Illuminated artificial fingernails

Abstract

an illuminated artificial nail for human fingernails and toenails includes a base substrate having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, and attachable to a human fingernail. There is a lamp atop the base substrate and a power source connected to the lamp to illuminate it. There is also a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, the top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of the lamp, and a cover on top of the lamp. The top member has at least a portion thereof light transmittable, i.e., translucent or transparent.

1 . An illuminated artificial nail, which comprises:
 (a.) a base substrate having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, said base substrate being attachable to a human fingernail;   (b.) a lamp fixed to and located atop said base substrate;   (c.) a power source connected to said lamp to illuminate it;   (d.) a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, said top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of said lamp, and a cover on top of said lamp and having at least a portion thereof being light transmittable.   
   
   
       2 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 1  wherein said artificial nail further includes an on/off switch connect to said power source and to said lamp. 
   
   
       3 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 1  wherein said power source is located between said top member and said base substrate. 
   
   
       4 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 1  wherein said power source is located remotely from said base substrate and is connected via wiring to said lamp. 
   
   
       5 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 4  wherein said power source has a housing that is attachable to a human and includes attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a strap, a ring, a cut glove, and a bracelet. 
   
   
       6 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 1  wherein said lamp is elected from the group consisting of an LED, an LCD, a DC incandescent bulb and a laminated flat lamp. 
   
   
       7 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 6  wherein said laminated flat lamp is a flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source. 
   
   
       8 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 7  wherein said nail includes said base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top said base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop said base substrate and circuitry connecting said power cell, said on/off switch and said lamp, said lamp being said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source wherein its top laminate layer has said smooth top surface. 
   
   
       9 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 8  wherein said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source is flexible at said switch, said switch is located below it and said switch may be turned on and off by pressing said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source. 
   
   
       10 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 1  wherein said nail is a disposable nail and includes illumination activation means that may be activated upon application to a nail. 
   
   
       11 . An illuminated artificial nail, which comprises:
 (a.) a base substrate having a top and a bottom, and having a top view footprint of a shape and size to fit onto at least a portion of a human nail, and having sufficient flexibility to form into, or having a general curvature of, a human nail, said base substrate being attachable to a human fingernail;   (b.) an adhesive layer located on said bottom of said base substrate for attachment to a nail;   (c.) a lamp fixed to and located atop said base substrate;   (d.) a power source connected to said lamp to illuminate it;   (e.) a top member having a single planar smooth top surface, said top member being selected from the group consisting of a top portion of said lamp, and a cover on top of said lamp and having at least a portion thereof being light transmittable.   
   
   
       12 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 11  wherein said artificial nail further includes an on/off switch connect to said power source and to said lamp. 
   
   
       13 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 11  wherein said power source is located between said top member and said base substrate. 
   
   
       14 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 11  wherein said power source is located remotely from said base substrate and is connected via wiring to said lamp. 
   
   
       15 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 14  wherein said power source has a housing that is attachable to a human and includes attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a strap, a ring, a cut glove, and a bracelet. 
   
   
       16 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 11  wherein said lamp is elected from the group consisting of an LED, an LCD, a DC incandescent bulb and a laminated flat lamp. 
   
   
       17 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 16  wherein said laminated flat lamp is a flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source. 
   
   
       18 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 17  wherein said nail includes said base substrate, a flat power cell attached to the top said base substrate, a reciprocating on/off switch atop said base substrate and circuitry connecting said power cell, said on/off switch and said lamp, said lamp being said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source wherein its top laminate layer has said smooth top surface. 
   
   
       19 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 18  wherein said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source is flexible at said switch, said switch is located below it and said switch may be turned on and off by pressing said flat, laminated, phosphorous-based electroluminescent sheet light source. 
   
   
       20 . The illuminated artificial nail of  claim 11  wherein said nail is a disposable nail and includes illumination activation means that may be activated upon application to a nail.