WO2006062277A1

WO2006062277A1 - Nail clipper for pets

Info

Publication number: WO2006062277A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun-Ki Moon
Original assignee: M.I Pet Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-09
Filing date: 2005-06-27
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Also published as: KR200376975Y1

Abstract

A nail clipper for pets is disclosed which can accurately clip a pet's nail to a desired length. The nail clipper (10) includes upper and lower plates (11,12), cutting blades (1 Ia,12a) respectively formed at the front ends of the upper and lower plates (11,12), a pivot pin (13)rotatably and vertically slidably fitted through holes respectively formed through front portions of the upper and lower plates (11,12), a pressing lever (14) engaged with a groove formed at an upper end of the pivot pin (13) to function as a lever, a pair of side wall members (16a,16b) arranged at opposite sides of the upper and lower plates (11,12), respectively, and a length adjusting pin (20) arranged between the upper and lower plates (11,12) at a position cor¬ responding to the cutting blades (1 la,12a) such that the length adjusting pin extends laterally.

Description

NAIL CLIPPER FOR PETS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a nail clipper for pets, and more particularly to a nail clipper for pets which is capable of clipping nails of a pet to a desired length.

Background Art

[2] In order to prevent pets from scratching themselves with their overgrown nails, such overgrown nails are periodically clipped using scissors or a clipper.

[3] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional nail clipper 1 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the nail clipper 1 includes a pair of plates, that is, an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3, which are coupled to each other at rear ends thereof such that front ends thereof are elastically maintained in a diverged state. Cutting blades 2a and 3a are formed at respective front ends of the upper and lower plates 2 and 3. The nail clipper 1 also includes a pivot pin 4 rotatably and slidably fitted through holes formed through respective front portions of the upper and lower plates 2 and 3, and a pressing lever 5 engaged with a groove formed at an upper end of the pivot pin 4 (upwardly protruded beyond the upper surface of the upper plate 2).

[4] Hereinafter, the process for clipping a pet's nail using the nail clipper having the above-mentioned structure will be described in brief. When the pressing lever 5 is pressed under the condition in which a pet's nail C is inserted into a gap defined between the upper and lower plates 2 and 3 of the nail clipper 1, the cutting blades 2a and 3a of the upper and lower plates 2 and 3 move toward each other, thereby clipping off a portion of the nail C corresponding to a nail length inserted into the nail clipper 1. When the pressing force is subsequently released from the pressing lever 5, the upper and lower plates 2 and 3 are diverged to their original state.

[5] However, the above-mentioned conventional pet nail clipper has various problems.

[6] Namely, the conventional nail clipper has a problem in that, since the user performs the insertion of the pet's nail C into the nail clipper by eye, the pet's nail C may be excessively inserted, thereby causing cutting of even the pet's nerves beneath the pet's nail C, and thus, bleeding of the pet. In particular, for different dog breeds, it is necessary to clip their nails to different lengths, respectively. That is, for certain dog breeds, their nails must be maintained at a long length, whereas, for other dog breeds, their nails must be maintained at a short length. Conventionally, however, the user determines the insertion length of the pet's nail into the nail clipper by eye, so that it is difficult to clip the pet's nail to an appropriate length meeting the kind of the pet. For this reason, there is a problem in that the pet may be injured. [7] Furthermore, even when the user performs a clipping operation only for one pet, there is a problem in that it is difficult to uniformly clip all nails of the pet because the insertion length of each nail may be different from those of other nails. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a nail clipper for pets which is capable of accurately adjusting the length of a pet's nail to be clipped.

[9] Another object of the invention is to provide a nail clipper for pets which is capable of clipping nails of a pet such that the nails have a uniform length after the clipping.

Technical Solution

[10] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a nail clipper for pets comprising upper and lower plates respectively provided with cutting blades, a pressing member adapted to press the upper and lower plates such that a pet's nail is cut by the cutting blades, and a length adjusting member arranged between the upper and lower plates at a position corresponding to the cutting blades, and adapted to limit a nail insertion length to a predetermined length.

[11] The length adjusting member may have a structure in which the distance between the length adjusting member and the cutting blades is varied in accordance with rotation of the length adjusting member, or may have a structure in which the distance between the length adjusting member and the cutting blades is varied in accordance with forward or rearward sliding movement of the length adjusting member.

Advantageous Effects

[12] In accordance with the pet nail clipper of the present invention, it is possible to limit the insertion length of a pet's nail to a desired length by adjusting the position of the length adjusting pin. It is also possible to clip the pet's nail by an appropriate cutting length determined in accordance with the kind of the pet. Thus, the nail clipping process can be very simply carried out without injuring the pet's nail.

[13] Also, even when the pet has nails of different lengths, it is possible to uniformly clip all of the pet s nails by appropriately changing the position of the length adjusting pin. Thus, the nail clipper has an enhancement in reliability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[15] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a conventional pet nail clipper; [16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a pet nail clipper according to the present invention;

[17] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the pet nail clipper according to the present invention;

[18] FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a length adjusting pin applied to the pet nail clipper according to the present invention, and a front sectional view illustrating a coupled state of the length adjusting pin;

[19] FIG. 6 is a front sectional view illustrating the pet nail clipper according to the present invention;

[20] FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating operation of the length adjusting pin applied to the pet nail clipper according to the present invention, respectively;

[21] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating another embodiment of the length adjusting pin applied to the pet nail clipper according to the present invention; and

[22] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic views illustrating another embodiment of the length adjusting pin applied to the pet nail clipper according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[23] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description given with reference to the annexed drawings. Also, the terms used in the following description and claims must be construed as having meanings and concepts meeting the technical idea of the present invention, taking into consideration the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms to explain his invention in the best manner.

[24] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a nail clipper 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the nail clipper 10 includes an upper plate 11 and a lower plate 12, which are coupled to each other at rear ends thereof such that front ends thereof are elastically maintained in a diverged state. Cutting blades 11a and 12a are formed at respective front ends of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12 such that the cutting blades 11a and 12a are bent from the front ends to face each other. The nail clipper 10 also includes a pivot pin 13 rotatably and vertically slidably fitted through holes formed through respective front portions of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12. The nail clipper 10 further includes a pressing lever 14 engaged with a groove formed at an upper end of the pivot pin 13 (upwardly protruded beyond the upper surface of the upper plate 11) to function as a lever.

[25] The upper plate 11 may have a substantially rectilinear plate structure.

[26] The lower plate 12 has a substantially semi-circular and upwardly-opened portion at the front portion thereof, in order to form a nail clipping storage chamber 15 (FIG. 2).

[27] As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting blades 1 Ia and 12a of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12 have vertically-symmetrical arc-shaped structures, respectively, in order to smoothly clip a pet's nail without causing the pet's nail to be squeezed out. If the cutting blades 11a and 12a have rectilinear structures other than the vertically- symmetrical arc-shaped structure, the pet's nail is squeezed out by the cutting blades 11a and 12a during the clipping operation because the pet's nail has a substantially convex structure.

[28] The nail clipper 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that it is possible to clip each nail of a pet to an adjusted length, and to uniformly clip all nails of the pet. For these features, a length adjusting pin 20 (FIG. 3) is used in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the length adjusting pin 20 is arranged in a clipper space defined between the upper and lower plates 11 and 12 at a position corresponding to a blade gap defined between the cutting blades 11a and 12a. The length adjusting pin 20 comes into contact with the tip of a pet's nail inserted into the clipper space through the blade gap, thereby limiting the insertion length of the pet's nail. Thus, the length adjusting pip 20 can adjust the insertion length of the pet's nail. Hereinafter, various embodiments of the length adjusting pin 20 will be described. Mode for the Invention

[29] Embodiment 1

[30] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a first embodiment of the length adjusting pin 20 is illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the length adjusting pin 20 includes a pin body 21 received in the storage chamber 15 (FIG. 3), and adapted to limit insertion of a pet's nail. The pin body 21 has a triangular prism structure. The length adjusting pin 20 also includes a knob 22 formed at one end of the pin body 21.

[31] For mounting of the length adjusting pin 20, side wall members 16a and 16b are arranged at opposite sides of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the side wall members 16a and 16b has a lower portion bent to extend laterally along the bottom of the nail clipper 10. The lower portions of the side wall members 16a and 16b are coupled to each other, so that the side wall members 16a and 16b have an integrated structure. The integrated side wall members 16a and 16b may be mounted to the lower plate 12 by means of a fastening member. The side wall members 16a and 16b not only functions to mount the length adjusting pin 20, but also defines the nail clipping storage chamber 15, together with the upper and lower plates 11 and 12. In association with the latter function, one of the side wall members 16a and 16b is provided with an opening, through which nail clippings stored in the nail clipping storage chamber 15 are outwardly dischargeable. A lid 17 is mounted to the side wall member 16a or 16b provided with the opening, in order to close the opening. [32] The opening and the lid 17 may be arranged at the first side wall member 16a, as in the illustrated case. The lid 17 has a lower end hingably coupled to the first side wall member 16a at a lower edge of the opening, and an upper end formed with a hook 17a which is elastically engagable with the first side wall member 16a at an upper edge of the opening.

[33] The knob 22 is rotatably coupled to the second side wall member 16b. In accordance with rotation thereof, the knob 22 adjusts the position of the pin body 21 relative to the cutting blades 11a and 12a.

[34] The pin body 21 has a triangular cross section (for example, an isosceles triangular cross section). The pin body 21 is also eccentrically connected to the knob 22 such that the pin body 21 is eccentrically rotated when the knob 22 rotates. Accordingly, the distance from a first facet 21a of the pin body 21 to the cutting blades 11a and 12a at a first position when the first facet 21a faces the cutting blades 11a and 12a is different from the distance from a second facet 21b of the pin body 21 to the cutting blades 11a and 12a at a second position when the second facet 21b faces the cutting blades 11a and 12a. The distances of the first and second facets 21a and 21b may be determined such that nail cutting lengths determined at the first and second positions corresponding to the first and second facets 21a and 21b are, for example, 2mm and 4mm, respectively. The nail cutting lengths are not limited to the above-described values, and other values may be selected.

[35] As shown in FIG. 5, the knob 22 includes a plurality of hooks 22a formed at an inner surface of the knob 22 along the peripheral portion of the knob 22 such that the hooks 22a are elastically engagable with the second side wall member 16b around a hole formed at the second side wall member 16b to receive the pin body 21. An indicator 22b is formed at an outer surface of the knob 22 to indicate the position of the pin body 21. The indicator 22b may be an arrow mark. Indices are also provided at the second side wall member 16b around the knob 22, in order to inform the user of the position of the length adjusting pin 20 when a corresponding one of the indices is indicated by the indicator 22b. It is preferred that the indices be numerals each representing a nail insertion length (nail cutting length).

[36] Now, operation of the pet nail clipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[37] First, it is necessary to determine the nail cutting length of a pet to be clipped, taking into consideration the kind of the pet, because different nail cutting lengths must be given for different pet bleeds. Based on the determined nail cutting length, the length adjusting pin 20 is adjusted in position. For example, for a pet requiring a long nail cutting length such that the pet's nail is maintained to be in a short-length state, the knob 22 is manipulated such that the distance from the pin body 21 to the cutting blades 1 Ia and 12a becomes long. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the knob 22 is manipulated to cause the second facet 21b of the length adjusting pin 20 to face the cutting blades 1 Ia and 12a. In this case, the pet's nail is cut by a distance a(for example, 4mm) between the pin body 21 and the cutting blades 11a and 12a. When the pet's nail is inserted into the clipper space through the blade gap between the cutting blades 11a and 12a, for clipping of the pet's nail, the insertion is stopped as the tip of the pet's nail comes into contact with the second facet 21b of the pin body 21. When the pressing lever 14 is pressed in this state, the cutting blades 11a and 12a of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12 move toward each other, thereby clipping off the portion of the pet's nail inserted into the nail clipper 10.

[38] On the other hand, for a pet requiring a short nail cutting length such that the pet's nail is maintained to be in a long-length state, the knob 22 is manipulated such that the distance from the pin body 21 to the cutting blades 1 Ia and 12a becomes short. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the knob 22 is manipulated to cause the first facet 21a of the length adjusting pin 20 to face the cutting blades 11a and 12a. In this case, the pet's nail is cut by a distance b(for example, 2mm) between the pin body 21 and the cutting blades 11a and 12a. When the pet's nail is inserted into the clipper space through the blade gap between the cutting blades 11a and 12a, for clipping of the pet's nail, the insertion is stopped as the tip of the pet's nail comes into contact with the first facet 21a of the pin body 21. When the pressing lever 14 is pressed in this state, the cutting blades 1 Ia and 12a of the upper and lower plates 11 and 12 move toward each other, thereby clipping off the portion of the pet's nail inserted into the nail clipper 10.

[39] As apparent from the above description, although a pet has nails of different lengths, it is possible to uniformly clip all of the pet's nails by appropriately changing the distance between the length adjusting pin 20 and the cutting blades 11a and 12a for respective pet's nails.

[40]

[41] Embodiment 2

[42] Referring to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of the length adjusting pin 20 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 9, the length adjusting pin 20 according to the second embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, except that the pin body 21 of the length adjusting pin 20 has a rectangular cross section having a width and a thickness which are different from each other, and is concentrically connected to the knob 22. In accordance with the second embodiment, it is possible to vary the nail insertion length by rotating the knob 22 such that a longer-side or shorter-side of the length adjusting pin 20 faces the cutting blades 11a and 12a.

[43]

[44] Embodiment 3 [45] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a third embodiment of the length adjusting pin 20 is illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the length adjusting pin 20 according to the third embodiment is coupled in guide slots 23 respectively formed at the side wall members 16a and 16b such that the length adjusting pin 20 is forwardly and rearwardly slidable along the guide slots 23.

[46] In accordance with the third embodiment, the distance between the length adjusting pin 20 and the cutting blades 11a and 12a is varied in accordance with the forward or rearward sliding movement of the length adjusting pin 20. Accordingly, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained. The detailed operations of the third embodiment will be omitted because they are identical to those of the first embodiment.

[47] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Industrial Applicability

[48] As apparent from the above description, in accordance with the pet nail clipper of the present invention, it is possible to limit the insertion length of a pet's nail to a desired length by adjusting the position of the length adjusting pin. It is also possible to clip the pet's nail by an appropriate cutting length determined in accordance with the kind of the pet. Thus, the nail clipping process can be very simply carried out without injuring the pet's nail.

[49] Also, even when the pet has nails of different lengths, it is possible to uniformly clip all of the pet's nails by appropriately changing the position of the length adjusting pin. Thus, the nail clipper has an enhancement in reliability.

Claims

[1] A nail clipper for pets comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which are coupled to each other at rear ends of the upper and lower plates such that front ends of the upper and lower plates are elastically maintained in a diverged state, cutting blades respectively formed at the front ends of the upper and lower plates, a pivot pin rotatably and vertically slidably fitted through holes respectively formed through front portions of the upper and lower plates, and a pressing lever engaged with a groove formed at an upper end of the pivot pin to function as a lever, further comprising: a pair of side wall members arranged at opposite sides of the upper and lower plates, respectively; and a length adjusting pin arranged in a clipper space defined between the upper and lower plates at a position corresponding to a blade gap defined between the cutting blades such that the length adjusting pin extends laterally, the length adjusting pin comprising a pin body having one end supported by a first one of the side wall members, and a knob provided at the other end of the pin body, and adapted to vary a distance between the pin body and the cutting blades, thereby varying a nail insertion length of the nail clipper.

[2] The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: the pin body of the length adjusting pin has a triangular cross section, and is eccentrically connected to the knob; and the knob is rotatably coupled to a second one of the side wall members, whereby the distance between the pin body and the cutting blades is varied in accordance with a rotation of the knob.

[3] The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein: the pin body of the length adjusting pin has a substantially rectangular cross section having longer and shorter sides, and is concentrically connected to the knob; and the knob is rotatably coupled to a second one of the side wall members, whereby the distance between the pin body and the cutting blades is varied in accordance with a rotation of the knob.

[4] The nail clipper according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: a nail clipping storage chamber defined by the upper and lower plates and the side wall members; and a lid mounted to the first side wall member, and adapted to open or close the nail clipping storage chamber.

[5] The nail clipper according to claim 1, wherein each of the cutting blades has an arc shape.

[6] A nail clipper for pets comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which are coupled to each other at rear ends of the upper and lower plates such that front ends of the upper and lower plates are elastically maintained in a diverged state, cutting blades respectively formed at the front ends of the upper and lower plates, a pivot pin rotatably and vertically slidably fitted through holes respectively formed through front portions of the upper and lower plates, and a pressing lever engaged with a groove formed at an upper end of the pivot pin to function as a lever, further comprising: a pair of side wall members arranged at opposite sides of the upper and lower plates, respectively; a pair of guide slots formed at the side wall members, respectively; and a length adjusting pin arranged in a clipper space defined between the upper and lower plates at a position corresponding to a blade gap defined between the cutting blades such that the length adjusting pin extends laterally, the length adjusting pin comprising a pin body extending laterally through the guide slots such that the pin body is forwardly and rearwardly slidable along the guide slots, and a knob provided at one end of the pin body, and adapted to vary a distance between the pin body and the cutting blades, thereby varying a nail insertion length of the nail clipper.