Abstract:
A skin sander for removing dead skin such as calluses and rough dry skin, including a housing, electric motor, and an oscillating sanding surface. The skin sander is ergonomically designed for use by various sized hands with minimal effort.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to the removal of dead dry skin and calluses from skin surfaces, such as the surfaces of the hands and the feet. More particularly, the invention provides for an economical method of using an electrical oscillating utensil to solve these conditions without harming healthy skin. 
         [0002]    The formation of calluses is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the feet, hands, or other parts of the body. This callus formation is the body&#39;s defense mechanism to protect these areas from excessive pressure and friction. Calluses are normally found, for example, on the ball of the foot, the heel, the interior of big toe, and/or the palm of the hands. 
         [0003]    Some calluses have a deep seated core known as a nucleation. This particular type of callus can be especially painful to pressure. This condition is often referred to as Intractable Plantar Keratosis. Calluses develop because of excessive pressure at a specific area of, for example, the foot or hands. Some common causes of callus formation on the feet are high-heeled dress shoes, improperly sized shoes, open backed shoes, sandals, obesity, abnormalities in walking motion, prolonged standing, high arched feet, and repeated contact with hard surfaces. 
         [0004]    Historically people have removed calluses and or dead dry skin by softening the affected area using warm water and cutting or trimming the callus by manually using a razor blade, rasp, or pumice stone. 
         [0005]    Utilizing these types of devices can be very dangerous and can worsen the condition resulting in unnecessary injuries. For aging adults this type of manual application can be very difficult and can result in either limited reduction of the affected area or possible cuts or abrasions. Diabetics, in particular, could have adverse effects from this type of self-applied treatment since they are often unable to determine if they are affecting healthy skin. This oversight could lead to infection. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The needs set forth above as well as further and other needs and advantages are addressed by the present disclosure. The solutions and advantages of the present disclosure are achieved by the illustrative embodiment described herein below. 
         [0007]    The present disclosure describes a device for removing calluses and an improved method of application. The device is a skin sander with a moving abrasive surface attached to an absorbing material and housing. The skin sander is applied to skin to remove calluses and dead dry skin buildup without harming healthy live skin. The skin sander is gentle enough to be used on children, aging adults, and other individuals who present these conditions. 
         [0008]    Techniques for the removal of dead dry skin and calluses from hands, feet, and other areas of the body are provided in accordance with the present disclosure. More particularly, the disclosure provides a method of using an electrical oscillating skin sander with a moving abrasive surface, which oscilates in a fixed arc about an axis and is attached to an absorbing material and housing. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the present disclosure describes the skin sander that has been developed in effort to remove calluses while at the same time not causing harm to healthy live skin and keeping the natural intended shape of the foot once the callus or dead skin is removed. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that applies an abrasive surface attached to an oscillating surface driven by an electric motor powered by an electrical current. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that operates an abrasive surface at a predetermined speed and that, when applied to the callused area, slowly removes the callus while not affecting healthy live skin. 
         [0012]    It is further an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that has been developed in an effort to remove calluses without using water or any other type of liquid substance. If the skin is dry the skin sander can remove brittle dry skin without disturbing healthy elastic skin. 
         [0013]    It is further an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that oscillates in a fixed arc to avoid affecting healthy skin during callus and dry skin removal. Healthy skin can be elastic, which can allow it to move with the rotational fixed arc of the skin sander. Dead dry skin or callus can have no elasticity whereby the skin sander may remove the affected area and leave the healthy live skin intact. 
         [0014]    Another object of the disclosure is to describe a hand held skin sander driven by a motor which has an internal structure that converts the rotation of the motor shaft to an oscillating motion at the abrasive surface. The abrasive surface can be cushioned for ultimate comfort and can move at a rate that maximizes the removal of callused skin. 
         [0015]    Yet another object of the disclosure is to describe a balanced skin sander having a housing including a shaft housing the motor, and a dome base. The dome base includes a transfer device and legs which, together, create the oscillating motion, and are coupled with a sanding surface holder. These elements can facilitate manipulation of the device with one hand by applying a minimal amount of pressure. In most cases the amount of pressure applied is not important to the performance of the skin sander and can be suitable for use by those with limited strength, for example, aging adults. 
         [0016]    The skin sander design of the present disclosure not only can provide the recipient a smooth, even removal of the callus, but also can create a vibrating action that acts as a massaging device and stimulates blood flow. 
         [0017]    Moreover, the skin sander can include an abrasive removable sanding pad which can be designed with various grit configurations and in various colors and patterns with various types of abrasive material. 
         [0018]    The skin sander can distinguish between healthy elastic skin and dry callused skin, and can be configured to remove only the dry callused skin. Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that can be used in salons and public places where manicures and pedicures are performed, providing an alternative to utilizing water as a method to softening calluses so they can be removed. Having a dry pedicure alternative reduces governmental concerns of unsanitary conditions due to the use of water. 
         [0019]    It is yet an object of the disclosure to describe a compact and portable skin sander that can allow its owner to travel with the skin sander in an optional travel case. 
         [0020]    For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description. The scope of the present disclosure is pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The accompanying drawings are included as part of this application and are an illustrative explanation and further understanding of the invention. These illustrations combined with the descriptions serve to provide the principal of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram cut away side view of the skin sander in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the components of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a rear view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a side view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a front view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a sanding surface holder of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the oscillating motion of the skin sander of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a facing of the skin sander of the present disclosure; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a transfer device of the skin sander of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The skin sander is now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The following configuration description is presented for illustrative purposes only. Any configuration satisfying the requirements herein described may be suitable for implementing the utensil of the present disclosure. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , skin sander  9  can include, but is not limited to including, motor  7 , configured to be perpendicular to sanding surface holder  16 , and motor shaft  18 , which is connected to a transfer device  8 . Skin sander  9  can also optionally include switch  22  with switch cover  3  and power supply  1 . Sanding surface holder  16  can be configured with removable sanding surface  17  which can be connected to sanding surface holder  16  by, for example, hook-and-eye connecting surfaces such as, for example, VELCRO®. Between sanding surface holder  16  and removable sanding surface  17  is pad  25 , which can allow removable sanding surface  17  to conform to the skin to which removable sanding surface  17  is applied. Motor  7  is secured to housing  20  by housing ribs  23  ( FIG. 2 ) and can, for example, be electrically powered. Skin sander  9  is configured so that it is balanced with housing  20  which includes motor shaft  18  which includes motor  7 . Motor  7  is secured by holder ribs  13 , and a dome  35  which can include transfer device  8  and plurality of legs  4 . Transfer device  8  and plurality of legs  4  can work together to create the rotational oscillation, and connect to sanding surface holder  16 . The placement and balance of the components of skin sander  9  work together to allow the user the ability to manipulate the device with one hand by applying a minimal amount of pressure. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , skin sander  9  can further include housing  20  which can be configured in, for example, two sections connected by screws  26  which can be designed for operation, for example, by a variety of individuals. In one embodiment, skin sander  9  can be powered, for example, by power supply  1  ( FIG. 1 ) that can extend from the top of housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Power can be supplied to motor  7  ( FIG. 1 ) in any way and is not limited to electric power through power supply  1 . In the embodiment shown, power supply  1  is connected to motor  7  and is held in place by bracket  2  ( FIG. 1 ) in order to secure the connection of power supply  1  to the motor  7 . 
         [0034]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , sanding surface holder  16  and housing  20  are separated by separation  11  ( FIG. 2 ), and connected by legs  4  ( FIG. 2 ). Legs  4  can be connected to housing  20  by housing ribs  29  ( FIG. 1 ). Legs  4  can also be connected to sanding surface holder  16  by screw recesses  15  ( FIG. 1 ) and screws  14  ( FIG. 2 ) which can screw through sanding surface holder  16  and into legs  4 . Legs  4  can, for example, be configured to be flexible. Legs  4  can include, for example, at least one spacer element(s)  5 . Spacer element(s)  5  can have an elongated flat configuration and can extend in a perpendicular orientation with respect to legs  4 . Spacer element(s)  5  can have holes at each end allowing legs  4  to be connected to spacer element(s)  5  and provide support and operational integrity to skin sander  9 . During operation, spacer element(s)  5  can also reduce vibration of skin sander  9 . One leg of plurality of legs  4  is separated from another leg of plurality of legs  4 , and spacer element  5  can connect plurality of legs  4 . Spacer element  5  can couple plurality of legs  4  and with housing  20  by housing ribs  23 . Spacer element  5  can provide support and operational integrity to plurality of legs  4  and housing  20 , and can reduce vibration in skin sander  9 . 
         [0035]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , sanding surface holder  16  ( FIG. 4 ) can be configured to restrict the accumulation of skin inside housing  20  ( FIG. 4 ) during operation, for example, by having an angular shape  19  ( FIG. 1 ) beginning at its junction with housing  20  and terminating at sanding surface  17  ( FIG. 4 ). Side ventilation  21  ( FIG. 5 ) can provide air flow across motor  7  ( FIG. 1 ). Housing  20  can be ergonomically formed with grooves  10  ( FIG. 5 ) which can be configured according to the hand size of the user. Switch  22  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can be used to activate and deactivate motor  7  and can be situated, for example, on the front of skin sander  9  ( FIG. 1 ). Switch  22  can include switch cover constructed as, for example, a rubber membrane, that can be depressed to engage skin sander  9 . 
         [0036]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 6 , sanding surface holder  16  can include, but is not limited to including, pad  25  that is attached to sanding surface holder  16 , and sanding surface adapter  24 . Pad  25  can be, for example, constructed of foam which can cushion the sanding process. Sanding surface adapter  24  can be attached to pad  25  to allow various types of sanding surfaces  17  to be attached and removed from sanding surface holder  16 . An extension of the transfer device  8  ( FIG. 9 ) can be coupled with bearing  12  ( FIG. 2 ), which can be secured in surface center by holder ribs  13  of sanding surface holder  16 . 
         [0037]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 7 , sanding surface  17 , in conjunction with legs  4  ( FIG. 1 ), can sand a skin surface in an arc about sanding surface holder axis  29  surrounding motor shaft center  31  to remove dead skin and/or dry skin. Once energized, motor shaft  18  ( FIG. 1 ), which enters transfer device  8  ( FIG. 9 ) at motor shaft center  31  begins to rotate at a predetermined speed which energizes transfer device  8 . To create the desired oscillating motion, transfer device  8  spins inside bearing  12  ( FIG. 2 ), which is inset in sanding surface holder  16  ( FIG. 1 ). Legs  4  ( FIG. 1 ) restrict movement of sanding surface holder  16  to create the oscillating motion about sanding surface holder axis  29 . The oscillating motion can be dictated by an offset of motor shaft  18  from motor shaft center  31  in combination with the restriction of movement by legs  4 . Top point  30  of sanding surface holder  16  does not rotate during the oscillation of sanding surface holder  17 . The solid circle is the starting point of sanding surface holder  16 , the dashed lines provide a visual representation of the movement of sanding surface holder  16  during operation. It is the oscillating motion at a predetermined speed of 10,000 to 11,000 oscillations per minute that generates the friction to remove dead skin while leaving healthy skin unharmed. 
         [0038]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 7 , by way of further explanation of the operation of skin sander  9 , transfer device  8  can be a weighted material and can be connected to rotor  34  ( FIG. 9 ). Transfer device  8  can include lobe  32  ( FIG. 9 ) extending from its center configured to enter the center of sanding surface holder  16  and into bearing  12  inset in sanding surface holder  16 . Lobe  32  has a hole which is offset from lobe center. The hole is configured to fit around motor shaft  18  that secures transfer device  8  to motor  7  and allows transfer device  8  to spin freely with motor  7 . As transfer device  8  spins, the hole having an offset center in lobe  32  causes lobe  32  to spin in a non-perfect circle, which causes sanding surface holder  16  to move in an oscillating motion creating an arc about an axis. Sanding surface holder  16  is secured to housing  20  by a plurality of legs  4 , for example, at least three legs  4 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to ( FIG. 8 ), housing  20  can include facing  28  configured to accommodate gripping and vibration reduction of skin sander  9 . 
         [0040]    Referring now primarily to ( FIG. 9 ), transfer device  8  can be, for example, a weighted material which can be secured to rotor  34 . Transfer device  8  and rotor  34  are secured to the motor shaft  18  and spin with motor shaft  18 . Motor shaft  18  ( FIG. 1 ) enters transfer device  8  at motor shaft center  31 . Transfer device  8  has lobe  32  projecting from transfer device  8  that fits into sanding surface holder  16  ( FIG. 1 ) at sanding surface holder axis  29  which is the center of the bearing  12  ( FIG. 2 ) which is inset into sanding surface holder  17  ( FIG. 1 ) and secured by holder ribs  13  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0041]    Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized that this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments. The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without detracting from the scope of the invention. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.