NAIL FILING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Implementations described herein include adjustable nail filing assemblies capable of filing fingernails to a consistent length or shape. Such assemblies have a main body, an abrading member, and a finger bed. The main body extends along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end. The first end includes an opening for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. The abrading member is removably coupleable to the second end of the main body and includes a contoured abrasive surface. The finger bed for holding a finger is movably disposed in the main body. Movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member files the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed is translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to the abrading member. The predetermined pathway includes an arc extending in a plane transverse or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/488,467, filed Apr. 21, 2017, entitled “NAIL FILING ASSEMBLY”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to nail filing assemblies and, more particularly, relates to an assembly for filing nails to a consistent length and/or shape along with corresponding methods.

BACKGROUND

Filing fingernails to a consistent length and shape efficiently can be a difficult task. Filing one's own fingernails can be a particularly difficult task, requiring the use of both dominant and non-dominant hands. It is challenging to file each fingernail to a consistent length and shape and to do so in an efficient manner. However, many people desire the ability to do so.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include filing of fingernails to a consistent length and shape in an efficient manner or autonomously. The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by providing adjustable nail filing assemblies capable of filing fingernails to a consistent length or shape. Such assemblies can include a main body, an abrading member, and a finger bed. The main body can extend along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end. The first end can include an opening for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. The abrading member can be removably coupleable to the second end of the main body and can include a contoured abrasive surface. The finger bed for holding a finger can be movably disposed in the main body. Movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed can be translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to the abrading member. The predetermined pathway can include an arc extending in a plane transverse or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an assembly according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of an assembly according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing one example of a predetermined pathway according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing one example of a predetermined pathway according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of an assembly according to the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present subject matter provides for adjustable nail filing assemblies capable of filing fingernails to a consistent length or shape. Such assemblies can include a main body, an abrading member, and a finger bed movably disposed in the main body that is movable relative to the abrading member to file the fingernail to a predetermined length or shape. Such assemblies can facilitate filing of multiple fingernails to a consistent length or shape, and in an efficient manner or autonomously.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one exemplary assembly 100 can include a main body 102 that can extend along a housing longitudinal axis 104 from a first end 106 to an opposed second end 108. The first end 106 can include an opening 110 for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. An abrading member 112 can be removably coupleable to the second end 108 of the main body 102 and can include a contoured abrasive surface 114. A finger bed 116 for holding a finger can be movably disposed in the main body 102. Movement of the finger bed 116 relative to the abrading member 112 can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed 116 can be pivotable or translatable along a predetermined pathway 118 relative to the abrading member 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, another exemplary assembly 200 can include a main body 202 that can extend along a housing longitudinal axis 204 from a first end 206 to an opposed second end 208. The first end 206 can include an opening 210 for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. An abrading member 212 can be removably coupleable to the second end 208 of the main body 202 and can include a contoured abrasive surface 214. A finger bed 216 for holding a finger can be movably disposed in the main body 202. Movement of the finger bed 216 relative to the abrading member 212 can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed 216 can be pivotable or translatable along a predetermined pathway 218 relative to the abrading member 212. The finger bed 216 can be pivotable or translatable relative to the abrading member 212 about and axis transverse to or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 204. The main body 202 can include plastic and, additionally or alternatively, can include an optically transparent material. The main body 202 can further include a pair of opposed voids 226, 228 disposed therein where each void extends from the first end towards the second end from a lower portion of a lateral edge of the first end of the housing. Such voids can allow for greater than 45 degrees angular rotation of the finger in the finger bed 216 relative to the housing longitudinal axis 204. The main body 202 can be further configured to capture nail shavings during use.

In one example, the finger bed 216 can be adjustable within the main body 202 along the housing longitudinal axis 204 in order to adjust a length of the predetermined shape of the fingernail. In an additional or alternative example, the predetermined shape of the fingernail can include a square, an oval, a squoval, a rounded shape, a pointed shape, a flat-tipped shape, or the like.

In another example, the finger bed 216 can include a base portion 220 having resilient members 222, 224 extending from each lateral side of the base portion 220 to receive a finger. Here, the finger bed 216 can securely receive fingers of a range of sizes, from a pinky to a thumb of a variety of users. In one example, the finger bed 216 can securely hold from about a ring size 4 to about a ring size 10 finger. Securely positioning each finger facilitates maintenance of a consistent angle and enables the most uniform results. Furthermore, the resilient members 222, 224 can protect the skin of the finger during operation of the assembly 200.

In another example, the abrading member 212 can be removably securable to the second end 208 of the housing via one or more of a snap fit, an interference fit, threading, magnets, latches, hinges, bayonet mounts, and the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the predetermined pathway 118, 218 can include an arc 702 extending in a plane transverse to the housing longitudinal axis 104, 204, an arc 802 extending in a plane parallel to the housing longitudinal axis, or a combination thereof. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the abrading member 112, 212 can limit the motion of the finger bed 116, 216 in order to determine the predetermined pathway 118, 218 and file the fingernail to the predetermined shape.

In another example, the assembly 100, 200 can include a plurality of interchangeable abrading members 112, 212 where each abrading member can have a different grit level or contour. Each of the interchangeable abrading members 112, 212 can be color coded to indicate the level of grit or contour corresponding to each.

In additional or alternative examples, the contoured abrading surface 114, 214 can include a replaceable abrading medium. The replaceable abrading medium can include a gritted surface having an adhesive backing. In such an aspect, a system or a kit can include the assembly 100, 200 and sheet stock bearing a plurality of replaceable adhesive-backed abrading mediums. In another example illustrated in FIG. 9, an assembly 300 can include a replaceable abrading medium that can include an elongate member 320 having a gritted surface, wherein the elongate member 320 can be selectively movably coupled to a contoured surface 314. Such an elongate member 320 can include an emery board. Here, either the main body 302 or the abrading member 312 can have opposing openings disposed therein for receiving the elongate member 320 therethrough. In such an aspect, a system or a kit can include the assembly 300 and one or more of the elongate members 320. In any of the examples described above, replaceable abrading mediums can include gritted surfaces of varied grit levels and can be color coded to indicate the level of grit corresponding to each.

A list of numbered examples of the present subject matter follows.

Example 1 is an assembly, comprising: a main body extending along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end, the first end comprising an opening for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail; an abrading member removably couplable to the second end of the main body and comprising a contoured abrasive surface; and a finger bed for holding a finger that is movably disposed in the main body, wherein movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member files the fingernail to a predetermined length or shape.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes wherein the finger bed is translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to the abrading member.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includes wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a plane transverse to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 2-3 optionally include wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a plane parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 optionally include wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to the abrading member about an axis transverse to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5 optionally include wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to the abrading member about an axis parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6 optionally include wherein the finger bed is adjustable in the main body along the housing longitudinal axis to adjust a length of the predetermined shape of the fingernail.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 optionally include wherein the finger bed comprises a base portion having a resilient member extending from each lateral side of the base portion to receive a finger.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 optionally includes wherein the finger bed is configured to securely hold each finger of a hand of the user.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9 optionally include wherein the abrading member is snap fit to the second end of the housing.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10 optionally include wherein the abrading member limits motion of the finger bed to file the fingernail to the predetermined shape.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11 optionally include wherein the contoured abrading surface comprises a replaceable abrading medium.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12 optionally include wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises a gritted surface with an adhesive backing.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13 optionally include wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises an elongate gritted surface selectively movable relative to the contoured abrading surface.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-14 optionally include wherein the abrading member comprises a plurality of interchangeable abrading members, each of the interchangeable abrading members having a different grit level or contour.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-15 optionally include wherein the housing comprises plastic.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-16 optionally include wherein the housing comprises an optically transparent material.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-17 optionally include wherein the housing has a pair of opposed voids disposed therein, each void extending from the first end towards the second end from a lower portion of a lateral edge of the first end of the housing.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-18 optionally include wherein the housing is further configured to capture fingernail shavings during use.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-19 optionally include wherein the housing further comprises a motor to effect relative movement between the finger bed and the abrading member.

Each of the non-limiting examples and embodiments discussed herein can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a main body extending along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end, the first end comprising an opening for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail;

an abrading member removably couplable to the second end of the main body and comprising a contoured abrasive surface; and

a finger bed for holding a finger that is movably disposed in the main body, wherein movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member files the fingernail to a predetermined length or shape.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to the abrading member.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a plane transverse to the housing longitudinal axis.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a plane parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to the abrading member about an axis transverse to the housing longitudinal axis.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to the abrading member about an axis parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is adjustable in the main body along the housing longitudinal axis to adjust a length of the predetermined shape of the fingernail.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed comprises a base portion having a resilient member extending from each lateral side of the base portion to receive a finger.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the finger bed is configured to securely hold each finger of a hand of the user.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abrading member is snap fit to the second end of the housing.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abrading member limits motion of the finger bed to file the fingernail to the predetermined shape.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the contoured abrading surface comprises a replaceable abrading medium.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises a gritted surface with an adhesive backing.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises an elongate gritted surface selectively movable relative to the contoured abrading surface.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abrading member comprises a plurality of interchangeable abrading members, each of the interchangeable abrading members having a different grit level or contour.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises plastic.

17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an optically transparent material.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a pair of opposed voids disposed therein, each void extending from the first end towards the second end from a lower portion of a lateral edge of the first end of the housing.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is further configured to capture fingernail shavings during use.

20. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a motor to effect relative movement between the finger bed and the abrading member.