Pedicure file

Abstract

The pedicure file includes a housing having a hollow interior, the housing being configured in an ovate-like shape. Two identically configured cap members are attached together to form the housing. Outer surfaces of the housing are designed to support removable and disposable abrasive pads thereon. The pads are employed to scrape away calluses from the skin. Ridge and gap structures disposed along the periphery of the outer surfaces to allow for easy placement and removal of the pads. A channel is formed around the housing to form an ergonomic gripping surface. A plurality of replacement pads are stored in the interior of the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/189,210, filed Aug. 18, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to personal hygiene devices, and more specifically to a pedicure file that provides a device for removing calluses that are formed on parts of the human body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Keratosis is generally defined as a condition of the skin characterized by an overgrowth of calluses on the skin. This condition most commonly occurs on the heels and soles of the feet. The formed calluses often result in painful skin cracks that could become even more serious if not attended to. Conventionally, removal of the calluses is accomplished by scraping the calluses with a device having an abrasive surface. More often than not, the device is equipped with a handle or the like whereby the device is grasped by the user for back-and-forth scraping manipulation. The handle grasping coupled with the repetitive motion is often stressful to the wrist and arm of the user, especially an elderly user. The art would certainly welcome a device for callus removal, which device is lightweight and configured to ease the stress on the wrist and arm.

Thus, a pedicure file solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pedicure file comprises a housing having a hollow interior, the housing being configured in an ovate-like shape. Two identically configured members are attached together to form the housing. Outer surfaces of the housing are designed to support removable and disposable abrasive pads thereon. The pads are employed to scrape away calluses from the skin. Ridge and gap structures disposed along the periphery of the outer surfaces allow for easy placement and removal of the pads. A channel is formed around the housing to form an ergonomic gripping surface. A plurality of replacement pads are stored in the interior of the housing.

Accordingly, the invention presents a pedicure file that is efficient and effective in the removal of calluses from the skin. Although, the pedicure file is especially suitable for application to a foot, it should be noted that the file may be applied to other parts of the human torso, where suitable. The pedicure file can be grasped in a manner to reduce strain and stress on a user's wrist and arm. The file can be used for personal use, or by professional pedicurists for commercial use. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a pedicure file according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pedicure file according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a pedicure file according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pedicure file 10 is used to remove calluses from the skin of a user P. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, pedicure file 10 comprises identically configured cap members 12 and 14 that are removably attached together to form a housing having a hollow interior. A ridge 16 is positioned around the periphery of the exterior surface of cap member 12. Diametrically spaced gaps 16a are disposed through ridge 16 for reasons that will be explained below. An identical ridge 16 with gaps is formed on the exterior surface of cap member 14, the external appearance of cap member 14 being symmetrical to the external appearance of cap member 12 shown in FIG. 2. Each ridge 16 defines a shallow recess in the outer surface of its respective cap member 12, 14. Each cap member 12, 14 is provided with diagonally slanted ribs 18 and undercuts 20. Ribs 18 and undercuts 20 are offset on each cap 12, 14 so that the ribs 18 present a continuous surface when the caps 12, 14 are attached to each other. Tabs 22 and receivers 24 for the tabs are strategically arranged so that the caps 12, 14 can be securely attached together when desired. Receivers 24 are slightly canted to enhance engagement with tabs 22. Each cap member 12, 14 is sloped inwardly to form a continuous channel 26 around the mid-portion of the housing. Channel 26 functions as an ergonomic gripping surface for the pedicure file 10.

In use, abrasive pads 30 are inserted in the recesses defined by ridges 16 on the outer surfaces of the cap members 12, 14. As presently contemplated, one pad 30 will have a fine roughness and the other pad 30 a coarse roughness. Abrasive pads 30 may have a conventional adhesive disposed on their underside to achieve adherence to the surface of the cap 12, 14. Ridge 16 functions as a guide for placement of the pad 30 on the surface of the cap 12, 14. Gaps 16a will facilitate removal of the pad 30 when a replacement is needed. Replacement pads 30 are stored in the housing.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A pedicure file for removing calluses, comprising:

a housing defining a hollow interior and at least one outer surface area having a periphery;

a ridge disposed around the periphery of the outer surface area, the ridge defining a recess in the outer surface area; and

a removable abrasive pad positioned in the recess on the outer surface area defined by the ridge.

2. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a mid-portion, a channel being defined around the mid-portion.

3. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 1, wherein said ridge has diametrically spaced gaps formed therein.

4. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 1, wherein said at least one outer surface area comprises two outer surface areas, each of the outer surface areas having a periphery and the corresponding ridge disposed around the periphery of each outer surface area and the corresponding removable abrasive pad positioned in the recess defined by the corresponding ridge.

5. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 4, wherein said housing has a mid-portion and a channel defined around the mid-portion.

6. A pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 4, wherein each said ridge has diametrically spaced gaps formed therein.

7. A pedicure file for removing calluses, comprising:

a first cap member having an outer surface area;

a first ridge disposed on the outer surface of the first cap member, the first ridge defining a periphery on the outer surface area of the first cap member and a recess bounded by the first ridge;

a second cap member having an outer surface area;

a second ridge disposed on the outer surface of the second cap member, the second ridge defining a periphery on the outer surface area of the second cap member and a recess bounded by the second ridge;

a first removable abrasive pad disposed in the recess on the outer surface of the first cap member;

a second removable abrasive pad disposed in the recess on the outer surface of the second cap member; and

means for attaching the first cap member to the second cap member to form a housing having a hollow interior.

8. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 7, wherein said housing has a mid-portion and a channel formed around the mid-portion for gripping said housing.

9. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 7, wherein the means for attaching said first cap member to said second cap member includes offset rib members mounted to said first cap member and said second cap member.

10. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 7, wherein the means for attaching said first cap member to said second cap member includes a tab and receiver structure mounted to said first cap member and said second cap member.

11. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 7, wherein said first ridge and said second ridge each have diametrically spaced gaps formed therein.

12. The pedicure file for removing calluses according to claim 7 wherein the means for attaching said first cap member to said second cap member includes offset rib members and a tab and receiver structure mounted to said first cap member and said second cap member, said first ridge and said second ridge each having diametrically spaced gaps formed therein.