurrent downward movement of the upper jaw and upward movement of the lower jaw corresponds to the crimping jaws moving from the open position toward the closed/crimping position. The movement of the upper and lower jaws toward each other compresses the springs 64 positioned around the guide shafts 62, between the upper and lower jaws 46, 48.

[0052] When the actuating cam 66 assumes the actuating position, the lower jaw 48 and adjustment plate 68 are separated by the maximum distance equal to the longitudinal dimension of the adjustment cam 70, while the lower jaw 48 and upper jaw 46 are separated by a minimum distance, as the lower jaw 48 no longer moves upwardly and the upper jaw 46 no longer moves downwardly. As the jaws 46, 48 move toward the crimping position, the jaws 46, 48 compress against the brush to crimp the brush 12, which in turn, results in the bristles transitioning to a desired fan, or arcuate arrangement.

[0053] In the example depicted in FIG. 7, the actuating cam 66 is capable of being rotated completely such that its major axis 72 is in a generally vertical orientation. However, when the adjustment cam 70 is rotated to other positions, such as the position depicted in FIGS. 8-9, to situate other adjustment surfaces 78-88 in operative alignment with the actuating cam 66, there may not be sufficient space to allow the actuating cam 66 to rotate to the position depicted in FIG. 7. In this regard, in FIG. 9, the actuating cam 66 is limited in its rotation away from the neutral position, as the adjustment plate 68 is in abutment with the adjustment cam 70, and the lower jaw 48 is in abutment with the brush 12. In this regard, the actuating cam 66 may be capable of a minimal amount of further rotation to impart the crimp into the brush 12; however, the actuating cam 66 would not be capable of assuming the position depicted in FIG. 7.

[0054] To release the jaws 46, 48, the user simply releases some of the force being applied by the gripping shaft 36, and the biasing force applied by the springs 64 urges the upper and lower jaws 46, 48 away from each other.

[0055] The process of crimping the brush 12 using the crimping device 10 may allow a nail technician to quickly, safely, and easily impart a crimp in the brush 12. The device 10 is configured such that the user may simply interface with the size adjustment dial 32 and engage the gripping shaft 36, and the mechanical interconnection between the components allows for implementation of any size adjustment in response to rotation of the size adjustment dial 32, and the transition of the jaws 46, 48 toward their crimping position occurs in response to rotation of the gripping shaft 36.

[0056] The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.