Nail clippers

Abstract

Nail clippers have a lower tray and side dams which extend upwardly from either side of the lower tray. A nail to be cut is positioned between the lower tray and an upper blade. The upper blade is displaced toward the lower tray, and within the side dams, until the upper blade contacts the lower tray, passing through the nail to cut the nail. A front portion of the lower tray extends outwardly and beyond the upper blade when the upper blade is closed against the tray. The nail clippers are structured to prevent injury to the skin and tissue that surrounds the fingernails and toenails to be cut. The nail clippers are particularly efficacious at cutting ingrown nails.

1 . Nail clippers, comprising: 
 a. a lower tray having a first side dam extending upwardly from a first side of said lower tray, and having a second side dam that extends upwardly from a second side of said lower tray that is opposite said first side of said lower tray; and    b. an upper jaw comprising a blade that is displaced toward said lower tray, wherein said blade travels between said first side dam and said second side dam to contact said lower tray.    
   
   
       2 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said blade is generally perpendicular to said lower tray when said upper blade contacts said lower tray.  
   
   
       3 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein a front portion of said lower tray extends beyond said blade.  
   
   
       4 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said lower tray has a slot therein that receives a cutting edge of said blade.  
   
   
       5 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said blade is pivotally mounted to upper jaw.  
   
   
       6 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said first side dam and said second side dam each have a guide formed therein, and wherein said blade traverses each said guide.  
   
   
       7 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 5 , wherein said first side dam and said second side dam each have a guide formed therein, and wherein said blade traverses each said guide.  
   
   
       8 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said cutting blade has a concave shape, and wherein said lower tray has a corresponding convex shape that engages said cutting blade.  
   
   
       9 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a pivotal mounting that provides a pivotal relationship between said upper jaw, and said lower tray, wherein said pivotal mounting comprises an axle that traverses a first slot, and a guide pin that traverses a second slot.  
   
   
       10 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 9 , wherein said axle has a first flat side that engages said slot and a second flat that engages said slot.  
   
   
       11 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 1 , wherein said first side dam extends outwardly and beyond said blade at an angle of 30° to 60° from a longitudinal centerline, and wherein said second side dam extends outwardly and beyond said blade at an angle of 30° to 60° from said longitudinal centerline.  
   
   
       12 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 9 , wherein said a front portion of said upper jaw moves rearwardly and down as said blade is displaced toward said lower tray.  
   
   
       13 . Nail clippers as described in  claim 5 , wherein said blade is positioned generally vertically at all points of travel of said blade as said blade is displaced toward said lower tray.