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Title:
A NAIL CLIPPER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/003354
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A nail clipper (1) comprising upper and lower cutting edges(13a- 13d, 14a-14d) that are configured to cut a nail inserted into a space between the upper and lower cutting edges by a shearing action as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other and overlap. The upper and lower cutting edges are configured such that the extent to which they overlap progressively increases as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other.

Inventors:
GRIFFITHS ROBERT (GB)
WYATT CHRIS (GB)
BURN-CALLANDER CHARLOTTE (GB)
GRIFFITHS TERRY (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2021/051665
Publication Date:
January 06, 2022
Filing Date:
June 30, 2021
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
HOGARTH FINE ART LIGHTING LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A45D29/02
Foreign References:
GB2514616A2014-12-03
US20020092171A12002-07-18
BE1017471A62008-10-07
US20040148779A12004-08-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GREY, Ian (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims l. A nail clipper comprising upper and lower cutting edges that are configured to cut a nail inserted into a space between the upper and lower cutting edges by a shearing action as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other and overlap, wherein the upper and lower cutting edges are configured such that the extent to which they overlap progressively increases as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other. 2. A nail clipper according to claim l, wherein a central part of the upper and lower cutting edges overlap first, the overlap progressing outwards towards ends of the cutting edges as the upper and lower cutting edges are moved into a fully closed position. 3. A nail clipper according to claim 2, wherein each of the upper and lower cutting edges are curved in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the upper and lower cutting edges when the upper and lower cutting edges are brought together in use. 4. A nail clipper according to claim 3, wherein the lower cutting edge comprises convex curvature and the upper cutting edge comprises concave curvature, and wherein the radius of curvature of the lower cutting edge is less than the radius of curvature of the upper cutting edge. 5. A nail clipper according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper cutting edge is positioned outwardly of the lower cutting edge, the lower cutting edge being configured to support a portion of nail for cutting and the upper cutting edge being configured to sever said portion of nail supported by the lower cutting edge when the upper and lower cutting edges are brought together in use.

6. A nail clipper according to claim 5, wherein the lower cutting edge comprises a surface for supporting a portion of nail for cutting.

7. A nail clipper according to claim 6, wherein the upper cutting edge comprises a sharpened edge to sever a portion of nail supported by the lower cutting edge in use.

8. A nail clipper according to any of claims l to 7, wherein the upper and lower cutting edges are disposed at ends of respective upper and lower arms; and wherein the nail clipper further comprises a lever that extends from the upper arm, the lever being configured to drive the upper and lower cutting edges together when pushed towards the upper arm in use.

9. A nail clipper comprising a cutting body positioned between upper and lower arms of a handle of the nail clipper, wherein the cutting body comprises at least two pairs of cutting edges, the cutting edges of each pair being configured to cooperate to sever a nail inserted between said cutting edges in use, and wherein the cutting body is rotatable to selectively position one of the pairs of cutting edges in an operative position for cutting.

10. A nail clipper according to claim 9, wherein the nail clipper comprises a handle comprising upper and lower arms that are attached at a proximal end of the handle and spaced apart at a distal end of the handle, and wherein the cutting body is disposed between the upper and lower arms at the distal end of the handle.

11. A nail clipper according to claim 10, wherein the cutting body comprises upper and lower parts, the upper part being attached to the upper arm of the handle and the lower part being attached to the lower arm of the handle.

12. A nail clipper according to claim 11, wherein each of the upper and lower parts of the cutting body comprises a central section and a rim that upstands around the perimeter of the central section.

13. A nail clipper according to claim 12, wherein separate sections of the rim of the upper part and separate sections of the rim of the lower part comprise the cutting edges, and wherein each cutting edge of the rim of the upper part is aligned with a corresponding cutting edge of the rim of the lower part to form the at least two pairs of cutting edges.

14. A nail clipper according to claim 13, wherein the upper part of the cutting body is attached to the upper arm of the handle by an upper fastener and the lower part of the cutting body is attached to the lower arm of the handle by a lower fastener.

15. A nail clipper according to claim 14, wherein the upper and lower fasteners are configured to prevent relative rotation of the upper and lower parts of the cutting body and maintain the alignment of each cutting edge of the upper part with the corresponding cutting edge of the lower part.

16. A nail clipper according to claim 15, wherein the upper fastener comprises an extension which locates in a channel of the lower fastener.

17. A nail clipper according to claim 16, wherein the extension of the upper fastener is configured to slide in the channel of the lower fastener to allow the upper and lower parts of the cutting body to move toward and away from each other.

18. A nail clipper according to claim 17, wherein a wall of the upper fastener abuts an upper edge of the channel of the lower fastener when the cutting body is in a fully closed position.

19. A nail clipper according to claim 18, wherein the wall of the upper fastener locates in a recess in the central section of the upper part of the cutting body to rotationally fix the upper fastener to the upper part of the cutting body; and wherein the lower fastener comprises a wall that locates in a recess in the central section of the lower part of the cutting body to rotationally fix the lower fastener to the lower part of the cutting body.

20. A nail clipper according to claim 19, wherein hooks extend from the wall of the upper fastener through an aperture in the central section of the upper part of the cutting body and an aperture in the upper arm of the handle to engage an outer surface of the upper arm of the handle; and wherein hooks extend from the wall of the lower fastener through an aperture in the central section of the lower part of the cutting body and an aperture in the lower arm of the handle to engage an outer surface of the lower arm of the handle.

21. A nail clipper according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the extension of the upper fastener and the channel of the lower fastener are each square in section.

22. A nail clipper according to any of claims 9 to 21, wherein the nail clipper further comprises a click wheel configured to allow rotation of the cutting body between a number of predefined positions. 23. A nail clipper according to claim 22, wherein the click wheel comprises domed protrusions spaced in a pitch circle about a surface of the click wheel.

24. A nail clipper according to claim 23 when dependent on claim 10, wherein said surface of the click wheel abuts an outer surface of the upper arm of the handle.

25. A nail clipper according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the click wheel and the cutting body are configured to rotate together.

26. A nail clipper according to claim 25 when dependent on claim 24, wherein the outer surface of the upper arm of the handle comprises dimples in which the protrusions of the click wheel are configured to locate, wherein rotation of the cutting body between the predefined positions moves the protrusions between adjacent dimples. 27. A nail clipper according to claim 25 or 26 when dependent on claim 20, wherein the click wheel comprises an aperture, and wherein an inner edge of the aperture abuts the hooks of the upper fastener to rotationally fix the upper fastener to the click wheel.

28. A nail clipper according to any of claims 10 to 27, wherein the nail clipper further comprises a lever operable to push the upper and lower arms of the handle and the upper and lower parts of the cutting body together in use.

29. A nail clipper according to claim 28, wherein the lever is held against the upper arm of the handle by a pin.

30. A nail clipper according to claim 29 when dependent on claim 20, wherein the pin comprises a base that abuts the outer surface of the lower arm of the handle; a shaft that extends through the arms of the handle, the fasteners and the cutting body; and a slot in a distal end of the shaft, opposite the base, in which a fulcrum of the lever is located.

31. A nail clipper according to claim 30, wherein the lever and the pin are configured to rotate 180 degrees between a stowed and a deployed position; and wherein the base comprises protrusions configured to locate in corresponding dimples in the outer surface of the lower arm of the handle, and wherein movement of the lever between the stowed and the deployed position moves the protrusions between adjacent dimples.

32. A nail clipper according to claim 31, wherein each of the pairs of cutting edges are curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutting edges when the cutting edges come together in use, and wherein each of the pairs of cutting edges comprise a different radius of curvature from each of the other pairs of cutting edges.

33. A nail clipper according to any of claims 9 to 32, wherein each of the cutting edges are curved in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cutting edges when the cutting edges come together in use.

34. A nail clipper according to claim 33 when dependent on claim 13, wherein the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body comprises convex curvature and the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body comprises concave curvature, and wherein the radius of curvature of the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body is less than the radius of curvature of the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body. 35· A nail clipper according to any of claims 13 to 34, wherein the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body are positioned outwardly of the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body, the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body being configured to support a portion of nail for cutting and the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body being configured to sever said portion of nail, as the cutting edges come together in use.

36. A nail clipper according to claim 35, wherein the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body comprise a surface for supporting a portion of nail for cutting.

37. A nail clipper according to claim 36, wherein the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body comprise a sharpened edge to sever a portion of nail supported by a respective cutting edge of the lower part of the cutting body in use. 38. A nail clipper according to any of claims 9 to 37, wherein the at least two pairs of cutting edges comprises four pairs of cutting edges.

Description:
A nail clipper

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a nail clipper.

Background

Regular nail clippers typically comprise two sprung arms having cutting edges at their ends; and a lever that is operable to push the cutting edges together. The cutting edges are conventionally configured to make contact so that a nail trapped between the cutting edges is cut by a crushing action. This crushing action becomes less effective with cutting edges longer than around 14mm, making nail clippers less suitable for use on toe nails. The present invention seeks to overcome some of these drawbacks and provide a nail clipper that can be used to comfortably cut both toe and finger nails. Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a nail clipper comprising upper and lower cutting edges that are configured to cut a nail inserted into a space between the upper and lower cutting edges by a shearing action as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other and overlap, wherein the upper and lower cutting edges are configured such that the extent to which they overlap progressively increases as the upper and lower cutting edges move towards each other.

A central part of the upper and lower cutting edges may overlap first, the overlap progressing outwards towards ends of the cutting edges as the upper and lower cutting edges are moved into a fully closed position.

Each of the upper and lower cutting edges may be curved in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the upper and lower cutting edges when the upper and lower cutting edges are brought together in use.

The lower cutting edge may comprises convex curvature and the upper cutting edge may comprise concave curvature, and wherein the radius of curvature of the lower cutting edge is less than the radius of curvature of the upper cutting edge. The upper cutting edge is positioned outwardly of the lower cutting edge, the lower cutting edge being configured to support a portion of nail for cutting and the upper cutting edge being configured to sever said portion of nail supported by the lower cutting edge when the upper and lower cutting edges are brought together in use.

The lower cutting edge may comprise a surface for supporting a portion of nail for cutting.

The upper cutting edge may comprise a sharpened edge to sever a portion of nail supported by the lower cutting edge in use. The upper and lower cutting edges may be disposed at ends of respective upper and lower arms; and wherein the nail clipper further comprises a lever that extends from the upper arm, the lever being configured to drive the upper and lower cutting edges together when pushed towards the upper arm in use. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a nail clipper comprising a cutting body positioned between upper and lower arms of a handle of the nail clipper, wherein the cutting body comprises at least two pairs of cutting edges, the cutting edges of each pair being configured to cooperate to sever a nail inserted between said cutting edges in use, and wherein the cutting body is rotatable to selectively position one of the pairs of cutting edges in an operative position for cutting.

The nail clipper may comprise a handle comprising upper and lower arms that are attached at a proximal end of the handle and spaced apart at a distal end of the handle, and wherein the cutting body is disposed between the upper and lower arms at the distal end of the handle.

The cutting body may comprise upper and lower parts, the upper part being attached to the upper arm of the handle and the lower part being attached to the lower arm of the handle.

Each of the upper and lower parts of the cutting body may comprise a central section and a rim that upstands around the perimeter of the central section, wherein separate sections of the rim of the upper part and separate sections of the rim of the lower part comprise the cutting edges, and wherein each cutting edge of the rim of the upper part is aligned with a corresponding cutting edge of the rim of the lower part to form the at least two pairs of cutting edges. The upper part of the cutting body may be attached to the upper arm of the handle by an upper fastener and the lower part of the cutting body is attached to the lower arm of the handle by a lower fastener.

The upper and lower fasteners may be configured to prevent relative rotation of the upper and lower parts of the cutting body and maintain the alignment of each cutting edge of the upper part with the corresponding cutting edge of the lower part. The upper fastener may comprise an extension which locates in a channel of the lower fastener.

The extension of the upper fastener may be configured to slide in the channel of the lower fastener to allow the upper and lower parts of the cutting body to move toward and away from each other.

A wall of the upper fastener may abut an upper edge of the channel of the lower fastener when the cutting body is in a fully closed position. The wall of the upper fastener may locate in a recess in the central section of the upper part of the cutting body to rotationally fix the upper fastener to the upper part of the cutting body; wherein the lower fastener comprises a wall that locates in a recess in the central section of the lower part of the cutting body to rotationally fix the lower fastener to the lower part of the cutting body.

The nail clipper may further comprise hooks that extend from the wall of the upper fastener through an aperture in the central section of the upper part of the cutting body and an aperture in the upper arm of the handle, to engage an outer surface of the upper arm of the handle.

The nail clipper may further comprise hooks that extend from the wall of the lower fastener through an aperture in the central section of the lower part of the cutting body and an aperture in the lower arm of the handle, to engage an outer surface of the lower arm of the handle. The extension of the upper fastener and the channel of the lower fastener may each be square in section.

The nail clipper may further comprises a click wheel configured to allow rotation of the cutting body between a number of predefined positions.

The click wheel may comprise domed protrusions spaced in a pitch circle about a surface of the click wheel. The surface of the click wheel may abut an outer surface of the upper arm of the handle.

The click wheel and the cutting body may be configured to rotate together.

The outer surface of the upper arm of the handle may comprise dimples in which the protrusions of the click wheel are configured to locate, wherein rotation of the cutting body between the predefined positions moves the protrusions between adjacent dimples.

The click wheel may comprise an aperture, and wherein an inner edge of the aperture abuts the hooks of the upper fastener to rotationally fix the upper fastener to the click wheel.

The nail clipper further comprises a lever operable to push the upper and lower arms of the handle and the upper and lower parts of the cutting body together in use.

The lever may be held against the upper arm of the handle by a pin.

The pin may comprise a base that abuts the outer surface of the lower arm of the handle; a shaft that extends through the arms of the handle, the fasteners and the cutting body; and a slot in a distal end of the shaft, opposite the base, in which a fulcrum of the lever is located.

The lever and the pin may be configured to rotate 180 degrees between a stowed and a deployed position; and wherein the base comprises protrusions configured to locate in corresponding dimples in the outer surface of the lower arm of the handle, and wherein movement of the lever between the stowed and the deployed position moves the protrusions between adjacent dimples.

Each of the pairs of cutting edges may be configured to cut differently sized nails.

Each of the pairs of cutting edges may be curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutting edges when the cutting edges come together in use, and wherein each of the pairs of cutting edges comprise a different radius of curvature from each of the other pairs of cutting edges.

Each of the cutting edges may be curved in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cutting edges when the cutting edges come together in use.

The cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body may comprise convex curvature and the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body may comprise concave curvature, and wherein the radius of curvature of the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body is less than the radius of curvature of the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body. The cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body may be positioned outwardly of the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body, the cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body being configured to support a portion of nail for cutting and the cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body being configured to sever said portion of nail, as the cutting edges come together in use.

The cutting edges of the lower part of the cutting body may comprise a surface for supporting a portion of nail for cutting.

The cutting edges of the upper part of the cutting body may comprise a sharpened edge to sever a portion of nail supported by a respective cutting edge of the lower part of the cutting body in use.

The at least two pairs of cutting edges may comprise four pairs of cutting edges. Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la shows a nail clipper according to embodiments of the invention with a lever in a stowed position;

Figure lb shows the nail clipper with the lever in a deployed position;

Figure 2a shows a cutting body according to embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2b shows upper and lower parts of the cutting body;

Figure 2c is a cross section of the cutting body showing upper and lower fasteners; Figure 3a shows the upper and lower fasteners in an exploded view;

Figure 3b shows another view the upper and lower fasteners;

Figure 3c shows a cross section of the upper and lower fasteners;

Figure 4a shows the nail clipper in a partial state of assembly;

Figure 4b shows the nail clipper in a further partial state of assembly; Figure 5 is a cross section of the cutting body showing upper and lower fasteners;

Figures 6a to 6d show the upper and lower parts of the cutting body in various positions between an open position and a fully closed position;

Figure 7 shows a pin of the nail clipper;

Figure 8 shows the nail clipper in a further partial state of assembly; Figure 9 shows an upper surface of a handle of the nail clipper;

Figure 10 shows a click wheel of the nail clipper;

Figure 11 shows a lower surface of the handle; and Figure 12 is a top view of the cutting body. Detailed description

A nail clipper 1 according to embodiments of the invention is shown in Figs la and lb. The nail clipper 1 comprises a handle 2 having upper and lower arms 3, 4 which are attached together at a proximal end 5 of the handle 2 and spaced apart at a distal end 6 of the handle 2, giving the handle 2 a Y shape. A cutting body 7 is disposed between the upper and lower arms 3, 4 at the distal end 6 of the handle 2 and comprises upper and lower parts 8, 9 which, in use, come together to effect a cutting action. A lever 10 is provided extending from the distal end 6 of the upper arm 3. Operation of the lever 10 pushes the upper and lower arms 3, 4 and the upper the lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 together. The upper and lower arms 3, 4 are made from a resilient material - such as stainless steel - and return to their original position following operation of the lever 10. The cutting body 7 is shown in more detail in Figs. 2a to 2c. Fig. 2b shows the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 separately for illustration purposes. As shown, the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body are plate like and comprise a central section 11 and a rim 12 that upstands around the perimeter of the central section 11. The rim 12 of each of the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 provide four cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d, which are sections of the rim 12 adapted for cutting. The cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d are spaced about 90 degrees apart around each of the upper and lower parts 8, 9. When assembled to form the cutting body 7, the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 are aligned with respective cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 to form pairs of cutting edges I5a-i5d. As will become apparent herein, each of the pairs of cutting edges I5a-i5d are configured to cut nails of different sizes, or to provide different shaped cuts to the nail. The cutting body 7 can be rotated to align any of the pairs of cutting edges I5a-i5d with a front of the nail clipper 1, as will be explained further below.

As shown in Fig. 2c, upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 are provided to hold the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 together. Each of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 locate in a central aperture 18 of respective upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7. The fasteners 16, 17 are shown in more detail in Figs 3a to 3c. The upper fastener 16 comprises an extension 19 which locates within a channel 20 of the lower fastener 17. The extension 19 is configured to slide in and out of the channel 20 of the lower fastener 17 to facilitate relative movement of the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7. The extension 19 and the channel 20 comprise substantially square sections to prevent rotation of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 relative to each other. It shall be appreciated that it is not essential that the channel 20 and the extension 19 comprise square sections, but rather that they are configured to prevent rotation of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17. To this extent, the channel 20 and the extension 19 may be any corresponding shape that prevents rotation of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17. For example, the extension 19 may be provided with splines (not shown) that sit in corresponding groves in the channel 20.

The upper fastener 16 comprises an upper wall 21 which extends perpendicularly to the extension 19. The upper wall 21 is substantially square and configured to fit into a correspondingly shaped recess 22 in the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7, shown in Fig. 2b. The lower fastener 17 comprises a lower wall 23 that extends perpendicularly over a lower end of the channel 20. The lower wall 23 is substantially square and is configured to fit into a correspondingly shaped recess 24 in the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7. Therefore the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 are held in alignment by the fasteners 16, 17 so that the upper part 8 may only move relative to the lower part 9 in a direction away or towards the lower part 9.

Each of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 comprise hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d, for attaching the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 to respective upper and lower arms 3, 4 of the handle 2. The hooks 25a-25d of the upper fastener 16 extend from the upper wall 21. The hooks 26a-26d of the lower fastener 17 extend from the lower wall 23. The hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d of each of the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 are arranged in a pitch circle, spaced at about 90 degrees apart, and locate in respective circular openings 27, 28 in the upper and lower handles 3, 4, as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. Each hook 25a-25d, 26a-26d comprises a wall 29 having a tapered end 30 and a lip 31 that defines a lower edge 31 of the tapered end 30 - as illustrated with reference to a hook 26a of the lower fastener 17 in Fig. 5. The lip 31 of each hook 26a-26d of the lower fastener 17 locates over an outer surface 32 of the lower arm 4 of the handle 2 to hold the lower fastener 17 and the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7 to the lower arm 4. Similarly, the lip 31 of each hook 25a-25d of the upper fastener 16 locates over an outer surface 33 of the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 to hold the upper fastener 16 and the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 to the upper arm 3. The tapered ends 30 of the hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d cause the hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d to deflect inwards as the fasteners 16, 17 are attached to their respective arm 3, 4 of the handle 2 during assembly. The openings 27, 28 in the arms 3, 4 of the handle 2 may comprise an angled lead in as shown in Fig. 5 to further ease assembly. By angled lead in, it is meant that the diameter of each opening 27, 28 may be slightly larger on an inner surface 34, 35 than on the outer surface 33, 32 of the respective arm 3, 4 of the handle 2. It is important that the hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d are made from a resilient material to allow each hook 25a-25d, 26a-26d to deflect and return to its original position without breaking during assembly. For example, the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 may be injection moulded. In another example, the upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 comprise nylon mouldings.

Referring still to Fig. 5, the hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d on each of the fasteners 16, 17 are arranged to allow the cutting body 7 a degree of float within the handle 2. That is to say, the hooks 25a-25d, 26a-26d are spaced a distance X from inside edges of the openings 27, 28 of respective upper and lower arms 3, 4 of the handle 2 to allow a small amount of lateral movement of the cutting body 7. Lateral movement is considered to be movement perpendicular to the direction in which the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 move during a cutting action.

When the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 come together to a fully closed position, the rim 12 of the upper part 8 overlaps the rim 12 of the lower part 9 forming a region of overlap of the upper and lower parts 8, 9; the rim 12 of the upper part 8 extending outwardly over the rim 12 of the lower part 9 so than an inner surface 36 of the upper part 8 is directly adjacent an outer surface 37 of the lower part 9 in the region of overlap.

The inner surface 36 of the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 comprises three regions, an inner surface 36a of the rim 12; an inner surface 36b of the central section 11, perpendicular to the inner surface 36a of the rim 12; and an intermediate surface 36c which extends obliquely between the inner surface 36a of the rim 12 and the inner surface 36b of the central section 11. Among other things, the intermediate surface 36b provides the upper part 8 with a structurally efficient shape, but it shall be appreciated that other arrangements may work equally well. For example, the intermediate surface 36b may comprise a radius to blend the inner surface 36a of the rim 12 and the inner surface 36c of the central section 11.

The upper and lower fasteners 16, 17 are configured to abut one another in the fully closed position to stop further movement of the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 toward each other. This prevents the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7 from fouling the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7. The upper wall 21 of the upper fastener 16 extends outwardly of the extension 19 to abut an upper edge 38 of the channel 20 when the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 are brought together into the fully closed position. In the fully closed position, the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7 are spaced from the intermediate surface 36b of the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 by a distance Y.

The cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d of the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 are configured to cut by a shearing action. As illustrated by Fig. 5, the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 comprise a sharpened edge 39. The cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 are not sharp, but are configured to support a portion of nail for cutting. In other words, the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 are not configured to exert a cutting pressure on a nail, but instead provide a surface 40 to support a portion of nail, as a corresponding cutting edge I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 severs the supported portion of nail. The supported portion of nail is then retained in the cutting body 7 for later disposal.

Figs. 6a to 6b show the cutting action of the cutting body 7 with reference to one pair of the cutting edges 15a. Although, the following refers to the pair 15a of cutting edges 13a, 14a closest the observer, but is equally applicable to any of the pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d. The cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d are curved, both in a plane defined by the X-Y axes of the illustrated axes; and in a plane defined by the X-Z axes. However, it is the curvature in the plane defined by the X-Y axes that is discussed with reference to Figs. 6a to 6b. It shall be noted that said plane is parallel to the direction of movement of the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 during cutting; in other words, when the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 are moved toward or away from each other. The cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 are concave, while the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7 are convex. The radius of curvature of the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 is greater than the radius of curvature of the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7. Therefore, when the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 are brought together, a central part 41 of the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d are first to overlap, the region of overlap progressing outwards towards ends 42 of the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d as the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 move into the fully closed position. In use, when a nail is placed between the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d of the upper and lower 8, 9 parts of the cutting body 7 and the upper and lower cutting bodies are moved together, the nail is cut progressively from the centre outwards, minimising the force required to cut the nail and smoothing out the cutting action. Such a design allows for a cutting edge 13a- 13d, I4a-i4d longer than the general limit of around 14mm mentioned above.

A pin 43 is provided to hold the lever 10 to the upper arm 3 of the handle 2, as illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8. The pin 43 comprises a base 44 that locates against the outer surface 32 of the lower arm 4 of the handle 2; a shaft 45 that extends through the arms 3, 4 of the handle 2, the fasteners 16, 17 and the cutting body 7; and a slot 46 to locate the lever 10. With reference to Figs la and lb, the lever to is a class 2 lever, comprising an axle (not shown) that locates in the slot 46 of the pin 43 to serve as a fulcrum. The lever 10 can be moved between a stowed position as shown in Fig. la and a deployed position as shown in Fig. lb, by rotating the pin 43 and the lever 10 through 180 degrees. The lever 10 comprises a protrusion 47 adjacent the fulcrum which spaces the lever 10 from the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 in the deployed position, so that the lever 10 extends at an oblique angle away from the upper arm 3 of the handle 2, as shown in Fig. lb. In use, a user grips and pushes the lever 10 toward the handle 2. The protrusion 47 engages the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 and pushes the upper arm 3 toward the lower arm 4, bringing the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 together.

The cutting body 7 can be rotated to align any of the pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges 13a- 13d, I4a-i4d into a cutting position, for example, the front of the nail clipper 1. As the cutting body 7 is rotated, it clicks into one of 8 positions - 4 primary positions and 4 intermediate positions. The primary positions equate to one of the four pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d being aligned with the front of the nail clipper 1, while the intermediate positions equate to a position of the cutting body 7 in which any two adjacent pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d are one click away from alignment with the front of the nail clipper 1. The intermediate positions allow the cutting body 7 to be positioned for easier cutting of difficult to reach nails such as toe nails. For example, some less dextrous users may find the nail clipper 1 easier to use if it may be configured for use at an angle to the nail being cut.

The outer surface 33 of the upper arm 3 is provided with 8 dimples 48 arranged in a pitch circle, as shown in Fig. 9. The dimples 48 are arranged around the opening 27 in the upper arm 3 of the handle 2. The dimples 48 are evenly spaced at 45 degrees apart. Referring to Fig. 10, a click ring 49 is provided comprising four domed protrusions 50. The protrusions 50 are configured to locate in the dimples 48 in the upper arm 3 of the handle 2. The protrusions 50 are evenly spaced at 90 degrees apart. The click ring 49 sits flat against the outer surface 33 of the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 - as shown in Fig. 12 - and comprises an aperture 51 with four lobes 52a-52d which locate around the tapered ends 30 of the hooks 25a-25d of the upper fastener 16. Therefore, the cutting body 7 and the click ring 49 are rotationally fixed to each other so that when the cutting body 7 is rotated, the click ring 49 is rotated at the same time. Rotation of the cutting body into one of the primary or intermediate positions causes the protrusions 50 on the click ring 49 to move between adjacent dimples 48 on the upper arm 3 of the handle 2. The click ring 49 is held against the outer surface 33 of the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 by the lever 10. The upper arm 3 of the handle 2 presses against the click ring 49, providing a contact force between the click ring 49 and the upper arm 3 of the handle 2. The contact force between the upper arm 3 of the handle 2 and the click ring 49 is strong enough to hold the cutting body 7 in position during cutting without the cutting body 7 ‘jumping’ out of position, yet not so strong as to prevent the cutting body 7 being manually repositioned into another of the primary or intermediate positions.

Referring to Fig. 11, two dimples 53 are spaced 180 degrees apart either side the opening 28 in the lower arm 4 of the handle 2. The base 44 of the pin 43 is provided with corresponding domed protrusions 54 configured to locate in the dimples, as shown in Fig. 7. When the lever 10 is rotated 180 degrees from the stowed position to the deployed position, the protrusions 54 relocate in the other of the respective dimples 53 in the lower arm 4. The lower arm 4 presses against the base 44 of the pin 43. It is important that this contact force between the lower arm 4 and the base 44 of the pin 43 is strong enough to hold the lever 10 in the deployed position during operation, yet not so strong as to prevent the lever 10 being manually repositioned into the stowed position. With reference to Fig. 12, each of the pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d are configured to cut a different size of nail and are curved accordingly. The curvature of the pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d is explained with reference to the illustrated axes X, Y and Z. To enable different size nails to be cut, each of the pairs 15a- i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d have a different radius of curvature, measured in the plane defined by the X-Z axes. The pair I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d with the largest radius is best suited for cutting large toe nails, while the pair I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d with the smallest radius is best suited for cutting finger nails. In one embodiment, cutting edge pair I5a-i5d with the largest radius are 20mm across, measured straight across from one end a cutting edge I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d to the other.

In use, a cutting edge pair I5a-i5d is selected according to the size of the nail to be cut and rotated into alignment with the front of the nail clipper 1. The user may then place the nail between the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d and operate the lever 10 to bring the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d together and sever the nail. Although in the embodiments described above, when the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 come together, the rim 12 of the upper part 8 extends outwardly over the rim 12 of the lower part 9, it shall be appreciated that the cutting body 7 may alternately be configured so that the rim 12 of the lower part 9 extends outwardly over the rim 12 of the upper part 8 when the upper and lower parts 8, 9 come together.

Although in the embodiments described above, the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 comprise a sharpened edge 39; while the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 are not sharp, but are configured to support a portion of nail for cutting, it shall be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, both the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 and the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 may be sharpened so that the cutting body 7 is configured to simultaneously cut a nail from both sides. In yet a further embodiment, neither the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 nor the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 are sharpened and instead the cutting body 7 is configured to sever a nail by a shearing action.

Although in the embodiments described above, the central part 41 of the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d overlap first as the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 move together, it shall be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the cutting edges may instead be configured so that ends 42 of the cutting edges I3a-i3d, 14a- i4d are first to overlap. In such embodiments, the region of overlap progresses inwards towards the central part 41 of the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d as the upper and lower parts 8, 9 of the cutting body 7 move together. This may be achieved, for example, by reconfiguring the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d so that the radius of curvature of the cutting edges I3a-i3d of the upper part 8 of the cutting body 7 is less than the radius of curvature of the cutting edges I4a-i4d of the lower part 9 of the cutting body 7. In use, when a nail is placed between the cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d of the upper and lower 8, 9 parts of the cutting body 7 and the upper and lower cutting bodies are moved together, the nail is cut progressively from the outer edges of the nail inwards towards the centre of the nail, minimising the force required to cut the nail and smoothing out the cutting action. As in the embodiment described above, such a design allows for a cutting edge I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d longer than the general limit of around 14mm mentioned above.

Although in the embodiments described above the cutting body 7 comprises four pairs I5a-i5d of cutting edges I3a-i3d, I4a-i4d, it shall be appreciated that the cutting body may be configured to provide an alternate number of pairs of cutting edges. For example, the cutting body 7 may comprise 2 pairs of cutting edges. In another example, the cutting body 7 may comprise 5 pairs of cutting edges.

As used herein, the term ‘front of the nail clipper’, refers to a cutting position outside of the space between the upper and lower 3, 4 arms of the handle 2. The cutting position can be one of the intermediate or primary positions. When a cutting edge pair I5a-i5d is disposed outside of the space between the upper and lower 3, 4 arms of the handle 2.

As used herein, the terms ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ relate to relative positions of components of the nail clipper when oriented for normal use, that is to say, lever 10 side up.