US3169312A - Guard for nail clipper - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1965 c. H. FlNK 3,169,312

GUARD FOR NAIL. CLIPPER Filed March 25, 1963 Charles H. Fink INVENTOK.

Mug 3% United States Patent The present invention is concerned with new and useful improvements in nail clippers, and is more specifically directed toward a novel guard mountable on conventional nail clippers so as to assist in the collection of cut nails.

While it is appreciated that several different types of nail clipper guards have been devised, such known guards generally contain one or more undesirable features, such as for example, requiring that the guard be mounted during either the actual construction or assembly of the nail clipper, requiring a substantial modification of the clipper structure, being ineifective as a means for collecting all of the clipped nails, and being difiicult to empty.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present vention to provide a nail clipper guard which avoids of the above set forth objectionable features.

In line with the above object, it is intended that the guard of the present invention be mountable upon a conventional nail clipper without interfering with the normal operation of either the nail clipping portion of the pivotally mounted file normally provided thereon.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a nail guard which can be quickly installed on a completely assembled nail clipper.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nail guard which, while generally simple in construction and capable of economical manufacture, provides an eirective means for retaining cut fingernails until such time as one desires to dispose of these cut fingernails.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelly shaped blank from which the guard can be formed by making only four bends.

Basically, the guard of the instant invention, formed from the above noted blank, consists of two spaced side panels interconnected by a flat bottom panel, these side panels being positionable along opposite sides of the space formed between the slightly diverging jaw members of a conventional nail clipper, the bottom panel engaging against the lower surface of the lower jaw with the enlarged head of the clipper pivot pin being received within a circular notch in the bottom panel. The guard is pivotally mounted for movement between an upper position enclosing the space between the jaws and a lower position below the lower jaw by means of a pair or" inwardly directed bendable lugs which also function so as to enclose the rear portion of the nail receiving chamber formed by the guard. Likewise inwardly projecting de tents are provided on each panel for releasable locking engagement with the lover jaw in a manner so as to retain the guard in its upper or enclosing position, while at the same time allowing the guard to be quickly snapped open for an emptying of the chamber.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawin s forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a conventional nail clipper having the gurd of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the clipper with the guard mounted thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing alon line 33 in FIG- URE 2;

FEGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken subinall ice stantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG- URE 1;

HGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of the forward end of the clipper with the guard lowered for a removal of the cut nails;

FEGURE 6 is a perspective view of the guard removed from the clipper;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the guard is formed; and

FIGURE 8 is a partial top plan view of a toenail clipper having angled cutting edges with a modified form of the guard thereon having one side panel of a greater length than the other side panel so as to insure a complete enclosing of the nail-receiving chamber.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 1% generally indicates a conventional nail clipper including coextensive upper and lower resilient jaw members 12 and 14, these jaw members having the rear portions thereof rigidly fixed together as indicated by reference numeral 15. Aside from the secured rear end portions, the jaw members 12 and 14 are flexibly biased apart in forwardly diverging relation to each other. The forward end of each of the jaw members 12 and 14 termimates in inwardly directed cutting edges 18, these cutting edges, in addition to extending inwardly toward each other, also extend slightly forward and are transversely concave. The cutting movement of the jaw members 12 and l is effected by means of a cam lever 20 having the forward end thereof engaged within a recess 22 provided within the pivot pin which extends through aligned apertures slightly behind the cutting edges 18, this pin a having an enlarged head 26 which abuts the lower surface of the lower jaw member 14. Finally, this nail clipper it is provided with a file bar 23 which is pivotally mounted to the rearward ends of the jaw members 12 and 14 by an eyelet 3b.

The guard comprising the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral 32, and is utilized to provide an enclosed chamber, in conjunction with portions of the upper and lower jaw members 12 and 14, for the retention of severed fingernail portions until such time as one desires to dispose of these fingernail portions. Accordingly, the guard 32, consists of two side plates 34 positionable on opposite sides of the jaw members l2 and 14 from approximately the forward ends of the jaw members 12 and 14 to a longitudinally spaced point rearwardly thereof. The side panels 3 8 are of a size so as to substantially completely close the space provided between the upper and lower jaw members 12 and lid throughout the entire extent of the guard 32, these side panels 34 tapering from a larger forward end to a reduced rearward end, if so desired, so as to conform to the divergence of the jaw members 12 and 14.

The side panels 34 are maintained in spaced parallel relationship by the bottom panel 36, this spacing of the side panels 34 being substantially equal to the width of the jaw members 12 and 14- whereby movement of the jaw members between the side panels 34 can be effected.

In order to mount the guard 32 on the nail clipper l0, rearwardly projecting lugs 38 are provided, one integral with each side panel 34, these lugs being bent inwardly at approximately right angles to the side panels 34 between the upper and lower jaw members 12 and 14 thus, in addition to providing a means for pivotally mounting the guard, also providing an additional barrier for retaining the cut nails within the enclosed space.

Aside from the inwardly bent lugs 38, the guard 32 is retained in its enclosing position by means of at least one pair of inwardly directed detents 40 adjacent the forward ends of the side panels 34 and extending inwarcfly a sufiicient distance so as to engage the upper eneasra closed. If so desired, additional detents 42 can beprovided, howevenit is contemplated that a sing'le pair of detents it? be sufficient for retaining the guard in'its closed position as illustrated in FEGURES 1-4. These detents iii, as well as any other detents, are positioned upwardly from the bottom panel 36 a distance approximately equivalent to the thickness of the lower jaw member 14 whereby, in its closed position, the guard is orientated with the lower jaw member 14 between the detents 4t and the bottom panel 36. and closing of the guard 32, it will be appreciated that a slight outward flexing of the side panels 34 is necessary.

Turning now to the specific configuration of the forward edge of the guard 32, it will be noted that the bottom panel 36 is provided with a centrally located arcuate recess 44- therein, this recess conforming generally to the pivot pin head 26 whereby upon. a closing of the guard 32 the arcuate recess 44 snugly receives this head 26. If so desired, in order to additionally secure the guard 52, the lower jaw member 14 can be forced upwardly slightly away from the head thus allowing for a slight fo ward sliding of the guard so as to engage the recess 44 about the shank of the pin 24 with a release of the lower jaw member 14 resulting in a clamping of the portion of the bottom panel between the head 26 and the lower jaw member 14. In regard to this feature, it will be readily appreciated that the engagement and disengagement of the forward edge of the bottom panel 36 between the head 26 and the lower jaw member 14 can be quickly and simply accomplished by a mere flick of a finger.

Returning again to the front edge of the guard 32, it will be noted that the front edge of the bottom panel 36 diverges outwardly from opposite ends of the arcuate recess 44, these diverging portions as being provided so as to avoid any interference by the guard 32 with the normal positioning of the finger during the clipping of the nail. In order to further avoid any interference between the guard 32 and a finger during a clipping of the nail, it will be noted that the forward edge 48 of each of the side panels 34 is generally convex in shape so as to substantially conform to the orientation of the cutting edges 18 thus also achieving an eifective sealing of the nail-receiving space. It should alsobe noted that the rear edge of each of the side panels 34- is also convex with the lugs 38 projecting centrally therefrom, these rear convex edges being referred to by reference numeral 50.

The blank from which the guard 32 is formed is illustrated in FIGURE 7, the formation of the guard only requiring four bends, the first two bends being along the side panel bend lines 52, and the second two bends being along the lug bend lines 5 5.

FIGURE 8 is intended to illustrate a slightly modified form of guard wherein one side panel 5-15 is slightly longer than the other side panel 58 thereby adapting this modified guard for use with a toenail clipper of the type having straight angled cutting edges 64 In order to achieve the opening- From the foregoing, the construction and manner of use of the guard 32 is considered'to be readily apparent. The side panels 34- are first bent upwardly out of the plane of the blank after which the lugs 33 are bent inwardly towards each other, this inward bending of the lugs being easily accomplishedso as to embrace "the lower jaw member 14 on the assembled nail clipper it thus securing the guard to the clipper. However, if so desired, it will be appreciated that the guard can be completely formed and subsequently mounted on the nail clipper 10 by a disassembly thereof. After the guard 32 has been mounted on the clipper 1d, the side panels 34 are swung upwardly so as to be positioned in overlapping relationship to the central space in the vicinity of and slightly forward and rearward of the pivot pin 24 with the guard being retained in this enclosing position by the detents dd in cooperation with the lugs 38. Once in this position, with reference to'FIGURE 5, it will be recognized that the lugs 38 extend upwardly from the lower jaw memberld toa point spaced from the upper jaw member 12 only a sufiicient distance so as to accommodate the movement of the jaws toward each other.

' The bottom panel as, at the same time, can be positioned either with the enlarged pin head if; nested within the recess 44 or with the forward edge of the bottom panel 36 being clamped between the head 26 and the lower jaw member 14. In regard to this recess 44, it is contemplated that such conform to the pin head 25 and the slightly greater than a half circle so as to tend to lock the pin head .26 therein thus restricting longitudinal movement. After one has finished clipping his nails, all of the nails being effectively retained within the nailreceiving chamber formed by the upper and lower jaw members 12 and 14-, the side panels 34, and the rear lugs 35, the guard 32 is pivoted downwardly about the lugs 38, first disengaging the forward edge of the bottom panel 35 either from the pin head 25 or from b tween the head as and lower jaw member 14, as necessary. Upon a downward pivoting of the guard 32, the nail-receiving chamber is exposed on both sides thereof thus enabling an emptying of the chamber of all of the nails at one time. I

In conclusion, it should also be noted that this guard in no way interferes with the normal operation of any portion of the nail clipper including both the activation of the cutting edges and the use of the pivotally mounted file.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For mounting on a nail clipper having coextensive upper and lower resilient jaw members secured at one end and flexibly biased apart for the remainder of their length, cooperating inwardly directed cutting edges on the free ends of the jaw members, a pivot pin through aligned openings in said jaws, and a cam lever for effecting a closing of the jaw members for the severance of a portion of a nail positioned between the cutting edges; a nail guard for retaining the cut nails within the space between the jaw members rearward of the cutting edges, said guard including two spaced side panels, a bottom panel connecting said side panels and spacing them from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the jaw members in the vicinity of the pivot pin, inwardly extending detents on said side panels, the distance between the planes of the inner ends of the detents being slightly less than the aforementioned jaw member width, said detents being spaced above the bottom panel a distance so as to accommodate the thickness of the lower jaw member, said guard possessing sufficient flexibility so as to enable a slight outward flexing of the side panels suiiicient to allow the positioning of the lower jaw member between the detents and the bottom panel, and means for pivo-tally mounting said guard on the nail clipper for movement between a first position wherein said side panels are positioned on opposite sides of the space between the jaw members so as to enclose this space, and a second position wherein said guard is orientated below the lower jaw so as to open the space between the jaws, said means for pivotally mounting said guard consisting of a lug integral with the rearward edge of each side panel, said lugs being bendable so as to extend inwardly toward each other thereby enabling a mounting of the guard on an assembled nail clipper and providing'a barrier for retaining the cut nails within the enclosed space.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the forward edge of the bottom panel has an arcuate recess centrally 1ocated therein of a size so as to snugly receive that portion of the pivot pin normally projecting below the lower jaw member.

3. The structure or" claim 2 wherein the forward edge of the bottom panel, from the opposite ends or" the areuate recess, consist of two outwardly diverging portions, each terminating at the forward edge of one of the side panels, the forward edge of each side panel being shaped so as to generally follow the curvature of the cutting edges.

4. For mounting on a nail clipper having coextensive upper and lower resilient jaw members secured at one end and flexibly biased apart for the remainder of their length, cooperating inwardly directed cutting edges on the free end of the jaw members, a pivot pin through aligned openings in said jaw, and means for effecting a closing of the jaw members for the severance of a portion of a nail positioned between the cutting edges; a nail guard for retaining the cut nails within the space between the jaw members rearward of the cutting edges, said guard including two spaced side panels, a bottom panel connecting said side panels and spacing them from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the jaw members in the vicinity of the pivot pin, a lug integral with the rearward edge of each side panel, said lugs being bendable so as to extend inwardly toward each other between the jaw members thereby enabling a mounting of the guard on an assembled nail clipper and providing a barrier for retaining the cut nails within the space between the side panels, said lugs pivotally mounting the guard on the nail clipper for movement between a first position wherein said side panels are positioned on opposite sides of the space between the jaw members so as to enclose the space, and a second position wherein said guard is orientated below the lower jaw so as to open the space between the jaws, and means for releasably retaining the guard in the first position.

References ited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,146,132 2/39 Scholl -28 2,837,821 6/58 David 30-124 2,970,376 2/61 Chi Shcng Kuo 30-28 2,985,957 5/61 Freedman 30-124 2,995,820 8/61 Pocoski 30-28 3,013,334 12/61 Bassett 30-28 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. FOR MOUNTING ON A NAIL CLIPPER HAVING COEXTENSIVE UPPER AND LOWER RESILIENT JAW MEMBERS SECURED AT ONE END AND FLEXIBLY BIASED APART FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LENGTH, COOPERATING INWARDLY DIRECTED CUTTING EDGES ON THE FREE ENDS OF THE JAW MEMBERS, A PIVOT PIN THROUGH ALIGNED OPENINGS IN SAID JAWS, AND A CAM LEVER FOR EFFECTING A CLOSING OF THE JAW MEMBERS FOR THE SEVERANCE OF A PORTION OF A NAIL POSITIONED BETWEEN THE CUTTING EDGES; A NAIL GUARD FOR RETAINING THE CUT NAILS WITHIN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE JAW MEMBERS REARWARD OF THE CUTTING EDGES, SAID GUARD INCLUDING TWO SPACED SIDE PANELS, A BOTTOM PANEL CONNECTING SAID SIDE PANELS AND SPACING THEM FROM EACH OTHER OF DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF THE JAW MEMBERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE PIVOT PIN, INWARDLY EXTENDING DETENTS ON SAID SIDE PANELS, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PLANES OF THE INNER ENDS OF THE DETENTS BEING SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE AFOREMENTIONED JAW MEMBER WIDTH, SAID DETENTS BEING SPACED ABOVE THE BOTTOM PANEL A DISTANCE SO AS TO ACCOMMODATE THE THICKNESS OF THE LOWER JAW MEMBER, SAID GUARD POSSESSING SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY SO AS TO ENABLE A SLIGHT OUTWARD FLEXING OF THE SIDE PANELS SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW THE POSITIONING OF THE LOWER JAW MEMBER BETWEEN THE DETENTS AND THE BOTTOM PANEL, AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID GUARD ON THE NAIL CLIPPER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN SAID SIDE PANELS ARE POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE JAW MEMBERS SO AS TO ENCLOSE THIS SPACE, AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID GUARD IS ORIENTATED BELOW THE LOWER JAW SO AS TO OPEN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE JAWS, SAID MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID GUARD CONSISTING OF A LUG INTEGRAL WITH THE REARWARD EDGE OF EACH SIDE PANEL, SAID LUGS BEING BENDABLE SO AS TO EXTEND INWARDLY TOWARD EACH OTHER THEREBY ENABLING A MOUNTING OF THE GUARD ON AN ASSEMBLED NAIL CLIPPER AND PROVIDING A BARRIER FOR RETAINING THE CUT NAILS WITHIN THE ENCLOSED SPACE.

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