GB2457679A

GB2457679A - Electric nail buffer

Info

Publication number: GB2457679A
Application number: GB0803096A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alice Vivienne Anderson; Brian Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-20
Filing date: 2008-02-20
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: GB0803096D0

Abstract

A nail buffer or polisher device comprises an electric motor 5 and a polishing or buffing surface 1 that in use is held in substantially the same plane as the nail 19 to be polished or buffed. The device has one or more arms 3, to which the buffing or polishing surface is attached. The device may be powered by mains electricity or may be powered by batteries 6, which are preferably rechargeable. A gearing mechanism is provided so that the rotary output 22 of the motor may be used to give the buffing or polishing surface an oscillating or reciprocal motion in use. In use, the device allows for more consistent results that conventional devices and is easy to use with either hand.

Description

1 2457679 Nail Buffer This invention relates to an electric hand held nail buffer.

Common devices for buffing finger or toenails are either manual devices (rectangular or triangular blocks with abrasive material on the surface), or electric devices using a rotating disc applied to the nail surface. Manual devices require vigorous movement by the user, requiring a degree of manual dexterity, increasing the time taken to achieve a glossy nail, and often give disproportionate results between left and right sides, according to the operator's strengths and/or weaknesses. Electric rotating devices reduce the physical element, but require the application of a rotating disc or attachments, which requires the operator to hold the device perpendicular to the nail surface, with limited contact at any given point in time. The rotary movement may cause some abrasion oblique to the grain of the nail, which potentially leads to an uneven nail surface, and damage to the nail surface. These electric devices still require manual dexterity, and also may still give disproportionate results between left and right sides, according to the operator's strengths and/or weaknesses.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a hand held electric nail buffer, in which the device is held predominantly in the same plane as the nail surface.

This invention thus allows easier application of the device, better contact with the surface area of the nail, and also allows more consistent movement relative to the nail, reducing the likelihood of an uneven nail surface or damage to the nail surface. This invention also reduces the amount of manual dexterity required, and enables more consistent use in either right or left hand, while also reducing the time taken to achieve a glossy nail.

The means for allowing the buffing surface to be applied predominantly in the same plane as the nail surface is provided by the use of one or more arms or supports, to which the buffing surface is attached.

Preferably, the arms or supports are joined at one end to form a wishbone', u', v', or y' shaped formation. Preferably the buffing surface attaches to the free ends of the arms or supports, allowing the buffing surface to lie transverse to the device and to the nail surface. Preferably the buffing surface is attached by the presence of sleeves at each end of the surface, allowing the surface to be easily interchanged with different grades of abrasive/buffing/filing/polishing materials, and also allowing the surface to be replaced when it becomes degraded. Preferably the attachment of the buffing surface gives flexibility allowing it to drape over the nail which increases the contact of the buffing surface with the nail surface.

PreferabLy, the wishbone', u', v' or y' formation, or individual arms or supports, attach directly or indirectly to the electric motor, which provides oscillation of the arms or supports and of the buffing surface. The oscillation/vibration of the buffing surface on the nail also has the advantage of stimulating circulation to the finger or toe tip. Preferably the motor is powered by at least one battery, which may be rechargeable. Preferably the internal housing provides support to absorb the vibration of the motor, allowing it to be a comfortable hand held device.

An example of one embodiment of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows the exterior appearance of the nail buffer.

* Figure 2 shows the nail buffer with cover removed.

* Figure 3 shows the exterior appearance of the nail buffer (side elevation).

* Figure 4 shows the nail buffer with cover removed (side elevation).

* Figure 5 shows the buffing surface with sleeve ends.

* Figure 6 shows the buffing surface with sleeve ends (top elevation).

* Figure 7 shows the buffing surface with book ends.

* Figure 8 shows the buffing surface with snap-lock ends.

* Figure 9 shows the buffing surface as a continuous sleeve/band.

* Figure 10 shows the buffing surface with fabric hook and loop attachment.

* Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment, where the arms holding the buffing surface attach independently to a housing unit, which is then attached to the motor.

* Figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment, utilising one arm or support.

Figures 1-4 demonstrate how the device is able to be applied predominantly in the same plane as the nail surface. In this embodiment, two anns (3) are joined at one end to form a y', u', v', or wishbone' shaped formation (2). The buffing surface (1) attaches to the free end of the arms (3), in this case by the use of sleeves (4). The buffing surface (1) lies transverse to the nail surface (19).

Figures 2 and 4 demonstrate that the base of the y', u', v', or wishbone' shaped formation (2) has a recess (20), which cooperates with an offset pin (21) attached to the drive shaft (22) of the electric motor (5). The electric motor (5) rotates the drive shaft (22), and the means for converting its rotary motion into oscillating or reciprocating motion of the arms or supports is provided by the offset pin (2!). This then causes oscillation of the y', u', v', or wishbone' shaped formation (2), and thus oscillation of the buffing surface (1) which allows for buffmg or polishing of the nail surface (19).

In other embodiments, the drive shaft (22) of the electric motor (5) could be connected to means for converting its rotary motion into a difthrent plane to cause rotary motion of the arm/s or support/s. or could be connected to any other means for converting its rotary action into oscillation, vibration, or rotation of the arm/s or support/s. and/or the buffing surface. Alternatively, the device could utilise an oscillating motor.

Figures 2 and 4 demonstrate that the electric motor (5) is driven by one or more batteries (6). The battery/s could be alkaline and replaceable utiising a screw base, or flip cap opening (or any other means of opemng the housing for battery replacement), or the battery/s could be rechargeable. Recharging could occur within the device which could then be attached to the power supply via plug in cord, or recharging could occur by using a stand-alone recharging base which attaches to the main power supply. The batteries could also be externally rechargeable using a separate device. In other embodiments the motor could be powered directly by plug in cord to the power supply. Conventional mains electricity, solar or wind power could be utilised as power sources.

Other embodiments could include more than one motor.

In the embodiment shown, the device is turned on and off by the use of an on/off switch (9), which could be activated by a flip or depression mechanism (or any other means of activating the switch), and could allow variable setting controls. In this example, the device also houses an indicator light (8), which could indicate power availability or recharging status. The power (on/off switch, variable speed/power, other settings (9)), indicator light (8), battery (6), and electric motor (5), could be controlled by a circuit board (7). The circuit board could also allow for different oscillation/vibration/rotation/speed/power settings. A timing switch could also be utilised to allow preset timing of buffmg, both to ensure consistent results, and to help prevent over-buffing of the nail surface.

Figures 1-4 also demonstrate the attachment of the buffing surface (I) to the free ends of the arms or supports (3). In the preferred embodiment, there is flexibility allowing the buffing surface (1) to drape over the nail (19), thus increasing contact of the buffing surface (1) with the nail surface (19). This could be achieved by either the arms (3) being flexible, or by the buffing surface (I) being elastic at some point/s (either elastic fibric, or at the attachment points). Figures 5-10 demonstrate that the buffing surface (1) could be replaceable, and attached to the arms or supports by sleeves (4), hooks (12), or snap-lock clips (11), could be a continuous sleeve/band (14), or have fabric hook and loop attachment (13) which would allow personal adjustment of tension. Other types of hook and eye, loop attachments, buttons, fastening domes, wedge/groove arrangements, or any other means of attaching the buffing surface could also be utilised.

In another embodiment, the buffing surface (1) could be rigid.

In other embodiments, the arms (3) could be rigid, and could be either fixed to the main device, or be replaceable. The buffing surface (1) could be pennanently fixed to the anns or supports (3), and the whole anns/supports/bufflng surface could be replaceable.

Figures 5 and 6 demonstrate that the buffing surface could consist of mats (1) which could consist of one or more layers of abrasive and/or polishing material (16) in between which could be included a small layer of cushioning material (15). The cushioning material could consist of rubber, foam rubber, or any other cushioning material. The buffing surface could be available in many different grades of abrasive or polishing material allowing for different levels of evening out, filing, smoothing, buffing and polishing. Figure 11 demonstrates an alternative embodiment, where two individual arms (3), attach to a housing unit (17), which then attaches to the means for converting the motor's rotary action into oscillation, vibration, or rotation of the arms or supports, and/or the buffing surface. These arms could connect to the housing unit by the use of grooves, wedges, or any other means of connecting the arms to the housing device. Ball bearings could be utilised to add further motion to the arms and thus the buffing surface.

In other embodiments, there could be one arm (3) (as in figure 12) or more than two arms, which then attach to the means for converting the rotary action into oscillation, vibration, or rotation of the arms or supports, and/or the buffing surface.

The housing (10) of the device could be made of rigid or flexible plastic, or any other materials which could provide support to the interior components, and absorb the vibration of the motor, allowing the nail buffer to be a comfortable hand held device.

Other applications of this device could include animal grooming (nail polishing/filing), jewellery polishing/cleaning, and the device could also be utilised for exfoliating skin, particularly on surfaces which get hard use, such as the sole of the foot.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A nail buffer where the device is handheld and has at least one electric motor, and in which the device is held predominantly in the same plane as the finger.
2. A nail buffer according to claim 1, where the means is provided by one or more arms or supports, to which the buffing surface is attached.
3. A nail buffer according to claim 2, in which the motor is powered by mains power supply.
4. A nail buffer according to claim 2, in which the motor is powered by one or more batteries, which may be rechargeable via plug in cord or recharging stand.
5. A nail buffer according to claim 2, in which the motor is powered by solar power supply.
6. A nail buffer according to claim 2, in which the motor is powered by wind generated power supply.
7. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-6, in which the electric motor has a rotaly shaft for driving the motion of the arm/s or supports relative to the casing of the device, and where said shaft is connected to means for converting its rotary action into oscillating/reciprocating motion of the arm/s or support structure.
8. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-6, in which the electric motor has a rotary shaft for driving the motion of the arm/s or supports relative to the casing of the device, and where said shaft is connected to means for converting its rotary motion into a different plane to cause rotaiy motion of the arm/s or support structure.
9. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-6, in which the electric motor is an oscillating motor.
10. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-9, in which the arm/s or supports connect directly with the means for converting its rotary motion into motion of the arm/s or supports.
11. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-9, in which the arm/s or supports attach to a separate housing unit, which then connects with the means for converting its rotary motion into motion of the arms or supports.
12. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-11, in which two or more arms or supports are connected at one end, and in which the ends of the buffing surface attach to the other ends of the arms or supports.
13. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-11, in which in the case of one arm, the buffing surface is attached to the end of the arm.
14. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-13, in which the arms or supports are rigid.
15. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-13, in which the arms or supports are flexible.
16. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-15, in which the arms or support structure is permanently fixed to the device.
17. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-15, in which the arms or supports are replaceable or exchangeable.
18. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-17, in which the buffing surface is interchangeable/replaceable, and available in different grades of buffing/polishing/filing surfaces or materials.
19. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-18, in which the buffing surface is attached to the arm/s or support/s by sleeves.
20. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-18, in which the buffing surface is attached to the arm/s or support/s by clips, slides, or snap-on devices.
21. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-18, in which the buffing surface is attached to the arm/s or support/s by fabric hook and loop attachments.
22. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-2 1, in which the buffing surface is rigid.
23. A nail buffer according to any of claims 1-2 1, in which the buffing surface is flexible or elasticised.