BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of clippers and more particularly to an adjustable double nail clipper with protrusions that allow adjustment.
Description of the Problem Solved
Nail clippers are known in the art. Nail clippers can be found in the selves of the local convenience store. Most clippers are aimed at cutting fingernails. Toenails, on the other hand, are of a different character than fingernails. First, toenails are usually thicker and tougher than fingernails. Second, in many persons, toenails include extra material between the toe and the nail or are ingrown, especially in older people. Third, a significant percentage of the population has a nail fungus or other manifestation that makes toenails particularly hard to cut with prior art clippers or scissors. In addition, almost all prior art clippers are fixed in terms of the cutting channel size. It would be desirable to have an adjustable clipper to move between fingernails and toenails. It would also be advantageous to have a clipper that had a strong enough grip to cut really tough toenails with the problems listed above.
Jurena in U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,675 shows an adjustable nail clipper. It only has a single lever. Jung in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,514 teaches a nail clipper that can also hold keys. None of these prior art clippers solves the problem of cutting touch, possibly ingrown or otherwise difficult toenails that require extra force, while still being able to adjust to fingernails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a double levered, adjustable nail clipper that is particularly adapted to overcome the difficulties in cutting toenails. A typical embodiment has two action levers in opposed positions that permit applying twice the force of a single lever clipper. In addition, at least one of the action levers is rotatable, turning a threaded penetrating pin that adjusts the width of the cutting channel. This allows a simple conversion in the gap width of the cutting channel between the jaws to a close configuration for fingernails and a wide configuration for toenails. A particular embodiment optionally allows the attachment and carrying of keys, such as house keys and the like, at the base of the unit. A particular embodiment has only a single lever and can also optionally carry keys. Finally, a particular embodiment has a non-adjustable pin and a pair of adjustable protrusions that allow sizing of the cutting gap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Attention is now directed at several figures that illustrate features of the present invention.
FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of the present invention in a cutting configuration
FIG. 1B shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A being adjusted.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention that can also hold keys.
FIG. 3 shows a single lever embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an adjustment pin.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with adjustable protrusions.
FIG. 7 shows a 2-hole adjustable pin.
FIG. 8 shows an offset 2-hole adjustable pin.
Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a robust toenail/fingernail clipper that in particular embodiments is equipped with two opposing action levers permitting twice the pinching force to be applied to the jaws to cut tough toenails. In addition, at least one of these action levers rotates to adjust the width of the cutting gap by turning a threaded through-pin. This allows selection of a small gap for fingernails and a large gap for toenails, with several steps in between these two settings.
Turning to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of the present invention can be seen. A clipper body 1 with cutting jaws 10 and gap 11 is connected at its base with and insertable rivet 5 and cap 6. The device is equipped with two action levers 2a and 2b. At least one of the action levers 2b can be rotated to adjust the width of the gap 11 by rotating two threaded parts of the pin 3 into one-another. A spring 12 is found between the jaws 10 encircling a special through-pin 3. Optional lever pads 4 can be attached to the distal ends of the action levers 2a, 2b. These lever pads 4 are typically round and give a much larger area for a fingers to apply pressure to the jaws 10.
FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the threaded adjustment pin 3 that passes through the clipper body 1 and is surrounded by the spring 12. The pin shown in FIG. 1B has two clip ends. Alternate embodiments of the pin can have one clip end or simply be a pin with a small hole penetrating it. FIG. 1B also shows a side view of the round lever pad 4. While round is preferred, any shape may be used. The lever pad 4 is optional and may be left off the device. The lever pad 4 gives a stronger grip for cutting tough nails.
FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention that is equipped to hold keys on the outer surfaces of the two body parts 1 at the distal end of the clipper. The keys are easily removed by simply separating the rivet 5 and head 6. The keys can swing up to be aligned with the clipper body 1 for carrying.
FIG. 3 shows an different embodiment with only a single action lever 2. This embodiment may also optionally carry keys. The single action lever 2 can rotate to adjust the gap 11 between the jaws 10 as in other embodiments.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an adjustment pin with a single end clip. Adjustment pins may be single or double ended and may have a hole passing through them. The adjustment pin has two parts. The first part 3 has a hollow, threaded tunnel; the second part 20 is a male threaded screw that causes the pin to shorten or lengthen when rotated. The pin is used together with the action lever arms 2a and/or 2b. The pin in FIG. 4 is used when one arm rotates. A double pin is used when both arms rotate. A double pin looks like the pin in FIG. 4 except that each end resembles the part 3 with a threaded member in the center. When one or both of the action lever arms is rotated, the two parts of the pin move to either shorten or lengthen the pin. In this way, the action lever arms, when rotated, adjust the width of the gap 11 between the jaws 10.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention from FIGS. 1A-1B. The clipper body 1, lever arms 2 and lever pads 4 can be clearly seen as well as a adjustment pin 3.
FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Here there are two adjustable protrusions 200 on the lever arms. The pin 201 can be adjustable or fixed. The protrusions 200 allow independent adjustment of the jaw gap width independent of the pin 201. In some versions of the embodiment, the pin 201 can also be twisted with the lever arm to also adjust the gap. However, this is not necessary, since the protrusions 200 are sufficient to adjust the gap to any desired width from maximum width to zero.
FIG. 7 shows a close-in view of the pin shown in FIG. 6. This is a 2-hole, screw-in version. A fixed version can also be used (one with no threaded post, just a continuous body from hole to hole).
FIG. 8 shows an offset variation on the pin. This pin can be used in embodiments where only one lever arm is used to adjust the gap.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding features of the present invention. One skilled in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20220039534
