MANICURING APPLIANCE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to manicuring appliances and more particularly to a cuticle cutter and shaper convenient to use with either hand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No.
10/772,759 filed on February 4,2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 10/753,019 filed on January 6,2004 which, in turn, takes priority from provisional application Serial No. 60/504, 593 filed on September 16,2003.
BACKGROUND ART Cuticle clippers presently are in use primarily in beauty salons. They have the familiar form of a small pinching type device with short curved spring loaded blades which permits movement along the curvatures of a cuticle. Such clippers are hard to self administer and are used primarily by a beauty salon operator. They are prone to cut the cuticle too deeply and cause injury and bleeding. Pushing devices for shaping the cuticle before cutting are also well known. They tend to be made of metal or wood and are often very sharp and therefore dangerous instruments which can cause injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the realization that cuticles can be shaped and cut in a simple manner by an appliance which moves one or more cutting blades along the path of the cuticle rather than using the pinching action presently practiced.
Accordingly, a manicuring appliance, in accordance with the principles of this invention, comprises an elongated, hand held, member with a proximal end adapted to engage a cuticle and to position a cutting blade along the cuticle. The blade edge may be, at least in part, perpendicular to both the length and width of the appliance.
The proximal end may include a lip which seats against the base of the cuticle as the guiding surface for the path of the blade.
In a preferred embodiment, the hand held member is fabricated in at least two detachable pieces with the (proximal) end containing the cutting blade being disposable. In another embodiment, the proximal end is adapted to accept a cap which stores a blade where the cap is disposable.
Also in the preferred embodiment, the distal end of the elongated member also is detachable. The distal end, detachable or not, is shaped as a pusher and includes a plastic pushing surface. The pusher end is of a shape to allow controlled shaping of the cuticle with little, if any risk of injury.
In still other embodiments, the proximal and distal ends are provided with release mechanisms to facilitate quick and convenient connection and release relative to the elongated hand-held member or handle. One or both of the end sections may be made of a transparent plastic and one or two directional illuminating devices may be provided in the handle to provide added light for aiding observation of the manicuring operation. Finally, unique one-piece dual cutting blades are disclosed for cutting in either of two directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which: FIGs. 1 and 2 are top and side views, respectively, of a manicuring appliance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the appliance of FIGs. 1 and 2 showing a"hand held"central member with attachable proximal and distal sections; FIG. 4 is an assembled three-dimensional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged representation of the proximal section of the appliance of FIG. 4 showing structure for retaining the cutting blade in place; FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a blade retention cap used in the proximal section of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view of a cutting blade used in the proximal section of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a pusher distal section of the preferred embodiment; FIG. 9 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of an alternative proximal section blade configuration; FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of the proximal section of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is an inverted three-dimensional view of a disposable bladed cap used in yet another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of an illustrative detachable proximal section using the disposable bladed cap of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing an embodiment having a quick-release mechanism; FIG. 14 is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a top view of an embodiment having a transparent end member and an illuminating device in the handle for aiding in seeing a manicuring operation ; FIGs. 16 to 19 provide various views of an embodiment of a cutting blade having two cutting edges; FIGs. 20 to 23 provide various views of another dual cutting edge blade embodiment; and FIG. 24 is a three-dimensional view of the blade of FIGs. 16-19 shown mounted in an end portion of a manicuring appliance; FIG. 25 is a three-dimensional view of the blade of FiGs. 20-33 shown mounted in an end portion of a manicuring appliance.
FIG. 26, is a three-dimensional view of the blade of FIGs. 20-33 shown mounted in an end portion of a manicuring appliance.
FIGs. 27 to 30 provide bottom, right side, top and left side views, respectively, of a manicuring appliance with alternative pusher embodiments at respective ends of a detachable handle member; FIGs. 31 to 34 provide more detailed top, side, bottom and front views, respectively of the preferred pusher embodiment of FIG. 26; FIGs. 35 to 38 provide detailed top, side, bottom and front views, respectively, of an alternative pusher embodiment; FIG. 39 provides a three-dimensional bottom view of still other embodiments of cuticle cutting blade configurations having safety barriers forming gaps with the blade edges; FIGs. 40 and 41 provide side and top views, respectively, of a first such safety barrier embodiment; FIGs. 42 and 43 provide side and top views, respectively, of a second such safety barrier embodiment; and FIGs. 44 and 45 provide side and top views, respectively, of a magnifying lens accessory which may be used advantageously when attached to either a cutting or pusher end of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIGs. 1 and 2 show top and side views, respectively, of an appliance 10 in accordance with the principles of this invention. The appliance may be fabricated in a single integrated unit or in separate sections as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. In either case, the appliance includes a center member or section 11 and proximal and distal sections 12 and 13 respectively. The appliance is preferably about eight inches long by about one-half inch wide by about one quarter inch thick. As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, the proximal section 12 comprises a pair of probes 14 each having a securing tab 16 for engaging apertures 21 inside a hollow end 19 of the center member or handle section 11. Proximal section 12 receives a blade 15 and a retention cap 18.
Distal section 13 also has probes 14 with securing tabs 16 for engaging apertures 21 in the other hollow end 19 of handle 11. Distal section 13 preferably receives a metal tip 20 to provide a hard pushing surface.
FIG. 5 shows enlarged a proximal section 12 of the appliance of FIG. 3.
Section 12 includes a lip 42 which is placed by a user beneath a cuticle so that it rests against the base of the cuticle. The proximal section contains an upstanding wall 43 which supports a cutting blade 15. The cutting blade shown in FIG. 7, extends beyond the left end of wall 43, as viewed and may also extend beyond the right end of wall 43. The extension of the blade beyond the wall positions the blade edges to cut the cuticle along an arc which follows the shape of the cuticle base against which lip 42 bears as the appliance 10 is moved by a user. FIG. 6 illustrates the cap 18 and FIG. 7 shows the blade 15.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the distal end section 13.
FIGs. 9 and 10 show an alternative proximal section 51 of the appliance of FIGs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment also, the section includes a lip 52 dimensioned to seat against the base of the cuticle in order to control the path of the cutting blade 54 as a user moves the appliance.
Note that in the embodiment of FIGs. 9 and 10, the cutting blade is in the shape of a circular band with an opening at 55. The opening is formed so that the cutting edges, formed to either side of the opening, project beyond supporting walls 57 and 58. Also to be noted is that the circular band has an extension 59 which sits in a recess 60 in which it is free to move in a horizontal plane. The freedom of movement is to allow the blade to adjust itself or to be adjusted for proper cutting when the appliance is moved in either direction along the cuticle.
FIGs. 11 and 12 are schematic illustrations of another embodiment of the proximal cutting section showing a cap 65 for retaining two cutting blades 64 and 66 in place. In this embodiment of the invention, blades 64 and 66 reside in cap 65. In the embodiments of FIGs. 11 and 12, the cap is disposable. Cap 65 is configured to be located into recess 50 of proximal section 51 as shown in FIG. 12 with a center recess 68 being positioned on a vertical post 59. (See FIG. 10).
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGs. 13 and 14.
This alternative embodiment 70 utilizes a quick-release configuration which permits more convenient removal and replacement of the ends from the handle.
Embodiment 70 comprises a handle 72 and detachable ends 74 and 76. Each end is connected to the handle by an insert 77,78 which engages a handle retaining bracket 79,80. A lever configured release mechanism 81,82 depresses a respective insert to disengage it from its corresponding retaining bracket. An end 74 or 76 is therefore simply released from handle 72 by depressing along the upper surface of the handle as seen best in FIG. 14.
Still another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 15. In embodiment 90, an illuminating device 91 (LED, incandescent light, etc. ) including an internal battery is positioned in handle 92 pointing toward a transparent plastic end 96 to provide concentrated light for facilitating manicuring operations. The illuminating device 91 is connected by internal wires 95 to an external switch 93 along the side of handle 92. A similar illuminating device may optionally be provided for end 94.
Two alternative dual cutting edge blade embodiments are shown in FIGs. 16- 23. Blade embodiment 100 comprises a flat metal sheet 102 having a folded region 103 which forms an L-shaped cross-section as seen best in FIG. 19. Two opposed scoops or cutting edges 104 and 106 are formed at the fold and a curved foreshortened front end 108 is provided and acts as a cuticle guard for the blade 100.
Blade embodiment 110 comprises a flat metal sheet 112 having a folded region 113 which forms an L-shaped cross-section as seen best in FIG. 23. An oval notch 115 is provided at the fold and two opposed scoops or cutting edges 114 and 116 are formed at opposed sides of the notch. A curved foreshortened front end 118 is provided and acts as a cuticle guard for the blade 110.
Both blade embodiments 100 and 110 permit safe cutting of excess cuticle tissue along the nail surface in either direction while protecting the area beyond the cuticle from inadvertent cutting. FIG. 24 illustrates blade embodiment 100 shown installed in an end portion 101 and FIG. 25 illustrates blade embodiment 110 shown installed in an end portion 111.
Each of the various blade embodiments herein functions to place at least one cutting blade in a position to trim a cuticle by moving the blade along an arc which follows the arc of the cuticle base. The appliance may be moved in either direction along the cuticle which permits easy control by a left-handed or right-handed user.
FIGs. 26a through 38 illustrate two alternative pusher embodiments 122 and 125 shown in FIGs. 26a to 30 being releasibly attached to a handle 124 in a pusher- only configuration 120. Pusher 122 comprises a surface 126 having an arcuate pushing edge 128. Pusher 125 comprises a surface 127 having an arcuate pushing edge 129. Surface 126 of pusher 122 is relatively linear relative to the handle 124 while surface 127 of pusher 125 is angled upwardly about 15° to provide a choice in handle orientation during cuticle application. Both pushers 122 and 125 may provide arched bottom recesses 132 and 133, respectively. Each pusher also comprises release mechanisms 130 and 131, respectively as previously described to facilitate rapid and convenient connection to and release from handle 124. Pusher 125 also may comprise an angular corner recess 135 on each upper side to facilitate capture and removal of loose, dead cuticle tissue. Both pushers 122 and 125 are preferably made of a polycarbonate plastic such as caliber 201 Tint Polycarbonate Resin made by LG DOW Polycarbonate Ltd. of South Korea. Such a material provides the preferred level of hardness to provide a suitable pusher edge for cuticle manipulation.
FIG. 39 illustrates another embodiment 140 having a handle 141 to which are attached cutting blade ends 142 and 144. Each such cutting blade end provides a unique safety barrier (148 for end 142 and 156 for end 144) which extends toward the blade edges but leaves a gap therebetween. The barriers 148 and 156 are designed to prevent cutting too deeply into the cuticle so as to cut live tissue and cause bleeding. The gaps (150 for end 142 and 155 for end 144) are of sufficient size to permit removal of dead cuticle tissue, but yet prevent penetration into live tissue. The dual cutting end configuration of FIG. 39 is for purposes of illustrating both barrier configurations, it being understood that a pusher end, such as pusher end 122 or 125 of FIG. 30, would normally be employed instead of one of the cutting ends 142 or 144 of FIG. 39.
As seen best in FIG. 41, cutting end 142 employs a double blade edge configuration 146 as shown in FIG. 16. Barrier extensions148 project toward the respective blade edges 147 to form protective gaps 150. As seen best in FIG. 43, cutting end 144 employs a double blade edge configuration 152 as shown in FIG.
20. Barrier extension 156 extends between the blade edges 154 to form protective gaps 155.
FIGs. 44 and 45 illustrate the use of an accessory 160 which incorporates a magnifying Fresnel lens 162 and an attachment tube 164. When tube 164 is installed over the end of handle 141, the lens 162 resides over the cutting blades to magnify and thus enhance visibility of the manicuring process. Accessory 160 is readily removed and installed over a pusher end as well to provide magnification of a pushing operation or may be optionally removed entirely if so desired. The combination of magnifying lens accessory 160 and the lighting option shown in FIG.
15 herein, can provide greatly improved visibility of the engagement of the manicuring appliance with cuticle tissue.
The invention provides a convenient means for removing outer layers of dead cuticle skin without the risk of injury to the cuticle associated with conventional cuticle cutters and pushers. It will be apparent that those cuticle cutting embodiments hereof which employ dual cutting edges to facilitate motion in either direction, may be replaced by a single cutting edge and still be used to cut in either direction by simply inverting the handle and cutting end 180° to cut in an opposite direction.
Having thus disclosed various illustrative embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the scope hereof is to be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
I claim :
