Description

NAIL CLIPPERS IN THE SHAPE OF SCISSORS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to nail clippers and, more particularly, to a nail clipper, which is constructed so that a holding part pivots around one shaft, thus making it easy to hold the nail clipper, and which is provided with a stopper means, thus preventing cutting blades from being damaged when the nail clipper is not in use.

[2] Further, the present invention is directed to a scissor-type nail clipper, which is capable of eliminating noise when fingernails or toenails are cut, thus reducing the unpleasant feeling for surrounding people, and which is provided with a nail collecting tray for collecting removed fingernail or toenail fragments, so that additional cleaning operation is not required after the fingernails or toenails are cut. Background Art

[3] Generally, a nail clipper is constructed so that cutting edges are provided on ends of upper and lower plates which are elastic and are connected to each other, a support shaft passes vertically through the front portions of the upper and lower plates, and a pressing plate serving as a lever is coupled to the support shaft.

[4] The conventional nail clipper is operated as follows. That is, when the pressing plate is pressed, the cutting edges, which are provided on the ends of the upper and lower plates, bite each other, thus cutting fingernails or toenails.

[5] In such a conventional nail clipper, the direction of the force applied by the pressing plate is perpendicular to the direction of force applied by the hand. Thus, when fingernails or toenails are cut, force is applied simultaneously along the entire cutting line, so that the pressing plate may be dislodged from a predetermined position. Thereby, a user may be injured, and unnecessary force may be consumed. In the case where the hand holding the pressing plate is wet due to sweat, the pressing plate may slip from the hand.

[6] Further, in order to cut nails, the nail clipper is held in one hand, while the nails of the other hand are trimmed. However, the nail clipper may obstruct a user's vision, according to the position of the nail clipper, so that it is difficult to neatly trim nails at one time, thus being inconvenient for the user.

[7] Furthermore, the conventional nail clipper generates noise when nails are cut with a crack, thus giving an unpleasant feeling to surrounding people. Further, the cut nails may fly all around.

[8] In order to solve these problems, the applicant of the present invention proposed

Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-0348034 (published on April 28, 2004), which is

entitled 'Nail Clipper Having Scissor-Type Cutters On Nipper Body' (hereinafter, referred to as "cited reference 1").

[9] According to the cited reference 1, the nail clipper includes upper and lower plates each having on one end thereof a cutting edge, and a pressing piece which is coupled to the upper surface of the upper plate via a support shaft. Here, nippers are provided on ends of the upper and lower plates, and have edges which are aligned with each other in the same plane. The upper plate has on the left side of one end thereof a left upper cutting edge, and has on the right side of one end thereof a right upper cutting edge.

[10] Meanwhile, a left lower cutting edge is provided on the left side of one end of the lower plate to correspond to the left upper cutting edge, and a right lower cutting edge is provided on the right side of one end of the lower plate to correspond to the right upper cutting edge.

[11] The cited reference 1 is characterized in that two pairs of cutting edges are provided on the left and right sides of the nail clipper, thus ensuring a user's vision so that the user can observe the nails which are being cut, preventing noise from being generated when nails are cut, and preventing cut nails from flying all around.

[12] However, the cited reference 1 has a problem in that it is impossible to collect the cut nails. This nail clipper has another problem in that force acts in a vertical direction, as in the conventional nail clipper, so that the wrist is strained, and thus a user may feel fatigue. The nail clipper has a further problem in that it may slip from the hand during the use of the nail clipper, so that the nails or hands may be injured. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[13] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a nail clipper, which is constructed so that a holding part pivots around one shaft, thus making it easy to hold the nail clipper, and which is provided with a stopper means, thus preventing cutting blades from being damaged when the nail clipper is not in use.

[14] Another object of the present invention is to provide a scissor- type nail clipper, which is capable of eliminating noise when fingernails or toenails are cut, thus reducing the unpleasant feeling for surrounding people, and which is provided with a nail collecting tray for collecting removed fingernail or toenail fragments, so that additional cleaning operation is not required after the fingernails or toenails are cut.

[15] A further object of the present invention is to provide a scissor- type nail clipper, which is provided with an angle limiting hole so as to prevent cutting blades from being opened beyond a predetermined angle, thus preventing a user from being injured

during the use of the nail clipper, and which is provided with an elastic member between a rotary part and a holding part, thus allowing the fingernails or toenails to be easily cut with a small force, therefore reducing a user's fatigue. Technical Solution

[16] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a scissor- type nail clipper, having an upper unit and a lower unit which pivot around one axis, are respectively provided on upper and lower portions of the nail clipper to form one group, and have cutting blades, wherein the upper and lower units includes a cutting part which has a first curved part and a second curved part, a rotary part which has a cavity formed in one of the upper and lower units, a remaining one of the upper and lower units being inserted into the cavity via a hinge shaft, and a holding part which is provided behind the rotary part, is coupled at a first end thereof to an elastic member, and has at a second end thereof a support part for supporting the elastic member.

Advantageous Effects

[17] According to the present invention, cutting blades are not easily worn out, so that the quality of a product is not deteriorated even after the product has been used for a lengthy period of time, and the volume of the product can be reduced for storage before or after use, so that it is easy to store the product, and it is possible to observe the fingernails or toenails which are being cut, so that it is possible to trim the fingernails or toenails at one time.

[18] Moreover, the nail clipper of the present invention allows nails to be easily cut with a small force, and prevents the wrist from being bent during the use of the nail clipper, thus reducing a user's fatigue. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a nail clipper, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the nail clipper of FIG. 1 ;

[21] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the nail clipper of FIG. 1; and

[22] FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotary part of the nail clipper.

[23] <Description of reference characters of important parts>

[24] 100: upper unit 200: lower unit

[25] 10: cutting part 1 Ia, 1 Ib: cutting blades

[26] 12: nail collecting tray 13: discharge part

[27] 15a, 15b: first and second curved parts

[28] 16: blade overlapping part

[29] 20: rotary part 21 : hinge shaft

[30] 22: actuating pin 23: guide groove

[31] 25: angle limiting hole 30: holding part

[32] 31: locking part 32: locking protrusion

[33] 33: support part 34: finger support steps

[34] 35: file part 40: elastic member

[35] 41: concave part S: cavity

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[36] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[37] Herein, the anterior and posterior parts of a nail clipper according to the present invention will be designated with reference to FIG. 1.

[38] That is, when a user holds the scissor-type nail clipper according to the present invention and cuts his or her fingernails or toenails, a side having a cutting part which contacts the nails is designated as the 'anterior part' of the nail clipper, and a side which is held by the user is designated as the 'posterior part' of the nail clipper.

[39] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the nail clipper, according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the nail clipper of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the nail clipper of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotary part of the nail clipper.

[40] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the nail clipper includes an upper unit 100 and a lower unit 200 which pivot around one shaft, and are provided on the upper and lower portions of the nail clipper, respectively, thus constituting one group. The upper unit is provided with a cutting blade 1 Ib, while the lower unit is provided with a cutting blade 11a.

[41] In the scissor-type nail clipper according to the present invention, a cutting part 10 is constructed as follows.

[42] Each of the cutting blades 11a and 1 Ib is provided with a first curved part 15a and a second curved part 15b, with a nail collecting tray 12 defined in a space between the cutting blades 11a and 1 Ib to collect the cut nails therein. A discharge part 13 is open towards the front of the nail clipper to discharge the nails which are collected in the collecting tray 12.

[43] One end of the cutting blade 1 Ia of the cutting part 10 always overlaps one end of the cutting blade 1 Ib thereof, thus providing a blade overlapping part 16. The cutting blades overlap each other by a predetermined length at the blade overlapping part 16. Thus, the blade overlapping part prevents the cutting blades l la and 1 Ib from being damaged, due to the friction between the cutting blades l la and 1 Ib when they are engaged with each other.

[44] Further, the cutting blade 1 Ib of the upper unit 100 extends longer from a central

axis than the cutting blade 1 Ia of the lower unit 200. This construction causes the cutting blade 1 Ib of the upper unit 100 to surround the cutting blade 1 Ia of the lower unit 200 when the finger or toenails are cut, thus allowing the nails to be smoothly cut.

[45] Further, the inner surface of each of the cutting blades l la and 1 Ib is gently curved, thus allowing a user to easily visually observe a cutting operation when fingernails or toenails are cut, thus making it easy to trim the fingernails or toenails.

[46] In the scissor-type nail clipper according to the present invention, the rotary part 20 is constructed as follows.

[47] The rotary part extends integrally from the cutting part 10. A cavity S is defined in one of the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200, and the remaining one of the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 is inserted into the cavity. The upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 are coupled to each other via a hinge shaft 21 which is provided in the cavity S.

[48] That is, the cavity S is formed in one of the upper and lower units 100 and 200, and the remaining one of the upper and lower units is inserted into the cavity, so that the upper and lower units are coupled to each other in such a way as to rotate around the hinge shaft 21.

[49] Further, an actuating pin 22 and a guide groove 23 for guiding the movement of the actuating pin 22 are provided in one of the upper and lower units 100 and 200. Here, the guide groove 23 has a semi-circular shape. Thus, when fingernails or toenails are cut, the actuating pin 22 is located in a rear portion 23a of the guide groove. Meanwhile, when a user desires to store the nail clipper after use, the actuating pin 22 is immovably seated in a front portion 23b of the guide groove.

[50] At this time, the actuating pin 22 is seated in a stopper groove 26, which is provided at a predetermined position in one of the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200 and is placed on the same axis as the front portion 23b of the guide groove. Preferably, the actuating pin 22 seated in the guide groove 23 moves when the nail clipper is tilted forwards at a predetermined angle. To this end, the guide groove 23 of the present invention has a semi-circular shape.

[51] In order to store the nail clipper after use, a user holds a holding part 30, and thereafter, tilts the cutting part 10 forwards and downwards while tilting the holding part 30 backwards and upwards. At this time, the actuating pin 22 moves along the guide groove 23, and is seated in the stopper groove 26 which is provided in the upper or lower unit 100 or 200, thus preventing the upper unit 100 from being opened with respect to the lower unit 200.

[52] When a user reuses the nail clipper which is being stored, the user holds and presses the holding part 30. Subsequently, the cutting part 10 is tilted forwards and upwards, and the holding part 30 is tilted backwards and downwards. At this time, the actuating

pin 22 seated in the stopper groove 26 is moved along the guide groove 23 to the rear portion 23a of the guide groove. In this state, it is possible to use the nail clipper.

[53] Further, the nail clipper is provided with an angle limiting hole 25 so as to prevent the upper or lower unit 100 or 200 from being rotated beyond a predetermined angle when the upper or lower unit rotates around the hinge shaft 21. A stopper pin 27 is inserted into the angle limiting hole 25, thus preventing the upper and lower units 100 and 200 from being rotated relative to each other beyond a predetermined angle.

[54] The angle limiting hole 25 is formed in the upper unit 100, and the stopper pin 27 is inserted into the angle limiting hole. The stopper pin 27 is coupled at opposite ends thereof to the lower unit 200. Thus, when the upper and lower units 100 and 200 are rotated relative to each other beyond a predetermined angle, the stopper pin 27 coupled to the lower unit 200 is stopped by the upper end of the angle limiting hole 25.

[55] Thus, when the nail clipper is in use, the stopper pin 27 is rotated along the angle limiting hole 25 while being coupled to the lower unit 200.

[56] In the scissor-type nail clipper according to the present invention, the holding part

30 is constructed as follows.

[57] The holding part 30 is integrated with the cutting part 10 and the rotary part 20. An elastic member 40 is provided between the upper unit 100 and the lower unit 200. The elastic member 40 is coupled to a locking part 31, which is provided in the lower unit 200. Further, one end of the elastic member 40 is supported by a support part 33 which is provided on the inner surface of the upper unit 100.

[58] Here, one end of the elastic member 40, coming into close contact with the support part 33, has a circular shape, while the other end of the elastic member 40, coupled to the locking part 31, is provided with a concave part 41. A locking protrusion 32, which is provided in the lower unit 200, is coupled to the concave part 41.

[59] The holding part 30 includes finger support steps 34 which are provided on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower units 100 and 200 so as to prevent a user's fingers from slipping. Thus, the finger support steps prevent the hand from slipping from the nail clipper during the use of the nail clipper.

[60] Further, a file part 35 is provided on an end of the holding part 30. The file part 35 includes projections and grooves which are provided at regular intervals and are used to smooth the fingernails or toenails after they are cut.

[61] The scissor-type nail clipper according to the present invention is operated as follows.

[62] First, when the nail clipper is not in use, the nail clipper is locked. In this state, a user holds the holding part 30, and applies small force to the holding part while tilting the holding part 30 backwards and downwards and tilting the cutting part 10 forwards and upwards. At this time, the actuating pin 22, which is seated in the guide groove 23

provided in the rotary part 20 and is seated in the stopper groove 26 provided in the upper or lower unit 100 or 200, moves to the rear portion 23a of the guide groove 23. In this state, it is possible to use the nail clipper.

[63] Each of the cutting blades 1 Ia and 1 Ib of the cutting part 10 is provided with the first curved part 15a and the second curved part 15b, thus easily ensuring a user's vision when the fingernails or toenails are cut. Further, the cut nails are collected in the nail collecting tray 12, which is defined between the cutting blades 1 Ia and 1 Ib, prior to being discharged through the discharge part 13, which is open towards the front of the nail clipper.

[64] In order to prevent the cutting blades 1 Ia and 1 Ib of the cutting part 10 from being damaged due to friction between the cutting blades, ends of the cutting blades 11a and 1 Ib, which are adjacent to the rotary part 20, overlap each other by a predetermined length, thus forming the blade overlapping part 16. The blade overlapping part prevents the cutting blades from coming into frictional contact with each other. The length that the cutting blade 1 Ib of the upper unit 100 extends from the central axis is greater than the length that the cutting blade 1 Ia of the lower unit 200 extends from the central axis. Thus, when fingernails or toenails are cut, the cutting blade 1 Ib of the upper unit 100 surrounds the cutting blade 1 Ia of the lower unit 200.

[65] Further, when a user cuts fingernails or toenails using the cutting part 10, the entire holding part 30 is surrounded by the central portion of the hand, thus preventing the nail clipper from slipping from the hand. After the elastic member 40 provided inside the holding part 30 is compressed, the elastic member is elastically restored to its original state, thus allowing the nail clipper to be smoothly operated.

[66] Moreover, one end of the elastic member 40 is coupled to the locking part 31 which is provided in the lower unit 200, while the other end of the elastic member is supported by the support part 33, which is provided on the upper unit 100. The locking protrusion 32, which is provided in the locking part 31, presses both sides of the concave part 41, which is provided on one end of the elastic member 40, so that the elastic member is secured to the locking part. The other end of the elastic member, which is in close contact with the support part 33, is rolled in a circular form, so that a contact surface is reduced, and thus the elastic member is not easily worn out even if it has been used for a lengthy period of time.

[67] Further, the cut portions of fingernails or toenails can be smoothed using the file part 35, which is provided on the end of the holding part 30. The nail clipper of this invention allows all nail caring operations, including the cutting operation and the smoothing operation, to be performed at one time, and allows a desired operation to be selectively performed.

[68] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for

illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.