Illuminated artificial fingernails
an illuminated artificial nail for human fingernails and toenails includes a base substrate having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, and attachable to a human fingernail. There is a lamp atop the base substrate and a power source connected to the lamp to illuminate it. There is also a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, the top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of the lamp, and a cover on top of the lamp. The top member has at least a portion thereof light transmittable, i.e., translucent or transparent.
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to artificial nails for both fingers and toes, but especially fingernails, wherein the nails have smooth flat top surfaces and are illuminatable or are illuminated. Thus, the present invention artificial nails may be self contained or may have separate power and/or switch surfaces. In some preferred embodiments, the nails have flat light and are press-to-turn-on and press-to-shut-off switch systems.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents relate to the field of modified artificial nails or sheet lamps:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,723 B1 is directed to artificial nails with three dimensional features that may be a representation of any known or imagined person, place or thing. The three dimensional feature may have a protrusion that is graspable to assist in placing the nail onto a toenail or fingernail. The artificial nail may have a tool or may have a writing instrument that is extendable/retractable, movable, and/or rotatable. The three dimensional feature may also have hair, a sound emitter and may include a power source and a light emitter to emit light from a portion of the three dimensional feature, such as a head's eyes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,192 describes an artificial nail or toenail that can provide an illusion of length with a varying color pattern, through the use of a three dimensional holographic image.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 433,536 illustrates a set of artificial toenails and fingernails that have protruding “Mickey Mouse” silhouette ears.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,382 describes electroluminescent lamps.
Notwithstanding the foregoing prior art patents, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious in view of said prior art references.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an illuminated artificial nail for human fingernails and toenails, but especially for fingernails. The device includes a base substrate having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, the base substrate being attachable to a human fingernail. There is a lamp fixed to and located atop the base substrate and a power source connected to the lamp to illuminate it. There is also a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, the top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of the lamp, and a cover on top of the lamp. The top member has at least a portion thereof light transmittable, i.e., translucent or transparent. In many embodiments, the top member may be white, translucent in the white to cream color range, or it may have color like color transparencies. Thus, shades of reds, pinks, oranges, purples, magentas, yellows, golds, silvers and the like may be used. In some cases neon-like colors are preferred.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the illuminated artificial nail further includes an on/off switch connect to the power source and to the lamp. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the power source is located between the top member and the base substrate. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the power source is located remotely from the base substrate and is connected via wiring to the lamp.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the power source is separated from the base substrate and lamp and has a housing that is attachable to a human. This housing includes attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a strap, a ring, a cut glove, and a bracelet.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the lamp is elected from the group consisting of an LED, an LCD, a DC incandescent bulb and a laminated flat lamp.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the laminated flat lamp is a flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the illuminated artificial nail includes the base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top the base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop the base substrate and circuitry connecting the power cell the on/off switch and the lamp, the lamp being the flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source wherein its top laminate layer has the smooth top surface.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the illuminated artificial nail includes the base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top the base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop the base substrate and circuitry connecting the power cell the on/off switch and the lamp, and the top member located above all of the foregoing and attached to at least one of the foregoing. In some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the top member is flexible, at least at the switch, the switch is located below it and the switch may be turned on and off by pressing the top member.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the top member is the flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source and it is flexible at least at the switch, the switch is located below it and the switch may be turned on and off by pressing the flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the nail is a disposable nail and includes illumination activation means that may be activated upon application to a nail.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device also includes adhesive on the bottom of the base substrate for ready attachment. There may be a pealable strip that enables a user to remove the strip to expose the adhesive for application to a nail. In disposable versions, the removal of the strip may release or enable a circuit completion to turn on the light. When the battery dies, or when the evening is over, or whenever the user desires, the nail may be removed and thrown away. In non-disposable versions, the nail may be worn until damaged or until the user decides to remove it. In some preferred embodiments, the battery may be replaceable. This is most convenient when the power source is remotely located, e.g. on a ring, glove or otherwise from the nail itself.
The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:
The present invention relates to flat smooth artificial nails that light up. They may have a curvature or may be flexible to yield to the natural curve of human nails, but to simulate nails, they must be free of three dimensional topography.
On the top of base substrate 101 and attached to it or encased or otherwise held in the device, is a battery, fuel cell or other power source 107. Attached at the top is an electroluminescent sheet lamp 111 that has a smooth top laminate 117 a phosphorus activateable interlayer 115 and a base laminate 113 with appropriate circuitry for completing the circuit to illuminate it. The materials for these flat light are well known and within the purview of the flat light artisan. Power source 107 is electrically connected to lamp 111 and to switch 109, as shown. While it is shown as wired to illustrate the connections, printed circuitry could alternatively or partially be used. Switch 109 is a reciprocal on/off switch, i.e., press and it turns on, press again and it turns off, repeating the cycle with each depression. Thus, pressing the flexible front end of nail lamp 11 will turn the lamp 111 on and pressing again will turn it off.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1. An illuminated artificial nail, which comprises:
- (a.) a base substrate having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, said base substrate being attachable to a human fingernail;
- (b.) a lamp fixed to and located atop said base substrate;
- (c.) a power source connected to said lamp to illuminate it;
- (d.) a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, said top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of said lamp, and a cover on top of said lamp and having at least a portion thereof being light transmittable.
2. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 1 wherein said artificial nail further includes an on/off switch connect to said power source and to said lamp.
3. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 1 wherein said power source is located between said top member and said base substrate.
4. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 1 wherein said power source is located remotely from said base substrate and is connected via wiring to said lamp.
5. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 4 wherein said power source has a housing that is attachable to a human and includes attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a strap, a ring, a cut glove, and a bracelet.
6. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 1 wherein said lamp is elected from the group consisting of an LED, an LCD, a DC incandescent bulb and a laminated flat lamp.
7. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 6 wherein said laminated flat lamp is a flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
8. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 7 wherein said nail includes said base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top said base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop said base substrate and circuitry connecting said power cell, said on/off switch and said lamp, said lamp being said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source wherein its top laminate layer has said smooth top surface.
9. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 8 wherein said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source is flexible at said switch, said switch is located below it and said switch may be turned on and off by pressing said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
10. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 1 wherein said nail is a disposable nail and includes illumination activation means that may be activated upon application to a nail.
11. An illuminated artificial nail, which comprises:
- (a.) a base substrate having a top and a bottom, and having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, said base substrate being attachable to a human fingernail;
- (b.) an adhesive layer located on said bottom of said base substrate for attachment to a nail;
- (c.) a lamp fixed to and located atop said base substrate;
- (d.) a power source connected to said lamp to illuminate it;
- (e.) a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, said top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of said lamp, and a cover on top of said lamp and having at least a portion thereof being light transmittable.
12. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 11 wherein said artificial nail further includes an on/off switch connect to said power source and to said lamp.
13. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 11 wherein said power source is located between said top member and said base substrate.
14. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 11 wherein said power source is located remotely from said base substrate and is connected via wiring to said lamp.
15. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 14 wherein said power source has a housing that is attachable to a human and includes attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a strap, a ring, a cut glove, and a bracelet.
16. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 11 wherein said lamp is elected from the group consisting of an LED, an LCD, a DC incandescent bulb and a laminated flat lamp.
17. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 16 wherein said laminated flat lamp is a flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
18. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 17 wherein said nail includes said base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top said base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop said base substrate and circuitry connecting said power cell, said on/off switch and said lamp, said lamp being said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source wherein its top laminate layer has said smooth top surface.
19. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 18 wherein said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source is flexible at said switch, said switch is located below it and said switch may be turned on and off by pressing said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source.
20. The illuminated artificial nail of claim 11 wherein said nail is a disposable nail and includes illumination activation means that may be activated upon application to a nail.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 21, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2007
Inventor: Alfred N. Simpson (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Number: 11/471,811
International Classification: A45D 29/00 (20060101);