GB2360208A

GB2360208A - Nail clipper with side blades

Info

Publication number: GB2360208A
Application number: GB0104716A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chang Kun Lim; Min Eun Lee; Ho Il Choi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-18
Filing date: 2001-02-26
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Also published as: CA2340873A1; GB0104716D0; KR200197485Y1; JP2001258633A; KR200193879Y1; CN1314122A

Abstract

Upper 12 and lower 14 arms have cutting edges at both the front 26, 28 and along part of the side 30, 32 near the front blade. The arms are attached by a springlike coupling remote from the cutting area. The upper arm 12 is depressed towards the lower arm 14 by an actuating handle 16 on the upper arm 12. The handle is rotatably attached to a shaft 18 near the cutting area. In an alternative embodiment the side cutting edges are replaced by scatter preventing barriers (34, 36 figure 5).

Description

2360208 PATENTS ACT 1977 Agents' Reference: P15118GB-H/JCC/ac

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Title: "Nail Clipper Having Side Cutting Edges" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a nail clipper, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a nail clipper which effectively prevents a nail clipping from scattering and allows a portion of a nail to be neatly and perfectly severed from the nail without being partially held stuck to the nail.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, a nail clipper designates a device for severing a fingernail or toenail. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view illustrating a construction of the conventional nail clipper.

The nail clipper 1 includes an upper arm member 2 and a lower arm member 3. Front ends of the upper and lower arm members 2 and 3 are formed with an upper jaw and a lower jaw, respectively. Free ends of the upper and lower jaws- are formed with an upper cutting edge 9 and a lower cutting edge 9a, respectively.

The upper and lower arm members 2 and 3 are made of material having desired elasticity and are springly coupled with each other at their rear ends. A pair of holes are defined at portions which are adjacent to the front ends of the upper and lower arm members 2 and 3, respectively. A shaft member 5 is rotatably fitted through the pair of holes from bottom to top.

An outward flange portion is formed at a lower end of the shaft member 5. The outward flange portion is maintained in a state wherein it is brought into contact with a lower surface of the lower arm member 3. An actuating handle 4 is seated on an upper surface of the upper arm member 2. A front end of the actuating handle 4 is rotatably fastened to the shaft member 5 by a retainer pin 6.

The front end of the actuating handle 4 is formed with a fulcrum protrusion 7. Therefore, in a state wherein the fulcrum protrusion 7 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the upper arm member 2 by manipulation of the actuating handle 4, if the actuating handle 4 is depressed, as the upper arm member 2 is moved toward the lower arm member 3, a portion of a nail which is placed between the upper cutting edge 9 and the lower cutting edge 9a, is severed.

However, in the conventional nail clipper 1 constructed as mentioned above, a problem is caused in that, as the upper arm member 2 is moved toward the lower arm member 3 to compress the portion of the nail, natural curvature of the portion of the nail is flattened, and thereby, when the portion of the nail is severed, a nail clipping scatters from the nail clipper 1 in an unpredictable trajectory by force generated by the upper and lower cutting edges 9 and 9a for compressing the portion of the nail and force generated by a snap-back phenomenon of the nail clipping to its natural shape.

To cope with the foregoing problem associated with the conventional nail clipper 1, a separate receptacle 8 as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 is used in such a manner that the nail clipper 1 is fitted into the receptacle 8. In this way, the nail clipping which is severed by the upper and lower cutting edges 9 and 9a, can be received into the receptacle 8.

However, since the receptacle 8 is fitted around the nail clipp er 1 in such a manner that a front end of the receptacle 8 sufficiently covers both front side end surfaces of the upper and lower arm members 2 and 3 so as to prevent the severed nail clipping from scattering sideward of the nail clipper 1, the nail which is placed between the upper and lower cutting edges 9 and 9a cannot be seen, whereby it is impossible to properly secure a field of view through the nail clipper 1.

To solve this drawback, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, a pair of grooves 80 are defined at the front end of the receptacle 8 so that they are opposite to each other. However, these grooves 80 are not enough to properly secure the field of view through the nail clipper 1, and, rather, there is possibility of the severed nail clipping to scatter out of the nail clipper 1 through the grooves W.

Hence, when the nail clipper 1 having the receptacle 8 is employed by a user, in order to enable the user to clip the nail while directly viewing the nail portion to be severed, the receptacle 8 is used in such a manner that it is put from the upper and lower cutting edges 9 and 9a by a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the likelihood of the severed nail clipping to scatter out of the nail clipper 1 through side openings t' each of which is defined between the upper and lower cutting edges 9 and 9a and the front end of the receptacle 8, is increased.

Further, in the conventional nail clipper 1, because specific means for severing, in a lengthwise direction of the nail, both ends of the nail portion which is already severed in a widthwise direction of the nail, is not provided, there is possibility of the severed nail portion to be partially held stuck to the nail, and, in the course of removing the nail portion from the nail, the nail can be damaged.

Moreover,, when clipping the nail while moving the nail clipper 1, the nail portion which is severed and partially held stuck to the nail, can adversely affect the continuous severing operation of the nail clipper 1, whereby it is difficult to neatly sever the nail. Also, due to the fact that the already severed nail portion can be severed again, after clipping, an outline of the nail can be roughened, and, thereby, it may be necessary to file the nail smooth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a nail clipper which effectively prevents a nail clipping from scattering.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nail clipper which allows a portion of a nail to be neatly and perfectly severed from the nail without being partially held stuck to the nail.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nail clipper comprising: an upper arm member formed at a front end thereof with an upper cutting edge, the upper arm member having a pair of upper side cutting edges which are formed in such a manner that they extend by a predetermined length from both ends of the upper cutting edge along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member; a lower arm member springly coupled at a rear end thereof to a rear end of the upper arm member and formed at a front end thereof with a lower cutting edge, the lower arm member having a pair of lower side cutting edges which are formed in such a manner that they extend by the predetermined length from both ends of the lower cutting edge along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member; a shaft member rotatably fitted through portions of the upper and lower arm members, which portions are adjacent to the front ends of the upper and lower arm members, respectively; and an actuating handle rotatably fastened to the shaft member in such a manner that it is seated on the upper arm member, the actuating handle performing a fimction of depressing the upper arm member toward the lower arm member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper cutting edge and the pair of upper side cutting edges cooperatively define substantially a "U"-shaped cross-section, and the lower cutting edge and the pair of lower side cutting edges cooperatively define substantially a "U"shaped cross-section.

According to another aspect of the present invention, instead of the pair of upper side cutting edges and the pair of lower side cutting edges, a pair of scatter preventing upper barriers and a pair of scatter preventing lower barriers are formed along both widthwise end surfaces of the upper and lower arm members, respectively, in such a way as to each extend by a preset length; and each of the scatter preventing upper and lower barriers has a height which is lower than that of each of the upper and lower cutting edges, whereby, when the upper arm member is depressed by the actuating handle to be set in a nail shearing engagement with the lower arm member, the upper and lower barriers prevent a nail clipping from scattering, and at the same tim. since a predetermined gap is defined between the upper and lower barriers, nail severing operations of the upper and lower cutting edges are not deteriorated by the upper and lower barriers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of upper side wall parts are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of upper side cutting edges, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by a preselected length along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member; a pair of lower side wall parts are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of lower side cutting edges, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by the preselected length along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member; and each of the upper and lower side wall parts has a height which is lower than that of each of upper and lower side cutting edges.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the nail clipper further comprises a receptacle for accommodating nail clippings, the receptacle being fitted around the nail clipper in such a manner that its front end covers end portions of the upper and lower side cutting edges.

According to yet still another aspect of the present invention, the upper and lower cutting edges have a straight, concave, convex or round configuration.

By the features of the present invention, due to the fact that side wall parts and/or side cutting edges are formed along both widthwise end surfaces of arm members, a nail clipping is prevented from scattering, whereby the nail clipping is effectively maintained inside the nail clipper, and a portion of a nail is neatly and perfectly severed from the nail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a construction of the conventional nail clipper; FIG. 2 is a side -cross-sectional view illustrating a state wherein the nail clipper shown in FIG. 1 is encased by a receptacle; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a construction of a nail clipper having side cutting edges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectioned side view illustrating a state wherein a receptacle is removed from the nail clipper having side cutting edges according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a construction of a nail clipper having side cutting edges and side wall parts, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIGs. 6a through 6d are schematic plan views illustrating a diversity of contours of tipper and lower cutting edges of the nail clipper according to the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state wherein a fingernail or toenail is severed by the nail clipper according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a construction of a nail clipper having side cutting edges, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectioned side view illustrating a state wherein a receptacle is removed from the nail clipper having side cutting edges according to the present invention.

A nail clipper 10 according to the present invention includes an upper arm member 12, a lower arm member 14, an actuating handle 16 and a shaft member 18. The upper arm member 12 is formed at a front end thereof with an upper cutting edge 26. The upper arm member 12 has a pair of upper side cutting edges 30 which are formed in such a manner that they extend by a predetermined length from both ends of the upper cutting edge 26 along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member 12. The lower arm member 14 is springly coupled at a rear end thereof to a rear end of the upper arm member 12. The lower arm member 14 is formed at a front end thereof with a lower cutting edge 28. The lower arm member 14 has a pair of lower side cutting edges 32 which are formed in such a manner that they extend by the predetermined length from both ends of the lower cutting edge 28 along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member 14.

The shaft member 18 is rotatably fitted through portions of the upper and lower arm members 12 and 14, which portions are adjacent to the front ends of the upper and lower arm members 12 and 14, respectively. The actuating handle 16 is rotatably fastened to the shaft member 18 by a retainer pin 20 in such a manner that it is seated on the upper arm member 12. The actuating handle 16 performs a function of depressing the upper arm member 12 toward the lower arm member 14. To this end, the actuating handle 16 is formed with a fulcrum protrusion 22. In a state wherein the fulcrum protrusion 22 is brought into contact with an upper surface of the upper arm member 12 by manipulation of the actuating handle 16, if the actuating handle 16 is depressed, as the upper arm member 12 is moved toward the lower arm member 14, it is possible to sever a portion of a nail using the upper cutting edge 26, the lower cutting edge 28, the pair of upper side cutting edges 30 and the pair of lower side cutting edges 32.

Due to the fact that the upper and lower side cutting edges 30 and 32 are formed, the severed nail portion is prevented from scattering out of the nail clipper 10. Also, since the nail portion is severed not only in a widthwise direction of the nail but also in a lengthwise direction of the nail, it is possible to prevent the severed nail portion from being partially held stuck to the nail (see FIG. 7). The upper cutting edge 26 and the pair of upper side cutting edges 30 cooperatively define substantially a "U"-shaped cross-section, and the lower cutting edge 28 and the pair of lower side cutting edges 32 cooperatively define substantially a "U"-shaped cross-section, whereby the nail portion can be neatly and perfectly severed from the nail.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the pair of upper side cutting edges 30 and the pair of lower side cutting edges 32, a pair of scatter preventing upper barriers and a pair of scatter preventing lower barriers can be formed along both widthwise end surfaces of the upper and lower arm members, respectively, in such a way as to each extend by a preset length. Each of the scatter preventing upper and lower barriers has a height which is lower than that of each of the upper and lower cutting edges 26 and 28.

Hence, when the upper arm member 12 is depressed by the actuating handle 16 to be set in a nail shearing engagement with the lower arm member 14, the upper and lower barriers prevent a nail clipping, that is, the severed nail portion, from scattering, and at the same time, since a predetermined gap is defined between the upper and lower barriers, nail severing operations of the upper and lower cutting edges 26 and 28 are not deteriorated by the upper and lower barriers.

Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, a receptacle 24 for accommodating nail clippings can be fitted around the nail clipper 10 in such a manner that its front end covers end portions of the upper and lower side cutting edges 30 and 32. In this case, the receptacle 24 complements the function of the side cutting edges 30 and 32 to prevent the severed nail portion from scattering out of the nail clipper 10 and holds severed nail portions until such time as the user desires to dispose of them.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a side view illustrating a construction of a nail clipper having side cutting edges and side wall parts, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a pair of upper side wall parts 34 are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of upper side cutting edges 30, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by a preselected length along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member 12. Also, a pair of lower side wall parts 36 are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of lower side cutting edges 32, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by the preselected length along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member 14. Each of the upper and lower side wall parts 34 and 36 has a height which is lower than that of each of upper and lower side cutting edges 30 and 32.

Referring to FIGs. 6a through 6d, there are shown schematic plan views illustrating a diversity of contours of upper and lower cutting edges of the nail clipper according to the present invention.

The upper and lower cutting edges 26 and 28 can have a diversity of contours including a straight contour 38, a concave contour 40, a convex contour 42, a round contour 44 or the like, depending upon the use and the functionality of the nail clipper 10.

As a result, by the nail clipper according to the present invention constructed as mentioned above, advantages are provided in that, since side wall parts and/or side cutting edges are formed along both widthwise end surfaces of arm members, a nail clipping is prevented from scattering, whereby the nail clipping is effectively maintained inside the nail clipper, and a portion of a nail is neatly and perfectly severed from the nail.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific tenns are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A nail clipper comprising: an upper arm member formed at a front end thereof with an upper cutting edge, the upper arm member having a pair of upper side cutting edges which are formed in such a manner that they extend by a predetermined length from both ends of the upper cutting edge along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member; a lower arm member springly coupled at a rear end thereof to a rear end of the upper arm member and formed at a front end thereof with a lower cutting edge, the lower arm member having a pair of lower side cutting edges which are formed in such a manner that they extend by the predetermined length from both ends of the lower cutting edge along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member; a shaft member rotatably fitted through portions of the upper and lower arm members, which portions are adjacent to the front ends of the upper and lower arm members, respectively; and an actuating handle rotatably fastened to the shaft member in such a manner that it is seated on the upper arm member, the actuating handle performing a function of depressing the upper arm member toward the lower arm member.

2. The nail clipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cutting edge and the pair of upper side cutting edges cooperatively define substantially a "U"-shaped cross-section, and the lower cutting edge and the pair of lower side cutting edges cooperatively define substantially a "U"shaped cross-section.

3. The nail clipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein, instead of the pair of upper side cutting edges and the pair of lower side cutting edges, a pair of scatter preventing upper barriers and a pair of scatter preventing lower barriers are formed along both widthwise end surfaces of the upper and lower arm members,, respectively, in such a way as to each extend by a preset length; and each of the scatter preventing upper and lower barriers has a height which is lower than that of each of the upper and lower cutting edges, whereby, when the upper arm member is depressed by the actuating handle to be set in a nail shearing engagement with the lower arm member, the upper and lower barriers prevent a nail clipping from scattering, and at the same tim, since a predetermined gap is defined between the upper and lower barriers,- nail severing operations of the upper and lower cutting edges are not deteriorated by the upper and lower barriers.

4. The nail clipper as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a pair of upper side wall parts are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of upper side cutting edges, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by a preselected length along both widthwise end surfaces, respectively, of the upper arm member; a pair of lower side wall parts are integrally connected to rear ends of the pair of lower side cutting edges, respectively, in such a manner that they extend by the preselected length along both widthwise- end surfaces, respectively, of the lower arm member; and each of the upper and lower side wall parts has a height which is lower than that of each of upper and lower side cutting edges.

5. The nail clipper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a receptacle for accommodating nail clippings, the receptacle being fitted around the nail clipper in such a manner that its firont end covers end portions of the upper and lower side cutting edges.

6. The nail clipper as claimed in claim, 1, wherein the upper and lower cutting edges have a straight, concave, convex or round configuration.