阅读说明：本技术 可调整刀片间隙的剪具 (Shearing tool capable of adjusting blade clearance ) 是由 陶德·保罗西梅耶 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：大体上,一种用于修剪指甲的指甲剪具。具体地,一种指甲剪具,包含刀片间隙调整组合件或刀片间隙校准组合件或其组合,所述组合件可用于调整对置刀片之间的刀片间隙以允许在对置的第一和第二刀片之间插入指甲而实现指甲的修剪,同时提供用来防止在对置刀片之间插入手指的障壁,以避免切割到相关手指。(Generally, a nail clipper for clipping nails. A nail clipper includes a blade gap adjustment assembly or a blade gap calibration assembly, or a combination thereof, which may be used to adjust the blade gap between opposing blades to allow insertion of a nail between opposing first and second blades for manicure while providing a barrier to prevent insertion of a finger between the opposing blades to avoid cutting the associated finger.)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first blade member and a second blade member each including a blade first end opposite a blade second end, the first and second blade members coupled at the first blade end and diverging outwardly proximate the blade second end, the first and second blade members respectively including a first blade and a second blade disposed in spaced opposed relation at the blade second end, the first or second blade movable by pressing the first or second blade member;

a post having a length disposed between a post first end portion and a post second end portion, the post passing through first and second blade member apertures disposed in the first and second blade members, respectively, proximate to the first and second blades; and

a blade gap adjustment assembly movable relative to the post first end portion or the post second end portion to engage the first or second resilient leaf member to adjust a blade gap between the first blade and second blade.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a leaf press lever having a lever first end rotatably coupled to the post first or second end portion or the first or second leaf member, the leaf press lever rotating to engage the first or second leaf member to move the first or second blade, respectively.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a pivot support element disposed on the post first end portion, the lever first end rotating in the pivot support element to engage the leaf pressing lever and the first leaf member, the blade gap adjustment assembly movable relative to the post second end portion to engage the second leaf member to adjust the blade gap between the first blade and the second blade.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spacer element disposed between said blade gap adjustment assembly and said second blade member, said blade gap adjustment assembly moving relative to said post first or second end portion to engage said spacer element with said first or second blade member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade clearance adjustment assembly and the post second end portion are threadedly engaged, the blade clearance adjustment assembly being rotated relative to the post second end portion to move the blade clearance adjustment assembly relative to the post second end portion to engage the second blade member to correspondingly move the second blade to adjust the blade clearance between the first blade and the second blade.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a spacer element disposed between the blade gap adjustment assembly and the second blade, the blade gap adjustment assembly being rotated relative to the post second end portion to engage the spacer element and the second blade to adjust the blade gap between the first blade and the second blade.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade gap adjustment assembly comprises a first annular member and a second annular member, the first annular member connected in a fixed spatial relationship to a spacing element disposed between the blade gap adjustment element and the second blade member, the first annular member and the spacer having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, the inner annular surface defining a passageway through which the post second end portion passes, the second annular member having an inner annular surface slidably engaging the outer annular surface of the first annular member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an insert gap index disposed on the insert gap adjustment assembly, the insert gap index alignable with an insert gap index indicator disposed on the first annular member by movement of the insert gap adjustment element to indicate a selectable incremental increase or decrease in the insert gap between the first insert and the second insert.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a blade gap adjustment member threadably engaged to said post second end portion and slidably engaged to said blade gap adjustment assembly, said blade gap adjustment member being rotated relative to said post second end portion to move said blade gap adjustment element into engagement with said second resilient leaf member to position a calibrated distance between said first and second blades with said blade gap index aligned with said blade gap index indicator, said blade gap adjustment member subsequently secured in a fixed spatial relationship to said second annular member allowing subsequent movement of said blade gap adjustment assembly to adjust said blade gap calibrated according to said blade gap index.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the blade gap set to the calibrated distance between the first and second blades allows for incremental increases or decreases of the blade gap calibrated according to each of a plurality of indices disposed between blade gap index first and second endpoints, each of the plurality of indices being alignable with the blade gap index indicator disposed on the first annular member by rotation of the second annular member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first or second blade has a blunt first or second blade tip.

Technical Field

Generally, a nail clipper for clipping nails. A nail clipper includes a blade gap adjustment assembly or a blade gap calibration assembly, or a combination thereof, which may be used to adjust the blade gap between opposing blades to allow insertion of a nail between opposing first and second blades for manicure while providing a barrier to prevent insertion of a finger between the opposing blades to avoid cutting the associated finger.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is an apparatus comprising: a first blade member and a second blade member each including a blade first end opposite a blade second end, the first and second blade members coupled at the first blade end and diverging outwardly proximate the blade second end, the first and second blade members respectively including a first blade and a second blade disposed in spaced opposed relation at the blade second end, the first or second blade movable by pressing the first or second blade member; a post having a length disposed between a post first end portion and a post second end portion, the post passing through first and second blade member apertures disposed in the first and second blade members, respectively, proximate to the first and second blades; and a blade gap adjustment assembly movable relative to the post first end portion or the post second end portion to engage the first or second resilient leaf member to adjust a blade gap between the first blade and second blade.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the present invention of an adjustable blade gap shear.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap shear of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a first side elevational view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap clipper of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a second side elevational view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap clipper of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a first end elevational view of a particular embodiment of a shear with adjustable blade clearance.

Fig. 6 is a second end elevational view of a particular embodiment of a shear with adjustable blade clearance.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of a particular embodiment of a shear with adjustable blade clearance.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap shear shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap shear shown in fig. 1-8.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of a particular embodiment of an adjustable blade gap shear that also includes a blade gap calibration component.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap shear shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the adjustable blade gap shear of fig. 10-11 further including a blade gap calibration component.

Fig. 13 illustrates a method of calibrating a blade gap, adjusting a blade gap, and trimming nails for an embodiment of the adjustable blade gap clipper.

Detailed Description

Referring generally to fig. 1-13, there is shown an embodiment of an adjustable blade gap clipper (1) and method of making, and the use of an embodiment of an adjustable blade gap clipper (1) to trim nails (2) extending from a finger (3) of an animal (4), all covered by the breadth of the adjustable blade gap clipper technology of this invention. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "nail" broadly encompasses nails, paws or claws. The term "animal" broadly encompasses any animal with nails, and without sacrificing the breadth of the foregoing, including humans, carnivores (e.g., dogs, cats, raccoons, hyena, bears), kangaroos, lemurs, lizards, and birds as illustrative examples. The term "finger" encompasses the anatomical member from which the nail extends, and without sacrificing the breadth of the foregoing, includes the finger or toe of a terrestrial vertebrate.

Again, referring generally to fig. 1-13, particular embodiments of the adjustable blade gap shears (1) may include a first leaf member (5) and a second leaf member (6), each including a first leaf end (7A) (7B) opposite a second leaf end (8A) (8B). First and second blade members (5) (6) coupled at first blade ends (7A) (7B) diverge outwardly proximate second blade ends (8A) (8B). For the purposes of the present invention, the term "coupled" means in the alternative that they interact directly, contact directly (whether by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, or as a one-piece structure), or are indirectly connected as separate structures joined, united, or linked together. The first and second blade parts (5) (6) comprise a first blade (9) or a second blade (10) at the second blade end (8A) (8B), respectively. In a particular embodiment, the first or second blade part (5) (6) or both may be elastic to allow the first or second blade (9) (10) or the first and second blade (9) (10) to move by pressing the first or second blade part (5) (6) or by pressing both the first and second blade part (5) (6) simultaneously. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "elastic" means capable of springing back or springing back to its original shape after being bent, stretched or compressed. In certain embodiments, either the blade first end (10A) or the blade second end (10B) (or both the first and second blade ends (10A) (10B) may be blunted to allow the first or second blade (9) (10) to slidingly engage the nail (2) laterally without cutting the finger (3).

Again, referring primarily to fig. 1-13, embodiments may further include a post (11) having a post length (12) disposed between a post first end (13) and a post second end (14). The post (11) may pass through first and second blade apertures (15) (16) disposed in first and second blade (5) (6) proximate to the first or second blade (9) (10), respectively. As shown in the illustrative example of fig. 9, the post (11) may, but need not, be configured as a cylinder (11A) having flat sides (11B). The first or second leaf component apertures (15) (16) may correspondingly define a truncated circle (16A) allowing slidable spatial relationship of the first or second leaf components (5) (6) along the post (11) between the corresponding post first and second ends (13) (14) while substantially inhibiting rotation of the first and second leaf components (15) about the post longitudinal axis (11C). In the illustrative example of fig. 8, the first blade aperture (15) defines an elliptical aperture (15A) and the second blade aperture (16) defines a truncated circle (16A). The first or second blade aperture (15) (16) may be of sufficient size to accommodate the arc over which the first or second blade (5) (6) travels when pressed.

Again, referring primarily to fig. 1-13, particular embodiments may, but need not necessarily, include a blade clearance adjustment assembly (19). The blade gap adjustment assembly (19) is movable (M1) along the post first end portion (17) or the post second end portion (18) to engage the first or second blade member (5) (6), respectively, directly or indirectly. Movement (M1) of the blade gap adjustment assembly (19) along the post first or second end portion (17) (18) correspondingly adjusts the distance between the first and second blades (9) (10) in a fixed spatial relationship to establish the blade gap (20) between the first and second blades (9) (10).

Referring now primarily to fig. 8 and 9, in a particular embodiment, the blade clearance adjustment assembly (19) may include a first annular member (21) and a second annular member (22). The first annular member (21) may, but need not necessarily, be connected in a fixed spatial relationship to a spacing element (23) disposed between the first annular member (21) and the second blade member (6). The first annular component (21) and the spacing element (23) define a radially inner annular wall (24) configured to slidably engage the post (11) while substantially inhibiting rotation of the first annular component (21) and the spacing element (23) about a longitudinal axis (11C) of the post (11). In the illustrative example of fig. 8 and 9, the radially inner annular wall (24) of the first annular component (21) or the inner annular wall (24) of the spacer element (23) defines a truncated circle (24A) that slidably engages the column (11) configured as a cylinder (11A) having a flat side (11B) and substantially prevents rotation of the first annular component (21) and the spacer element (23) about the column longitudinal axis (11C). The first annular part (21) extends radially outwards from the spacer element (23) to a radially outer circular annular wall (25). The second annular part (22) extends between a radially inner circular annular wall (26) and a radially outer annular wall (28) defining a closed bottom circular recess (27). The first annular member (21) is disposable in the closed bottom circular recess (27) such that the radially outer circular wall (25) of the first annular member (21) is disposed adjacent to the radially inner circular wall (26) of the second annular member (22), whereby the second annular member (22) is rotated (R1) about the first annular member (21). In a particular embodiment, as illustrated in the example of fig. 8, a centrally located aperture (29) in the closed bottom circular recess (27) of the second annular member (22) may be threadably engaged to the post second end portion (18), whereby rotation of the second annular member (22) about the first annular member (21) moves (M1) the first annular member (21) or the spacer element (23) against the second leaf member (6) to increase or decrease the blade gap (20) between the first and second blades (9) (10).

Again, referring primarily to fig. 8 and 9, in certain embodiments, the closed end circular channel (30) may, but need not, be disposed in the closed bottom circular recess (27) of the second annular member (22). Upon rotation of the second annular member (22) about the first annular member (21), the pins (31) extending outwardly from the first annular member (21) slide within the closed ended circular channels (32). The pin (31) may engage a channel first closed end (33) or a channel second closed end (34) of the closed end circular channel (32) to define a rotation (R1) of the second annular component (22) of less than 360 degrees in clockwise and counterclockwise rotations about the first annular component (21). In particular embodiments, the second annular member (22) may be threadably engaged to the post second end portion (18), whereby rotation of the second annular member (22) defined by engagement of the pin (31) with the first and second closed ends (33) (34) of the closed end channel (32) may correspondingly define a useful range of movement of the blade gap (20) established between the first and second blades (9) (10).

Referring now primarily to fig. 10-13, particular embodiments may, but need not necessarily, include a blade gap calibration assembly (35). In the illustrative example of fig. 10-13, the second annular member (22) may include a centrally located aperture (29) in the closed bottom circular recess (27) through which the post second end portion (18) passes to threadingly engage the blade clearance calibration member (36). A blade clearance alignment member (36) threadably engaged to the post second end portion (18) may be rotated (R2) independently of rotation (R1) of the second annular member (22). Rotation (R2) of the blade gap calibration member (36) moves (M2) the blade gap calibration member (35) along the post second end portion (18) to correspondingly move (M2) the first and second annular members (21) (22) engaged to the second blade member (6) to increase or decrease the blade gap (20) between the first and second blades (9) (10). By rotation (R1) of the second annular member (22) defined by engagement of the pin (31) with the channel first and second closed ends (33) (34) of the closed end circular channel (32), the blade gap (20) can be adjusted by operation of the blade gap adjustment member (36) to establish a calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) useful with respect to subsequent adjustment of the blade gap (20). In certain embodiments, as shown in the illustrative example of fig. 10, the blade gap calibration member (36) may be rotatably disposed in a second annular member base recess (38) of a second annular member base (39). The second annular component base recess (38) may be configured to receive all of the insert gap calibration component (35) that is recessed or flush relative to the second annular component base outer surface (40).

Again, referring primarily to fig. 10-13, in certain embodiments, the blade gap calibration component (36) may, but need not necessarily, contain a blade gap calibration component rotation tool (41) (also referred to as a "tool"). The tool (41) and the blade clearance alignment member (36) include releasably mateable engagement portions (42) (43) (also referred to as "tool engagement portion" and "alignment member engagement portion"). The tool engagement portion (42) may engage the alignment engagement portion (43), and the tool (41) may be rotated to correspondingly rotate (R2) the blade gap alignment member (35). In the illustrative example of fig. 10-13, the tool (41) includes a tool handle (44) terminating in a bifurcated engaging portion (45) having first and second prongs (46) (47). The first and second prongs (46) (47) may be structured to be inserted into a pair of apertures (48) (49) disposed in the blade alignment member (35), respectively. A tool handle (44) having first and second prongs (46) (47) engaged to the pair of apertures (48) (49) may be rotated to correspondingly rotate (R2) the blade clearance alignment member (35) to establish an aligned distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10).

Again, referring primarily to fig. 10-13, particular embodiments may, but need not necessarily, include a calibration blade (50). The calibration blade (50) (shown in the example of fig. 11) may be inserted (B1) between the first and second blades (9) (10) and the blade gap calibration member (35) rotated (R2) to engage the first and second blades (9) (10) with the calibration blade (50). The calibration blade (50) may be removed (B2) to establish a calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) substantially equal to the thickness of the calibration blade (50). The insert clearance alignment member (36) may then be secured to the second annular member (22) in a fixed spatial relationship (as shown in the examples of fig. 10 and 11). A pair of fasteners (51) (52) threadably engaged with the second annular member (22) may be rotatably engaged to the insert clearance adjustment member (36) to secure the insert clearance adjustment member (36) in a fixed spatial relationship to the second annular member (22) of the insert clearance adjustment assembly (19). The blade gap (20) having the calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) allows for subsequent adjustment of the blade gap (20) by a blade gap range (53) (as shown in the example of fig. 13) calibrated according to incremental rotations (R1) of the second annular member (22) of the blade gap adjustment assembly (19) defined by the engagement of the pin (31) with the first and second closed ends (33) (34) of the closed end channel (32). In certain embodiments, multiple calibrated blades (50) of different thicknesses may be included, allowing different calibrated distances (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) to correspondingly provide a blade gap (20) having corresponding different blade gap ranges (53). As an example, a first calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) may be associated with the first blade gap (55), and a second calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades may be associated with the second blade gap (56).

Referring now primarily to fig. 13, in certain embodiments, one or more insert clearance indices (54) may, but need not, be circumferentially disposed on the second annular member (22) of the insert clearance adjustment assembly (19). The insert gap (20) may have an insert gap range (53) calibrated according to the insert gap index first and second endpoints (57) (58) of the insert gap index (54). After establishing the calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10) of the blade gap (29) (as described above), the blade gap index first endpoint (57) may be aligned with a blade gap index indicator (59) disposed on the first annular member (21) of the blade gap adjustment assembly (19). The blade clearance alignment member (35) may then be secured in a fixed spatial relationship to the second annular member (22) of the blade clearance adjustment assembly (19), as described above. Subsequently, the second annular member (22) may then be rotated (R2) to align one of the plurality of indices (60) of the insert gap index (54) with the insert gap index indicator (59) to correspondingly increase or decrease the insert gap (20) in calibrated increments throughout the insert gap range (53) calibrated according to the insert gap index (54).

Again, referring generally to fig. 1-13, embodiments may, but need not necessarily, include a leaf-pressing lever (61) having a lever first end (62) rotatably coupled to a post first end portion (17). The leaf pressing lever (17) may be rotated (R3) to engage the first leaf member (5) to correspondingly move the first blade (9) towards the second blade (10). In particular embodiments, the post (11) may, but need not necessarily, include a pivot support element (63) disposed on the post first end portion (17). The blade gap adjustment assembly (19) is movable (M1) relative to the post second end portion (18) to engage the second blade member (6) to adjust the blade gap (20) between the first blade (9) relative to the second blade (10), and the leaf press lever first end (62) is rotatable in a pivot support element (63A) disposed in the post first end portion (17) to progressively engage the leaf press lever (61) with the first blade member (5) to correspondingly move the first blade (9).

As can be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The present invention relates to an adjustable orifice shear (1) and many and various embodiments of methods of making and using such adjustable orifice shear (1), including the best mode. Additional embodiments of the adjustable blade gap shear (1) may be assembled using components from the various embodiments described above and shown in the figures. Particular embodiments may include and the blade gap (20) may be adjusted by operation of only the blade gap adjustment assembly (19) or only the blade gap calibration adjustment assembly (35), each of which may perform a similar function in the absence of the other. Other specific embodiments may include both a blade clearance calibration adjustment assembly (35) and a blade clearance adjustment assembly (19), each having separate structure and function, wherein the blade clearance calibration adjustment assembly (35) operates to provide an initial calibrated distance (37) between the first and second blades (9) (10), and then the blade clearance adjustment assembly (19) operates to incrementally adjust the blade clearance (20). Similarly, although the first and second leaf members (5) (6) and leaf press lever (61) are described and illustrated as being similar between embodiments, the leaf members (5) (6) and leaf press lever (61) may have different designs or configurations to place the first and second blades (9) (10) in relative relation, may be used with embodiments of either only the blade clearance calibration adjustment assembly (52) or only the blade clearance adjustment assembly (19), or a combination of both.

Thus, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the specification or shown in the drawings or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather are illustrative of the many different embodiments the invention generally encompasses or is equivalent to any particular element thereof. Additionally, a particular description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all possible embodiments or elements; the specification and drawings implicitly disclose a number of alternatives.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or a method term. Such terms may be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As just one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as actions, means for taking the actions, or elements that cause the actions. Similarly, each element of a device may be disclosed as a physical element or an action facilitated by the physical element. As just one example, the disclosure of "shears" should be understood to encompass the disclosure of a "trimming" action-whether or not explicitly discussed-and conversely, if a "trimming" action is effectively disclosed, this disclosure should be understood to encompass the disclosure of "shears" and even "means for trimming. These alternative terms for each element or step should be understood to be explicitly included in the specification.

In addition, with respect to each term used, it should be understood that, unless the use of the term in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description of each term contained in the university of wegener dictionary, each definition being incorporated herein by reference.

All numerical values herein are assumed to be modified by the term "about," whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of this invention, a range can be expressed as from "about" one particular value to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range. Numerical ranges of one to five include, for example, the numbers 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" generally refers to a number of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited number or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent "substantially" largely, but not exclusively, indicates the same form, manner or degree, and that a particular element will have a range of configurations, which one of ordinary skill in the art would consider to have the same function or result. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "substantially," it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.

Furthermore, for the purposes of the present invention, the terms "a" and "an" refer to one or more of the entities unless otherwise limited. Thus, the terms "a/an", "one or more" and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein.

Accordingly, it should be understood that applicant requires at least: i) each of the shears disclosed and described herein, ii) the associated methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which implement each of the functions shown, disclosed or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which are shown as implementing each of the functions which are implicit to the disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component and step which are shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) the methods and apparatus substantially as described above and with reference to any accompanying examples, x) various combinations and permutations of each of the preceding elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field to which the invention relates. This section may also incorporate or contain a recitation of certain U.S. patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention for the purpose of associating information, problems, or concerns related to the state of the art with which the invention is directed. Any U.S. patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein is not to be interpreted, construed or regarded as prior art to the present invention.

The claims, if any, set forth in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference as part of the specification of the present invention, and the applicants expressly reserve the right to use all or part of this incorporation of such claims as an additional description to support any or all claims, or any elements or components thereof; and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any partial or full incorporation of such claims or any element or component thereof from the specification to the claims or vice versa in light of the requirements to define the subject matter claimed in this application or any subsequent application or continuation, division or continuation-in-part application thereof or to obtain any benefit of reduced expense or compliance with any national or treaty patent laws, rules or regulations; and this content, which is incorporated by reference, shall continue to exist throughout the pendency of this application, including any subsequent continuation, division, or partial continuation thereof or any reissue or delay made thereto.

Furthermore, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are intended to further describe the scope and breadth of a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as the broadest embodiment of the present invention or as an exhaustive list of embodiments of the present invention that may be claimed. The applicant hereby gives notice that no further claims may be formulated to such departures from the present disclosure as come within any subsequent, divided or part hereof or as part of a similar application.