GB2064409A

GB2064409A - Razor Blade Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2064409A
Application number: GB8038194A
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: FR2471261B3; GB2064409B; FR2471261A1; CA1139540A; NL8006550A; DE3042692A1

Abstract

A razor blade assembly comprises an elongate body member including a guard portion (4) blade means support portions (6, 8) a cap portion (10), and first and second slide structures (16, 32) spaced from the center of the body member and extending transversely to the length of the body member, the slide axes of the slide structures being substantially parallel with each other, to perm it ready coupling of the assembly with a co- operating razor handle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Razor Blade Assembly The invention relates to wet shaving implements and is directed more particularly to a razor blade assembly for connection to a razor handle, the blade assembly being replaceable on the handle.

It is generally known in the art to provide a razor blade assembly, which may be connected to, and used in conjunction with, a razor handle to facilitate shaving operations.

U.S. Patents Nos. 1,864,995; 2,1 55,749; 2,654,148; 2,676,397; 3,388,831: 3,703,764; 3,724,070 and 4,083,104 all show blade assemblies having means thereon for connection to razor handle. The '995 patent shows a threaded connection means; the '749 patent discloses receiving means in the blade assembly for leaf spring means of a handle; the '148 patent relates to a slide means extending widthwise of the blade assembly (front to back); the '397 and '831 patents show blade assemblies adapted to be received between jaw portions of a handle; the '764 and '070 patents relate to slide means extending lengthwise of the blade assembly (end to end); and the 4,083,104 patent discloses a blade assembly having journal bearing means for pivotal connection to a handle.

In U.S. Patent No. 2,654,148 the slide means of the blade assembly is relatively short and adapted for relatively quick interconnection to a handle having complementary slide means. In U.S. Patents Nos. 3,703,764 and 3,724,070 the slide means of the blade assemblies are relatively long and require a longer period of time for changing blade assemblies on a handle. The former, though quick, provides less support for the blade assembly in use than desired. The latter, though an excellent support, requires some patience on the part of the user, timewise, and obstructs the view of the shaver relative to the area being shaved.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a blade assembly having slide connection means thereon susceptible of quick connect and disconnect actions, but also providing stable and reliable support for the cartridge during a shaving operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slide connection means permitting viewing by the shaver 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 blade assembly comprising a body member including a guard portion, blade means support portion, and a cap portion, a first slide means removed from the center of the body member and extending transversely to a lengthwise axis of the body member, and a second slide means removed from the center of the body member in a direction opposite to the first slide means and extending transversely to the lengthwise axis of the body member, the slide axes of the first and second slide means being substantially parallel.

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 blade assembly 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: Fig. 1 is a back elevational view of one form of blade assembly illustrative of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line Ill- lIlofFig. 1;and Fig. 4 is a perspective view thereof, shown with a razor handle adapted to be used in conjunction with the blade assembly.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the illustrative blade assembly includes a body member 2 having a guard portion 4, blade support portions 6, 8 and a cap portion 10. Blades 12 are fixed to the blade support portions 6, 8.

Removed from a central portion of the blade assembly and towards a first end 14 of the body member 2 there is disposed a first slide means 1 6. The first slide means 1 6 includes a first wall 18 depending from the underside of a first end portion 20 of the body member 2. The first wall 1 8 includes an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24, the outer surface 24 inclining from its base inwardly toward the inner surface 22. A second wall 26 extends from the first wall 18 and transversely thereto. The second wall 26 has an upper surface 28 which is normal to the inner surface 22 of the first wall 1 8. The first and second walls 18, 26 define a slideway open rearwardly and adapted to be engaged by a complementary portion of a handle, as will be further explained.

In like manner, disposed towards a second end 30 of the body member 2 there is a second slide means 32 including a first wall 34 depending from the underside of a second end portion 36 of the body member 2. The first wall 34 of the second slide means 32 includes an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40, the outer surface 40 extending obliquely from its base inwardly toward the inner surface 38. A second slide means second wall 42 extends from the first wall 34 and is disposed transversely thereto. The second wall 42 has an upper surface 44 which is normal to the inner surface 38 of the first wall 34. The first and second walls 34, 42 define a second slideway open rearwardly and adapted, as in the case of the first slideway, to be engaged by a complementary portion of a handle.

The second walls 26, 42 preferably extend inwardly toward each other in aligned and opposed fashion. Slide axes a-a, b--b of the first and second slide means 1 6, 32, respectively, are parallel to each other and extend normal to the lengthwise axis of the body member 2.

The end portions 20, 36 may be provided with stop surfaces 46 for the purpose of terminating sliding engagement of the slide means 16, 32 with the razor when the slide means have been fully engaged.

The upper surfaces,28,44 of the second walls 26, 42 may be provided with thin elongated ridges 48 which enhance the frictional engagement between the blade assembly and the razor.

Referring to Fig, 4, it will be seen that in use the slide means 16, 32 are aligned with complementary slideways S of a razor handle R.

The slide means 16, 32 are slidingly accepted by the handle slideways by movement widthwise, back to forwardly of the blade assembly.

Engagement of the stop surfaces 46 by portions of the slideways S signal completion of the interconnection of the razor and the razor blade assembly. To disconnect the blade assembly from the razor, the movement is reversed, with the handle being urged rearwardly of the blade assembly until the razor handle slideways slide clear of the blade assembly slide means.

It is to be understood 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.

For example, the slide means may be closer to the center of the blade assembly than illustrated, so long as the slide means are removed from the central portion of the blade assembly, one on either side of the central portion. Slide means disposed about mid-way between the center and ends of the blade assembly provide adequate support, provide sufficient visibility, and permit use of a smaller cooperating razor handle connector means.

The invention also includes the combination of a razor blade assembly as claimed herein, with a razor handle as claimed in our co-pending application (to which attenuation is hereby directed) of even date, claiming priority from U.S.

Patent Application SN. 101100.

Claims

1. 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 transversly to the length of the body member, the slide means having alide axes which are substantially parallel with each other,

2. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which the said slide means are disposed on an underside of said body member.

3. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claim 2 in which each of the said slide means comprises wall structure extending from the underside of the said blade assembly, the said wall structure defining a slideway opening rearwardly and adapted to engage a complementary portion of a razor handle.

4. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which the said wall structure comprises a downwardly extending first wall having at its free end a second wall extending transversely to the said first wail.

5. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claini 4 in which the said first wall has a first side surface oblique to a second side surface.

6. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claim 5, in which the said first and second surfaces are furthest apart at their juncture with the body member and closest at their juncture with the said second wall.

7. A razor blade assembly in accordance with claim 5 or 6, in which the said second wall is normal to the said second side surface of the first wall.

8. A razor blade assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 7 in which the said second wall extends inwardly, the second walls of the first and second slide means being aligned and opposed.

9. A razor blade assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 8 and further including an elongated ridge disposed on a razor engaging surface of the said second wall.

10. A razor blade assembly in accordance with any preceding claim in which the body member is provided with stop surfaces proximate either end thereof and proximate the said slide means, the said stop surfaces being adapted to engage a complementary surface of a razor handle.

11. A razor blade assembly in accordance with any preceding claim, in combination with a razor 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.

12. A razor blade assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.