Abstract:
A handheld device for performing motorized filing with illumination of the filed surface at the point of contact is disclosed. The device is comprised of a translucent file attached to a shaft that contains a light-emitting diode disposed to transilluminate the file. The device also contains a motor to rotate said shaft and file as well as a power source. The device will provide more effective and efficient trimming of the nails of an infant, filing and shaping of the nails of an adult, and sanding, filing, or polishing of other surfaces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to motorized filing devices, specifically to an improved means of providing illumination of the surface to be filed. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    When attached to a motor that provides rotation, abrasive surfaces are useful for a number of applications. In construction, such surfaces are used for sanding, trimming, and polishing wood, metal, rock, and other materials. In personal grooming, motorized files are used for smoothing, shaping, and trimming adult fingernails and toenails. These motorized files are too powerful for the delicate fingers and toes of infants. 
         [0008]    The trimming of infant fingernails is frequently problematic for parents, since the use of manual nail clippers is difficult and can lead to troublesome lacerations of the fingers. Manual nail files are recommended by pediatricians to avoid this problem, but are time-consuming and ineffective. As a result, many parents do not trim their infants&#39; nails properly, which is problematic since fingernail scratches are the most common cause of eye injuries in children. 
         [0009]    There have been attempts to develop motorized files that are safe and effective for the fingernails of infants. An example of such a device is described in Fingernail Trimmer Having Rotationally Abrasive Oscillating Surface issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,628 in the name of Lawrence G. Shubert (Mar. 3, 2007). This patent generally relates to a motorized nail trimmer for infants with an undefined shock absorbing material. Such a material is unnecessary since the soft fingernails of infants allow for effective trimming with a very low torque motor that will not cause damage to the skin. In addition, this device lacks a mechanism for providing illumination to the fingernail surface. Illumination is all-important when attempting to trim the fast-moving fingernails of an infant to ensure that the file is applied to the nail rather than the skin. Illumination that is effective and does not disturb a sleeping infant would be particularly desirable since it is much easier to trim the nails of an infant while he or she is asleep. 
         [0010]    In the field of animal grooming, the Illumi Nail™ pet nail grinder from Master Grooming Tools™ provides a motorized rotational abrasive surface with external light-emitting diodes for illumination. However, the device does not integrate the light-emitting diode within the abrading surface, so that illumination at the point of contact between the abrading surface and the nail can be blocked by shadows and is not ideal. In the field of construction, handheld devices to which abrasive bits may be attached which have integrated lighting have been developed such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,905 in the name of Mark Etter (Nov. 20, 2007). Again, the light source of such devices may not be ideal since it is not integrated within the functioning bit. In the field of dentistry, handheld drilling and grinding devices have been developed which with integrated lighting such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,845 in the name of Moshe Meller (Dec. 31, 1985). However, the illumination supplied by such devices may be less than ideal since the light source is not integrated within the working bit and may be blocked by shadows or objects. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In accordance with one specific embodiment, the device consists of a battery-powered low-torque motor that rotates a translucent file for trimming an infant&#39;s nails. The file has a battery-powered light-emitting diode embedded in its supporting shaft that allows for direct illumination of the infant&#39;s finger and fingernail. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an alternate specific embodiment, the device consists of a cord-powered moderate torque motor with a translucent file and embedded light-emitting diode for manicuring the finger or toenails of an adult. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an alternative specific embodiment, the device consists of a cord-powered hand drill with a high torque motor and a bit that has an embedded light-emitting diode and a translucent file for detailed sanding, filing, or polishing of surfaces such as wood, rock, or metal. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  shows the device as a motorized pediatric nail trimmer in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  shows the device as a motorized adult nail filer in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1C  shows the device as a motorized filer or sander to be used on wood, metal, or other surfaces in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  shows a detail of the abrasive surface, shaft and commutator with an embedded light-emitting diode and resistor in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2B and 2C  show different possible shapes of the abrasive surface in accordance with alternative embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a detail of the abrasive surface and shaft with commutator, electrical brushing with housing, and motor. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A and 4D  show various views of the electrical brushing with housing. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative view of the abrasive surface with commutator, electrical brushing with housing and motor when attached. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an electrical diagram of the device in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0023]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10A 
                 abrasive surface, disc shape 
                 10B 
                 abrasive surface, conical 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 shape 
               
               
                 10C 
                 abrasive surface, dome shape 
                 12 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 14 
                 commutator 
                 16 
                 resistor 
               
               
                 18 
                 light-emitting diode 
                 20A 
                 device body, pediatric 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 nail trimmer 
               
               
                 20B 
                 device body, adult nail filer 
                 20C 
                 device body, motorized 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 sander 
               
               
                 22A 
                 switch, pediatric nail trimmer 
                 22B 
                 switch, adult nail filer 
               
               
                 22C 
                 switch, motorized sander 
                 24 
                 electrical cord 
               
               
                 30 
                 electrical brushing 
                 32 
                 brushing housing 
               
               
                 34 
                 motor shaft 
                 35 
                 hole 
               
               
                 36 
                 motor 
                 38 
                 battery 
               
               
                 40 
                 electrical wire 
                 42 
                 switch, internal component 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred Embodiment 
       [0024]    One embodiment of the device as a pediatric nail trimmer is illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The device consists of a disc-shaped fine abrasive surface  10 A which is attached to an opaque shaft  12  and inserted into the device body  20 A that has an on-off switch  22 A attached. In the preferred embodiment abrasive surface  10 A is a fine reusable abrasive surface made of transparent glass and is permanently attached to shaft  12  but may be made of transparent plastic or other material and may be detachable from shaft  12  for replacement. The abrasive surface  10 A is one centimeter in diameter but may have alternative sizes and shapes as in  FIG. 2B  part  10 B and  FIG. 2C  part  10 C. Shaft  12  is made of opaque plastic in the preferred embodiment but may be made of metal or other material. Device body  20 A is made of plastic in the preferred embodiment but may be made of metal or other material. 
         [0025]    A detail of the file-light assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 2A . It consists of abrasive surface  10 A attached to shaft  12  and electrical commutator  14 . Within shaft  12  is embedded resistor  16  and light-emitting diode  18  which are electrically connected to commutator  14  as shown. In the preferred embodiment  18  is a 3 millimeter white light-emitting diode and resistor  16  is 0.1 ohms but different colors, sizes, and resistances may be used. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a detail of the abrasive surface  10 A and shaft  12  with commutator  14  juxtaposed with electrical brushing  30 , brushing housing  32  and motor  36 . In the preferred embodiment the motor  36  is the FA-130RA from Mabuchi Motors of Japan which has a speed of 6150 revolutions per minute and a torque of 0.55 millinewton meters when operating under 3 volts. However other small low-torque motors could be used. In the preferred embodiment commutator  14  is inserted into the hole  35  such that it makes contact with electrical brushing  30  and is attached to motor shaft  34 . In the preferred embodiment brushing  30  has two arms but it may have a single arm to transmit electricity from the battery  38  to the light-emitting diode  18  as well. Electrical power is transmitted from the battery to the brushing via electrical wires  40 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show additional views of the brushing housing and brushing in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates an additional view of the abrasive surface  10 A and shaft  12  with commutator  14  when in contact with brushing  30  and attached to motor shaft  34  via hole  35  in brushing housing  32 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is an electrical diagram showing power being transmitted via battery  38  to the internal component of the on-off switch  42  and then to both motor  36  and brushing  30 . In accordance with one preferred embodiment this battery is 3 volts. 
       Operation—Preferred Embodiment 
       [0030]    The pediatric nail trimmer shown as the preferred embodiment is operated by holding the device in one&#39;s hand and turning on switch  22 A which will cause the abrasive surface  10 A to rotate and also illuminate said abrasive surface via light-emitting diode  18 . The device is then pointed towards the infant&#39;s fingernail as shown in  FIG. 1A , illuminating the nail to be trimmed. Abrasive surface  10 A is then applied to the infant&#39;s nail briefly for the trimming process. 
         [0031]    Internally, the turning on of switch  22 A closes internal switch  42  which then transmits electricity from battery  38  both to motor  36  and to brushing  30 . Electrical energy is transmitted to the light-emitting diode  18  from the brushing  30  via the commutator  14 . This internal operation is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       Detailed Description—Alternative Embodiments 
       [0032]    One alternative embodiment of the device as an adult nail filer is shown in  FIG. 1B . This embodiment is different in that abrasive surface  10 A may be rougher and the motor may be of higher torque. Also, it may be powered by an electrical cord  24  rather than by a battery. Otherwise the basic assembly of the file, shaft, light-emitting diode, commutator, and brushing, and motor are the same as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0033]    Another alternative embodiment of the device as a motorized sander, filer, or polisher is shown in  FIG. 1B . This embodiment is different in that the abrasive surface  10 A may be rougher, the motor may be of high torque, and the device may be powered by an electrical cord or rechargeable battery. Otherwise the basic assembly of the file, shaft, light-emitting diode, commutator, and brushing, and motor are the same as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 . 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0034]    From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my illuminated filing device become evident: 
         [0035]    a) The pediatric nail trimmer will allow for more efficient trimming of an infant&#39;s nails since it will directly illuminate the point of contact between the nails and the abrasive surface. 
         [0036]    b) The pediatric nail trimmer will allow for more convenient trimming of an infant&#39;s nails since the work surface can be illuminated without waking a sleeping infant. 
         [0037]    c) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent injury to the infant&#39;s skin during trimming since direct illumination of the work surface will limit contact time and help to ensure that the abrasive surface is applied to the nail rather than the finger. 
         [0038]    d) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent injury to the infant&#39;s skin since it recognizes that the thin nails of infants can be trimmed with a very low torque motor which will stop when excessive pressure is applied. 
         [0039]    e) The pediatric nail trimmer will prevent nail clipper-related lacerations of the infant&#39;s fingers which are troublesome to parents and prevent them from trimming their infant&#39;s nails regularly. 
         [0040]    f) The adult nail filer will allow for easier and more precise trimming and shaping of an adult&#39;s nails since it will provide direct illumination at the work surface. 
         [0041]    g) The motorized sander, filer, or polisher will allow for more precise work in many applications and on many different materials since it will provide direct illumination at the work surface. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0042]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the illuminated filing devices of the various embodiments can be used to file, trim, sand, or polish surfaces in a precise and convenient manner by providing illumination directly at the point of contact between the abrasive surface and the work surface. 
         [0043]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Many other possibilities are possible, for example:
       a) Electricity could be transmitted to the light-emitting diode by a single brush and metal connector rather than the double brush and commutator technique described.   b) Multiple light-emitting diodes could be embedded into the file and shaft in order to increase the illuminating power.   c) The size, shape, material and roughness of the abrasive surface could be altered to make it suitable for use as a surgical or dental file.   d) The size and shape of the body of the device could be altered and air and water ducts could be added to the device to make it suitable as a surgical or dental file.   e) The motor could provide variable rather than fixed speed, torque, and rotational direction for additional applications.   f) The light-emitting diode and motor could have separate power sources.       
 
         [0050]    Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.