CONFIGURABLE SIZE NAIL FORM APPARATUS

Abstract

A configurable size nail form apparatus for attaching to the finger of a wearer that is to receive the application of a sculpted artificial nail. The configurable size nail form apparatus comprises an attachment apparatus, defined as an opposing pair of deformable tabs, each connected to a discrete attachment arm, with the two attachment arms connected by a crossbar to form a unitary body, and a selected nail form attachment. The configurable size nail form apparatus is operative to enable various sized nail form attachments to be connected to the attachment apparatus, with the attachment apparatus then to be secured on the finger of a wearer who is to receive a sculpted artificial nail.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a manicuring implement and, more particularly, to a reusable nail form apparatus having detachable nail forms that enable customization of form size and angle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use and design of conventional reusable nail forms (as opposed to disposable nail forms) for the preparation and attachment of artificial nails is well known. A problem which still exists, however, is that conventional reusable nail forms are typically provided in a single, fixed size that makes it difficult for a nail technician's ability to use them on fingers of varying sizes, and to use them to build varying sizes and shapes of artificial nails. Thus, there remains a need for a configurable size nail form apparatus to which varying sized nail forms could be selectively attached. It would be helpful if such a configurable size nail form apparatus included opposing deformable tabs for securely holding the apparatus on any size finger. It would be additionally desirable for such a configurable size nail form apparatus to allow the nail form to be oriented over a nail in any one of a plurality of different angular configurations.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a configurable size nail form apparatus adapted to allow any one of different sized and shaped nail forms to be placed on a wearer. The primary components in Applicant's configurable size nail form apparatus are a deformable tabs, attachment arms, and a nail form attachment. When in operation, the configurable size nail form apparatus improves the ability of a nail technician to sculpt artificial nails for customers having varying sized hands and tastes. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A configurable size nail form apparatus for attaching to the finger of a wearer that is to receive the application of a sculpted artificial nail. The configurable size nail form apparatus comprises an attachment apparatus, defined as an opposing pair of deformable tabs, each connected to a discrete attachment arm, with the two attachment arms connected by a crossbar to form a unitary body, and a selected nail form attachment. The configurable size nail form apparatus is operative to enable various sized nail form attachments to be connected to the attachment apparatus, with the attachment apparatus then to be secured on the finger of a wearer who is to receive a sculpted artificial nail.

It is an object of this invention to provide a configurable size nail form apparatus to which varying sized nail forms could be selectively attached.

It is another object of this invention to provide a configurable size nail form apparatus that includes opposing deformable tabs for securely holding the apparatus on any size finger.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a configurable size nail form apparatus that allows the nail form to be oriented over a nail in any one of a plurality of different angular configurations.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of nail form attachments of various sizes of a configurable size nail form apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a configurable size nail form apparatus 10 is shown as an attachment apparatus and a nail form attachment 11. The attachment apparatus is defined as an opposing pair of deformable tabs 12, each connected to a discrete attachment arm 13, with the two attachment arms 13 connected by a crossbar 14 to form a unitary body. The attachment arms 13 extend from the crossbar 14, first orthogonally, before beginning to narrow relative to one another as they get closer to where they attach to their specific deformable tab 12. In the area right before where the deformable tabs 12 and attachment arms 13 connect is a deformable section 15 that allows the deformable tabs 12 to moved apart while manual pressure in a parting direction 16 is supplied while also biasing the deformable tabs 12 to return to their resting position, as shown in the Figures, when such manual pressure is removed.

It is contemplated that manual pressure in a parting direction 16 would typically be supplied by the placement of a finger in between the deformable tabs 12, with the biased deformable tabs 12 acting to hold the attachment apparatus in place on the finger, resisting any inadvertent movement therefrom. In this regard, the deformable tabs 12 enable the attachment apparatus to be removably placed on the finger of a wearer and remain in place even if placed at an angle on the finger.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the configurable size nail form apparatus 10 is operative to enable various sized nail form attachments 11 to be connected to the attachment apparatus, with the attachment apparatus then to be secured on the finger of a wearer who is to receive a sculpted artificial nail. Any one of the nail form attachments 11 built in accordance with the present invention can be removably attached to the attachment apparatus on top of the attachment arms 13 and the crossbar 14 through conventional removable attachment procedures. It is contemplated that is one embodiment, the nail form attachment 11 is attached on top of the attachment arms 13 and the crossbar 14 through the application of a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive 17 to the bottom of the nail form attachment 11 and the placement of the bottom of that the nail form attachment 11 on top of the attachment arms 13 and the crossbar 14. In other embodiments, a hook and loop fastener material may be used on the attachment arms 13 and the crossbar 14 and bottom of the nail form attachment 11, the nail form attachment may include one or more attachment ridges on its bottom side edge that hooks onto the attachment arms 13 and the crossbar 14, or any combination of attachment methods may be employed.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A configurable size nail form apparatus for removably attaching to a finger of a wearer and holding a nail form in place adjacent to a nail of the wearer, comprising:

an attachment apparatus, defined as an opposing pair of deformable tabs, each connected to a proximal end of a discrete attachment arm, with a crossbar connected to a distal end of each attachment arm, wherein the attachment arms and crossbar having a continuous top surface defined as an attachment section;

said deformable tabs adapted to receive the finger of the wearer so as to hold the attachment apparatus in place on the finger, thereby resisting any inadvertent movement therefrom; and

a nail form attachment removably attachable to the attachment section.

2. The configurable size nail form apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment arms extend from the crossbar orthogonally before beginning to narrow relative to one another prior to connecting to their respective deformable tab.

3. The configurable size nail form apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment arms include a deformable section adjacent to the proximal end that allows the deformable tabs to moved apart while manual pressure in a parting direction is supplied while also biasing the deformable tabs to return to a resting position area in the absence of manual pressure in a parting direction.

4. The configurable size nail form apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive integral with the nail form attachment, thereby enabling the removable attachment of the nail form attachment to the attachment section.