US20080264438A1

US20080264438A1 - Curved, ergonomic fingernail file in a compact design

Info

Publication number: US20080264438A1
Application number: US11/799,276
Authority: US
Inventors: Danny Clelland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-30
Filing date: 2007-04-30
Publication date: 2008-10-30

Abstract

The invention is a curved ergonomic shaped fingernail file for more efficient and comfortable use. It is constructed with a finger grip having a ridged handle and a concave file base that decreases in thickness as it flares out toward its rounded tip. The grip allows for easy use with either hand and provides comfort and ease when filing. The fingernail file comes with a two-sided filing surface made up of two pieces of emery paper. One side (the front side of the fingernail file) is a more coarse grit for more aggressive shaping and trimming of nails. The other side (the underside or back side which can be used by simply flipping the file over) is a finer grit for polishing, buffing, and smoothing of the nail edge. A wide range of color options for the fingernail file will appeal to teens and adults alike.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a curved, ergonomic fingernail file in a compact design.
2. Background
Currently there are fingernail files that attempt to offer a variety of grit surfaces for nail filing. The designs are inferior and similar with a straight, flat edge. Most files have no handle requiring the user to grip the file itself. Or, for those with a handle, the handle is located at the bottom/end of the file, causing an awkward and hard to control movement when filing. The square shape of the fingernail file design further exacerbates the clumsiness of filing. Most fingernail files are also long and brittle. If they are carried for travel or in purses, those with cardboard/paper construction tend to break and those of foam construction tend to crease or bend, resulting in useless fingernail file. Still further, the straight edge design of fingernail files are hard to use, requiring a lot of wrist action by the user, when moving the straight edge of the fingernail file against the curved shape of a fingernail. This difficulty of filing becomes more obvious when a right-handed user shifts the file to their left-hand or vice-versa.
Existing straight edge fingernail files also do not have any grip, requiring the user to put his/her fingers along the file, resulting in limited movement and loss of control for nail filing. The other problem is that straight, flat fingernail files require the users to dig the nail file into the skin to get access to corners around the nail file and this can cause discomfort around the fingernail. Existing fingernail files also are difficult to use when a right-handed individual transfers the file to their left hand because the range of motion is in a weaker hand.
Accordingly, there currently exists a need to have a fingernail file that has a curved design and a wedge-shape to provide a fit and contour with the fingernail and reduce the movements/motions related to nail filing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a curved, ergonomic shaped finger nail file which is preferably made of a durable plastic construction. The curved shape allows for quick and easy nail filing with smooth wrist movements. The preferred position of a ridged handle is in the center (along the spine) of the fingernail file, and provides for a comfortable and controlled grip between the fingers. The wedge-shaped design further maximizes the efficiency of the fingernail file by contouring with the shape of fingernails. The combination of the fingernail grip, curved file, and centered grip takes the work out of filing the nails. The contoured shape of the handle allows easy use with left hand to right hand.
The fingernail file comes with a two-sided filing surface which is made up of two kinds of emery paper. One side (the front side of the fingernail file) is a more coarse grit for more aggressive shaping and trimming of nails. The other side (the underside or back side which can be used by simply flipping the file over) is a finer grit for polishing, buffing, and smoothing of the nail edge. It is preferably light weight and compact, so that it is capable of being fit inside purses or for travel convenience. Further, it comes in a variety of custom colors to appeal to pre-teens, teenagers, and adults.
The curved, ergonomic shaped fingernail file is a solution to the problem of hand fatigue. It adds control and comfort through it unique curved design and wedge-shaped construction. The centered fingernail grip handle of the preferred embodiment allows for the user to have unobstructed access to the entire fingernail file and a full range of motion. The user no longer needs to move their grip up and down the file, as is the case of the straight nail file. This further solves the problem of hand fatigue with a smooth range of motion and improves dexterity for filing. The problem of digging the nail file into corners is solved through the unique curved shape. The wedge-shape along the fingernail file's edge is also another design feature to get easy and comfortable access to hard-to reach areas around fingernail corners or under fingernails without pain and discomfort.
The curve design also facilitates a comfortable filing when a right-handed user transfers the file to their left-hand or vice-versa because the curved shape puts most of the work of fingernail filing on the file itself and not on a complex range of motions required by the user. Further, the curved, ergonomic shaped fingernail file also has a compact size, which increases portability for travel and increases the likelihood that users can carry it in their purses.
The fingernail file can be made from plastic by injection molding. Of course, plastic is not the only material that could be used. Any rigid or semi-rigid material could be used in its place. The first step in creating the fingernail file should preferably be to create a 3D AutoCAD design drawing, or a similar type of design drawing, of the ergonomic fingernail file. A mold die is thus created in the image of the shape that needs to be molded. This is done by having the mold CNC machined to the exact specifications of the 3D AutoCAD drawing. Then, the next step is the selection of the plastic material in the desired color and having that plastic injected into the mold. The result is the construction of the fingernail file without the emery paper.
Following the selection of the types of grit for the emery paper (also known as sand paper), the next step would be die cutting the two selected types of emery paper that would be used on each side (front side and back side) of the fingernail file. One emery paper would be a coarse grit, while the other one would be less coarse for smoothing or polishing. Each emery paper should preferably have a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, although adhesive could certainly be added in the event a pressure sensitive adhesive backing is not disposed on the emery paper. Once cut, it can be adhered to the plastic filing surface by simply peeling the emery paper off of its backing and pressing it down onto the plastic file. The same process would occur with the second type of emery paper, being pressed onto the back side of the plastic file. If the emery paper does not have an adhesive backing, glue or other adhesives should be applied to the plastic file surface or to the back of the emery paper.
The fingernail file can be used by holding onto the centered, ridged grip handle between the thumb and the middle fingers. Using an “arcing” or rotating/rocking motion, move the fingernail file along the fingernail surface, allowing the contour shape of the file to follow along the curved shape of the fingernail. Rock or rub the fingernail file in this motion along the wedge-shape edge and choose the appropriate grit from one of two sides of the file. For more trimming and shaping, use the side of the fingernail file with a coarser grit. For polishing, smoothing, and buffing, choose the side of the fingernail file with the finer grit emery paper. This same motion can comfortably fit with right or left-handed users alike. Use the wedge-shape edge to fit the file comfortably into corners of the fingernail or hard to reach places.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the front view of the curved ergonomic fingernail file.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of front view of the die-cut, adhesive backed emery paper.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the curved edge and rounded tip of the ergonomic fingernail file.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the ergonomic, ridged finger-grip.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial side view of the ergonomic fingernail file lying on its side, showing the wedge-shaped design and depth of the fingernail file.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 finger grip handle
15 edge of the finger grip handle
20 non-slip ridges on the centered finger grip
25 concave file base
30 emery paper
40 rounded tip of the concave file base
50 curved edge of fingernail file
60 wedge shape edge

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a curved, ergonomic fingernail file in a compact design.
FIG. 1 depicts the curved edge of the fingernail file 50, which is shown having the preferable ergonomic design, and the ridged finger grip handle 10. It also shows the emery paper filing surface 30 that is adhered to the file. The exact same design is shown on the other side of the fingernail file (seen by merely flipping the file over on its back side) which will preferably, but not necessarily, have a different grit of emery paper 30.
FIG. 2 depicts the die-cut, curved shape of the emery paper 30. It preferably has an adhesive back and is applied to the curved, flat area of the fingernail file depicted in FIG. 1. The back, however, does not need to have the adhesive pre-applied. Any adhesive, such as glue or pressure sensitive glue can be applied to the back prior to placement on the fingernail file. It preferably comes in several grits, one being a coarser grit such as a 220 for shaping and the other being a finer grit such as a 320 for smoothing, buffing, and polishing. Nevertheless, it is certainly possible, and within the scope of the invention, to have both grits being the same. Likewise, it is within the scope of the invention to use any grit acceptable to accomplish the desired task of the user.
FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged view of the right side of the fingernail file to show the design of the curved edge of the file 50 and the rounded tip of the file 40. This design allows easy access under the fingernail due to the curved design 50 complementing the curvature of the natural fingernail. The rounded tips 40 are another design feature that facilitates a comfortable and easy access to the corners of the fingernail.
FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged view of the finger grip 10 to show the curvature the edge 15 of the preferred finger grip 10. The curvature of the edge 15 of the finger grip 10 does not need to be exactly as depicted, but the preferred embodiment of present invention does contemplate a solid finger grip 10 that has an edge 15 that is at least somewhat arched in relation to the concave file base 25. It is this arching relative to the file base that will provide a comfortable fit for the user when the finger grip handle 10 is sandwiched between the thumb and finger, in an easy, relaxed grip. As a result, the user has more control during filing and the location of the finger grip 10, at the center of the fingernail file, also facilitates easier and more accurate filing movements. Also shown in FIG. 4 is the unique non-slip ridged design 20 on this finger grip 10, which can provide a tactile surface for a non-slip grip when filing.
FIG. 5 depicts a partial view of the fingernail file to show the unique wedge shape design 60 when viewed along the side of the fingernail file. The wedge shape design 60 is another feature that maximizes the comfort of the user, preferably having a thickness at the rounded tips 40 and the curved edge of the fingernail file 50 that will allow it to fit comfortably under the fingernail. The characteristic of the wedge-shape design 60, specifically, is that the thickest part is where the finger grip 10 meets the concave file base. The design slims down as it approaches the rounded tips 40 of the concave file base, with a preferable thickness of 3/64 (0.0468) inches and an acceptable thickness of 1/16 (0.0625) inches.
While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. A fingernail file comprising:

a body having a thickness and made up of a finger grip handle having an edge, a first and a second side, and a concave file base having first and a second side and a curved edge;

a first and a second emery paper;

wherein the first emery paper is attached to the first side of the file base and the second emery paper is attached to the second side of the file base.

2. The fingernail file of claim 1 further comprising non-slip ridges on the first side of the finger grip handle.

3. The fingernail file of claim 2 further comprising non-slip ridges on the second side of the finger grip handle.

4. The fingernail file of claim 3 wherein the edge of the finger grip handle is arched in relation to the file base.

5. The fingernail file of claim 4 wherein the first emery paper and the second emery paper are of the same grit.

6. The fingernail file of claim 4 wherein the first emery paper and the second emery paper are of different grits.

7. The fingernail file of claim 6 wherein the first emery paper is of a coarse grit.

8. The fingernail file of claim 7 wherein the second emery paper is of a fine grit.

9. The fingernail file of claim 8 wherein the concave file base has at least one rounded tip.

10. The fingernail file of claim 8 wherein the concave file base has more than one rounded tip.

11. The fingernail file of claim 9 wherein the thickness of the body is greatest where the finger grip handle and the concave file base meet.

12. The fingernail file of claim 11 wherein the thickness of the body decreases as the concave file base extends toward the at least one rounded tip.