STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present inventive subject matter relates generally to an electronic nail file having digital control interface and charging cradle having a display. More particularly, the inventive subject matter relates to a portable electronic nail file that has a digital user interface, along with a foot pedal capable of controlling the nail file by Bluetooth® RF communication. The device also includes a re-charging carriage that includes a digital display.

Background

Traditional electric nail files for manicures in the nail salon industry include a stationary variable speed control box that provides power and control to a handpiece. The hand piece typically includes a motor for spinning a mandrel that is used in filing and servicing nails. The handpiece is interconnected to the control box by a cord that provides power and control to the handpiece. The control boxes typically have an analog on-off switch, an illuminated power indicator, a speed control dial to change the speed of the rotating hand piece, and an analog switch for changing the direction of the rotating hand piece, i.e. forward and reverse. One such device is MANIPro original offered by Kupa, Inc. of Anaheim, Calif. Such stationary control box electric nail files must be positioned in close proximity of the handpiece limited by the length of an interconnecting cord. As such, such stationary control boxes for electric nail files have limited portability. In addition, control of the handpiece is limited to analog switches and dials resident on the control box.

Portable electric nail files have also been offered such as the MANIPro Passport, sold by Kupa, Inc. of Anaheim, Calif. Portable electric nail files have a smaller and lighter portable control box including a rechargeable battery that interconnect to a rotating handpiece by a cord. An analog dial is located on the top of the control box, along with a power indicator and an analog switch for changing the rotation of direction of the rotating mandrel. Portable electric nail files can provide anywhere from 8 to 10 hours of use per charge in either 110 v or 220 v. A user charges the control box, and then can disconnect the charging cord, and have a portable electric nail file. A belt clip and a plastic handpiece holster which can connect to the control box. In this way a portable electric nail file user can move about and use the nail file while the control box remains charged.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The inventive subject matter described herein demonstrates a portable electric nail file, and a system for operating the same comprising an electric nail file handpiece having a motor and a power unit having a rechargeable battery for supplying power to said electric nail file. The power unit has manual digital control interface in the form of a click wheel to enable a user to control the direction and speed of the motor of the electric nail file. The interface communicates to a processor for controlling the operation of the electric nail file, connected to a memory having stored software instructions. The device and system include a communication element for receiving operational signals from a foot pedal via a low power radio signal to also provide control of the direction and speed of the motor of the electric nail file. A docking cradle engages the power unit through electronic connectors or leads operable to recharge the battery supply of the power unit. The cradle also includes an electronic display showing the speed and direction of rotation of the handpiece, the power status and charge status of the device.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

