Nail Manicure Apparatus and Methods
Various apparatus and methods are provided for nail manicures. In one embodiment, an apparatus for French manicures includes a clamping mechanism configured to clamp around a digit of a person; and a first guide edge affixed to a first end of the clamping mechanism, where the first guide edge is aligned with a tip of a nail when the clamping mechanism is clamped onto the digit. In another embodiment, an apparatus for French manicures includes a grip configured to align with a digit of a person; and a first concave guide edge affixed to a first end of the grip, where the first concave guide edge is aligned with a tip of a nail when the grip is aligned with the digit.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled “NAIL MANICURE APPARATUS AND METHODS” having Ser. No. 61/142,491, filed Jan. 5, 2009, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDMany people enjoy the pleasure of receiving a manicure of their finger and toe nails. While there are many styles of manicure, many women prefer a French manicure because of its simple and natural look. French manicures are traditionally characterized by natural pink base nails with white tips. To produce the desired effect, white polish is applied to the tips of finger and/or toe nails. However, maintaining a clean line when applying the polish to the tips to the nails is difficult without extensive training or experience.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of apparatus and methods related to manicures of finger and toe nails. Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like parts throughout the several views.
Preparation for a French manicure can include removing old polish, cleaning, and/or trimming a nail. After the preparation is complete, a basecoat of polish is applied to the nail. The basecoat may be a clear polish or a sheer polish that is colored either pale pink or light beige. Alternatively, other colors may be applied as desired. Traditionally, white polish is then applied to the tips of the nails. In one example, the white polish may be applied to the tip of the nail as a curved strip of that follows the curved edge of the nail. In another example, the white polish may be applied to the tip of the nail to produce a straight line across the nail. Alternatively, other colors may be used on the tips such as, but not limited to, a lighter shade of pink, white, beige or any other color as desired. Additional coats of polish may then be applied to seal and protect the manicure.
Polish may be applied to the tip of the nail using a guide to produce a clean line along the inner edge of the applied polish.
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In one embodiment, the guide edge 620 is permanently affixed to that grip 610. For example, the guide edge 620 may be attached to the grip 610 using an adhesive such as, but not limited to, glue or epoxy. Alternatively, the grip 610 may be crimped around the guide edge 620 to secure the guide edge 620 in position. In other embodiments, the guide edge 620 may be detachably affixed to the grip 610 to allow for replacement and/or substitution of the guide edge 620. In one embodiment, among others, the guide edge 620 may include a groove that fits over the end of the grip 610 to hold the guide edge 620 in position. In other embodiments, a groove or channel may be included on the end of the grip 610 to grip the guide edge 620. In another embodiment, a plurality of pins or tabs may extend from the end of the grip 610 to align with corresponding holes in the guide edge 620. Other combinations and variations are possible and are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. The guide edge 620 may be a flexible material such as, but not limited to, rubber, vinyl, or other suitable material to adjust to the size and curvature of the nail.
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In one embodiment, the guide edge 620 tapers 650 from a thicker side 640(a) affixed to the grip 610 to a thinner edge 640(b) against which the polish may be applied (e.g., see the cross-sectional view 240 of
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After a desired guide edge has been extended from the end of the manicure guide 1100, the manicure guide 1100 is positioned so that only the tip of the toe and/or finger nail is exposed to receive polish as illustrated in
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for French manicures comprising:
- a clamping mechanism configured to clamp around a digit of a person; and
- a first guide edge affixed to a first end of the clamping mechanism, where the first guide edge is aligned with a tip of a nail when the clamping mechanism is clamped onto the digit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first guide edge has a curved edge.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first guide edge has a straight edge.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second guide edge affixed to a second end of the clamping mechanism, where the second guide edge is aligned with the tip of the nail when the clamping mechanism is clamped onto the digit in the opposite orientation.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first guide edge has a curved edge and the second guide edge has a straight edge.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first guide edge is permanently affixed to the clamping mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first guide edge is detachably affixed to the clamping mechanism.
9. An apparatus for French manicures comprising:
- a grip configured to align with a digit of a person; and
- a first concave guide edge affixed to a first end of the grip, where the first concave guide edge is aligned with a tip of a nail when the grip is aligned with the digit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first concave guide edge is curved.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second concave guide edge affixed to a second end of the grip.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second concave guide edges have a curved edge.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second concave guide edges have different widths.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first concave guide edge has a curved edge and the second concave guide edge has a straight edge.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first guide edge is permanently affixed to the grip.
16. An apparatus for French manicures comprising:
- a grip configured to align with a digit of a person; and
- a first guide edge assembly affixed to a first end of the grip, the first guide edge assembly comprising a first guide edge and a second guide edge, the first guide edge assembly configured to rotate to extend either the first guide edge or the second guide edge from the first end of the grip, where the extended guide edge is aligned with a tip of a nail when the grip is aligned with the digit.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first guide edge is curved and the second guide edge is straight.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first guide edge assembly is detachably affixed to the grip.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:
- a second guide edge assembly affixed to a second end of the grip, the second guide edge assembly comprising a third guide edge and a fourth guide edge, the second guide edge assembly configured to rotate to extend either the third guide edge or the fourth guide edge from the second end of the grip.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second guide edge assemblies have different widths.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 8, 2010
Applicant: INOVA SELECTIONS LLC (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Roberto Espinosa (Atlanta, GA), Maria Espinosa (Charlott, NC), Marcela Espinosa (Tyrone, GA)
Application Number: 12/652,175