# US 5,701,672 A · Complex action nail clipper > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,672 A - Document ID: US5701672A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/694,163 - Filed: 1996-08-08 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1996-08-08 - Assignees: Jeffrey I. Wachtel - Inventors: Jeffrey I. Wachtel; Bruce M. D'Andrade - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701672A ## CPC - B26B 17/02: with jaws operated indirectly by the handles, e.g. through cams or toggle levers - A45D 29/02: Nail clippers or cutters - B26B: HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (for harvesting A01D; for horticulture, for forestry A01G; for butchering or meat treatment A22; for manufactering or repairing footwear A43D; nail clippers or cutters A45D29/02; kitchen equipment A47J; {vegetable slicers, julienne cutters and similar devices and holders therefor, B26D3/28}; for surgical purposes A61B; for metal B23D; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; plier-like tools with cutting edges B25B7/22; pincers B25C11/02; handles for hand implements, in general B25G; guillotine-type cutters B26D; {perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet, B26F1/26}; for erasing B43L19/00; for textile materials D06H) - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING ## Abstract The present invention is a compound action complex pivotal multi-planar nail clipper. It is pivotal between four distinct pivot points and it includes a handle portion and a jaw portion which are attached to one another. The jaw portion may be curved or may be bent and terminates in a pair of opposed cutting blades. Thus, when a user holds the handle portion, the blades are displaced a pre-determined number of degrees with respect to the relative curvature or bending of the jaw portion. The handle portion and jaw portion are engaged to one another and are pivotal about two pivot points. The handle portion is preferably a pair of handles that are joined at a third pivot point by a first post member and the jaw portion is preferably a pair of jaw members joined at a fourth pivot point by another post member which is oblique with respect to the first post member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compound action complex pivotal nail clipper comprising: (a) a handle portion, said handle portion comprising a first handle member and a second handle member, said first and second handle members being joined at a first pivot point by a first post member, said post member extending along a rotary axis; (b) a jaw portion, said jaw portion comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member each having a first end and a second end, said first jaw member and said second jaw member being joined at a second pivot point by a second post member being located between said first and second jaw member ends, said second post member extending along a rotary axis being oblique with respect to said first post member rotary axis, said first jaw member first end and said second jaw member first end defining a pair of opposed cutting blades; (c) means for pivotally connecting said first jaw member with said first handle member such that a third pivot point is defined and for pivotally connecting said second jaw member with said second handle member such that a fourth pivot point is defined. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compound action nail clipper of claim 1 wherein said first and second jaw members are curved. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compound action nail clipper of claim 1 wherein said first and second jaw members are angled with respect to said handle portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compound action nail clipper of claim 1 wherein said pivotally connecting means are a plurality of force fitted connecting members, said force fitted connecting members being defined on a portion of each of said jaw members and on a portion of each of said handle members. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The compound action nail clipper of claim 4 wherein said pivotally connecting means include a first ball and socket joint and a second ball and socket joint, each of said first ball and socket joint and said second ball and socket joint including a pair of opposed sockets and a ball bearing, said opposed sockets being defined within opposing surfaces of said force fitted connecting members, said first and second ball and socket joints being clamped together by said force fitted connecting members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The compound action nail clipper of claim 4 wherein said pivotally connecting means comprise at least two post members extending along parallel rotary axes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The compound action nail clipper of claim 4 wherein said pivotally connecting means comprise a plurality of bead-shaped protrusions and communicating impressions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The compound action nail clipper of claim 1 wherein said nail clipper comprises means for biasing said handle members outwardly, said biasing means being extended between said first and second handle members, said biasing means biasing said handle members outwardly with respect to one another such that said compound action nail clipper is retained in an open position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The compound action nail clipper of claim 8 wherein said biasing means is a compression spring. ### Claim 10 A compound action complex pivotal nail clipper comprising: (a) a handle portion, said handle portion comprising a first handle member and a second handle member, said first and second handle members being joined at a first pivot point by a first post member, said post member extending along a rotary axis, each of said handle members having a first end and a second end, each of said handle members having a substantially linear portion; (b) a jaw portion, said jaw portion comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member each having a first end and a second end, said first and second jaw members being joined at a second pivot point by a second post member being located between said first and second jaw member ends, said second post member extending along a rotary axis being oblique with respect to said first post member rotary axis, said first jaw member first end and said second jaw member first end defining a pair of opposed cutting blades, said cutting blades extending along a plane being parallel with said linear portion of said handle members; (c) means for pivotally connecting said first jaw member with said first handle member such that a third pivot point is defined and for pivotally connecting said second jaw member with said second handle member such that a fourth pivot point is defined. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The compound action nail clipper of claim 10 wherein said first and second jaw members are curved. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The compound action nail clipper of claim 10 wherein said first and second jaw members are angled with respect to said handle portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The compound action nail clipper of claim 10 wherein said first post member axis and said second post member axis are obliquely positioned between 25.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to one another and said first post member axis is obliquely positioned between 45.degree. and 65.degree. with respect to said plane defined by said cutting blades. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The compound action nail clipper of claim 10 wherein said pivotally connecting means include a plurality of force fitted connecting members, said force fitted connecting members being defined on each of said jaw member second ends and on each of said handle member first ends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The compound action nail clipper of claim 14 wherein said pivotally connecting means include a first ball and socket joint and a second ball and socket joint, each of said first ball and socket joint and said second ball and socket joint including a pair of opposed sockets and a ball bearing, said opposed sockets being defined within opposing surfaces of said force fitted connecting members, said first and second ball and socket joints being clamped together by said force fitted connecting members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The compound action nail clipper of claim 10 wherein said nail clipper comprises means for biasing said handle members outwardly, said biasing means being extended between said first and second handle members, said biasing means biasing said handle members outwardly with respect to one another such that said compound action nail clipper is retained in an open position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The compound action nail clipper of claim 16 wherein said biasing means is a compression spring. ### Claim 18 A compound action complex pivotal nail clipper comprising: (a) a handle portion, said handle portion comprising a first handle member and a second handle member, said first and second handle members being joined at a first pivot point by a first post member, said post member extending along a rotary axis, each of said handle members having a first end and a second end; (b) a jaw portion, said jaw portion comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, said first jaw member and said second jaw member each having a first end and a second end, said first and second jaw members being joined at a second pivot point by a second post member being located between said first and second jaw member ends, said second post member extending along a rotary axis being oblique with respect to said first post member rotary axis such that said second post member axis is obliquely positioned between 25.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to said first post member axis, said first jaw member first end and said second jaw member first end defining a pair of opposed cutting blades, said cutting blades extending along a plane such that said first post member axis is obliquely positioned between 45.degree. and 65.degree. with respect to said plane defined by said cutting blades; and, (c) means for pivotally connecting said first jaw member with said first handle member and for pivotally connecting said second jaw member with said second handle member such that a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point are defined. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The compound action nail clipper of claim 18 having pivotally connecting means wherein: (a) said first handle member first end includes a first handle extension segment, said first handle extension segment having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite said upper surface; (b) said second handle member first end includes a second handle extension segment, said second handle extension segment having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite said upper surface; (c) said first jaw member second end includes a first jaw extension segment, said first jaw extension segment having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite said upper surface; (d) said second jaw member second end includes a second jaw extension segment, said second jaw extension segment having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite said upper surface; and, (e) said compound action nail clipper includes a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate, said first clamp plate joining said first handle extension segment to said first jaw extension segment, said first clamp plate being retained by a post member, said second clamp plate joining said second handle extension segment to said second jaw extension segment, said second clamp plate being retained by a post member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The compound action nail clipper of claim 19 including a first ball and socket and second ball and socket joint, said first ball and socket joint being defined by a pair of opposed sockets and a ball bearing, said opposed sockets being defined within said first jaw extension segment lower surface and said first handle extension segment upper surface, said second ball and socket joint being defined by a pair of opposed sockets and a ball bearing, said opposed sockets being defined within said second jaw extension segment lower surface and said second handle extension segment upper surface, said first and second ball and socket joints being clamped together by said first clamp plate and said second clamp plate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The compound action nail clipper of claim 18 wherein said nail clipper comprises means for biasing said handle members outwardly, said biasing means being extended between said first and second handle members, said biasing means biasing said handle members outwardly with respect to one another such that said compound action nail clipper is retained in an open position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The compound action nail clipper of claim 21 wherein said biasing means is a compression spring. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The compound action nail clipper of claim 21 wherein said first and second jaw members are curved.