Flexible member for a shaving razor

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6615498
  • Patent Number
    6,615,498
  • Date Filed
    Monday, June 12, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 9, 2003
    21 years ago
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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Number Name Date Kind
2844870 Roces et al. Jul 1958 A
5535518 Althus et al. Jul 1996 A
5560106 Armbruster et al. Oct 1996 A
5771591 Armbruster et al. Jun 1998 A
5781997 Ferraro et al. Jul 1998 A
5813119 Ferraro et al. Sep 1998 A
5953824 Ferraro et al. Sep 1999 A
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Number Date Country
0429174 May 1995 EP
612211 Sep 1926 FR
2116470 Sep 1983 GB
2172236 Sep 1986 GB
WO 9320983 Oct 1993 WO
WO9836878 Aug 1998 WO