Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6615498
-
Patent Number
6,615,498
-
Date Filed
Monday, June 12, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 9, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Richardson; Peter C.
- Benson; Gregg C.
- Thompson; Raymond D.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 030 524
- 030 532
- 030 533
- 030 529
- 030 538
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A razor assembly having a razor cartridge designed for pivotal, swivel and torsional movement during shaving includes a handle and a flexible member having a first end connected to the handle at a pivot axis, a second free end extending beyond the handle and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends of the flexible member. The razor cartridge, which has a major axis and one or more razor blades, is pivotally connected to the second free end of the flexible member for pivoting about an axis that is substantially parallel to the major axis of the razor cartridge. In addition, the second free end of the flexible member, and the razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto, are movable along an arcuate path centered at the pivot axis and are rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flexible member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to razors, and more particularly to a flexible member for a razor that enables a razor cartridge attached to the flexible member for pivotal, swivel and torsional movement during a shaving stroke.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability to obtain a close and comfortable shave depends upon the quality of the interface between the blades of a razor and the skin surface being shaved. Factors such as contours and/or crevices on a user's skin surface may create an imbalance of shaving forces on a razor, thereby degrading shave performance. In response to this problem, razors have been developed which utilize blades that flex in order to conform to the contours and/or crevices of an individual's skin surface. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,997 to Ferraro et al. discloses a flexible razor cartridge that can flex convexly and concavely during shaving to follow the contour of a skin surface. The '997 patent also includes a blade support having a compressible rubber-like material and that allows the blades to angularly and vertically deflect during shaving.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,119 to Ferraro et al. discloses another flexible razor cartridge whereby the razor includes a support and at least one rotating pivot movably connected to the support for contacting portions of a razor cartridge. The razor cartridge is normally maintained in a neutral position, however, in response to forces exerted on the razor cartridge, the cartridge may rotate and slide back and forth between a first position and a second position.
There have also been efforts to provide razors having degrees of movement, whereby the entire razor cartridge is moveable relative to a razor handle. For example, PCT Publication 93/20983 and United Kingdom Patent GB 2,116,470 both disclose razors having razor cartridges that are capable of swiveling relative to a razor handle. Another system disclosed in United Kingdom Patent GB 2,172,236 permits swiveling and pivoting motion, however, the pivoting causes the blade movement to leave the rotational plane of the surface being shaved.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,518, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses a four bar linkage system which allows for pivoting and swiveling of a razor cartridge in response to shaving forces.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5.953,824, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses a razor that allows a razor cartridge attached thereto to move relative to the razor in response to forces encountered during shaving. In certain embodiments, the razor cartridge is capable of swiveling and also pivoting about an axis normal to a central axis of the razor and normal to an imaginary axis defined by the points of attachments of the razor to a razor cartridge. The razor includes an engagement arm having a slot for controlling movement of the razor cartridge during shaving and during loading/unloading of the razor cartridge. As a result, the razor cartridge maintains an optimum shaving interface with a user's skin surface regardless of the angular differences between the razor cartridge and the razor during a shaving stroke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other advantages of the present invention are described in further detail below.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to razors adapted to support a razor cartridge during shaving while permitting pivoting (axis A
1
), torsional (axis A
2
) and swiveling motion (axis A
3
) of the razor cartridge relative to the razor in response to forces encountered during shaving. In one preferred embodiment, a razor assembly includes a razor handle and a flexible member having a first end connected to the handle at a pivot point. The razor handle may have an upper end and lower end with the first end of the flexible member being connected to the upper end of the razor handle. The flexible member desirably has a second free end projecting from the upper end of the razor handle, with a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends of the flexible member. The razor assembly also includes a razor cartridge having a major axis and having one or more razor blades, the razor cartridge being pivotally connected to the second free end of the flexible member for pivoting about an axis that is substantially parallel to the major axis of the razor cartridge. The second free end of the flexible member and the razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto are moveable along an arcuate path centered at the pivot point (i.e., swiveling motion about axis A
3
) and are rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flexible member (i.e., torsional motion about axis A
2
). The axis A
2
may also extend from the upper end to the lower end of the handle, along the longitudinal axis of the handle. The second free end of the flexible member preferably includes a connecting element adapted for receiving the razor cartridge so that the razor cartridge may be connected thereto. In certain preferred embodiments, the connecting element at the second free end may include a substantially cylindrical shaped rod extending in a direction that is substantially normal to and/or intercepts the longitudinal axis of the flexible member. The razor cartridge may include an underside having one or more bearing surfaces adapted for engaging the substantially cylindrical shaped rod for connecting the razor cartridge with the second end of the flexible member. In certain embodiments, the bearing surfaces snap-fit over the outer surface of the substantially cylindrical shaped rod so that the razor cartridge may pivot about the rod in response to forces encountered during a shaving stroke. The razor cartridge and flexible member may be adapted for unidirectional pivoting motion of the razor cartridge or bi-directional pivoting motion of the razor cartridge relative to the flexible member in response to forces acting upon the cartridge during the shaving process.
The flexible member may also include a support gusset, such as a triangular shaped support gusset, extending from the second free end of the flexible member toward the first end thereof. The flexible member may also include a lateral support extending in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis of the flexible member. The razor handle may include a rear portion or rear half and a front portion or front half, whereby the rear and front handle portions are connectable together for surrounding at least a portion of the flexible member. In other preferred embodiments, the handle has one piece that may be plastic or metal. In still further embodiments, the flexible member and handle are plastic and the flexible member is integrally molded with the handle. The handle preferably surrounds the first end of the flexible member with the second end of the flexible member projecting out from the handle.
Further advantages and characteristics of the invention are described in further detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows an isometric rear side view of a flexible member for a razor having a razor cartridge attached thereto in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
shows a rear view of the flexible member and razor cartridge shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
shows an isometric front side view of a razor assembly including the flexible member and razor cartridge of
FIGS. 1 and 2
in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4
shows a rear side view of the razor assembly shown in FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
shows a fragmentary isometric front side view of the razor assembly shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
shown with a front portion of the razor handle removed.
FIG. 6
shows a fragmentary isometric front side view of the razor assembly shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
shown with a rear portion of the razor handle removed.
FIG. 7A
shows a fragmentary right side view of a razor assembly including a flexible member with an unidirectional pivoting system for a razor cartridge, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 7A
with the razor cartridge in a deflected position.
FIG. 8A
shows a fragmentary right side view of a razor assembly including a flexible member with a unidirectional pivoting system for a razor cartridge, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 8A
with the razor cartridge in a deflected position.
FIG. 9A
shows a fragmentary right side view of a razor assembly including a flexible member with an unidirectional pivoting system for a razor cartridge, in accordance with still further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 9B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 9A
with the razor cartridge in a deflected position.
FIG. 10A
shows a fragmentary right side view of a razor assembly including a flexible member with a bi-directional pivoting system for a razor cartridge, in accordance with yet further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 10B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 10A
with the razor cartridge in a first deflected position.
FIG. 10C
shows the razor assembly of
FIGS. 10A and 10B
with the razor cartridge in a second deflected position.
FIG. 11
shows a top plan view of the razor assembly shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
depicting the range of torsional movement of the razor cartridge.
FIG. 12A
shows a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the razor assembly of
FIG. 1
with the flexible member in a neutral, undeflected position relative to a handle.
FIG. 12B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 9A
with the flexible member in a first torsional movement position relative to the handle.
FIG. 12C
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 9A
with the flexible member in a second torsional movement position relative to the handle.
FIG. 13A
shows a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a razor assembly with a flexible member in a neutral, undeflected position relative to a handle, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 13B
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 13A
with the flexible member in a first torsional movement position relative to the handle.
FIG. 13C
shows the razor assembly of
FIG. 13A
with the flexible member in a second torsional movement position relative to the handle.
FIG. 14A
shows an exploded rear view of a shaving assembly having a releasably attached flexible member, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 14B
is a rear view of the flexible member of
FIG. 14A
shown releasably attached to the handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2
show a flexible member
20
for a razor assembly in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. The flexible member
20
has a first or lower end
22
that is preferably connectable to a razor handle and a second or upper end
24
remote therefrom that is preferably connectable to a razor cartridge. The flexible member desirably has a connecting element such as a substantially cylindrically-shaped rod
26
attached to the second end
24
thereof. The rod
26
has a longitudinal axis designated A
1
. The substantially cylindrically-shaped rod
26
is preferably sized and shaped for having a razor cartridge
28
pivotally connected thereto so that the razor cartridge
28
, which has one or more blades, may pivot about longitudinal axis A
1
. The flexible member has a longitudinal axis A
2
extending between the first and second ends
22
,
24
of the flexible member
20
. The flexible member
20
also preferably includes a substantially cross-shaped lateral support
30
having a left side lateral support or flange
32
and a right side lateral support or flange
34
. The flexible member
20
also includes left side and right side support gussets
36
A and
36
B extending from an underside of the rod
26
and the second end
24
of the flexible member
20
toward the first end
22
of the flexible member. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, the support gussets
36
A,
36
B extend from the cylindrical rod
26
to a visual indicator
42
. The visual indicator
42
projects from the rear of the flexible member
20
and indicates the position of the flexible member
20
during a shaving operation. The flexible member
20
has an upper flange
38
and a lower flange
40
. The upper and lower flanges
38
,
40
extend in directions that are substantially perpendicular to a flexible web
44
. The flexible web
44
is preferably a portion of the flexible member
20
that extends between the pivot point of the flexible member (i.e., axis A
3
) and the upper and lower flanges
38
and
40
. In preferred embodiments, most if not all of the swiveling motion of the flexible member (i.e., motion about axis A
2
) and torsional motion of the flexible member (i.e., motion about axis A
2
) occurs at the flexible web
44
of the flexible member. In preferred embodiments, most if not all of the torsional motion of the flexible member (i.e., motion about axis A
2
) occurs in the support gussets
36
A,
36
B. However, in other preferred embodiments torsional motion may occur in the flexible web
44
of the flexible member (i.e., motion about axis A
2
).
FIG. 2
shows a rear view of the flexible member
20
, with the razor cartridge
28
pivotally connected to the substantially cylindrical-shaped rod
26
. In certain preferred embodiments, the razor cartridge
28
has an underside
46
that includes bearing surfaces
48
that are sized and shaped to snap fit over the outer surface of the cylindrical rod
26
. The bearing surfaces
48
are made of a resilient thermoplastic material so that the razor cartridge
28
may be releasably connected to the rod
26
. As a result, razor cartridges may be selectively connected to and/or detached from the flexible member
20
, such as when a first razor cartridge (i.e., a worn razor cartridge) is replaced with a substitute razor cartridge. Once the razor cartridge
28
has been pivotally secured to the rod, lateral locking elements
50
prevent and/or limit lateral movement of the razor cartridge
28
relative to the cylindrical rod
26
(i.e., movement along axis A
1
). The lateral locking elements
50
also preferably guide the outer surface of rod
26
into engagement with the bearing surfaces
48
. The razor cartridge
28
also includes end walls
52
A and
52
B provided at opposite ends of the razor cartridge that may or may not be used in conjunction with cylindrical rod
26
and may or may not be used in conjunction with the lateral locking elements
50
. In further preferred embodiments, the rod
26
substantially cylindrical-shaped rod could extend into engagement with the side walls of the razor cartridge for preventing side-to-side or lateral movement of the razor cartridge. In other preferred embodiments, the rod
26
may be pivotally connected to the end walls of the razor cartridge. In these embodiments, the end walls may have concave-shaped bearing surfaces formed therein and the rod may be snap-fit into the bearing surfaces.
The flexible member
20
shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
may be connected to a handle. The connection may be a permanent connection or a releasable connection. For example, the flexible member may be releasably connected to the handle if the flexible member is disposable.
FIGS. 3 and 4
show one preferred razor handle to which the flexible member and razor cartridge of
FIGS. 1 and 2
may be attached. The shaving assembly
54
includes a handle
56
, preferably made of a resilient plastic material or metal, having an upper end
58
and a lower end
60
remote therefrom. The handle
56
may comprise two handle halves, a rear handle portion
62
and a front handle portion
64
, that are preferably connected together. The rear handle portion
64
includes annular ribs
66
on an exterior surface thereof for enhancing the gripability of the handle
56
. In other preferred embodiments, the handle may comprise a single piece of molded plastic or metal. In still other preferred embodiments, the handle may be integrally formed with the flexible member.
FIG. 5
shows a fragmentary, isometric view of the razor assembly
54
of
FIGS. 3 and 4
, including rear handle portion
62
. The rear handle portion
62
includes an interior surface
68
, an exterior surface
70
, and an edge
72
extending between the interior and exterior surfaces
68
,
70
. The rear handle portion
62
may have an arcuate slot
74
extending from the interior surface
68
to the exterior surface
70
through which the visual indicator
42
may pass. As the razor cartridge and the second end of the flexible member
20
swivel about the pivot point centered at axis A
3
, the visual indicator
42
moves along an arcuate path defined by the arcuate slot
74
. The rear handle portion
62
preferably includes upper supports
76
and lower supports
78
for receiving the left and right side lateral supports
32
and
34
, and the first end
22
of the flexible member. The upper supports
76
define a slot
80
for receiving the left side lateral support
32
and the right side lateral support
34
. The lower supports
78
define a slot
82
for receiving the first end
22
of the flexible member
20
. The upper and lower supports
76
and
78
provide engagement surfaces and/or points of contact for connecting the flexible member
20
to the handle while enabling the flexible web portion
44
of the flexible member
20
to swivel and/or rotate about respective axes A
2
and A
3
. Thus, once the flexible member
20
is connected to the handle, all swiveling and torsional motion of the flexible member
20
preferably takes place in the flexible web
44
that extends from axis A
3
to the lower end of the upper flange
38
and support gussets
36
A,
36
B.
The flexible member
20
includes lower flange
40
that confronts the interior surface
84
of front handle portion
64
(FIG.
6
), and an upper flange
38
that confronts the interior surface
68
of the rear handle portion
62
. The upper flange
38
and the lower flange
40
cooperate together with the respective interior surfaces
68
of the rear handle portion
62
and the interior surface
84
of the front handle portion
64
to limit the degree of torsional movement of the second end
24
of the flexible member
20
.
FIG. 6
shows a fragmentary, isometric view of the razor assembly
54
of
FIGS. 3 and 4
, including front handle portion
64
. The front handle portion
64
includes interior surface
84
. The interior surface
84
of front handle portion
64
includes upper supports
76
′ and lower supports
78
′ that are substantially similar in shape and size to the upper and lower supports of the rear handle portion (FIG.
5
). The upper supports
76
and
76
′ secure the left and right side supports
32
,
34
of the lateral support
30
of the flexible member. The lower supports
78
and
78
′ secure the first or lower end
22
of the flexible member. Lower flange
40
is engageable with interior bearing surface
86
of the front handle portion
64
. The lower flange
40
slides over the interior bearing surface
84
during swiveling movement of the razor cartridge.
FIGS. 7A and 7B
show pivotal movement of the razor cartridge
28
relative to the flexible member
20
during a shaving operation. The embodiment shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
provides for unidirectional pivotal movement of the razor cartridge relative to the rod
26
of the flexible member
20
.
FIG. 7A
shows the razor cartridge
28
in a normally extended or first pivotal position, with biasing element
88
urging the razor cartridge
28
to pivot about rod
26
in a clockwise direction R
1
. Referring to
FIG. 7B
, during a shaving operation, external forces F applied to a top side
90
of the razor cartridge
28
cause the razor cartridge to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction R
2
about the rod
26
. As the razor cartridge pivots from the position shown in
FIG. 7A
to the position shown in
FIG. 7B
, the biasing element
88
is compressed. After the force F is removed from the top side
90
of the razor cartridge
28
, the biasing element
88
decompresses for returning the razor cartridge to the extended position shown in FIG.
7
A. Thus, once the force F is greater than the counterforce exerted by biasing element
88
, the razor cartridge will pivot from the normally extended position shown in
FIG. 7A
, to the retracted position shown in FIG.
7
B. Pivotal movement in the counter-clockwise direction R
2
continues until the rearward portion
92
of bearing surface
48
engages the support gussets
36
A and
36
B (
FIGS. 7A and 7B
show gussset
36
B) of the flexible member
20
. Once the force F is removed from the top side
90
of the razor cartridge
28
, the biasing element
88
urges the razor cartridge
28
to pivot back to the normally extended position shown in FIG.
7
A.
FIGS. 8A and 8B
show pivotal movement of a razor cartridge relative to a flexible member, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention. The flexible member
120
includes a helical spring
188
attached to an upper end of upper flange
138
. The razor cartridge
128
is pivotally mounted to substantially cylindrical rod
126
. In
FIG. 8A
, the helical spring
188
urges the razor cartridge
128
into an extended position. When force F is exerted upon the top side
190
of razor cartridge
128
, the razor cartridge pivots about the substantially cylindrical-shaped rod in the direction counter-clockwise R
2
, thereby compressing the helical spring
188
. When the force F is removed from the top side
190
of razor cartridge
128
, the helical spring
188
decompresses and urges the razor cartridge
128
to pivot about the rod
126
in the direction clockwise R
1
. Thus, once the force F is removed, the helical spring
188
urges the razor cartridge
128
back into the extended position shown in FIG.
8
A.
FIGS. 9A and 9B
show a flexible member
220
for a shaving assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flexible member
220
has a razor cartridge
228
pivotally mounted thereto for unidirectional pivot movement about cylindrical rod
226
. The flexible member
220
has a biasing element
288
integrally molded thereto for urging the razor cartridge
228
to pivot in a clockwise direction R
1
about cylindrical rod
226
to the extended position shown in FIG.
9
A. When a force F is exerted upon the top side
290
of the razor cartridge
228
, the razor cartridge pivots about the rod
226
in the counter-clockwise direction R
2
to compress the biasing element
288
. The razor cartridge pivots in the counter-clockwise direction R
2
until bearing surface
248
engages support gusset
236
. When the force F is removed from the top side
290
of the razor cartridge
228
, the biasing element
288
decompresses for urging the razor cartridge
228
to pivot about the rod in clockwise direction R
1
to return the razor cartridge to the extended position shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIGS. 10A-10C
show yet another embodiment of a flexible member for a razor assembly whereby the flexible member includes a bi-directional pivoting system. Referring to
FIG. 10A
, the flexible member
320
has a first biasing element
388
A extending from upper flange
338
to engage the bearing surface
348
at the under side of razor cartridge
328
. The razor cartridge also includes a second biasing element
388
B engagable with lower flange
340
. The first and second biasing elements
388
A,
388
B normally urge the razor cartridge
328
into the neutral position shown in FIG.
10
A. Referring to
FIG. 10B
, when a force F
1
is exerted upon the top side
390
of razor cartridge
328
, the razor cartridge
328
rotates in a counterclockwise direction R
1
about rod
326
, thereby compressing first biasing element
328
A. When the force F
1
is removed, the first biasing element
388
A urges the razor cartridge to rotate in a clockwise direction R
2
back into the neutral position shown in FIG.
10
A. Referring to
FIG. 10C
, when a force F
2
is directed on the top side
390
of razor cartridge
328
, the razor cartridge rotates in a clockwise direction R
1
designated R
2
so as to compress the second biasing element
388
B. When the force F
2
is removed, the second biasing element
388
B urges the razor cartridge
328
to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and back to the neutral position shown in FIG.
10
A. Thus, the embodiment shown in
FIG. 10A-10C
provides for a razor cartridge that is able to pivot in two directions (i.e., bi-directional pivoting). The biasing elements
388
A,
388
B return the razor cartridge to a neutral position once external forces have been removed from the razor cartridge.
The razor cartridge
28
and flexible member
20
(
FIG. 1
) of the present invention may also undergo swiveling and torsional movement when external forces are applied to the razor cartridge
28
.
FIG. 2
shows swiveling movement of the flexible member
20
. While the first end
22
of the flexible member
20
is secured in place between upper and lower handle portions
62
and
64
, the flexible web
44
(i.e., the section of the flexible member
20
between the pivot point defined by axis A
3
and the upper flange
38
) is able to flex in the directions indicated by the arrows relative to axis A
3
of the flexible member
20
. In other words, the portion of the flexible member
20
at the visual indicator will move along an arcuate path centered on axis A
3
.
FIG. 11
is a top plan view of the razor assembly
54
of
FIGS. 5 and 6
showing torsional movement of the flexible member
20
in response to torsional forces F
t1
and F
t2
exerted upon the razor cartridge
28
. The torsional movement is essentially rotational movement of the razor cartridge about the longitudinal axis A
2
of the flexible member
20
. The longitudinal axis A
2
of the flexible member
20
shown in
FIG. 11
extends into and out of the paper. The torsional movement of the flexible member preferably occurs between the upper and lower flanges
38
,
40
and the cartridge attachment axis A
1
.
FIGS. 12A-12C
show torsional movement of flexible member
20
.
FIG. 12A
shows a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the razor assembly
54
of
FIGS. 3 and 4
including rear handle portion
62
having interior surface
68
, and front handle portion
64
including interior surface
84
. In
FIG. 12A
there are no torsional forces acting upon flexible member
20
. As a result, the upper and lower flanges
38
and
40
exert no pressure load on the respective interior surfaces
68
and
84
.
FIG. 12B
shows the flexible member
20
after torsional forces F
t2
have caused the flexible member
20
to twist and rotate in a clockwise direction R
1
about the longitudinal axis A
2
and relative to the handle.
FIG. 12C
shows the flexible member
20
after torsional forces F
t1
have caused the flexible member
20
to rotate in a counterclockwise direction R
2
about the longitudinal axis A
2
of the flexible member
20
. Torsional movement of flexible member
20
(i.e., rotation of the second end
24
of the flexible member
20
relative to the first end
22
of the flexible member about the longitudinal axis A
2
of the flexible member
20
) is limited by the increasing stiffness of the cross-sectional geometry of the flexible member
20
as it deforms when torsional forces are applied. This stiffness is a result of the geometry (polar moment of inertia) and the material properties (shear modulus) of the flexible member
20
.
Referring to
FIG. 13A
, in other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a first gap may be present between upper flange
38
′ and the interior surface
68
′ of rear handle portion
62
′, and a second gap may be present between lower flange
40
′ and the interior surface
84
′ of front handle portion
64
′. Torsional movement is also limited by the upper flange
38
′ engaging the interior surface
68
′ of rear handle portion
62
′ (
FIG. 13B
) and/or the lower flange
40
′ engaging the interior surface
84
′ of front handle portion
64
′ (FIG.
13
C). In this embodiment, torsional movement of flexible member
20
′ may also be limited by the increasing stiffness of the cross-sectional geometry of the flexible member
20
′ as it deforms when torsional forces are applied.
FIGS. 14A and 14B
show a shaving assembly
454
including a flexible member
520
capable of being releasably attached to a handle
556
. The flexible member
520
includes a lower end
522
, an upper end
524
remove therefrom and cylindrical rod
526
connected to the upper end
524
of flexible member
520
. The handle
556
includes an upper end
558
having an opening (not shown) and a lower end
560
remote therefrom. The handle-also includes a button
594
that may be depressed for releasing the flexible member from its connection with the handle
556
, as will be described in more detail below. In order to connect the flexible member
520
with the handle
556
, the lower end
522
of the flexible member is inserted into the opening at the upper end
558
of the handle. The interior region of the handle may include any one of a number of well known structures for securing a shaft to razor handle. For example, the interior region of the handle may include a spring loaded element for engaging the outer surface of the lower end
522
of flexible member
520
when the flexible member is inserted into the opening of the handle
556
.
FIG. 14B
shows the flexible member
520
after it has been connected to handle
556
. The flexible member
520
has razor cartridge
528
pivotally connected thereto. The flexible member
520
will remain attached to handle
556
until button
594
is depressed for releasing flexible member
520
from its attachment to handle
556
. After flexible member
520
has been detached from handle
556
, a replacement flexible member may be releasably attached to handle
556
. In certain preferred embodiments, the flexible member
520
may be disposable. In other words, the flexible member
520
may be sold with one or more razor cartridges
528
and the entire subassembly of the flexible member and razor cartridge thrown away once the cutting blades of razor cartridge
528
have become worn. However, in other embodiments, the flexible member may be sold separately from razor cartridges. In these embodiments, it may be desirable to replace the flexible member
520
once it loses its flexibility and/or resilience, irrespective of whether or not one or more razor blade cartridges connected thereto have become worn.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative of principles and applications of the present invention. Thus, it is understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
- 1. A razor assembly comprising:a handle; and a flexible member having a first end connected to said handle at a pivot point, a second free end projecting from the upper end of said handle and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends of said flexible member, the second free end of said flexible member including a substantially cylindrical rod extending in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis of said flexible member; the second free end of said flexible member being movable along an arcuate path centered at the pivot point and rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, the second free end of the flexible member being adapted to receive a razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto, the razor cartridge having a major axis and one or more razor blades.
- 2. A razor assembly comprising:a handle; and a flexible member having a first end connected to said handle at a pivot point, a second free end projecting from the upper end of said handle, a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, and a substantially cylindrical rod extending in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis of the flexible member; and a razor cartridge having a major axis and including one or more razor blades, each of said one or more razor blades including a cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the major axis of the razor cartridge, said razor cartridge being pivotally connectable to the second free end of said flexible member for pivoting about an axis that is substantially parallel to the major axis of said razor cartridge, wherein the second end of said flexible member and the razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto are movable along an arcuate path centered on the pivot point, and wherein said second end of said flexible member and said razor cartridge are rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flexible member.
- 3. A razor assembly comprising:a handle; a flexible member having a first end connected to said handle at a pivot point, a second free end projecting from the upper end of said handle and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, said flexible member; wherein the second free end of said flexible member is movable along an arcuate path centered at the pivot point and is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said handle including a rear handle portion and a front handle portion, said rear and front handle portions being connectable together for securing at least a portion of the flexible member, the connected rear and front handle portions surrounding at least the first end of said flexible member.
- 4. A razor assembly comprising:a handle; a flexible member having a first end connected to said handle at a pivot point, a second free end projecting from the upper end of said handle and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, said flexible member including a laterally extending support having an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said laterally extending support lying between the pivot point and the first end of said flexible member, said handle including a rear handle portion and a front handle portion, said rear and front handle portions being connectable together for securing at least a portion of the flexible member, said rear and front handle portions surrounding at least the first end of said flexible member; and a razor cartridge having a major axis and including one or more razor blades, said razor cartridge being pivotally connectable to the second free end of said flexible member for pivoting about an axis that is substantially parallel to the major axis of said razor cartridge, wherein the second end of said flexible member and the razor cartridge pivotally connected thereto are movable along an arcuate path centered on the pivot point, and wherein said second end of said flexible member and said razor cartridge are rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flexible member.
- 5. The razor assembly as claim in claim 1, wherein each of said one or more razor blades includes a cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the major axis of the razor cartridge.
- 6. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said razor cartridge has an underside including one or more surfaces engagable with said substantially cylindrical rod for pivotally connecting said razor cartridge to said flexible member.
- 7. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said razor cartridge is pivotable about an axis that extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the major axis of said razor cartridge.
- 8. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible member includes a support gusset extending from the second free end toward the first end thereof.
- 9. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flexible member includes a laterally extending support having an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said laterally extending support lying between the pivot point and the first end of said flexible member.
- 10. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said handle is a one piece handle.
- 11. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible member is integrally molded with said handle.
- 12. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rear handle portion has an interior face with an upper receiver channel and an lower receiver channel, the upper receiver channel being adapted to receive the laterally extending support of the flexible member and the lower receiver channel being adapted to secure a section of said flexible member adjacent the first end thereof.
- 13. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said rear handle portion has an arcuate slot extending from the interior face to an exterior surface thereof.
- 14. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said flexible member includes an indicator connected thereto and disposed between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein said indicator extends through said arcuate slot for indicating the location of said flexible member during shaving.
- 15. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the front handle portion has an interior face with an upper receiver channel and a lower receiver channel, the upper receiver channel being adapted to secure the laterally extending support of the flexible member and the lower receiver channel being adapted to receive a section of said flexible member adjacent the first end thereof.
- 16. The razor assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a thermoplastic material.
- 17. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said handle includes an exterior surface having one or more annular ribs so as to provide a gripping surface for said handle.
- 18. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said razor cartridge has an underside including one or more bearing surfaces engagable with said substantially cylindrical rod for pivotally connecting said razor cartridge to said flexible member.
- 19. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible member includes a support gusset extending from the second free end toward the first end thereof.
- 20. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible member includes a laterally extending support having an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said laterally extending support lying between the pivot point and the first end of said flexible member.
- 21. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said handle includes a rear handle portion and a front handle portion, said rear and front handle portions being connectable together for securing the flexible member to the handle.
- 22. The razor assembly as claimed is claim 20, wherein said handle is a one piece handle.
- 23. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said flexible member is integrally molded with said handle.
- 24. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the rear and front handle portions cooperate to surround at least the first end of said flexible member.
- 25. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear handle portion has an interior face with an upper receiver channel and a lower receiver channel, the upper receiver channel being adapted to receive the laterally extending support of the flexible member and the lower receiver channel being adapted to secure a section of said flexible member adjacent the first end thereof.
- 26. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper handle portion has an arcuate slot extending from the interior surface to an exterior surface thereof.
- 27. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein said flexible member includes an indicator connected thereto and disposed between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein said indicator extends through said arcuate slot for indicating the location of said flexible member during shaving.
- 28. The razor assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the front handle portion has an interior face with an upper receiver channel and a lower receiver channel, the upper receiver channel being adapted to secure the laterally extending support of the flexible member and the lower receiver channel being adapted to receive a section of said flexible member adjacent the first end thereof.
- 29. A razor assembly comprising:a handle; and a flexible member having a first end connected to said handle at a pivot point, a second free end projecting from the upper end of said handle for carrying a razor cartridge and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends of said flexible member, said flexible member including a laterally extending support having an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said laterally extending support lying below the pivot point, the second free end of said flexible member being movable along an arcuate path centered at the pivot point and is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flexible member, said handle having an upper portion surrounding at least the first end of said flexible member.
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