NAIL CARE TOOL

Description

BACKGROUND

Nail care tools, such as nail cleaning brushes and nail files, are useful implements for maintaining clean and/or attractive nails, such as fingernails and toenails. With the increased use of acrylic nails which tend to harbor more bacteria than natural nails, the need for regular nail care is becoming more and more important. A nail care tool or collection of tools can be used by a nail care professional or by an individual caring for their own nails or those of a friend or family member.

In the past, nail care tools have suffered from problems that have limited their use or convenience. For example, nail care cleaning brushes are generally not considered portable, or at least easily portable, because the bristles on the brush are exposed. These bristles can become dirty if placed in a bag or pocket. In addition, the bristles are often wet following use, which can cause them to get other objects being carried to get wet. To overcome this problem, users often will buy a separate case for their brush. However, this is separate purchase that must be made, and the case purchased is unlikely to be ideally sized and shaped to contain the brush making it less than compact.

Another problem with nail care tools is that individual tools are sold separately. Therefore, users are required to purchase multiple tools, such as a brush and a file, to be able to achieve a range of hygiene and maintenance options for nail care. The user must also carry and keep track of these multiple tools that aren't designed to be carried together. Nail care kits have been developed that include multiple nail care tools, but with these kits a user must buy and/or carry tools they may not necessarily want, and the kits are often large and cumbersome.

Yet another problem with nail care tools is that currently available brushes are large and lack design elements that allow specific cleaning in hard-to-reach places. For lack of better alternatives, users will sometimes resort to using toothbrushes for caring for nails. However, toothbrushes are designed for cleaning teeth, not nails and are therefore not ideal for the purpose. Using a toothbrush also does not solve the above problem of exposed bristles and portability.

There is therefore a need for an improved nail care tool. There is further a need for a nail care tool that can be easily and conveniently carried. There is a further need for a nail care brush that can be cleanly stored and carried. There is a further need for a nail care brush that is designed to clean nails, particularly in hard-to-reach places. There is further a need for a nail care tool that contains multiple nail care implements in a convenient manner.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies these needs. In one aspect of the invention, an improved nail care tool is provided.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that can be easily and conveniently carried.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that includes a brush than can be cleanly stored and carried.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that includes a nail care implement moveable from a first, storage position to a second, operational position.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that includes a nail care brush moveable from a first, storage position to a second, operational position.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that includes a nail care brush designed to clean nails, particularly in hard-to-reach places, and that is moveable from a first, storage position to a second, operational position.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that contains multiple nail care implements in a convenient manner.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that contains a brush and a nail file together in a convenient manner.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool is provided that contains a brush and a nail file, wherein the brush comprises bristles extending from a brush head and wherein the nail file is containable within the brush head, wherein the brush head is moveable between an extended and a retracted position, and wherein a cap is provided to cover the brush head when in the retracted position.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises using a nail care tool embodying any of the above or otherwise disclosed herein aspects.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises extending a brush from a retracted position to an extended position and cleaning one or more nails while the brush is in the extended position.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises removing a cap covering a brush, extending the brush from a retracted position to an extended position, extending the length of a handle using the cap. cleaning one or more nails while the brush is in the extended position, returning the brush to the retracted position, and covering the brush with the cap.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises providing a brush comprising bristles extending from a brush head, and providing a second nail care implement in or on the brush head.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises providing a brush comprising bristles extending from a brush head, and removing a second nail care implement from within the brush head.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises providing a brush comprising bristles extending from a brush head, and providing a nail file in or on the brush head.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises providing a brush comprising bristles extending from a brush head, and removing a nail file from within the brush head.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises removing a cap covering a brush, extending the brush from a retracted position to an extended position, cleaning one or more nails while the brush is in the extended position, removing a second nail care implement from within the brush, using the second nail care implement, returning the second nail care implement to the brush, returning the brush to the retracted position, and covering the brush with the cap.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for nails comprises removing a cap covering a brush, extending the brush from a retracted position to an extended position, extending the length of a handle using the cap, cleaning one or more nails while the brush is in the extended position, removing a second nail care implement from within the brush, using the second nail care implement, returning the second nail care implement to the brush, returning the brush to the retracted position, and covering the brush with the cap.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool comprises a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall that has an interior cavity and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, and a brush extension mechanism, wherein the brush extension mechanism is capable of moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the brush head is moved away from the handle portion when in the extended position, wherein the nail care tool comprises a cover member comprising a first end having an opening that opens into an interior cavity of the cover member, the cover member being sized, shaped, and adapted to selectively receive the brush portion within the interior cavity of the cover member to provide a cover for the plurality of bristles, and wherein the cover member has a width substantially the same as the width of a front end of the handle portion and a length sufficiently long that when the brush portion is in the retracted position, the cover member can receive the brush portion and contact the front end of the handle portion.

In another aspect of the invention, a nail care tool comprises a first implement comprising a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, and a second implement comprising a body with a grippable portion, wherein the first implement comprises a storage region comprising a channel having an opening, and wherein the body of the second implement is removably insertable into the opening in the channel so that the second implement may be stored within the first implement.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for a nail, the method comprises providing an implement comprising a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall that has an interior cavity and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position where the brush head is moved away from the handle portion, using the brush portion to care for a nail, and returning the brush portion from the extended position to the retracted position.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of caring for a nail, the method comprises providing an implement comprising a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall that has an interior cavity and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position where the brush head is moved away from the handle portion, using the brush portion to care for a nail, returning the brush portion from the extended position to the retracted position, and providing a second implement, the second implement being storable when not in use within the body.

DRAWINGS

These features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary features of the invention. However, it is to be understood that each of the features can be used in the invention in general, not merely in the context of the particular drawings, and the invention includes any combination of these features, where:

FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of a version of a nail care tool according to the invention in a retracted position;

FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of the nail care tool of FIG. 1A in an extended position;

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view from the top and rear of the nail care tool of FIG. 1A in the retracted position;

FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective from the top and front of the nail care tool of FIG. 1A in the extended position;

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view of another version of a nail care tool of the invention with a cover member removed;

FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of the nail care tool of FIG. 3A with the cover member in a covering position;

FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of another version of a nail care tool of the invention with a cover member in a covering position;

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view from the top and rear of the nail care tool of FIG. 4A in a retracted position and with the cover member removed;

FIG. 4C is a schematic perspective view from the top and rear of the nail care tool of FIG. 4A in an extended position and with the cover member removed;

FIG. 5A is a schematic top view of the nail care tool of FIG. 4A with the cover member in a handle extension position;

FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view from the top and front of the nail care tool of FIG. 4A with the cover member in a handle extension position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view from the top and front of another version of a nail care tool of the invention in an implement separated configuration;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view from the bottom and front of the nail care tool of FIG. 6 in a partially implement separated configuration;

FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view from the bottom and front of the nail care tool of FIG. 6 in an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 8B is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 6 in an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 8C is a schematic bottom view of the nail care tool of FIG. 6 in an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 9A is a schematic side view of another version of a nail care tool of the invention in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 9B is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 9A in an extended position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 10A is a schematic side view of another version of a nail care tool of the invention in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 10B is a schematic side view of another version of a nail care tool of the invention in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration with cover member off;

FIG. 10C is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 10B in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration with cover member on;

FIG. 11A is a schematic side view of another version of a nail are tool of the invention in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 11B is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 11A in an extended position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 11C is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 11A in an extended position and an implement separated configuration;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view from the top and front of the nail care tool of FIG. 11A in an extended position and an implement storage configuration;

FIG. 13A is a schematic side view of another version of a nail are tool of the invention in a retracted position and an implement storage configuration; and

FIG. 13B is a schematic side view of the nail care tool of FIG. 13A in an extended position and an implement storage configuration.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a nail care tool. Although the nail care tool is illustrated and described in the context of being useful for cleaning and otherwise caring for nails, such as fingernails and toenails, the present invention can be useful in other instances. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the examples and embodiments described herein.

A nail care tool 100 according to a version of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The nail care tool includes a body 105 that is made up of a handle portion 110 and a brush portion 115. The handle portion 110 has an outer wall 120 sized, shaped, and adapted to be grasped on its outer surface and manipulated by a user in manner that controls the brush portion 115. For example, longitudinal movement of the handle portion 110 will cause longitudinal movement of the brush portion 115, lateral or side-to-side movement of the handle portion 110 will cause lateral or side-to-side movement of the brush portion 115, twisting movement of the handle portion 110 will cause twisting movement of the brush portion 115, and combinations of these movements of the handle portion 110 will cause similar combinations of movements of the brush portion 115. In the version shown, the outer wall 120 is generally cylindrical in shape along at least a portion of its length, but may have any other shape, such as by having a square, rectangular, other polygonal, round, oval, ovate, or combination of these shapes in cross-section. The brush portion 115 has a brush head 125 and bristles 130 that extend outwardly from the brush head 125.

In this version of the invention, the bristles 130 are designed to scrub and clean human or animal nails, such as fingernails or toenails. The bristles 130 are sufficiently thick and stiff to be able to remove dirt from the top of the nail, underneath the nail, along the sides of the nail, and/or in the general region surrounding the nail. In the version shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bristles 130 extend laterally from the top 135 side of the brush head 125. Alternatively, the bristles 130 can extend in any other or multiple directions and can extend from any other or multiple sides of the brush head 125. Also in the version shown, the bristles 130 are in the form of multiple rows 140 of tufts 145 of a collection of bristles. Alternatively, the bristles 130 can be arranged in any other form, such as with fewer or even a single row, or in a rounded, circular, or partially circular pattern, and diagonal or vertical rows that intersect or do not, or can be a single tuft. Alternatively, the bristles 130 can be designed for a purpose other than the cleaning of nails, such as the painting or nails or the cleaning of a different body part or other member.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the nail care tool 100 of this version of the invention includes a brush extension mechanism 150 that can move the brush portion 115 relative to the handle portion 110 from a retracted position 155 as shown in FIG. 1A to an extended position 160 as shown in FIG. 1B. In the retracted position 155, the brush head 125 and/or bristles 130 are closer to the front end 165 of the handle portion 110 than in the extended position 160 where the brush head 125 and/or bristles 130 is moved away from the front end 165 of the handle portion 110. In the version shown, the front end 165 of the handle portion 110 has an opening 170 into an interior cavity 175 or hollow portion of the handle portion 110, and the brush portion 115 includes a brush shaft 180 that is receivable within the interior cavity 175 of the handle portion 110. The brush shaft 180 is rigidly attached to a slide mechanism 185. The slide mechanism 185 includes a portion that is sized and shaped to extend through a longitudinal slot 190 in the handle portion 110 that extends from the outer surface 120 to the interior cavity 175 of the handle portion 110. The slide mechanism 185 optionally includes a button 195 or other member that has a surface 196 for comfortably receiving a thumb or other finger of a user. A user can thus contact the surface 196 of the button 195 of the slide mechanism 185 to cause the slide mechanism 185 to slide along and within the longitudinal slot 190. When the slide mechanism 185 is in a rearward position, as shown in FIG. 1A, the brush portion 115 will be in the retracted position 155, and when the slide mechanism 185 is moved to the forwardmost position, the brush portion 115 will be in its extended position 160. The brush shaft 180 is rigidly connected the brush head 125 to the slide mechanism 185 and moves within the handle portion 110 in a telescoping manner. In the version shown, the slide mechanism is freely slidable from the retracted position 155 to the extended position 160 and back to the retracted position 155 or anywhere in between and can be maintained in the desired position by a user's pressure being applied to the slide mechanism 185. Alternatively, in another version, a detent, lock, spring or the like can be provided to maintain and/or bias the slide mechanism into the retracted position 155 and/or the extended position 160.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show another view of the nail care tool 100 in its retracted position 155 and its extended position 160, respectively. As can be seen, in the retracted position 155, the nail care tool 100 is compact and easily carried and/or stored. When moved to the extended position 160, the brush portion 115 of the nail care tool 100 becomes more operative and functional. The bristles 130 can be manipulated by the handle portion 110 to reach farther and into hard to reach place while maintaining the hand of the user a comfortable distance from the nail area being cleaned. In addition, the brush shaft 180 can be designed so that the movement of the nail care tool 100 to the extended position 160 creates a gap 200 between the front end 165 of the handle portion 110 and the bristles 130 to provide 360 degrees of usable area around the periphery of the bristles 130, whereas in the retracted position 155, a portion of the bristles 130 is obstructed by the handle portion 110.

Another version of the nail care tool 100 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this version, a cover member 300 is provided that is adapted to cover at least a portion of the body 105 of the nail care tool 100 when the nail care tool 100 is not in use. In the version shown, the cover member 300 is in the form of a brush cover 305 that is sized and shaped to act as a lid to cover the brush head 125 and bristles 130. The brush cover 305 has an opening 310 at a first end 315. The opening 310 opens into an interior cavity 320 defined by an outer wall 325 of the brush cover 305. In the version shown, the outer wall 325 of the brush cover 305, at least at or near the first end 315 has a shape that generally corresponds to the shape of the outer wall 120 of the handle portion 110, as can be seen in FIG. 3B which shows the brush cover 305 inserted over the brush head 125 and bristles 130 so that they are received within the interior cavity 320 of the brush cover 305. In the particular version shown, the brush cap 305 is held in place near or against the handle portion 110 by a snap fit male-female joint. Alternatively, the brush cap 305 can be held in place near or against the handle portion 110 by any other type of connection, such as a press fit, friction fit, screw cap, bayonet connection, or the like. As can be seen, when the brush cover 305 is installed to cover the brush portion 115, the nail care tool 100 is sleek, compact, casy to store or carry, and the bristles 130 are protected from dirt or debris and are protected from transferring wetness, dirt, or debris onto other surfaces. The brush cover 305 also has a second end 330 opposite the first end 315. In the version shown, the second end 330 is closed. Alternatively, the second end 330 can be open or have one or more small openings to allow air to pass through.

Another version of the nail care tool 100 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. This version is similar to the version of FIGS. 3A and 3B, but this version of the nail care tool 100 has a handle extension system 400 that can extend the length of the handle portion 110 to allow a user to have a longer handle to hold and manipulate while maintaining a small and compact design for storage and carrying. In this version, the handle extension system 400 comprises a nub 405 positioned on the rear end 410 of the handle portion 110. The nub 405 has an outer diameter or equivalent dimension if non-circular that is substantially the same or slightly greater than the inner diameter or equivalent dimension of the opening 310 of the first end 315 of the brush cover 305. This allows the brush cover 305 to be flipped 180 degrees and installed onto the nub 405 and held there by friction fit thereby effectively extending the overall length of the handle portion 110. Alternatively, the brush cover 305 can be held on the nub 405 by any other mechanism, such as bayonet connector, snap fit, magnetism, and the like. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate initial operation of the nail care tool 100 of FIG. 4A. First, the cover member 305 is removed from covering the brush portion 115 while the nail care tool 100 is in its retracted position 155, as shown in FIG. 4B. Then the brush extension mechanism 150 is used to move the brush portion 110 to the extended position 160, as shown in FIG. 4C. As can also be seen in FIG. 4C, the length from the front end 165 of the handle portion 110 to the end of the brush head 125 is greater than the length of the brush cover 305.

The operation of the handle extension system 400 of the version of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B which shows the nail care tool 100 in a handle extension position 500 with the brush cover 305 installed onto the nub 405. In the particular version shown, the outer wall 120 of the handle portion 110 at or near the rear end 410 of the handle portion 110 has a shape that generally corresponds to the shape of the outer wall 325 of the brush cover 305 to help maintain a comfortably graspable surface and to continue to provide a sleek look to the nail care tool 100 when it is in its handle extension position 500.

Another version of the nail care tool 100 of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this version, the nail care tool is a multi-implement tool 600 where the nail care tool 100 includes two or more nail care implements, such as the first implement 605 and the second implement 610 shown in FIG. 6. In the version shown, the first implement 605 is a handle portion 110 and brush portion 115 with a brush head 125 and bristles 130, as disclosed in any of the versions discussed herein. The second implement 610 in the version of the invention is a nail file 615. The nail file 615 has a nail file body 620 that includes a grippable portion 625 and a filing portion 630. The filing portion has one or more filing areas 635 made of a roughened surface and material designed to be used in filing nails. The one or more filing areas 635 may be provided on the top 640 and/or the bottom 645 of the nail file 615. The grippable portion 625 and the filing portion 630 can be made of the same or different materials. In one particular version, the grippable portion 625 is made of a subber or plastic material, such as silicone or the like, and the filing portion 630 is made of metal or the like. The grippable portion 625 can have a textured surface 650 over all or a portion of its surface. The textured surface 650 can be provided by projections, recesses, ridges, knurls, or the like. In the version, shown, the textured surface 650 is provided on the grippable portion 625 on the bottom 645 of the nail file 615. In FIG. 6, the first implement 605 and the second implement 610 are shown in an implement separated configuration 655 where each implement is separately useable.

Another version of the nail care tool 100 that is a multi-implement tool 600 is shown in FIG. 7 where the second implement 610 is in the process of being moved from the implement separated configuration 655 to an implement storage configuration 700. In this version, the second implement 610, such as the nail fail 615 is containable on or within the body 105 of the nail care tool 100. In this particular version, the second implement 610, such as the nail file 615, is containable within the first implement 605. More specifically, in this version shown, then nail file 615 is containable within the brush head 125 and/or brush shaft 180 of the brush portion 110 of the nail care tool 100. As can be seen, in the version of FIG. 7, a storage region 705 is provided in the brush shaft 180 that can stow, store, carry, or contain at least a portion of the nail file 615 or other second implement 610. The storage region 705 includes a channel 710 that extends longitudinally below the bristles 130 into the brush shaft 180. The channel 710 is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second implement 610, such as a portion of the nail file 615. In the particular version shown, the channel 710 is sized and shaped to receive the filing portion 630 of the nail file 615, such as by the filing portion 630 being matingly slidable into the channel 710. To store the nail file 615 in the channel 710, the end of the nail file 615 opposite the grippable portion 625 is inserted into an opening 715 into the channel 710 and slid into the channel 710 a sufficient depth that it is secured therein without easily falling out. In the version of FIG. 7, the brush head 125 has a cut away portion 720 that is sized and shaped to receive the grippable portion 625 of the nail file 615. As can be seen, the grippable portion 625 has a cross-sectional dimension larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the opening 715 into the channel 710 to prevent over insertion of the nail file 615 into the channel 710. This allows the grippable portion 625 to remain outside the channel 710 which allows the grippable portion 625 to be used to remove the second implement 610 from the channel 710. Alternatively, the grippable portion 625 can have a shape that prevents over insertion.

FIG. 7 shows the process of moving the nail file tool 100 from the implement separated configuration 655 to the implement storage configuration 700 with the nail file filing portion 630 being partially inserted into the channel 710. By continued sliding of the filing portion 630 into the channel 710, the entire filing portion 630 can be contained within the brush shaft 180, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. In the version shown, the size and shape of the cut away portion 720 generally matches the size and shape of the grippable portion 625 of the nail file 615 so that when the nail file 615 is fully inserted into a storage position, the grippable portion 625 fills the cut away portion 720 space with a generally smooth contour 800. To remove the nail file 615 from the storage configuration 700, a user can contact the grippable portion 625 and pull the nail file 615 away from the brush shaft 180 so that the filing portion 630 side out of the channel 710. The textured surface 650 on the grippable portion 625 can help facilitate the grip to make it easier to remove the nail file 615.

Another version of the nail care tool 100 that is a multi-implement tool 600 with an implement storage configuration 700 is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. This version includes a combination of the features of the version of FIGS. 1A and 1B and the version of FIG. 7. More specifically, the version of FIGS. 9A and 9B includes a brush extension mechanism 150 that moves the brush from a retracted position 155 as shown in FIG. 9A to an extended position as shown in FIG. 9B. The second implement 610 can be removed from the storage region 710 in either the retracted position 155 or the extended position 160.

FIG. 10A shows a version of the nail care tool 100 similar to the version of FIGS. 9A and 9B but with a cover member 300, such as brush cover 305, provided. FIGS. 10B and 10C show a similar version, but with a brush cover 305 having an opening 950 in the outer wall 325 of the brush cover 305. In the particular version of FIGS. 10B and 10C, the opening 950 is a second end opening 955 at the second end 330 of the brush cover 305. With this version, as can be seen in FIG. 10C with the brush cover 305 installed over the bristles 130, the second end opening 955 allows a user to access the second implement 610, such as the nail file 615, without removing the brush cover 305.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C show a version of the nail care tool 100 similar to the version of FIGS. 9A and 9B but with a cover member 300, such as brush cover 305, provided and with a handle extension mechanism 400, such as the one discussed in connection with the versions of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5. A perspective view of the version of FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C is shown in FIG. 12 in the extended position 160, the handle extension position 500, and the implement storage configuration 700.

FIGS. 11A. 11B, and 11C also illustrate the use of this version of the nail care tool 100. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the brush cover 305 is removed from the body 105 of the nail care tool 100. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the brush extension mechanism 150 is advanced to move the nail care tool 100 to its extended position 160. Optionally, the brush cover 305 can be flipped and installed onto nub 405 to create a handle extension. The brush portion 115 of the nail care tool 100 can then be used to clean nails or other objects in this position. When the nail file 615 is needed, it can be removed from the brush head 125 as shown in FIG. 11C and then returned when no longer needed. In an alternative use, the nail file 615 can be removed from the brush head 125 when in the retracted position 155 of FIG. 11A, especially if the nail file 615 is being used without need for using the brush portion 115. These steps can be reversed to return the nail care tool 100 to its compact and clean storage configuration after use.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a version of the nail care tool 100 similar to the version of FIGS. 11A and 11B but with the brush cover having one or more openings 950 through the outer wall 325 of the brush cover 305. In the particular version of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the opening 950 is one or more side wall openings 960, such as a plurality of slots 965, as shown. With this version, air is allowed to enter and circular within the interior cavity 320 of the brush cover 305 which can help dry the brush head 125 and/or bristles 130 when wet.

The size, shape, and relative dimensions can be as shown or can be altered as needed or desired, and the materials can be selected to be any material or materials suitable for the purpose. For example, the nail care tool 100 can have a total length in the retracted position 155 of from about 60 mm to about 200 mm or from about 80 mm to about 120 mm, and in the extended position 160 of from about 80 mm to about 250 mm or from about 110 mm to about 170 mm, with the difference between the length of the device in the retracted position 155 and the extended position 160 being from about 10 mm to about 60 mm, or from about 15 mm to about 35 mm, or about 25 mm. More specifically with regard to some of the embodiments disclosed, the following are examples of dimensions of the embodiments. These dimensions can be adjusted by +/−75%, by +/−50%, by +/−20%, or by +/−10%. The version of FIGS. 1A and 1B can have a total length in the retracted position 155 of about 88 mm and in the extended position 160 of about 113 mm. The version of FIGS. 3A and 3B can have a total length in the retracted position 155 and with the brush cover 305 installed of about 95 mm and in the extended position 160 with the brush cover 305 removed of about 113 mm. The version of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C can have a total length in the retracted position 155 and with the brush cover 305 installed of about 115 mm and in the extended position 160 with the brush cover 305 removed of about 133 mm. The version of FIGS. 5A and 5B can have a total length in the retracted position 155 and with the brush cover 305 installed of about 115 mm and in the extended position 160 with the brush cover 305 removed and inserted onto the nub 405 of about 160 mm.

The nail care tool 100 can be made of any suitable material. For example, the body 105 can be made of plastic, silicone, and/or stainless steel or the like. The bristles 145 can be made of nylon and/or bamboo and the like.

The described nail care tool 100 is thus a compact, hand-held nail tool designed to clean and maintain natural and artificial nails. The nail care tool 100 can combine multiple nail cleaning implements or elements into one portable tool that allows users to scrub, file and scrape dirt from underneath their nails anywhere, anytime. Nails, particularly artificial nails, harbor harmful bacteria that can contribute to the transmission of various diseases and illnesses. The present invention is thus not solely for aesthetic maintenance, but to provide a portable tool that can help minimize exposure to harmful bacteria. In an example of its use, a user can remove the lid or cover member and can connect the cover member to the rear of the device. This acts as a handle extension that provides the user with additional grip while using the device. Holding it in the palm of their hand, the user can slide the button forward to expose the brush head. From here, the user has multiple options: 1. The user can use the brush in water with or without a solution to scrub under and around their nails. 2. Slide the nail file out to file and maintain their nails. 3. Use the pointed end of the nail file to access dirt in hard-to-reach places underneath the nail. The invention solves the problems of the prior art by (i) incorporating a retractable brush and a removable lid that allows users to reduce the device's size while covering the bristles for easy and clean portability, (ii) incorporating a removable nail file or other implement on the brush head gives users access to additional nail cleaning and maintenance options without needing multiple products, and/or (iii) provides a compact and sleek design that allows the brush head and nail tool to access hard-to-reach places.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible, and alterations, permutations and equivalents of the version shown will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, the cooperating components may be reversed or provided in additional or fewer number, and all directional limitations, such as up and down and the like, can be switched, reversed, or changed as long as doing so is not prohibited by the language herein with regard to a particular version of the invention. Also, the various features of the versions herein can be combined in various ways to provide additional versions of the present invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. Throughout this specification and any claims appended hereto, unless the context makes it clear otherwise, the term “comprise” and its variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” should be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, limitation, or step but not the exclusion of any other elements, limitations, or steps. Throughout this specification and any claims appended hereto, unless the context makes it clear otherwise, the term “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” and their variations such as “consists” should be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, limitation, or step and not the exclusion of any other elements, limitations, or steps or any other non-essential elements, limitations, or steps, respectively. Throughout the specification, any discussed on a combination of elements, limitations, or steps should be understood to include a disclosure of additional elements, limitations, or steps and the disclosure of the exclusion of additional elements, limitations, or steps. All numerical values, unless otherwise made clear in the disclosure or prosecution, include either the exact value or approximations in the vicinity of the stated numerical values, such as for example about +/−ten percent or as would be recognized by a person or ordinary skill in the art in the disclosed context. The same is true for the use of the terms such as about, substantially, and the like. Also, for any numerical ranges given, unless otherwise made clear in the disclosure, during prosecution, or by being explicitly set forth in a claim, the ranges include either the exact range or approximations in the vicinity of the values at one or both of the ends of the range. When multiple ranges are provided, the disclosed ranges are intended to include any combinations of ends of the ranges with one another and including zero and infinity as possible ends of the ranges. Therefore, any appended or later filed claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein and should include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nail care tool comprising: a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall that has an interior cavity and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, anda brush extension mechanism,wherein the brush extension mechanism is capable of moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the brush head is moved away from the handle portion when in the extended position.
2. A nail care tool according to claim 1 wherein the brush shaft is received within the interior cavity of the handle portion when in the retracted position.
3. A nail care tool according to claim 1 wherein the brush extension mechanism comprises a slide mechanism rigidly connected to the brush shaft, the slide mechanism including a portion that extends through a longitudinal slot that extends through the outer wall of the handle portion.
4. A nail care tool according to claim 1 wherein the brush extension mechanism comprises a slide mechanism rigidly connected to the brush shaft, the slide mechanism including a portion that extends through a longitudinal slot that extends through the outer wall of the handle portion, and wherein the slide mechanism comprises a button connected to the portion that extends through the longitudinal slot, the button being contactable by a user grasping the handle portion.
5. A nail care tool according to claim 1 wherein the nail care tool comprises a cover member comprising a first end having an opening that opens into an interior cavity of the cover member, the cover member being sized, shaped, and adapted to selectively receive the brush portion within the interior cavity of the cover member to provide a cover for the plurality of bristles.
6. A nail care tool according to claim 5 wherein the cover member has a width substantially the same as the width of a front end of the handle portion and a length sufficiently long that when the brush portion is in the retracted position, the cover member can receive the brush portion and contact the front end of the handle portion.
7. A nail care tool according to claim 5 wherein the cover member has a width substantially the same as the width of a front end of the handle portion and a length sufficiently long that when the brush portion is in the retracted position, the cover member can receive the brush portion and contact the front end of the handle portion, and wherein the length of the cover member is sufficiently short that when the brush portion is in the extended position, the cover member cannot contact the front end of the handle portion when the brush portion is received in the cover member.
8. A nail care tool according to claim 5 wherein the cover member has a width substantially the same as the width of a front end of the handle portion, and wherein a rear end of handle portion has a nub sized to receive and retain the cover member to extend the length of the handle portion.
9. A nail care tool according to claim 1 wherein the nail care tool further comprises a second implement that is storable within the body.
10. A nail care tool according to claim 9 wherein the body comprises a channel having an opening, wherein the second implement is removably insertable into the opening in the channel so that the second implement may be stored within the body.
11. A nail care tool according to claim 9 wherein the second implement comprises a nail file.
12. A nail care tool comprising: a first implement comprising a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head, anda second implement comprising a body with a grippable portion,wherein the first implement comprises a storage region comprising a channel having an opening, and wherein the body of the second implement is removably insertable into the opening in the channel so that the second implement may be stored within the first implement.
13. A nail care tool according to claim 12 wherein the grippable portion of the second implement is sized or shaped to not be receivable within the opening of the channel.
14. A nail care tool according to claim 13 wherein when the second implement is fully inserted into the channel, the grippable portion matches the contour of the body of the first implement.
15. A nail care tool according to claim 12 wherein the storage region is in the brush head.
16. A nail care tool according to claim 12 wherein the second implement comprises a nail file with a filing surface on the body of the second implement.
17. A nail care tool according to claim 12 wherein first implement comprises a brush extension mechanism, wherein the brush extension mechanism is capable of moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the brush head is moved away from the handle portion when in the extended position.
18. A nail care tool according to claim 17 wherein nail care tool comprises a cover member comprising a first end having an opening that opens into an interior cavity of the cover member, the cover member being sized, shaped, and adapted to selectively receive the brush portion within the interior cavity of the cover member to provide a cover for the plurality of bristles, wherein the cover member has a width substantially the same as the width of a front end of the handle portion and a length sufficiently long that when the brush portion is in the retracted position, the cover member can receive the brush portion and contact the front end of the handle portion, wherein the length of the cover member is sufficiently short that when the brush portion is in the extended position, the cover member cannot contact the front end of the handle portion when the brush portion is received in the cover member, and wherein a rear end of handle portion has a nub sized to receive and retain the cover member to extend the length of the handle portion.
19. A method of caring for a nail, the method comprising: providing an implement comprising a body having a handle portion and brush portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a graspable outer wall that has an interior cavity and wherein the brush portion comprises a brush shaft that includes a brush head with a plurality of bristles extending from the brush head;moving the brush portion from a retracted position to an extended position where the brush head is moved away from the handle portion;using the brush portion to care for a nail; andreturning the brush portion from the extended position to the retracted position.
20. A method according to claim 19 further comprising: providing a second implement, the second implement being storable when not in use within the body.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of domestic priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/447,326 filed on Feb. 21, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Provisional Applications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	63447326	Feb 2023	US

NAIL CARE TOOL

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

PRIORITY

Provisional Applications (1)