Filament cleaning tool for fingernails

• US 6,397,853 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James S. Lovick
• Original Assignee: James S. Lovick
• Inventors: Lovick, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doan, Robyn Kieu
• Application Number:
  US09/150,826
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 132/76.4, 132/75.6, 132/73.5, 132/73, 132/321, 132/323, 132/324, 132/325, 132/329, 132/328, 132/327, 132/326
• US Class Current: 132/76.4
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/17 Nail cleaners, e.g. scrapers

Abstract

Disclosed is a filament cleaning tool for fingernails wherein a length of flexible cleaning filament connected at each end to a small rigid securing ring. Inserted beneath the fingernail, the cleaning filament contains a series of bristles, flays or scale-like protrusions, positioned along its length, that remove dirt, grease and grime from beneath the fingernail as it is drawn back and forth therein.

Claims

1. A fingernail cleaning filament tool used to remove impacted dirt, grease and grime from beneath the fingernails, said filament tool comprising:

a cleaning filament having a first end opposite a second end, said cleaning filament being a flexible strand having a series of dirt removal means disposed along its length, wherein said dirt removal means further comprises a series of bristles disposed along the length of said cleaning filament, said flays comprising wire protrusions extending outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filaments;

first and second securing rings of a generally rigid construction and having a filament securing means incorporated therein, said first end secured to said first securing ring via a filament securing means and said second end secured to said second securing ring via a filament securing means;

wherein said cleaning filament is supported by said securing rings and inserted longitudinally beneath a fingernail and drawn back and forth linearly along the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filament, said dirt removal means dislodging and removing dirt deposits therefrom.

2. The filament tool of claim 1, wherein said dirt removal means further comprises a series of flays disposed along the length of said cleaning filament, said flays comprising generally pointed protrusions extending outward at an acute angle.

3. A fingernail cleaning filament tool used to remove impacted dirt, grease and grime from beneath the fingernails, said filament tool comprising:

a cleaning filament having a first end opposite a second end, said cleaning filament being a generally rigid rod having a series of dirt removal means disposed along its length, wherein said dirt removal means further comprises a series of bristles disposed along the length of said cleaning filament forming flays, said flays comprising wire protrusions extending outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filament; and

a securing handle attached to said first end;

wherein said cleaning filament is supported by said securing handle and inserted longitudinally beneath a fingernail and drawn back and forth linearly along the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filament, said dirt removal means dislodging and removing dirt deposits therefrom.

4. A fingernail cleaning filament tool used to remove impacted dirt, grease and grime from beneath the fingernails, said filament tool comprising:

a cleaning filament having a first end opposite a second end, said cleaning filament being a flexible strand having a series of dirt removal means disposed along its length, wherein said dirt removal means further comprises a series of bristles disposed along the length of said cleaning filament, said bristles comprising wire protrusions extending outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filament;

a handle of a generally rigid construction and having a first and second filament securing means incorporated therein, said first end secured to said first filament securing means and said second end secured to said filament securing means;

wherein said cleaning filament is supported by said securing rings and inserted longitudinally beneath a fingernail and drawn back and forth linearly along the longitudinal axis of said cleaning filament, said dirt removal means dislodging and removing dirt deposits therefrom.