HK1178845B - Scrubbing razor - Google Patents

Description

Erasing razor

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of application No.12/394,557 filed on 27/2/2009, which in turn is part of continuation application No. 11/338,366 filed on 24/1/2006, i.e., U.S. patent No.7,500,312 granted on 3/10/2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to razors and more particularly to an improved safety shaving apparatus.

Background

Manual safety razors are typically based on some additional type of protection adjacent the edge of the cutting blade. Early single edge safety razors had steel blades with a guard along one edge, and double edge razors with replaceable stainless steel blades had the risk of accidental cuts by holding the blade in hand. Such manual razors must be aligned and precisely pulled across the skin of the user at a suitable angle in a straight direction in order to function. Modern cartridge razor blade blades (injectors blade) designed to fit within disposable plastic handles can be more safely handled and used effectively with less precision. Such an injector blade cartridge may be obtained by having a single or a plurality of parallel blades on one side of the razor. However, such razors must still be aligned and carefully dragged across the user's skin to provide effective shaving.

Electric razors provide a cutting head driven by a small motor, the cutting head typically having an outer portion with a series of slots thereon to catch hair and a series of cutting blades. While electric razors with reciprocating blades generally need to be aligned and carefully dragged along the user's skin in one shaving direction, electric razors with one or more rotating blades allow the razor to be held by the user and dragged in any direction and move linearly or circularly along the user's skin as desired. However, such rotary electric razors require a power source, either to directly operate the razor or to charge the battery of the razor, and have expensive heads and blade cartridges that require maintenance and periodic replacement. It is therefore desirable to provide a manually operated safety razor which does not require a power source for operation, which provides the advantage of a rotary razor in that it allows the razor to be held by a user and dragged in any direction and with any movement along the user's skin as desired. The present invention meets these and other needs.

Disclosure of Invention

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides a scrubbing/scrubbing (scrub) razor that can be manually operated and does not require a power source for operation, and which allows a user to drag one or more cutting blades of the razor along the user's skin.

The present invention thus provides a scrubbing razor including a housing and one or more cutting blades having a rounded cutting edge. The housing includes a top cover, a tubular outer safety ring mounted to the top cover, and one or more tubular anchor rings disposed within the tubular outer safety ring and mounted to the top cover. The top cover typically has a surface defining a plurality of mounting holes and a plurality of flow passage openings, and the tubular outer safety ring has a surface defining a plurality of mounting holes for connecting a corresponding plurality of fasteners to the mounting holes of the top cover. The one or more cutting blades are mounted to the one or more tubular anchor rings.

In a presently preferred aspect, the one or more cutting blades may be circular blades having an outer circular cutting edge, preferably with a concave curved inner surface and a convex curved outer surface. In another presently preferred aspect, the one or more cutting blades may be one or more annular blades having an outer circular cutting edge.

In one variation, each of the one or more annular blades may be formed as a single or double edged annular concave rounded blade (annular concave rounded blade) having a concave curved upper side surface and a convex curved bottom side surface, the annular concave rounded blade having a radially outer rounded cutting edge, and each of the one or more annular blades may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge. The annular concave rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape, with substantially circular cutting blades, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape, with elliptical cutting blades.

In another variation, each of the one or more annular blades may be formed as a single or double edged annular flat rounded blade having a flat upper side surface and a flat lower side surface, having a radially outer rounded cutting edge and which may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge. The annular flat rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape, to have a substantially circular cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape, to have an elliptical cutting edge.

In another variation, each of the one or more annular cutting blades may be formed as a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade having a flat upper side surface and a flat lower side surface, having a radially outer rounded downwardly deflected cutting edge, and a radially inner rounded upwardly deflected edge. The annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape, to have a substantially circular radially outer cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape, to have an elliptical radially outer cutting edge.

In another variation, each of the one or more annular cutting blades may be formed as a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade having a flat upper side surface and a flat lower side surface, a downwardly deflected cutting edge having a radially inner rounded shape, and a radially outer rounded upwardly deflected edge. The annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape, to have a substantially circular radially inner cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape, to have an elliptical radially inner cutting edge.

In another presently preferred aspect, the one or more tubular anchor rings include a plurality of lower notches for receiving a corresponding plurality of fastener members to mount the one or more cutting blades. One or more internal slip rings may also be placed within and proximate to the one or more anchor rings. In another presently preferred aspect, the one or more anchor rings have surfaces defining a plurality of upper slots, and the scrubbing razor includes a tripod post member having a plurality of arms slidingly received in the upper slots of the one or more inner anchor rings. The scrubbing razor may further include an annular safety ring shim interposed between the top cover and the outer safety ring, the annular safety ring shim including a plurality of mounting holes to receive the plurality of fasteners into the mounting holes of the top cover.

In another presently preferred aspect, the top cover includes a plurality of flow passage openings and an outer safety ring, and the one or more anchor rings define a space therebetween; and when a plurality of anchor rings are provided, the plurality of anchor rings define a plurality of spaces therebetween, thereby enabling the scrubbing razor to be easily washed with water to clean the scrubbing razor.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bidirectional scrubbing razor comprising: a handle having a forward end, a rearward end, and an elongated head extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle at the forward end of the handle. The elongated head includes a blade mounting portion having an upper side and a lower side; and one or more straight blades providing opposing cutting edges extending at an oblique angle relative to the blade mounting portion, the opposing cutting edges and an underside of the blade mounting portion substantially defining a single common cutting plane. In a preferred aspect, the one or more blades include one or more forward straight blades mounted to and extending from an underside of the blade mounting portion and one or more rearward straight blades mounted to and extending from an underside of the blade mounting portion in an opposing relationship with the one or more forward straight blades. One or more forward straight blades each have a cutting edge and one or more rearward straight blades each have a cutting edge opposite the cutting edge of the one or more forward straight blades. In a presently preferred aspect, the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades and the opposing cutting edges of the one or more rearward straight blades define a single plane. The elongated head of the bidirectional scrubbing razor may be fixedly and integrally joined to the handle, and the blade mounting portion may be pivotally mounted to the elongated head.

In one presently preferred form of the bidirectional scrubbing razor, the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades of the bidirectional scrubbing razor and the one or more rearward straight blades of the bidirectional scrubbing razor face obliquely outward from the intermediate portion of the blade mounting portion. In another preferred aspect of this form of the bidirectional scrubbing razor, the cutting edge of the one or more forward straight blades can also be inclined away from the cutting edge of the one or more rearward straight blades.

In another presently preferred variation of the bidirectional scrubbing razor, the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades and the one or more rearward straight blades face inwardly toward the middle portion of the blade mounting portion. In another preferred aspect of this variation of the bidirectional scrubbing razor, the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades are inclined facing the opposite cutting edges of the one or more rearward straight blades.

Another presently preferred variation of the bidirectional scrubbing razor includes one or more double-edged blades including opposing transverse cutting edges extending obliquely away from a middle portion of the double-edged blade. The one or more double-edged blades are retained within a blade mounting portion that includes a lower cap, the lower cap and the one or more double-edged cutting blades including a central notch for receiving a coupling member or other attachment means at the forward end of the handle to attach the blade mounting portion and the double-edged blades to the forward end of the handle. An upper blade guard may also be provided between the forward end of the handle and the double-edged cutting blade. The opposing lateral edges of the lower cap of the blade mounting portion form a lower face of the underside of the blade mounting portion, and the blade mounting portion and the lower face and the opposing lateral cutting edges of the double-edged blade substantially define a single common cutting plane.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the operation of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a scrubbing razor according to the present invention, shown applied to the skin of a user;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the scrubbing razor shown in FIG. 1, shown applied to the skin of a user to cut hair;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a scrubbing razor according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the outer safety ring of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the outer safety ring of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the outer safety ring of the scrubbing razor along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the anchor ring of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the anchor ring of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor ring taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the anchor ring of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tripod leg member of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a variation of the second embodiment single ring blade having a single or double edge concave rounded configuration;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the single ring blade of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 17 having a circular shape;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 17 having an oval shape;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another variation of the second embodiment single ring blade having a single or double edge annular flat rounded configuration;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the single ring blade of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 21 having a circular shape;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 21 having an oval shape;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another variation of the second embodiment single annular blade having a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the single ring blade of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 25 having a circular shape;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 25 having an oval shape;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another variation of the second embodiment single annular blade having a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the single ring blade of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 29 having a circular shape;

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the single ring blade of FIG. 29 having an oval shape;

FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of a scrubbing razor according to the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 35-35 in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 38-38 in FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a variation of the two annular blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single or double edge concave rounded configuration;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two ring blades of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 39 having a circular shape;

FIG. 42 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 39 having an oval shape;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of another variation of the two annular blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single or double edge annular flat rounded configuration;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two ring blades of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 43 having a circular shape;

FIG. 46 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 43 having an oval shape;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of another variation of the two ring blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two ring blades of FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 47 having a circular shape;

FIG. 50 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 47 having an oval shape;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of another variation of the two ring blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two ring blades of FIG. 51;

FIG. 53 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 51 having a circular shape;

FIG. 54 is a top plan view of two ring blades of FIG. 51 having an oval shape;

FIG. 55 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a scrubbing razor according to the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a bottom perspective view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 57-57 in FIG. 55;

FIG. 58 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 55;

FIG. 59 is a top plan view of the scrubbing razor of FIG. 55;

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor along line 60-60 in FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a variation of the three annular blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single or double edge concave rounded configuration;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the three ring blades of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 61 having a circular shape;

FIG. 64 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 61 having an oval shape;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of another variation of the three annular blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single or double edge annular flat rounded configuration;

FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the three ring blades of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 65 having a circular shape;

FIG. 68 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 65 having an oval shape;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of another variation of the three ring blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the three ring blades of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a top plan view of the three annular blades of FIG. 69 having a circular shape;

FIG. 72 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 69 having an oval shape;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another variation of the three ring blades of the third embodiment, each blade having a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded configuration;

FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the three ring blades of FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of FIG. 73 having a circular shape;

fig. 76 is a top plan view of the three ring blades of fig. 73 having an oval shape.

FIG. 77 is an enlarged top perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a scrubbing razor according to the present invention utilizing straight blades with opposing cutting edges defining a single plane.

FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional view of the scrubbing razor taken along line 78-78 of FIG. 77, showing straight blades with outwardly facing opposing cutting edges defining a single plane.

Fig. 79 is a side view of a scrubbing razor similar to fig. 78, showing the handle in a lowered position.

Fig. 80 is a side view of the scrubbing razor similar to fig. 78, showing the handle in a raised position.

Fig. 81 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the scrubbing razor of fig. 77 similar to fig. 78, with straight blades having inwardly facing opposing cutting edges defining a single plane, showing the handle in a lowered position.

Fig. 82 is a top perspective view of a straight blade of the scrubbing razor of fig. 77 or 81 according to the present invention.

FIG. 83 is an exploded view of a variation of a bidirectional scrubbing razor utilizing one or more double-edged blades extending at an oblique angle from a middle portion.

Fig. 84 is a side view of the bidirectional scrubbing razor of fig. 83.

Fig. 85 is a perspective view of a double-edged blade of the scrubbing razor of fig. 83.

Fig. 86 is an end view of the double-edged blade of fig. 85.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1-2, in a first embodiment, the scrubbing razor 30 includes a housing 32 and a cutting blade 34 having a rounded cutting edge 36. The housing includes a top cover 38 having a plurality of mounting holes 40 for mounting screws or bolts and a plurality of flow passage openings 42 in the top cover to provide fluid flow passages. The housing also includes a tubular outer safety ring 44 having upper holes 46 for mounting screws or bolts to mount the outer safety ring to the top cover, and optionally a safety ring gasket 48 interposed between the top cover and the outer safety ring and having holes 49 for mounting screws or bolts to mount the outer safety ring to the top cover. The outer circular cutting edge of the cutting blade is protected by an adjacent outer safety ring. The scrubbing razor also includes a tubular inner anchor ring 50 having upper holes 52 for mounting screws or bolts for mounting into corresponding mounting holes in the top cover and which defines a space 54 between the outer safety ring and the inner anchor ring, the space 54 connecting the fluid flow path of the top cover to allow wash water to pass through the fluid flow path of the top cover and through the space between the outer safety ring and the inner anchor ring and past the cutting blades for simple cleaning of the scrubbing razor.

In the present embodiment, the cutting blade is formed by a single circular blade 56, which circular blade 56 in the preferred aspect has a concavely curved inner surface 58 and a convexly curved outer surface 60 with an outer circular cutting edge. The circular cutting blade may be mounted to the inner anchor ring with fasteners, such as mounting pins or screws, received in corresponding lower notches in the anchor ring, as will be further described below. The scrubbing razor may optionally further include an inner slip ring 62, which inner slip ring 62 is slidingly disposed within and proximate to the inner anchor ring and interposed between the upper surface of the cutting blade and a tripod strut member 64, as will be described further below.

Referring to fig. 2, as the scrubbing razor is moved from left to right across the user's skin 66, it can be seen that when the skin contacts the safety loop and the safety loop is pressed down into the skin, the skin is depressed directly below the safety loop but is raised on both sides of the safety loop. Although the skin is elevated between the safety ring and the outer cutting edge of the cutting blade, when the scrubbing razor passes over the skin, the skin drops back to a normal level under the pressure of the cutting blade, and when the skin passes between the safety ring and the outer cutting surface of the blade, hairs on the skin that move under the cutting edge are cut off by the passing blade. It can be seen that the safety ring acts as an effective guard for the cutting edge of the blade, without which the blade would cut into unprotected skin when moved in a vigorous scrubbing action. However, the safety ring is spaced from the outer cutting edge of the cutting blade so that the user's skin is only allowed to pass close to the cutting edge of the blade at a minimum angle, thereby allowing the scrubbing razor to be used effectively in a 360 degree cutting motion and scrubbing action.

Referring to fig. 3-32, in a second preferred embodiment, scrubbing razor 70 includes a housing 72 and a cutting blade 74 having a rounded cutting edge 76. The housing includes a top cover 78, the top cover 78 having a plurality of mounting holes 80 for mounting screws or bolts and a plurality of flow passage openings 82 in the top cover. The housing of the scrubbing razor also includes a tubular outer safety ring 84, the tubular outer safety ring 84 having upper holes 86 for mounting screws or bolts, and the housing of the scrubbing razor may include a safety ring gasket 88, the safety ring gasket 88 having holes 89 for mounting screws or bolts to connect the outer safety ring to corresponding mounting holes in the top cover. The cutting edge of the cutting blade is preferably an outer circular cutting edge that is shielded by an adjacent outer safety ring. A tubular inner anchor ring 90 is also provided, the tubular inner anchor ring 90 having upper holes 92 for mounting screws or bolts and upper slots 93 and lower indentations 94 for fastener members such as screws. An annular anchor ring shim (not shown) may also be inserted between the inner anchor ring and the top cover. The outer safety ring and the inner anchor ring define a space 96 therebetween.

In a second embodiment, the cutting blade is formed by a single annular blade 98 having a surface defining a plurality of notches 100 for mounting fastener members, such as press-fit pins or screws (not shown) received in lower notches of the inner anchor ring. The housing may optionally include an inner slip ring 102 slidably disposed within and proximate to the anchor ring and interposed between the upper surface of the cutting blade and a tripod leg member 104, the tripod leg member 104 having a plurality of arms 106, the arms 106 being slidably received in an upper slot of the inner anchor ring.

In a variation of the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 17-20, a single annular blade may be formed as a single or double edged annular concave rounded blade 108, the annular concave rounded blade 108 having a concavely curved upper side surface 110 and a convexly curved bottom side surface 112, as shown in fig. 18, the annular concave rounded blade 108 having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 114, and the single annular blade may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge 116. The annular concave rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 118 as seen in top plan view in FIG. 19 with substantially circular cutting blades, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 120 with elliptical cutting blades as seen in top plan view in FIG. 20.

In another variation of the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 21-24, a single annular blade may be formed as a single or double edged annular flat rounded blade 122, as shown in fig. 22, the annular flat rounded blade 122 having a flat upper side surface 124 and a flat bottom side surface 126 and having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 128, and the single annular blade may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge 130. The annular flat rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 132 as seen in the top view of fig. 23 and a substantially circular cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 134 as seen in the top view of fig. 24 and an elliptical cutting edge.

In another variation of the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 25-28, the single annular cutting blade may be formed as a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 136 having a flat upper surface 138 and a flat lower surface 140 and having a radially outer rounded downwardly deflected cutting edge 142 and a radially inner rounded upwardly deflected edge 144. The annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 146 with a substantially circular radially outer cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 27, or the annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 136 may be formed to have an elliptical shape 148 with an elliptical radially outer cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 28.

In another variation of the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 29-32, the single annular cutting blade may be formed as a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 150 having a flat upper surface 152 and a flat lower surface 154 and having a radially inner rounded downwardly deflected cutting edge 156 and a radially outer rounded upwardly deflected edge 158. The annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 160 with a substantially circular radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 31, or the annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 150 may be formed to have an elliptical shape 162 with an elliptical radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 32.

Referring to fig. 33-54, in a third preferred embodiment, the scrubbing razor 170 includes a housing 172 and at least one cutting blade 174, the cutting blade 174 having a circular cutting edge. The housing includes a top housing 178 and a plurality of flow passage openings 182 in the top housing, wherein the top housing 178 has mounting holes 180 for mounting screws or bolts. The housing also includes a tubular outer safety ring 184, the tubular outer safety ring 184 having upper holes 186 for mounting screws or bolts to secure the outer safety ring to the mounting holes of the top cover. The scrubbing razor 170 may also optionally have a safety ring shim 188 with holes 189 for mounting screws or bolts to attach the outer safety ring to corresponding mounting holes in the top cover.

The housing also includes a first inner tubular anchor ring 190 having upper holes 192 for mounting screws or bolts, upper slots 193, and lower indentations as described above for fastener members, such as press-fit pins or screws (not shown). A first annular anchor ring shim (not shown) may also be interposed between the first inner anchor ring and the top cover. In this embodiment, the one or more cutting blades include a first inner annular blade 196, the first inner annular blade 196 having a notch 198 for a fastener member, such as a press-fit pin or screw, the first inner annular blade 196 having an outer circular cutting edge 200. Alternatively, the first inner annular blade may comprise an inner circular cutting edge. The first inner small slip ring 202 may also be slidingly disposed within and proximate to the first inner anchor ring.

The second outer tubular anchor ring 204 also has upper holes 206 for mounting screws or bolts, upper slots 207, and lower indentations as described above for fastener members such as press-fit pins or screws. A second annular anchor ring shim (not shown) may also be interposed between the second inner anchor ring and the top cover. The outer safety ring and the second outer anchor ring define a space 210 therebetween, and the first inner anchor ring and the second outer tubular anchor ring define a space 212 therebetween. The second outer ring blade 214 also has notches 216 for fastener members, such as press-fit pins or screws, and the second outer ring blade 214 has an outer circular cutting edge 218. Alternatively, the second inner annular blade may comprise an inner circular cutting edge. The scrubbing razor may optionally further include a second outer slip ring 220, the second outer slip ring 220 being slidingly disposed within and immediately adjacent to the second inner anchor ring. First and second slip rings are also interposed between the upper surfaces of the first and second cutting blades, respectively, and a tripod strut member 222, the tripod strut member 222 having a plurality of arms 224, the arms 224 being slidably received in the upper slots of the first and second outer anchor rings.

In a variation of the third embodiment, as shown in fig. 39-42, each of the double annular blades may be formed as a single or double edge annular concave rounded blade 228a, 228b, as shown in fig. 40, said annular concave rounded blade 228a, 228b having a concave curved upper side surface 230 and a convex curved bottom side surface 232 and having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 234, and may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge 236. The annular concave rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 238, as seen in the top view of FIG. 41, with substantially circular cutting blades, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 240, as seen in the top view of FIG. 42, with elliptical cutting blades.

In another variation of the third embodiment, as shown in fig. 43-46, the double annular blades may be formed as single or double edge annular flat rounded blades 242a, 242b, as shown in fig. 44, the annular flat rounded blades 242a, 242b having a flat upper surface 244 and a flat lower surface 246, having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 248, and optionally including a radially inner rounded cutting edge 250. The annular flat rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 252 as seen in the top view of fig. 45 and a substantially circular cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 254 as seen in the top view of fig. 46 and an elliptical cutting edge.

In another variation of the third embodiment, as shown in fig. 47-50, each of the dual annular cutting blades may be formed as a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 256a, 256b having a flat upper surface 258 and a flat lower surface 260, a downwardly deflected cutting edge 262 having a radially outer rounded edge, and a radially inner rounded upwardly deflected edge 264. The annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 266 as seen in top view in fig. 49 and a substantially circular radially outer cutting edge, or may be formed to have an oval shape 268 as seen in top view in fig. 50 and an oval radially outer cutting edge.

In another variation of the third embodiment, as shown in fig. 51-54, each of the double annular cutting blades may be formed as a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 270a, 270b, the annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 270a, 270b having a flat upper surface 272 and a flat lower surface 274, a downwardly deflected cutting edge 276 having a radially inner rounded shape, and an upwardly deflected edge 278 having a radially outer rounded shape. The annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 280 with a substantially circular radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 53, or may be formed to have an oval shape 282 with an oval radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 54.

Referring to fig. 55-60, in a fourth embodiment, the scrubbing razor 290 includes a housing 292 and at least one cutting blade 294, the cutting blade 294 having a rounded cutting edge. The housing includes a top cover 298 and a plurality of flow passage openings 302, the top cover 298 having mounting holes 300 for mounting screws or bolts. The housing further includes a tubular outer safety ring 304, the tubular outer safety ring 304 having upper holes 306 for mounting screws or bolts, and the housing may further include a safety ring gasket interposed between the top cover and the outer safety ring and having holes for mounting screws or bolts.

The scrubbing razor includes a first inner tubular anchor ring 310 having upper holes for mounting screws or bolts as described above, upper slots 313, and lower indentations for fastener members, such as press-fit pins or screws, as described above. A first tubular anchor ring shim (not shown) may optionally be inserted between the first inner anchor ring and the top cover. The scrubbing razor includes a first inner annular blade 316, the first inner annular blade 316 having notches 318 for fastener members, such as press fit pins or screws, and the first inner annular blade 316 having an outer circular cutting edge 320. Alternatively, the first inner annular blade may comprise an inner circular cutting edge. The scrubbing razor may also optionally include a first inner small slip ring 322, the first inner small slip ring 322 being slidingly disposed within and immediately adjacent to the first inner tubular anchor ring.

The scrubbing razor includes a second intermediate tubular anchor ring 324 having upper holes 326 for mounting screws or bolts, upper slots 327, and lower indentations as described above for fastener members such as press fit pins or screws. A second tubular anchor ring shim (not shown) may optionally be inserted between the second inner anchor ring and the top cover. The scrubbing razor includes a second middle ring blade 330, the second middle ring blade 330 having notches 332 for fastener members, such as press fit pins or screws, and the second middle ring blade 330 having an outer circular cutting edge 334. Alternatively, the second intermediate annular blade may comprise an inner circular cutting edge. The scrubbing razor may optionally further include a second intermediate slip ring 336, the second intermediate slip ring 336 being slidably disposed within and immediately adjacent to the second intermediate tubular anchor ring.

The scrubbing razor includes a third outer tubular anchor ring 338, the third outer tubular anchor ring 338 having upper holes 340 for mounting screws or bolts, upper slots 341, and lower indentations as described above for fastener members such as press-fit pins or screws. A third outer tubular anchor ring shim (not shown) may optionally be inserted between the second inner anchor ring and the top cover. The scrubbing razor includes a third outer annular blade 344, the third outer annular blade 344 having notches 346 for fastener members, such as press fit pins or screws, and the third outer annular blade 344 having an outer circular cutting edge 348. Alternatively, the third outer annular blade may comprise an inner circular cutting edge. The scrubbing razor may optionally further include a third outer slip ring 350, the third outer slip ring 350 being slidably disposed within and immediately adjacent to the third outer tubular anchor ring. The first, second and third slip rings are also interposed between the upper surfaces of the first, second and third cutting blades, respectively, and a tripod strut member 352, wherein the tripod strut member 352 has a plurality of arms 354, the arms 354 being slidably received in the upper grooves of the first, second and third outer anchor rings. In one variation of the fourth embodiment, as shown in fig. 61-64, each of the three annular blades may be formed as a single or double edge annular concave rounded blade 358a, 358b, 358c, as shown in fig. 62, the annular concave rounded blade 358a, 358b, 358c having a concave curved upper side surface 360 and a convex curved bottom side surface 362, the annular concave rounded blade having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 364, and each of the three annular blades may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge 366. The annular concave rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 368 as viewed from the top in FIG. 63 with substantially circular cutting blades, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 370 with elliptical cutting blades as viewed from the top in FIG. 64.

In another variation of the fourth embodiment, as shown in fig. 65-68, each of the three annular blades may be formed as a single or double edge annular flat rounded blade 372a, 372b, 372c, the annular flat rounded blade 372a, 372b, 372c having a flat upper side surface 374 and a flat lower side surface 376, as shown in fig. 66, the annular flat rounded blade 372a, 372b, 372c having a radially outer rounded cutting edge 378, and each of the three annular blades may optionally include a radially inner rounded cutting edge 380. The annular flat rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 382 as seen in top view in fig. 67 and a substantially circular cutting edge, or may be formed to have an elliptical shape 384 as seen in top view in fig. 68 and an elliptical cutting edge.

In another variation of the fourth embodiment, as shown in fig. 69-72, each of the three annular blades may be formed as a single-edged annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 386a, 386b, 386c having a flat upper surface 388 and a flat lower surface 390, a downwardly deflected cutting edge 392 having a radially outer rounded shape, and an upwardly deflected edge 394 having a radially inner rounded shape. The annular truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 396 as seen in top plan view in fig. 71 and a substantially circular radially outer cutting edge, or may be formed to have an oval shape 398 and an oval radially outer cutting edge as seen in top plan view in fig. 72.

In another variation of the fourth embodiment, as shown in fig. 73-76, each of the three annular blades may be formed as a single-edged annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 400a, 400b, 400c, the annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade 400a, 400b, 400c having a flat upper surface 402 and a flat lower surface 404, a downwardly deflected cutting edge 406 with a radially inner rounded edge, and an upwardly deflected edge 408 with a radially outer rounded edge. The annular inverted truncated cone-shaped rounded blade may be formed to have a substantially circular shape 410 with a substantially circular radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 75, or may be formed to have an oval shape 412 with an oval radially inner cutting edge, as seen in top view in fig. 76.

Referring to fig. 77-81, in a fifth preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a bidirectional scrubbing razor 430 comprising a handle 432, typically a straight handle, for example having a forward end 434 and a rearward end 436 and having an elongated head 438 extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 440 of the handle at the forward end of the handle and typically fixedly and integrally joined thereto. The elongated head preferably includes a plurality of forwardly extending spring tabs 442, a pair of left rotation limiting posts 444 including forward and rearward rotation limiting posts 446 and 448, and a pair of right rotation limiting posts 450 including forward and rearward rotation limiting posts 452 and 454. The rotation limiting post is a generally cylindrical post mounted or integrally formed within the underside 456 of the elongated head on the left and right sides 458, 460, respectively. Left and right side pivot pins are also provided on the left and right sides of the elongated head, typically disposed approximately between the pairs of left and right side rotation restraint posts, respectively, only the left side pivot pin of which is visible in fig. 77. The elongated head further includes a blade mounting portion 464 that is generally pivotally mounted to left and right side pivot pins that are received in left and right notches, only the left notch 466 of which is visible in fig. 77.

As shown in fig. 78, the blade mounting portion includes an underside 468 having a bottom wall 470 defining a recess 472 and a plurality of slots 474 through which a plurality of straight blades 476 extend on the underside of the blade mounting portion. The plurality of straight blades are typically held in place, such as within a notch formed on the upper side 478 of the blade mounting portion, by having the plurality of posts 480 received through and engaged within corresponding notches 482 in the straight blades. The upper side of the blade mounting portion also typically includes a plurality of elongated ramps 484 at locations on the upper side of the blade mounting portion below and corresponding to the locations of the forwardly extending spring tabs of the elongated head, thereby providing an upper surface against which the forwardly extending spring tabs can react. The left and right sides 486, 488 of the blade mounting portion have surfaces defining forward and rearward shoulder surfaces 490, 492 which are also reactable with the forward and rearward shoulder surfaces 490, 492 to limit rotation of the handle relative to the blade mounting portion of the elongated head. The handle, elongate head and blade mounting portion can be formed from any suitable plastic material, such as a molded thermoplastic. Referring to fig. 77 and 78, in a presently preferred aspect, the blade mounting portion includes one or more forward straight blades 494 and one or more rearward straight blades 496 mounted to and extending from an underside of the blade mounting portion.

As shown in fig. 78, in a preferred aspect, the cutting edges 498 of the one or more forward straight blades and the cutting edges 500 of the one or more rearward straight blades are angled outwardly from the middle portion 502 of the blade mounting portion, and the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades are angled away from the opposing cutting edges of the one or more rearward straight blades. In another preferred aspect, the blade mounting portion underside has a lower face 501, and the lower face 501 has one or more forward straight blade cutting edges and one or more rearward straight blade opposing cutting edges that substantially define a single common cutting plane 503.

Referring to fig. 81, in a preferred variation, the cutting edges 504 of the one or more forward straight blades and the cutting edges 506 of the one or more rearward straight blades are angled inwardly facing toward the intermediate portion 502 of the blade mounting portion, and the cutting edges of the one or more forward straight blades are angled facing toward the opposite cutting edges of the one or more rearward straight blades. In another preferred aspect, the blade mounting portion underside has a lower face 501; and the lower face 501 has one or more forward straight blade cutting edges and one or more rearward straight blade opposing cutting edges that substantially define a single common cutting plane.

As shown in fig. 82, each straight blade 508 is typically formed from a conventional single edge razor blade that can be mounted within the blade mounting portion, for example, during molding of the blade mounting portion, or can be formed separately and mounted to the blade mounting portion, for example, by attaching the blade within a notch formed in an upper side of the blade mounting portion and having a plurality of posts received through and engaged within corresponding indentations 510 in the straight blade, as described above, or by adhesion or other suitable mechanical fastening means.

A variation of the fifth preferred embodiment is shown in fig. 83-86, which shows a bidirectional scrubbing razor 530 comprising a handle 532, typically a straight handle, for example having a forward end 534 and a rearward end 536. An elongated head 538 is secured to and extends generally at an oblique angle from the forward end of the handle. The head includes a blade mounting portion or lower cover 540 having an underside 542 with a bottom wall 544 defining a recess 546 and a slot or notch 548, the slot 548 for receiving a coupling member 550 and other attachment means at the forward end of the handle to secure the blade mounting portion or lower cover to the handle. The upper portion may also provide a blade guard 552 to form an upper portion of the blade mounting portion in conjunction with a lower cap of the blade mounting portion. The blade guard also preferably includes a generally central slot or notch 554 for receiving the coupling member and fitting to the forward end of the handle so as to be retained thereon by the lower cap. The blade guard may also have a plurality of notches or teeth 556 along opposing lateral edges 557 of the blade guard.

One or more double-edged cutting blades 558 are preferably retained between the lower cap and the upper blade guard, and each double-edged blade has a generally central slot or indentation 560 for also receiving a coupling member at the forward end of the handle, allowing the double-edged cutting blade to be retained between the upper blade guard and the lower cap. Each double-edge cutting blade includes a first transverse cutting edge 562a and a second transverse cutting edge 562b opposite the first transverse cutting edge, with the first and second transverse cutting edges sloping outwardly from the middle portion 564. The lower cap also similarly includes first and second lateral edges 566a, 566b extending outwardly from the middle portion 568, and the upper blade guard similarly has a middle portion 570 with laterally opposite edges 557 extending at an oblique angle from the middle portion 570 relative to the middle portion 570. As shown in fig. 86, the opposing cutting edges of the double-edged blade that extend obliquely from the middle portion of the blade typically form a cutting angle of approximately 20 degrees with respect to a single common cutting plane 572, wherein the single common cutting plane 572 is substantially defined by the opposing lateral edges of the double-edged blade and the opposing lateral edges of the lower face of the lower cover that forms the underside of the blade mounting portion. The opposing lateral edges of the lower cap and upper blade guard typically extend from their respective intermediate portions at an angle similar to the cutting angle of the double-edged blade.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited by the particular forms disclosed, but rather by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A bidirectional scrubbing razor comprising:

a handle having a forward end, a rearward end, and an elongated head extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle at the forward end of the handle, the elongated head including a blade mounting portion having an upper side and a lower side, the elongated head being fixedly and integrally joined to the handle, the blade mounting portion being pivotally mounted to the elongated head for pivotal movement of the handle relative to the blade mounting portion between forward and rearward rotational positions, the elongated head including a plurality of spring tabs, the upper side of the blade mounting portion including a plurality of elongated ramps having a surface configured to engage the plurality of spring tabs as the handle moves relative to the blade mounting portion between the forward and rearward rotational positions; and

at least one straight blade providing opposing cutting edges extending at an oblique angle relative to the blade mounting portion, and the opposing cutting edges and the underside of the blade mounting portion substantially define a single common cutting plane.

2. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 1, wherein said at least one straight blade comprises:

at least one forward straight blade mounted to and extending from the underside of the blade mounting portion, the at least one forward straight blade having a cutting edge, and at least one rearward straight blade mounted to and extending from the underside of the blade mounting portion in opposing relation to the at least one forward straight blade, the at least one rearward straight blade having a cutting edge in opposing relation to the cutting edge of the at least one forward straight blade, the cutting edge of the at least one forward straight blade and the opposing cutting edge of the at least one rearward straight blade substantially defining the single common cutting plane.

3. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 2, wherein said cutting edges of said at least one forward straight blade and said at least one rearward straight blade face obliquely outward from an intermediate portion of said blade mounting portion.

4. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 2, wherein the cutting edge of said at least one forward straight blade is inclined away from the cutting edge of one or more of said rearward straight blades.

5. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 2, wherein said cutting edges of said at least one forward straight blade and said at least one rearward straight blade are angled inwardly facing toward an intermediate portion of said blade mounting portion.

6. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 2, wherein the cutting edge of the at least one forward straight blade is inclined toward the opposite cutting edge of the at least one rearward straight blade.

7. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 1, wherein said at least one straight blade comprises a double-edge blade having opposing lateral cutting edges extending at an oblique angle from a middle portion of said double-edge blade, said opposing lateral cutting edges extending from an underside of said blade mounting portion, and said opposing lateral cutting edges of said at least one double-edge blade substantially defining said single common cutting plane.

8. The bidirectional scrubbing razor of claim 1, wherein said elongated head comprises a forward rotation limiting post and a rearward rotation limiting post, and said blade mounting portion comprises a forward shoulder surface and a rearward shoulder surface configured to engage said forward rotation limiting post and said rearward rotation limiting post, respectively, to limit rotational movement of said handle relative to said blade mounting portion between said forward and rearward rotational positions.