Patent Abstract:
A composite handle for grooming implements provides improved control during use. Such handle has a rigid and a flexible portion that facilitates use of the implement, especially when a user has a weak or impaired grip.

Full Description:
This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from provisional application Ser. No. 60/341,890, filed Dec. 18, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     The present invention is directed to a composite handle suitable for grooming implements used in cosmetic and beauty processes. Examples of such implements include nail files, nail clippers, combs, brushes, mirrors, etc. Such handle facilitates and improves gripping and control of the implement during use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, grooming implements for performing, assisting, and/or viewing cosmetic and beauty processes, such as manicures, pedicures, brushing, combing, styling, clipping, cutting, applying cosmetics, etc., have been provided with and without handles. The same situation pertains to related grooming implements, such as mirrors. Handles function to enhance or facilitate gripping by the user and thus offer the ability for the user to improve control of cosmetic and beauty processes. Typically, such handles have a smooth, flat plastic surface and are rigid when gripped by a user. Such handles may contain a slot to receive and secure an end portion of a grooming implement. Such implement end portion may be inserted into the opening and then affixed, thereby connecting the implement end to the handle. An adhesive affords a convenient means of affixing the respective parts. 
     The present invention offers an improvement to the above-mentioned grooming implements through use of a handle, which provides improved gripping ability, and hence, control, by the user. The improved gripping ability of the handle can be important if the user suffers from hand weakness or impairment, which would reduce, or even impede, the ability to efficiently use the implement. As can be appreciated, overall ease of use is enhanced by the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally comprises a composite handle for grooming implements. The composite handle is connected to an end of a functional portion of the implement. Such implements may be a nail file, a brush, a comb, a nail clipper, a mirror, or the like. The composite handle has at least two portions—a rigid portion and a flexible portion. Such composite handle functions to facilitate gripping and control by the user. 
     More specifically, the composite handle contains a rigid portion and a flexible portion, with the flexible portion located at a central area of the rigid portion. Such combination and location facilitates gripping and control when used. The flexible portion may comprise a plug, which may be inserted into the rigid portion of the handle. Desirably, the plug may extend completely through the rigid portion and thus forming flexible surfaces on opposite sides of the rigid portion thereby permitting a user to grip said handle at its flexible portion with at least one finger and a thumb. The plug may contain a slot, which is adapted to receive and become affixed, and thereby connected to, an end portion of a grooming implement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a nail file. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a nail file. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a nail file taken along line a—a of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a plug adapted to be inserted and snapped into the handle of a grooming implement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The grooming implement of the present invention contains a handle that provides improved gripping and hence control of the implement by the user. Such ability to control the movement of the implement is a beneficial attribute of the invention. This benefit is illustrated by considering a nail file. Improved control of nail filing processes result in the achievement of desired nail shape and smoothness of fingernails and/or toenails. Also, potentially harmful contact with skin adjacent to the nail is thereby minimized. Obviously, improved control of a nail clipper would also achieve the above benefits. Improved gripping may become important should a user have weakened or impaired hands and thus would otherwise have difficulty in exercising the necessary control of the implement. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a nail file, which was chosen to illustrate one of the grooming implements of the invention. The nail file comprises file member  11  which has an end inserted into and connected to or affixed to handle  12 . Rigid portion  14  of handle  12  may desirably be bulbous in shape to further facilitate gripping by the user. Oval shaped area  13  in handle  12  is comprised of a flexible material thereby creating a flexible surface portion. Such flexible surface portion may be contoured to be compatible with the surface contour of rigid portion  14 . Typical flexible materials include but are not limited to rubber, foams, and spongy material, etc. Typical rigid materials include but are not limited to plastic, metal, glass, wood, ceramic, etc. Such materials may be coated if desired. The combination of rigidity and flexibility serves to create a handle having sufficient overall rigidity to control the filing or other desired process but yet having flexibility to obtain improved gripping. Such flexible portion is desirably located at a central area on opposing surfaces of the handle whereby contact at the flexible portion by at least one finger and the thumb of a user is facilitated. As may be seen, the composite handle of the invention possesses a highly desirable combination of rigidity and gripping ability, as contrasted to a handle comprised solely of a rigid or flexible material. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a nail file illustrating one technique for connecting the file end member to the handle. As may be seen, file member  21  is inserted into slot  23  of handle  22 . Connection then may be conveniently accomplished with use of an adhesive, bonding, pressure fitting, or any other means. File member  21  may be comprised of metal, emery board, or any other type of desired abrasive material. File member  21  may be inserted into a slot of a plug (not shown in this Figure) to enable file member  21  to be received and then adhered to become connected in said slot. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a nail file as viewed along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 . Portion  31  is the rigid portion of the handle, and flexible portion  32  is the flexible portion. Flexible portion  32  comprises a plug inserted into such rigid portion of the handle. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of a snap-in plug that is adapted to be inserted and snap fitted into an opening of the handle. Plug  41  may be comprised of a flexible material such as rubber, and contains flexible lips  42  and  43  and insert opening  44 . Such opening is adapted to receive and retain the file member. Once snapped into place, the plug is retained in the handle by lips  42  and  43 . Top  45  and bottom  46  of plug  41  are rounded, and thus may be adapted to conform to a bulbous rigid surface portion of the handle. Such rounded surface further enhances gripping by the user. It is also possible to improve gripping by providing indentations or suitably roughening the surfaces  45  and  46  of plug  41 . 
     The composite handle of the invention comprises providing a rigid handle with an opening and then placing and affixing a plug made from a flexible material such as rubber or the like in such opening to create the desired composite handle. The plug may extend completely through the rigid handle or only through a portion thereof. It is preferred to extend the opening through the handle to result in flexible material on opposing sides of the handle. The plug may be affixed by an adhesive or the like. However, it is preferred to utilize a snap-in plug, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     While it is shown in  FIG. 3  that the surfaces of the rigid members and the plug are essentially flush and smooth, it is contemplated that the plug could be recessed in the handle opening or extend above the rigid material. The latter structure would further enhance gripping by the user by assisting in the formation of a bulbous-shaped handle.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0