Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application incorporates U.S. application Ser. No. 14/474,138, filed on Aug. 21 2014, by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to nail clipping and cutting devices and more particularly to nail clippings receptacles having enhancements that improve the receptacle&#39;s functionality. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People of all ages trim and clip nails on daily bases. Nail clippers became a necessity as people cannot get by especially during travel. When a person trims his nails, the nail clippings have a tendency to spring away from the nail clipper in any number of unpredictably different directions. However, few people want to put up with the hassle of and spend time for searching for stray nail clippings. For this reason there is a strongly perceived need for nail clippings receptacles for use with nail clippers. Many attempts to devise such receptacles have been made over the years but resulted in numerous failings. 
     The art of various types of nail clippers is replete as finger and toenail clippers having means for collecting nail clippings during the clipping process are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,698 to Crosby provided an enclosed nail clip and an enclosing case having a reservoir structure for the clipped nails. The clipping lever was enclosed but had an exposed lever-end accessible for applying finger pressure thereto to close the clipper blades. The casing structure provided a concavely-shaped aperture following the opposing blades providing access to finger ends carrying nails to be clipped. The enclosure was openable for emptying collected nail clippings. 
     Another prior art reference, namely U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,966 to Sertore provided a nail clipper which had upper and lower handles to facilitate holding the unit and maintaining it in the desired position. It had cutting jaws on three sides to allow nail clipping for different and more convenient angles, and a clipping-receiving receptacle with a removable lid for surrounding the unit and holding the nail clippings. 
     Still another prior art reference, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,312 to Fink provided a nail guard for mounting on a nail clipper. The nail guard possessed sufficient flexibility so as to enable a slight outward flexing of the side panels which was sufficient to allow the positioning of the lower jaw member between the detents and the bottom panel. Means were provided for pivotally mounting the guard on the nail clipper for movement between a first position where the side panels were positioned on opposite sides of the space between the jaw members so as to enclose this space, and a second position wherein the guard was oriented below the lower jaw so as to open the space between the jaws, and providing a barrier for retaining the cut nails within the enclosed space. 
     Later on, another prior art reference, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,430 to Allen disclosed a handle and clipping receptacle that provided a removable accessory for a nail clipper of the lever action type. A resilient body member defines a slot into which the clipper can be inserted and retained by a depression formed in the bottom of the slot. The clipper is retained also by flanges and cavities within the body member. Large inner cavities extend within the body member on both sides of the clipper to receive and retain clippings sheared by the clipper. Such clippings can be disposed by removing the clipper and inverting the body member. The major disadvantage of that design was location of cutting edges along with the edge of the resilient body thereby allowing most of the clipping to escape the resilient body. 
     Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,927 to Douglas B. Wilson, describes a nail clipper in which a flexible material disposed along the sides of the clipper is intended to prevent nail clippings from falling away from a nail clipper. However, the nail clippings which are kept from falling away from the nail clipper are unfortunately not ejected away from the clipper opening and into a storage receptacle. The nail clippings, accumulating at the clipper opening, therefore have the undesired effect of jamming the clipper&#39;s cutting means. This default results in mechanism failure. Furthermore, Wilson does not disclose any means for easy emptying of the nail clippings. 
     Still another U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,544 to Campagna teaches a hollow nail catcher case is provided herein for use with a nail clipper. The case is preferably constructed of a thin synthetic plastic material. It includes an upper roof, a lower floor and a pair of side walls, all such roof, floor and side walls being of truncated triangular shape and being joined together to provide a hollow truncated hollow pyramid for sliding over the nail clipper. The forward end of the case includes a pair of forwardly-extending, gently-inwardly-curved, flexible walls. These walls also are provided, at their forward ends with sharply inwardly angled termini, such ends also being shaped with vertically-extending, arcuately-shaped, terminal ends, and with upper and lower curved surfaces. These arms are of sufficient longitudinal length fully to enclose the sides of the nail clipper. This enables the case to be universally usable in many different kinds of nail clippers. The gripping arms extend just as far as the nail clipping jaw thereby allowing the nails being cut to escape the nail catcher case. 
     However, the aforementioned prior art nail clipping devices still need improvements and modifications. Therefore, an opportunity exists for an improved nail clipping device that will be easy to manufacture and use, will offer features and functions not realized by the prior art nail clipping devices, and will eliminate any disadvantages associated with the prior art nail clipping devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus of the present invention presents a nail clipping device. The nail clipping device includes a nail clipper and a housing adaptable to receive the nail clipper. The housing is formed from a flexible resilient material. The housing includes a tubular configuration presenting open terminal ends of different dimensions. The housing includes a central axis extending between terminal ends, side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall. The side walls may present a planar or curved cross section. 
     The top wall includes a cut out configuration adaptable to receive the nail clipper. The top wall presents the cut out portion adaptable to receive the lever of the nail clipper with the cut out portion being defined by a pair of elements extending outwardly from opposite side edges of the cut out portion to the central axis for securing the nail clipper within the housing and preventing escaping of the nail clipper from the housing. 
     One of the side walls includes a pair of tracks extending therefrom and spaced from one another to receive a file or other element fabricated from an abrasive material in order to polish the nails. The tracks are configured in a way that the user may remove the file as needed. 
     In alternative embodiment of the present invention, a housing defines a central axis extending between terminal ends. The housing is also formed from a resilient material presenting a tubular configuration and having side walls diverging from one of the terminal ends to another of terminal end, a bottom wall, and a top wall. A nail clipper presents a pair of members each extending into a cutting edge with the cutting edges extending parallel to the central axis. A lever is mechanically connected to the pair of elements for flexing the members to cut and clip the nails. The top wall presents a cut out portion to receive the lever with the cut out portion. A pair of elements extend outwardly from one of the side walls for securing the nail clipper within the housing and preventing escaping of the nail clipper from the housing. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved nail clipping device that is easy to manufacture and use my people of all ages. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved nail clipping device that collects all nail cuttings and prevents the same from escaping a housing of the nail clipping device. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved nail clipping device with the housing adaptable to engage nail clippers with cutting edges located on a front of the nail clipper or on a side of the nail clipper. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a nail clipping device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of the nail clipping device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the nail clipping device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the nail clipping device; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the nail clipping device; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the nail clipping device of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top wall of the housing clipping device illustrating extension elements for holding a nail clipper within the housing; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear end of the housing presenting a slit for discarding nail clippings from the housing; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the nail clipping device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4, 7, and 8  wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an apparatus of the present invention is generally shown at  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 6 , wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a second alternative embodiment of the apparatus  10  of the present invention is generally shown at  100 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts, a third alternative embodiment of the apparatus  10  of the present invention is generally shown at  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4, 7, and 8 , the apparatus  10  of the present invention presents a nail clipping device. The nail clipping device  10  includes a nail clipper  12  and a housing  14  adaptable to receive the nail clipper  12 . The nail clipper  12  includes a pair of members or arms  16  and  18  each presenting cutting edges  20  and  22 . A lever  24  is mechanically engaged  26  with the arms  16  and  18  as known to those skilled in mechanical art to flex the arms  16  and  18  in order to clip or cut the nails. The housing  14  is formed from a flexible resilient material such as polymeric material. Other non-resilient materials may be used to form the housing  14  without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     The housing  14  includes a tubular configuration presenting terminal ends of different configurations, generally indicated at  30  and  32 . The housing includes side walls  34  and  36 , a bottom wall  38 , and a top wall  40 . The side walls  34  and  36  may present a planar or curved cross section without limiting the scope of the present invention. The housing  14  defines a central axis A extending between terminal ends  30  and  32  wherein the side walls  34  and  36  diverging from one of the terminal ends  30  to another of terminal end  32 . The top wall  40  includes a cut out configuration, generally indicated at  42  adaptable to receive the nail clipper  12 . 
     The cut out portion  42  is defined by a pair of elements, generally indicated at  46  and  48  extending outwardly from opposite side edges  50  and  52  of the cut out portion  42  to the central axis A for securing the nail clipper  12  within the housing  14  and preventing escape of the nail clipper  12  from the housing  14 . One of the terminal ends  30  is further defined by a rear end presenting a rectangular cross section and a slip  60  defined therein. The rear end  30  can be squeezed by the user in order to open the slit  60  and allow the nail clippings to escape the housing  14 . The other of the terminal ends  32  is further defined by a nail scoop, generally indicated at  62 , presenting a non-rectangular cross section. The nail scoop  62  presents a bottom portion  64  extending to a raised portion  66  defining peripheral edge, generally indicated at  68 , of the nail scoop  62 . 
     Alluding to the above, the peripheral edge  68  of the nail scoop  62  extends beyond the cutting edges  20  and  22  to define a distance  70  between the cutting edges  20  and  22  and the peripheral edge  68 . The distance  70  is at least twice longer than a distance  72  defined between the mechanical connection  26  of the lever  24  to the members  16  and  18  and the cutting edges  20  and  22  as best shown in  FIG. 2 . The length of the distances  70  and  72  is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and other length may be used without limiting the scope of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the housing may also include a magnifying glass  80  connected thereto to allow for better view of the nails to be cut or clipped. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the apparatus  100  includes a nail clipper  112  and a housing  114  adaptable to receive the nail clipper  112 . The nail clipper  112  includes a pair of members or arms  116  and  118  each presenting cutting edges  120  and  122 . A lever  124  is mechanically engaged  126  with the arms  116  and  118  as known to those skilled in mechanical art to flex the arms  116  and  118  in order to clip or cut the nails. The housing  114  is formed from a flexible resilient material such as polymeric material. Other non-resilient materials may be used to form the housing  114  without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     The housing  114  includes a tubular configuration presenting terminal ends of different configurations, generally indicated at  130  and  132 . The housing includes side walls  134  and  136 , a bottom wall  318 , and a top wall  140 . The side walls  134  and  136  may present a planar or curved cross section without limiting the scope of the present invention. The housing  114  defines a central axis A extending between terminal ends  130  and  132  wherein the side walls  134  and  136  diverging from one of the terminal ends  130  to another of terminal end  132 . The top wall  140  includes a cut out configuration, generally indicated at  142  adaptable to receive the nail clipper  112 . 
     The cut out portion  142  is defined by a pair of elements, generally indicated at  146  and  148  extending outwardly from opposite side edges  150  and  152  of the cut out portion  142  to the central axis A for securing the nail clipper  112  within the housing  114  and preventing escape of the nail clipper  112  from the housing  114 . One of the terminal ends  130  is further defined by a rear end presenting a rectangular cross section and a slip defined therein. The other of the terminal ends  132  is further defined by a nail scoop, generally indicated at  162 , presenting a non-rectangular cross section. The nail scoop  162  presents a bottom portion  164  extending to a raised portion  166  defining peripheral edge, generally indicated at  168 . 
     The housing  114  includes a pair of tracks  170  and  172  each extending to hook edges  174  and  176 . The tracks  170  and  172  are spaced from one another to receive a foil  180  removably connected between the tracks  170  and  172  to polish nails. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the nail clipping device, generally shown at  200 . In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, a housing, generally indicated at  202 , defines a central axis A extending between terminal ends  204  and  206 . The housing  202  is also formed from a resilient material presenting a tubular configuration and having side walls  208  and  210  diverging from one of the terminal end  206  to another terminal end  204 . The housing  202  includes a bottom wall, and a top wall  212 . The top wall  212  included two wing portions or two halves  214  and  216  spaced from one another to define a slit  218  extending along the axis A. Each wing portion  214  and  216  defines a cut out portion thereby forming an opening  220  to receive a lever  222  of a nail clipper, as shown in phantom at  224 . The wing portions  214  and  216  extend outwardly from the side walls  208  and  210  for securing the nail clipper  224  within the housing  202  and preventing escaping of the nail clipper from the housing  202 . 
     The nail clipper  224  presents a pair of members  226  and  228  as shown in phantom at  224  each extending into a cutting edge  230  and  232  with the cutting edges  230  and  232  extending parallel to the central axis A. The lever  222  is mechanically connected to the pair of elements  226  and  228  for flexing the members  226  and  228  to cut and clip the nails. One of the side walls  210  includes a scoop nail scoop, generally indicated at  240 . The nail scoop  240  presents a bottom portion  246  extending to raised portion  242  and  244  for capturing the nails. The housing  202  may includes a pair of tracks (not shown) each extending to hook edges. The tracks are spaced from one another to receive a foil removably connected between the tracks to polish nails. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1