Nail protection apparatus

Abstract

A nail protector and method for use includes a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail, and a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail. A lateral wall is connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail. A stabilizer is coupled to the lateral wall and is spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extends in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion.

1 . A nail protector, comprising:
 a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail;   a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail;   at least one lateral wall connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail; and   a stabilizer coupled to the at least one lateral wall and being spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion.   
   
   
       2 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes two flexible lateral walls, which form a gap therebetween for a lateral insertion of the human digit. 
   
   
       3 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a non-uniform wall thickness. 
   
   
       4 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the non-uniform wall thickness includes a tapered cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is formed from an extension of the at least one lateral wall. 
   
   
       6 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is formed from a coiled portion. 
   
   
       7 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a biased hinge such that a portion of the at least one lateral wall can be opened to receive the human digit. 
   
   
       8 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a rotatable clasp such that the clasp can be opened to receive the human digit. 
   
   
       9 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is removable. 
   
   
       10 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer includes an insert which is connectable to the cover portion. 
   
   
       11 . A nail protector, comprising:
 a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail;   a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail; and   lateral walls connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for inserting a human digit without passing over the nail, the lateral walls extending from opposite sides of the cover portion and forming a gap therebetween, wherein the lateral walls are flexible and the gap permits lateral insertion of a human digit, the lateral walls including a stabilizer portion coupled to the lateral walls and being spaced about and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion, the stabilizer portion for partially extending below the digit opposite the ridge.   
   
   
       12 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cover portion is removable. 
   
   
       13 . The nail protector as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the lateral walls and the stabilizer portion are formed from an insert which is connectable to the cover portion. 
   
   
       14 . A method for protecting nails comprising:
 providing a nail protector having a cover portion dimensioned to fit over a human nail to form a gap with the human nail, a ridge formed on an underside of the cover portion and configured to contact skin adjacent to the nail without contact with the nail, at least one lateral wall connected to the cover portion to create a partial enclosure for receiving a human digit without passing over the nail, and a stabilizer coupled to the at least one lateral wall and being spaced about from and opposite from the ridge and extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from a distal end of the cover portion; and   applying the nail protector on the human digit without longitudinally passing over the nail.   
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes two flexible lateral walls, and applying includes flexing a gap between the two lateral walls for a lateral insertion of the human digit. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one lateral wall includes a coil and applying includes wrapping the coil around the human digit. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein applying includes opening a biased hinge in the at least one lateral wall to receive the human digit. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein applying includes opening a rotatable clasp in the at least one lateral wall to receive the human digit. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising removing the cover portion from the nail protector. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein applying includes employing an insert to connect to the cover portion.