Patent Application
20210127812
This patent specification relates to the field of nail trimming devices. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a nail trimming device that may be worn by a caregiver for safely trimming infant nails.
Many people find the trimming of a child's nails, such as finger nails and toe nails, a difficult process. This is especially true for the caregivers of infants and very young children that are tasked with nail trimming. Not only do infants and very young children have very small nails, they have trouble remaining still and may not be able to comprehend verbal commands. Also, since their hands and feet are relatively small and delicate, the process of trimming the nails of infants and very young children can be especially stressful on the caregiver when using sharp instruments and files. Furthermore, once an infant or very young child has been injured during the nail trimming process, they often develop a flinch reflex and/or cry and resist during the process further adding to the stress of a caregiver and chance of further injury. It is also important to note that even if a caregiver feels comfortable using nail clippers or scissors, after cutting the nails, they remain still sharp and the baby may be injured by scratching his or her face.
Therefore, a need exists for novel nail trimming devices. There is also a need for novel nail trimming devices which are able to safely trim the nails of infants and small children. A further need exists for novel nail trimming devices which are able to prevent injury thereby decreasing the stress on a caregiver and an infant or small child during the nail trimming process.
An infant nail trimming device is provided. In some embodiments, the device may include a body and a finger aperture may be formed in the body. A body shield may be coupled to the body. An abrasive surface may be coupled to the body shield so that the abrasive surface and finger aperture may be positioned on opposing sides of the body shield. The abrasive surface may have a width dimension (AW), the body may have a width dimension (BW), and the AW may be greater than the BW. In use, a caregiving user may insert their finger into the finger aperture and move the abrasive surface across portions of the nail of a receiving individual, such as an infant, small child, adolescent, adult, etc., to remove desired portions of the nail of the receiving individual.
In further embodiments, the device may comprise an abrasive element, a cushion layer, and a securement layer which may be coupled together to form an abrasive module.
In still further embodiments, an abrasive module may be removably coupled to the body shield via a securement layer so that the abrasive module may be replaceable or user serviceable.
In yet further embodiments, the abrasive surface may be configured with a substantially curved planar shape,
In still further embodiments, the abrasive surface may have a length dimension (AL), the body may have a length dimension (BL), and the AL may be greater than the BL.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
A new infant nail trimming and shaping device is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.
Generally, the body 11 may be configured to form a finger aperture 12 and therefore the portions of the device 100 that fit around a finger 201 of a user. The body 11 may be configured in any shape and size to form a finger aperture 12 of any shape and size so as to accommodate a desired portion of a human finger 201. A finger aperture 12 may be bounded or shaped by one or more aperture surfaces 12A which may generally comprise the portions of the body 11 that may be placed around and into contact with portions of a finger 201 of a user 200. In preferred embodiments, a finger aperture 12 and its one or more aperture surfaces 12A may be configured to be generally cylindrical in shape.
In some embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a first arm 13 and a second arm 14 and the finger aperture 12 may be formed between the first arm 13 and the second arm 14 so that one or more aperture surfaces 12A are formed onto both the first arm 13 and the second arm 14. In some embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a first arm 13, having a first end 13A, and a second arm 14, having a second end 14A, which may be separated by a recess 15. In alternative embodiments, the device 100 may not comprise a recess 15, and the ends 13A, 14A, may be coupled together. A recess 15 may be configured in any size and shape which may enable the ends 13A, 14A, to be separated and distinct from each other while also allowing the ends 13A, 14A, to be separated a desired distance from each other. For example, a recess 15 may be so small that the ends 13A, 14A, may substantially contact each other. As another example, a recess 15 may be between approximately 1.0 millimeters to 15 millimeters that the ends 13A, 14A, may be separated by approximately 1.0 millimeters to 15 millimeters.
Preferably, all or portions of the body 11 may be made from a resilient material which may enable all or portions of a first arm 13 and a second arm 14, such as a first end 13A and a second end 14A that are separated by a recess 15, to be moved towards and away from each other thereby decreasing and increasing the size of the finger aperture 12, respectively. Generally, a resilient material may be flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape after deformation. Example resilient materials may include natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber, silicone foam, silicone rubber, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, forms of the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or any other flexible material including combinations of materials.
In some embodiments, all or portions of the body 11 may be made from a resilient material, and the device 100 may comprise a removable fastener, such as a clasp, hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro®), a press fit fastener, etc., which may enable a first end 13A and a second end 14A to be removably coupled together, optionally at different positions so as to allow the size of the finger aperture 12 to be resized based on where the ends 13A, 14A, are removably coupled together.
The device 100 may comprise one or more abrasive surfaces 17 which may be configured as a nail file which may be used to gently grind down and shape the edges of nails 302. An abrasive surface 17 may comprise any texture or surface topography which may be used to abrade portions of a nail 302 as the abrasive surface 17 is rubbed across the nail 302. The abrasive surface(s) 17 may be formed by an abrasive element 18. Example, abrasive elements 18 include emery boards, emery, emery paper, or other substrate capable of being bound to emery or any other abrasive powder or the like, ceramic files, glass files, crystal files, plain metal files and metal files coated with corundum. In some embodiments, an abrasive element 18 may be coupled directly to the body 11 and/or directly to the body shield 16 thereby coupling the abrasive surface 17 of the abrasive element 18 to the body 11 and/or body shield 16.
In preferred embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an abrasive element 18, a cushion layer 23, and a securement layer 24 which may be coupled together to form an abrasive module 22. In further preferred embodiments, an abrasive module 22 (and therefore its abrasive surface 17) may be removably coupled to the body shield 16 via a securement layer 24 so that the abrasive module 22 may be replaceable or user serviceable. Optionally, an abrasive module 22 may be generally rigid and configured with a curved planar or other curved shape, but preferably, an abrasive module 22 may be generally flexible so that it may conform to the curved shape of the body shield 16 and movable between a flat conformation (
In some embodiments, an abrasive module 22 may comprise a cushion layer 23 which may be flexible and resilient and which may allow the abrasive element 18 to flex under a desired amount of pressure during a nail trimming or filing process. For example, a cushion layer 23 may be configured to absorb impacts or provide a resilient cushioning layer between the abrasive element 18 and a securement layer 24/body shield 16. In preferred embodiments, an abrasive module 22 may comprise an abrasive surface 17 and a securement layer 24 that may be coupled to opposing sides of a cushion layer 23 as perhaps best shown in
In some embodiments, a cushion layer 23 may be made from or comprise a resilient material such as silicone foams, rubber foams, silicone rubber, urethane foams including plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, or any other suitable elastomer or resilient material including combinations of materials.
The device 100 may comprise a securement layer 24 which may be configured to secure or couple an abrasive module 22 to portions of the body shield 16, such as to a shield surface 25. In preferred embodiments, an abrasive module 22 may be removably coupled to the body shield 16, via a securement layer 24. In some embodiments, a securement layer 24 may comprise an adhesive which may include but is not limited to natural adhesives including natural resins, bioadhesives, or synthetic adhesives such as epoxy, polyurethane, acrylate, including methacrylates and epoxy diacrylates (which are also known as vinyl resins), cyanoacrylate and acrylic polymer based adhesives. While the term adhesive is used it should be understood that this term may at times be substituted for glues, cements, mucilages, or pastes. In alternative embodiments, a securement layer 24 may comprise a fastener, such as a hook and loop type fastener, a snap or press fit fastener, or any other coupling method that preferably may be removable so as to enable abrasive modules 22 to be replaced.
In preferred embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an abrasive module 22 which may be coupled to the body 11 via a body shield 16. A body shield 16 may be coupled to the body 11, and an abrasive module 22 may be coupled to a shield surface 25 of the body shield 16 so that the abrasive surface 17 and finger aperture 12 are positioned on opposing sides of the body shield 16. Generally, a shield surface 25 of body shield 16 may provide a larger or wider structure than the body 11 for an abrasive module 22 or abrasive element 18 to be coupled to. A body shield 16 may be configured in any size and shape.
In some embodiments, a shield 16 may comprise a first wing 26 and/or a second wing 27 as perhaps best shown in
In preferred embodiments, a shield surface 25 of a body shield 16 and/or an abrasive surface 17 may comprise a generally curved planar shape, such as an outside surface of a curved section of a cylinder, which may be convex shaped relative to the body 11. In this manner, a shield surface 25 of a body shield 16 and/or an abrasive surface 17 may be curved towards the finger aperture 12. Generally, the curved abrasive surface 17 provides enough area for the caretaker to file desired portions of a receiving individual's 300 nails 301 easily. In alternative embodiments, a shield surface 25 of a body shield 16 and/or an abrasive surface 17 may comprise a generally curved planar shape, such as an inside surface of a curved section of a cylinder, which may be concave shaped relative to the body 11. In this manner, a shield surface 25 of a body shield 16 and/or an abrasive surface 17 may be curved away from the finger aperture 12. In still further embodiments, a shield surface 25 of a body shield 16 and/or an abrasive surface 17 may comprise a curved surface, such as an interior surface or exterior surface of a sphere. In further, alternative embodiments, a body shield 16 and an abrasive surface 17 may be configured with any other shape including combinations of shapes.
The elements of the device 100 may be configured in any size and shape. Some exemplary element sizes and dimensions are illustrated in
In some embodiments, the shield 16 may be greater in size than the abrasive surface 17. For example, the SW of the shield 16 may be greater than the AW of the abrasive surface 17 and/or the SL of the shield 16 may be greater than the AL of the abrasive surface 17. In preferred embodiments, the width of the shield 16 and/or abrasive surface 17 may be greater than the width of the body 11. For example, the SW and/or the AW may be greater than the BW. In further embodiments, SW and/or AW may be between approximately 100 and 300 percent of BW. In preferred embodiments, the length of the shield 16 and/or abrasive surface 17 may be greater than the length of the body 11. For example, the SL and/or the AL may be greater than the BL. In further embodiments, SL and/or AL may be between approximately 100 and 300 percent of BL.
In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a channel 19 which may be formed in a body shield 16 and which may extend along or around all or portions of a shield surface 25 and an abrasive surface 17. Preferably, a channel 19 may encircle or otherwise surround a shield surface 25 and an abrasive module 22 coupled thereto. Generally, a channel 19 may comprise a depression that extends below an abrasive surface 17.
In further embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a lip 21 which may extend along or around all or portions of a channel 19. Preferably, a lip 21 may encircle or otherwise surround a channel 19 and/or an abrasive surface 17. Generally, a lip 21 may comprise a protrusion that extends above a channel 19. In some embodiments, a lip 21 may extend above a channel 19 so as to be approximately the same height as a shield surface 25. In alternative embodiments, a lip 21 may extend above a channel 19 and a shield surface 25.
While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body 11, finger aperture 12, body shield 16, abrasive surface 17, abrasive module 22, channel 19, lip 21, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/928,529, filed on Oct. 31, 2019, entitled “INFANT NAIL TRIMMING DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62928529 | Oct 2019 | US |
