This invention relates generally to finger/toe nail clippers and, more particularly, provides a finger/toe . nail clipper and catcher device which prevents nail clippings from scattering during use thereof and offers effective means for catching and retaining the accumulated nail clippings as well as providing improved actuating lever means therefor.

Conventional finger/toe nail clipper devices generally have a pair of elongate arms arranged overlying and co-extensive. The upper arm has limited resilience while the lower arm is rigid. The longitudinal sides of the device generally are open. The rear ends of the arms are secured. The front ends of the arms terminate in jaw formations, each jaw formation terminating in cutting edges spaced apart slightly. An actuating lever is provided coupled to mounting means proximate the jaw formations.

The conventional mounting means for the actuating lever consist of a mounting pin having a head at one end and a passage at the other end. Each arm has a hole adjacent to the jaw area. These holes are aligned. The mounting pin passes through the aligned holes. The mounting pin, when installed conventionally, partially blocks partially blocks passage between the jaws of the clipper, limiting the entry of the finger/toe nail. Also, the mounting pin obstructs the flow of the nail clippings toward the interior area of the clipper, resulting in the uncontrolled dispersal of the finger/toe nail clippings common to the use of conventional finger/toe nail clipper devices.

While the prior art has attempted to address these results through various proposed structures, none of the proposed structures have been totally successful in controlling the scattering of the finger/toe nail clippings. Also, the removal of clippings from the

storage areas of prior finger/toe nail clippers is difficult.

In order to provided further background information so that the invention may be completely understood and appreciated in its proper context, reference is made to a number of prior art patents as follows:

U.S. Patent Nps. 5,072,511; 5,150,521; 4,640,011; 5,195,544; 4,984,366; 4,966,771; 5,131,146; 4,614,031; 4,419,134; 4,574,475; and, 5,261,160. The Ro U.S. Pat.No. 5,072,511 discloses an attempt to deal with these difficulties. The Ro structμre involves a recess formed in the side walls to facilitate controlled catching and discharge of the clippings. While the structure does contain many clippings within the chamber formed by the side walls, there are open slots between the side walls and jaw formations that permit escape of some of the clippings that have rebounded from the interior surfaces of the jaws and the mounting pin, leaving a retrieval problem which was sought to be avoided. Also, the Rb clipper appears to require considerable shaking to discharge any clippings jammed in the interior, rear narrow portion of the clipper.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,521 to Han provides a separate nail collecting box into which the nail clipper is slipped. A cover frictionally is engaged over a conventional clipper to retain the clippings. The Han solution requires a two-piece unit that is likely to be expensive to manufacture and difficult to separate in order to dispose of the accumulated clippings. The Gamble U.S. Pat.No. 4,640,011 describes a hinged retainer with side walls that close off the side openings of the clipper. When the retainer section is dropped, the nail clippings fall out. However,to remove the nail clippings in the rear area of the interior chamber, the retainer must still be removed from the conventional nail clipper. Shaking still is required to dispose of the clippings caught in the rear area of the portion of the

clipper.

U.S. Pat.No. 5,195,544 illustrates a sheath into which the conventional nail clipper is lodged. The sheath must be removed from the conventional clipper in order to discharge the accumulated clippings within the chamber.

An additional element for collection and the separation of such element to remove the clippings is required, making it burdensome for the user.

U.S. Pat.No. 4,984,366 demonstrates another slip-on device whereby a tubular element is fitted onto the conventional clipper. However, the tube does not extend to the mouth of the clipper, still allowing escape of nail clippings deflected from the mounting pin and the interior of the blades out of the side slots. The Williams U.S.Pat.No. 4,996,771 shows a clipper with a retainer and catching mechanism that catches nail clippings in the forward position and empties the clippings when in the rearward position. Random nail clippings may still deflect from the mounting pin. The Leininger U.S.Pat.No. 5,131,146 exhibits a receptacle that has a rear sleeve which receives the rear part of the finger/nail clipper as well as a front shield that receives the front portion of said finger/nail clipper and accommodates the nail clippings resulting from the use of the clipper device. The front shield is attached to the rear sleeve by a "live" hinge that allows the front sleeve to be pulled away from the body of the clipper device about the hinge, enabling release of the clippings collected within the interior of the device. The interior side walls of the front shield engage to the lower arm of the clipper device. While the Leininger attachment may reduce the amount of scattered clippings, there is still a problem of uncontrolled dispersal with a portion of the clippings since they may, again, deflect from the mounting pin and out the open mouth of the cutting edges. Moreover, the Leininger shield and sleeve unit is a plastic molded product that fits a particular

size clipper device, necessitating several sizes of the shield/sleeve unit. Also, it is likely that the plastic molded receptacle will not last an adequate useful life. The Chen U.S.Patent No. 4,614,031 divulges a nail clipper with a lower stationary base and side walls that house the clippings within the clipper device. However, there are side slots between the jaw formations and the side walls of the base where random nail clippings may escape. The Bumbera U.S.Pat.No. 4,419,134 evidences an attempt to eliminate the deflection problem of the mounting pin by mounting the actuating lever by means at the end of the actuating lever hooked on the band circled around the lower and upper arms of the clipper. The Bumbera structure has open side walls, which still allows the scattered escape of nail clippings. However, even if the Bumbera design had side walls, the band would prevent the front portion of the clipper to be shielded, resulting in incomplete protection against scattered escape. U.S.Pat. 4,574,475 to Lee presents side walls extending from the jaw area and terminating at the rear area of the device. However, the Lee structure allows for nail clippings to be caught in the narrowed rear portion of the device, resulting in difficult removal of the clippings. Also, forward opening end notches or slots in the side walls allow the passage of random nail clippings.

The Castagna U.S.Pat.No. 5,261,160 also introduces side walls to shield the length of the nail clipper. However, the conventional mounting pin still presents the problem of deflection.

Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above cited references, none of them achieves or fulfills the long sought benefits achieved by the invention, including the provision of greater protection against the dispersal of nail clippings by complete enclosure of the interior during use; elimination deflection of clippings off of the conventional mounting

pin by providing alternate mounting means for the actuating lever; provision of means to allow various nails to be clipped without sacrificing complete enclosure of the interior during use; provision of more controlled means for removing the accumulated nail clippings by a simple mechanism without any separate attachment units; to provide a clipper device which is capable of simpler manufacture and operation than has be heretofor available; and the provision of a clipper catcher device as a single unit free from the need for separate units as suggested by the prior art.

Accordingly, the invention provides a finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device including elongate upper and lower arms arranged spaced in overlying arrangement and having first ends secured together and opposite ends terminating in spaced facing jaw formations, at least one of said arms having vertical side walls unitary therewith along the longitudinal edges thereof shielding the longitudinal sides of said overlying upper and lower arms, said jaw formations having blade sections terminating in cutting edges, an actuating lever associated with said device for selectively bearing against one of said arms for forcably effecting engagement of said cutting edges to sever a finger/toe nail introduced between said jaw formations and means for disposing of the resulting nail clippings; characterized by mounting means comprising passage means formed on said side-walls proximate said jaw formations and projection means associated with said actuating lever seatable in said passage means and enabling unobstructed passage of the finger/toe nails and the nail cuttings therefrom interior of said device during use of said device as well as maintaining the positional stability of said actuating lever.

The invention further provides the blade sections of said jaw formations characterized by angular facing side sections also terminating in cutting edges and defining movable slots for receiving variable sized finger/toe

nails between said jaw formations.

The invention additionally is characterized in that the interior of said arms, side walls and said jaw formations completely enclose the interior of said device when the cutting edges of the jaw formations are engaged. The invention further provides a finger/toe nail clipper device characterized by the provision of selectively accessible disposal means for controllably discarding accumulated nail clippings from the interior thereof including means deflecting the nail clippings to the exterior of said device and selectively operable hatch for blocking egress of said nail clippings.

The invention further is characterized in that said mounting means for said actuating lever of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device is provided with means for maintaining the stability and positioning thereof during use thereof.

The preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples, with reference to the drawings which accompany this specification as follows: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of finger/toe nail clipper and catcher in accordance with the invention, the actuating lever of which is illustrated placed in active position with the disposal hatch extended outward; FIGURE 2 is a top view of the finger/toe nail clipper illustrated in FIGURE 1, the disposal hatch shown in phantom outline;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the actuating lever illustrated in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is a side. elevational view of the actuating lever in its active position illustrated in FIGURE 3; ;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the actuating lever of FIGURE 3 and is illustrated in its inactive position, rotated 180 degrees about the rivet which fastens the rotating portion of said actuating lever relative to the front plate thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the finger/toe

nail clipper and catcher illustrated in FIGURE 1 but showing a modified deflection disposal means in phantom outline;

FIGURE 7 is a top view of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher of FIGURE 1 but showing the modified deflection disposal means illustrated in FIGURE 6 shown in phantom outline with the actuating lever and upper arm thereof deleted;

FIGURE 8 is perspective view of a modified finger/toe clipper and catcher of FIGURE 1, particularly having a modified actuating lever mounted thereto by rotational disc means;

FIGURE 9 is a top view of the modified finger/toe nail clipper and catcher illustrated in FIGURE 8; FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the modified finger/toe nail clipper and catcher of FIGURE 8, the base of the actuating lever, as well as the upper and lower arms, being shown in phantom outline;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the modified actuating lever and rotational disc illustrated in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the actuating lever and rotational disc of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a plan representation of the rotational disc illustrated in FIGURES 8 - 12;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary side elevational detail of an additional modified embodiment of the invention showing the actuating lever thereof in active position

FIGURE 15 is a side elevational view of another modified finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device;, the actuating lever thereof being shown in active position, the jaw formations thereof open;

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device of FIGURE 15, the actuating lever thereof being shown in inactive position;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary elevational detail of the

finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device of FIGURE 24 showing the actuating lever thereof in inactive position.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary top view illustrating a detail of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device Of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a top view of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher of FIGURE 16 with the actuating lever and disposal means thereof shown in phantom outline; FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of the actuating lever of the finger/toe clipper and catcher illustrated in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of the cross-bar portion of the actuating lever of the finger/toe nail clipper illustrated in FIGURE 20; FIGURE 22 is a perspective view of the finger/toe nail clipper of FIGURE 15 illustrated in the absence of the actuating lever thereof and showing the disposal hatch extended outwardly;and,

FIGURE 23 is a perspective detail of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 14, 17 and 18, showing a further modified jaw formation.

Referring to the drawings, in FIGURE 1, a finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device in accordance with the invention is designated generally by reference character 10 and has an elongate upper arm 14 and an elongate lower arm 2 spaced in overlying arrangement with their longitudinal edges substantially parallel. The upper arm 14 bends downward at 14c at a location proximate the fastened end 8 of the device 10. The finger/toe clipper and catcher 10 has vertical opposite side-walls 4 and 6 unitary with said outer longitudinal edges of said lower arm 2 from a location proximate the fastened end 8 of the device 10 to the beginning of the jaw formation 4e of the lower arm 2. The side-walls shield the open longitudinal sides defined by the spaced upper and lower arms 14 and 2. The ends 14b and 2b are tightly secured together in superposed condition by a fastener, such as rivet 22.

The opposite ends of elongate upper arm 14 and elongate lower arm 2 terminate in spaced facing jaw formations 14a and 2a. Jaw formations 14a and 2a have concave center sections 26 and 28 and angular side sections 36 and 38 on either side of concave center sections 26 and 28. The concave center sections 26, 28 of jaw formations 14a and 2a have tapered blades 32, 34 which end in tapered blades 32, 34 that terminate in sharpened cutting edges 32a and 34a. The angular sections 36,38 also terminate in sharpened cutting edges 42a and 44a. The angular sections 36,38 extend to the adjacent side-walls 4,6.

The side-walls 4 and 6 have diagonal edges 41 that gradually extend upward and flatten out at 4c proximate the jaw formations 14a and 2a proximate the jaw formations 14a and 2a. The front edge 4b of each side-wall dips down and terminates in a hook-like socket 46.

An interior chamber 24 of the device 10 is isolated by the interior facing surfaces of the lower arm 2, upper arm 14, side-walls 4 and 6, jaw formations 14a and 2a and blades 32,34 and 42a,44a when the cutting edges 34a, 32a,42a and 44a bear against each other to cut a finger/toe nail. The interior chamber 24 is completely enclosed, preventing uncontrolled dispersal of the finger/toe clippings exterior of the device 10. Attention is directed to the omission of the mounting pin found in the conventional finger/toe nail clipper. Absence of such mounting pin eliminates problems encountered with the conventional finger/nail clipper, in that there is no structure to obstruct the smooth entry of various sized finger/toe nails between the jaw formations and that there is no structure in the path of the finger/toe clippings that could deflect said clippings back to the interior of the closed jaws formations so that they rebound randomly, say through the side openings common with many prior art finger nail clippers, and are . randomly scattered to the exterior of the device 10.

Reference is directed to FIGURES 3 through 5 in which

are illustrated different views of the preferred actuating lever provided by the invention and designated by reference character 16. The actuator lever 16 comprises a rotating portion 17 and a planar front plate 52 which only can move vertically. Portion 17 is generally flat and is bent at 17f, continuing in an elongate planar section 17b which functions as the grasping end 17b of the actuator lever 16. The rotating portion 17 is bent at 17a to form continuing elongate planar angled section 17c. Section 17c is provided with an opening 17d to accommodate fastening rivet 18. The bend at 17a forms a heel formation 17e of the actuating lever 16. The bend at 17a is at an angle so that the end 17g of the continuing elongate section 17c is parallel with the bend at 17f when the actuating lever is in its inactive position (shown in FIGURE 5) .

Front plate 52 functions as the connector which forms the mounting means for the actuating lever 16 to the side walls 4 and 6 of the device 10. The front plate 52 bends at 52a forming angled planar plate 52h so as to accommodate the rivet 18. An opening 52f is formed in the angled planar front plate 52h so as to accommodate the rivet 18, which tightly fastens the rotating portion 17 of the actuating lever 16 to said front plate 52 through openings 17d and 52f, the engaged portions 17c and 52h providing the actuating lever 16 with stability and support. However, the rivet 18 still permits rotation of the rotating portion 17 360 degrees enabling alternating between the active position illustrated in FIGURE 4 and the inactive position illustrated in FIGURE 5.

The front plate 52 has oppositely, outwardly protruding side ends 52b and 52e. The side ends 52b and 52e ride within the sockets 46 formed in the side walls 4 and 6, enabling the actuating lever 16 to be mounted to the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device 10.

When the actuating lever 16 is in its active position (FIGURES 1, 3 and 4) , the rotating portion 17 of the

actuating lever 16 slopes upward, away from the elongate upper arm 14 with the heel formation 17e against the upper surface of said arm 14. In the active condition of the actuating lever 16, the front area 4a and 6a of the side walls 4 and 6 define side barriers which act as means prevent the actuating lever 16 from slipping sideways during use of the device 10, effectively positioning and stabilizing said actuating lever 16 during use. During use of the device 10, the grasping end 17b is pressed toward the upper arm 14. The heel formation 17e bears against the lower jaw formation 2a so that the cutting edges 32a and 34a and 42a and 44a engage against the finger/toe nail introduced between the jaw formations 14a and 2a, cutting the nail. When the device 10 is in the process of cutting the nail, the interior is completely isolated.

In order for the actuating lever 16 to alternate between active and inactive positions, the grasping end 17b must be lifted upward and then rotated 180 degrees around the rivet 18. When the actuating lever 16 is in its inactive position (FIGURE 5) , the rotating portion 17 of the actuating lever 16 is rotated 180 degrees from its active position. When the actuating lever 16 is in its inactive condition, the rotating portion 17 slopes downward, toward the upper surface of the elongate upper arm 14 with the heel formation 17e pointing upward instead of bearing against the upper surface of said upper arm 14. In FIGURE 1, the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher 10 is illustrated with the disposal hatch 12 mounted to the undersurface of the lower arm 2 by the rivet 22, which also functions to fasten the elongate upper and lower arms 14,2 together, and the disposal hatch 12 being illustrated extended sideways about the rivet 22 away from the body of the device 10 in FIGURE 1. Referring now to FIGURE 2, in the "cutting" stage, the disposal hatch 12 (shown in phantom outline in the undersurface of the lower arm 2) is closed, covering the opening 2c formed in the lower arm 2,

through which the accumulated nail clippings may be released. When the user is ready to dispose of the accumulated nail clippings collected within the chamber 24, the disposal hatch may be opened by swinging the hatch 12 to the side, allowing controlled discarding the accumulated nail clippings.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, a modified embodiment of the finger/nail clipper and catcher device according to the invention is illustrated and designated generally by reference character 20. In particular, the device 20 provides modified disposal means for nail clippings. In FIGURE 6, the phantom outlines reveal the interior chamber 24 and deflector 13 located on the interior surface of the lower arm 2. In FIGURE 7, the phantom outlines reveal the opening 15 in the lower arm 2. The angled deflector 13 provides controlled means for disposal of the nail clippings. The absence of the conventional mounting pin permits the unobstructed entry of the nail clippings. However, instead of retaining the nail clippings for later disposal, the disposal means provided in the device 20 enables one to hold the device 20 above any container or other area to receive the clippings. The deflector 13 will deflect the nail clippings, which will fall downwardly, through the opening 15 to the exterior of the device 20 so as to effect controlled disposal of the nail clippings. The deflector 13 does not extend upward all the way to the inner surface of the upper arm 14. It is sufficient that the deflector 13 extend upward a sufficient distance without preventing the resilience of upper arm, allowing the cutting edges of the jaw formations 14a and 2a to engage.

In FIGURES 8 - 12 a further modified embodiment of the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device is illustrated and designated by reference character 30. The modified device 30 includes a modified actuating lever and mounting means therefor. The modified actuating lever designated generally by reference character 60, is

generally flat with a grasping end 60e and a mounting base 60b. The longitudinal edges of actuating lever 60 are substantially parallel until said edges indent inward at 60f, then continuing in a substantially parallel direction to the mounting base 60b. The base 60b of the actuating lever 60 has a heel formation 60g and a horizontal bore 60c that extends through the base 60b. The lower surface of the base 60b engages the upper surface of the upper arm 14. A rotational disc 62 is formed as a planar member which may be circular or may be oval in configuration (see FIGURE 13) and has an axial passage 78 formed there¬ through, a pair of oppositely facing mounting ears 64 and 76 extending vertically from the edges 82, 84 of the axial passage 78 formed in the disc 62. The mounting ears 64 and 76 carry openings 66. Base 60b is dimensioned so as to be received within the axial passage 78 between the ears 64 and 76 and arranged with the bore 60c aligned with the openings 66 and an elongate pin or rod 67, the ends thereof are passed therethrough to fasten the actuating lever 60 to the rotational disc 62.

The scroll-like (hook-like) sockets 46 formed in the side-walls 4 and 6 as shown in FIGURES 1, are replaced by longitudinal slots 74 (preferentially close-ended) formed in the side-walls 4 and 6 as illustrated in FIGURES 8-10. Referring to FIGURES 8-10, the upper edges 4c of the portions of side-walls 4 and 6 that extend above the upper surface of the elongate arm 14 are indented diagonally at 70, continuing in a longitudinal direction and angle outward at 72 proximate the jaw formation 14a. The angled and indented side-walls formed by 68, 70 and 72 that define the indented niches, have slots 74 carried by both side-walls 4 and 6, in which slots the rotational disc 62 rides and is capable of 360 degree rotation.

When the actuating lever 60 is in its active position as shown in FIGURES 8-10, the said lever 60 slopes upward, away from the elongate upper arm 14 with the heel formation 60g against the upper surface of the upper arm

₄ . During use of the device 30, the grasping end 60e is pressed toward the upper arm 14. The mounted base 60b, via the heel formation 60g is forced to bear against the upper surface of the upper arm, forcing the upper jaw formation 14a of the upper arm 14 against the lower jaw formation 2a. The heel formation 60g also functions to keep the actuating lever 60 in its active position by preventing the actuating lever 60 from falling toward the upper arm 14, thus complementing the positioning effect of the mounting ears 64 and 76.

In order to place the actuating lever 60 from its active conditon to its inactive condition, the grasping end 60e of the actuating lever 60 is lifted so that the heel formation 60g no longer rests upon the upper surface of upper arm 14. The actuating lever 60 as mounted to the rotational disc 62, is rotated as a unit 180 degrees so that the upper surface of the active actuating lever 60 faces downward and becomes parallel to the upper arm 14, resting against the upper arm 14 until the device 30 is rotated back to its active condition. The rotational disc 62 rotates within the longitudinal slots 74.

Reference now is made to FIGURES 14-22 wherein a further modified embodiment of the invention is designated generally by reference character 100. The finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device 100 differs from the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher devices illustrated in FIGURES 1-13 in that the actuating lever 120 has been is provided with modifications instituted in the means for mounting the modified actuating lever 120 to the device 100 and, modified means for positioning the actuating lever 120 and maintaining the stability of said actuating lever 120 has been provided. Device 100 further differs from the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher devices illustrated in FIGURES 1-13 in that the elongate upper and lower arms are planar from the jaw formations thereof through their opposite ends. Additionally, modified deflection means in the form of a trapezoidally configured block 196 has been

substituted for the deflection means illustrated in the FIGURES 6,7 and 10. These modifications will be evident from the description to follow.

The device 100 has an elongate upper arm 176 and an elongate lower arm 174 extending in overlying spaced, generally coextensive relationship with the longitudinal edges thereof substantially parallel when the actuating lever 120 is mounted on the device 100. Device 120 is provided with vertical side-walls 146 and 148 along the longitudinal edges of the lower arm 174, said side-walls 146 and 148 functioning to shield substantially the open sides of the device 100 from the beginning of the jaw formations 145 and 147 to a location proximate the rear of the device 100, said side-walls 146 and 148 tapering downwardly as represented by reference characters 148a. The device 100 has a rear block 196 which substantially increases the interior space between the arms 176 and 174 so that the capacity of the chamber 125 defined between said arms for accumulating the nail clippings is increased. The rear block 196 is trapezoidal in configuration, the diagonal surface 178 facing downwardly and toward the interior of said chamber 125 defining a deflector. The rear end of the elongate upper arm 176 is secured tightly to the top surface of the rear block 196 and the elongate lower arm 174 is secured to the opposite or bottom surface of said rear block 196 by a elongate rivet 182 and spot welded. The rivet 182 fastens the disposal hatch 172 to the undersurface of the lower arm 174 as well as fastening the upper arm 176 to the upper surface of rear block 196 and the lower arm 174 to the lower surface of said rear block 196.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 22, the opposite ends of said elongate upper arm 176 and said elongate lower arm 174 terminate in the spaced upper jaw formation 145 and lower jaw formation 147. Preferably, said upper and lower jaw formations 145 and 147 have upper and lower concave center blade sections 156 and 150, upper and lower angular

side blade sections 155,157 and 152,154 on the sides of the concave center blade sections 156,150. Blade sections 156,150,155,157,154 and 152 each terminate in sharpened cutting edges. Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 23, the jaw formations 184,190 have upper and lower concave blade sections 186,192 that terminate in sharpened cutting edges 188 and 194. The lower concave blade section 192 is unitary with the lower arm 174 and portions of said side- walls 146 and 148 as represented in FIGURE 23. The concave blade sections 186 and 192 extend from one side wall 146 to the other side wall 148 and are unusually wide, i.e. greater than 5/8ths inches (greater than 1.7 centimeters) . The side-walls 146 and 148 have coplanar upper longitudinal edges that dip at 158 and 159 defining notches 160 and 149. The notches 160 and 149 allow portions of the actuating lever 120 to extend below the uppermost point of the side-walls 146 and 148. The upper longitudinal edges then continue, to extend diagnonally upward and then flatten at 163 and 165. Proximate to the jaw formations 145 and 147, the upper longitudinal edges of each of said side-walls 146, 148 terminate in a hook-like formation 164 and 168 that defines a slot (or socket) 166,169 defining passage means for mounting the actuating lever 120.

Referring to FIGURE 20, the modified actuating lever as an example, associated with the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device 100, is designated by reference character 120. Actuating lever 120 comprises an elongate planar bar section 123, side wings 126 and 128 and a cross bar 138. One end of said elongate section 123 is slightly bent to define grasping end 124 while the opposite end of said elongate section 123 defines a heel formation 130 that functions as cam means for said actuating lever 120. The side wings 126 and 128 extend vertically diagonally from portions of the longitudinal edges of the elongate

section 123 proximate to the heel formation 130. The side wings 126 and 128 are parallel one to the other and terminate in rounded mounting ends 126b and 128b. The mounting ends 126b and 128b are provided with respectively aligned slots 134 and 136 adapted to receive the protruding ends 140, 142 respectively for seating the crossbar 138. The ends 140 and 142 when seated within the slots 134 and 136 preferably are flush with the exterior facing surfaces of the side walls 146 and 148. Elongate section 123 is indented to form shoulders 123a and 123b. Again referring to FIGURES 20 and 21, the crossbar 138 has a planar (flat) elongate middle section 144 and opposite protrudng ends 140 and 142. The elongate middle section is provided with a front longitudinal edge 144a and a rear longitudinal edge 144b. The protruding ends 140 and 142 seat within said slots (sockets) 166 and 169 formed in the side walls 146 and 148 as described above, enabling the actuating lever 120 to be mounted to the finger/toe nail clipper and catcher device 100 When the actuating lever 120 is in its active position, as shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, the elongate bar section 123 thereof slopes upward, away from the elongate upper arm 176. The heel formation 130 then is against the upper surface of the upper arm 176 proximate said notches 160 and 149. During the active position, the front edge 144a of said elongate middle section 144 of crossbar 138 rests against the upper surface of said upper arm 176. This construction keeps the actuating lever 120 from unintentionally flipping back to to any position other than the active position by providing some resistance.

During use of the device 100, the grasping end 124 of the actuating lever 120 is pressed toward the upper arm 176, forcing the upper jaw formation 145 against the lower jaw formation 147 so that said jaw formations 145 and 147, i.e. the cutting edges thereof, engage the finger/toe nail introduced between said jaw formations 145 and 147, cutting the nail. When the device 100 is in the process

of cutting a nail, the interior chamber is completely isolated.

In order for the actuating lever 120 to change from the active position to the inactive position, the grasping end 124 must be lifted upward so that said crossbar 138 rotates within the sockets 166 and 169 of the side-walls 146 and 148 until is in its inactive position below the device. In the inactive position, the rear edge 144b of the middle section 144 of the crossbar 138 rests against the upper surface of the upper arm 176, preventing said actuating lever 120 from swinging to any other position by providing resistance against said motion. When the actuating lever 120 is in its inactive position as represented in FIGURE 16, the elongate section 123 rests against the lower surface of said lower arm 174 and said disposal hatch 172 while the side wings 126,128 rest against the side-walls 146,148. In order to move said actuating lever 120 from its inactive condition to its active condition, the grasping end 124 must be pulled away from the body of the device 100 so that said crossbar 138 again rotates approximately 315 degrees within the sockets 166 and 169 of said side-walls 146,148 until the heel formation 130 rests against said upper arm 176.

In FIGURE 22, the finger/toe nail clipper and catching device 120 is illustrated with the disposal hatch 172 mounted to the undersurface of the lower arm 174 by the rivet 182, the disposal hatch 172 being extended sideways about the rivet 182 away from the body of the device 120. Referring to FIGURES 15, 17 and 19, during the "active" stage, the disposal hatch 172 is closed, covering the opening 170 so that accumulated nail clippings may be retained. When the user is ready to dispose of the collected nail clippings, the disposal hatch may be opened by swinging the hatch 172 to the side, allowing controlled discarding of the accumulated nail clippings. Phantom outlines reveal the angled deflecting face 178 of the rear block 196.