Pedicure tool

Abstract

A pedicure tool is used for the removal and/or reduction of calluses, dry skin or corns. The pedicure tool has an elongated ergonomic housing with opposing tips of sharp circular edges for scraping calluses, dry skin, or corns in order to remove or reduce them. The pedicure tool also has an elongated internal element or rod with opposite cleaning ends which can be longitudinally mechanically moved externally of the elongated ergonomic housing to clean away any residue left from the scraping of the calluses, dry skin or corns by the sharp circular edges of the opposing tips.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/092,685 filed on Aug. 28, 2008, entitled “Tool for Removing Calluses, Dry Skin, Corns”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the removal and/or reduction of calluses, dry skin, or corns.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have been numerous prior art tools for removing or reducing calluses, dry skin, or corns from the human body especially from a person's foot. Such prior art tools included files, sharp edged blades or a combination of both. The prior art files may be implements of various sizes and shapes covered with an abrasive material or made with an integrally coarse or roughened surface such as disclosed in patents U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,701, U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,885, U.S. Pat. No. 3,198,198. Some of the prior art tools with sharp edged blades are disclosed in patents U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,505, U.S. 2005/0061343, U.S. 2007/0244491, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,588. U.S. Pat. No. 466,097 discloses a tool for extracting corns that has both a cutting edge and a scrapping file. The present invention is a tool that is easy to handle and use for removing or reducing calluses, dry skin or corns because of its ergonomic structure, its unique circular cutting edge and its integral cleaning implement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of this invention is to provide a tool for the reduction and/or removal of calluses, dry skin or corns. The tool (hereinafter referred to as the pedicure tool) has an elongated ergonomic housing with scraping tips at opposite ends thereof for working on the affected areas and movable means associated with the ergonomic housing for subsequently cleaning the areas worked on by the scraping tips. Although the pedicure tool of the present invention is primarily directed to treating areas of the foot, it is also adaptable and applicable to the reduction and/or removal of calluses, dry skin or corns from other parts of the human anatomy such as from the hands, elbows, knees, etc.

Other objects and advantages in the use of the pedicure tool of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of which the attached drawings form a part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 3 is a right end view of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a left end view of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is another side view of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pedicure tool taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 7 with cone shaped protectors at both ends thereof.

FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the cone shaped scraping tip on the right end of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the cone shaped scraping tip on the left end of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 shows a side view and an end view, respectively, of one of the non-slippery sleeves surrounding the housing of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view and an open end view, respectively, of one of the cone shaped protectors at one end of the pedicure tool shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the elongated movable rod with the toothed rack shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13a is a cross sectional view taken along lines 13a-13a of FIG. 13b and FIGS. 13b, 13c and 13d are top, side and bottom views, respectively, of the elongated movable rod shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rotatable toothed or dented wheel shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the rotatable toothed or dented wheel shown in FIG. 14.

FIGS. 16a, 16b, and 16c show the bottom, top and side views, respectively, of a washer used to secure the rotatable toothed or dented wheel within the housing shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 17 shows top, side and bottom views, respectively, of the detent inserted into the housing opposite to the rotatable wheel as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 shows a top view and a side view of the cover over the detent as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 19 shows the installation in progressive spaced relationship of the rotatable toothed wheel and washer into a recessed opening in the housing of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 20 shows the installation in progressive spaced relationship of the detent and cover into an opposite recessed opening in the housing of the pedicure tool.

FIG. 21 shows the components for the pedicure tool of this invention in a disassembled array.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of the pedicure tool of this invention with the cleaning end of the movable rod extended externally from the left end of the ergonomic housing.

FIG. 23 shows a side view of the pedicure tool of this invention with the cleaning end of the movable rod extended externally from the right end of the ergonomic housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawing. The pedicure tool 1 of this invention has an elongated ergonomic housing 2 in the general shape of an elongated ellipsoid. The elongated ergonomic housing 2 has an internal passageway 3 therethrough and cone shaped tips 4, 5 at opposite ends thereof. As shown best in FIGS. 9b and 10b, each of the cone shaped tips 4, 5 has a passageway therethrough and a sharp circular edge 4a and 5a, respectively, at its smaller 6 and 7 end, respectively, used for scraping the callus, dry skin or corn. The sharp circular edge 5a at the smaller end 7 of the cone shaped tip 5 has a greater diameter than the sharp circular edge 4a at the smaller end 6 of its opposite cone shaped tip 4 for scraping a larger area to be treated whereas the smaller diameter of the sharp circular edge 4a at the smaller end 6 of the opposite cone shaped tip 4 is used for scraping smaller or difficult to reach areas. Each of the cone shaped tips 4, 5 is constructed such that it works just on the bad skin areas and glides over the good skin areas. Each end of the elongated ergonomic housing 2 has an internal threaded portion 8, 9. Each of the cone shaped tips 4, 5 has a threaded extended portion 10, 11, respectively, opposite their respective smaller ends 6, 7 for cooperating with the respective internal threaded portions 8, 9 of the elongated ergonomic housing 2 such that each cone shaped tip 4, 5 can be attached to the elongated ergonomic housing 2. Although a threaded type attachment to the elongated ergonomic housing 2 is disclosed for the cone shaped tips 4, 5, other methods of attachment such as by an adhesive or by friction can also be used. The cone shaped tips 4, 5 are preferably constructed from a sturdy metal such as steel but other metals (such as aluminum) or metal alloys can also be used. The elongated ergonomic housing 2 is preferably made from a single piece of material as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawing but it may also be made from several pieces of material attached together. The elongated ergonomic housing 2 is preferably made from a plastic material but it can also be made from aluminum, another metal, or a metal alloy. The elongated ergonomic housing 2 is approximately 13.5 cm. in length and has a diameter of approximately 1.64 cm at its mid-section. The sharp circular edge 4a at the smaller end 6 of the cone shaped tip 4 has a diameter of approximately 3.4 mm. and the sharp circular edge 5a at the smaller end 7 of the cone shaped tip 5 has a diameter of approximately 5.35 mm. Although the preceding dimensions are preferred, other practicable dimensions may also be used. The elongated ergonomic housing 2 has non-slippery sleeves 12, 13 on both sides thereof. The non-slippery sleeves 12, 13 may be made from rubber, plastic or foam and are attached to the outside of the ergonomic housing 2 by elastic pressure or by friction. A side view and an end view of one of the non-slippery sleeves are shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the pedicure tool 1 of this invention may also be provided with cone shaped protectors 14, 15 at opposite ends of the ergonomic housing 2 in order to protect the sharp circular edges 4a, 5a of the cone shaped tips 4, 5 from possible damage when the pedicure tool 1 is not in use. FIG. 11 shows a side view and an end view of one of the cone shaped protectors. The cone shaped protectors 14, 15 are preferably made from plastic material but aluminum or any other metal or metal alloy may also be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 13-18. The ergonomic housing 2 of the pedicure tool 1 of this invention has an internal passageway 3 therethrough with an elongated movable element 17 therein. Opposite ends of the movable element 17 constitute cleaning elements 18 and 19 when either of them is moved externally of the cone shaped tips 4 or 5. The internal elongated movable element 17 can be longitudinally moved to the right or left by a rack and pinion mechanism in the form of a toothed or dented wheel 20 and a toothed or dented rack 22 formed as part of the internal movable element 17. The elongated movable element 17 is preferably in the shape of a rod with a cutout region 21 in the midsection thereof. The bottom of the cutout region 21 has a toothed rack 22 which is in contact with the toothed wheel 20. The elongated element or rod 17 has a length of approximately 11.5 cm., a diameter of approximately 5.0 mm. for the cleaning end 18, a diameter of approximately 3.0 mm. at the cleaning end 19, and a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm. for a section thereof adjacent the cutout region 21. The length of the toothed rack 22 is approximately 4.26 cm. Although the preceding dimensions are preferred, other practicable dimensions may also be used. The toothed wheel 20 is partially exposed above the housing 2 of the pedicure tool 1 so that it can be manually rotated in order to longitudinally move the elongated element or rod 17 to the right or left and thus expose the cleaning elements 18 or 19 thereof externally of the cone shaped tips 4 or 5. The cleaning elements 18 and 19 at the opposite ends of the movable rod or element 17 are preferably rounded or curved and are used after the callus, dry skin or corn has been scraped by either the cone shaped tip 4 or 5. The internal movable rod or element 17 has a different diameter at opposite ends of the elongated housing 2 in order to accommodate, and be movable through, the internal passageway of a respective cone shaped tip 4 or 5, each passageway of which has a different internal diameter. The elongated housing 2 has an inner circumferential wall 23 defining the internal passageway 3 therethrough. The internal movable element or rod 17 has a greater outer diameter in the area adjacently surrounding the toothed rack 22 and a smaller cutout region 24 opposite the toothed rack 22. The area of the internal movable element or rod 17 with the greater outer diameter is in sliding engagement with the inner circumferential wall 23. At about the midpoint of the smaller cutout region 24 there is an indenture or groove 25 in the internal movable rod or element 17. This indenture or groove 25 receives an extended tab 37a from a detent 37 which provides a slight pressure on the movable element or rod 17 just sufficient enough to maintain the movable element or rod 17 in a non-movable condition during non-actuation of the toothed wheel 20 but insufficient to prevent longitudinal movement of the rod 17 when the toothed wheel 20 is actuated. A cover 38 is inserted into the elongated housing 2 over the detent 37 which cover 38 applies a slight pressure to the detent 37. The internal elongated movable rod or element 17 and the toothed wheel 20 are preferably made from a plastic material but may be made from aluminum or any other metal or metal alloy.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 14-19. The toothed or dented wheel 20 has fixed pins 20a and 20b on opposite sides of and in the center of the toothed wheel 20 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawing. There is an opening 29 in a center region of the ergonomic housing 2 and a ledge 30 recessed within the opening 29 as shown in FIG. 19. The ledge 30 has a pair of oppositely positioned grooves 32 and 33 for receiving the oppositely disposed fixed pins 20a and 20b of the rotatable wheel 20. The ledge 30 has a large opening 31 therein to accommodate the insertion of a portion of the rotatable wheel 20 therein. The ledge 30 also has several spaced holes 34 therein. A washer or cover 35, with a central opening 36 therein, is dimensioned to fit within the opening 29 of the housing 2 and to accommodate the positioning of the upper portion of the rotatable wheel 20 therethrough. The washer or cover 35 has several spaced pins 35a (FIG. 16c) extending from the bottom side thereof which pins 35a fit into the several spaced holes 34 in the ledge 30. The bottom side of the washer or cover 35 also has oppositely located grooves 35b (FIG. 16a) which will fit over the oppositely disposed pins 20a and 20b of the rotatable wheel 20. The toothed wheel 20 is inserted into the opening 29 of the ergonomic housing 2 and the pins 20a and 20b are seated in the grooves 32 and 33 of the ledge 30. The depths of the recessed ledge 30 and the grooves 32 and 33 are sufficient such that a portion of the toothed or dented wheel 20 is exposed above the elongated housing 2 and such that the teeth of a portion of the toothed or dented wheel 20 are engaged with the toothed rack 22 as shown in FIG. 7. The recessed ledge 30 also has a plurality of spaced holes 34 therein. A washer or cover 35, having a shape and size to fit within the opening 29 of the ergonomic housing 2, has an opening 36 therein to accommodate the exposure of the toothed wheel 20 above the ergonomic housing 2. The washer or cover 35 has a plurality of spaced pins 35a extending from the underside thereof which pins 35a are inserted into the plurality of spaced holes 34 in the recessed ledge 30 when it is pressed down onto the recessed ledge 30. The purpose of the washer 35 or cover is to maintain the toothed or dented wheel 20 in a position relative to the ergonomic housing 2 so that the wheel 20 can be freely rotated when it is desired to use either of the cleaning ends 18 or 19 of the elongated element or rod 17.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 17, 18 and 20. In order to prevent the internal elongated element or rod 17 from moving longitudinally when the pedicure tool 1 is not being used a detent 37 with an extended tab or tongue 37a is employed. Opposite to the toothed rack 22 there is another cutout 24 smaller in depth than the depth of the cutout 21 for the toothed rack 22. In about the mid-point of this smaller cutout 24 there is an indenture or groove 25 in about the center point of the elongated element or rod 17 as shown in FIG. 7. There is another opening 40 (opposite to the opening 29) in the wall of the ergonomic housing 2 and a recessed ledge 41 therein as shown in FIG. 20. Within the recessed ledge 41 there is another recessed ledge 42 with a pair of opposite pins 42b and 42b extending upwardly therefrom. Also, within the recessed ledge 42 there is another opening 43 to accommodate the insertion of a tab or tongue 37a extending from the bottom side of the detent 37 (FIG. 17). The top side of the detent 37 has oppositely raised edges 37b, 37b with holes 37c, 37c passing respectively therethrough. A cover 38 (FIG. 18) is pushed down over the detent 37 and into the opening 40 and the detent 37 is pushed down into the recess 42 with the holes 37c and 37c fitting over a respective pin 42b and 42b in the recessed ledge 42. Simultaneously, the tab or tongue 37a (barely shown in FIG. 20 but clearly shown in FIG. 7) of the detent 37 is inserted into the indenture or groove 25 of the elongated element or rod 17 of the pedicure tool 1. As previously mentioned, the detent 37 provides only a slight pressure on the elongated element or rod 17 and does not inhibit the longitudinal movement of the elongated element or rod 17 when the rotatable wheel 20 is manually activated. The purpose of the detent 37 is to prevent movement of the elongated element or rod 17 when the pedicure tool 1 is not in use.

FIG. 21 shows the various components of the pedicure tool 1 and how the components are to be assembled.

Mode of Operation

In order to remove or reduce a callus or corn, the pedicure tool of the present invention is used. For large sized calluses or corns, the cone shaped tip 4 with the larger diameter scraping tip is generally used and for smaller sized calluses or corns, the cone shaped tip 5 with the smaller diameter scraping tip is generally used. The cone shaped tip, in either case, is used to scrape the callus or corn until either is completely removed or at least reduced. For dry skin areas, either the cone shaped tip 4 or 5 is used generally depending on the size of the dry skin area. After the scraping phase, use may be made of the cleaning ends 18 or 19 of the elongated element or rod 17 to clean away any residue remaining from the scraping process. This is accomplished by manually rotating the toothed wheel 20 in a direction such as to longitudinally move the elongated element or rod 17 to the left in order to use the larger diameter cleaning end 19 (see FIG. 22) or in a direction to the right in order to use the smaller diameter cleaning end 18 (see FIG. 23).

Modification of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended that the invention be not limited by the embodiment disclosed herein but that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pedicure tool comprising an elongated ergonomic housing with a scraping tip attached at opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing and an internal elongated element, said internal elongated element having opposite cleaning ends, said internal elongated element being longitudinally movable externally from opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing by a mechanical means.

2. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has an elongated ellipsoidal shape and wherein each of said scraping tips has a cone shape and a passageway therethrough.

3. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said cone shaped scraping tips has a sharp circular edge at its smaller end.

4. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said internal elongated element is an elongated rod.

5. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said scraping tips has a sharp circular edge of a different diameter.

6. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has a pair of spaced non-slippery sleeves between the center and opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

7. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said scraping tips at said opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing has a cone shaped protector thereover when said pedicure tool is not in use.

8. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has a passageway therethrough and wherein said mechanical means includes said internal elongated element within said passageway and a rotatable toothed wheel attached to said housing and partially protruding therefrom, said internal, elongated, longitudinally movable element and said rotatable toothed wheel being in ratchet engagement with each other internally of said housing to longitudinally move a selected one of said opposite cleaning ends through said passageway of one of said scraping tips and externally through one of said opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

9. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said opposite ends of said internal elongated element is curved or rounded.

10. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein said elongated longitudinally movable element has a central cutout region with a toothed rack at the bottom thereof and said toothed rack being in mechanical engagement with said rotatable toothed wheel.

11. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein said elongated longitudinally movable element has another central cutout region opposite to said central cutout region of said toothed rack and less in height than said central cutout region of said toothed rack and wherein said another cutout region has an indenture therein opposite said toothed rack, said elongated ergonomic housing has an opening therein with a detent supported within said opening and opposite said indenture, and said detent being interengaged with said indenture during non-actuation of said rotatable wheel.

12. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 11 wherein said cone shaped scraping tips are made from a metal or metal alloy.

13. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said cone shaped scraping tips are made from steel or aluminum.

14. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing is made from plastic.

15. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing is made from aluminum, a metal other than aluminum, or a metal alloy.

16. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said internal elongated movable element and said toothed wheel are made from a plastic material.

17. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said internal elongated movable element and said toothed wheel are made from aluminum, a metal other than aluminum, or a metal alloy.

18. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cone shaped protectors are made from rubber, plastic or foam.

19. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of said opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing has an internal threaded region within said passageway and each of said cone shaped tips has an external threaded extension opposite said scraping tip in cooperation with said internal threaded region to secure said cone shaped tips to opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

20. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of said cone shaped tips is secured to a respective end of said elongated ergonomic housing by a mechanical means or by an adhesive.

21. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 20 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing is made from a single piece of material.

22. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 20 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing is made from several pieces of material secured to each other to form a unitary elongated ergonomic housing.

23. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 20 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has an approximate length of 13.5 cm., a diameter of approximately 1.64 cm. at its mid-section, a diameter of approximately 3.4 mm. for said sharp circular edge of one of said cone shaped tips and a diameter of approximately 5.35 mm. for said sharp circular edge of said other cone shaped tip.

24. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 23 wherein said internal elongated rod has a length of approximately 11.5 cm., a toothed rack of approximately 4.26 cm. in length, an outer diameter of approximately 5.0 mm. for one of said cleaning ends and an outer diameter of approximately 3.0 mm. at said opposite cleaning end.

25. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has a passageway therethrough and wherein said mechanical means includes said internal elongated element within said passageway and a rotatable toothed wheel attached to said housing and partially protruding therefrom, said internal, elongated, longitudinally movable element and said rotatable toothed wheel being in ratchet engagement with each other internally of said housing to longitudinally move a selected one of said opposite cleaning ends through said passageway of one of said scraping tips and externally through one of said opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

26. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 25 wherein said internal elongated element is an elongated rod.

27. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 26 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has a pair of spaced non-slippery sleeves between the center and opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

28. A pedicure tool comprising an elongated ergonomic housing with a cone shaped tip at opposite ends of said housing, each of said cone shaped tips having a sharp circular edge with a different diameter, said elongated ergonomic housing and said cone shaped tips having a passageway therethrough, an elongated movable element extending within said passageway, said elongated movable element having a cleaning end at opposite ends thereof, each of said cleaning ends being movable externally of a respective cone shaped tip, said elongated movable element being longitudinally movable through said passageway by a mechanical means.

29. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said elongated movable element is in the shape of a rod and said opposite cleaning ends of said rod have outer diameters slightly less than said diameter of a respective sharp circular edge of said cone shaped tips at opposite ends of said ergonomic housing.

30. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said mechanical means includes a rack and pinion which is manually activated externally.

31. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said mechanical means includes a manually rotatable toothed wheel partially exposed externally of the elongated ergonomic housing and a toothed rack formed within said elongated movable element, said toothed wheel and said toothed rack being interengaged with each other.

32. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said elongated movable element has an indenture therein, a detent being interengaged with said indenture during non-actuation of said rotatable toothed wheel.

33. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has the shape of an elongated ellipsoid.

34. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 28 wherein said elongated ergonomic housing has a pair of spaced non-slippery sleeves between the center and opposite ends of said elongated ergonomic housing.

35. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of said cleaning ends of said elongated movable rod is rounded or curved.

36. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 31 wherein said manually rotatable toothed wheel is secured to said elongated ergonomic housing by an apertured washer.

37. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 36 wherein said apertured washer is secured to said elongated ergonomic housing by screws, an adhesive or friction.

38. The pedicure tool as claimed in claim 32 wherein said detent is secured within said elongated ergonomic housing by a cover pressed within an opening in said housing.