Patent Publication Number: US-7222628-B2

Title: Artificial nail apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/559,492 filed on Apr. 3, 2004. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to artificial nails and, more particularly, to an artificial nail apparatus which appears as jewelry and an artificial nail when worn by a person. 
   2. Related Art and Prior Art Statement 
   It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to provide artificial fingernails in the shape of natural fingernails. Accordingly, numerous artificial fingernail manufacturers have provided a variety of combinations of materials, arrangements, and colors in fingernail accessories. With the advent of such artificial fingernail accessories, the person can now have intricately pre-designed fingernails. Prior art artificial fingernails are typically made of an opaque and hard plastic, although colored and flexible materials can also be used. These nails are generally attached to the natural nails with an adhesive and can be detached from the natural fingernails by later removing the adhesive. After the nails are applied, they are typically coated with a nail polish and/or a finishing material. The nail polish can be used to make the artificial nails look like the natural nails, although it can also be used to provide other attractive and unique nail appearances. The finishing material can be used to protect the nails and the nail polish from damage. 
   However, there are several problems with prior art artificial nails. One problem is that if the artificial nail brakes, then the natural nail can be damaged since they are adhered together. Another problem is that it is typically undesirable to replace the broken artificial nail until the natural nail heals, which can take an amount of time which depends on the extent of the damage. Accordingly, while prior art artificial nails may be suitable for their intended purposes, they leave much to be desired. As a result, there is a need for an improved artificial nail. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an artificial nail apparatus with an artificial nail having an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, and an end. The apparatus also includes a bridge having a first end fastened to the artificial nail at an engagement location and an opposing second end. In some examples, a fastener can fasten the first end of the bridge to the artificial nail at the engagement location. A nail facing surface of the opposing lower surface is between the engagement location and the end. In some examples, the nail facing surface can carry a nail engaging adhesive or a nail engaging bandage. 
   In this embodiment, a digit receiving space is between the nail facing surface and the bridge. A digit engaging element is carried by the second end of the bridge. In one example, the digit engaging element and bridge are formed from an elongate strand. In some embodiments, the digit engaging element includes a ring with a digit receiving opening therethrough. In another embodiment, the digit engaging element includes a helical ring with a digit receiving opening therethrough. 
   The present invention also provides an artificial nail apparatus with an artificial nail including an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, a distal end, and a proximal end. The apparatus also includes a bridge having a first end and an opposing second end fastened to the artificial nail at an engagement location on the lower surface between the proximal and distal ends. In some embodiments, a fastener couples the bridge to the artificial nail at the engagement location. Further, in some embodiments, the bridge is made of a bendable material. In this embodiment, a digit engaging element is carried by the second end and has a digit receiving opening. 
   In some examples, the bridge and digit engaging element are formed from an elongate strand. In these examples, a bend can be in the elongate strand between the bridge and digit engaging element. A nail facing surface of the lower surface of the artificial nail is between the engagement location and the proximal end of the artificial nail. In some examples, the nail facing surface carries a double sided adhesive strip. In other examples, the nail facing surface carries a bandage. A digit receiving space is between the nail facing surface and the bridge. The digit receiving opening is coaxial with the digit receiving space. 
   The present invention further provides an artificial nail apparatus with an artificial nail having an upper viewing surface and a lower non-viewing surface, in which the upper viewing surface is opposed to the non-viewing surface. The apparatus also includes a bridge coupled to the non-viewing surface of the artificial nail at an intermediate location between proximal and distal ends of the nail. Further, the bridge can be made of a bendable material. 
   In this embodiment, a digit engaging element has a digit receiving opening and is spaced apart from the proximal end of the nail by the bridge. Further, a fastener couples the bridge to the non-viewing surface of the artificial nail. In some examples, the bridge and the artificial nail can be fastened together with complementary male and female components. The non-viewing surface of the artificial nail includes a nail facing surface between the intermediate location and the proximal end of the artificial nail. In some examples, an adhesive is carried by the nail facing surface of the artificial nail. In other examples, a bandage is carried by the nail facing surface of the artificial nail. In this embodiment, a digit receiving space is between the nail facing surface and the bridge. The digit receiving opening is coaxial with the digit receiving space. In some examples, the digit engaging element appears as a ring when engaging a digit and viewed from the upper viewing surface of the artificial nail. 
   These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings: 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  are simplified perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of one embodiment of an artificial nail apparatus in accordance with the present invention designed to be worn on a finger; 
       FIG. 4  is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of the artificial nail apparatus of  FIGS. 1–3  with ornamental and decorative features; 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are simplified side views of the artificial nail apparatus of  FIGS. 1–3  engaging a finger in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified top view of the artificial nail apparatus of  FIGS. 1–3  engaging a finger, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified bottom view of the artificial nail of  FIGS. 1–3  with a bonding region coupling a bridge to the artificial nail; 
       FIG. 9  is a simplified bottom view of the artificial nail of  FIGS. 1–3  with complementary male and female components coupling the bridge to the artificial nail; 
       FIG. 10  is a simplified bottom view of the artificial nail apparatus of  FIGS. 1–3  with an adhesive or bandage strip, in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a simplified perspective view of an artificial nail apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, designed to be worn on a toe. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  are simplified perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of one embodiment of a artificial nail apparatus  100  in accordance with the present invention. It should be noted that like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views. Artificial nail apparatus  100  is designed to be worn by a person on his or her digit, such as a finger or toe. In this particular example, however, apparatus  100  is formed and sized to be worn on a finger. Artificial nail apparatus  100  has several advantages. One advantage is that it can be easily worn by the person because it is conveniently attached and removed from the person&#39;s finger, as will be discussed in more detail below. Further, apparatus  100  can also be conveniently adjusted to accommodate the size and shape of a particular person&#39;s finger for a more comfortable fit. Another advantage is that the various components included in artificial nail apparatus  100  are interchangeable so the person can choose a desired esthetic look. 
   In this embodiment, artificial nail apparatus  100  includes an artificial nail  110  which extends between a distal end  112  and a proximal end  114 . Apparatus  100  also includes a bridge  120  with an end  126  coupled to nail  110  at an engagement location  123  which is positioned intermediately between distal and proximal ends  112  and  114  ( FIG. 3 ). Nail  110  has a viewing or upper surface  116  and opposing non-viewing or lower surfaces  111  and  117 . Non-viewing surface  117  is between distal end  112  and engagement location  123  and non-viewing surface  111  is between proximal end  114  and engagement location  123 . Surface  111  is sized and shaped so that it can fit over the person&#39;s natural nail or nail bed. In this example, the portion of nail  110  near distal end  112  on viewing surface  116  is sized and shaped so that it appears as a natural nail. It should be noted, however, that the portion of nail  110  near distal end  112  can be otherwise shaped so that it provides a desired esthetic look. For example, it can be squared, rounded, pointed, or have another desired shape. 
   In this embodiment, a finger-engaging element  118  is coupled to bridge  120  at a bend  121 . Finger-engaging element  118  has a digit receiving opening  109  sized and shaped to receive the person&#39;s finger. Finger-engaging element  118  terminates at an end  124  which is positioned near finger-engaging element  118  so that finger-engaging element  118  forms a loop. Hence, bridge  120  and finger-engaging element  118  are a continuous elongate strand coupled together by bend  121 . The elongate strand extends between ends  124  and  126  and is sized and shaped to receive the person&#39;s finger and hold nail  110  to the person&#39;s natural nail. The elongate strand can be made of a material that is rigid or it can be made of a material that can be easily bent and shaped by the person to fit his or her finger comfortably. Suitable materials include metal or plastic, for example. 
   In accordance with the invention, proximal end  114  of nail  110  is separated from bridge  120  by a finger receiving space  122 . Further, finger receiving opening  109  is coaxial with finger receiving space  122  along a reference line  125  ( FIG. 1 ). The shape of bridge  120  is chosen to conform to the pad of the person&#39;s finger and the shape of surface  111  near proximal end  114  is chosen to conform to the shape of the person&#39;s natural finger nail or nail bed so that finger receiving space  122  conforms to the shape of the person&#39;s finger. As discussed in more detail below and as shown in  FIG. 7 , bridge  120  is positioned so that it is not seen from a top view. Hence, artificial nail apparatus  100  appears as an artificial nail and a ring from this view. 
   It should be noted, however, that bridge  120  and finger-engaging element  118  can have many other different configurations so that artificial nail apparatus  100  appears as an artificial nail and a ring when seen from the top view. For example, in some embodiments, bridge  120  and finger-engaging element  118  can be separate pieces coupled together so that they are not one continuous elongate strand, as discussed above. The separate bridge and ring pieces can be attached together in many different ways. In one embodiment, bend  121  can be replaced with complementary male and female components carried by finger-engaging element  118  and bridge  120  so that finger-engaging element  118  and bridge  120  can be fastened together. In another embodiment, bend  121  can be replaced with an adhesive, a welding joint, or a soldering joint to fasten finger-engaging element  118  and bridge  120  together. Further, it should be noted that artificial nail apparatus  100  can include various ornamental and/or decorative features to make it more esthetically pleasing, as will be discussed in more detail presently. 
     FIG. 4  is a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of an artificial nail apparatus  107  with both ornamental and decorative features. It should be noted that apparatus  107  is similar to apparatus  101  as discussed above. In this embodiment, artificial nail apparatus  107  includes an artificial nail  108  connected to bridge  120 . Here, however, a decorative jewel  140  and an ornament  142  are positioned near distal end  112  of nail  108 . Jewel  140  is positioned on viewing surface  116  of nail  108  and ornament  142  is coupled to nail  108  so that it extends between surfaces  116  and  117  and hangs therefrom nail  108 . It should be noted that jewel  140  and ornament  142  can be otherwise positioned on nail  108  in other embodiments and the positioning of them here is for illustrative purposes. 
   Further, in this embodiment, a finger-engaging element  104  is coupled to bridge  120  through bend  121 . Finger-engaging element  104  includes a jewel holder  144  which holds a decorative jewel  146  thereon. Jewel holder  144  and jewel  146  are positioned on finger-engaging element  104  so that the combination looks like an ordinary ring when artificial nail apparatus  107  is being worn by the person, as will be discussed in more detail below. In this example, finger-engaging element  104  includes a front ring portion  119  and a back ring portion  115  that extends away from bridge  120  so that proximal end  124  is spaced apart from bend  121  by a distance d. In this way, finger-engaging element  104  is helical in shape so that it better holds to the person&#39;s finger when apparatus  107  is being worn. It should also be noted that in other embodiments, only one of the ornamental or decorative features shown in  FIG. 4 , or combinations thereof, can be included. Further, these ornamental and decorative features are shown in  FIG. 4  for illustrative purposes and other structures which make apparatus  107  more esthetically pleasing cab be used in other embodiments. 
     FIG. 5 and 6  are simplified side views and  FIG. 7  is a simplified top view showing artificial nail apparatus  100  engaging the person&#39;s index finger  130 , in accordance with the present invention. Finger  130  includes a finger nail  132  on one side and a finger pad  134  on its opposed side. As shown in  FIG. 5 , finger  130  is inserted into opening  109  of ring  118  and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , finger  130  is slid towards distal end  126  until finger nail  132  ( FIG. 5 ) engages surface  111  of nail  110  near proximal end  114 . To remove apparatus  100 , the procedure is just reversed and finger  130  is slid from distal end  126  towards ring  118  where it is removed from opening  109 . 
   As clearly shown in  FIG. 6 , bridge  120  is shaped to conform to the shape of finger pad  134  so that artificial nail apparatus  100  can be worn comfortably and snuggly. Since in this embodiment bridge  120  can be easily shaped, it can be bent to conform to the shape and size of a particular person&#39;s finger. This is useful if apparatus  100  is worn by different people who generally have different size fingers or if it is worn by the same person on a different finger. In some embodiments, portions of bridge  120  can be coated with an elastomer material  149  ( FIG. 6 ) to facilitate the gripping of items. This is particularly useful when gripping the item between the person&#39;s fingers, such as index finger  130  and a thumb (not shown). Elastomer material  149  can include a rubber or rubber like material, or another material that increases the friction of bridge  120  to facilitate the gripping of an item. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , when finger  130  is inserted into artificial nail apparatus  100 , ring  118  appears like an ordinary ring from the top view. This is because bridge  120  is positioned adjacent to finger pad  134  ( FIG. 6 ) so it is not seen from the top view. Further, nail  110  fits over finger nail  132  ( FIG. 5 ) so that nail  110  looks like a finger nail. It should be noted that nail  132  and bridge  120  are shown in phantom in  FIG. 7 . In some embodiments, as discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , apparatus  100  can include jewel holder  144  and jewel  146  to add these esthetic features to ring  118 . 
   These esthetic features can be easily added because the various components of artificial nail apparatus  100  can be easily and conveniently interchanged. Hence, the person can have different styles of finger-engaging elements  118  and  104  and different styles of nails  108  and  110  which can be worn in different combinations. For example, nail  108  can be worn with finger-engaging element  118  and nail  110  can be worn with finger-engaging element  104 . It should be appreciated that the person can have several nails like nail  108  or  110  with different colors, shapes, and ornamental and decorative features and, as discussed above, they can be interchangeably coupled to elements  118  and  104  through bridge  120 . 
   Similarly, the person can have several finger-engaging elements like elements  104  and  118 , with or without jewelry that can be interchangeably coupled to different styles of nails. In this way, the person has the added convenience of being able to choose the look of artificial nail apparatus  100  and  107  depending on several factors, such as the occasion, mood, dress, etc. The different nails and finger-engaging elements can be provided in a package of nail accessories and/or they can be sold separately or in various combinations. The various nail and finger-engaging elements can be fastened together in many different ways to facilitate their interchangeability, as will be discussed presently. 
     FIG. 8  is a simplified bottom view of the engagement between nail  110  and bridge  120  using a bonding region  127 . It should be noted that the discussion here, as well as in  FIG. 9  below, applies equally well to nail  108  and bridge  120  discussed above in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, bonding region  127  is applied to end  126  of bridge  120  and end  126  is attached at engagement location  123  (not shown) between distal end  112  and proximal end  114 . Bonding region  127  can include a welding or soldering joint, glue, or another adhesive known in the art which fastens end  126  to engagement location  123 . Here, however, bonding region  127  can be undone in many different ways so that end  126  can be detached from surface  117  to facilitate the interchangeability of the components. For example, bonding region  127  can be undone by heating it, if it includes a weld or solder joint, or dissolving it in a solvent, if it includes glue or another adhesive. Nail  110  can then be replaced with another nail or finger-engaging element  101  can be replaced with another finger-engaging element and bonding region  127  can be reapplied. In this way, the person can choose the esthetic appearance of apparatus  100  and  107 . 
     FIG. 9  is a simplified bottom view of artificial nail apparatus  100  showing the engagement between nail  110  and bridge  120  using complementary male and female components. In this embodiment, the male component includes a threaded portion  128  positioned at distal end  126  of bridge  120 . Further, the female component includes a threaded opening  129  positioned on nail  110 . Threaded opening  129  extends through nail  110  and is positioned at engagement location  123  between distal and proximal ends  112  and  114 . Nail  110  and bridge  120  can be fastened together by threadingly engaging threaded portion  128  and threaded opening  129 . It should be noted that in other embodiments, bridge  120  can carry threaded opening  129  and nail  110  can carry threaded portion  128  so that the positioning of the male and female components can be reversed. In either embodiment, the person can easily remove nail  110  from end  126  and replace it with another nail that the person desires to wear by simply disengaging threaded portion  128  from opening  129 . It should also be noted that there are other ways of fastening bridge  120  to nail  110  using other male and female components. For example, the male and female components can include a pocket which receives the person&#39;s natural nail, a tongue and groove structure, male and female snaps, or a tongue and pocket structure, so that they can be easily unfastened, but only a few ways are shown here and in  FIG. 8  for illustrative purposes. 
     FIG. 10  is a simplified perspective view of a portion of artificial nail apparatus  100  with an adhesive strip  160  for more firmly holding nail  110  to the persons natural finger nail, such as finger nail  132  in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, adhesive strip  160  is positioned on surface  111  so that surface  111  near proximal end  114  is more strongly attached to the persons natural finger nail when it engages apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Here, adhesive strip  160  includes an adhesive surface  162  and an opposed adhesive surface  164  so that it operates as a double-sided adhesive strip. Accordingly, one of surface  162  or  164  can be positioned on surface  111  and the other one can be positioned on the person&#39;s finger nail so that nail  110  is more firmly held to the person&#39;s finger. In this example, adhesive surface  162  is covered with a pealable backing  166  to keep it clean and/or to prevent its adhesion properties from deteriorating when adhesive strip  160  is not being used or is in storage. It should be noted that in some embodiments, adhesive surface  162  can also include a pealable backing similar to pealable backing  166 . 
   In another embodiment, a bandage  170  is carried on surface  111  near proximal end  114 . In this example, bandage  170  includes a bandage surface  172  on one side and an opposed surface  174  on its other side. Surface  111  near proximal end  114  carries bandage  170  so that surface  174  is adjacent to it and bandage surface  172  is held on the person&#39;s finger nail when the person&#39;s finger engages apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Hence, if the person&#39;s finger nail is damaged or missing, then bandage surface  172  can be used to cover it and promote healing. It should be noted that surface  174  can be an adhesive surface similar to surfaces  162  and  164  so that bandage  170  is held in place. Further, in some examples, adhesive strip  160  can be positioned on surface  111  as described above, then surface  174  of bandage  170  can be attached to strip  160  so that bandage  170  is held in place. 
   In some embodiments, bandage surface  172  is covered with a medicine which is desired to apply to the person&#39;s finger nail or a nearby region. The medicine can include many different medicines known in the art, such as medicines to reduce swelling, promote healing, reduce infections, heal nail fungus, etc. The bandages and various adhesives described here can be packaged with artificial nail apparatus  100  or  107  or they can be sold separately as an accessory. Further, the bandage can be packaged with the medicine pre-applied or it can be applied by the person. 
   Artificial nail apparatus  100  also provides protection to the person&#39;s fingernail. For example, if the person&#39;s finger nail is damaged or missing, then bandage surface  172  can be used to cover it while the finger nail heals and/or regrows. In this way, it will still look like the person has a finger nail present because nail  110  can be made to appear like the missing nail or an artificial nail which covers the damage. Hence, artificial nail apparatus  100  can be used as a fingernail shield or guard to protect the person&#39;s finger nail from accidentally being touched or hit, which can cause pain or prolong the healing process. Artificial nail apparatus  100  provides this protection with better esthetic properties than an unsightly bandage, which may draw unwanted attention. It should be appreciated that apparatus  100  can be used in many other different ways. For example, it can be worn as a jewelry piece. 
     FIG. 11  is a simplified perspective view of a artificial nail apparatus  102  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, apparatus  102  is similar in structure to apparatus  101 , but is sized to allow the person to wear it on his or her foot  137 . In particular, apparatus  102  includes bridge  120  coupled to a toe-engaging element  103 . In this embodiment, however, digit receiving opening  109  of toe-engaging element  103  is sized and shaped so that toe  138  can be inserted therethrough. Further, bridge  120  and proximal end  114  of nail  110  are spaced apart to form a toe receiving space  131  which is sized and shaped to receive toe  138 . Accordingly, nail  110  is sized and shaped to look like a toe nail  139  instead of a finger nail as described above. In this example, toe nail  139  is shown as being the big toe for illustrative purposes, but it could be one of the other toes and artificial nail apparatus  102  can be sized and shaped accordingly. 
   The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof. 
   Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,