Patent Publication Number: US-2019167465-A1

Title: Pincer nail correction tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an ingrown nail corrector which corrects an ingrown nail of a toe. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As a conventional method for correcting an ingrown nail of a toe, there is a method called a wire method, which is known as a method most frequently used for an ingrown nail correction. 
     In the wire method, holes are drilled at both right and left end sides of a free edge of a nail extending to about 2 mm to 3 mm (an edge on a tip side of the nail separated from the toe), and while bending a wire having elasticity in which an axis returns from a curved state of the axis to a linear state with respect to the holes, both end portions of the wire are inserted into the holes. 
     In the ingrown nail correction method, in a state in which the wire is bent and inserted, a force for returning the wire axis linearly acts on the wire, and by utilizing the linearly returning force, both end sides of the nail are expanded to right and left sides to correct the ingrown nail. 
     However, in many cases, the ingrown nail is brittle, and when a force of expanding both the right and left end sides of the nail from side to side acts on the hole due to returning of the wire inserted in the hole to a linear shape, there are problems of a breakage of the nail around the hole, and breakage of the nail when opening the hole. 
     In order to avoid these problems, as described in the following Patent Document 1, an ingrown nail corrector that corrects the ingrown nail without opening a hole in the nail has been proposed (see  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 ). 
     The ingrown nail corrector illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is configured so that a claw facing a correction plate in a vertical direction protrudes from one side end of the correction plate.  FIG. 2  illustrates a configuration in which the correction plate is used as a back side of the free edge, the claw is used as a front side of the free edge, and the corrector is attached by being fitted to the free edge in a clamped manner.  FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration in which the correction plate is used as the front side, the claw is used as the back side, and the corrector is attached by being fitted to the free edge in a clamped manner. 
     In addition, in the ingrown nail corrector illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the correction plate is bent at the center portion, hooks fitted to the end edge of the free edge are included in both ends of the correction plate, and the ingrown nail corrector is attached by being fitted to the end edge of the free end. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2007-244852 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     According to the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , by clamping the free edge with the correction plate and the claw, the corrector can be attached to the nail without opening the hole, and it is possible to correct the ingrown nail, while lifting the free edge by elasticity of the correction plate at the time of attachment. 
     Further, according to the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIG. 4 , by fitting the hooks to both end edges of the free edge and clamping the free edge, the ingrown nail corrector can be attached to the nail without opening the hole, and it is possible to correct the ingrown nail by maintaining the state in which the correction plate expands the free edge at the time of attachment. 
     Further, in the ingrown nail corrector disclosed in Patent Document 1, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , by doubly folding back the claw portion and the hook portion, the claw and the hook are formed in a spring shape, and in a state of the ingrown nail corrector being attached to the free edge, a spring force is applied in the clamping direction to maintain the attached state. 
     However, since the above-described ingrown nail corrector of the related art is a molded article which is formed to have a predetermined shape and a length corresponding to a length in a width direction (a right-left direction) of the nail as illustrated in [0028], and  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with a nail width that varies from individual to individual. 
     In order to make the ingrown nail corrector cope with the individually different nail widths, there is a method for preparing ingrown nail correctors of a plurality of sizes in which the length along the nail width direction is different in units of mm. However, since it is not possible to make an ingrown nail corrector cope with every nail width as a ready-made product in terms of higher manufacturing costs, the size of the ingrown nail corrector is restricted to a limited size to a certain extent, but since the nail width differs for each individual as described above, there is a problem that the size does not match at the time of attachment. 
     In the ingrown nail corrector of the related art, the attached state is maintained by clamping the free edge using the spring force of the claw and the hook. However, due to the user&#39;s walking or attachment and detachment of socks, there is a problem of occurrence of deviation or detachment of the ingrown nail corrector with respect to the free edge. 
     In the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIG. 4 , since the bent portion protruding from the front side of the nail is caught in the attached state, the ingrown nail corrector is easily removed by walking of the user or attachment and detachment of socks, etc., the corners of the bent portion are caught inside socks and shoes, and the socks and shoes may be damaged. 
     In contrast to the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , at the time of beginning of attachment of the free edge, since the correction plate and the claw extend along the back side and the front side of the free edge, it is difficult to disengage the ingrown nail corrector as compared with the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and it is considered that the inner sides of socks and shoes are not damaged. However, since the ingrown nail corrector is clamped by the spring force against the free edge, the ingrown nail corrector eventually slips off and comes off. 
     In order to prevent deviation or detachment of the ingrown nail corrector of the related art illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is conceivable to fix the ingrown nail corrector to the free edge, using an adhesive or the like. However, when the ingrown nail corrector is fixed to the free edge, there is a problem that the ingrown nail cannot be corrected. 
     Hereinafter, on the basis of  FIGS. 9( a ) and 9( b ) , the corrected state of the ingrown nails will be described, and the problems when an ingrown nail corrector  100  is fixed to a free edge  200  will be described.  FIG. 9( a )  illustrates a state at the beginning of the correction of the ingrown nail, and  FIG. 9( b )  illustrates a state of the latter half of the correction of the ingrown nail. 
     When correcting the ingrown nail, the ingrown nail corrector  100  is kept attached, and the bending of the free edge  200  that has become the ingrown nail is gradually flattened and corrected by the repulsive force of a correction plate  101 . 
     In such a corrected state, at the beginning of the correction of the ingrown nail corrector  100 , the correction plate  101  is bent to follow the bending of the free edge  200 , and the position of a claw  102  on a front side  201  of the free edge  200  is in a position corresponding to the bending of the correction plate  101 . 
     In the operation in which the correction plate  101  is gradually flattened due to its own repulsive force from the initial state of correction to the end of correction, the correction plate  101  and the claw  102  which clamp the free edge  200  shift to a flattened state, while sliding along the nail width direction with respect to the free edge  200 , and at the time of shifting to the flattened state, the correction plate  101  and the claw  102  press and expand the bending of the free edge  200  due to the ingrown nail. 
     That is, since the correction plate  101  and the claw  102  slide with respect to the free edge  200 , the ingrown nail corrector  100  performs an operation in which the correction plate  101  is flattened in the attached state, and can perform correction of the ingrown nail by this operation. 
     On the other hand, when the correction plate  101  or the claw  102  is fixed to the free edge  200  in order to prevent detachment of the ingrown nail corrector  100 , since sliding of the correction plate  101  and the claw  102  with respect to the free edge  200  is prevented, the correction plate  101  cannot be flattened from a bent state. 
     Therefore, when the correction plate  101  or the claw  102  is fixed to the free edge  200  in order to prevent detachment of the ingrown nail corrector  100 , there is a structural problem that the ingrown nail cannot be corrected. 
     In addition, if the ingrown nail corrector  100  is not loosened to some extent even by the clamping force to the free edge  200 , the sliding of the correction plate  101  and the claw  102  will be inhibited, and the correction of the ingrown nail cannot be performed normally. Thus, there is also a problem that it is not possible to strengthen the clamping force. 
     Therefore, there is a demand for an ingrown nail corrector that solves each of the aforementioned problems in which it is possible to prevent cracking of the nail at the time of attachment, to widely cope with to different nail widths for individuals, to reduce the manufacturing cost, to maintain the attached state with respect to the free edge, and to correct normal ingrown nails while the attached state is maintained. 
     Means for Solving Problem 
     In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the invention adopts the following means. 
     An ingrown nail corrector which is attached to a free edge of a nail to correct an ingrown nail, the ingrown nail corrector including a corrective body, a support hole, and a clamping portion. The corrective body is formed to have a length in a longitudinal direction to be equal to or larger than a nail width of the free edge, using a material having elasticity in which a repulsive force is generated against a force in a direction of flexure. The support hole has an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the corrective body. The corrective body is inserted in a freely slidable manner with the longitudinal direction of the corrective body parallel to an axis of the support hole. The clamping portion includes a fixing plate having one end protruding to be fixed to the support hole with a width direction parallel to the axis of the support hole, a support plate which is disposed to face the fixing plate while being spaced apart in a thickness direction of the fixing plate with the width direction thereof parallel to the axis of the support hole, a contact protrusion integrally formed with the support plate or the fixing plate and formed so as to be located between the support plate and the fixing plate, an insertion port secured between the fixing plate and an end portion of the support plate on the support hole side, and a connecting portion which connects the fixing plate and the support plate at an end portion on the protruding side and has elasticity in which a repulsive force is generated against a force in a direction in which the support plate separates from the fixing plate with expansion of the insertion port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an ingrown nail corrector according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of  FIG. 1  illustrating only a free edge in cross section; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line ( 3 )-( 3 ) of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a state in which the ingrown nail corrector is attached to a free edge, without providing a latching groove in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an ingrown nail corrector according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of an ingrown nail corrector according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view illustrating a state before bending; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of an ingrown nail corrector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a correction operation of a conventional ingrown nail corrector,  FIG. 9( a )  illustrates a state at the time of beginning of correction of the ingrown nail, and  FIG. 9( b )  illustrates a state of a latter half of correction of the ingrown nail. 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, an ingrown nail corrector A according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . Each embodiment described below does not limit the invention. 
     The ingrown nail corrector A includes two corrective bodies  1 , a support hole  2  that supports the corrective bodies  1  to freely slide in an axial direction, and a clamping portion  3  which is provided integrally with the support hole  2  and is attached to a free edge B 1  of a nail B. 
     In a state in which the corrective body  1  is arranged on a surface (hereinafter referred to as “back side”) B 10  of the free edge B 1  of the nail B on the side of a toe C side along the width of the nail B, by fitting the clamping portion  3  from the side of a tip B 11  of the free edge B 1  with respect to the free edge B 1 , the ingrown nail corrector A is attached to the nail B and is configured so that the correction of an ingrown nail B′ (see  FIG. 2 ) is started in the attached state. 
     The corrective body  1  is a linear body made of a material having elasticity such as a metal material or a shape memory alloy material, and due to the elasticity, a repulsive force is generated against flexure of the axis of the corrective body  1 . By utilizing the repulsive force, the corrective body  1  supports the free edge B 1  to lift the free edge B 1  from the back side B 10  of the nail B, which makes it possible to maintain the corrected state of the ingrown nail. 
     Two corrective bodies  1  are collectively covered with a resin film  10 , and when the corrective bodies  1  come into contact with the free edge B 1  during correction of the ingrown nail B′, by relaxing the contact pressure with the resin film  10 , it is possible to suppress occurrence of breakage or cracking of the free edge B 1  due to the contact pressure. 
     The length (the length along the width direction of the free edge B 1 ) of the corrective body  1  in the axial direction is set to be longer than a right-left width of the free edge B 1 , and the corrective body  1  protrudes from the right and left edges B 12  and B 12  of the free edge B 1  in the state of being attached to the free edge B 1 . However, by cutting the protruding portion, the length of the corrective body  1  in the axial direction is adjusted to the length that does not protrude from the right and left edges B 12  and B 12  of the free edge B 1  in the width direction (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Further, the number of corrective bodies  1  is not limited to two as exemplified but may be one to three or more. The number of corrective bodies  1  is the number that can be placed on the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 , and may be the number in which the repulsive force capable of maintaining the corrected state of the ingrown nail B′ is generated. 
     Further, the corrective body  1  is not limited to a linear body, and may be a plate-like body. For example, an element in which a metal material or a shape memory alloy material having elasticity is formed into a plate shape may be adopted. 
     The support hole  2  and the clamping portion  3  are formed in a clip D integrally formed by performing various machining such as cutting, bending and folding on a thin metal plate having elasticity. 
     Specifically, the clip D includes two clip portions D 1  formed so that the support hole  2  and the clamping portion  3  are continuous along the longitudinal direction of the free edge B 1  (an extension direction of the free edge B 1 ), the clip portions D 1  are arranged as a pair so as to be aligned in parallel in the width direction of the free edge B 1 , and the clip portions D 1  and D 1  aligned in parallel are integrated via a connecting plate  23 . 
     In the invention, without being limited to the configuration in which the support hole  2  and the clamping portion  3  are integrally formed, the support hole  2  and the clamping portion  3  may be separately formed, and both of them may be fixed and integrated via the connecting plate  23 . Further, the invention is not limited to an aspect in which the support hole  2  and the clamping portion  3  are divided. 
     The support hole  2  has an axis parallel to the axis of the corrective body  1 , and is inserted so that the corrective body  1  can slide freely in the axial direction and is inserted to be removable, and the support hole  2  is formed in an oblong cross section which is long in the front-rear direction such that the two corrective bodies  1  are arranged in the front-rear direction along the radial direction (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The cross-sectional shape of the support hole  2  is a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the corrective body  1  when the corrective body  1  is in the form of a plate, and when the number of the corrective bodies  1  is one, the corrective body  1  supported as a circular cross section does not shift back and forth. 
     As the form of the corrective body  1 , as illustrated, it is preferable that two linear members are arranged side by side in the radial direction and are covered with the resin film  10 , or are formed in a plate shape. By setting the cross-sectional shape of the support hole  2  to a form suitable for the cross-sectional shape of these corrective bodies  1 , since rotation of the corrective body  1  in the support hole  2  can be prevented, the attaching work can be carried out extremely smoothly. 
     The clamping portion  3  has the same length in the width direction as the axial length of the support hole  2 , and is formed in a U-shaped spring shape which is continuous in a direction protruding forward from the circumferential end of the support hole  2  bent in a circular oval cross-sectional shape. 
     The clamping portion  3  has a fixing plate  31  continuously formed from the circumferential end of the support hole  2  with an end portion facing the support hole  2  as an insertion port  30 , a support plate  32  disposed to face the fixing plate  31  in the thickness direction of the fixing plate  31 , a connecting portion  33  having a U-shaped cross section which connects the fixing plate  31  and the support plate  32  on the protruding side, and a contact protrusion  34  provided at the end portion of the support plate  32  on the side of the insertion port  30  to protrude toward the fixing plate  31 . 
     The insertion port  30  is set to have a width of the fixing plate  31  along the thickness direction (width in the height direction) that is greater than the thickness of the free edge B 1 . 
     The connecting portion  33  has a spring force in which a repulsive force in the direction of closing the insertion port  30  is generated against a force in a direction in which the support plate  32  is separated from the fixing plate  31  (the direction in which the insertion port  30  is expanded) by the opening movement of the insertion port  30  in the thickness direction of the fixing plate  31 . 
     In addition, the connecting portion  33  is not limited to a U-shaped cross section, but may be of any form as long as it has a spring force that generates a repulsive force in a direction of closing the insertion port  30  with respect to the opening movement of the insertion port  30 . 
     The contact protrusion  34  is formed as an inclined surface  34   a  which gradually approaches the fixing plate  31  side as it goes from the end portion of the support plate  32  on the side of the insertion port  30  to the side of the connecting portion  33  and inclines to narrow the space between the fixing plate  31  and the support plate  32 . 
     Further, the contact protrusion  34  is formed in a tapered shape with a sharp tip  34   b  of the end portion on the protruding side, as a tapered shape from both widthwise edge portions to the end portion on the protruding side, and the tip  34   b  is caught in a latching groove B 1   a  provided on the front side of the free edge B 1  at the time of attachment. 
     Attachment of the ingrown nail corrector A to the free edge B 1  is carried out by fitting the clamping portion  3  to the free edge B 1  in a state in which the corrective body  1  is disposed on the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 . 
     The clamping portion  3  positions the fixing plate  31  on the side of the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 , positions the support plate  32  on the side of a front side B 13  of the free edge B 1  and clamping portion  3 , and can fit the clamping portion  3  to the free edge B 1 , by pushing the insertion port  30  from the tip B 11  to the free edge B 1  in a state of making the insertion port  30  directly face the tip B 11  of the free edge B 1 . 
     In the fitting operation of the clamping portion  3 , when the inclined surface  34   a  comes into contact with the free edge B 1  and the inclined surface  34   a  moves to the rear side (the toe C side) of the free edge B 1 , the support plate  32  moves in the height direction along the thickness of the free edge B 1  against the repulsive force, and brings the contact protrusion  34  to the front side B 13  of the free edge B 1 . 
     In the fitting of the clamping portion  3 , the corrective body  1  is positioned on the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1  while being bent, and both end portions in the width direction which are the ingrown nails of the free edge B 1  are expanded, and while keeping the corrective body  1  along the backside B 10  of the free edge B 1 , fitting is performed. 
     When the fitting of the clamping portion  3  is completed, a repulsive force against the deflection of the corrective body  1  can be allowed to act on the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1  so that the right and left end portions B 12  and B 12  of the expanded free edge B 1  do not become the ingrown nail B′ again. 
     Further, a certain degree of range along the axial direction of the circumferential surface of the corrective body  1  supports the free edge B 1  in a state of being in contact with the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 . Accordingly, it is possible to support the free edge B 1  so as to lift the right and left end portions B 12  and B 12  of the free edge B 1  in a state in which the entire region of the corrective body  1  comes into contact with the entire region of the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1  in the width direction. 
     In a state in which the clamping portion  3  is fitted and the corrective body  1  is positioned on the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 , both end portions of the corrective body  1  protrude outward from the right and left end portions B 12 , B 12  of the free edge B 1 . However, by cutting the protruding portion of the corrective body  1  (indicated by an imaginary line of  FIG. 1 ) at a portion which is flush with the right and left end portions B 12 , B 12  of the free edge B 1 , it is possible to dispose the corrective body  1  without protruding from the right and left end portions B 12 , B 12  of the free edge B 1 , thereby making it possible to wear the socks and shoes as usual. 
     Before fitting of the clamping portion  3 , the front side of the free edge B 1  is cut to form a latching groove B 1   a  to which the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  is latched, and in a state in which the clamping portion  3  is fitted to the free edge B 1 , the tip  34   b  is latched to the latching groove B 1   a.    
     The depth of the latching groove B 1   a  may be a slight depth enough to make it difficult for the clamping portion  3  to be detached from the free edge B 1  due to catching of the tip  34   b . With this degree of depth, it is easy to remove the clamping portion  3 , and it is possible to easily cut without generating breakage, cracking, etc. of the free edge B 1 . 
     According to the ingrown nail corrector A having the aforementioned configuration, since a certain degree of range along the axial direction of the circumferential surface of the corrective body  1  supports the free edge B 1  in a state of being in contact with the back side B 10  of the free edge B 1 , it is possible to dispose the corrective body  1  without opening a hole in the free edge B 1  and to prevent occurrence of breakage or cracking of the free edge B 1  due to a point contact of the corrective body  1  to the free edge B 1 . 
     Further, by cutting the corrective body  1  to correspond to the width of the free edge B 1 , one kind of ingrown nail corrector A can cope with the different nail widths for each individual. 
     Further, since the corrective body  1  is inserted into the support hole  2  to be slidable in the axial direction, only the corrective body  1  is bent in a state in which the clamping portion  3  is fitted to the free edge B 1 , and by the repulsive force generated when returning from the deflection to a straight state, it is possible to correct the ingrown nail even if the clamping portion  3  is in the fixed state. 
     When the clamping portion  3  is fitted to the free edge B 1 , a repulsive force of the connecting portion  33  acts on the fixing plate  31  and the support plate  32  which clamp the free edge B 1 , and the contact protrusion  34  is latched on the latching groove B 1   a  formed in the free edge B 1 . Accordingly, it is possible to enhance reliability of the attached state of the ingrown nail corrector A. 
     Further, since the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  is sharpened, even if the depth and width of the latching groove B 1   a  are small, the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  is caught on the latching groove B 1   a.  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the detachment of the ingrown nail corrector A due to the deviation or dropout of the clamping portion  3  from the free edge B 1 . Further, even if the latching groove B 1   a  is not formed, the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  is made to bite into the front side B 13  of the free edge B 1 , which makes it possible to prevent detachment of the ingrown nail corrector A due to deviation or dropout of the clamping portion  3  from the free edge B 1 . 
     Further, since the contact protrusion  34  is formed as the inclined surface  34   a  by the above-described configuration, the sliding of the clamping portion  3  in the direction of fitting to the free edge B 1  can be performed against the contact friction with which the fixing plate  31  and the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  come into contact with the free edge B 1 , by the repulsive force of the connecting portion  33 . 
     Further, in the fitted state of the clamping portion  3 , since the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  is latched on the latching groove B 1   a,  sliding in the direction of retracting the clamping portion  3  from the free edge B 1  is prevented, thereby making it possible to maintain the attached state of the ingrown nail corrector A. 
     Furthermore, even when the clamping portion  3  is fitted without forming the latching groove B 1   a,  since the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  bites into the free edge B 1  with respect to the sliding in the direction of extracting the clamping portion  3  from the free edge B 1 , sliding of the clamping portion  3  in the direction of being extracted from the free edge B 1  is prevented, thereby making it possible to maintain the attached state of the ingrown nail corrector A. 
     Further, the contact protrusion  34  has a tapered shape that reaches the tip  34   b , and both edges in the width direction (a right-left direction) are inclined edge portions  34   c  which are inclined. Therefore, when detaching the ingrown nail corrector A from the free edge B 1 , by causing the clamping portion  3  to slide in the width direction of the free edge B 1 , the inclined edge portion  34   c  of the contact protrusion  34  slides along the end portion B 1   b,  while coming into contact with the end portion B 1   b  of the latching groove B 1   a.  Along with the sliding, the tip  34   b  of the contact protrusion  34  reaches the front side of the free edge B 1  and can be detached by sliding as it is. 
     That is, the ingrown nail corrector A can be attached by fitting the clamping portion  3  to the free edge B 1  from the tip B 11 , and can be detached by causing the clamping portion  3  to slide along the width direction of the free edge B 1 . Accordingly, it is possible to easily attach and detach the ingrown nail corrector A to and from the free edge B 1  and to maintain the attached state, without bringing the clamping portion  3  into a fixed state with respect to the free edge B 1 . 
     Further, since the sliding of the clamping portion  3  at the time of detaching the ingrown nail corrector A can be performed without deforming or cutting the clamping portion  3 , the ingrown nail corrector A can be reused. In the case of being reused in the nail B having a wide width, the used corrective body  1  may be detached from the support hole  2  and a new corrective body  1  may be inserted into the support hole  2 . In the case of being reused in the nail B having a narrow width, the used corrective body  1  may be used as it is, and a portion protruding from the right and left edges B 12 , B 12  of the free edge B 1  may be cut. 
     Therefore, the ingrown nail corrector A of the present embodiment eliminates each problem such as prevention of cracking of the nail B at the time of attachment, a wide coping with the width of the nail B different for each individual, reduction in manufacturing cost, and maintenance of the attached state with respect to the free edge B 1 . Moreover, easiness of attachment and detachment with respect to the free edge B 1  can be improved, and it is possible to reuse the ingrown nail corrector A. 
     Next, an ingrown nail corrector A′ according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The description of the repeated contents of those of the ingrown nail corrector A of the first embodiment will not be provided by assigning the same reference numerals to the drawings. 
     The ingrown nail corrector A′ is provided with two clips D, and the two clips D are attached by being fitted to the free edge B 1  with an appropriate space between the clips D. 
     According to the ingrown nail corrector A′, since the free edge B 1  is clamped by the two clips D, it is possible to more reliably maintain the attached state with respect to the free edge B 1 , and moreover, it is suitable for being attached to the free edge B 1  having a relatively wide nail width. 
     The proper use of the ingrown nail corrector A and the ingrown nail corrector A′ can be variously used. That is, the ingrown nail corrector A is used for the free edge B 1  having a narrow nail width, the ingrown nail corrector A′ is used for the free edge B 1  having a wide nail width as described above, the ingrown nail corrector A is used to quickly perform attachment to the free edge B 1 , and the ingrown nail corrector A′ is used to more reliably perform attachment to the free edge B 1 , respectively. 
     Although the ingrown nail corrector A′ is illustrated as having the two clips D, the number of clips D may be three or more and can be increased or decreased in accordance with the nail width. 
     Next, an ingrown nail corrector A″ according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The description of the repeated contents of the ingrown nail corrector A of the first embodiment and the ingrown nail corrector A′ of the second embodiment will not be provided by assigning the same reference numerals to the drawings. 
     As described above, the ingrown nail corrector A and the ingrown nail corrector A′ have the clip D having a pair of clip portions D 1 , but the ingrown nail corrector A′ has a clip D′ including one clip portion D 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the clip D′ is configured such that the entire region of the support plate  32  in the clamping portion  3  is formed as a tapered shape from the end portion on the connecting portion  32  side to the end portion on the contact protrusion  34  side in a plan view, the contact protrusion  34  is formed continuously to the tapered shape of the support plate  32 , and the contact protrusion  34  has a sharper angle than the contact protrusion  34  of the clip D. 
     Since the number of clip portion D 1  is one, the ingrown nail corrector A″ can quickly perform the attachment to the free edge B 1 , and in the attached state, it is possible to reduce the protruding portion of the ingrown nail corrector A″ from the free edge B 1 . 
     Further, since the support plate  32  has a tapered shape in a plan view, the support plate  32  is in a state of being easily flexibly deformed in a direction of separating from the fixing plate  31  (a direction in which the insertion port  30  is expanded), and in particular, the side of the contact protrusion  34  is easily flexibly deformed. 
     That is, at the time of attachment of the ingrown nail corrector A″ to the free edge B 1 , since the insertion port  30  is expanded by flexural deformation of the support plate  32 , the force required for expansion decreases, the repulsive force returning from the expansion also decreases, and the contact pressure of the contact protrusion  34  to the free edge B 1  during insertion is also lowered. Accordingly, the insertion of the free edge B 1  into the insertion port  30  can be smoothly performed. 
     Furthermore, since the tip of the contact protrusion  34  has an acute angle, the width of the latching groove B 1   a  can be narrowed, and even if the depth of the latching groove B 1   a  is shallow, it is possible to maintain the reliability of the latched state of the contact protrusion  34  with respect to the latching groove B 1   a.  Further, even if the health condition of the free edge B 1  is poor, it is possible to suppress breakage of the free edge B 1  at the time of forming the latching groove B 1   a.    
     Next, an ingrown nail corrector A′″ according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . The ingrown nail corrector A′″ of this embodiment is provided with three clips D′ of the third embodiment. The description of the repeated parts of the third embodiment will not be provided by assigning the same reference numerals to the drawings. 
     The ingrown nail corrector A′″ of the fourth embodiment has the same effect as the ingrown nail corrector A″ of the third embodiment, and since the three clips D′ are provided, it is possible to more reliably maintain the attached state to the free edge B 1 . 
     The number of clips D′ can be increased or decreased in accordance with the width of the free edge B 1 . Further, from the viewpoint of maintaining the attached state to the free edge B 1 , it is preferable to provide at least two clips D′. 
     In the invention, the ingrown nail corrector A having no contact protrusion  34  may be used. In this case, in order to more reliably maintain the attached state to the free edge B 1 , the repulsive force of the connecting portion  33  may be strengthened to enhance the clamping force of the clamping portion  3 , and the clamping portion  3  may be fixed to the free edge B 1  with an adhesive or an adhesive tape. 
     The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be implemented with configurations within the scope that does not depart from the contents described in the respective claims. 
     EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS 
     A ingrown nail corrector 
     A′ ingrown nail corrector 
     A″ ingrown nail corrector 
     A′″ ingrown nail corrector 
     B nail 
     B 1  free edge 
       1  corrective body 
       2  support hole 
       3  clamping portion 
     B 2  end edge 
     B 3  end edge 
       30  insertion port 
       31  fixing plate 
       32  support plate 
       33  connecting portion 
       34  contact protrusion 
       34   a  inclined surface 
       34   b  tip 
     B 1   a  latching groove