US20090255545A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20090255545A1
Application number: US12/102,124
Authority: US
Inventors: LISA Giachetti; Joseph A. Ercole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-14
Filing date: 2008-04-14
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

A nail protector and method for use includes a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail, and a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail. A lateral wall is connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail. A stabilizer is coupled to the lateral wall and is spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extends in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to an apparatus for protecting finger nails and toe nails and more particularly to an apparatus configured to protect nails from contact after a manicure/pedicure or for medical purposes.

2. Description of the Related Art

After a manicure or pedicure, it is often necessary to wait for a period of time to permit nails to dry. During this time, an individual is virtually incapacitated and unable to perform any manual tasks until their nails have dried. This is extremely inconvenient. In addition, attempting to perform any manual tasks can damage or ruin the nail's finish or polish, which jeopardizes the appearance and/or work that was needed to obtain the desired polished state of the nails. This could be costly given the expense and time needed for manicures/pedicures.

To alleviate such problems, nail protectors have been used. These are typically rings that have to be slid over the nail and the finger. While such devices, if properly applied, can protect the nail, such devices jeopardize the nail's finish, since these devices must be applied over the nail itself. Any contact with the nail will ruin the finish.

SUMMARY

A method for protecting nails includes providing a nail protector in accordance with the present principles and applying the nail protector on the human digit without longitudinally passing over the nail.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nail protector in accordance with one illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nail protector ofFIG. 1 showing the underside and depicting a ridge in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a finger with a nail protector where the nail protector is shown in cross-section with reaction forces in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a nail protector where a stabilization portion is provided by a coil in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a nail protector where a biased hinge is employed to maintain a lateral wall in a closed position and permit the nail protector to be applied to a human digit in an open position in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a nail protector where rotatable clasp is employed to maintain a wall in a closed position and permit the nail protector to be applied to a human digit in an open position in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a nail protector where an insert is connected to a cover portion, the insert providing the functions of the stabilization portion and the lateral walls in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method for employing a nail protector in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method for protecting nails. In particularly useful embodiments, a nail protector is provided that covers a finger or toe nail and provides a stable cover over the nail to prevent contact with the nail. In one embodiment, the nail is protected from top and lateral contact, which is particularly helpful when the nail has been polished and has not yet dried.

In one embodiment, the nail protection apparatus includes a flexible portion, which expands to receive a finger or toe and when restored holds the nail protection apparatus in place. The apparatus includes a cover or shield portion that extends over the nail, and a median ridge or raised area that supports that cover portion. The flexible portion includes a longitudinal extension portion that extends along the finger or toe to prevent the cover portion from rotating onto the nail.

The present embodiments will illustratively be described in terms of protecting nails after a manicure or pedicure. However, the present invention is much broader and may be applicable as a nail or finger/toe protector for medical applications such as the loss of a nail due to an injury or due to an infection or other condition.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially toFIG. 1, anail protector100 is shown in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. Nailprotector100 includes acover portion102 which is configured to cover a finger or toe nail of a user without contact to the nail itself. Thecover portion102 is permitted to cover the nail with a gap maintained between the nail and thecover portion102. This gap is maintained during use of thenail protector100 as will be described in greater detail below.

Nail protector

100 includes twolateral supports116, which extend from thecover portion102. Thelateral supports116 are connected to the cover atportions110.Portions110 and surrounding areas are flexible to permit agap112 to be increased by permitting flexure in the direction of arrow “A”.

To permit flexure ofportion110 and/or ofside walls106, these portions may be formed from a flexible material. In some embodiments, the materials may include plastics, such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, rubber, etc., metals, such as steel, brass, etc., wood, or combinations thereof.

The cross-sectional dimensions ofside walls106 may be configured to provide a restoring force to return theoriginal gap size112. This assists in maintaining thenail protector100 on a finger or toe of the user.Side walls106 may be tapered (either larger or smaller) as the distance fromportions110 increases.Side walls106 may also be of uniform thickness about the circumference of opening114.Side walls106 may follow any other variations in thickness as well to provide sufficient strength and restoring force to maintaingap112 and secure thenail protector100 on the user.

Nail protector

100 includes a ridge orextension portion108. Theridge108 extends under thecover portion102 nearer to the insertion point of a finger or toe in opening114. Ridge108 is configured to contact the skin of the finger or toe to provide support for thecover portion102 and prevent contact of thecover portion102 with the nail. In addition,nail protector100 includeslongitudinal extensions104 which are configured to extend along the finger or toe of the user and prevent rotational motion of thecover portion102 toward the nail.Ridge108 andlongitudinal extensions104 work together to provide support for thecover portion102 and prevent rotational motion of thecover portion102 toward the nail.Lateral portions116 prevent axial rotation of thecover portion102 on the finger or toe, and employ a restoring force to prevent thenail protector100 from slipping forward or backward along the finger or toe once the nail protector is in place.

An insertion side of thenail protector100 preferably includes radiused orrounded edges120 to provide comfort for the wearer and ease application of the protector device. It should be understood that the present principles may be practiced with many different designs and configurations. The presently described embodiments are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting.

Referring toFIG. 2, another view of thenail protector100 ofFIG. 1 is illustratively depicted to show an underside of thenail protector100. Theridge108 is shown extending over a sector of the perimeter of opening114 below thecover portion102.Ridge108 includesgenerous transitions204 to permit thenail protector100 to be easily applied on a finger or toe, and for comfort. Atop portion206 ofridge108 makes contact with the skin of a finger or toe. The internal upper portion ofridge108 features a build up of material allowing for adequate nail clearance.

Ends

202 oflateral portion116 are preferably rounded and provide sufficient material to extend below the finger or toe once positioned thereon.

Referring toFIG. 3, a further explanation of the functionality of thenail protector100 will now be illustratively described using a cross-sectional view ofnail protector100 depicted on afinger304. If for example, a force F₁is applied to thecover portion102, reaction forces F_R1and F_R2will maintain thecover portion102 in its current position and prevent contact with anail302 offinger304. Reaction force F_R1results from thelongitudinal extensions104 extending alongfinger304 on an opposing side of the pivot point created byridge108. Reaction force F_R2is provided by contact withridge108 withfinger304.

As described previously,lateral portions116 extend belowfinger304 and provide support to generate reaction forces F_R1. Nail protector100 is therefore stable on thefinger304, and prevents contact of the nail protector or other objects withnail302.

Thenail protector100 may include other features to provide similar effects. These features are illustratively described below, but should not be construed as limiting.

Referring toFIG. 4, anail protector400 includes acover portion102 and one or twoside portions410 that can extend into acoil420. The cover portion includes aridge108 as before and employs thecoil420 to generate the reaction force F_R1(FIG. 3). In this way, thenail protector400 is placed on a side of the finger or toe and thecoil420 is wrapped around the user's finger to secure thenail protector400. Thecoil420 is formed from a flexible material and is connected to or formed with the rest of thenail protector400.

As before, the open ended ring permits the nail protector400 (or100) to clamp onto the finger or toe to avoid passing over a painted nail.Edges412 ofnail protector400 are preferably bull-nosed and flared to serve as a necessary guide for placement on the finger.

Nail protectors

100 and400 provide a rear stabilizer usinglongitudinal extensions104 or using coil420 (FIG. 1) for preventing the nail cover portion from making contact with the nail.

Referring toFIG. 5, anail protector500 is conceptually depicted showing abiased hinge510 to permit opening and closing of alateral side512 ofnail protector500.Hinge510 may include a spring514 as a biasing means to bias thelateral side512 in a closed position (shown). When the nail protector is to be placed on a finger the lateral side is opened in the direction of arrow “B”, the finger is then placed inside thenail protector500 and thelateral side512 is closed. Anoptical latch516 may be employed to lock thelateral side512 in place to secure thenail protector500 to the finger of the wearer.FIG. 5 has omitted features for simplicity of explanation, e.g., the cover portion, the ridge and rear stabilization portions are not shown.

Referring toFIG. 6, anail protector600 may include aclasp610 that rotates about a finger in the direction of arrow “C”. Theclasp610 is opened to permit a finger to be placed inside thenail protector600 and then theclasp610 is closed to secure thenail protector600 to the finger of the wearer. Theclasp610 may be stowed on the side of abase portion612 in the open position.FIG. 6 has omitted features, e.g., the cover portion, the ridge and rear stabilization portions, for simplicity. Theclasp610 may employ any known mechanical slides, concentric walls or other known elements for providing the mechanical features for sliding theclasp610 into or out of a closed position.

Nail protectors

100,400,500 and600, in accordance with the present principles, may include additional features and modifications. In one embodiment, thecover portion102 is formed from a clear resilient plastic material (e.g., polycarbonate) so that the polished nail is visible. The construction material may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc.

The

nail protectors

100,400,500 and600 may be fabricated to be disposable or reusable. Reusable embodiments may include the use of washable or sterilizable materials. In either case, the nail protector is preferably ergonomic, light weight and recyclable. In addition, construction materials for the nail protector may be colored, textured or otherwise decorated to suit personal preferences.

Nail protectors

100,400,500 and600 may include a plurality of sizes to permit proper fitting for a plurality of different sized fingers and toes.

Referring toFIG. 7, aninsert650 may be employed which detachably snaps into thecover portion102 to provide the functions the stabilizer and of the lateral walls to hold the nail protector fast on the finger or toe.Inserts650 may provide the proper fit one the finger and lock into thecover portion102. Theinsert650 as with the other nail protectors are made in accordance with standard finger/toe size dimensions. This is particularly useful for reusable nail protectors. Theinserts650 may be u-shaped and fit over the finger without going over the nail. Then, thecover portion102 may be attached over theinsert650. Theinsert650 may have a locking feature, such as a detent, snap, clasp, etc. to provide attachment to thenail protector655 to complete a ring formed using both theinsert650 and thenail protector655. The inserts may be formed from plastics, metals, foams, etc. and may be utilized to accommodate various finger sizing.

Nail protectors in accordance with the present invention may be integrally formed as a single piece or may include a removable/detachable cover portion102 to permit for interchangeable styles of thecover portion102.

Referring toFIG. 8, a flow diagram shows a method for employing a nail protector in accordance with the present invention. After a manicure/pedicure or a need for protecting nails arises, proper sized nail protectors (or inserts) are identified inblock702. Inblock704, the nail protectors are applied to the fingers or toe from a lateral direction over a finger or toe without passing over the nail in a longitudinal direction. This includes spreading flexible parts, opening a hinge or clasp or otherwise attaching the nail protector to a finger/toe (e.g., using inserts and protector to connect and form a ring). Inblock706, the finger/toe is permitted to heal or the nail permitted to dry. Inblock708, the nail protector is removed and disposed of, cleaned/sterilized or recycled.

Having described preferred embodiments of a nail protector and method (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nail protector, comprising:

a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail;

a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail;

at least one lateral wall connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail; and

a stabilizer coupled to the at least one lateral wall and being spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion.

2. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes two flexible lateral walls, which form a gap therebetween for a lateral insertion of the human digit.

3. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a non-uniform wall thickness.

4. The nail protector as recited inclaim 3, wherein the non-uniform wall thickness includes a tapered cross-section.

5. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the stabilizer is formed from an extension of the at least one lateral wall.

6. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the stabilizer is formed from a coiled portion.

7. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a biased hinge such that a portion of the at least one lateral wall can be opened to receive the human digit.

8. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a rotatable clasp such that the clasp can be opened to receive the human digit.

9. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the cover portion is removable.

10. The nail protector as recited inclaim 1, wherein the stabilizer includes an insert which is connectable to the cover portion.

11. A nail protector, comprising:

a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail; and

lateral walls connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for inserting a human digit without passing over the nail, the lateral walls extending from opposite sides of the cover portion and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the lateral walls are flexible and the gap permits lateral insertion of a human digit, the lateral walls including a stabilizer portion coupled to the lateral walls and being spaced about and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion, the stabilizer portion for partially extending below the digit opposite the ridge.

12. The nail protector as recited inclaim 11, wherein the cover portion is removable.

13. The nail protector as recited inclaim 11, wherein the lateral walls and the stabilizer portion are formed from an insert which is connectable to the cover portion.

14. A method for protecting nails comprising:

providing a nail protector having a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail, a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail, at least one lateral wall connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail, and a stabilizer coupled to the at least one lateral wall and being spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion; and

applying the nail protector on the human digit without longitudinally passing over the nail.

15. The method as recited inclaim 14, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes two flexible lateral walls, and applying includes flexing a gap between the two lateral walls for a lateral insertion of the human digit.

16. The method as recited inclaim 14, wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a coil and applying includes wrapping the coil around the human digit.

17. The method as recited inclaim 14, wherein applying includes opening a biased hinge in the at least one lateral wall to receive the human digit.

18. The method as recited inclaim 14, wherein applying includes opening a rotatable clasp in the at least one lateral wall to receive the human digit.

19. The method as recited inclaim 14, further comprising removing the cover portion from the nail protector.

20. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein applying includes employing an insert to connect to the cover portion.