Nail care system with improved nail clipper

Abstract

Nail care systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include a housing and a nail clipper associated with the housing, the nail clipper having an upper member and a lower member banded by an upper lever and a lower lever. Cutting blades associated with the members can be pinched together by actuating the levers. A container formed between the members can receive nail clippings ejected away from the nail. A nail filer associated with the housing includes a rotatable file that can be used to file nails. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention.

1 . A nail clipper, comprising: 
 a first member;    a first cutting blade associated with said first member;    a second member;    a second cutting blade associated with said second member and positioned such that said second cutting blade opposes said first cutting blade; and    an actuation mechanism, including: 
 a first lever;  
 a second lever;  
 a first cam extending from at least one of said first lever and said first member; and  
 a second cam extending from at least one of said second lever and said second member;  
   wherein said first member and said second member are positioned between said first lever and said second lever of said actuation mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . A nail care system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a clipper mechanism at least partially disposed within said housing, including: 
 a first member;  
 a first cutting blade associated with said first member;  
 a second member; and  
 a second cutting blade associated with said second member and positioned such that said second cutting blade opposes said first cutting blade; and  
   an actuation mechanism, including: 
 a first lever having a first cam; and  
 a second lever having a second cam;  
   wherein said first member and said second member are positioned between said first lever and said second lever of said actuation mechanism; and    wherein said clipper mechanism can be removed from said housing.    
   
   
       3 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein said first lever and said second lever of said actuation mechanism are pivotally connected to a side structure.  
   
   
       4 . The nail clipper of  claim 3 , wherein said first link plate and said second link plate extend substantially the length of said first member and said second member such that a container is formed between said first link plate and said second link plate.  
   
   
       5 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein said first cutting blade and said second cutting blade have an arced shape and are arranged such that a chord formed across said arced shape is at an obtuse angle relative to an axis of symmetry of said first member and said second member.  
   
   
       6 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first lever and said second lever includes a bent portion.  
   
   
       7 . The nail clipper of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said first lever further includes a first flange pivotally connected with said first link plate and a second flange pivotally connected with said second link plate; and    said second lever further includes a first flange pivotally connected with said first link plate and a second flange pivotally connected with said second link plate.    
   
   
       8 . The nail clipper of  claim 6 , wherein one of said first link plate and said second link plate includes a cut-out.  
   
   
       9 . The nail care system of  claim 7 , 
 wherein said nail filer includes a rotatable file; and    further comprising:    an activation mechanism disposed on said housing to rotate said rotatable file.    
   
   
       10 . The nail clipper of  claim 3 , wherein said first link plate and said second link plate extend substantially the length of said first member and said second member such that a container is formed between said first link plate and said second link plate.  
   
   
       11 . The nail care system of  claim 3 , wherein one of said first link plate and said second link plate includes a cut-out.  
   
   
       12 . The nail care system of  claim 11 , further comprising a release mechanism to allow said nail clipper to be removed from said housing.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The nail care system of  claim 9 , wherein said activation mechanism can rotate said rotatable file in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.  
   
   
       15 . The nail care system of  claim 14 , wherein said activation mechanism is a two-way switch.  
   
   
       16 . The nail care system of  claim 14 , wherein said activation mechanism includes a clockwise button and a counter-clockwise button.  
   
   
       17 . The nail care system of  claim 14 , wherein said nail filer further includes a motor to rotate said rotatable file, said motor being disposed within said housing.  
   
   
       18 . The nail care system of  claim 9 , wherein said nail filer further includes a motor to rotate said rotatable file, said motor being disposed within said housing.  
   
   
       19 . The nail care system of  claim 9 , wherein said nail filer further includes a removable cap.  
   
   
       20 . A nail care system, comprising: 
 a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;    a nail clipper at least partially disposed within said housing and extending from said proximal end of said housing, said nail clipper including: 
 a first member;  
 a first cutting blade connected with said first member;  
 a second member; and  
 a second cutting blade connected with said second member and positioned such that said second cutting blade opposes said first cutting blade;  
   an actuation mechanism, including: 
 a first lever;  
 a second lever;  
 a first link plate pivotally connected between said first lever and said second lever; and  
 a second link plate pivotally connected between said first lever and said second lever;  
   a first cam extending from at least one of said first lever and said first member; and    a second cam extending from at least one of said second lever and said second member;    wherein said first member and said second member are positioned between said first lever and said second lever of said actuation mechanism; and a nail filer connected with said distal end of said housing.