Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5318508?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2014-07-23 19:50:21
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Patent US5318508 - Nail corrective brace - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA multi-part nail corrective brace for treating an ingrown toe- or fingernail has a brace part and a bridging piece. The brace part has a pair of hooks that are installed under the left and right edges of the nail to be treated. In application, the bridging piece is joined to the brace part by joining...http://www.google.com/patents/US5318508?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5318508 - Nail corrective braceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5318508 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/919,097Publication dateJun 7, 1994Filing dateJul 23, 1992Priority dateMar 15, 1991Fee statusLapsedPublication number07919097, 919097, US 5318508 A, US 5318508A, US-A-5318508, US5318508 A, US5318508AInventorsElvira Osthold, Hede WittmannOriginal AssigneeElvira Osthold, Hede WittmannExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Referenced by (6), Classifications (4), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetNail corrective braceUS 5318508 AAbstract A multi-part nail corrective brace for treating an ingrown toe- or fingernail has a brace part and a bridging piece. The brace part has a pair of hooks that are installed under the left and right edges of the nail to be treated. In application, the bridging piece is joined to the brace part by joining loops or indentations. Tension is applied to lever the nail up so that it is no longer ingrown. The joining loops or indentations can be in the form of discs, which can be cut out to enhance their elasticity. These discs may be injection-molded of plastic or rubber.
What is claimed is: 1. A nail corrective brace, comprising:at least two brace parts; a pair of hooks; each of said at least two brace parts terminating at a distal end in a one of said pair of hooks; said hooks being effective for lifting a nail; a pair of joining parts; each of said at least two parts terminating at a proximal end in a one of said pair of joining parts; said pair of joining parts being resilient under tension; and a twistable bridging piece of sufficient length for uniting said joining parts under tension effected by twisting of said twistable bridging piece about itself, whereby said at least two brace parts flatten said nail so that said nail is not ingrown. 2. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said bridging piece is made of wire.
3. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said bridging piece is made of plastic.
4. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said joining parts are made of wire.
5. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said joining parts are made of plastic.
6. A nail corrective brace, comprising:at least two brace parts; a pair of hooks; each of said at least two brace parts terminating at a distal end in one of said pair of hooks; said hooks effective for lifting a nail; a pair of joining parts; each of said at least two brace parts terminating at a proximal end in a one of said pair of joining parts; said pair of joining parts being resilient under tension; said joining parts being discs; and a bridging piece effective for uniting said joining parts under tension, whereby said at least two brace parts flatten said nail so that said nail is not ingrown. 7. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said bridging piece has a pair of free ends provided with circular loops for the purpose of facilitating twisting of said twistable bridging piece.
8. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein said brace parts prior to application of said brace are joined by a stirrup, said stirrup being removed when said brace has been applied.
9. A nail corrective brace as in claim 8, wherein said brace parts are permanently fixed to said stirrup.
10. A nail corrective brace as in claim 8, wherein said brace parts are detachably fixed to said stirrup.
11. A nail corrective brace as in claim 6, wherein said joining parts have top pointing hooks to attach said joining parts to said bridging piece.
12. A nail corrective brace as in claim 6, wherein said joining parts have mushroom-shaped knobs to attach said joining parts to said bridging piece.
13. A nail corrective brace as in claim 6, wherein said discs can each have at least one cut out therein, whereby the elasticity of said discs is enhanced.
14. A nail corrective brace as in claim 1, wherein each of said joining parts include a wire portion having a crimped section for effective a resiliency of said joining parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a corrective brace for a toe- or fingernail, especially a toenail.
In foot care, toe nails frequently require attention because they become ingrown, that is, their outer edges press painfully into the flesh. Such a condition makes walking difficult. If an ingrown toenail is left untreated, the nail can puncture the skin, leading to an infection that can become serious.
One well-known treatment for an ingrown toenail is surgical removal of the nail. However, the results of this treatment are painful both during and after the operation, and it requires a lengthy period of recuperation. During recuperation it is difficult for the patient to wear socks or stockings and shoes, which in turn makes it impossible to walk normally.
A non-surgical treatment is presented by orthonychia: straightening the nail via a brace. Such a brace, with hooks on the side, grips the nail under the edges and levers them up by spring action. With this action the curvature of the nail is reduced, and the infected area around the ingrown nail heals.
One brace for this treatment is a one-piece or unitary brace. However, a unitary brace is not suitable for treating festering or infected nails. Furthermore, the unitary brace has a disadvantage in that nails vary greatly in their curvature and size.
DE 37 11 755 C2 discloses a nail-correcting brace which has two wire brace parts. It is fixed sideways over the nail and fitted at one end with a hook which is secured under the nail. The other end has a joining indentation to connect the brace with a spring clamp. Even though this brace is better than a unitary brace, it still has a major disadvantage: the spring clamp is not flexible enough for some cases and therefore cannot be used to treat them.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a nail corrective brace that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a multipart nail corrective brace that is flexible and easy to adjust.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a multipart nail corrective brace that can be easily fitted to the entire spectrum of nails no matter what their size and curvature.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a nail corrective brace that, by force exerted on the side of the nail, lifts it.
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a multi-part nail corrective brace for treating an ingrown toe- or fingernail that has a brace part and a bridging piece. The brace part has a pair of hooks that are installed under the left and right edges of the nail to be treated. In application, the bridging piece is joined to the brace part by joining loops or indentations. Tension is applied to lever the nail up so that it is no longer ingrown. The joining loops or indentations can be in the form of discs, which can be cut out to enhance their elasticity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the nail corrective brace of the present invention before application.
FIG. 2 shows a first step in applying the nail corrective brace of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a second step in applying the nail corrective brace of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a third step in applying the nail corrective brace of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows the nail corrective brace of the present invention applied.
FIG. 6 shows the nail corrective brace of the present invention with joining discs.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the nail corrective brace of the present invention with joining discs.
FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the nail corrective brace of the present invention with joining discs.
FIG. 9 shows special shapes of the joining discs of the nail corrective brace of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a nail corrective brace of the present invention has two brace parts 1, 2 and a bridging piece 8. Brace parts 1, 2 are initially formed on the same piece of wire.
A hand 14 is shown gripping a stirrup 5 which is at the center of the piece of wire containing brace parts 1, 2. Brace parts 1, 2 terminate respectively in a pair of hooks 3, 4. The piece of wire containing brace parts 1, 2 also contains, between hooks 3, 4 and stirrup 5, a pair of joining parts, in this embodiment loops 6, 7.
U-shaped bridging piece 8 is used as a connection piece. Bridging piece 8 has a closed end 9 and two free ends 10, 11. Each of free ends 10, 11 has a twisting aid 12, 13. Plastic can be substituted for wire in the fabrication of bridging piece 8.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the nail corrective brace is applied in a series of steps. Hook 3 is fitted under an edge 18 of a nail 16 of a toe 15. Thereafter the piece of wire containing brace part 1, 2 is severed at the section of stirrup 5 just past loop 7. Then hook 4 of the remaining portion of wire containing brace parts 1, 2 is hooked under an edge 17 of nail 16 of toe 15. Then closed end 9 of bridging piece 8 is hooked into the loops 6, 7, and free ends 10, 11 are then joined with the aid of twisting aids 12, 13. The help of a lever may be required to attain a tension sufficient to lift nail 16. Once nail 16 is braced so that successful treatment can be carried out, the following parts are severed to be as short as possible: loops 6, 7.; free ends 10, 11; and bridging piece 8.
Referring to FIG. 5, the nail correcting brace as applied has brace parts 1, 2 grip with hooks 3, 4 under nail edges 17, 18. The two severed portions of brace parts 1, 2 are joined with loops 6, 7, distending brace parts 1 and 2 at crimp sections 1' and 2' respectively to the rest of bridging piece 8. The spring action required to lift nail 16 comes from the joint twisting of the free ends 10, 11, bridging piece 8, and loops 6, 7.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in another embodiment, joining parts 19, 19', 19", 20, 20', 20"--two to each application--are discs with indentations rather than loops 6, 7 in the wire containing brace parts 1, 2. Discs 23, 23', 23", 24, 24', 24" having indentations 25, 25', 25", 26, 26', 26" may be employed in any combination. Hooks 21, 21', 21", 22, 22', 22" are wire hooks connected at their straight ends respectively to appropriate discs 23, 23', 23", 24, 24', or 24" by injection molding.
FIG. 6 shows a stirrup 27 as the extension or runner of inserted hooks 21, 22 that protrude from discs 25, 26.
FIG. 7 shows a stirrup 27' that is a plastic molding which is directly molded with its ends joined to discs 23' & 24'.
FIG. 8 shows a stirrup 27" of either metal or plastic which can be detachably joined to discs 23" and 24". Two ends 28, 29 of stirrup 27" can be fitted, prior to application of the nail corrective brace, into a pair of guide holes 30, 31 of discs 25", 26", and be removed after application. If detachable stirrup 27" is used, there is no need to sever the wire containing brace parts 1, 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, bridging piece 8 and discs 23, 23', 23", 23'", 24, 24', 24", and 24'" can be produced from plastic.
Referring to FIG. 9, in practice it is advantageous to apply tension to the nail in a forward direction and not vertically. Thus discs 23'", 24'" may have a hook 32 or a mushroom-shaped knob 33 to join with wire or plastic bridging piece 8. To increase the flexibility of the discs, which are already somewhat flexible through the use of indentations 25, 25', 25", 26, 26', 26", discs 23'", 24'" can be produced with a plurality of cut outs 34.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS137106 *Mar 25, 1873 Improvement in clasps for preventing ingrowing of toe-nailsUS884376 *Sep 19, 1907Apr 14, 1908Charles J FosterDevice for curing ingrowing toe-nails.US1785376 *Dec 22, 1928Dec 16, 1930Irwin BucknerOrthopedic applianceUS3032032 *Apr 11, 1960May 1, 1962Gifford Vollie AToe nail applianceUS5012799 *Jun 4, 1990May 7, 1991Remmen Werner GIngrown correcting toe nail applianceDE3233419A1 *Sep 9, 1982Mar 15, 1984Erich KoppToenail applianceDE3711755A1 *Apr 7, 1987Oct 27, 1988Inst Orthonyxie Elvira OstholdOrthonyxia clasp for treating nailsGB791799A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS20110282257 *Mar 5, 2010Nov 17, 2011Tampopo OzawaIncurvated nail correction toolCN101500518BSep 28, 2007Jan 12, 2011金在永The corrective device for ingrown toenail and incurvated toenailEP2508154A1 *Nov 30, 2009Oct 10, 2012Reflepro Japan Co., Ltd.Nail correcting toolWO2008039028A1 *Sep 28, 2007Apr 3, 2008Jae Young KimThe corrective device for ingrown toenail and incurvated toenailWO2011064889A1 *Nov 30, 2009Jun 3, 2011Reflepro Japan Co., Ltd.Nail correcting toolWO2013027256A1 *Aug 22, 2011Feb 28, 2013Ozawa, TampopoIngrown nail correction device and ingrown nail correction method* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification602/31International ClassificationA61F5/11Cooperative ClassificationA61F5/11European ClassificationA61F5/11Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 1, 2006FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20060607Jun 7, 2006LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesDec 21, 2005REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedMay 29, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: MECOTRADE AG, SWITZERLANDFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OSTHOLD, ELVIRA;WITTMAN, HEDE;REEL/FRAME:012946/0901Effective date: 20010828Owner name: MECOTRADE AG ST-NIKLAUSEN-GASSE 20, CH-6010 KRIENZFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OSTHOLD, ELVIRA /AR;REEL/FRAME:012946/0901Dec 4, 2001FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Nov 24, 1997FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google