Rotary nail filing apparatus for animals

Abstract

A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

1 . A rotary nail filing apparatus for an animal having a nail, the rotary nail filing apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a rotary bit secured within the housing, the rotary bit spinning freely within the housing and adapted to apply rotational force to the nail at a contact point thereon;   a nail guide opening formed through the housing proximate to the contact point, the nail guide opening having a boundary portion generally converging at a holding point thereon, the nail guide opening being dimensioned to accept the nail; and   an offset member interposed between the housing and the rotary bit, the offset member setting a distance between the contact point and the holding point,   wherein, upon establishing a nail filing relationship between the nail and the contact point, the rotational force applied to the nail pulls the nail into contact with the holding point.   
   
   
       2 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein, upon establishing the nail filing relationship between the nail and the contact point, the rotational force applied to the nail pulls the nail into contact with the holding point such that the nail pivots about the contact point in response to lateral force. 
   
   
       3 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rotary bit rotates in a constant direction to force the nail into the holding point. 
   
   
       4 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holding point further comprises an apex. 
   
   
       5 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nail guide opening accepts the nail substantially perpendicularly to a rotational axis of the rotary bit. 
   
   
       6 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing collects debris from filed nail particles following the establishment of the nail filing relationship between the nail and the contact point. 
   
   
       7 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary tool mechanically coupled to the rotary bit and supplying power thereto, the housing being releasably secured to the rotary tool. 
   
   
       8 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the housing is released from the rotary tool to empty collected debris from filed nail particles. 
   
   
       9 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is axially adjustable about the rotary bit to change the contact point on the rotary bit and alignment of nail guide opening therewith. 
   
   
       10 . The rotary nail filing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the boundary portion further comprises a beveled edge. 
   
   
       11 . A method for use of a rotary nail filing apparatus for an animal having a claw and a nail thereat, the method comprising:
 providing a rotary nail apparatus, the rotary nail apparatus including a housing, a rotary bit secured within the housing, a nail guide opening formed through the housing proximate to a contact point of the rotary bit, and an offset member interposed between the housing and the rotary bit, the offset member setting a distance between the contact point and the holding point;   spinning the rotary bit freely within the housing;   handling the claw such that the nail is positioned through the nail guide opening, the nail guide opening having a boundary portion generally converging at a holding point thereon;   establishing a nail filing relationship between the nail and the contact point;   applying rotary force to the nail with the rotary bit; and   pulling the nail into contact with the holding point.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising applying lateral force to the claw to shape the nail as the nail filing relationship is maintained. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein applying the rotary force to the nail further comprises pulling the nail into contact with the holding point such that the nail pivots about the contact point in response to lateral force. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising rotating the rotary bit in a constant direction to force the nail into the holding point. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein pulling the nail into contact with the holding point further comprises pulling the nail into contact with an apex. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising accepting nail through the nail guide opening substantially perpendicularly to a rotational axis of the rotary bit.