Abstract:
This device is a modified nail clipper or an attachment for a nail clipper that captures nail clippings from spilling during operation. It allows one to quickly trim ones nails and rapidly dispose of the nail clippings by rotation of a lever configured around the internal region of the clipper. This device may benefit athletes, those in group living situations and beauty salons.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING SOURCES 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELDS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The disclosure as detailed herein is in the technical field of health care. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the technical field of personal grooming. Even more specifically, the present disclosure relates to the technical field of nail clippers. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0005]    It is thought that this invention may improve the well being of multiple types of people including but not limited to: children, wrestlers, gymnastics, childcare, nursing home staff, beauty salon, podiatrists, soccer players, ballet, football players, skaters, hockey players, and skiers. For example, it is well known that for parents teaching children to take care of their nails. However, children often will get their nail clippings all over the place, if used by themselves. Further, children and toddlers in day care centers sometimes get their fingers and toes clipped and collection of these nails is important for keeping a hygienic environment. would benefit from this device, is necessary especially around lots o kids. 
         [0006]    In athletics there are numerous instances of the people keeping their toe and fingernails trimmed for performance reasons. For soccer players, ballet dancers, football players, skaters, hockey players, and skiers, the tight shoes may direct growing toenails into their feet. Thus during the vigorous activity, the toenails may cause sores and blisters. Therefore, these people may often keep their toes regularly trimmed to enhance their performance. Wrestlers and others who interact with gym mats, may worry about loose toe nails scraping and causing infections on their skin. 
         [0007]    In group living situations such as hospitals, nursing homes, and barracks, people must individually maintain their personal hygiene in order for the living place to remain hygienic. Whether staff such as nurses, or residents are responsible, nail clippings within any of these environments (from potentially many people) may decrease quality of life and also create a health hazard. 
       GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This device is a modified nail clipper or an attachment for a nail clipper that captures nail clippings from spilling during operation. It allows one to quickly trim ones nails and rapidly dispose of the nail clippings by rotation of a lever configured around the internal region of the clipper. This device may benefit athletes, those in group living situations and beauty salons. 
         [0009]    The U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,919 (herein termed the “‘919’ publication”) discloses a nail clipper retainer for use with a convention nail clipper having jaws fixed together at a first end and having chain hole surfaces therein and chain connected. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,923 (herein termed the “‘923’ publication”) discloses a finger nail retainer and detachable tweezer for use with a conventional nail clipper. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,288 (herein termed the “‘288’ publication”) discloses a catcher for nail clippings shaped to slip onto a standard nail clipper. 
         [0010]    The U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,545 (herein termed the “‘545’ publication”) discloses A device for retaining nail clippings within a nail clipper includes a housing adapted to cover the openings between the clippers elongate members. The U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,807 (herein termed the “‘807’ publication”) discloses nail clippers having both shielded cutting blades to prevent intentional or accidental injury and an integral means for collecting clipped nails. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,880 (herein termed the “‘880’ publication”) discloses a device utilized as a fastening system with a universal slotted mounting located at the bottom of a u-shape channel. However, neither the ‘919’ publication, the ‘923’ publication, the ‘288’ publication, the ‘545’ publication, the ‘807’ publication, nor the ‘880’ publication discloses a rotatable lever that captures nails within an recess of the nail clippers. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagram view which shows steps of using the device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view which shows one lever surrounding the interior compartment and lever in the open position and the non-activated clipper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view which shows levers surrounding the interior compartment of the clipper and one or more levers are in the open state and the clipper is active. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view which shows both levers surrounding the interior compartment and lever in the open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view which shows the levers in the closed state with a visible lever connection component. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view which shows the levers in the closed state with a flush lever connection component. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view which shows nail clippings within the enclosure space. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view which shows levers as individual pieces without the nail clipper visible. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view which shows levers interconnected and inserting on one another as individual pieces without the nail clipper visible. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a exploded view which shows levers surrounding the interior compartment of the clipper and the clipping mechanism is open. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a exploded view which shows the components of the device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side view which shows a screw-based connection for rotating the levers. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side view which shows an open lever with a connected catch  18  on the posterior end. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view which shows an open lever with a single catch  19  on the posterior end. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a side view which shows the exterior portion of one lever piece. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a side view which shows an embedded nail file within a lever. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a side view which shows a device with opposing file and buffing levers. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a side view which shows a tapered end  13  of the lever. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Also in the figures, the leftmost digit of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which the reference number is first used. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other systems and applications. 
         [0030]    The invention has some elements that are commonly known including: a compound nail clipper, a compound nail clipper lever  1 , a compound nail clipper incline top  2 , a compound nail clipper base  3 , and finally a compound nail clipper enclosure space  4 . However their use and relationships to the novel components and steps of the invention render them applicable herein. In order to preface the roles they play in the specification, they are subsequently explained here. 
         [0031]    The compound nail clipper is used to cut nails and generally comprises a compound nail clipper lever  1 , a compound nail clipper incline top  2 , a compound nail clipper base  3 , and finally a compound nail clipper enclosure space  4 . The compound nail clipper lever  1  comprises a lever arm which uses the fulcrum to lift the load using and intensifying an applied force. The compound nail clipper incline top  2  comprises the dorsal pincher portion of the device. The compound nail clipper incline base comprises the bottom pincher portion of the device. The compound nail clipper enclosure space  4  comprises a holding space that is created by the incline top and base, and can be completely enclosed by the addition of some of the elements within this disclosure. 
         [0032]    In order to use the device, a general method preferably involves several steps comprising: First, a person would decide that they wants to groom their nails (Step  101 ). Or optionally, a person would want to clean underneath the nails. Or optionally, a person wants to file their nails. A person would then pick up the clipper (Step  102 ), ensure that the side levers are in the closed position by rotation (Step  103 ). Then they would insert a nail into the apical end of the clipper device (Step  104 ). In order to trim, they would then depresses the clipper lever (Step  105 ). One or more nails would then enter the compartment of the device (Step  106 ). They may then repeat this process until their nails or a set of nails from one or a group of people has been trimmed (Step  108 ). To empty the device, a person opens one or both levers into the open position (Step  109 ). Finally, a person empties the clippings in the appropriate spot (Step  110 ). The above method is herein identified as method  100 , and while these steps are depicted in an order, it is thought that these steps may be performed in one or more alternative orders and still reflect the novelty of the invention. 
         [0000]    In summary: 
         [0033]    1. a person decides they want to groom theirs (or others) nails. 
         [0034]    2. a person picks up the device. 
         [0035]    3. a person ensures that the side levers are in the closed position by rotation. 
         [0036]    4. a person inserts a nail into the apical end of the device. 
         [0037]    5. a person depresses the clipper lever. 
         [0038]    6. nails enter the compartment of the device. 
         [0039]    7. person finishes clipping their nails. 
         [0040]    8. a person opens one or both levers into the open position. 
         [0041]    9. a person empties the clippings in the appropriate spot. 
         [0042]    In order to perform Step  3 , where a user rotates one or more levers into a closed position, the device preferably comprises one or two lever  5  and a lever connection component  21 . Spatially, the lever  5  is preferably positioned surrounding the compound nail clipper incline top and surrounding the compound nail clipper base. The lever  5  is attached to the nail clipper by the lever connection component  21 , located in at least one embodiment about ¾ of the length from the front of the nail clipper enclosure space. 
         [0043]    The lever  5  is mainly thought to be composed of metal, however other embodiments may be composed of any of the following: plastic, steel, aluminum, or rubber. The lever  5  comprises a rotatable component that serves to block nails from exiting the enclosure when in the closed position. The lever  5  functions to both 1) create a enclosed area that surrounds the nail clipper disclosure space so that clipped nails can be stored. and to 2) create an outside facing nail file. In turn, the lever  5  preferably comprises a medial face  6 , a lateral face  7 , an anterior end  11 , a posterior end  16 , and finally a pin connector hole  20 . 
         [0044]    Further, the lever  5  has a couple alternative embodiments herein termed the ‘‘one side affixed’ embodiment’ embodiment and the ‘one side buffer, one side file’ embodiment. 
         [0045]    Spatially, the medial face  6  is preferably positioned facing the compound lever nail clipper (#) and opposite the lateral face  7 . It comprises the surface of the lever that faces the enclosure and functions to both 1) to provide a frictionless mechanism for opening and closing access to the nail clipper enclosure space and to 2) to prevent nail clippings from falling out of the compound nail clipper enclosure space  4  when in the closed state (#). 
         [0046]    The lateral face  7  is preferably positioned opposite the medial face  6  and facing the compound lever nail clipper. The lateral face  7  comprises the side of the lever  5  that does not face the enclosure and functions to both 1) provide an outside facade to the lever and to 2) serves as an attachment area for the nail file  8 . In addition, the lateral face  7  preferably comprises a nail file  8 . 
         [0047]    Spatially, the nail file  8  is preferably positioned on the lateral face and is mainly thought to be composed of metal, however other embodiments may be composed of any of the following: crystal, ceramic, glass, or mylar. The nail file  8  comprises a tool used to gently grind down and shape the edges of nails. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a nail file  8  may include: an  80  grit file, a  100  grit file, a  180  grit file, a  240  grit file, or a  500  grit file. Then nail file may be part of the lever or an attachment on the lateral face. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the nail file  8  is absent then it may not have ridges (#) and still work to enclose the nails that are clipped. 
         [0048]    Further, the nail file  8  has a couple alternative embodiments herein termed the ‘‘separate nail file’ embodiment’ embodiment and the ‘one side file and one side buff’. The ‘separate nail file’ embodiment is thought to comprise an embedded file  9  as a separate piece and is preferably positioned within the lateral face. The ‘one side file and one side buff’ embodiment may comprise a nail buff  10 , rather than file on one of the levers. It also would be preferably positioned within the lateral face. 
         [0049]    Spatially, the anterior end  11  is preferably positioned adjacent to the nail clipping region and opposite of the posterior end  16 . The anterior end  11  comprises the end of the lever that is adjacent to the clipping mechanism and it preferably comprises a top region  12 , a middle region  14 , and finally a bottom region  15 . 
         [0050]    The top region  12  is preferably positioned at the apical end of the lever  5 , adjacent to the compound nail clipper incline top  2 , and above the middle region. The top region  12  comprises the top triangle shaped point on the anterior end of the lever  5 . The top region  12  is preferably shaped like triangle however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped rounded or tapered. The area of the top region can be calculated by the area that is enough to seal off the end area of the nail file. The top region  12  functions to both 1) match the dimensions of the top end of the nail clipper and to 2) protect the user form the top end of the nail file. Further, the top region  12  has an alternative embodiment herein termed the ‘tapered for picking’ embodiment which allow one to clean underneath ones nails and comprises a tapered end  13 . 
         [0051]    The middle region  14  is preferably located in the middle of the apical end of the level, above the bottom region  15 , and below the top region  12 . It comprises the indented part of the anterior end of the lever and is preferably shaped like an inverted triangle however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped like a semi-circle. The middle region  14  functions to both 1) protect the user form the top end of the nail file and to 2) allow someone to insert their finger into the clipping region. Further, the middle region  14  has an alternative embodiment herein termed the ‘constrained depth’ embodiment wherein an adjustable variable depth allows not to cut nails at a consistent desired length. 
         [0052]    Spatially, the bottom region  15  is preferably positioned below the middle region  14  and apical to the anterior end  11  and is preferably shaped like a triangle however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be a rounded or tapered shape. The bottom region  15  comprises the bottom triangle shaped point on the anterior end of the lever  5 . The bottom region  15  functions to both 1) protect the user form the bottom end of the nail file and to 2) match the dimensions of the bottom end of the nail clipper. 
         [0053]    Opposite the anterior end of the lever is the posterior end. The posterior end  16  comprises the end of the lever that is adjacent to the enclosure region. Spatially, the posterior end  16  is preferably positioned adjacent to the enclosure region and opposite of the anterior end  11  and is preferably shaped like a rectangle however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be like a circle, triangle or tapered. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the posterior end  16  is absent then the anterior end may exist at the pivot pin  22 . In some embodiments, the posterior end  16  may preferably comprises a catch  17 . 
         [0054]    The catch  17  comprises the part of the posterior end that inserts under compound nail clipper base  3 . Preferably, the catch is a contiguous affixed piece with lever. Spatially, the catch  17  is preferably positioned under the compound nail clipper base  3  and on the posterior end  16 . The catch  17  is preferably shaped like an ‘L’ however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped like a rectangle or any shape that loops in under the base to provide one-way rotation. Further, the catch  17  may have a couple alternative embodiments herein termed a ‘‘connected catch  18 ’ embodiment’ and a ‘single catch  19 ’ embodiment. The single catch  19  embodiment allows independent operation of both levers for opening and closing. The ‘‘connected catch  18 ’ embodiment’ allows simultaneous opening and closing of the levers, by means of attaching the two levers together operationally. 
         [0055]    On the lever may be a pin connector hole  20 . The pin connector hole  20  comprises the hole through which a pin  22  or lever connection component  21  is inserted for rotating the levers. Spatially, the pin connector hole  20  is preferably positioned within the posterior end and through the medial face. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the pin connector hole  20  is absent then the lever connection component  21  can be connected on the medial face. 
         [0056]    Spatially, the lever connection component  21  is preferably positioned within the compound nail clipper enclosure space  4  and in between the lever  5 . The lever connection component  21  comprises a piece that connects two lever pieces through the enclosure space of a nail clipper. It is attached to the anterior end of each lever  5  and is preferably shaped like a rod however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped cylindrically or alternatively like a rectangle. The lever connection component  21  functions to both 1) allows means for catching and/or creating tension in order to have closed or open states of the lever which 2) allows rotation. In one embodiment, the lever connection component  21  preferably may comprise a pin  22 . 
         [0057]    The pin  22  comprises a component that attaches to each lever and allows independent rotation of the levers to open the enclosure space. Spatially, the pin  22  is preferably positioned within the enclosure space and between the lever  5 . The pin  22  is mainly thought to be composed of steel however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that the pin  22  may also be composed of aluminum, or other metals. The pin  22  preferably comprises a pin insert region  24 , a pin receiving region  25 , and finally a pin enclosure hole  26 . 
         [0058]    The pin insert region  24  comprises the portion of the pin that inserts on the pin receiving region, so that binding and rotation can occur. Spatially, the pin insert region  24  is preferably positioned within the pin receiving region  25  and perpendicular to the lever. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the pin insert region  24  is absent then then a different type of lever connection component may be used. Further, the pin receiving region  25  comprises the portion of the pin that receives the pin insert region, so that binding and rotation can occur. 
         [0059]    Spatially, the pin enclosure hole  26  is preferably positioned within the enclosure space and adjacent to one or more lever. The pin enclosure hole  26  comprises the hole at the end of the enclosure space through which the pin connects the levers. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the pin enclosure hole  26  is absent then then a different type of lever connection component may be used. 
         [0060]    Further, the pin  22  may have an alternative embodiment herein termed the ‘screw connection  23 ’ embodiment. The ‘screw connection  23 ’ embodiment may comprise a screw connection  23  preferably positioned perpendicular to the lever and within the enclosure space. The screw connection  23  uses threaded receiving portions and a one more colts or screws to tighten and or lesson the pin region. This may result in tightness or flexibility in the rotation of the levers.