US20090004953A1

US20090004953A1 - Skin sander

Info

Publication number: US20090004953A1
Application number: US11/769,528
Authority: US
Inventors: Verla M. Kinsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2009-01-01
Also published as: WO2009003159A1

Abstract

A skin sander for removing dead skin such as calluses and rough dry skin, including a housing, electric motor, and an oscillating sanding surface. The skin sander is ergonomically designed for use by various sized hands with minimal effort.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the removal of dead dry skin and calluses from skin surfaces, such as the surfaces of the hands and the feet. More particularly, the invention provides for an economical method of using an electrical oscillating utensil to solve these conditions without harming healthy skin.
The formation of calluses is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the feet, hands, or other parts of the body. This callus formation is the body's defense mechanism to protect these areas from excessive pressure and friction. Calluses are normally found, for example, on the ball of the foot, the heel, the interior of big toe, and/or the palm of the hands.
Some calluses have a deep seated core known as a nucleation. This particular type of callus can be especially painful to pressure. This condition is often referred to as Intractable Plantar Keratosis. Calluses develop because of excessive pressure at a specific area of, for example, the foot or hands. Some common causes of callus formation on the feet are high-heeled dress shoes, improperly sized shoes, open backed shoes, sandals, obesity, abnormalities in walking motion, prolonged standing, high arched feet, and repeated contact with hard surfaces.
Historically people have removed calluses and or dead dry skin by softening the affected area using warm water and cutting or trimming the callus by manually using a razor blade, rasp, or pumice stone.
Utilizing these types of devices can be very dangerous and can worsen the condition resulting in unnecessary injuries. For aging adults this type of manual application can be very difficult and can result in either limited reduction of the affected area or possible cuts or abrasions. Diabetics, in particular, could have adverse effects from this type of self-applied treatment since they are often unable to determine if they are affecting healthy skin. This oversight could lead to infection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The needs set forth above as well as further and other needs and advantages are addressed by the present disclosure. The solutions and advantages of the present disclosure are achieved by the illustrative embodiment described herein below.
The present disclosure describes a device for removing calluses and an improved method of application. The device is a skin sander with a moving abrasive surface attached to an absorbing material and housing. The skin sander is applied to skin to remove calluses and dead dry skin buildup without harming healthy live skin. The skin sander is gentle enough to be used on children, aging adults, and other individuals who present these conditions.
Techniques for the removal of dead dry skin and calluses from hands, feet, and other areas of the body are provided in accordance with the present disclosure. More particularly, the disclosure provides a method of using an electrical oscillating skin sander with a moving abrasive surface, which oscilates in a fixed arc about an axis and is attached to an absorbing material and housing.
Accordingly, the present disclosure describes the skin sander that has been developed in effort to remove calluses while at the same time not causing harm to healthy live skin and keeping the natural intended shape of the foot once the callus or dead skin is removed.
It is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that applies an abrasive surface attached to an oscillating surface driven by an electric motor powered by an electrical current.
It is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that operates an abrasive surface at a predetermined speed and that, when applied to the callused area, slowly removes the callus while not affecting healthy live skin.
It is further an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that has been developed in an effort to remove calluses without using water or any other type of liquid substance. If the skin is dry the skin sander can remove brittle dry skin without disturbing healthy elastic skin.
It is further an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that oscillates in a fixed arc to avoid affecting healthy skin during callus and dry skin removal. Healthy skin can be elastic, which can allow it to move with the rotational fixed arc of the skin sander. Dead dry skin or callus can have no elasticity whereby the skin sander may remove the affected area and leave the healthy live skin intact.
Another object of the disclosure is to describe a hand held skin sander driven by a motor which has an internal structure that converts the rotation of the motor shaft to an oscillating motion at the abrasive surface. The abrasive surface can be cushioned for ultimate comfort and can move at a rate that maximizes the removal of callused skin.
Yet another object of the disclosure is to describe a balanced skin sander having a housing including a shaft housing the motor, and a dome base. The dome base includes a transfer device and legs which, together, create the oscillating motion, and are coupled with a sanding surface holder. These elements can facilitate manipulation of the device with one hand by applying a minimal amount of pressure. In most cases the amount of pressure applied is not important to the performance of the skin sander and can be suitable for use by those with limited strength, for example, aging adults.
The skin sander design of the present disclosure not only can provide the recipient a smooth, even removal of the callus, but also can create a vibrating action that acts as a massaging device and stimulates blood flow.
Moreover, the skin sander can include an abrasive removable sanding pad which can be designed with various grit configurations and in various colors and patterns with various types of abrasive material.
The skin sander can distinguish between healthy elastic skin and dry callused skin, and can be configured to remove only the dry callused skin. Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosure to describe a skin sander that can be used in salons and public places where manicures and pedicures are performed, providing an alternative to utilizing water as a method to softening calluses so they can be removed. Having a dry pedicure alternative reduces governmental concerns of unsanitary conditions due to the use of water.
It is yet an object of the disclosure to describe a compact and portable skin sander that can allow its owner to travel with the skin sander in an optional travel case.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description. The scope of the present disclosure is pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included as part of this application and are an illustrative explanation and further understanding of the invention. These illustrations combined with the descriptions serve to provide the principal of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram cut away side view of the skin sander in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the components of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a rear view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a front view of the outside housing of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a sanding surface holder of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the oscillating motion of the skin sander of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a facing of the skin sander of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a transfer device of the skin sander of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The skin sander is now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The following configuration description is presented for illustrative purposes only. Any configuration satisfying the requirements herein described may be suitable for implementing the utensil of the present disclosure.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, skin sander 9 can include, but is not limited to including, motor 7, configured to be perpendicular to sanding surface holder 16, and motor shaft 18, which is connected to a transfer device 8. Skin sander 9 can also optionally include switch 22 with switch cover 3 and power supply 1. Sanding surface holder 16 can be configured with removable sanding surface 17 which can be connected to sanding surface holder 16 by, for example, hook-and-eye connecting surfaces such as, for example, VELCRO®. Between sanding surface holder 16 and removable sanding surface 17 is pad 25, which can allow removable sanding surface 17 to conform to the skin to which removable sanding surface 17 is applied. Motor 7 is secured to housing 20 by housing ribs 23 (FIG. 2) and can, for example, be electrically powered. Skin sander 9 is configured so that it is balanced with housing 20 which includes motor shaft 18 which includes motor 7. Motor 7 is secured by holder ribs 13, and a dome 35 which can include transfer device 8 and plurality of legs 4. Transfer device 8 and plurality of legs 4 can work together to create the rotational oscillation, and connect to sanding surface holder 16. The placement and balance of the components of skin sander 9 work together to allow the user the ability to manipulate the device with one hand by applying a minimal amount of pressure.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, skin sander 9 can further include housing 20 which can be configured in, for example, two sections connected by screws 26 which can be designed for operation, for example, by a variety of individuals. In one embodiment, skin sander 9 can be powered, for example, by power supply 1 (FIG. 1) that can extend from the top of housing 20 (FIG. 2). Power can be supplied to motor 7 (FIG. 1) in any way and is not limited to electric power through power supply 1. In the embodiment shown, power supply 1 is connected to motor 7 and is held in place by bracket 2 (FIG. 1) in order to secure the connection of power supply 1 to the motor 7.
Referring now primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, sanding surface holder 16 and housing 20 are separated by separation 11 (FIG. 2), and connected by legs 4 (FIG. 2). Legs 4 can be connected to housing 20 by housing ribs 29 (FIG. 1). Legs 4 can also be connected to sanding surface holder 16 by screw recesses 15 (FIG. 1) and screws 14 (FIG. 2) which can screw through sanding surface holder 16 and into legs 4. Legs 4 can, for example, be configured to be flexible. Legs 4 can include, for example, at least one spacer element(s) 5. Spacer element(s) 5 can have an elongated flat configuration and can extend in a perpendicular orientation with respect to legs 4. Spacer element(s) 5 can have holes at each end allowing legs 4 to be connected to spacer element(s) 5 and provide support and operational integrity to skin sander 9. During operation, spacer element(s) 5 can also reduce vibration of skin sander 9. One leg of plurality of legs 4 is separated from another leg of plurality of legs 4, and spacer element 5 can connect plurality of legs 4. Spacer element 5 can couple plurality of legs 4 and with housing 20 by housing ribs 23. Spacer element 5 can provide support and operational integrity to plurality of legs 4 and housing 20, and can reduce vibration in skin sander 9.
Referring now primarily to FIGS. 4 and 5, sanding surface holder 16 (FIG. 4) can be configured to restrict the accumulation of skin inside housing 20 (FIG. 4) during operation, for example, by having an angular shape 19 (FIG. 1) beginning at its junction with housing 20 and terminating at sanding surface 17 (FIG. 4). Side ventilation 21 (FIG. 5) can provide air flow across motor 7 (FIG. 1). Housing 20 can be ergonomically formed with grooves 10 (FIG. 5) which can be configured according to the hand size of the user. Switch 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) can be used to activate and deactivate motor 7 and can be situated, for example, on the front of skin sander 9 (FIG. 1). Switch 22 can include switch cover constructed as, for example, a rubber membrane, that can be depressed to engage skin sander 9.
Referring now primarily to FIG. 6, sanding surface holder 16 can include, but is not limited to including, pad 25 that is attached to sanding surface holder 16, and sanding surface adapter 24. Pad 25 can be, for example, constructed of foam which can cushion the sanding process. Sanding surface adapter 24 can be attached to pad 25 to allow various types of sanding surfaces 17 to be attached and removed from sanding surface holder 16. An extension of the transfer device 8 (FIG. 9) can be coupled with bearing 12 (FIG. 2), which can be secured in surface center by holder ribs 13 of sanding surface holder 16.
Referring now primarily to FIG. 7, sanding surface 17, in conjunction with legs 4 (FIG. 1), can sand a skin surface in an arc about sanding surface holder axis 29 surrounding motor shaft center 31 to remove dead skin and/or dry skin. Once energized, motor shaft 18 (FIG. 1), which enters transfer device 8 (FIG. 9) at motor shaft center 31 begins to rotate at a predetermined speed which energizes transfer device 8. To create the desired oscillating motion, transfer device 8 spins inside bearing 12 (FIG. 2), which is inset in sanding surface holder 16 (FIG. 1). Legs 4 (FIG. 1) restrict movement of sanding surface holder 16 to create the oscillating motion about sanding surface holder axis 29. The oscillating motion can be dictated by an offset of motor shaft 18 from motor shaft center 31 in combination with the restriction of movement by legs 4. Top point 30 of sanding surface holder 16 does not rotate during the oscillation of sanding surface holder 17. The solid circle is the starting point of sanding surface holder 16, the dashed lines provide a visual representation of the movement of sanding surface holder 16 during operation. It is the oscillating motion at a predetermined speed of 10,000 to 11,000 oscillations per minute that generates the friction to remove dead skin while leaving healthy skin unharmed.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, by way of further explanation of the operation of skin sander 9, transfer device 8 can be a weighted material and can be connected to rotor 34 (FIG. 9). Transfer device 8 can include lobe 32 (FIG. 9) extending from its center configured to enter the center of sanding surface holder 16 and into bearing 12 inset in sanding surface holder 16. Lobe 32 has a hole which is offset from lobe center. The hole is configured to fit around motor shaft 18 that secures transfer device 8 to motor 7 and allows transfer device 8 to spin freely with motor 7. As transfer device 8 spins, the hole having an offset center in lobe 32 causes lobe 32 to spin in a non-perfect circle, which causes sanding surface holder 16 to move in an oscillating motion creating an arc about an axis. Sanding surface holder 16 is secured to housing 20 by a plurality of legs 4, for example, at least three legs 4.
Referring now to (FIG. 8), housing 20 can include facing 28 configured to accommodate gripping and vibration reduction of skin sander 9.
Referring now primarily to (FIG. 9), transfer device 8 can be, for example, a weighted material which can be secured to rotor 34. Transfer device 8 and rotor 34 are secured to the motor shaft 18 and spin with motor shaft 18. Motor shaft 18 (FIG. 1) enters transfer device 8 at motor shaft center 31. Transfer device 8 has lobe 32 projecting from transfer device 8 that fits into sanding surface holder 16 (FIG. 1) at sanding surface holder axis 29 which is the center of the bearing 12 (FIG. 2) which is inset into sanding surface holder 17 (FIG. 1) and secured by holder ribs 13 (FIG. 2).
Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized that this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments. The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without detracting from the scope of the invention. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A skin sander for selectively removing skin comprising:

a housing having a dome base;

a motor configured within said housing;

a transfer device coupled with said motor by a motor shaft;

a sanding surface holder coupled with said transfer device, said sanding surface holder housing a removable sanding surface;

a plurality of legs coupling said motor with said transfer device;

wherein said sanding surface holder is configured to receive energy from said motor through said transfer device so as to provide a rotational oscillation in a partial circle about an axis, said rotational oscillation in a partial circle operating to selectively remove skin in contact with said removable sanding surface.

2. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

a switch configured to activate said motor when depressed.

3. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

a pad configured between said sanding surface holder and said removable sanding surface, said pad configured to cushion an impact of said removable sanding surface with the skin, said pad allowing said removable sanding surface to conform to a persons body.

4. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said rotational oscillation is performed at a predetermined speed to remove dead dry skin while not harming healthy skin.

5. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said rotational oscillation is performed at a predetermined speed to provide selective sanding according to a health determination of the skin.

6. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said rotational oscillation is performed at a predetermined speed to provide providing a message effect to the skin.

7. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

a rotor coupled with said transfer device,

a lobe extending from a transfer device center of said transfer device coupled with a holder center of said sanding surface holder; and

a bearing inset in said sanding surface holder, said bearing configured on said lobe;

wherein said lobe is configured with an offset hole having an offset center;

wherein said transfer device spins said offset hole in said lobe causing said lobe to spin in a non-perfect circle, causing said sanding surface holder to move in said rotational oscillation.

8. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said transfer device is a weighted material.

9. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said sanding surface holder is configured to accommodate sanding paper.

10. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs prevents said sanding surface holder from rotating with said motor shaft;

wherein said plurality of legs are coupled with said housing by housing ribs;

wherein said plurality of legs are coupled with said sanding surface holder by holder ribs and secured by screws into said sanding surface holder.

11. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one spacer element configured between said plurality of legs and said housing.

12. The skin sander of claim 10, wherein said at least one spacer element is configured with holes, and is perpendicular to said plurality of legs;

wherein a first leg of said plurality of legs is distanced from a second leg of said plurality of legs;

wherein said spacer element is coupled with said plurality of legs;

wherein said spacer element is coupled with said housing by housing ribs;

wherein said spacer element supports said plurality of legs and said housing; and

wherein said spacer element reduces vibration in said skin sander.

13. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said housing is configured to accommodate various sized hands.

14. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one groove in said housing.

15. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said at least one groove is configured to accommodate palming said housing.

16. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a facing configured to accommodate gripping and vibration reduction of said skin sander.

17. The skin sander of claim 1 wherein said sanding surface holder is configured with an angular shape to minimize shaving accumulation inside said housing.

18. The skin sander of claim 1 further comprising:

ventilation in said housing configured to cool said motor.

19. A skin sander for selectively removing skin comprising:

a motor;

a transfer device coupled with said motor by a motor shaft;

a plurality of legs coupling said motor with said transfer device;

a rotor coupled with said transfer device;

wherein said plurality of legs prevents said sanding surface holder from rotating with said motor shaft;

wherein said plurality of legs are coupled with said housing by housing ribs;

wherein said plurality of legs are coupled with said sanding surface holder by holder ribs and secured by screws into said sanding surface holder;

wherein said sanding surface holder is configured to receive energy from said motor through said transfer device so as to provide a rotational oscillation in a partial circle about an axis, said rotational oscillation in a partial circle operating to selectively remove skin in contact with said removable sanding surface;

wherein said lobe is configured with an offset hole having an offset center; and

20. A process for manufacturing a skin sander for selectively removing skin comprising the steps of:

coupling a transfer device with a motor by a motor shaft;

coupling a sanding surface holder with the transfer device;

providing a removable sanding surface affixed to the sanding surface holder;

coupling a plurality of legs to the motor through the transfer device;

coupling a rotor with the transfer device;

coupling a lobe extending from a transfer device center of said transfer device with a holder center of the sanding surface holder; and

configuring a bearing inset in said sanding surface holder on the lobe.

coupling the plurality of legs with the housing by housing ribs;

coupling the plurality of legs with the sanding surface holder by holder ribs;

securing the plurality of legs into said sanding surface holder by screws;

configuring the sanding surface holder to receive energy from the motor through the transfer device so as to provide a rotational oscillation in a partial circle about an axis;

configuring the lobe with an offset hole having an offset center;

configuring the lobe to spin in a non-perfect circle; and

configuring the sanding surface holder to move in the rotational oscillation.