Safety razor

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to safety razors having a detachable blade cartridge, and, more particularly, to a safety razor designed to improve the moving trace of the blade cartridge on the curved skin of the face, thus maintaining a uniform skin contact area and uniform skin contact pressure, with the hinge points of the blade cartridge of the razor provided at the handle of the razor at a position below the central axis of the cartridge so as to enlarge the swing angle of the cartridge, and allow the blades of the cartridge to effectively and cleanly shave the face without damaging or cutting the skin regardless of a variety of cutting resistances applied to the cartridge due to various hair densities and various curvatures of the face, the razor also having an elastic actuation unit used for smoothly and elastically rotating the blade cartridge around the head, and removing the cartridge from the head as desired.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Safety razors, with a guard to prevent the blade from cutting the skin, are designed such that a blade cartridge having multiple blades is movably and detachably attached to the head of a handle so as to smoothly swing around its hinged points according to the curvature of the user's face. An example of such safety razors is referred to Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Heisei. 3-52,319. This Japanese safety razor comprises two cartridge holding arms, which are hinged at opposite ends of the head of a handle so as to be rotatable in opposite directions around their hinged points. A spring-biased actuation button is set in the head of the handle at the middle portion between the two arms such that the button is elastically movable forward or backward. When the button is moved to the back, the two holding arms are closed. When the button is moved forward while compressing the spring, the two holding arms are open to allow an attachment or removal of a blade cartridge relative to the head of the handle. A pusher is provided between the two holding arms, and comes into pressure contact with the blade cartridge at its front end. The blade cartridge is thus rotatable around the hinge shafts of the two holding arms at a predetermined angle.

[0006] However, this safety razor is problematic in that the two holding arms may be undesirably or unconsciously opened to allow the cartridge to be removed from the razor since the holding arms in the closed position are supported only by the spring.

[0007] In an effort to overcome such problems, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Heisei. 11-156068 discloses a safety razor, which is designed to reinforce the spring force of the spring biasing the cartridge holding arms, thus almost completely preventing the holding arms from being undesirably or unconsciously opened. In order to accomplish the above object, this razor comprises two cartridge holding arms, which are hinged at opposite ends of the head of a handle so as to be rotatable in opposite directions around their hinged points. An actuation unit is set in the handle, and is used for actuating the two cartridge arms. A movable pusher is provided in the head of the razor at the central portion such that the pusher is movable forward and backward, with an elastic biasing member set between the movable pusher and the actuation unit. When a blade cartridge is firmly attached to the head of the razor, the cartridge pushes the pusher to the back while compressing the elastic biasing member. Therefore, due to the spring force of the compressed biasing member, the two cartridge holding arms are held in the closed position.

[0008] In the above razor, the blade cartridge is rotatable around the cartridge holding arms of the head. In addition, the attachment or removal of the blade cartridge relative to the head of the razor is accomplished by a forward and backward movement of the spring-biased pusher. Therefore, the swing angle of the blade cartridge relative to the head is undesirably limited. In addition, it is almost impossible for the blade cartridge to move precisely, and so the blades of the cartridge fail to effectively or cleanly shave the face, but may damage or cut the skin of the face while shaving. Another problem experienced in the above safety razor resides in that the two cartridge holding arms are operated in conjunction with the spring-biased pusher at the same time, thus creating mechanical friction and overloading the cooperation mechanism provided between the two holding arms and the pusher. The hinge points of the two cartridge holding arms are aligned with two projections formed at the front end of the pusher, and so it is almost impossible to smoothly or easily attach or remove a blade cartridge relative to the head of the razor when either the two cartridge holding arms or the pusher fails to desirably operate.

[0009] Each of the above-mentioned two Japanese safety razors uses a blade cartridge, which comprises one or more blades, a cap holding the blades, and a guard for preventing the blades from cutting the skin. In the above razors, the hinged points of the blade cartridge are positioned along the central axis of the cartridge. That is, in the case of a blade cartridge having double blades, the hinged points are positioned along an axis extending between the two blades in parallel to the two blades. Therefore, when the blade cartridge is rotated with reverse moment while shaving, the blades may cut the skin. In addition, the pressure of the blades is directly applied to the skin of the face while shaving, and so it is almost impossible for the blade cartridge to smoothly move on the skin while sensitively responding to any curvature of the skin or any blemishes on the skin. When the hinged points are set along the central axis of the guard of the cartridge so as to prevent an increase in the resistance acting on the blades of the cartridge according to the hair density while shaving, the swinging action of the cartridge is undesirably stopped in the case of an excessive increase in the pressure acting on the cartridge while shaving. In such a case, the blades of the cartridge damage or cut the skin.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safety razor, which is structurally improved in the blade cartridge, the cartridge holder, and the head of the handle to allow the blade cartridge to move on the curved skin while being smoothly, sensitively and elastically rotated around the hinged points at an enlarged swing angle, and which is provided with separate elastic biasing members for respectively allowing the desired elastic swinging action of the blade cartridge relative to the head of the handle and allowing an easy attachment or removal of the blade cartridge relative to the head, and which is thus improved in its operational reliability and durability, and is almost free from damaging or cutting the skin while shaving.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety razor, of which the hinged points of the blade cartridge are positioned at the front end of the head of the handle at a position below the central axis of the cartridge, thus allowing the cartridge to be rotatable backward around the hinged points at an enlarged swing angle when a user unconsciously and excessively presses the cartridge against the skin while shaving, and which thus safely and cleanly shaves the face while maintaining a uniform skin contact area and uniform skin contact pressure without damaging or cutting the skin, regardless of a variety of cutting resistances applied to the cartridge due to various hair densities and various curvatures of the face.

[0012] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a safety razor, comprising a blade cartridge removably and rotatably attached to the head of a handle, wherein the blade cartridge is attached to the head at the hinged points formed at the front end of the head at a position below the central axis of the cartridge, thus allowing the rotatable cartridge to create a single directional moment during a rotating action of the cartridge around the hinge points and allowing a restoring moment of the cartridge to be applied to only a cartridge holder of the handle, and preventing the blade of the cartridge from forming any pressure capable of damaging or cutting the skin while shaving. In the safety razor, the cartridge is rotatable backward around the hinged points at an enlarged swing angle when a user unconsciously and excessively presses the cartridge against the skin while shaving, thus safely and cleanly shaving the face while maintaining a uniform skin contact area and uniform skin contact pressure without damaging or cutting the skin.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the safety razor comprises a handle having a head provided with a mounting depression, a center channel axially extending from the depression to the front edge of the head, and a knob seat opening formed at the upper surface of the head; an elastic actuation unit seated in the mounting depression of the head and consisting of: a base block seated in the mounting depression of the head and having an axial bore, with a first pusher movably seated in the axial bore while being normally biased forward by a first biasing member; a second pusher axially and movably seated on the base block, with a second biasing member normally biasing the second pusher to the back relative to the base block; and an actuation knob seated on the knob seat opening of the head, and elastically moving the second pusher forward or backward in accordance with an operation of a user; a cartridge holder rotatably attached to the front end of the head, the cartridge holder being provided with a cam surface for being normally biased by the first pusher so as to elastically return to its stop position, the cartridge holder also having a plurality of cartridge locking pieces; and a blade cartridge having a projection formed on its lower surface at a middle portion, and removably attached to the cartridge locking pieces of the cartridge holder such that the front end of the second pusher comes into contact with the projection.

[0014] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more cleanly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1ais an exploded perspective view of a razor in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the construction of the handle, cartridge holder, and elastic actuation unit used for rotating the cartridge holder in addition to removing a blade cartridge from the holder as desired;

[0016] FIG. 1bis an exploded perspective view of the razor of this invention, showing both the elastic actuation unit completely assembled with the head of the handle, and the cartridge holder separated from the actuation unit;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the razor of this invention, showing a swinging action of a blade cartridge attached to the cartridge holder completely assembled with the razor;

[0018] FIG. 3ais a perspective view of the elastic actuation unit of this invention, with the first and second pushers of the unit commonly assembled with the actuation knob into a single body;

[0019] FIG. 3bis a sectional view of the elastic actuation unit of FIG. 3a, taken along the longitudinal axis of the unit to show the operation of the first and second pushers of the unit;

[0020] FIG. 3cis an exploded perspective view of the first pusher of this invention, showing the construction of said first pusher;

[0021] FIG. 3dis a sectional view of the structure for attaching the second pusher of this invention to the actuation knob mounted to the head of the handle of the razor;

[0022] FIG. 4ais a bottom perspective view of the cartridge holder of this invention, showing the structure of the holder for holding a blade cartridge;

[0023] FIG. 4bis a bottom perspective view of a blade cartridge usable with the cartridge holder of FIG. 4a; and

[0024] FIG. 5 is a view, showing the trace of the blade cartridge of this invention swinging around hinged points.

[0025] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[0026] FIG. 1ais an exploded perspective view of a razor in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the construction of the handle, cartridge holder, and elastic actuation unit of the razor. FIG. 1bis an exploded perspective view of the razor of this invention, showing both the elastic actuation unit completely assembled with the head of the handle, and the cartridge holder separated from the actuation unit. In the razor of this invention, it is necessary to make at least a part of the handle 1 using a heavy material, such as a metal, so as to give desired weight to the handle 1, thus allowing a user to stably and safely manipulate the razor while shaving. It is preferable to set the part, made of such a heavy material, in the handle 1 along the axial direction of the handle 1 so as to maintain the shape of the handle 1.

[0027] In order to allow a user to stably and comfortably hold the handle 1 while shaving, the handle 1 is preferably fabricated with a soft rubber part at its external surface. The soft rubber part also accomplishes a desired combination with the remaining parts of the handle 1 made of a metal or plastic, thus improving the appearance of the razor.

[0028] In the razor of this invention, the head 2 is a wide portion provided at the front end of the handle 1, and holds both the cartridge holder and the elastic actuation unit of this invention as will be described later herein.

[0029] The head 2 has a double-stage structure fabricated with upper and lower head parts. The lower part of the head 2 is provided with a mounting depression 2aon its upper surface. This mounting depression 2ais defined by a plurality of reinforcing ribs, with a center channel 2baxially extending from the depression 2ato the front edge of the head 2. A knob seat opening 2cis formed at the center of the upper surface of the upper head part so as to pass the locking hooks of an actuation knob 9 when the knob 9 is set on the razor as will be described later herein. When the upper and lower parts of the head 2 are assembled into a single body, the mounting depression 2aof the lower head part is exposed to the atmosphere through the knob seat opening 2c.

[0030] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3cand 3dare views, showing the construction of an elastic actuation unit provided in the razor of this invention. As shown in the drawings, the elastic actuation unit 3 of this invention comprises several parts, that is: a base block 4, first and second pushers 5 and 6, first and second biasing members 7 and 8, and an actuation knob 9, which are assembled into a single body such that they are operated in conjunction with each other.

[0031] In the elastic actuation unit 3, the base block 4 is designed to be stably and closely seated in the mounting depression 2aof the head 2. An axial bore 4ahaving a predetermined depth is axially formed in the base block 4. The front end of the base block 4 is flanged upward, leftward and rightward, thus forming a front flange having opposite side wings. A guide notch 4bis formed at the top center of the front flange of the base block 4, while a first spring holder 4cis provided at the rear surface of each side wing of said front flange.

[0032] In such a case, the bottom of the guide notch 4bis positioned higher than the top surface of the main body of the base block 4, thus forming a step between the bottom of the guide notch 4band the top surface of the block's main body. A locking slot 4dhaving a predetermined length is axially formed on the bottom surface of the base block 4 such that the slot 4dcommunicates with the axial bore 4a.

[0033] The first biasing member 7, having a compression coil spring shape with high spring force, is axially set within the axial bore 4a. The first pusher 5 is inserted into the front end of the bore 4aso as to be movably set in the center channel 2bof the head 2 at its front portion and normally biased forward by the first biasing member 7. The above first pusher 5 is a longitudinal single body, which is divided into front and rear sections by a stopper 5apartially formed around the lower and opposite sides of the middle portion of said pusher 5. The front part of the first pusher 5 is a solid body with a rectangular cross-section, and is cut at its front surface to form a V-surface. The rear part of the first pusher is a hollow cylindrical body movably received in the axial bore 4aof the base block 4.

[0034] The hollow cylindrical rear part of the first pusher 5 is axially cut at the lower portion of its sidewall, thus forming an elastic guider 5bon said sidewall with a projection provided at the end of the guider 5b. When the first pusher 5 is inserted into the bore 4aof the base block 4, the elastic guider 5bof the pusher 5 is elastically compressed by the sidewall of the bore 4auntil it is elastically restored to its original state at a time it reaches the guide slot 4dof the base block 4, thus movably engaging with said guide slot 4dat its projection. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an undesired removal of the first pusher 5 from the bore 4a, with the movable distance of the first pusher 5 relative to the bore 4abeing limited by both the stopper 5aand the projection of the guider 5b.

[0035] The second pusher 6 is axially and movably seated on the top surface of the base block 4 while engaging with the guide notch 4bof the block 4. The second pusher 6 has the same width as that of the first pusher 5, and is notched at its lower surface to form a longitudinal notch, of which the depth is equal to the height of the bottom of the guide notch 4band the length is equal to the maximum movable distance of the second pusher 6. When the second pusher 6 is seated on the base block 4, the longitudinal notch of the pusher 6 is seated on the guide notch 4bof the block 4. It is thus possible to limit the movable distance of the second pusher 6 by the step of the guide notch 4b. The front surface of the second pusher 6 is chamfered along its top edge.

[0036] The rear end of the second pusher 6 forms a pressure body 6a, having the same height and width as those of the opposite side wings of the base block's front flange. A second spring holder 6b, having the same shape as that of the first spring holder 4c, is provided at the front surface of each side part of the pressure body 6aat a position corresponding to said first spring holder 4c. A top opening, having a rectangular profile, is formed on the top wall of the pressure body 6aat the center, with two locking rails 6c formed along opposite side edges of said top opening to catch the locking hooks of the actuation knob 9 as will be described later herein. The lower surface of the pressure body 6ais cut at its central portion to form an arch opening coinciding with the rounded upper surface of the base block 4, and so the pressure body 6ais smoothly movable along the rounded upper surface of the block 4 without creating any interference when the second pusher 6 axially moves on the base block 4.

[0037] Two second biasing members 8, having a compression coil spring shape, are set between the side wings of the base block 4 and the pressure body 6aof the second pusher 6 while being held by the first and second spring holders 4cand 6bat opposite ends thereof. It is thus possible to accomplish an elastic movement of the second pusher 6 relative to the base block 4. The maximum forward moving distance of the second pusher 6 relative to the base body 4 is determined by a difference between the normal position and fully compressed position of each second biasing member 8.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two second biasing members 8 are provided along opposite sides of the elastic actuation unit 3. However, it should be understood that the number of the second biasing members 8 may be set to one in place of two. In addition, the position of the second biasing members 8 on the actuation unit 3 may be changed from the position of the preferred embodiment without affecting the functioning the invention if the biasing members 8 effectively bias the second pusher 6.

[0039] The actuation knob 9 is inserted into the knob seat opening 2cof the head 2 until it is closely caught by the locking rails 6cof the pressure body 6aat its locking hooks 9b. The locking hooks 9bare formed at the lower ends of two locking arms 9avertically extending downward from the lower surface of the knob 9. When the actuation knob 9 is inserted into the top opening of the pressure body 6a, the two locking arms 9aof the knob 9 are elastically compressed inwardly by the top opening until they are elastically restored to their original state to engage with the locking rails 6cof the opening. It is thus possible for the actuation knob 9 to be firmly assembled with the pressure body 6aof the second pusher 6.

[0040] FIG. 4ais a bottom perspective view of the cartridge holder provided in the razor of this invention, showing the structure of the holder. FIG. 4bis a bottom perspective view of a blade cartridge usable with the cartridge holder of FIG. 4a. In the present invention, it is preferable to make the cartridge holder 10 using a metal in the same manner as the prior art. The cartridge holder 10 of this invention is hinged to the front end of the head 2 such that it is operated in conjunction with the elastic actuation unit 3 set in the head 2.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4a, the cartridge holder 10 is an integrated body, with two opposite hinge shafts 10aformed at the rear end of the holder 10 and acting as the hinged points of the blade cartridge 11 so as to allow the cartridge 11 to be rotatable relative to the head 2 of the handle 1. This holder is hinged to the front end of the head 2 of the handle 1 at the two hinge shafts 10a, thus allowing a swinging action of the blade cartridge 11 relative to the head 2. Two locking holes 10b, each having a locking edge, are formed on the cartridge holder 10, while two locking pieces 10care formed at the opposite ends of the front edge of the holder 10. Two locking projections 10dare formed on the lower surface of the holder 10 at positions around the inside edges of the two locking holes 10b.

[0042] A cam surface is formed on the rear edge of the cartridge holder 10 at the intermediate portion between the two opposite hinge shafts 10a, and engages with the V-surface of the front end of the first pusher 5 projecting forward from the head 2. The cartridge holder 10 is thus normally biased to its stop position. A blade cartridge 11 having multiple blades is detachably attached to the cartridge holder 10.

[0043] In the present invention, it should be understood that the biasing structure for the cartridge holder 10 may be accomplished by a biasing means set between the head 2 and the holder 10, such as a plate spring or a coil spring.

[0044] The blade cartridge 11 is attached to the cartridge holder such that the cartridge 11 can swing around the hinged points formed by the hinge shafts 10aof the holder 10. Since the two hinge shafts 10aare positioned at an appropriate position in the front of the head 2, it is possible for the cartridge 11 to swing around the hinged points through a large angle, and smoothly come into contact with the skin of the face at the blades with uniform pressure while shaving. In the present invention, the hinged points of the cartridge 11 formed by the hinge shafts 10aare preferably positioned below the central axis of the cartridge 11, thus allowing the cartridge 11 to create a single directional moment during a rotating action of the cartridge 11 around the hinged points and allowing a restoring moment of the cartridge 11 to be applied to only the cartridge holder 10 of the head 2. Therefore, the razor of this invention almost completely prevents the blades of the cartridge 11 from forming any pressure capable of damaging or cutting the skin while shaving.

[0045] of course, the number of blades set in the blade cartridge 11 is not limited in the present invention. That is, a blade cartridge having a single blade or multiple blades may be freely used with the razor of this invention.

[0046] In order to allow the blade cartridge 11 to be more easily and simply attached to the cartridge holder 10 and enlarge the swing angle of the cartridge 11, two longitudinal openings 11aare formed on the central portion of the lower surface of the cartridge 11 as shown in FIG. 4b. An inclined guider 11bis formed on the lower surface of the cartridge 11 at a position around each of the two openings 11aso as to guide the two locking pieces 10cwhen the cartridge 11 is attached to the holder 10. A projection 11cis formed on the lower surface of the blade cartridge 11 at the intermediate portion between the two openings 11a.

[0047] In order to attach the blade cartridge 11 to the cartridge holder 10, the two locking pieces 10cof the holder 10 are inserted into the two openings 11aof the cartridge 11 after passing the inclined guiders 11b. In such a case, the locking projections of the inclined guiders 11bare caught by the locking edges of the two locking holes 10b,thus accomplishing a desired attachment of the blade cartridge 11 to the cartridge holder 10. In addition, the chamfered front end of the second pusher 6, projecting forward from the center channel 2bof the head 2, comes into contact with the projection 11cof the cartridge 11. In such a case, the second pusher 6 is elastically operated in conjunction with an operation of the actuation knob 9. When the knob 9 is pushed forward after shaving, the blade cartridge 11 is easily and simply removed from the cartridge holder 10 of the razor.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the razor of this invention, showing a swinging action of the blade cartridge attached to the cartridge holder of the razor. As shown in the drawing, the elastic actuation unit 3 is completely set in the head 2 of the handle 1, with the cartridge holder 10 attached to the head 2. In order to attach a blade cartridge 11 to the cartridge holder 10 for shaving, the two locking pieces 10cof the holder 10 are inserted into the two openings 11aof the cartridge 11 after passing the inclined guiders 11b. In such a case, the locking projections of the inclined guiders 11bare caught by the locking edges of the two locking holes 10b,thus accomplishing a desired attachment of the blade cartridge 11 to the cartridge holder 10.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a view, showing the trace of the blade cartridge of this invention swinging around hinged points. As shown in the drawing, the blade cartridge 11 smoothly and sensitively swings around the hinged points. That is, the blade cartridge 11 is rotated around the hinge shafts 10aof the cartridge holder 10, acting as the hinged points of the blade cartridge 11, and so it is possible for the blades of the cartridge 11 to effectively and cleanly shave the face with both uniform shaving force and uniform pressure regardless of a variety of cutting resistances applied to the cartridge 11 due to both the hair density and the curvatures of the face. It is also possible for the blade cartridge 11 to enlarge its swing angle and accomplish a smooth shaving operation. In addition, when the blades of the cartridge 11 come into contact with very small blemishes on the face while shaving, the blades effectively and comfortably shave the face without damaging or cutting the skin of the face, since the first pusher 5 elastically and appropriately holds the cartridge holder 10 while sensitively responding to such blemishes of the skin due to the spring force of the first biasing member 7.

[0050] That is, the safety razor of this invention allows the blade cartridge 11 to smoothly move and swing along the curved skin of the face while maintaining both uniform shaving force and uniform pressure, thus effectively and cleanly shaving the face without damaging or cutting the curved skin of the face. In order to remove the blade cartridge 11 from the cartridge holder 10 after shaving, the actuation knob 9 provided at the top surface of the head 2 is pushed forward. When the knob 9 is operated as described above, the second pusher 6 advances forward from the fully retracted position while compressing the second biasing members 8, and forcibly pushes the projection 11cof the cartridge 11. Therefore, the locking projections of the inclined guiders 11bof the cartridge 11 are removed from the locking edges of the two locking holes 10bof the holder 10, and so the blade cartridge 11 is removed from the cartridge holder 10.

[0051] As described above, the present invention provides a safety razor designed to improve the moving trace of the blade cartridge on the curved skin, thus maintaining a uniform skin contact area and uniform skin contact pressure, with the hinge points of the blade cartridge of the razor provided at the head of the handle at a position below the central axis of the cartridge, so as to enlarge the swing angle of the blade cartridge. Due to such hinged points, the blade cartridge is rotatable backward when a user unconsciously and excessively presses the cartridge against the skin while shaving. Therefore, the blades of the cartridge effectively and cleanly shave the face without damaging the skin regardless of a variety of cutting resistances applied to the cartridge due to both the hair density and the curvatures of the face. Therefore, the razor of this invention accomplishes desired operational safety and desired shaving effect. This razor is also designed to easily and simply attach or remove the blade cartridge to the head of the handle as desired without creating any mechanical interference. The razor is thus convenient to both users and manufacturers. Another advantage of the razor of this invention resides in that it is usable for a desired lengthy period of time.

[0052] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.