Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6823590
-
Patent Number
6,823,590
-
Date Filed
Friday, January 12, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 30, 200419 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Shoap; Allan N.
- Prone; Jason
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 030 34651
- 030 434
- 030 435
- 030 436
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electric rotary shaver comprising: a cutter frame having a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters disposed in outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside the outer cutters and connected to inner cutter drive shafts that are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes the inner cutter drive shafts to protrude outward; wherein a cutter retaining plate is provided inside the cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of the electric shaver, and fulcrum plates are tiltably shaft-supported in the cutter retaining plate so as to be positionally correspond to the outer cutter holes; and the outer cutters are shaft-supported in the fulcrum plates via supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the fulcrum plates are shaft-supported by the cutter retaining plate, thus being tiltable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric rotary shaver and more particularly to a structure that tiltably supports outer cutters in a cutter frame of an electric rotary shaver.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the overall structure of a conventional electric rotary shaver. In this electric shaver
10
, a cutter head
20
is detachably mounted on the upper portion of a main body case
12
. Three outer cutters
22
are mounted in the cutter head
20
so that the centers of the outer cutters are arranged at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Slits for introducing hair are formed in the radial direction in the outer cutters
22
. In each outer cutter
22
, an annular outside hair introduction region V and inside hair introduction region W are formed in a concentric configuration, and a groove is formed in the boundary area between the outside hair introduction region V and inside hair introduction region W.
FIG. 10
shows the internal structure of the above electric rotary shaver. The cutter head
20
is constructed from a cutter frame
30
, metal outer cutters
22
, outer cutter holders
24
that hold the outer cutters
22
, metal inner cutters
26
, inner cutter bases
28
that support the inner cutters
26
, and cutter retaining plates
31
that hold the inner cutters
26
so that the inner cutters
26
are rotated. The cutter frame
30
, outer cutter holders
24
, inner cutter bases
28
and cutter retaining plates
31
are all made of a synthetic resin. The outer cutters
22
are supported so that they cannot rotate relative to the outer cutter holders
24
, thus ensuring the outer cutters
22
not to rotate together with the inner cutters
26
.
The reference numeral
32
is a cutter cradle that is installed so as to cover the opening of the main body case
12
. Inner cutter drive shafts
34
that transmit the rotational driving force of a motor
50
to the inner cutters
26
protrude from the cutter cradle
32
in the installation positions of the respective inner cutters
26
. The inner cutter drive shafts
34
are provided in coaxial with the inner cutter bases
28
and engage with the inner cutter bases
28
in a dovetail engagement so that each of the inner cutter drive shafts
34
can rotate as a unit with the corresponding inner cutter base
28
.
The reference numeral
36
refers to springs that constantly urge the inner cutter drive shafts
34
upward. The outer cutters
22
are supported floatingly by these springs
36
via the inner cutters
26
, inner cutter bases
28
and inner cutter drive shafts
34
.
Engaging projections
38
are disposed on the outer circumferences of the lower ends of the inner cutter drive shafts
34
and engaged with a plurality of shaft engaging portions
42
disposed in upright positions on the inner cutter drive gears
40
, and the inner cutter drive gears
40
are engaged with a gear
52
fastened to the output shaft of the motor
50
. The inner cutter drive shafts
34
are thus linked to the motor
50
. The inner cutter drive shafts
34
are provided so as to tilt in all directions with respect to the axial lines of the inner cutter drive gears
40
.
As described above, the outer cutters
22
are supported while being urged by the springs
36
in a direction that causes the outer cutters
22
to protrude to the outside. The outer cutters
22
are thus movable in and out of the outer cutter holders
24
, and also the outer cutters
22
are tiltable within a specified angular range in all directions inside the outer cutter holders
24
. As shown in
FIG. 10
, the outer cutters
22
are disposed in the outer cutter holes
44
. However, since the internal diameter of the outer cutter holes
44
is slightly larger than the external diameter of the outer cutters
22
, the outer cutters
22
can move inward and outward with respect to the outer cutter holders
44
and can tilt within a specified angular range in any desired direction.
As seen from the above, the outer cutters
22
are supported in the cutter frame
30
so that the outer cutters
22
can tilt and move inward and outward. The outer cutters
22
are, therefore, fitted against the skin as a result of the outer cutters
22
protruding outward to an appropriate degree and tilting in the desired direction when the electric shaver is brought into contact with the jaw, cheek, etc., so that hair is cut reliably.
In a conventional electric shaver, the outer cutters
22
can tilt with respect to the cutter frame
30
because the internal diameter of the outer cutter holes
44
is slightly larger than the external diameter of the outer cutters
22
(as described above). The outer cutters
22
are tiltable because of this clearance.
However, in the conventional electric shaver, the clearance between the outer cutter holes
44
and outer cutters
22
is not very large. As a result, even in cases where the outer cutters
22
are allowed to tilt due to this clearance, the outer cutters
22
cannot tilt to a very great extent. If an increased clearance is given between the outer cutters
22
and the outer cutter holes
44
to an excessive extent, the outer cutters
22
are loose in the outer cutter holes
44
. As a result, it becomes difficult to determine the center positions of the outer cutters
22
, and the rotation of the inner cutters
26
becomes unstable.
FIGS.
11
(
a
) and
11
(
b
) show the manner of tilting of the outer cutters
22
of a conventional electric shaver. As seen from FIG.
11
(
a
), the outer cutter
22
is disposed with a slight gap left between the outer cutter
22
and the outer cutter hole
44
, and the outer cutter
22
tilts inside the corresponding outer cutter hole
44
as shown in FIG.
11
(
b
). When the outer cutter
22
tilts inside the outer cutter hole
44
in a conventional electric shaver, as seen from FIG.
11
(
b
), once the protruding edge
21
at the lower-end edge of the outer cutter
22
contacts the undersurface of the outer cutter hole
44
, the outer cutter
22
cannot tilt any further from this state. Thus, the tilting angle of the outer cutters
22
is limited. As seen from the above, in a conventional electric shaver, since the tilting angle of the outer cutters
22
is restricted by the positional relationship between the outer cutters
22
and the outer cutter holes
44
, it is difficult to increase the tilting range of the outer cutters
22
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to provide an electric rotary shaver in which the outer cutters are supported so as to be movable and tiltable with respect to the cutter frame and in which the outer cutters have increased tilting range compared to that of a conventional electric shaver. Thus, in the electric rotary shaver of the present invention, fitting between the skin and the outer cutters is good, and the cutting efficiency is also good.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention is structured as described below.
More specifically, in an electric rotary shaver that comprises: a cutter frame provided with a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters disposed in respective outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside the outer cutters, the inner cutters being connected to inner cutter drive shafts that are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes the inner cutter drive shafts to protrude outward; the rotary shaver is further comprised of: a cutter retaining plate provided inside the cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of the electric shaver, and fulcrum plates respectively shaft-supported in the cutter retaining plate in a tiltable fashion, the fulcrum plates being disposed so as to positionally correspond respectively to the outer cutter holes; and in addition, the outer cutters are shaft-supported in the respective fulcrum plates via supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which the fulcrum plates are shaft-supported by the cutter retaining plate, so that the outer cutters are tiltable.
In the present invention, the supporting directions in which the respective fulcrum plates are shaft-supported are set so as to be disposed on radial lines that passes through the center of the cutter frame, and the supporting directions in which the outer cutters are shaft-supported are set so as to be disposed in directions that are perpendicular to such radial lines.
Also, in the present invention, pairs of supporting pillars that have pivot shafts are formed on the cutter retaining plate at positions that correspond to the respective outer cutter holes, and pairs of engagement pillars that have slot-form engaging holes are formed on the fulcrum plates; and the pivot shafts are engaged with the engaging holes, thus allowing the outer cutters to be moved up and down.
Furthermore, in the present invention, outer cutter fastening rings are shaft-supported in the fulcrum plates, and the outer cutters are tiltably supported in the fulcrum plates by way of the outer cutter fastening rings.
In addition, in the present invention, the outer cutters are provided in outer cutter casings that are set tiltable inside the outer cutter holes, and the outer cutter casings are supported in the outer cutter fastening rings.
Also, in the present invention, the cutter retaining plate is constantly urged with respect to the cutter frame in a direction that causes the outer cutters to protrude outward and is installed so that the cutter retaining plate can be moved up and down.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an explanatory diagram that illustrates an example in which the outer cutters are supported in the cutter frame via pivot shafts;
FIG. 2
is an explanatory diagram showing the outer cutters tilted relative to the cutter frame;
FIG. 3
is a sectional view of the support of the outer cutters on the cutter retaining plate via fulcrum plates;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the assembly in which the fulcrum plates, outer cutter fastening rings and outer cutter casings are disposed in the cutter retaining plate;
FIG. 5
is a top view and side view of the cutter retaining plate;
FIG. 6
is a top view and side views of one of the fulcrum plates;
FIG. 7
is a top view and side view of one of the outer cutter fastening rings;
FIG. 8
is an explanatory diagram that shows a layout of the pivot shafts;
FIG. 9
is an external view of a conventional electric rotary shaver;
FIG. 10
is a sectional view of the internal structure of a conventional electric rotary shaver; and
FIG. 11
is an explanatory diagram showing the tilting of the outer cutters in a conventional electric rotary shaver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the electric rotary shaver of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The electric rotary shaver of the present invention is characterized in that each of the outer cutters
22
is supported by a pair of pivot shafts disposed perpendicular to each other so that the outer cutters
22
are tiltable inside the outer cutter holes
44
of a cutter frame
30
.
FIG. 1
is a schematic diagram that illustrates the manner of supporting the outer cutters
22
in the cutter frame
30
by the pivot shafts. Three outer cutters
22
are provided in the cutter frame
30
so that the center positions of the outer cutters
22
are at the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
The positions A and B are locations where the pivot shafts are disposed. The pivot shafts that tiltably support each of the outer cutters
22
are disposed on imaginary two lines that pass through the center of each outer cutter
22
and are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the pivot shafts in A positions are disposed so that the axial direction of each of these pivot shafts is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the radial line that extends from the center of disposition O of three outer cutters
22
. The pivot shafts in B positions are disposed so that the axial direction of each of these pivot shafts is on the radial line. As a result, each of the outer cutters
22
is supported by two pivot shafts that are mutually perpendicular, and the outer cutters thus can tilt in all directions at any desired angle. In the shown embodiment, the orientations of the pivot shafts are uniformly disposed with respect to the center of disposition of the outer cutters
22
. As a result, the same feeling of use is obtained regardless of the direction from which the outer cutters
22
are used.
Since the outer cutters disposed in the cutter frame
30
are supported by pivot shafts that are perpendicular to each other as shown in
FIG. 1
, the outer cutters
22
can tilt in any desired direction. Accordingly, shaving is performed with the outer cutters
22
fitted against the skin in an ideal manner.
FIG. 2
shows the outer cutters
22
tilted with respect to the cutter frame
30
. Since each of the outer cutters
22
can independently tilt, the respective outer cutters
22
tilt as desired and fit the skin in accordance with the shaving position. Since the outer cutters
22
are supported by pivot shafts, restrictions in tilting of the outer cutters
22
that are caused by the protruding edges
21
contacting the cutter frame
30
as in the conventional electric shavers can be avoided. Furthermore, since the outer cutters
22
are supported by pivot shafts, when one side of the outer cutter
22
rises, the other side of the outer cutter
22
drops; and a large tilting angle can easily be obtained.
FIG. 3
shows a concrete structure of one of the outer cutters
22
supported by pivot shafts. In the electric rotary shaver of this embodiment, each outer cutter
22
is disposed in an outer cutter casing
60
that is made of resin and has an outer circumferential surface formed in a spherical surface shape that protrudes outward, so that the outer cutter and the outer cutter casing make a single body. Furthermore, the inside wall surface of each of the outer cutter holes
44
of the cutter frame
30
that accommodates the outer cutter
22
is formed as a sliding contact surface with which the outer circumferential surface of the outer cutter casing
60
makes a sliding contact. The outer cutter
22
is thus tiltable in any desired direction.
In
FIG. 3
, the reference numeral
70
is an outer cutter fastening ring that anchors the outer cutter casing
60
,
80
is a fulcrum plate that supports the outer cutter fastening ring
70
by first pivot shafts
84
a
, and
90
is a cutter retaining plate that supports the fulcrum plate
80
by second pivot shafts
94
a
. The cutter retaining plate
90
is fastened to the underside of the cutter frame
30
by a screw
100
and thus supports the fulcrum plate
80
. In this embodiment, the outer cutter casing
60
and the outer cutter fastening ring
70
constitute a supporting member that supports the outer cutter
22
.
The structure that rotates the inner cutters
26
by motor
50
is the same as that of a conventional electric shaver. Inner cutter drive gears
40
(only one drive gear is shown) engage with a gear
52
that is coupled to the output shaft of the motor
50
, and engaging projections
38
of the drive gears
40
engage with the inner cutter drive shafts
34
, so that the driving force of the motor
50
is transmitted to the inner cutters
26
as a rotational driving force. The inner cutters
26
are urged in a direction that presses the inner cutters
26
against the inner surfaces of the outer cutters
22
by springs
36
which perform an elastic spring action between the inner cutter drive shafts
34
and the inner cutter drive gears
40
.
As described above, the outer cutters
22
disposed in the outer cutter casings
60
are tiltably supported by the mutual engagement of the cutter retaining plate
90
, fulcrum plates
80
and outer cutter fastening rings
70
.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view that shows the assembly of these components.
FIG. 4
illustrates an assembly process in which the fulcrum plates
80
are disposed on the cutter retaining plate
90
, the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are provided in the fulcrum plates
80
, and the outer cutter casings
60
are provided on the outer cutter fastening rings
70
.
FIG. 4
shows the manner in which the respective fulcrum plate
80
, outer cutter fastening ring
70
and outer cutter casing
60
is disposed in one of three cutter retaining sections
90
a
of the cutter retaining plate
90
. In other words, the other fulcrum plate
80
, outer cutter fastening rings
70
and outer cutter casing
60
are disposed respectively in each of three cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
in the same manner. Each of the inner cutters
26
is set in the outer cutter casing
60
that is provided between the outer cutter fastening ring
70
and the outer cutter
22
.
FIGS.
5
(
a
) and
5
(
b
) are a top view and a side view of the cutter retaining plate
90
. As seen from FIG.
5
(
a
), the cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
are formed in the cutter retaining plate
90
in a form of three branches that are separated by angles of 120°. The cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
positionally correspond to the three outer cutters
22
which are disposed at vertices of an equilateral triangle. The base portions of the cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
are connected to each other by a connecting plate
92
, and circular through-holes
93
are formed inside the respective cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c.
Second supporting pillars
94
are formed in an upright configuration on the inside edges of the through-holes
93
of the cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
. FIG.
5
(
b
) shows the upright configuration of the second supporting pillars
94
formed on the cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
. The second supporting pillars
94
are for pivot-supporting the fulcrum plates
80
; and projection-form second pivot shafts
94
a
are formed on the respective second supporting pillars
94
so as to protrude from the opposite inside wall surfaces of the respective second supporting pillars
94
. In the shown embodiment, as seen from FIG.
5
(
a
), the second supporting pillars
94
are disposed in a pair for the respective cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
so that the second supporting pillars
94
are positioned on imaginary straight lines that connect the center of the connecting plate
92
and the centers of the through-holes
93
.
The connecting plate
92
is formed with an attachment hole at the center so that the screw
100
is attached thereto.
FIG. 4
shows the screw
100
screwed to the attachment hole.
A plate spring
96
is disposed in the connecting plate
92
of the cutter retaining plate
90
via the screw
100
. The plate spring
96
urges the outer cutters
22
upward by contacting the undersides of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
. The plate spring
96
also supports the three outer cutter fastening rings
70
so that all outer cutter fastening rings
70
are tilted outward. The plate spring
96
is disposed so that each two plate springs branch out to cross above the connecting plate
92
in three directions from the position where the plate springs
96
are attached by the screw
100
; and from the positions where the branched plate springs
96
cross the connecting plate
92
, the branched plate springs
96
extend upward at an inclination along the sides of the respective cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
. The reference numerals
96
a
refer to extended ends of the branched plate springs
96
. The tip ends of the extended ends
96
a
are slightly bent so as to be substantially parallel to the cutter retaining plate
90
.
FIGS.
6
(
a
) and
6
(
b
) are a plan view and a side view of one of the fulcrum plates
80
that are disposed in the cutter retaining plate
90
. Each fulcrum plate
80
has respective pairs of first supporting pillars
84
and engagement pillars
86
that are formed upright on a ring portion
82
that are in a circular ring shape. A pair of the first supporting pillars
84
and a pair of the engagement pillars
86
are arranged at right angles relative to each other. The engagement pillars
86
engage with the second supporting pillars
94
of the cutter retaining plate
90
.
As seen from FIG.
6
(
b
), engaging holes
86
a
are formed in the engagement pillars
86
. The engaging holes
86
a
are slots that extend in the vertical direction. The engaging holes
86
a
are formed with dimensions that allow the second pivot shafts
94
a
disposed on the second supporting pillars
94
to be inserted therein. By way of engaging the second pivot shafts
94
a
of the second supporting pillars
94
with the engaging holes
86
a
of the fulcrum plates
80
, the fulcrum plates
80
are supported in the cutter retaining plate
90
.
The external diameter of the ring portions
82
of the fulcrum plates
80
is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the through-holes
93
formed in the cutter retaining sections
90
a
,
90
b
and
90
c
. As a result, the outer surfaces of the engagement pillars
86
of the fulcrum plates
80
make a sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the second supporting pillars
94
. Thus, the fulcrum plates
80
are engaged with the second pivot shafts
94
a
and tilt. Also, the fulcrum plates
80
are movable vertically within the movement range defined by the slot-form engaging holes
86
a
. The reason that the fulcrum plates
80
are provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction is to ensure that the outer cutters
22
(together with the inner cutters
26
) can sink inward during shaving.
The outer cutters
22
are constantly urged upward by the driving force of the springs
36
mounted on the inner cutter drive shafts
34
and by the driving force of the plate springs
96
. Accordingly, the fulcrum plates
80
are also urged upward via the outer cutter fastening rings
70
, and the fulcrum plates
80
are positioned so that the second pivot shafts
94
a
contact the lowermost portions of the engaging holes
86
a
. More specifically, the fulcrum plates
80
are constantly maintained in upper positions in which the second pivot shafts
94
a
contact the lowermost ends of the engaging holes
86
a
, so that the fulcrum plates
80
can tilt about the pivot shafts
94
a
. The fulcrum plates
80
are supported in the most stable fashion when the second pivot shafts
94
a
contact the lowermost ends of the engaging holes
86
a
; however, even when the second pivot shafts
94
a
are positioned in intermediate positions in the engaging holes
86
a
, a sufficient supporting effect thereof is obtained. In the shown embodiment, the second pivot shafts
94
a
contact the lowermost ends of the engaging holes
86
a
by way of the biasing force of the springs
36
and plate springs
96
. However, the plate springs
96
can be omitted, so that only the springs
36
are used.
The first supporting pillars
84
formed on the ring portions
82
of the fulcrum plates
80
are used to support the outer cutter fastening rings
70
so that the outer cutter fastening rings
70
can tilt. As shown in FIG.
6
(
b
), the first supporting pillars
84
are formed upright on the ring portions
82
of the fulcrum plates
80
, and projection-form first pivot shafts
84
a
are formed on the outer surfaces of the upper portions of the first supporting pillars
84
. These first pivot shafts
84
a
engage with engaging recesses
72
formed on the outer surfaces of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
, thus supporting the outer cutter fastening rings
70
so that the outer cutter fastening rings
70
can tilt.
FIGS.
7
(
a
) and
7
(
b
) are a top view and a side view of one of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
. Each of to outer cutter fastening rings
70
is comprised of a cylindrical portion
74
that is formed in a short tubular shape, an inner cutter supporting portion
76
that is formed on the inside of the cylindrical portion
74
, and a flange portion
78
that is formed along the lower edge of the cylindrical portion
74
. As seen from FIG.
7
(
b
), the engaging recesses
72
are formed in the outer surfaces of the flange portion
78
and cylindrical portion
74
. The upper end portions of the engaging recesses
72
are formed as circular grooves
72
a
so that the first pivot shafts
84
a
fit therein and pivot. The lower portions of the engaging recesses
72
are opened more widely than the circular grooves
72
a
. As a result, the first pivot shafts
84
a
of the fulcrum plates
80
are inserted into to engaging recesses
72
from below, and the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are supported in the fulcrum plates
80
by click engagement with the round grooves
72
a.
When the first pivot shafts
84
a
of the fulcrum plates
80
are engaged with the outer cutter fastening rings
70
, the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are shaft-supported so that they can tilt about the first pivot shafts
84
a
. In FIG.
7
(
b
), the reference numerals
79
are stoppers that act when the outer cutter casings
60
are fitted in the outer cutter fastening rings
70
. When the outer cutter casings
60
are set over the outer cutter fastening rings
70
and pressed, the outer cutter casings
60
are disposed in the outer cutter fastening rings
70
.
FIG. 3
shows as described above a state in which the fulcrum plates
80
are installed in the cutter retaining plate
90
, the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are disposed in the fulcrum plates
80
, and the outer cutter casings
60
are disposed in the outer cutter fastening rings
70
.
FIG. 3
involves two sectional views in which the viewing directions of the sections differ by 90° on the left and right sides with reference to line C—C.
Here, it is shown in
FIG. 3
, as described above, that the cutter retaining plate
90
is fastened to the cutter frame
30
by the screw
100
, that the fulcrum plates
80
and cutter retaining plate
90
are supported by engaging the second pivot shafts
94
a
of the cutter retaining plate
90
with the engaging holes
86
a
of the engagement pillars
86
of the fulcrum plates
80
, and that the fulcrum plates
80
and outer cutter fastening rings
70
are supported by engaging the first pivot shafts
84
a
of the fulcrum plates
80
with the engaging recesses
72
of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
.
The tip ends of the plate springs
96
are in contact with the bottoms of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
and perform an elastic spring action between the cutter retaining plate
90
and the outer cutter fastening rings
70
. Since the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are supported so that they can tilt by the first pivot shafts
84
a
, the inclination of the outer cutters
22
in the initial state during use can be set by appropriately setting the positions where the plate springs
96
contact the undersides of the outer cutter fastening rings
70
in terms of the relative positional relationship with the first pivot shafts
84
a
. More specifically, if the positions where the plate springs
96
contact the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are set further toward the center than the imaginary lines that connects the paired first pivot shafts
84
a
(i.e., in positions shifted toward the center of the equilateral triangular configuration in which the three outer cutters are disposed), then the initial postures of the outer cutters
22
are such a tilted state that the center sides of the equilateral triangular configuration of the outer cutters are high and the outer sides of the cutters are low. Conversely, if the positions where the plate springs
96
contact the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are set further to the outside than the imaginary lines that connects the paired first pivot shafts
84
a
, then a state in which the outer cutters
22
are tilted so that the center sides are low and the outer sides are high will be the initial postures of the outer cutters
22
.
FIG. 2
shows the tilted outer cutters
22
. Setting the outer cutters
22
in a tilted position before using the shaver is advantageous since this makes it easier to fit the outer cutters
22
against the skin during shaving. For example, if the outer cutters
22
are tilted as shown in FIG.
2
(
b
) so that the outer sides of the cutters are set to be lower at the beginning of the use of the shaver, then all three outer cutters
22
snugly contact the skin when shaving is initiated, and all the outer cutters
22
can be more easily fitted against the skin.
The most important feature in the structure of the electric rotary shaver of the shown embodiment is that the three outer cutters
22
provided in the cutter frame
30
are supported via first pivot shafts
84
a
and second pivot shafts
94
a
that are disposed perpendicular to each other, so that the outer cutters
22
can tilt in any desired direction. More specifically, the fulcrum plates
80
are supported so that they are tiltable by the second pivot shafts
94
a
of the cutter retaining plate
90
, and the outer cutter fastening rings
70
are supported so that they are tiltable by the first pivot shafts
84
a
of the fulcrum plates
80
. Thus, the outer cutters
22
are pivot-supported by two axes that are perpendicular to each other, so that the outer cutters
22
can tilt in any desired direction.
FIG. 8
shows the layout of the first pivot shafts
84
a
and second pivot shafts
94
a
. As seen from
FIG. 8
, the axes of the first pivot shafts
84
a
and second pivot shafts
94
a
are perpendicular to each other in a plan layout; however, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the positions of the axes are slightly different in the vertical direction. The reason for this difference is that in the shown embodiment the second pivot shafts
94
a
are fitted in the slot-form engaging holes
86
a
in order to allow the outer cutters
22
to sink inward (together with the inner cutters
26
). In the structure of this embodiment as well, the tilting of the outer cutters
22
does not cause any practical problems, and the shown embodiment is advantageous in that the structure allows the outer cutters
22
to sink inward. As a result of these pivot supports, the rotation of the outer cutters
22
is prevented at the same time.
The second pivot shafts
94
a
are not necessarily needed to move up and down. The second pivot shafts
94
a
can be shaft-supported so as not to be moved up and down in the engagement pillars
86
of the fulcrum plates
80
. In this structure, the first pivot shafts
84
a
and second pivot shafts
94
a
may be set at the same height, so that uniform tilting of the fulcrum plates
80
in all directions is possible. Furthermore, in order to allow the outer cutters
22
to sink inward, it is advisable to install the cutter retaining plate
90
so as to constantly drive the outer cutters
22
in a direction that causes the outer cutters to protrude outward and so that the cutter retaining plate
90
is moved up and down relative to the cutter frame
30
. The cutter retaining plate
90
can be supported in a floating manner by attaching the cutter retaining plate
90
by the screw
100
to the cutter frame
30
with a spring in between.
In the above-described embodiments, three outer cutters
22
are disposed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. However, a structure in which the respective outer cutters are supported by means of two pairs of pivot shafts that are perpendicular to each other is advantageous in any electric rotary shaver that include two or more outer cutters in a cutter frame
30
. In an electric shaver that involves a plurality of outer cutters, the structure that allows the outer cutters to tilt in all directions is advantageous since the outer cutters can snugly fit against the skin and improve the feeling of use during shaving.
According to the electric rotary shaver of the present invention, as described above, the outer cutters are supported via pivot shafts which are disposed perpendicular to each other, so that the outer cutters tilt as desired in all directions. Thus, the present invention provides an electric shaver in which the outer cutters can easily fit against the skin, and a good cutting effect is obtained.
Claims
- 1. An electric rotary shaver comprising: a cutter frame provided with a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters integrally provided with outer cutter casings, said outer cutter casings disposed in respective said outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside said outer cutters, said inner cutters being connected to inner cutter drive shafts which are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes said inner cutter drive shafts to protrude outward, wherein said rotary shaver further comprising:a cutter retaining plate provided inside and coupled to said cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of said electric shaver, and fulcrum plates respectively tiltably supported by said cutter retaining plate, said fulcrum plates being disposed so as to positionally correspond respectively to said outer cutter holes, and wherein said outer cutter casings are tiltably supported by said respective fulcrum plates by supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which said fulcrum plates are tiltably supported by said cutter retaining plate, so that said outer cutter casings together with said integral outer cutters are axially tiltable in any direction and tilting of said outer cutter casings together with said outer cutters is not limited by said cutter frame.
- 2. The electric rotary shaver according to claim 1, wherein supporting directions in which respective said fulcrum plates are shaft-supported are set so as to be on radial lines that passes through a center of said cutter frame, and supporting directions in which said outer cutters are shaft-supported are set so as to be in directions that are perpendicular to said radial lines.
- 3. The electric rotary shaver according to claim 1, wherein said outer cutters are metallic and said outer cutter casings are resin molded integrally on said outer cutters, outer surfaces of said outer cutter casings making a sliding contact with said inner surfaces of said outer cutter holes.
- 4. The electric rotary shaver according to claim 3, wherein longitudinal outer surfaces of said outer cutters casing are formed in a spherical surface shape that protrudes outward.
- 5. An electric rotary shaver comprising: a cutter frame provided with a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters disposed in respective said outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside said outer cutters, said inner cutters being connected to inner cutter drive shafts which are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes said inner cutter drive shafts to protrude outward, wherein said rotary shaver further comprising:a cutter retaining plate provided inside said cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of said electric shaver, and fulcrum plates respectively shaft-supported in said cutter retaining plate in a tiltable fashion, said fulcrum plates being disposed so as to positionally correspond respectively to said outer cutter holes, and wherein said outer cutters are shaft-supported in said respective fulcrum plates by supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which said fulcrum plates are shaft-supported by said cutter retaining plate, so that said outer cutters are axially tiltable in any direction; and outer cutter fastening rings are shaft-supported in said fulcrum plates, and said outer cutters are tiltably supported in said fulcrum plates via said outer cutter fastening rings.
- 6. The electric rotary shaver according to claim 5, wherein said outer cutters are disposed in outer cutter casings that are tiltable inside said outer cutter holes, and said outer cutter casings are supported in said outer cutter fastening rings.
- 7. An electric rotary shaver comprising: a cutter frame provided with a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters disposed in respective said outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside said outer cutters, said inner cutters being connected to inner cutter drive shafts which are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes said inner cuter drive shafts to protrude outward, wherein said rotary shaver further comprising:a cutter retaining plate provided inside said cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of said electric shaver, and fulcrum plates respectively shaft-supported in said cutter retaining plate in a tiltable fashion, said fulcrum plates being disposed so as to positionally correspond respectively to said outer cutter holes, and wherein said outer cutters are shaft-supported in said respective fulcrum plates by supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which said fulcrum plates are shaft-supported by said cutter retaining plate, so that said outer cutters are axially tiltable in any direction; and said cutter retaining plate is constantly urged with respect to said cutter frame in a direction that causes said outer cutters to protrude outward, and said cutter retaining plate is installed so as to be moved up and down.
- 8. An electric rotary shaver comprising: a cutter frame provided with a plurality of outer cutter holes, outer cutters disposed in respective said outer cutter holes so as to be tiltable in any direction, and inner cutters rotatably disposed inside said outer cutters, said inner cutters being connected to inner cutter drive shafts which are rotationally driven and urged in a direction that causes said inner cutter drive shafts to protrude outward, wherein said rotary shaver further comprising:a cutter retaining plate provided inside said cutter frame so as to be on a main body side of said electric shaver, and fulcrum plates respectively shaft-supported in said cutter retaining plate in a tiltable fashion, said fulcrum plates being disposed so as to positionally correspond respectively to said outer cutter holes, and wherein said outer cutters are shaft-supported in said respective fulcrum plates by supporting members in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which said fulcrum plates are shaft-supported by said cutter retaining plate, so that said outer cutters are axially tiltable in any direction; and pairs of supporting pillars that have pivot shafts are formed on said cutter retaining plate at positions that correspond to respective said outer cutter holes, and pairs of engagement pillars that have slot-form engaging holes are formed on said fulcrum plates; and wherein said pivot shafts are engaged with said engaging holes, thus allowing said outer cutters to be moved up and down.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-361669 |
Nov 2000 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (25)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1 406 140 |
Sep 1975 |
GB |