Patent Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices for better manicuring a patient&#39;s nails are disclosed. A representative embodiment is a system that includes a lighting element for transilluminating the nail, a power supply for powering the lighting element, and a switch for activating the lighting element.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Enhanced Nail Clippers,” having Ser. No. 60/644,674 filed Jan. 18, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to nail clippers. More specifically, the invention relates to nail clippers for animals, such as dogs and cats.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Some animals, such as dogs, have veins present in the center and toward the base of their nails. If an owner or groomer accidentally cuts the quick of the nail (the vein), not only does it cause the animal pain, but the wound bleeds profusely. For animals with light colored nails, the quick can often be seen with the naked eye. For animals with dark colored nails it is very difficult to see where the quick ends. It is important to cut an animal&#39;s nail as close to the quick as possible because the quick will grow over time if the nails are not cut back filly. To shorten the quick the animal must be anesthetized and all the nails cut to the base and through the quick.  
         [0004]     Nail clippers are available today that use an adjustable stop that limit the amount of nail that is cut off. This prevents the user from cutting the quick only if they know exactly how much to cut off. If the guard is set to a length that is safe on one nail it may not be safe on another nail. Animals&#39; nails grow and wear differently even on the same foot/paw.  
         [0005]     Another type of clipper that attempts to deal with this issue clips the nail based on diameter. That method assumes that the quick ends where the nail is at a specific diameter. Although this may help keep the user from cutting the nails too short, it does not identify the location of the quick and, thus, the possibility of either cutting the quick or leaving the nails too long remains.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,251 to Jeong et al. (hereinafter “Jeong”), entitled Combination Vision Enhancement Kit and Nail Clipper, illustrates a conventional nail clipper with accompanying lens to magnify the respective cutting area. Furthermore, the Jeong patent teaches a light source that could further be used to enhance the field of view (See Col. 2, lines 45-53) by illuminating the general viewing area. The Jeong patent is generally focused on nail clippers to be used for human nails, and so fails to recognize the need to clip animal nails as close to the quick as possible.  
         [0007]     As such, there remains an unsatisfied need in the market for nail clippers that better provide for clipping animals&#39; nails, given the unique features of such nails as just previously mentioned.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the present disclosure. A first embodiment of the present invention is a system for enhancing the clipping of a nail. The system comprises a lighting element for transilluminating the nail, a power supply for powering the lighting element, and a switch for activating the lighting element.  
         [0009]     A second embodiment is a nail clipper that includes a lighting element coupled to a first reciprocating blade. The lighting element is positioned to transilluminate a patient&#39;s nail.  
         [0010]     A third embodiment is a system for enhancing the clipping of a patient&#39;s nail. The system comprises means for transilluminating the patient&#39;s nail such that the quick of the nail becomes better visible.  
         [0011]     A fourth embodiment is a method for better manicuring an animal&#39;s nail. The method includes: aligning a lighting element to a target nail such that the target nail is transilluminated to visually expose the location of the animal&#39;s quick; positioning a cutting instrument to a desirable location, relative to the quick, of the target nail; and cutting the target nail with the cutting instrument. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a conventional pet nail clipper.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an illustration of a pet&#39;s nail when not illuminated by a device embodying the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an illustration of a pet&#39;s nail when transilluminated by a device embodying the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the enhanced nail clipper in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the enhanced nail clipper in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a novel method for grooming an animal&#39;s nails in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional nail clipper  1  used to cut an animal&#39;s nails. The nail clipper  1  is generally comprised of a pair of cutting blades  2  and  3 , each with a cutting edge  4  and  5 , positioned reciprocate of each other. A handle  8  is coupled to the pair of cutting blades  2  and  3 . A bolt  6  is used to couple the blades  2  and  3  and to pivot in a first plane. A biasing spring  7  can also be included to bias the handles  8  in an open position. In some cases, the biasing spring  7  may be excluded.  
         [0023]     Typically, the cutting blades  2  and  3  are composed of hardened metal, sharpened at the edges  2  and  3 . The handle  8  can be composed of a hardened plastic, rubber, metal, or wood.  
         [0024]     In practice, the nail clippers  1  function very similar to a pair of scissors. A user places the target nail between the cutting edges  4  and  5 , grips the handle  8 , and squeezes to cause the cutting edges  4  and  5  to come together and clip the target nail.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  is an illustration  10  of an animal&#39;s nail when not illuminated by a device embodying the present invention. A nail  13  protrudes from a toe  12 . Often, the nail  13  will curve as it grows out from the toe  12 . A pad  14  is often found on the bottom of the toe  12 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  is an illustration  20  of a pet&#39;s nail  23  when transilluminated by a device embodying the present invention. Similar to the nail  13  of  FIG. 2A , nail  23  grows from the toe  22 , and tends to curve downward as it grows. When transilluminated by a light source, that is when illuminated to reveal the interior of the nail  13 , the quick  26  becomes viewable. A target cutting area  27  is beyond the tip of the quick  26 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper system  100  in accordance with the present invention. Enhanced nail clipper system  100  is illustrated as mounted or affixed to a conventional nail clipper  101 . In this case, the system  100  may be an aftermarket product and retrofitted to one of a number of nail clipper models.  
         [0028]     The first embodiment of the enhanced nail clipper system  100  includes a lighting element  115  confined within a lighting housing  110 . The lighting housing  110 , in this embodiment is mounted atop a first blade member  102  and positioned in such a way as to transilluminate a target nail when placed between the cutting edges  104  and  105  of the nail clipper  101 .  
         [0029]     The lighting element  115  is powered by a wire lead  120  running from the lighting housing  110  to a toggle switch  130 . In this case the toggle switch  130  is mounted on an interior portion of the handle  108  of the nail clipper  101 . The toggle switch  130  is wired to a power supply  140 .  
         [0030]     The lighting element  115  could utilize a number of illumination technologies. Light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent, and laser are all types of lighting elements that could be used to transilluminate the target nail. It should be construed by those having ordinary skill in the art that any of these lighting technologies mentioned and those not mentioned could be utilized and should be broadly captured as a lighting element  115 . All such embodiments should be included within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0031]     The particular footprint of the lighting housing  110  is beyond the scope of the present invention. The housing  110  can be mounted or affixed to the cutting blade  102  in a number of ways including by adhesive, such as glue or epoxy, or magnetically. The manner and approach in which the housing  110  is affixed to the cutting blade  102  is generally beyond the scope of the present invention.  
         [0032]     There are a number of on/off type switches known in the art that could be used as the aforementioned toggle switch  130 . Some examples of switches include: push button on/off switches, dip switches, compression switches, motion-sensitive switches, membrane switches, capacitive switches, and rotary switches. It should be construed by those having ordinary skill in the art that any of these switching technologies mentioned and those not mentioned could be utilized and have been broadly defined as a toggle switch  130 . All such embodiments should be included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0033]     Power supply  140  could be any of a number of power supplies, such as a potential energy source (battery) or kinetic energy converter. The particular power generation technology is beyond the scope of the present invention. The power supply  140 , although illustrated as being integrated with the handle  108  of the nail clippers  101 , could be positioned in a number of ways. For example, the power supply  140  (and switch  130 ) could be integrated in with the lighting housing  110  to comprise one single element. The particular positioning and the particular type of power supply are beyond the scope of this embodiment of the present invention  
         [0034]     In practice, a user turns on the system  100 , by toggling the switch  130  to an on position. A target nail is positioned between the cutting edges  104  and  105  of the clippers  101  such that the lighting element  115  transilluminates the matter comprising the target nail. Upon locating the quick, the user can align the cutting edges  104  and  105  accordingly, and make an accurate cut.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper  200  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, a lighting element  215  and its accompanying housing  210  are integral with the nail clipper  200 . In this embodiment, the lighting housing is mounted to a cutting blade  202  of the clipper  200 . In alternative embodiments, the lighting element  215  may be housed elsewhere, such as in the handle  208  of the clippers  200 , and a fiber optic cable and/or some other lighting conduit, such as a lightpipe, could be used to direct light to the appropriate position relative to the cutting edges  204  and  205 . The lighting element  215  could also be placed on the outside edge of the cutting element so that it shines on both sides of the blade  202 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of an enhanced nail clipper  250  in accordance with the present invention Nail clipper  250  is based upon a second type of animal nail clipper prevalent in the market today. Nail clipper  250 , is comprised of a first handle  258  and a second handle  259  that are movable with respect to each other in a first plane of motion in order to provide relative movement between a first cutting blade  252  and a stationary anvil  253 . Cutting blade  252  moves with respect to anvil  253  in a second plane of motion, which in this embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the first plane of motion.  
         [0037]     Stationary anvil  253  is molded such that a hole exists  251 . The hole  251  is positioned to receive a target nail, whereby the first cutting blade  252  will sweep across and cut the target nail when the first and second handles  258  and  259  are squeezed together. A biasing spring (not shown) may be positioned between the first and second handles  258  and  259  to bias the clipper  250  in an open position.  
         [0038]     Nail clipper  250  further includes a lighting element  265  positioned relative to the hole  251  so as to transilluminate the medium of the target nail. Lighting element  265  is placed within a lighting housing  260  which is affixed and/or integrated with the stationary anvil  253 . A wire  270  is illustrated in this embodiment, which is used to deliver power to the lighting element  265  from a power source (not shown).  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the enhanced nail clipper  300  in accordance with the present invention. Again, a conventional nail clipper is the basis of the enhanced nail clipper  300 . Nail clipper  300  includes handles  308  coupled with opposing cutting blades  302  and  303 , each with cutting edges  304  and  305 . When the handles are squeezed together, the cutting edges,  304  and  305 , close against each other in a first plane, thus cutting a target nail. A biasing spring  307  can be used to bias the handles  308  in an open position.  
         [0040]     Enhanced nail clipper  300  includes a lightpipe  310  positioned to transilluminate a target nail to be positioned by the user between the cutting edges  304  and  305 . A fiber optic cable  320 , or some other means, is used to direct light from a lighting element  350  to the lightpipe  310 . The lighting element  350 , in this embodiment, is embedded in a cavity  309  of one of the handles  308 .  
         [0041]     Coupled to the lighting element  350  is a push-button switch  330 . A power source  340  is also housed within the cavity  309 . Certain electronic components  345 , such as diodes or resistors can also be found in the cavity. The push-button switch  330  can protrude from the handle  308 , such that the user can turn on and off the lighting element  350  when desired. Again a number of switching technologies could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the enhanced nail clipper  400  in accordance with the present invention. Enhanced nail clipper  400  is similar to that of  FIG. 4A , wherein a lighting element  415  is positioned relative to the cutting edges  404  and  405  to transilluminate a target nail. Lighting housing  410  is mounted or integrated with a cutting blade  402 . A cavity  409  in one of the handles  408  houses a power source  440  and possibly some discrete electronic components  445 . Enhanced nail clipper  400  further includes a compression switch  430  to control power being delivered to the lighting element  415 .  
         [0043]     The compression switch  430  is comprised of first and second contact points  431  and  432 , mounted reciprocal each other on an interior portion of the handle  408 . A spring  433  is coupled to one of the contact points. When the handles are squeezed together, the spring  433  comes into contact with both contact points, thus completing a circuit and delivering power to the lighting element  415 . Not shown is a biasing spring which may be mounted between the handles  408  and exclusive of the compression switch  430 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a novel method  500  for grooming an animal&#39;s nails in accordance with the present invention. The method  500  begins by aligning a lighting element with a target nail so as to transilluminate the nail, thus exposing the quick (step  510 ). This can be accomplished in a number of ways, such as those illustrated in previous figures. Other conceived methods of accomplishing this step are by placing a light source, not part of the nail clipper, in a position such that the target nail is transilluminated. Such a light could be a desk lamp or a light source integrated with the procedure table.  
         [0045]     The method  500  continues by positioning the cutting instrument along the target nail so as to cut off the desired length while not cutting the quick (step  520 ). The quick is now viewable by way of step  510 . The method  530  proceeds with cutting the target nail  530 .  
         [0046]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0