US2323854A - Fingernail guard - Google Patents

Description

July6, 1943. s, SHERM N 4 v 2,323,854-

FINGER NAIL GUARD Filed J'an. 26, 1942 Patented July 6, 1943 UNETED STATES FATENT OFFICE FINGERNAIL GUARD Sidney Silverman, Providence, R. 1.,

Application January 26, 1942, Serial No. 428,275

3 Claims.

My present invention relates to a fingernail attachment and more particularly to a guard for protecting the fingernail from bumping or touching other objects.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an integral fingernail guard that can readily be attached to a finger to guard and protect the nail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail guard for protecting nail polish on a fingernail while drying.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail guard suitable for hospitals and clinics for protecting the finger end during medical treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fingernail guard which is simple in construction and is easy and economical to manufacture and to assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative guard embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another form of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of still another form of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the clamping portion of the same;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the guard portion of the same;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another modification of my invention; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of still another form of my invention.

The present invention provides a fingernail guard that can readily be snapped over the end of each finger to protect the fingernail from contact with other objects. The invention has particular application in preventing the smearing of fingernail polish while drying, so that the wearer can smoke or read, but may readily be applied to other uses, such as the protection of the fingernail during medical treatment.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing illustrate one embodiment of my invention, wherein the fingernail guard I0 is preferably made in a unitary construction out of a stiff, resilient, transparent material such as Lucite, but may be made of metal, cardboard, or similar material and may be colorecl. The guard [0 comprises a clamping portion I I and a guard portion [2. The clamping portion H is preferably formed with an inverted U-shaped ridge l3 on the top portion thereof, and integrally depending annular clamping portions Hi and I5 shaped to resiliently clamp around the second joint of the finger. The clamping portions l4 and l 5 may be solid, or may comprise two or more separated finger members, as illustrated.

The guard portion !2, preferably formed integrally with the portion H, is generally spade shaped, the inner Wide end having an integral connecting portion it connected with the edge of the ridge it. The ridge I3 is thus extended across the portion l6 and gradually lessens and merges into the surface of the guard portion l2. With the above construction, the body or clamping portion ll extends tightly around the finger with the ridge l3 extending vertically from the top thereof. This positions the guard portion 12 in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the portion ll but spaced therefrom, so that the guard extends parallel to and over and above the fingernail and spaced therefrom.

The ridge l3 thus serves to space the guard I2 from the fingernail. However, with the above construction, the ridge is also serves as a backbone or stiffener to retain the guard l2 in rigid position over the nail; it provides the clamping portions l4 and IS with sufficient resiliency to tightly retain the guard ID on the finger; and it serves as a handle for placing the guard on the the finger or removing it.

The spacing of the guard portion l2 from the nail protects the nail polish from smearing and leaves suflicient room for air circulation for drying. Furthermore, where the guard is used as a protector, the spacing leaves room for necessary bandaging.

While a transparent material is neater and permits ready inspection without removing the guard, it can also be stamped from sheet metal, carboard or similar opaque material and colored to suit the user.

If desired, the guard may be made as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the clamping members I! and I8 have their ends l9 turned outwardly and upwardly. This permits the guard to more readily slide and snap over the finger when being put into position.

The construction shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is designed to permit ready removal and replacement of the guard without removing the clamping portion from the finger. The guard comprises a clamping portion 20 and a separate guard portion 2i. The clamping portion 20 is formed with an inverted U-shaped ridge 22 and clamping portions 23, the ridge 22 being Wider at the bend 24 than at its lower ends 25. The guard portion 2| is provided with an integral inverted U-shaped clamping portion 26 which is also wider at its upper end, the portion 26 being ada ted to snap over and frictionally and resiliently engage the ridge 22 on the clamping portion 20. This permits positioning of the clamping portion 20 in the finger independently of the guard, and permits removal or replacement of the guard over the fingernail (as for changing bandages) without removing the clamping portion.

Where the guard is made of a heavy rigid material, such as metal, the ridge may be eliminated as in the construction shown in Fig. 7. In this form the guard comprises a clamping portion 21 and a guard portion 28 formed integrally there with. The clamping portion is substantially annular in shape, without a ridge, and the guard portion is integrally joined thereto by a connecting portion 29 which is bent upwardly from the front edge of the clamping portion so as to raise the guard portion above the level of the fingernail.

If desired, the guard may be formed of a single integral length of wire formed as shown in Fig. 8. In this form no ridge is necessary, the clamping portion 30 and guard portion 3| being integrally joined by a connecting portion 32 which is bent upwardly to raise the guard portion above the level of the nail.

The present invention thus provides a fingernail guard which is light in weight, but with sumcient rigidity to protect the nail. The guard is easy and economical to manufacture and assemble and simple and easy to use.

While I have described certain specific embodiments of my invention, it is obvious that changes may be made in the size and shape and relative arrangement of the parts, and in the materials used, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A finger nail guard comprising a finger clamping portion adapted to be releasably mounted on a finger in the rear of the finger nail, said clamping portion comprising an inverted U- shaped ridge having integrally depending clamping fingers, and a nail guard portion adapted to extend forwardly from said ridge and in spaced relation over the finger nail, said nail guard portion having an integral ridge adapted to snap over and interlock with the ridge on said clamping portion.

2. A finger nail guard, a finger gripping portion having finger gripping sides and an upper longitudinal raised portion, and a nail protecting portion of curved forwardly tapering construction extending from said raised portion in alignment therewith, whereby said nail protecting portion extends over the finger nail in spaced relation thereto when the finger gripping sides are mounted on the finger.

3. A finger nail guard, a finger gripping portion comprising two arcuate finger gripping portions having their upper ends shaped to provide a raised ridge, and a nail protecting portion of curved forwardly tapering construction extending from said raised ridge in alignment therewith, whereby said nail protecting portion extends over the finger nail in spaced relation thereto when the finger gripping sides are mounted on the finger.

SIDNEY SILVERMAN.

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