Patent Grant
11399632
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pedicure foot stand to stabilize and orient a foot for a pedicure.
Pedicure foot stands are usually provided attached to a manicure and/or pedicure chair that are often found in nail salons. However, this can have several drawbacks. For example, these are attached to a larger structure, such as a chair or stool, and is therefore not practical for various locations outside of a salon and is not portable. The foot stands can be fixed and therefore not adjustable for the particular user's anatomy or desired use. Moreover, these are oriented to position the foot to allow others, such as nail professionals, to provide pedicure services, such as nail cutting and shaping or applying polish. Further, foot stands built into chairs or other structures can have a limited range of orientation, which can be based on the attachment to the structure or the limited space provided. Another drawback is that these foot stands often do not provide storage for pedicure tools and supplies. Another drawback is that these foot stands are not available for individual home use.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved pedicure foot stand or kit, and that can be portable and used, for example, at home or while traveling. Disclosed herein are embodiments of pedicure foot stands to position a user's foot for a pedicure. Advantageously, the pedicure foot stand provides various angles to position the user's foot for ease and convenience of the user. The pedicure foot stand overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of existing applicators discussed above.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a pedicure stand is provided that is adjustable between three different configurations in which a user's foot can be supported at three different angular positions during a pedicure treatment.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a pedicure foot stand is provided. The pedicure foot stand comprises a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion defining an interior cavity therebetween. The first portion is removably coupled to the second portion. The first portion has a first bottom end and a first top end angled relative to the first bottom end at a first angle, the first bottom end of the first portion defining a bottom surface. The second portion has a second top end and a second bottom end angled relative to the second top end at a second angle, the second top end of the second portion defining a top surface. The top surface configured to support and orient a foot of a user. The second portion is configured to be coupled to the first portion in different configurations to vary an angle of the top surface of the second portion relative to the bottom surface of the first portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a pedicure kit is provided. The pedicure kit comprises a pedicure foot stand that has an interior cavity, and a plurality of pedicure tools stored in the interior cavity. The pedicure foot stand comprises a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion defining the interior cavity therebetween. The first portion is removably coupled to the second portion. The first portion has a first bottom end and a first top end angled relative to the first bottom end at a first angle, the first bottom end of the first portion defining a bottom surface. The second portion has a second top end and a second bottom end angled relative to the second top end at a second angle, the second top end of the second portion defining a top surface. The top surface configured to support and orient a foot of a user. The second portion is configured to be coupled to the first portion in different configurations to vary an angle of the top surface of the second portion relative to the bottom surface of the first portion.
Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a pedicure foot stand or kit 10.
The first portion 20 can have a top side or end 24. The first portion 20 can have a bottom side or end 22 which may be a bottom surface configured to be placed on a flat surface, such as the floor. The bottom side 22 of the first portion 20 can be enclosed with a bottom planar surface. The top side 24 of the first portion 20 can be open (e.g., define an opening). The first portion 20 can contain side walls (e.g., sides 26, 28 described below) that extend between the bottom side 22 and the top side 24. At least a portion of the side walls can be rounded. The bottom planar surface and side walls that define an interior cavity that is accessed through the open top side 24. The open top side 24 can be defined by the ends of the side walls (e.g., sides 26, 28). The top side 24 can include a flange or ridge that extends around the perimeter of the first portion 20.
The second portion 30 can have a first or top side 32 which may be a top surface configured to receive or position a user's foot. The top side 32 of the second portion 30 can define a top planar surface. The second portion 30 can have a second or bottom side or end 34. The bottom side 34 of the second portion 30 can be open (e.g., define an opening). The second portion 30 can contain side walls (e.g., sides 36, 38 described below) that extend between the bottom side 34 and the top side 32. At least a portion of the side walls can be rounded. The top planar surface and side walls that define an interior cavity that is accessed through the open bottom side 34. The open bottom side 34 can be defined by the ends of the side walls (e.g., sides 36, 38). The bottom side 34 can include a flange or ridge that extends around the perimeter of the second portion 30 (see
A top side or edge 24 of the first portion 20 can be angled relative to the bottom side 22, such that the first portion 20 includes a long side 28 and a short side 26. In some examples, the top side 24 of the first portion 20 can be approximately 30 degrees relative to the bottom side 22 of the first portion 20. In other examples, the angle of the top side 24 relative to the bottom side 22 of the first portion 20 can be approximately 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 degrees.
Similarly, a bottom side or edge 34 of the second portion 30 can be angled relative to the top side 32, such that the second portion 30 includes a long side 38 and a short side 26. In some examples, the top side 32 can be approximately 30 degrees relative to the bottom side 34 of the second portion 30. In other examples, the angle of the top surface 32 relative to the bottom side or edge 34 is approximately 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 degrees.
In some examples, the angle of the top side 24 relative to the bottom side 22 of the first portion 20 can match (e.g., be approximately equal to, be the same as, etc.) the angle of the top side 32 relative to the bottom side 34 of the second portion 30. In other examples, the angle of the top side 24 relative to the bottom side 22 of the first portion 20 can be different from the angle of the top side 32 relative to the bottom side 34 of the second portion 30. In still another implementation, the angle of the top side 24 of the first portion 20 and the angle of the bottom side 34 of the second portion 30 can be chosen so that they add up to approximately 90 degrees (e.g., so that when the second portion 30 is coupled to the first portion 20 in one configuration the top side 32 extends substantially horizontally when the housing sits on a flat horizontal surface).
As shown in
The first portion 20 and the second portion 30 can be repositioned or removed from one another or be repositioned relative to one another, such that the pedicure foot stand 10 has several possible configurations (e.g., angular configurations). In the first configuration (see e.g.
The first portion 20 can define a cavity therein to store components, such as components of a pedicure kit including pedicure tools and supplies 60. The first portion 20 can include one or more interior protrusions 42 extending from the underside of the bottom surface 22. As shown in
The first portion 20 and the second portion 30 can be interlocked together via snap fit on a first side in the first configuration, as shown in
The top side or edge 24 of the first portion 20 and/or the bottom side or edge 34 of the second portion 30 can include a flange or ridge. The flange or ridge can extend around the perimeter of the first portion 20 or the second portion 30. The flange or ridge of the bottom side 34 can advantageously allow the second portion 30 to rest on the flange or ridge of the top side 24 of the first portion 20, thus preventing the second portion 30 from being positioned (or fall) within the interior cavity of the first portion 20 or preventing the first portion from being positioned (or fall) within the interior cavity of the second portion 30. In particular, this can be advantageous when weight (such as a user's foot) is applied to the top surface 32 of the second portion 30 in the first and second configurations. The flange or ridge of the bottom side 34 can also advantageously allow the second portion 30 to rest on a flat surface, such as the ground, when in the third configuration, thus preventing the sides or walls of the second portion 30 from becoming deformed when weight is applied to the top surface 32 of the second portion 30 in the third configuration.
The first portion 20 and the second portion 30 can be interlocked in various places and in various ways, such as on the front side or on the rear side. As shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the first portion 20 and the second portion 30 can be interlocked via snap fit on the front side in the first configuration, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The first portion 20 can define an interior cavity therein to store components, such as components of a pedicure or manicure kit, including pedicure tools and supplies. The first portion 20 can include one or more interior protrusions 42 extending from the underside of the top surface. As shown in
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a pedicure foot stand or pedicure kit may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:
Clause 1: A pedicure foot stand, comprising:
Clause 2: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the top surface comprises a pad configured to receive a heel of the user's foot thereon.
Clause 3: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the second bottom end of the second portion is positioned against the first top end of the first portion when the first portion and second portion are coupled together.
Clause 4: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein, in a first configuration, the top surface of the second portion is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first portion.
Clause 5: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein, in a second configuration, the top surface of the second portion extends at an acute angle relative to the bottom surface of the first portion.
Clause 6: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein an angle between the top surface of the second portion and the bottom surface of the first portion is between 30 and 60 degrees.
Clause 7: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein, in a third configuration, the second portion is configured to be decoupled from the bottom portion and placed on a support surface such that the top surface of the second portion is extends at an acute angle relative to the second bottom end of the second portion and relative to the support surface.
Clause 8: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein an angle between the top surface of the second portion and the second bottom end of the second portion is between 30 and 60 degrees.
Clause 9: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the first top end of the first portion comprises an open end.
Clause 10: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the second bottom end of the second portion comprises an open end.
Clause 11: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the second bottom end of the second portion comprises a flange extending around a perimeter of the second portion.
Clause 12: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein one of the first and second portions comprises a protrusion and wherein the other of the first and second portions comprises a clip, wherein the clip is configured to engage with the protrusion to interlock the first portion and the second portion.
Clause 13: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the bottom end of the first portion comprises one or more grips configured to frictionally engage a support surface the first portion is placed on.
Clause 14: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the bottom angled end of the second portion comprises one or more grips configured to frictionally engage a support surface the first portion is placed on.
Clause 15: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the interior cavity is configured to store a plurality of pedicure tools.
Clause 16: The pedicure foot stand of any preceding clause, wherein the pedicure tools comprises one or more of: a nail polish remover, a nail clipper, toe separators, a foot file, a nail buffer, a serum, cuticle remover, a brush, a pusher, or a nail file.
Clause 17: A pedicure kit, comprising:
Clause 18: The pedicure kit of clause 17, wherein the pedicure tools comprises one or more of: a nail polish remover, a nail clipper, toe separators, a foot file, a nail buffer, a serum, cuticle remover, a brush, a pusher, or a nail file.
Clause 19: The pedicure kit of any of clauses 18 or 19, wherein the second portion can be coupled in two different configurations to the first portion to provide two different angles of the surface relative to the bottom surface.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, one portion of one of the embodiments described herein can be substituted for another portion in another embodiment described herein.
Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.
For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.
Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.
The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/082,279, filed Sep. 23, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57, and should be considered a part of this specification.
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