GB2064408A

GB2064408A - Razor Handle

Info

Publication number: GB2064408A
Application number: GB8038193A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Current assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Priority date: 1979-12-07
Filing date: 1980-11-28
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: GB2064408B; HK41983A; AR228861A1; NL8006551A; FR2471259A1; DE3042664A1

Abstract

A razor handle for use with replaceable blade assemblies comprises a grip portion (2) a mounting portion (4) at one end of the grip portion and extending transversely to the grip portion, a first slide structure (28) at a one end of the mounting portion, and a second slide structure (30) at a second end of the mounting portion, the slide axes (a-a, b-b) of the slide structures being substantially parallel with each other and transverse to a line extending through the first and second slide structures. Each structure defines a channel (18, 20) to receive portions of a blade assembly and a stop formed by a lug (34, 38) to assist correct location of the assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Safety Razor Handle The invention relates to wet shaving implements and is directed more particularly to a razor handle for use with replaceable blade assemblies.

It is generally known in the art to provide a razor handle which may be used in conjunction with replaceable blade assemblies, or cartridges, to effect a shaving operation. The cartridges usually include blade means fixed to a cap and guard structure, the whole cartridge being replaceable after dulling of the cutting edge portions of the blade means.

U.S. Patents Nos. 1,864,995; 2,155,749; 2,654,148; 2,676,397; 3,388,831; 3,768,162 and 4,083,104 all show razors having means thereon for connection to a cartridge-type blade assembly. The '995 patent discloses a threaded connecting means; the '749 patent discloses a leaf spring connecting means; the '148 patent discloses a slide means; the '397 and '831 patents show razor handles having opposed jaws which receive a cartridge therebetween the '162 patent shows a slide means adapted to extend substantially throughout the length of the cartridge: and the '104 patent relates to a journal means for mounting a cartridge so that it may move pivotally on the razor handle.

In U.S. Patent No. 2,654,148 the slide means of the handle is relatively short and is adapted to interconnect with complementary slide means disposed centrally of a cartridge and disposed width-wise, or extending in a direction from the front of the cartridge to the rear of the cartridge. A relatively short, quick stroke is all that is required to connect the handle to the cartridge. The support that the handle can provide to the cartridge is, however, very limited and less than desired.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,768,162, the slide means of the handle is adapted to fully support a cartridge throughout its entire length and thereby provide a very stable and dependable support system. However, the rather lengthy slide connection requires some time to complete in a cartridge changing operation in which one cartridge is removed from the handle and another attached thereto. Further, the lengthy slide means obstructs the view of the shaver relative to the area being shaved.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a razor handle having slide means thereon for interconnection to a shaving cartridge, the slide means being short in extent but disposed so as to provide stable and reliable support for the cartridge during a shaving operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide such slide means as will facilitate the shaver's viewing of the area being shaved.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, a feature of the present invention is the provision of a razor handle for use with replaceable blade assemblies, the handle comprising a grip portion, a mounting portion at one end of the grip portion and extending transversely to the grip portion, a first slide structure at a first end of the mounting portion, and a second slide structure at a second end of the mounting portion, the slide axes of the slide structures being substantially parallel and being transverse to a line extending through the first and second slide structures.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular device embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one form of razor handle illustrative of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevational view; Figure 3 is a side elevational view; Figure 4 is an enlarged top plan view; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the razor handle shown in conjunction with a replaceable bade assembly.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the illustrative razor handle includes a grip portion 2 and a mounting portion 4 fixed to one end of the grip portion and extending transversely of the grip portion. A first slide means 6 is diposed at a first end of the mounting portion 4, and a second slide means 8 is disposed at a second end of the mounting portion. Slide axes a-a, b-b of the first and second slide means (Figure 4) are parallel and are transverse to a line c-c extending through centers of the first and second slide means 6, 8.

The first slide means 6 includes a bottom wall 10 extending outwardly from the first end of the mounting portion 4 and an outboard side wall 12 extending from the bottom wall 10 and inclined therefrom in a direction upwardly, as viewed in the drawings. Extending upwardly from the juncture of the mounting portion 4 and the bottom wall 10 is an inboard side wall 14 and extending from the end thereof, and generally normal thereto, is a top wall 16. The top wall 16 and the bottom wall 10 are generally parallel and, with the side walls 10, 12 define a channel 18, in turn defining the slide axis a-a.

The second slide means 8 is structured in a similar manner, having bottom, top and side walls defining a channel 20 which, in turn, defines the slide axis b-b.

Referring again to the first slide means 6, it will be seen that the outboard side wall has a front edge 22 and atop edge 24 and that the two edges 22, 24 are connected by notch walls 26 defining a first notch 28. Similarly, the second slide means 8 is provided with a second notch 30.

The first slide means top wall 1 6 has a free edge 32 from which there extends a first lug 34 providing a first stop surface 36. In like manner, the second slide means is provided with a second lug 38 having a second stop surface 40.

In use, the front of the handle is brought into engagement with the blade assembly width-wise of the blade assembly, along the axes a-a, b-b, the slide means 6, 8 simultaneously engaging complementary slide portions of the blade assembly, as illustrated in Figure 5. The slide means 6, 8 progressively engage the complementary slide portions of the blade assembly until such slide portions engage the stop surfaces 36, 40 of the slide means 6,8 and the notches 28, 30 are engaged by further blade assembly structure. Engagement by the handle at two positions on the blade assembly provides a stable, safe and secure mounting for the blade assembly.

The walls of the slide means may be provided with small protrusions 42 operative to insure a snug connection, particularly when the handle is used in conjunction with blade assemblies having plastic bodies, the protrusions being adapted to protrude into the plastic.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the disclosure.

The invention also includes the combination of a handle as herein claimed and a razor blade assembly as claimed in our copending patent application (to which attention is hereby directed) of even date, claiming priority from US Patent Application SN 101261.

Claims

1. A razor handle for use with a replaceable blade assembly the handle comprising an elongate grip portion, a mounting portion fixed to one end of the grip portion and extending transversely thereof, a first slide means disposed at one end of the mounting portion, and a second slide means disposed at the other end of the mounting portion, slide axes of the respective slide means being substantially parallel with each other, and being transverse to a line extending through the first and second slide means.

2. A razor handle in accordance with claim 1, in which each of the slide means includes wall structure defining a channel.

3. A razor handle in accordance with claim 2, in which the said wall structure includes bottom, top and side walls.

4. A razor handle in accordance with claim 3 in which the said bottom and top walls are generally parallel with each other.

5. A razor handle in accordance with claim 3 or 4 in which a first side wall is inclined relative to a second side wall.

6. A razor handle in accordance with claim 3, 4 or 5 in which the said wall structure includes stop means for engagement with a portion of a blade assembly when mounted on the handle.

7. A razor handle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A razor handle in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6 in combination with a razor blade assembly comprising an elongate body member having a guard portion, a blade means support portion and a cap portion, first and second slide means respectively positioned at or near opposite ends of the body member and extending transversely to the length of the body member, the slide means having slide axes which are substantially parallel with each other.

9. A razor handle in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 5 in which said wall structure includes notch means for engagement with a portion of said blade assembly.

10. A razor handle in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 5 in which said wall structure is provided with protrusion means adapted to protrude into a portion of said blade assembly.